Trip Report The One Where Elsa Followed Us To WDW

If I don't start this now... I never will!

When: December 3-11, 2024
Why: Our annual trip with our little family. We usually go late January/early February, but wanted a Christmas trip!
Where: Art of Animation Lion King family suite
Who: Me (Annie), my husband Ian, and my 2-year-old Nora (she turns 3 on NYE!)

I took SO SO many photos, I hope you are all ready LOL

Without further ado..

Our trip week kicked off with a rough start. On Sunday, we took Nora to see Moana 2. She did so well and LOVED it.

We got home and I proceeded to have the most violent food poisoning of my life for the next 30ish hours. SO AWFUL. I kept crying thinking it wouldn't be over in time for our trip. Somehow, I was okay on Tuesday morning when we got up to get ready to go to the airport but it was touch and go for a while there!!

Our flight was at noon out of Boston, so my dad picked us up around 8 to head from Maine to Boston.

We traveled in matching sweatshirts

We got into the city and through security pretty easily.

We checked two bags that weighed in at EXACTLY 50 pounds each. I guess this is the last trip we can get away with no suitcase for Nora!

Speaking of Nora, she was a huge fan of the escalators and moving walkways in the airport.

Once we found our gate and ensured it existed, we went to the play area to let her blow off some steam.

After running around like a chicken with her head cut off, it was time for some donuts from Dunkin.

We had more than enough time as things had been running very smoothly. We headed back to let Nora do some more playing before boarding.

We do not board early because I do not need MORE time with a toddler in a confined space lol

Ian got the carseat loaded up and soon we were taking off.

We do not do screens at home apart from family movies together, so the seatback TV kept Nora entertained the entire flight. I personally wished she would've napped, but she was an angel, and I was grateful lol

3 hours later we made it to MCO around 4 PM!

Nora was excited about the "monorail"

to be continued!

 

[Katiekitten]

Congratulations to you all!!

 

[MinnieM123]

Congratulations on your happy news!

 

[erstwo]

Yaaaaayyy!!!! So happy for all 3 of you!

 

[Minnie1986]

If I don't start this now... I never will!

When: December 3-11, 2024
Why: Our annual trip with our little family. We usually go late January/early February, but wanted a Christmas trip!
Where: Art of Animation Lion King family suite
Who: Me (Annie), my husband Ian, and my 2-year-old Nora (she turns 3 on NYE!)

View attachment 831218

I took SO SO many photos, I hope you are all ready LOL

Without further ado..

Our trip week kicked off with a rough start. On Sunday, we took Nora to see Moana 2. She did so well and LOVED it.

View attachment 831219

We got home and I proceeded to have the most violent food poisoning of my life for the next 30ish hours. SO AWFUL. I kept crying thinking it wouldn't be over in time for our trip. Somehow, I was okay on Tuesday morning when we got up to get ready to go to the airport but it was touch and go for a while there!!

Our flight was at noon out of Boston, so my dad picked us up around 8 to head from Maine to Boston.

We traveled in matching sweatshirts

View attachment 831220

We got into the city and through security pretty easily.

We checked two bags that weighed in at EXACTLY 50 pounds each. I guess this is the last trip we can get away with no suitcase for Nora!

Speaking of Nora, she was a huge fan of the escalators and moving walkways in the airport.

View attachment 831221

Once we found our gate and ensured it existed, we went to the play area to let her blow off some steam.

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After running around like a chicken with her head cut off, it was time for some donuts from Dunkin.

View attachment 831223

We had more than enough time as things had been running very smoothly. We headed back to let Nora do some more playing before boarding.

View attachment 831224

We do not board early because I do not need MORE time with a toddler in a confined space lol

Ian got the carseat loaded up and soon we were taking off.

View attachment 831225

We do not do screens at home apart from family movies together, so the seatback TV kept Nora entertained the entire flight. I personally wished she would've napped, but she was an angel, and I was grateful lol

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3 hours later we made it to MCO around 4 PM!

