Trip Report Baby's first trip! August 2015 at AKL, plus 2 PTR's -July 2016 and December 2016

Good morning, Good morning, sunbeams will soon shine through,
Good morning, Good morning, to you and you and you and you!
(Or whatever time you are reading this :))
We are the Lovenerds. No, that’s not our real name, but that would be pretty cool if it was. My mom dubbed us that when we got engaged because she said we were nerdy lovebirds :)
You may remember us from our Epic Disneymoon waaaaaaay back in 2012. You can read that one HERE.

We have been to the World several times since then but haven’t written any complete Trip Reports. Yes, I know. Criminal. We’ve had an exciting almost-4 years. (Has it been 4 years already???) We went to Disney a number of times. We visited Hawaii with DH’s family and stayed at Aulani (EPIC!!!). I got a new job and we bought a house. The very BEST part? Well… you’ll see below! Tee-hee!

Anyway, without further ado, I present….US!

I’m Lauren. I’m 36 and I’m a high school French Teacher. This means I can only go to Disney during the very busiest times of the year. BOOO! (This also means I'm writing this TR during the last couple of weeks of school while more than half of my classes are missing due to testing and field trips and whatnot, and I'm bored out of my gourd.) My favorite character is Pooh and my favorite ride is Space Mountain.

My DH is Chris. He’s 43 and he’s a graphic designer/programmer. His favorite character is Goofy and his favorite ride is Tower of Terror.

Soooo to the most exciting part of our last few years...During an August trip in 2014, I started to suspect that I was pregnant. My intuition proved to be correct! Fast forward…..

THE most important person in this report, and our entire world, is Tristan. He’s now almost 14 months old but during this report he was only 4 months old. He was such a tiny little bean on his very first trip!!! (He’s got two more on the horizon and we are very excited that he will be a much more active participant. But we’ll get to that later). His favorite character is MICKEY. He LOOOOOVES Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and he can do a mean Hot Dog Dance. We are so excited for him to meet Mickey again when we go in July when he’ll know who he is! I suppose his favorite ride is TTA since he was awake for the entire thing last year, and he smiled like a fool! We’ll let you know which one he loves after our next trip :)

Here we are!!

This was Tristan's first birthday party, Easter weekend.

Untitled by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

Last weekend!

Untitled by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

His cuteness...

Untitled by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

So, this whole thing is going to be a somewhat abbreviated and very late Trip Report for our August 2015 trip, and it will also be a PTR for our trip coming up in July 2016 and our OTHER trip coming up in December 2016! YEAH BABY!!!


Let’s get this show on the road!!

Stay tuned.....
 
Last edited:
Click to expand...
ScarletBegonias

ScarletBegonias

Well-Known Member
Really enjoying your trip report!!! We stayed at AKL in September 2015 with our 15 mo (at the time) DD. We loved it.

I am also a HUGE Pittsburgh fan! (Go PENS!!)

Can't wait to read more.
 
lovenerds2012

lovenerds2012

Active Member
Original Poster
Day 10- August 16, 2015
It was our last full day and we were off to spend the evening at the Magic Kingdom! We had the intention of packing up early so that we didn't have to do it that night, so we did that.
It seemed like the monsoon had moved along on its way!
The animals were out and enjoying the day.

IMG_2967 by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

IMG_2968 by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

IMG_2969 by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

IMG_2977 by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

On the way down through the lobby at Kidani, we noticed that one of the doors to the animal observation area was open, a huge industrial fan was set up, and a large segment of carpet was pulled up. The door had leaked badly during the rain storm the day before.

We went down to the buses. During this trip we really appreciated this screen that told us when to expect the next bus.

IMG_2978 by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

Tristan was ready to go!

IMG_2980 by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

**Do you see the Mickey baby lovey Tristan has? (One of those half-blanket, half stuffed animal things.) I forgot to include the story about it. On the first day, I bought a Mickey lovey at Animal Kingdom. Several days later, we were at the Magic Kingdom shopping in the Emporium and I noticed the lovey was gone. Chris said he swore he saw it still in the stroller just minutes before. We tried to retrace our steps all around the store because we figured it had fallen out. I asked a CM if she could ask around to see if one had been turned in, so I showed her what they looked like by pointing to the ones on the racks. She checked in the back, but to no avail. She grabbed a brand new one, cut off the tags, and handed it to me, telling me she wouldn't want the baby to have one that had been lying around on the floor anyway. I was so touched I got tears in my eyes. I just love the people who work at Disney, they have made all of our vacations so wonderful.

