Main Street USA

Sunday, February 27, 2011

We left off as Joe and I had made a compromise, and a plan...and we had fallen asleep for our first night in Disney World. To jog your memory, the plan was to wake up whenever Henry woke us up, Joe would get ready right away and head straight down to the shop on the Boardwalk to purchase milk and coffee creamer. Two absolute morning necessities for this family!

Henry woke us up around 7:30 am. We had plenty of time. We weren't trying for Rope Drop at the parks, but we just wanted to get there early enough for a ride or two before our 10:30 Main Street Barber appointment.

Joe was actually down at the Screen Door shop on the Boardwalk before they opened! Too bad they don't have a Rope Drop. ;-) He returned with some Half & Half ($2.19 for those interested) and a half gallon of milk ($2.95 - cheaper than the Hess Gas Station!). Mission accomplished, we could eat. And more importantly, I could have coffee.


While the coffee finished brewing I made a Mickey Head.  Yep, I'm a dork.


No, that's NOT Disney coffee. We bring our own!  Cafe Valet coffee is in the rooms, but I'm too much of a snob to drink it.  Blech!

Henry was chillin' on the bed enjoying Disney Junior while he munched on his breakfast and I was Facebookin' and spending time on a Disney message board that I frequent. It was a nice way to start the day.


The weather was perfect.

We didn't hurry, but we didn't move slowly either.


I tried to get a morning picture of Henry each day just in case he got separated from us.


Clicking my heels as we rolled down the hallways

We made it to the bus stop around 8:45.



This morning we had a bit of a longer wait for the bus,



but by 9:05 we were on our way. Along the route to the Magic Kingdom we saw the Princess 1/2 Marathon runners! I had completely forgotten this was going on and it was pretty awesome to see HUNDREDS of Princess-costume-clad women running across a bridge. It was motivating and spurred a conversation between myself and several other bus riders, marveling at them. One woman even declared herself as a runner and she's only ever done 1 marathon - she said it was incredibly hard.

It all made me want to do a Disney Run even more than I already did! I am determined that I will do at least a 5k at some point in Disney World!

Anyway, back on the bus, along with the marathon runners we saw a pirate ship - yes a PIRATE SHIP - on the back of a truck and a hot air balloon in the ditch! It was a pretty entertaining ride.

We made it to the Magic Kingdom just before 9:30.


I really like the Memories banner for the new campaign!




First step inside. Ahhh, breathe it in.  The confectionary was under refurb.



And we rounded the corner to see Cinderella's Castle

Video: And might I say...this is a pretty cute video Joe put together on his phone! Henry's first glimpse of the Castle (1 minute, 43 seconds)


Oh ya, all grins!

Let's head down Main Street




For all you Dooney & Burke lovers!


We like this little nook


Hello my pretty Casey's.

Oh wait.

We can't go too far.

It's after 9:30, we have a 10:30 Main Street Barber appointment...um...well, gee...we might as well stop at the Main Street Bakery.

Yes, uh-huh!  That sounds like a GRAND idea!

We love the Bakery. It used to be better with the French Toast Loaf (RIP), but I still never have a problem finding something I enjoy. He he. And Joe really enjoys the Cinnamon Rolls.

Despite me wanting to get on a ride, I also wanted the Bakery. And Joe wanted the Bakery. And Henry doesn't have to be asked twice when it comes to sweets! So in we went!

I hemmed and hawed over what to get. A chocolate croissant? But I was also craving fruit.

Logic set in. We had 14 days in front of us. I would get a chocolate croissant. If I'm craving something healthy, GET IT!


So I did! And I was very happy (and proud) for making a wise choice.

(but don't worry, there is a chocolate croissant, (or *cough* a few more) later this trip! LOL!)


Joe's. I warned him that people were reporting these are not as good as they have been in the past due to them transferring to a plate from the hot pan, instead of just bringing the hot pan out...but Joe still went for it. And he loved it! It was even the last one on the plate and still good. Though, he's pretty easy to please in the baked goods department.

Henry ate off both our plates.


Iced French Vanilla coffees. Yum, yum. Not very strong in the coffee department, but tasty.

And before I end this update, I'll just leave you with this:






I have trained my child to take pictures of his food at Disney World.  It was a proud moment. ;-)

First Ride!

We left off after finishing our yummy meal at the new La Cantina restaurant in Mexico.

On our walk over to Mexico, Henry had spied one of the light up glow carts selling it's goods before the nightly fireworks show, Illuminations, and he saw a young child with a glowing sword.

