Trip Report Never tell me the odds! ***Completed***

Extreme temperatures, toddler tantrums and family tension- what could go wrong?

Pre-trip is here. I think I’ve reached that sweet spot where it’s been enough time where I’ve recovered from the trip it not too much time where I’ve forgotten it.

Let’s get this rolling.

When: August 4th-10th 2023
Where: Pop Century
Cast:

• Me (BES)
• My 2yo daughter (Lil BES)
• My parents
• My 24yo brother
• My 12yo nephew (son of another brother who is passed away ~7 years ago)

Supporting Cast:

• My husband (DH)
• My brother’s dog (Elly)
• My brother’s rabbit (Bambi - don’t even get me started on the name…)
• Our dog (Maeby)

Spoiler: Track #1:

I really enjoyed the accompanying soundtrack last TR so I plan on doing it again.

 

[LSV]

Along with Frog and Toad, we also loved the Henry and Mudge series by Cynthia Rylant.

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

Along with Frog and Toad, we also loved the Henry and Mudge series by Cynthia Rylant.

Oh those look like they’ll right up her alley too.

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

Saturday August 5th (Day 2):

Lil BES was up by 7. I got her and I ready enough for breakfast and we went to the food court with my parents. Lil BES and I split the kid’s waffles and a side of eggs.

Dad had a cinnamon roll and he was so disappointed. This man had been (inexplicably) looking forward to a Disney cinnamon roll since we announced this trip and his first one was stale.

The boys still weren’t near ready so we stopped in the gift shop to look for a “Chewybacca”. No dice but that wasn’t surprising.

Had to convince lil BES she couldn’t have a second Daisy lovey.

Also had to convince her she couldn’t have one of the purple mickeys for 50th because she already had a Mickey and those were for kids with no Mickeys.

We meandered back room for sunscreen and the boys and I was able to get this pic of lil BES and my mom on the way.

Eventually we took a very full bus to AK around 10am.

Our first attraction was KS. It was also our last attraction for the day.

It was posted as a 40min wait but ended up being over an hour. Lil BES did good for first 40 minutes. Then she was over waiting in line- but who could blame her. Grandma to the rescue with Cocomelon, which distracted her for the reminder of the wait.

After stroller drop off lil BES got a little teary but once she saw the trucks she was excited again. She didn’t want to sit on my lap. I reluctantly put her in middle between my nephew and I.

I don’t know how many animals she actually saw but I think she liked the jostly truck and sitting like a big girl.

Obligatory safari pic from my dad:

My sole objective on KS now is making sure lil BES isn’t eaten by crocodiles so no safari pics from me until she is approximately 20.

Spoiler: Track #6:

 

[Swissmiss]

My sole objective on KS now is making sure lil BES isn’t eaten by crocodiles so no safari pics from me until she is approximately 20.

Trust me, when she is a preteen there will be days you will be willing to throw her towards the crocodiles yourself

Also had to convince her she couldn’t have one of the purple mickeys for 50th because she already had a Mickey and those were for kids with no Mickeys.

View attachment 742453

I will admit that I was not above using modern technology as a discipline tool; on more than one occasion my cell phone placed a call to Santa.

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

Saturday August 5th (Day 2) Continued:

After the Safari I announced my plan was to have lunch and then go back to room for lil BES’s nap.

Everyone else was free to do whatever they wanted but they decided to do the same.

I recommended mobile ordering lunch. The family picked Flame Tree. (DH loves Satu’li so much I was glad to get to experience another AK QS for once )

Saw Kevin along our way to Flame Tree. Lil BES was impressed.

Most of us has pulled pork Mac and cheese. Got lil BES a cutie and apple juice in addition to her share of my Mac and cheese. She ate fantastic.

We did a much needed diaper change and then headed back to bus.

Lil BES sang “Wheels on the bus” on the bus. We end up having a lot of crazy passengers on our song bus. I told my dad to ask lil BES what the turtles on the bus say.

Lil BES: “The turtles on the bus go cowabunga!”

Not long after we got back at room lil BES asked to be put in crib and fell promptly asleep at about 2:30. I think everyone else napped or swam.

@Doberge messaged me about a potential meet up. We unfortunately didn’t have much overlap in our trips. If I could convince lil BES to go out again that evening then yes but:

I napped for a bit anticipating an hour nap or so. Lil BES just kept on sleeping. I ended up quietly moving the coffee maker into the sink area of the bathroom. I made myself a cup and ate the “Em”-less remnants of lil BES’s cookie from the day before.

