Not exactly. I'd been working at Camp Friendship in Annandale. Everyone else went to New York, Chicago etc. and I went to Disney.
Oh, that's cool. Glad you made it to Disney!
We've scheduled the flights during naps, but he's never been an easy napper, so sometimes he'd sleep, and others he'd fight it. Thankfully he's never full on cried, just fussy. Thank goodness for breastfeeding, or I think flying would have been much harder.
Ah, yeah, nap-fighting is the worst (that may be coming up in the trip report...
) I've heard that nursing in flight can help. We are down to just nursing at night/overnight/morning now, but I had it in the back of my mind if she needed help settling down.
Looks like you had a nice dinner. Even if it was dinner with a baby!
It sounds like those chicken women were just looking for something to complain about. Maybe that's how they like to vacation... by making themselves miserable.
Yeah, it was a really nice dinner to start off the trip. That whole chicken thing was just so strange. I can understand being disappointed or whatever, but the way they were carrying on...I mean, let it go, you're in Disney World, go find some pixie dust!
Funny about the chicken. I remember it being decent sized. That's been 2 1/2 years ago though. I'm normally full from all of the bread & butter though so maybe it just seems decent sized because I'm not hungry by the time it comes
That's what I wondered - I figure it probably was a decent size and they were just picky. But I didn't see it. Maybe they didn't fill up on bread, then?
It sounds really good, by the way.
Your room looks really nice! I love that there was an open counter space for you to create a changing table.
I really liked the new look of the rooms. I liked the old ones too, but this was better, especially the bathroom. And that built in changing table was great, especially in the middle of the night because I could turn on the bathroom light to change her and leave the bedroom dark for sleeping Dug.
The bread at Kona is the best. It's hard to pace yourself and not completely fill up on it before you entree arrives.
You're always going to have people that complain about their meals. I don't get it, but whatever. In my mind, it's their vacation they are ruining by griping and looking at the negative aspects.
Meals with kids is quite the adventure. It can be hard to take in all the beautiful surroundings when you're playing Pick Up for the 1000th time.
I could eat that Kona bread with every dinner, I think. Not that I should...
I agree on the complaining thing. I just didn't get how they could be so focused on it for so long. I also kinda wondered if they were trying to get something for nothing, like a comped meal or a free dessert (I don't think they did).
On dining with kids, I agree. Of course, all the times I had to pick things up off the floor gave me a great view of the Hidden Mickey in the carpeting.
Great trip report so far. Your little one is adorable!
Welcome and thank you! I also just have to say that your avatar picture is adorable!
Great update! The Poly is so beautiful, I don't think I could ever get sick of seeing that place! I'm glad that the magic bands seem to be working well for you guys - it is definitely nice to not have to fish around for a key card when your hands are full. Izzy is such a great traveller so far! She is just going with the flow and loving it
The Poly really is beautiful. Despite construction going on around it, we loved it and barely even noticed the work going on. I hope it's still as magical once they finish the project (adding DVC, updating the pool, etc.) If we could afford it, we'd happily stay there every trip. Even when we're not staying there, I don't doubt we'll eat there and wander the place each visit.
The Magic Bands worked really well for us. The only issue we had was more related to the Fast Pass + and lack of info on how to use things. I really liked them for opening the door and making purchases.
We're very lucky to have a pretty adaptable, happy baby. She did quite well with all the disruptions to her routine. I think she had a great time.
We did not make it to the Polynesian Cultural Center but we did go to Kualoa Ranch. We took the 2 hr horseback riding tour and it was awesome! The ranch is unbelievably beautiful. They have lots of different tours to choose from. We wanted to go there because we are huge LOST fans!
I didn't write a TR but there were 2 that I found helpful. I think you can find them on the DVC TR board. I'll try to find out who wrote them later. I believe one was candesmom or something like that.
I can't say I have any don'ts. The island is amazing. We rented a car and DH loves to drive so that's what we would do, drive! If you like to snorkel, Haunauma Bay is amazing as well. Friends of ours did a few hikes if you want more info on that I can find out for you. That candesmom TR has lots of info on that as well.
The food at Aulani is very expensive but there are these small stores called ABC Stores that have everything from prepackaged sandwiches to liquor for reasonable prices and its located directly across the street from Aulani, walking distance.
Thank you for all feedback! We are LOST fans and that would be cool to see. I think we just need to decide which ranch activities we want to do and what's best/allowed with a 2-year-old.
I believe that TR (eandesmom, I think?) was the first one I read and it was great. I've found a few others, but not that many. Maybe I need to dig more after I finish them. The most helpful I've found is the one by Captain_Oblivious. Love it!
Krona looks yummy. We've only done breakfast but I want to try dinner next time. Izzy is such a good baby. I loved the pics of her in the closet. She was having so much fun
Yes, definitely try dinner. I think it's a hidden gem - good food, nice atmosphere, reasonable prices, etc.