Put two and two together - and yep - he wanted one!

After we finished up at La Cantina he was still itchin' for a sword, so I asked him if he wanted fireworks or sword and a ride?

I obviously wanted to get my ride on. LOL

He picked sword, of course!

But, first things first - a quick stop at the Baby Care Center..which I am ECSTATIC to report that we will not need diapers on our next trip because Henry is almost completely potty trained!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay - I have to share this. A couple weeks ago Henry started to show some signs of willingness to potty train...he would actually sit on the potty and even went in it once...which was a complete change from last time we tried. I was taking this bull by the horns and running with it - fully thinking it would result in a day of exhaustion and frustration like the many, many times before. But, all well, I'm half crazy, let's go for it! We had "boot camp potty training," an entire day dedicated to it. Lots of juice, WAY more than I ever give him, and glass after glass of milk - along with a bazillion little treats for successful attempts were readied. The boy wasn't allowed to wear pants until he at least tried - and he DESPISES not having pants on. Some tears were shed, but he got it. Again and again and again. He ROCKED that potty!

Since then things have been awesome!  He's had a few accidents, but not regularly.  He's even staying dry through the night! He is rockin' the little potty chair AND the big potties - even in public. And he's loving it all. He WANTS to do it. It's AMAZING! I am still in awe and a bit of disbelief and wonder when he does it all.

Okay - side note over - I just had to share it, we've been through countless attempts at potty training, it's seriously incredible that it's about done. I can't believe I can even say that.  Woo-hoo!

Back to Disney World! We were in the Baby Care Center...


He thought this water station was very cool.


Info pic for anyone that might need it! The Baby Care centers are very nice. The only one we haven't been in is the one at Hollywood Studios. They have a TV with cartoons, toys out, high chairs, nursing areas, changing areas, baby needs for sale and are staffed by great Cast Members.

Back outside we went straight to a glow cart where the little man got his goods!


And just an FYI - these carts only take cash.

Now it's ride time...Soarin' or Test Track?

"Test Track!" came the reply from the stroller - so off we went to our first ride of the trip! It didn't surprise me one iota that he chose Test Track as his first ride, it was a favorite from September.

"My" fountain was dancing, which put a HUGE grin on my face.


I cannot get enough of this fountain!


Ahhh, I can hear the music now.





Henry ran over to the measuring stick, even though we told him he didn't have to.


Yay! Plenty tall enough! The Cast Member here did measure him, but I think this was the ONLY time of the entire trip happened. Otherwise they would usher him right in.




That chick threw the collision test in there as a "surprise"! Tsk, tsk! ;-)


No lines! Woot!




Ready to ride!!!

Henry was so excited for the ride, he kept talking about all the different tests and rooms that you go through and was completely over dramatic when we went over the bumps and through the hot and cold rooms. It was hilarious - he was acting out what we do at home when we YouTube it.

Then we got to the lap outside. He LOVED this in September, but it completely freaked him out this time. Joe and I always put our arms criss cross over him, and he grabbed onto us so tight! He didn't say anything about it this time, so we didn't realize how scared he was until later in the trip...

Into the after show we went.

Uggggggggggggggggggh! Cars + little boys = 17 hours in the after show.  Doh!

Joe laid down the lay with Henry though, he knew I didn't like just walking around cars for 45 minutes and was about to high tail it over to Mouse Gear for some shopping!  I was grateful. Henry was allowed to sit in 3 cars and then we'd be going. I can handle that!



After we left the Test Track building Illuminations was over and WHOA! serious crowds. We walked against the flow, with a stroller, attempting to make our way to the International Gateway to make our way out the back entrance...but it wasn't working. We eventually just stopped and waited it out.

I didn't mind. I'll stay in Epcot.  Oh ya!

Within a few minutes we were on our way again and quickly we found ourselves here





Standing there, overlooking this beautiful resort area, I remember being giddy. Our trip was just starting, it was really happening! I was in Disney World!!!!! (and how I miss it now!)



Back in our room we opened our door to find our luggage! LOVE THAT.



Before we called it a night, I did some unpacking while Joe gave Henry a bath and got him ready for bed. A bath is a big highlight for Henry each trip since we don't have a bathtub at home. We bring bath toys and he spends at least 45 minutes in there splashing around.