I have pretty low coffee standards and this coffee failed to meet even those low standards.

Finally lil BES woke up about 5pm. We had 30 minute “discussion” about wearing shorts.

One of us felt that wearing shorts was necessary before leaving the hotel room. One of us… did not.

Eventually I prevailed and we were decent enough to head to dinner.

Spoiler: Track #7:

 

[MickeyCB]

Mom watched lil BES in lobby. She liked sparkly floors and kept shouting “I on vacation!!!”

At least she didn't lick the airport rug like Una did!

I napped for a bit anticipating an hour nap or so. Lil BES just kept on sleeping. I ended up quietly moving the coffee maker into the sink area of the bathroom. I made myself a cup and ate the “Em”-less remnants of lil BES’s cookie from the day before.

I have pretty low coffee standards and this coffee failed to meet even those low standards.

You know how I feel about the hotel room coffee makers!

 

[Doberge]

Saturday August 5th (Day 2) Continued:

After the Safari I announced my plan was to have lunch and then go back to room for lil BES’s nap.

Everyone else was free to do whatever they wanted but they decided to do the same.

I recommended mobile ordering lunch. The family picked Flame Tree. (DH loves Satu’li so much I was glad to get to experience another AK QS for once )

Saw Kevin along our way to Flame Tree. Lil BES was impressed.

View attachment 744231

Most of us has pulled pork Mac and cheese. Got lil BES a cutie and apple juice in addition to her share of my Mac and cheese. She ate fantastic.

View attachment 744232

We did a much needed diaper change and then headed back to bus.

View attachment 744233

Lil BES sang “Wheels on the bus” on the bus. We end up having a lot of crazy passengers on our song bus. I told my dad to ask lil BES what the turtles on the bus say.

Lil BES: “The turtles on the bus go cowabunga!”

Not long after we got back at room lil BES asked to be put in crib and fell promptly asleep at about 2:30. I think everyone else napped or swam.

@Doberge messaged me about a potential meet up. We unfortunately didn’t have much overlap in our trips. If I could convince lil BES to go out again that evening then yes but:

I napped for a bit anticipating an hour nap or so. Lil BES just kept on sleeping. I ended up quietly moving the coffee maker into the sink area of the bathroom. I made myself a cup and ate the “Em”-less remnants of lil BES’s cookie from the day before.

View attachment 744234


I have pretty low coffee standards and this coffee failed to meet even those low standards.

Finally lil BES woke up about 5pm. We had 30 minute “discussion” about wearing shorts.

One of us felt that wearing shorts was necessary before leaving the hotel room. One of us… did not.

Eventually I prevailed and we were decent enough to head to dinner.

Spoiler: Track #7:

I have been summoned! Yes, unfortunately meeting up didn't work out. My H would like lil BES. He has an older sister so he loves strong female personalities.

And now to catch up reading the report.

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

At least she didn't lick the airport rug like Una did!

You know how I feel about the hotel room coffee makers!

I know but I was being held prisoner! I ran it one time with just water which I tell myself cleans it out.

 

[Tiggerish]

This may be the most entertaining TR I've ever read.

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

Saturday August 5th (Day 2) Continued:

I took lil BES to the food court in just her umbrella stroller. Mistake 1.

Once at Everything Pop lil BES saw a chocolate cupcake. Mistake 2.

She tricked me into her getting out of the stroller (to better see something) and then refused to get back in. Mistake 3.

Lil BES then also insisted on being carried. I picked her up in one arm and with the other arm pushed the empty umbrella stroller and held the cupcake.

I decided to just check out and figure out how to get us both more substantial food later.

The CM said:

Ok. Well he didn’t said it out loud but he might have been thinking it because he gifted us the cupcake.

That was our second and final free snack of the trip. I joked with DH during one of my chats with him that not only was it “free” for lil BES to go to WDW that now we were in the black with her free treats.

We sat near the mobile pick up area. After lil BES was situated with her cupcake I placed an order. When it was ready I left lil BES in booth for the 5 seconds it took me to grab the order.

I got a grilled chicken sandwich. Lil BES ate all of the tomato, half the cheese, some of the chicken and of course some of the fries.