She is a really good baby. She was having so much fun in that closet!!! Who knew - all she needed was a small empty room with a bar?
I'm in!
I remember all of your planning posts and am excited to see how your plans unfolded! Izzy looks just adorable, and I can't wait to see her reactions to all the Disney magic!
(I laughed when I saw the temperature on your car dash picture. Hasn't the weather in the Midwest been ridiculous this year?! I understand it's winter, but I'll be pretty thrilled when this sub-zero temperature trend comes to an end...)
Welcome! Glad you're here! Ha, it will be interesting to see how the plans unravel...uh, I mean, unfold.
This winter has been crazy! And that was before it was even winter, technically! I'm so glad we're finally warming up here. After several sub-zero days, it was in the 20's today, which felt relatively balmy!
DS does the same thing with my iPhone as well. I'm amazed that he knows how to unlock my phone!
How do they learn this stuff? I bet they are face-timing each other to share tech tips when we're not looking.
Your walk story gave me chills. So happy for you guys!
Love both the videos of Izzy! She looks so happy and excited!
Brilliant idea to use all that extra counter space as a changing table
Thanks!
And you know you're a mom when you see extra counter space in the bathroom and immediately think of diapering!
Your meal looks delicious! I still haven't been able to try that bread that everyone talks about. I've been to Kona now for breakfast and lunch, but think they only serve it at dinner?
I think you're right about dinner. I remember going for lunch once and I think we even asked about it and they said they didn't have it ready until dinner. I've also heard that you can get it from the Kona Island sushi bar too - in case you drop by between meals or something. I haven't tried that, though.
Can I just say, I TOTALLY agree with everything you said about having a meal with a baby. There are even times for me when i'm so busy tending to him, that I never finish my entire meal since i'm not as hungry as when I sat down. It's nice when DH and I get the rare occasion to go out and have a meal to ourselves!
You can absolutely say that! I've also had times that I've wolfed down the meal while she's been occupied and then can't even remember what I ate. It's really hard to just enjoy any meal with a baby dining alongside you. I agree about going out alone with DH once in a while - we've only done it a handful of times, but it's so nice!
I know you didn't direct this to me, but I noticed and wanted to mention, we did both on our trip to Hawaii a couple years ago and highly recommend both! We did the luau at the PCC and both the luau and nighttime show were absolutely AMAZING. Unfortunately, we did not get to spend as much time there as we had hoped, so we only got to visit a couple of the countries and see the demonstrations/shows, but it was still a lot of fun. And there are so many activities going on! We easily could have spend a day there.
For the Kualoa Ranch, we took one of the Hummer tours through KOS Tours run by Ed Kos. We did the 2 hour tour (because I am a HUGE fan of Lost, but DH is not, so we didn't do the longer one). In addition to all of the Lost stops, we visited a lot of locations used to film movies. It's so funny because there is this one huge valley used in a lot of movies and Lost scenes, and now I recognize it in a lot of other movies too when I see it!
Another fun stop we did while there was the Dole Pineapple Plantation. Lots of gorgeous flowers, a train ride, and DOLE WHIPS!
Half of the fun of doing ANYTHING in Hawaii is driving the coast and taking in the scenery.
Thank you so much for chiming in! Great info! Sounds like the PCC is a must-do. I'm thinking the Hummer tour sounds fun, but is probably not toddler-friendly? We're willing to split up and take turns to do things, though, so I'll keep that in mind. And we already have the Dole Plantation on the list - gotta have some Dole Whip and I think Izzy might like the train ride. And the Dole Whip.
Anyway, on to the update...
I LOVE the video of Izzy playing in the closet. I can totally see Paxton doing the same thing at that age with a closet like that! And oh my gosh, do I feel you on the dining out with a baby/toddler thing.
It's amazing how your perception of a "successful" dinner out can change once you add a child into the mix. As long as my food is still relatively warm by the time I finish eating it, and there have been no major spills or meltdowns, it's a success. Well, actually, if all those criteria are met, it just might be a miracle!
Ha ha, that sounds about right for meals. And we have a relatively well-behaved kid too, but it's still a big change from the pre-child days. I always feel like I'm in a race to eat before her patience runs out.
Aw I loved your update but COMPLETELY understand what you mean about eating out now. However after going through the AWFUL terror in a restaurant phase, I have a very different idea of a successful meal out! Lol. But no, it has finally caused me to get a couple nights out for just a meal with andrew, because I do miss those times. It will get better though (still waiting for that time...haha...).
Kona looks wonderful though. Haven't been for dinner in a long time and would love to go back.
I know I've seen you mention that Aria got to be really difficult in restaurants. I'm hoping that Izzy doesn't go that route, but we'll see. Her main issue is that when she's done, she's done. Everything gets thrown to the ground and she demands to go. Luckily, we can usually stretch out the time until that moment to last through the meal (i.e. - timed release of food). I'm glad you've gotten some meals out with just you and Andrew. I hope it gets better soon for you!