Megatron’s first commute to Walt Disney Global was once one among our easiest circle of relatives holidays, nevertheless it wasn’t with out demanding situations. That is the ‘grand finale’ to Child Bricker’s first WDW commute record, with proceeding protection of what went improper. It options footage & ideas on forcing firsts, early mornings vs. overdue nights, experience downtime, our Figment Fail and extra.
That is the fourth a part of our Walt Disney Global commute record, the direct follow-up to our ‘mother or father fails’ throughout Megatron’s first WDW commute. Sooner than that, we shared ‘what went proper’ throughout our circle of relatives commute – phase 1 and phase 2. For those who’re on the lookout for the positives from this commute (and the vast majority was once superb), take a look at the ones first two portions. They’re the heartwarming tales and footage from Child Bricker’s first holiday to Walt Disney Global.
General, this was once a laugh and immensely pleasing as we rediscovered Walt Disney Global as folks. It was once additionally an enormous finding out revel in and went a long way from flawlessly, however we wouldn’t industry this commute–warts and all–for the rest. Anyway, right here’s the overall installment of this record with extra of our demanding situations in taking Child Bricker (Megatron) to Walt Disney Global for the primary time. Let’s dig proper in…
Early Access & Rope Drop – Given the previously-discussed problems with Megatron’s sleep time table, this isn’t going to return as even a slight wonder, however we didn’t do a unmarried Early Access or rope drop as a circle of relatives. (I did a pair solo and can have stories on the ones quickly.) In combination, we made it to the parks prior to 11 a.m. a grand general of 1 time.
The loss of rope drops was once to be anticipated, as we have been conserving Megatron on Pacific time. She will get up for the day at house between 5:30 and six a.m., and early as this is, it’s nonetheless too overdue for Early Access whenever you account for buying in a position and transportation.
What I didn’t absolutely recognize is simply how lengthy it will take to get out the door each and every morning. (Now I do know why the later Early Access at Magic Kingdom is such a lot busier than those that get started an hour previous!) Surely a lot more of a manufacturing to get a child in a position, and it appeared that by the point we were given the entirety accomplished, there have been positive steps of the ‘procedure’ that already needed to be repeated. Once more, I’m hoping that is in part a “talents factor” and as we grow to be more proficient at touring, we’ll be capable to get out the door quicker.
On the different finish of the spectrum, something I forgot to say as one thing that went proper was once overdue nights. Megatron’s “best” bedtime at house is 7 to eight p.m. (large time air quotes round best), which is 10-11 p.m. Japanese. Consequently, we have been ready to do park closings conveniently. We didn’t strive Prolonged Night time Hours, however assume we can subsequent commute. That will likely be throughout the warmer summer season months and we’ll need to spend extra day trip after darkish because of this.
Forcing Firsts – A couple of months in the past, we made ourselves a ‘Child Bricker Bucket Record’ that still purposes as an inventory of meant firsts. Our considering was once that we need to be practical about what she does and when, so we (and he or she) can glance again on the issues she did first at each and every of the parks and when. We additionally need in an effort to repeat positive milestones and recollections over time, so we needed to be strategic in opting for sights and stories that it will be round for many years to return.
That is all a perfect thought in concept, and we can kind of proceed to do it. The issue is that young children are about as unpredictable and sleepy as a space cat. We discovered ourselves striking issues off that we meant upon doing as a result of naps or different issues intervened. For instance, we deliberate on her dressed in a selected outfit for her first experience on Adventure into Creativeness, after which assembly Figment as we exited the experience. We additionally deliberate on her being conscious for this.
We walked over to Adventure into Creativeness 3 separate occasions with that plan in thoughts. All thrice, she fell asleep throughout the trip. Because it seems, EPCOT is a huge park (who knew?) and the child service is a great spot for a sleep! I’m now not positive that I essentially feel sorry about this, as her first experience (conscious!) on Adventure into Creativeness was once actually memorable.