Nora was excited about the "monorail"

View attachment 831283

to be continued!

Food poisoning is rough and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Glad you made it through okay, and were able to make it on your trip!

 

[cgersic]

Oh my goodness, what wonderful news!!! Congratulations to all of you!

 

[Minnie1986]

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We checked in about 5 minutes early and were sat pretty quickly.

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Our server let us know it might be a few before Eeyore joined us, so we happily headed up for our first plates.

Ian LOVES the churro Mickey waffles.

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And Nora loves Mickey waffles in general.

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If you read my last WDW report from March, you may recall that Nora really struggled with the characters. She was painfully shy and wanted nothing to do with them up close. I was pretty nervous about this trip and our scheduled character dining.

Eeyore was up first, and we were pretty cautious but not outright refusing. We even got a smile, but she insisted on mama holding her.

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Next we had Tigger. As he was getting close to the table, Nora told me she wanted to hug him. Sure sure...

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And then she did! All on her own! I was so proud and happy for her and her growing confidence.

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We shared a hug together with Piglet!

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It took a LONG time for Pooh. Like two buffet refills and then our server telling us to go meet him in a line at the exit.

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Go Nora!

 

[Minnie1986]

I LOVED the holiday decor in HS.

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We made our way to MMRR

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We parked our stroller and I accidentally bumped into an older woman speed walking behind me. I turned around and said sorry at the same time that she said "F*CK YOU" and sprinted off.

Ian turned to me with the most grave expression on his face and asked what she said. When I quietly repeated it he power walked after her to the LL entrance of MMRR and confronted her. I had no idea what was happening, ESPECIALLY my completely mild tempered and non-confrontational husband. A man who typically doesn't speak unless spoken to even around FAMILY.

He came back and was very flustered and I asked what happened. He said that it upset him greatly, especially in front of Nora, for that language to be used. Apparently, he said excuse me, I don't appreciate you using that language. And she acted completely affronted and the son and husband asked what she said and when Ian responded they kind of didn't look too surprised as he walked away.

I gave Ian a minute to cool off before we got into the LL ourselves. She was probably 20 people ahead of us and kept shooting looks of daggers at Ian. After about 10 minutes she was CRYING to her family. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes lady.

Anyways...

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We had a fun ride, with Nora loving it just as much as she did when we went in March!

After our ride Ian asked if it was okay that he confronted her. I told him that it absolutely was. He said it really made him mad to see his family disrespected in that way and that there is no need for such language ESPECIALLY AT WDW!!!

Bless him.

We really needed dinner, so time to head that way.

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I took lots of Muppets pictures

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Dropping the F bomb at Disney is insane, especially for something that was so very clearly an accident! Good on your husband for standing up for you guys!

 

[Minnie1986]

I’m with Ian, I would have been taking my earrings off.

I’m glad Ian confronted her. Karens get away with being Karens because too few people are willing to confront them for their bad behavior (understandably so, confrontation is scary). Zero percent surprised she tried to make herself the victim.

People love to complain about being hit by strollers in the parks, but in my experience, the people being hit aren’t paying attention to where they’re going. You apologized, there was absolutely no need for her to use hostile language toward you, especially in front of your kid.

You and me both!

 

[Minnie1986]

Just a little announcement for those of you not connected to me on IG…

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(If you wanted a full look at the journey!)

Congratulations!! That video was so sweet!

 

[mpaulam]

Congratulations! Such happy news.

 

[rshell68]

Congratulations!! EXCITING!!! Nora will make a great big sister!
(I'm not in IG so VERY happy you shared here!)

 

[Duckberg]

Looks like you all had a splendid time @ WDW. Thank you!

 

[MickeyPretzelEnthusiast]

Congratulations!

Oh my goodness! How exciting for you all. Congratulations!!

Congratulations- Nora looks happy to becoming a big sister. Wishing you all the best xx

Congratulations, Nora will be such a good big sister.