So anyway, since it was cloudy and not so hot, we decided to explore the new hub area. We loved the statues and the soft fake grass. I think it will be a nice place to let Tristan run around this summer.

IMG_2986 by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

IMG_2987 by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

IMG_2990 by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

IMG_2991 by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

We headed off to Fantasyland.
Happy Boys waiting in line to ride Pooh!

IMG_2994 by lovenerds2012, on Flickr
 
Last edited:
lovenerds2012

lovenerds2012

Active Member
Original Poster
We rode Pooh and a few of the other Fantasyland rides. Then I went into the Dumbo Circus store to get a baby gift for my best friend who was about to give birth any day. My friend had tried for years to conceive and finally did with IVF. Her experience to that point had been so medicalized and documented that she wanted to have just one surprise, so she decided not to find out the sex of her baby. She did a Dumbo-themed nursery, so I went into the store to get her baby a REAL Dumbo from Disney World. I, along with my mom and several other people, had a very strong feeling she was having a girl, so I also got her a Minnie Mouse onesie. (She was!!! He daughter was born a week after we got back!!)

Untitled by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

Then we decided to go on Dumbo.

Untitled by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

Untitled by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

Short video from my phone:
Untitled by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

I had made fastpasses to ride Splash and Space Mountain, but Chris wasn't feeling great so he decided to just take Tristan to the baby care center to change him and feed him. I rode Splash, then rejoined them at the baby care center.

On Splash- it was dark. I videoed the whole ride but the splash down part though.

Untitled by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

I found these guys when I got back. It started to pour, so we just hung out on the bench for awhile under the roof. When it stopped, we headed off to Tomorrowland so I could use the Space Mountain fastpass.

Untitled by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

Untitled by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

We did TTA together, and Tristan was making the cutest faces on the ride. He smiled like a fool, but I got that on video.

IMG_2998 by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

Then we did Buzz.

IMG_3002 by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

It had gotten dark, and I wanted to watch Celebrate the Magic and Wishes, so we stood on the bridge between Tomorrowland and the Hub. We decked out Tristan's stroller with glow bracelets we had bought at Target at home.

IMG_3005 by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

IMG_3007 by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

After the fireworks, we headed over to Liberty Square to ride the Haunted Mansion. I had never noticed before that if the wait is really short, it always says 13 minutes! I love it!

Untitled by lovenerds2012, on Flickr
 
lovenerds2012

lovenerds2012

Active Member
Original Poster
I wanted to watch the Electrical Parade, so we went over to stand in Frontierland to wait for it. It's never nearly as crowded over there. Tristan had fallen asleep at this point, and many of the characters pointed to him and yawned or stretched or made "shhh!" noises.

IMG_3012 by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

IMG_3014 by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

IMG_3020 by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

IMG_3021 by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

IMG_3022 by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

IMG_3023 by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

IMG_3025 by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

IMG_3028 by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

Elliot the Dragon is my favorite!

IMG_3032 by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

IMG_3033 by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

That was that and we headed towards Main Street. We got a pic on our way out of the park :)

IMG_3038 by lovenerds2012, on Flickr
 
lovenerds2012

lovenerds2012

Active Member
Original Poster
The next morning, we did airline check-in and gave them our checked luggage. Then we went to Boma again for breakfast.

Untitled by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

Then we wandered around Jambo house for a bit.

IMG_3040 by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

IMG_3041 by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

IMG_3042 by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

IMG_3043 by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

IMG_3045 by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

IMG_3046 by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

IMG_3047 by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

Pumbaa!!

IMG_3048 by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

IMG_3049 by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

We headed back to Kidani and did a final check of our room, then headed to the pool for a few hours.

Untitled by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

I sat on an ant and it took a huge chomp out of my leg! OW!

Then we headed back to Kidani lobby. I took some photos on the way.
This is a bird of paradise flower I had admired all week.

Untitled by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

Untitled by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

Untitled by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

Then we planted ourselves in the lobby until our bus arrived.

Untitled by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

We boarded the Craptastic Express (what we call it when we have to leave).
Obligatory sad shot.