Basically, despite the fact that, I feel we attempted to choreograph an excessive amount of with the firsts and that resulted in us losing a large number of time and doing extra strolling and less exact issues. The result with Adventure into Creativeness made that “value it,” however even that had one not-so-minor downside. Sooner or later, we’ll be extra prepared to roll with the punches and simply let no matter occurs, occur.
Figment Fail – That one not-so-minor downside with Adventure into Creativeness is that Megatron has but to fulfill Figment. Between our overdue begins, his restricted set time table, and her falling asleep en path to the Creativeness Pavilion…it simply didn’t occur. We virtually known as an audible and went to EPCOT on our remaining partial day, however we might’ve had ~45 mins when all was once mentioned and accomplished and that might’ve been a large waste had she simply fallen asleep once more. Plus, we’ve discovered {that a} 45 minute window can vanish very quickly in any respect with a child.
Truthfully, we don’t feel sorry about this! Whilst it will’ve been fantastic to roll with the punches and do different issues whilst she was once asleep, assembly Figment was once now not a kind of issues. It’s actually essential to us that she’s conscious for her first come across with Figment, as all the meet & greets she’s accomplished whilst conscious had been particular and a laugh, while those she’s accomplished whilst asleep have now not. If that implies pushing Figment off till she’s probably much less enamored with characters (I do know there’s an ebb and waft), so be it.
In need of scheduling a number of extra days at EPCOT, there was once not anything shall we’ve accomplished another way to keep away from this. It wasn’t a mistake–simply one thing that went improper. Confidently she’ll be visiting Walt Disney Global for the remainder of her existence, so now not each and every main “first” needed to occur this primary commute. Right here’s hoping the Figment meet & greet occurs subsequent time!
Difficult Outfits – Megatron will have to store at Dan Flashes, as a result of her outfits are so sophisticated. I am getting why other people like lovely clothes ensembles for young children as they’re nice for footage and all that, however It’s not that i am a fan. The extra items an outfit has, the much more likely one thing is to get misplaced or get bunched up within the child service and purpose discomfort.
Possibly worst of all, it’s an amazing problem for inept people looking to exchange young children and suffering with socks or pants as child does their easiest Pelé influence. (Now not that I discuss from revel in or the rest–simply taking a look out for my fellow fathers…or moms! However critically, why do not one of the parenting books talk about this? There must be a complete bankruptcy devoted to socks shenanigans.)
I’m the skilled on a large number of issues. You understand that. I do know that. Uh, now not a large number of issues. A couple of issues. However model is surely one among them. And in my thought to be opinion, the top of child taste is the onesie and the highest dressmaker is the Area of Burt’s Bees. Surfing their lookbook for the Summer season 2024 season, and there are simply such a lot of putting types. Dinosaur onesies, dragon onesies, shark onesies. That’s a design staff on the most sensible in their sport; true child couture.
Part-joking apart, actually all of my favourite outfits for Megatron are from Burt’s Bees they usually move exhausting. Going ahead, I’m hoping that she simplest wears onesies whilst touring for his or her ease and ease. I do know that if I may escape with at all times dressed in one-piece pajamas in public, I completely would. We shouldn’t deprive her of this golden window of alternative prior to it turns into socially unacceptable.
Experience Downtime – This was once now not distinctive to our commute. Many visitors at the present time appear to assume they skilled atypically unhealthy experience breakdowns throughout their Walt Disney Global holiday. If truth be told, that’s as a result of appeal downtime is a long way upper than its ancient reasonable.
I’m now not positive whether or not that clarification makes it higher or worse. Distress loves corporate, so most likely you are taking solace understanding others are in the similar boat. Or perhaps you’re mad that Disney doesn’t deal with this identified factor. (Truthfully, I don’t know if it’s one thing they even can absolutely deal with. Bear in mind how we warned of the lack of institutional wisdom with the furloughs and layoffs again in 2020? Smartly, glance no additional than this for the “culmination” of that short-sighted resolution, as upkeep departments had been decimated and feature a long way fewer years of tenure.)
