Lion could have been better with the whole flying thing but over all the whole trip was stellar. This was the first trip I felt the boys really "got". I wish I could explain it better to you but I cannot.
They just seemed to understand and anticipate and attack the parks in a different way this time.
Perhaps the biggest most anticipated change, nay, accomplishment/breakthrough of this whole trip was Lion's reaction to the characters.
PT and I have a tradition that we've upheld every single trip we've gone on together for 12 years. First full day in the park we have breakfast at 8:00am with Pooh and his friends at the Crystal Palace.
We have never missed one time. Except this trip.
I tried and tried and tried to get Priority Seating for our usual time and couldn't get anything. No tables available.
Looking back, we totally should have done what we wound up doing on the third day and that was just go at 9:00 (you are only allowed into the park at 8:00 if you have Priority Seating. All others have to wait till the park drops the rope at 9:00am)
and try to get a table anyway.
But I digress...
Tradition ALSO dictates that Lion is freaked out by the characters. He hates them. With a passion. They scare him and overwhelm him. PJ however loves them and Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore and Tigger are the only characters we "force" upon Lion the whole trip.
We have a good system. Lion hides in my lap with his head buried until the evil large plush person passes our table.
I totally expected it this trip as well but change was in the air apparently.
This time Lion was EXCITED to see Tigger who was the first to our table. He HUGGED TIGGER. I have to type that out again. My small son who just 4 months ago shreiked at the sight of the orange and black tiger HUGGED HIM. Out-standing. It was the same with all of them. He was thrilled to see them all and couldn't get enough hugs. He even followed Eeyore to another table to play with his tail and then and THEN when they had the "Happy Birthday march" (this video is not mine but they do the same thing at least once an hour)
PJ lept out of his chair to go and march and Lion was right behind him.
I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't fighting back the tears of sheer joy. Seriously. It might not seem like a big deal to you but to my family it's a massive, massive step. It's change and it's growth and even maturity and that, that makes me the happiest mommy ever.
Of course there was the heat. The coolest day it was 92 degrees. The last two days it was 97. That's not the best weather to go for a hike in and certainly not the best weather to trapise around the parks in.
Small aside here but I spent much of the trip feeling secretly smug and slightly superior to PT.
We had been going back and forth about renting a stroller for two or more weeks.
We used to drag the double stroller monster down with us but at 40 pounds and measurements of 38.6 x 19 x 13.3 inches it was no easy thing to get it on the busses to go to and from the parks. PT would have to lug it onto the bus and then balance it (and if the bus was crowded he would have to endure the dirt looks from folks being smushed by it)and I would have to carry the two kids on and off the bus.
But Lion was little and he couldn't walk and the boys took nice long comfy naps in the stroller and so we endured the agony of this massive unweildy beast. (someone in Epcot remarked in passing "Check out that Cadillac of a stroller" and so we dubbed it the Caddy)
Three trips ago we packed up the Caddy and went through the agony of the not so bright folks at Newark Security trying to force it through the X-Ray machine (with me muttering under my breath "It does not fit. It will not fit. You will not make it fit. Take it down and run the damn XRay wand over it you MORONS") and lugged it to the parks every day only to discover that this trip PJ decided he was NOT a baby and he was NOT going to ride in the stroller at ALL. He walked. Everywhere. I was pissed off and amazed all in one.
We average 6 miles a day when we are in Disney World. Kid kept up with us the whole way. I was pissed that like schumcks we were stuck pushing, pulling, lifting and dragging the Cadillic Stroller built for two around the parks with only one kid riding.
We swore NEVER EVER again. When we got home that stroller hit the curb as though it was on fire. I couldn't get rid of it fast enough. Good bye, good luck, good riddance. Peace OUT double stroller. PJ walked and Lion was chauffered around in a ghetto $10 K-Mart umbrella stroller.
Unfortunately those strollers are only good up to 30 or 35 pounds and by the time our next trip came around my sweet Lion had outgrown the umbrella stroller.
So we went to Disney World with two kids and no stroller.
I spent the whole trip either carrying Lion around in my arms or on my shoulders.
Not much fun for me at all. (that my friends is the understatement of the century)
This trip I put my foot down (something I NEVER do) we needed a stroller. We were renting one come hell or high water.
Not just a stroller. A DOUBLE stroller so both kids could relax and ride and not burn themselves out running around the parks.
PT didn't want to drop $200 on a double stroller rental and so we went back and forth about it.
I won and I'm SO glad I did.
In that heat having that double stroller made all the difference. The kids had a place to rest and relax and nap and we were able to get from place to place much quicker.
Best $200 I think we've ever spent.
Even for me a seasoned Vet who can get around the parks with her eyes closed it seems each trip I learn something new!
I can't wait to go back in December!!!
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