Untitled by lovenerds2012, on Flickr

When we got to the airport, we went through a HUGE line at security, then absentmindedly boarded the mini-monorail. We realized we had ended up in the wrong terminal, then re-boarded. On the ride back, an airport employee heard us talking about which terminal we needed to be in, and she told us that since we had ended up in the international terminal, we would be forced to go back through security. She said that SO many people do this and she thought that the airport needed to change things. I was freaking out at this point, and we had to get back in an even LONGER line back in security. I was SO livid that I was in tears because I thought I was going to miss my flight, and Tristan was screaming his head off. Once we FINALLY got through the line, got verbally abused by the TSA agents, and went through the metal detectors, I was crying my eyes out. I was holding Tristan and trying to get my shoes back on and gather all of our stuff while Chris was still stuck in line behind us and I barked at this guy to move out of the way because my stuff was coming through on the belt and he wouldn't freaking move. We finally got everything back together, and boarded the CORRECT mini-monorail, we did end up making our flight. I will never do this again, as I plan on purchasing TSA pre-check as soon as I can take a day to go to our airport to go be interviewed. I have read that it is SO worth it.
We arrived home safe and sound, and crashed when we got home. It was a wonderful trip all in all, and we learned so many things.
Up next, PTR for our July trip!!
 
lovenerds2012

lovenerds2012

Active Member
Original Poster
July 2016 PTR!!!!!!!
We are so excited that we have a July 2016 trip planned with Chris's family. It will be the three of us, Chris's mom and brother. Also going are Chris's sister, her husband, and their children- 15 and 12 years old.
The first three days we will be at Universal and are staying at Cabana bay. Me, Chris's sister, and her 12 year old daughter are all huge Harry Potter fans and we really want to see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Chris and I spent half a day at Hogsmeade back in 2011, and I am so thrilled to be able to see Diagon Alley and ride the Hogwarts express. Other than the half day in 2011, I haven't really been to Universal since I was a kid. I remember my favorite part was Nickelodeon Studios, which doesn't exist anymore. My brother actually got to be part of the show (I think it was about 1991 or so), and he got slimed! I also remember the King Kong ride, the SF earthquake ride, and Back to the Future. All has changed I think!
Anyway,
Chris's family are renting a large van and driving down like they usually do, so they will be leaving a day before us and will be staying somewhere in South Carolina the first day, then driving the rest of the way the next. We, however, are flying down because I hate being in the car that long, especially with Tristan. He will go bats if he has to be in a carseat for two days. Also, driving down and back makes Chris take two more unnecessary vacation days that we will need later in the year. (I'm on summer vacation anyway).
We have a 10 AM flight from PIT to MCO, and we have hired a Mears van to take us and our luggage to Cabana Bay. Hoping we get to check in early, but if not I'm sure we will explore. Chris's family will probably arrive early evening. For the 9 of us, I think we have 3 rooms.
I imagine we will have dinner at City Walk that night, probably at Hard Rock Cafe.
We have 3-day park to park tickets, and since we are staying on-property we have access to The Wizarding World one hour before the park opens to the general public. We are going to use this probably every morning that we are there to avoid crowds. We aren't getting express passes, but we'll manage without them. They are an extra 60-80 bucks a day!!!
I read that all Universal rides that little kids aren't allowed to ride have a really nice child swap area, with seating and fun things for the kids to play with. This will be really helpful for us with Tristan. For him, there are apparently some really fun play areas for little kids. There is a Curious George water play area that he will love, and a Fievel play area with a big ball pit. In Islands of Adventure, the Dr Seuss area looks wonderful for him.
Cabana Bay has a couple of great pool areas, and a lazy river. We definitely plan on spending LOTS of time there! We absolutely loved the lazy river when we went to Aulani a few years ago.

The Sunday after our arrival, we will head to the Disney bubble!! Chris's brother is in DVC, and we will all be in a 2-bedroom villa at Bay Lake.
To Be Continued....
 
ScarletBegonias

ScarletBegonias

Well-Known Member
Ohhhhh! I've always wanted to stay at Cabana bay!!!! I can't wait to see how you like it. We loved WWoHP! However, we were not that impressed with anything else in Universal and never even went back for our second day. We really missed being in the Disney bubble!
 
bee

bee

Well-Known Member
Great report! I've always wondered what it would be like to take a baby to WDW. Sounds like all three of you had a wonderful time.
 

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom