February 2019; Disney Springs, Hollywood Studios

 You all have no idea how excited we were for this trip.  First of all, this was LittleCGC's very first Disney trip.  Besides that, there were so many other first during this trip including new rides, lands, characters,  restruarants, and even a festival.  LittleCGC was only 4 months old, so this presented a whole new experience for us as well.  On LittleCJC's first trip, she was 10 months old, and we only spent 2 days in the parks.  This time, we planned to spend the entire week in the parks with our baby girl, who was still nursing.  I wasn't really sure how this trip was going to go, but we were very excited.  

After our 10 month break, we were also going to be passholders again!  We were so ready, that you guessed it, we left earlier than planned and drove through the night.  We thought this would be best with the baby, since we didn't really feel like stopping every 2 hours for her to nurse.  This meant that the girls both woke up when we stopped at the Florida welcome center.

I love LittleCGC's confused look here.

I of course wanted this photo to send back to the grandparents letting them know where we were in the morning.  LittleCJC then decided she needed photos with everything.

After leaving the welcome center, we made our way straight to Disney Springs.  Since we were early, we decided to go here first so the kids could get out of the car while we figured out our hotel situation for the night.  After booking our usual hotel when we're in this situation, we decided to get some lunch at the new Polite Pig.

We approved of the yummy food.

LittleCGC really wanted some of our food, and LittleCJC can't be left out of a picture.

No trip to Disney Springs is complete without LittleCJC posing with some legos.

While here at Disney Springs, we also activated our new annual passes.  This took a little time, but it wasn't that bad.

By the time we were done, we were able to check in at our nearby hotel before heading over to Hollywood Studios for the night.  We were unable to get any fastpasses, because we already had the max number of fastpasses.  If we had booked an on property hotel for the night we would have been able to pick up three new ones, but since we opted to stay off property, we weren't able to get any.  We were okay with this, deciding we'd get a little Disney fill and at least get to see the new Toy Story Land.

When we arrived at Hollywood Studios, LittleCJC decided she had to ride the tram to the park entrance.

This little girl was ready to go.  Since we were arriving in the afternoon, we actually caught someone out front for the character palooza we've always missed.  I couldn't have been happier with who was out front welcoming into the park.

That's right, we met Bart, character #1 before we even entered the park.  Once we did make it through the turnstiles, we made our way down Sunset Boulevard where LittleCJC and Patrick decided to wait out the line at Tower of Terror, attraction #1.

When they finally made it through the standby line, we were all ready to go explore the new Toy Story Land.  While here, we also waited in line for LittleCGC's very first ride, Toy Story Mania, attraction #2.

I think LittleCGC was a little confused, but I love this overwhelmed look on her face while we waited in line.

We could have chosen to wait in line for either of the new rides in this area, but we chose Toy Story Mania instead, just so LittleCGC could ride with us.  Both Alien Swirling Saucers and Slinky Dog Dash both have a height requirement.  So, even though we didn't ride either of these two new rides, we had a great evening just soaking in the atmosphere of this new area.

At one point, LittleCJC spotted the green army man, but instead of yelling at him, she ran after him down the pathway until she could stop in front of him and just wave.  We were then able to get a picture with Green Army Man, character #2.

We maybe didn't get a lot done in the park today, but considering we didn't have any fastpasses and didn't enter until after 5pm, we still had a really enjoyable evening.  Especially when you remember we were suppose to be only beginning our travels today not even planning on arriving until tomorrow.  Come back next week to see what we did for that first planned day in the park.

April 2018, Day 8: Magic Kingdom

We've finally made it to the final day of this magical trip.  For the first time ever, we scored a dinner reservation at Be Our Guest, so we wore Beauty and the Beast themed shirts.  We arrived at the park before opening, and were able to get some pictures before the welcome show at the castle. 

8:00

We watched or more accurately listened to the welcome show from the rope.  As soon as that rope dropped, we took off for Peter Pan, attraction #1.

At LittleCJC's request, we then rode It's a Small World, attraction #2.

Before leaving Fantasyland, we decided to visit Elena, character #1

and Cinderella, character #2.

We didn't have any fastpasses for Big Thunder this day, so we felt we needed to jump over there before it got too busy.  So, we hurried over to frontierland and Big Thunder Mountain became attraction #3.

I love her hands up!

9:00

With a later fastpass for Splash Mountain, we decided to head back to fantasyland for Prince Charming's Regal Carousel, attraction#4.

