New Year, New Experiences! A January 2016 TR - I’m here at WDW! 3/25

[Leshaface]

Just found your TR and got all caught up. Your family is too darn cute! And the reveal made me cry, I'm so sappy about that kind of stuff!

Aw thank you for the kind words and welcome!

 

[pkondz]

Trust me, i'm tempted to do that but then I would get no where fast with catching up on others TR's or mine!

Thanks anyway for the plug Alison. Even though she didn't buy it, we'll still pay you your fee.

How about Killswitch Engage? Or is that too metal-y?? <--me headbanging

Wait a sec have you been?! TR on that one??

We didn't stay there, but we did visit.
Details in Just a silly little TR - Run Away!!
But be warned. That's from the old DIS and I haven't fixed the links yet.

 

[franandaj]

Well, that's just what I was listening to.
Whatever you want to listen to is fine, although metal works best IMHO. But anything that drowns out.... that... is fine.

Not that I don't like Aerosmith and AC/DC, I was thinking it would be fun to riding through there and then all of a sudden chime in on, "Well I woke up this morning and I got myself a beer!" Even though I no longer drink beer it is still one of my favorite lyrics. Ever.

Although some Sabbath or early Blue Oyster Cult (before they got all studio produced) might really ramp it up.

It's been there for at least 2 years, I think? Trying to remember that TR that Katie did, but i'm so glad they have broccoli as an option!

We haven't eaten there since NFL opened, we keep using our park eats at BoG, but it used to be our go to QS. Don't think they had the broccoli then, that was like 6-7 years ago since we skipped the 2011 & 12 trips.

Ugh yes But it was pretty fun being able to make jokes about the baby to DH like, "Maybe we should get this dress? Or this jersey? Sucks that you don't know but I do."

I was going you say, "you didnt!!!!" But I know you better!

We're just going for one day (Friday) since we're blocked on Saturday.

I would say I'd come say "Hi" but we are so behind!

 

[IowaTater]

Ummm, isn't that in every musical??? lol Just kidding. I do know which one this is from and I will admit that I had never seen it until earlier this year. That's a fail for a theater nerd like me.

 

[franandaj]

So i'm a loser and not too familiar with musicals. But I may get a point with you for this one. I've been trying to teach my DS how to do this from my favorite musical

West Side Story? If so, I can hear the song in my head, but the title escapes me.

 

[Leshaface]

Haha love this! They need to make room for this emoji!

We didn't stay there, but we did visit.
Details in Just a silly little TR - Run Away!!
But be warned. That's from the old DIS and I haven't fixed the links yet.

Ooh yay thank you!

Blue Oyster Cult (before they got all studio produced) might really ramp it up.

Please, please, please tell me you've seen the Cowbell sketch from SNL years ago

I was going you say, "you didnt!!!!" But I know you better!

I would say I'd come say "Hi" but we are so behind!

No worries at all! This is a quick trip anyway with just one day in the park to hit up some FL rides, Soarin, and Redwood Creek Challenge, so we'll be all over the place.

Ummm, isn't that in every musical??? lol Just kidding. I do know which one this is from and I will admit that I had never seen it until earlier this year. That's a fail for a theater nerd like me.

Yep pretty much! This is definitely my favorite musical. DH finally sat down with me to watch it earlier this year too! He's not a musical person and would at a few scenes But the music is great!

West Side Story?

Yes! Gah I love that movie!

 

[franandaj]

Please, please, please tell me you've seen the Cowbell sketch from SNL years ago

You know, I had never seen that sketch. But a quick Google search and YouTube fixed that. Wow! By that time BOC was pretty much either history or just so over produced that they sounded like nothing like when they started off. Not that I didn't that song, but I really liked their early stuff like this album.

Or this one

They weren't quite as metal as I remembered, but really guitar riff based with a very bluesy influence. I spent many a night in High School cranking this sort of stuff waiting to go out and party!

 

[pkondz]

Please, please, please tell me you've seen the Cowbell sketch from SNL years ago

Yes! "Gotta have more Cow bell!"

 

[Leshaface]

You know, I had never seen that sketch. But a quick Google search and YouTube fixed that. Wow! By that time BOC was pretty much either history or just so over produced that they sounded like nothing like when they started off. Not that I didn't that song, but I really liked their early stuff like this album.

Listened to those songs you posted and it sounds like such a different band!

Yes! "Gotta have more Cow bell!"

Yay! DH has this shirt

 

[pkondz]

Yay! DH has this shirt

Perfect!!

 

[franandaj]

Listened to those songs you posted and it sounds like such a different band!

I know! I was surprised to hear their newer stuff as it is so heavily studio produced compared to their first three albums.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I saw this update and that you were revealing the gender ... and then I totally remembered that I already knew and the kid is in exterior mode and everything already

Oh, and also I felt bad that the first thing I thought of when you talked about getting the two balloons and soon you would have no need for one was if you would send it to a needy child like they do with all the t-shirts they have for the sports team that loses the championship ... but then it worked out perfectly in the end that you were able to give the pink balloon to the family that was behind you and took that video - which is just amazing that they did that and then they found you


Oh, in the previous update when you asked about if a kid fell near you I think I would definitely check if he/she was ok and then if they reached out to me I would pick them up, etc. and try to find their parent but I would be conscious to not be too proactive in touching, probably wait a second to see if someone comes rushing over. Definitely wouldn't just stand there and do nothing though - rather have the parent be mad at me than the kid not have anyone check if he/she is ok

 

[khertz]

After seeing your gender reveal on FB way back when, it was so fun to read all of the story that went into it!! And that family videoing it for you got me right in the feels. Such a sweet memory!

Side note, I can't believe those dang balloons are so freaking expensive!!

 

[kastoney]

Wow, your gender reveal was truly amazing!!!! Almost makes me want to have another baby I have no idea how you kept a secret that big for so long, but major props to you

 

[Dugette]

And yes, I did ride while almost 5 months pregnant because my doctor insisted! Who am I to question her medical expertise?

I love your doctor! When I was pregnant with Izzy, I couldn't get over Test Track being off limits while my bus commute (on the interstate in heavy traffic, frequent slamming on of brakes, etc.) was totally okay. At least I know what's going to happen on TT and can brace myself.

And solo shots He got into it and tried to position DH so it looked like Dory was eating his head

Is it possible to over-order cheese?

Nah.

While DH took the stroller and did this

All these DH Photopass shots are awesome! Love the bench o' sitting men.

Got the basics of the Marshmallow Roll, Dark Chocolate Caramel with Sea Salt and the fabulous Caramel German Chocolate Chip Cookie and sat outside eating the majority of it

Yum! Those first two are regular favorites of ours. I don't think I've had the cookie - may have to try it!

Oh DH

Love it!

I just love this ride and wish they would get a FP machine set up for it at Disneyland. Waits can easily start out at 30 minutes not too long after the park opens, so we never really get to ride it often.

I agree - we had to suffer through a 40 minute wait, as it was the shortest we ever found.

Soon it was time for DM and DH to ride BTMRR….TWICE! So what do I do with all that time with a 3 year old?

I can't believe Izzy's never played here! She's loves all playgrounds. Will have to keep it in mind while we're in the area.

By this time it was only 11:15am, but we were hungry! So we headed on down to Broccoliville (aka Columbia Harbor House) Big shoutout to @TheLittleKatie who gave it that phenomenal name!

And this time, DS had fallen off one of the bigger steps on to the ground and started crying. I didn’t see it, but according to DH he fell to the floor, nearly landing at a guys feet, who just stepped back and watched him cry. DH got DS and took him over to me and explained that he was a little upset that this man didn’t even attempt to help him up or ask if he was okay. That led to a discussion – what would you do if you saw a kid fall? Would you pick him up? Do you just ask if he’s okay without physically touching him? It feels like nowadays, you have to be super careful with kids and how you address/handle them. Perhaps this man thought he didn’t want us (as parents) picking up and touching our child, which would result in us getting angry (which obviously we wouldn’t but he doesn’t know how we would react to that situation). It’s all very iffy, and quite frankly, sad that we have to double think about helping somebody up. Sorry OT, but that’s what we talked about! Thoughts?

Pre-kids, I might have been more hesitant, just not knowing enough about how to deal with kids. But, now, I'd ask how they are and help if they indicated they needed it. And stay with them until a parent is there to help. And I have had to do these things. Our street is full of unsupervised kids (rant for another day) and I saw a kid wipe out on his bike with nobody around. I made sure he was okay and then tried to help him up, as he was pinned under his bike. Then we found his pants were stuck in the gear chain thing, so I ended up having to sit with him and manually get them detached. Felt weird to be doing this for a kid I didn't know, but glad I was able to help him. Not sure what he would have done otherwise. Also, on another note, frequently on playgrounds, other kids ask me to help them out of sticky situations because I'm nearby and their parents are MIA. I usually will pick them up/help them down or whatever, cause I can't just ignore the direct request for help, but feels weird to me - I'm there to help my own kid, not everybody's kid (though Izzy is now old enough not to do anything too dangerous, so I stay back on the benches more often now).