Both means, this was once a subject matter for us over again. It was once additionally a larger deal, perception-wise, when visiting with Megatron for the primary time since there are extra transferring items with a child. While on a solo commute or when it’s simply the 2 folks, we will be able to briefly pivot when what we meant to do is down. Now not actually that large of a deal, excluding throughout Early Access. It was once surely extra hectic this time, and I will see how this could be much more irritating with older children, grandparents, or any individual with mobility problems.
Animal Kingdom – We have been extra excited to take Megatron to Animal Kingdom than another park at Walt Disney Global. Smartly, excluding for EPCOT. K, and Magic Kingdom. However we have been surely extra excited for DAK than DHS…and 3rd position out of 4 remains to be decent!
This was once completely for the animals. She loves Yossarian the Cat and Walter Dogsney–and I imply loves them. The cat specifically, as a result of he’s very cat-like and spends his day tucked away in random containers and snoozing within the closet, so she doesn’t see him a lot. But if Yossarian comes up for deal with time and he or she spots him, she is going nuts. Yossarian most probably ranks upper than I do along with her.
Megatron additionally actually likes seeing the child geese and cats at Disneyland, so we assumed Animal Kingdom could be a house run along with her. That it will simply blow her thoughts with otters, unique pigs, flamingos, large cats, and so on.
We assumed improper. As easiest I will inform, she noticed one animal all day lengthy–a random duck within the walkway. The remainder of the time, she fixated on posts, handrails, or reflections in glass of the animal enclosures. I’m no child scientist, however she simply saved that specialize in the foreground–and there was once at all times one thing closer to her than the critters. So it didn’t topic {that a} actually cool creature that might’ve blown her thoughts was once off within the distance, as a result of she had to determine what was once up with the pole inside her succeed in. And via that, I imply she needed to try to clutch it so she may lick it.
Since we don’t let her lick any overseas gadgets, Animal Kingdom was once a large unhappiness for her. (What’s the purpose of these kind of posts in the event that they can’t be licked?!) In consequence, Megatron’s favourite “animal park” is a crown nonetheless held via Disneyland due to its ducklings, goslings (child ducks, now not Ryan), cats, and different varied critters. DAK was once her least favourite park and surely our least favourite as folks. As soon as you are taking the animals out of the equation, there’s now not a ton to do for young children.
That’s actually the salient level of this from a making plans viewpoint. You probably have a child and are debating which park to skip at Walt Disney Global, give critical idea to Animal Kingdom. Sooner than this commute, I might’ve assumed Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be the park to skip given how thrill-centric it’s grow to be and what number of sights have top necessities. However DHS is extra potential and relaxing with young children, no less than in our view.
Animal Kingdom’s factor is that there’s now not a ton for any individual, however young children have it particularly tough as lots of the rides value doing have top necessities and/or are jerky. It’s additionally a sizzling park with a ton of house to traverse, and now not many “low stakes” choices for sitting in air-conditioning, because the level presentations are all somewhat lengthy and concerned. In most cases that’s a just right factor from our viewpoint, however now not such a lot with an toddler. It’s difficult to dedicate that a lot time to a fine quality manufacturing in an enormous theater, as you don’t need to disturb different visitors if issues move sideways, and leaving briefly isn’t precisely simple.
Unsurprisingly, Magic Kingdom was once a long way and away the most efficient park for a child. We went in absolutely anticipating that as a result of Magic Kingdom is arguably the most efficient park for all age teams with the biggest and maximum well-rounded slate of sights–and likewise as it’s our non-public favourite. We’re additionally large EPCOT fanatics, after all, however we ended up being fairly stunned at simply how just right of a park that was once for young children. The entire indoor pavilions be offering massive merit; there also are sufficient smaller scale and occasional stakes sights which are great and comfortable for young children.
Celebrity Sarah – This isn’t one thing that went improper, however somewhat, the explanation this checklist isn’t double or triple its period. Whilst I’m actually suffering to position on pants (each my very own and the child’s on her), Sarah is singlehandedly protecting the entire operation in combination. Simply take a look at her within the picture above…she’s now not even flexing!