We also decided to check out the other side of the Princess Fairytale Hall, making Tiana, character #3

and Rapunzel, character #4.

At this point, it was time for our first fastpass, at Winnie the Pooh, attraction #5.

It seems like we always have to make an effort to meet Merida if we want that to happen.  So, since this was our final day, we decided now was the time.  This made Merida character #5.

We had the idea to go to the circus next, but we couldn't pass the empty line at the Mad Tea Pary, attraction #6.

10:00

After getting dizzy in our tea cup, we continued on to the circus and rode, Dumbo, attraction #7

So, if you haven't noticed, LittleCJC always wants to ride with Grandma.  So while we miss riding with our little girl, we get a few cute pictures we wouldn't otherwise have gotten.  When we got off Dumbo, the Barnstormer either had a long line, or else LittleCJC just decided not to ride it at this time.  Instead, we got some popcorn and this little girl was cracking me up acting like she had never had it before.

After our little popcorn snack, it was again time for another fastpass.  This time, it was Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, attraction #8.

I think it's safe to say she loved the front row.  

11:00

Even though we had just eaten some popcorn, we decided to stop at Casey's Corner for some lunch.  The line was a little crazy, but Patrick was really wanting the mac 'n cheese hot dog.

12:00

When we finished eating, Patrick, Grandma, and LittleCJC made their way to Splash Mountain for their next fastpass.  As we walked that way, I noticed that a show was about to begin, so I decided to stop in at Country Bear Jamboree, attraction #9

This was a great opportunity for me to sit down in some air conditioning.  After the show, I made it over to Splash Mountain, attraction #10 in time to watch my crew enter the briar patch.

I even had a little visitor while I waited.

1:00

We hadn't ridden the train yet this trip, wo we decided to take a loop around the park making Walt Disney Railroad, attraction #11.

While completing our loop on the train, we were able to pick up our next fastpass for Aladdin's Magic Carpets, attraction #12.  LittleCJC remembered the pirates adventure here in Adventureland so we spent a while searching for some treasure.

2:00

I'm always a little amazed how much she enjoys this activity.

At some point after our earlier carpet ride, we were able to pick up fastpasses for our next ride, Jungle Cruise, attraction #13.

3:00

Since we were spending some time doing things that we hadn't done yet this trip, we decided now was the time for the Tiki Room, attraction #14.

4:00-6:00

I don't remember where we initially were planning on going after leaving the tiki room, but it was far enough that we put LittleCJC in the stroller and she fell asleep.  So, I think we decided to do a little child free shopping instead.  We also picked up an I'm celebrating button, because I really wanted to take this picture.

We also took some time to get some more food from Sleepy Hallow.  LittleCJC was taking an amazing nap, and we didn't want to wake her, so my mom and I decided there was another ride we hadn't hit up yet this trip.  Patrick opted out, saying he'd stay with LittleCJC, but mom and I rode Carrousel of Progress, attraction #15.

7:00

We always say it's helpful to continually try to modify whatever fastpass you have.  Case and point, we were able to pick up another fastpass for Patrick and LittleCJC at Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, attraction #16.

8:00

We had a little time left before our dinner reservation, so we went where we knew there'd be no wait.  We rode Mad Tea Party, attraction #17.

Conveniently, there was a photographer at the ride exit with the latern photo prop.  LittleCJC decided she wanted to stop again, but this time by herself.

After the photo, we were ready for our dinner at Be Our Guest.  Of course, there was another photographer greeting us by the front entrance.

9:00

When we finished our dinner, we were able to finally meet Beast, character #6.

Since this was our first time meeting him, we all needed photos.

Even Grandma had to join.

The table setting was nice.

And the dessert was great.  LittleCJC appreciated the little mickey heads.

Poor girl, Disney is so exhausting, even with her great nap she was still tired.

10:00

When we finally left the restaurant and entered the brighter park, LittleCJC got her second wind.  She decided she would ride The Barnstormer, attraction #18 with Daddy, while Mommy and Grandma sat this one out.

11:00

Before leaving the empty Circus area, LittleCJC decided she needed to get her picture with Dumbo.

We were all getting pretty tired at this point, so we decided on one last ride, Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, attraction #19.

If I hadn't been pregnant, Patrick and I probably would have jumped in line for Space Mountain, but since I was out, Patrick and Grandma both decided to skip it as well ending our trip with Buzz, a ride we all were able to ride together.  Overall, it was a great day to end this wonderful trip.