The free cupcake she ate the ears and like two bites from:

After we got back to the room lil BES declared that she wanted to go swimming. We suited up and went to computer pool. The rest of the family was already there.

Lil BES was so excited to get in the pool. I carried her down the steps and as soon as the water touched her butt she declared she was done and I marched both right out of the pool.

Lil BES played with Papa a bit in the pool area. Then we dried off and went back to the room.

After bath time, lil BES “helped” me rearrange the room and we cleared off the table. We had a bed time snack, read books and she went to bed.

I had my brother pick me up a Bourbon Breeze from the pool bar and he stealthily gave to me via the door between the rooms. I enjoyed it my super cool sink area prison hangout with the left over cupcake. I then showered and went to bed.

Spoiler: Track #8:

This was playing at the Computer Pool. The song is now 26 years and, as the kids say, still slaps.

 

[fractal]

lil BES...

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

Sunday August 6th (Day 3)

I set my alarm for 6:55am to get boarding groups for Tron. That unfortunately woke up lil BES.

I still managed to get BG 54 as I got her first breakfast ready.

After that Lil BES put on a cooling towel looked in the mirror and declared “I stylish!”

How does she know the word stylish? Certainly not from me!

We got mostly ready and then went to the food court. I mobile ordered breakfast and we are there with the rest of group.

Then it was back to room to put on sunscreen and grab water bottles and such.

Our bus to MK was pretty quick. Security was smooth. I’m getting used the stroller process and my mom designated herself as the “bag lady” for security for the trip which was a big help.

Nephew and Dad went off to SM and the rest to us went off to Dumbo. Last trip nephew felt sick after SM so we were all a little nervous on how this would go.

Dumbo was 5 min wait. Would have been less but lil BES insisted on walking herself. Somehow we have continued our streak of her not seeing the indoor playground.

Lil BES wanted a Purple Dumbo but changed to yellow at last minute. She enjoyed the ride and didn’t protest too much about only going once.

It already felt way hotter than yesterday. Only one ride in we went inside Big Top Souvenirs to cool off. Lil BES found a lot of stuff she liked but miraculously we managed to leave with none of it.

Now we were all off to Under the Sea. The longest queue in the world as declared by someone who has carried a toddler through its entirety multiple times.

The ride stopped right under Flotsam and Jetsam as we entered a dark tunnel. Lil BES declared she was “All done” and wanted to go outside.

It was unclear if it was stop or the dark that bothered her. She perked up as the ride go going again. Even got her to wave to Ariel at the end.

Nephew made it through SM without any incident. It took at while for dad nephew to find us. Then there much debate about what to do next. Finally the group decided on lunch. More debate about where. Finally there was agreement on Pecos Bill’s.

Everyone quickly headed that way but partway there I convinced them to pull over for a mobile order. With so many people and particular eaters mobile ordering worked out great for us (and for the CMs that would have had to take their order in person)

Lil BES and shared some kids bowls and a slush. Lil BES loved the slush.

“Mmmm strawberry!” She correctly declared.

Spoiler: Track #9:

Lil BES has been jamming to this lately. “Song with crab. He no pinch you!”

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

Sunday August 6th (Day 3) Continued:


Our Tron BG was almost up so we walked to Tomorrowland via Adventureland. Lil BES walked all the way from Peco’s to Swiss Family Robinson (in the heat) before we convinced her to get in stroller.

Mom waited with lil BES by Tron gift shop there was shade and some cool air blowing. She was next to another grandma on Tron grandkid duty.

Such happy clouds. For now…

We were just at part of Tron line where you go inside and it started to pour. I text my mom to see if they were ok but didn’t get response until we were done.

We all liked the launch. Nephew was kind enough to explain to me in line what Tron was. Bro and I much enjoyed the Daft Punk music in the line.

We all chickened out and removed our glasses for Tron so I can’t truly speak to how it looked but felt fun. Fun but short.

We exited to find it pouring. Mom and lil BES were inside the Tron gift shop. Mom said lil BES was nearly asleep before the rain started.

She and the other grandma has been watching the storm roll in and devised a plan to get all the kids inside the gift shop.

The other grandma had two littles on wheels-a baby and a medically fragile kid so my mom was going to help push one of the other grandma’s littles and then come back for lil BES.

Luckily the other grandma’s kids came back just before the downpour so my mom only had to get lil BES inside the tiny tiny gift shop.