To not perpetuate the bumbling dad stereotype–I’d like to think about myself as semi-competent and I actually hate now not being just right at the rest–however I simply appear to come across extra, ahem, technical difficulties with Megatron. For instance, socks. How do you stay them on a child and, moreover, how on earth do you get them again on (assuming you don’t lose them outright) the ones tiny, repeatedly transferring ft? If Megatron is simplest 50% sockless when left in my care, I take that as a win.
Sarah in some way manages to do all of it flawlessly, in a perpetual state of sleep deprivation with out criticism. I don’t know when the remaining time was once that she were given ~3 hours of uninterrupted sleep, however surely now not within the yr 2024. Possibly someday remaining November? There was once a temporary window the place issues looked to be swell prior to sleep regression reared its unsightly head. I’m in consistent awe that Sarah has controlled the force and calls for of this 24/7 task with out lacking a beat. I’d be completely shedding my thoughts.
At house and throughout this commute, Sarah does and did the heavy lifting. I lend a hand the place I will, from wearing Megatron to rocking her to sleep at night time, amongst different issues. However there are barriers on what I’m ready to do as contrasted with Sarah. When the child begins crying and Hello Undergo (my remaining defensive position) can’t get her to prevent, there are simplest two issues Megatron desires, and I don’t have the ones. I’m obviously 2d favourite, most likely #3 at the back of Yossarian.
In spite of everything, fortunately a lot more went proper than improper on our first commute to Walt Disney Global. A minimum of 90% of that was once because of Sarah being a perfect mother, expecting issues and desires prior to they rise up and making all of it appear simple. I’m very, very mindful that it’s maximum surely now not simple, as a result of once I’m working the display, we’re having hassle simply conserving ft absolutely socked. Even though I suppose perhaps those commute stories would’ve been “more uncomplicated” if it have been me in fee, as a result of what went improper would’ve been a one phrase put up: the entirety.
Even over the span of 4 posts and over 12,000 phrases, there’s nonetheless so much that we haven’t even coated. Issues that neither went proper nor improper, however simply “went.” This contains a large number of issues, from two of the hardest airports any place (Los Angeles and Orlando) to the flights to desk carrier foods and extra.
The excellent news is this commute was once a perfect finding out revel in for us, and we’ve already put one of the crucial classes to make use of. I’m so satisfied we did this prior to touring to Tokyo Disney Hotel for the primary time, as this revel in taught us so much and reshaped our way. From issues so simple as packing extra successfully to finding out easy methods to higher regulate her sleep time table. Already, the second one commute goes higher than Child Bricker’s first!
As we proceed to get extra revel in beneath our belts, we’ll get started sharing recommendation somewhat than first hand stories. Flying with a child is a huge one from that viewpoint, however we’ll even have extra on child dressed in, navigating puts with and and not using a stroller, personality meal evaluations, and a ton extra. For now, thank you for becoming a member of us in this adventure–we are hoping you discovered one thing from what went improper throughout Child Bricker’s first commute to Walt Disney Global…or no less than had amusing at my and Sarah’s expense!
Making plans a Walt Disney Global commute? Know about motels on our Walt Disney Global Resorts Evaluations web page. For the place to consume, learn our Walt Disney Global Eating place Evaluations. To economize on tickets or resolve which sort to shop for, learn our Pointers for Saving Cash on Walt Disney Global Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys put up takes a singular take a look at suave pieces to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney Global Experience Guides will lend a hand. For complete recommendation, the most efficient position to start out is our Walt Disney Global Shuttle Making plans Information for the entirety you wish to have to understand!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Ideas on what went improper or proper throughout Child Bricker’s first commute to Walt Disney Global? Anything you’re fascinated about studying about in regards to Megatron, young children within the parks, and so forth? Anecdotes of your personal about first visits to the Disney parks? Every other questions? Listening to your comments is at all times favored, so please percentage your ideas beneath within the feedback!