Forty bucks later we had two balloons and one of them would be useless to us!

Worth it, though.

It was awesome and DH was BEYOND surprised! He for sure thought (and was honestly kind of hoping) it was a girl!

Glad it went so well! Great idea!

I posted a video about it here and to social media when we returned from our trip but I’ll post it again

I saw this way back when, but watched it again - LOVE it!

Cute and I'm glad you got to do a reveal for your mom too!

We all stood around talking about how it was another boy when I hear an, “Excuse me!” from behind us. It was the family that was standing in line with us to meet Mickey. He said, “I hope you don’t mind, but I was able to record a little bit of it and I can send it to you!” How amazing was that!

So cool!

It was actually great timing because we were now stuck with a pink balloon. They had one little girl in their party. We asked if we could give it to her and they were very grateful for it!

Perfect! Glad that worked out so well!

I know Aulani is coming up so soon for you, so if I'm not back here before, I just wanted to wish you a wonderful trip! If you have any Aulani questions for me, feel free to text or whatever. I'm sure you'll have an amazing time!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

But it was tough to get him to leave this little area so we bribed him of course with a Pressed Penny!

Ah, bribery. An essential tool for parents.

So we headed on down to Broccoliville (aka Columbia Harbor House) Big shoutout to @TheLittleKatie who gave it that phenomenal name!

Never thought about it before, but...she's right!

Little fun fact: he also likes brussel sprouts!

Is he an alien or something?

And not going to lie, it was nice to get just ‘plain’ park food. We’re so used to sitting down to nicer meals, it was great to just come and eat as we pleased with an easy menu to choose from. Also, upstairs was quiet and peaceful so it was a nice break!

Yep, nice to sit down to simple comfort food once in a while. Or all the time.

It’s all very iffy, and quite frankly, sad that we have to double think about helping somebody up. Sorry OT, but that’s what we talked about! Thoughts?

I see a kid fall and cry, I'm helping him. If mom/dad comes to the rescue, I'll back off. But I'm not letting him sit there without checking on him.

Forty bucks later we had two balloons and one of them would be useless to us!

Did they come with a TV in them?

I took this because his face shows it ALL! He’s definitely nervous and excited for what’s about to happen. Well, Starbucks coupled with baby news is pretty intense!

It's a big moment!

When it was about a few minutes till 2, DH left me in the dust Check him out, on a mission with those balloons!

That is definitely a man on a mission.

Love that Dan is covering up his ears because – one, he doesn’t want to hear ANYTHING and two, he’s deaf in one ear!

It was awesome and DH was BEYOND surprised! He for sure thought (and was honestly kind of hoping) it was a girl!

So cool! Such a great way to spread the news!

And right as we were about to do it, I spotted a Photopass photographer and asked if he wouldn’t mind taking pictures and that we were going to show ‘nana’ that she was about to get another grandson and he was over the moon about it!

Well done.

We all stood around talking about how it was another boy when I hear an, “Excuse me!” from behind us. It was the family that was standing in line with us to meet Mickey. He said, “I hope you don’t mind, but I was able to record a little bit of it and I can send it to you!” How amazing was that!

Wow! Talk about amazing pixie dust!

It was actually great timing because we were now stuck with a pink balloon. They had one little girl in their party. We asked if we could give it to her and they were very grateful for it!

I can't believe how well this all worked out for you!

 

[Pinkocto]

How cool that the people behind you took that video! Awesome to share the balloon too.

I bet your mom loved having her own reveal.

Loved hearing the whole story with the min street balloon guy and photos. Such a cute idea!

I had a patient the other day whose parents had 7 kids, and finally the 7th was a girl. Dad wasn't giving up

Glad Calvin liked the Barnstormer more than last time.

 

[NittanyKK]

Just caught up on your trip report. Absolutely loved the gender reveal!! So sweet

I also couldn't stop laughing when your husband was bummed he couldn't meet Mary Poppins. My fiance is a huuuuuuge Mary Poppins fan... he claims it's because she was his favorite growing up but I think he has a little bit of a crush.


Seriously, he is BLUSHING in this picture!!Easily my favorite picture of that trip.

Excited to read more!

 

[Leshaface]

BRB, going to Aulani in the morning!!! ​

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[franandaj]

Wow! I didn't realize it was coming that soon! Have a great time!!!!