What beautiful news! Congratulations!

Congratulations to all of you!

How exciting!! Congratulations!!

Congratulations to you all!!

Congratulations on your happy news!

Yaaaaayyy!!!! So happy for all 3 of you!

Oh my goodness, what wonderful news!!! Congratulations to all of you!

Congratulations!! That video was so sweet!

Congratulations! Such happy news.

So happy for all three of you!!! IVF is no joke, but the results are worth all the hardship. Hugs!

Thank you so much everyone!!! We are so excited and naturally I am already envisioning future family trips to WDW. In fact.. We have already booked our Disney babymoon for May!

 

[Tuvalu]

In fact.. We have already booked our Disney babymoon for May!

Early, mid or late?

 

[MickeyPretzelEnthusiast]

Resort day!

We really love chill days during our busy Disney vacations. This was yet another one that we LOVED.

Nora started her day with a powered donut, and I started mine cleaning up powdered donut dust lol

Our only plans for the day involved breakfast at Ohana (hence the Lilo dress), so we took our time getting to the bus. Along with everyoneeeee else.

We actually didn't wait very long despite the line, because 3 MK buses pulled up at the same time. We were arriving at MK in no time!

Once we arrived, we headed to the monorail to get to the Poly.

The Poly always feels like home

We took in some decorations and window shopping while we waited for our reservation.

Nora is obsessed with Toy Story right now and was eyeing this bag HEAVILY.

 

[MickeyPretzelEnthusiast]

Early, mid or late?

May 4-7! Will I finally get my Tuvalu card?!

 

[MickeyPretzelEnthusiast]

We were called for our table right on time and were pretty happy with our location!

I have to force myself not to overdo it on the pineapple bread, but it is SO good.

Ian started with the lighter choice of fruit.

The food came out quickly and was hot and fresh. We are never disappointed by this meal.

We were able to eat a good amount before characters made their rounds.

Lilo was up first, and I wish she hadn't been because Nora was NOT warmed up yet lol

She did wave goodbye to her though!

She was READY for Mickey when he arrived, and gave him a big hug before their photo.

She was also a huge Pluto fan on this trip!

 

[Tuvalu]

May 4-7! Will I finally get my Tuvalu card?!

 

[MickeyPretzelEnthusiast]

More proof of Pluto loving

Petting his nose.

And more hugs!

She finally let mom and dad in for one

We ended the rounds strong with Stitch!

I actually cannot explain how much this makes my heart soar. Watching her grow from a super shy little thing into the sweetest character hugging little girl is so magical. All of the cast members LOVED her.

In fact, they brought her a cupcake just for loving her Lilo dress LOL

I have no photos of this, but we decided to do a DVC session at the Poly after this. We were like... the closest we have ever been haha BUT we knew that we were about to be going through IVF after this trip and hopefully would be pregnant very soon so did not move forward.

But we did get our gift cards and fun snacks for Nora!

After our meeting, we headed back to the monorail, MK, and onto the bus back to AoA.

 

[MickeyPretzelEnthusiast]

A photo from later I took to jog my memory hah!

The elusive mom and dad selfie sans toddler:

My big girl wanted her "space" on the ride back

Upon return to AoA, we suited up for pool time.

We swam for a bit before Ian took Nora back to the room for some lunch and a nap.

I settled in with my book and got an app alert to a new photo shortly after they left.

Back with her pal Pluto!!

While I was left with just some lizard friends.

I read until it was too cold to stay poolside and headed back to the room. While Nora was still asleep, we strategized what to do. We had a table service to use, but didn't want to deal with buses.

As Mainers, our first choice is NOT Cape May Cafe for obvious reasons. BUT, Ian had never been to that area at ALL and I wanted to see the gingerbread display so... we went for it.

Once Nora was up and ready, we headed for the Skyliner.

And caught a beautiful sunset.

We caught a boat just in time upon arriving at HS!

Nora and Ian chased each other about for a bit before we headed inside.