We all poncho’d up and put on lil BES’s stroller cover. She did NOT like the cover. She also did not like me (specifically) wearing a poncho.

At this point we decided to head out. We stopped in the Confectionery.

I got a brownie pie. Nothing in there looked great TBH but I knew this was my one chance to get a snack before my naptime lockdown.

Lil BES got Mickey cake pop. She was thrilled. It was three things she loved at once. Mickey. A cake pop. And it had “Ems.”

Finally off the bus stop. In my notes I added here that we were “still perfecting” the process of getting on bus. (Spoiler alert: It never reached perfection.)

Everyone wants to help with lil BES but never really what I needed the help with.

As the bus pulled up Dad whipped the stroller away. Mom took the bag. Somehow I had lil BES, three water bottles and the cake pop. And everyone sat away from us on the bus.

I really had to lower my standards for cleanliness this trip. Of course cake pop came off stick at some point and I had to catch it in my theme park hands and rearrange everything I was holding and get it back on the stick.

Spoiler: Track #10:

Lil BES has been known to sing a mash up of this and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

 

[fractal]

Lil BES wanted you and her to play in the rain! Tron coaster looks like so much fun.

Seems you needed an extra arm.

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

Seems you needed an extra arm.

Or better organizational and planning skills. Or both.

 

[Doberge]

That Sunday rain was super heavy rain. We caught it stopping at Old Key West for lunch on the way home. We were safe when it started and I wanted to wait it out but my wife decided to run out to grab the car. The best I could do was discourage but she made the run anyway.

 

[MickeyCB]

we went inside Big Top Souvenirs to cool off. Lil BES found a lot of stuff she liked but miraculously we managed to leave with none of it.

Kids got good taste!

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

Kids got good taste!

Lol. When I was getting ready for work this afternoon she had DH put on Steamboat Willie. This kid is going to out-Disney us all.

 

[Back!Elbow!Shoulders!]

Sunday August 6th (Day 3) Continued:

Back to room lil BES went down for nap. I think nephew swam and Bro went for a walk. My parents managed to sneak me some coffee into the room.

I enjoyed it and my brownie pie in the sink area and texted with DH.

Housekeeping knocked about 5 and woke lil BES up.

I announced my plans of dinner and then hunting for a “Chewiebacca”. The rest of the group decided to tag along.

I got some sort of Mediterranean salad. Lil BES was stoked about the olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, and chickpeas. (Don’t worry. She also had the M & M’s off of an another Em cookie too.)

Finally ready to go to the Skyliner and… nephew had to go back to the rooms because he forgot to put socks on. Mom and nephew went back to their room.

Dad, lil BES and I meandered to Skyliner and eventually we all met up and went to DHS.

We dropped Nephew and Dad off at ToT:

The ladies all went to GE.

No dice on Chewie. Far less loveys in GE than in February. In addition to no Chewies there weren’t any Darth Vaders. It was mostly just stuffed porgs.

(Side note: Lil BES still continues to call her own stuffed porg “Pete.” )

The GE CM sent us off to gift shop of Star Tours. Nope. The CM there even looked in back. They recommended one of the stores on main strip but said it was unlikely. No Chewies there either.

Finally Bro arrived. I’m not quite sure what he was doing prior. Now Dad, Nephew and Bro went off to ride RotR.

At first Dad was insistent I go instead of him and then he and mom would put lil BES to bed. I declined as I had ridden RotR before and I didn’t set anything up for bedtime.

It would have been great if it had been something set up ahead of time.

Mom, lil BES and I headed back to Pop. Mom wanted to stop in food court for a treat. She got a cupcake. I got some tie dye cheesecake. (Lil BES had multiple half eaten treats in room)

Stopped to say hi to Goofy:

Lil BES was being quite silly and cheerful in my parents room. Of course she tried my cheesecake and thought it was great.

Then DH FaceTimed us. This made her inexplicably upset. Very. Very upset.

It was a full blown toddler meltdown. She yelled and screamed for a loooong time. I was fully expecting a knock on the door from security. I didn’t get her to bed until past 11pm.

Of course the next morning was only morning of trip with something booked early.

Spoiler: Track #11:

 

[kimberlymautz]

Awe. Toddler meltdowns are rough for everyone involved. Hoping the next morning went okay!