I; meanwhile, was having a dilemma. I had been trying, without success, to formulate a plan for us to be able to run over to the Hess Gas Station (located basically across the parking lot from our hotel, and sometimes a cheaper place for snacks than at the hotels) to pick up milk and other needs before we were off to Magic Kingdom in the morning. We had planned on running to Hess on our arrival day, but a delayed flight changed those plans. So, here I was laying awake in bed trying to figure something out - talking out loud about it and completely irritating Joe who didn't understand why we needed a plan for it at all.

Ahhh, marriage. Two completely different people trying to make life work.

I wanted a plan because we had a 10:30 appointment for Henry's hair cut and I wanted to get to the Magic Kingdom before that even so we could hit a ride or two. I didn't want to have to think about getting milk in the morning, or sit around twiddling our thumbs in the AM, only to have to rush to the park for the appointment.

Joe just wanted to fly by the seat of his pants, figuring it would work out.

After we spoke, Joe compromised a bit and we figured out a plan. He understood my point of view, and I understood his. And we found a plan that satisfied us both. Right away in the morning Joe would get ready and go get milk at the Screen Door shop down on the Boardwalk. Everything else that we wanted to purchase could wait until we made it to Hess...whenever that would be!

Up Next: Would we make it to the Magic Kingdom in time for some rides?

Epcot Eats!

I left off in this Disney adventure after we had arrived at Disney's Boardwalk Villa Resort, Henry was jumping on the bed and then we headed straight out for Epcot in search of food.

We had one mission.

THE MEXICO PAVILION!

We were more than ready to eat and excited to try the new quick-service dining in Mexico, La Cantina.

On our way to Epcot





Through the International Gateway and through the UK where we saw


I couldn't wait to see it in the daylight! And this was before the Flower &Garden Festival had actually started, so things weren't all out yet. Henry recognized Captain Hook from Jake and the Neverland Pirates.

And around the lagoon to Mexico where we easily found the entrance



It was around 8:00 pm, the nightly show, Illuminations: Reflections of Earth, that night was at 9:00 pm and La Catina was PACKED!! It was unreal. Many people pile into this place in hopes to snag a table on the waterfront for Illuminations. So if you ever want to do that, be sure to arrive early and eat sloooooowly.



None of the lines were short, so we just waited our turn. When it was finally my turn a random woman came up next to me and demanded the attention of the Cast Member, speaking in Spanish, but obviously complaining about her drink. The conversation took another 5 minutes. The Cast Member kept glancing at me with an apologizing look - but couldn't shake the woman.

It was a bit annoying, but it did give Joe and Henry the time to find and snag a table.

Yes, we snagged a table before we had our food, which is kind of a Disney no-no.  Not a written rule, but after you've been to Disney so many times you pick up on the unwritten ones...if you know what I mean.  Anyway, it would have been a mess trying to find a table if we had waited - I can only imagine us trying to push the stroller balancing a tray of food through that crowd.  The dining area isn't very big and with that number of people in there it was just chaos.  And no one was stopping us from snagging a table, it was certainly the best decision for the moment and situation.


Mayhem! But, it's pretty, isn't it?

The food for some reason took quite some time to be done, but eventually it was and I found Joe and Henry easily.


Henry's choice. The kids picks are either a cheese epanada or chicken strips.


Joe's choice - Cheese epanadas. He said they were good-not great....but he also didn't leave a single bite behind.


Mine - beef tacos. HOLY MOLY. Love, love.


Yay! We are at Mickey's and we have food!


Dessert - deeeeeeeeeeeeeelish. They come with a caramel dipping sauce that is yummy too! And this is one serving - we had two baskets of these.


They also gave us one cup of nacho cheese sauce. It was just your average nacho cheese, nothing extra in it. But, standard is good.

That was a LOT of food. We all were having a great time, enjoying every bite. Henry kept eying those churros and soon it was time.

Of course, to a little boy that is not only a churro, but also a sword.


I guess it's a sword to a big boy too. ;-)

Our bellies were full. We were happy (did I mention it was 80 degrees out and BEAUTIFUL?!).

La Cantina was a hit. We really enjoyed it despite the very crowded status, it was worth dealing with the crowd for!

A few more pictures as we maneuvered our way out..






An awful picture, but you get the idea - this is the seating area over the water. It would be a wonderful spot for Illuminations! There is also that little cart on the right with napkins, straws and that sort of thing. Also has 2 types of salsa. Both were good!

No questions asked, we would eat here again.

And as a matter of a fact...we did later in the trip!

Up Next: What will our first ride be?