Trip Reports

We arrived at WDW on Feb. 28 and departed on March 4. We are 2 adults (mid-30s) with numerous previous WDW trips and our 16-month-old daughter (one previous trip).

Resort: Port Orleans

This really is the best option when you are traveling with a small child. We were in building 3, quite close to the food court and shop and not far from the bus stop or pool. All of PO is compact compared to DxL or CBR. We only got food from the food court twice, both times a roasted chicken with rice, corn on the cob and biscuits that easily fed 1 or 2 adults and the baby. Mornings my husband hit the food court and shop for orange juice, fresh fruit and milk and we brought our own cereal.

We also had to get cold medicine for the baby and me and run a quick wash one morning, so the relative smallness of the resort was a big plus. We really enjoyed renting a surrey bike to tour PO and down to DxL, and the boat ride to Downtown Disney.

My only complaint against PO was the LOUD lounge singer just off the lobby when we checked in, it was difficult to even hear the desk clerk. OTOH, once we were out of the building, softer jazz music was being played in the main area and our daughter clapped her hands as we pushed her along in the stroller.

Transportation: Mears

Getting from the airport to PO was quick, many folks were in one line waiting to buy a ticket, my husband walked up to the clerk at the other window, got our ticket and we were gone while others were still waiting. Lesson: don’t be a sheep.

Returning to the airport, we asked to be picked up at 3:45, Mears never showed up until 4:00. Then there was anaccident on I-4 so the driver took the Beeline; anyway we were still at the airport in plenty of time for our 6:20 flight but… Lesson: allow PLENTY of time for Mears.

Aside: while we were in the van several other Mears drivers on the CB were complaining about Florida Town Car "stealing" their customers because they were late, just something to keep in mind.

Transportation: Disney

We had incredibly good luck this trip, never waited more than 5minutes, always got a seat etc. It may have been because PO is smaller and is the first pickup (before DxL). Only once did the bus go on to DxL, all other times they went right on to the parks which made things even quicker.

On Sunday 3/1 we had two really good experiences with the bus drivers. First, my husband and baby were coming to meet me at the Contemporary to see the fireworks, they were the only ones on the MK bus so the driver let them off right at the Contemporary instead of making them walk or monorail back. Later, because we didn’t leave the Contemporary until after the MK closed, we SHOULD have had to bus to DD, then back to PO. We took a chance and walked over to the MK bus area. Several drivers were standing around, they told us they had been told to shut down for the night but "don’t worry, we’ll get you home." One of them did start back up, we waited a short while and about 5 otherfamilies came hurrying along too. Lesson: you can take your time to get a bus back to your resort. Apparently Disney does not want you spending the night sleeping under the hedge.

We also got to drive the monorail from the MK to the Poly one morning and used the boats between MGM and Boardwalk and then walked from Boardwalk to Epcot. All are nice relaxing activities, enjoyed by the little one and a good break from the park excitement.

Meals: California Grille, Garden Grille, Spoodles

We hadn’t planned on many elaborate meals with the toddler along; I did enjoy my dinner with my babely friends one night at the California Grille. I had the garden salad, pork tenderloin with polenta (yum) and the chocolate soufflé (double yum). All 20+ women enjoyed their meals, the service was good and the view is incredible. I am SO glad I had this opportunity. After the meal we adjourned to the balcony to watch the fireworks, my husband and baby came up and met us and it was one of the highlights of the trip: watching the fireworks, watching my baby, watching my friends, watching my friends watch the baby watch the fireworks. Lesson: try this some night, it is way more relaxing than dealing with the MK crowds and the view will knock your socks off… which you may need because it’s chilly up there at night.

We had a character dinner at Garden Grille (in the Land at Epcot) one night. I was glad for the extra chance to visit with our friend Michele and the food was excellent. Adults: salad, rolls, steak, chicken, fish and vegetables in a big skillet, mashed potatoes and gravy, dessert (apple cobbler and cinnamon ice cream!) and drink for about $18. My daughter’s meal was free (she is under 3), they brought her macaroni & cheese, chicken fingers and applesauce, milk and a "worms and dirt" dessert. She was much too excited to eat much though. Chip, Dale, Mickey & Minnie all stopped by and played and danced with her. I’ve had character meals before and this is currently my favorite, the food was excellent (also all you can eat, the waitress brought us more steak, chicken and vegetables), the booths are good for a small family and you get to see parts of the Land ride as the restaurant revolves.

We also enjoyed the Spoodles buffet breakfast one morning. This is another good bargain ($10 or 11, all you can eat buffet with hot and cold items). The highlights here are really big cups of good coffee, big glasses of orange juice, the varied hot items and some goodpastries on the cold item bar. Our daughter was a little fussy that morning so didn’t eat, but you could usually find quite a few things for a young child (eggs, hot cereal, fruit). I believe you can also order pancakes or french toast.

All our other meals were of the counter service type, we had all breakfasts except the Spoodles one in our room in the morning. In the parks we bought combo meals so we could share and also brought some toddler snacks along. We did get the roasted chicken meal at PO for aquick dinner twice and tried the beignets one morning. We thought theywere too chewy.

Attractions: Magic Kingdom

We took our daughter on Pirates of the Caribbean, It’s a Small World, Jungle Cruise, the train, and Tomorrowland Transit Authority with no problems. I waited with her while my husband rode Big Thunder, Space Mtn. and Toad’s Wild Ride, he did the same while I rode Big Thunder and Splash with my babe friends. She also enjoyed one of the stageshows in front of the castle and chasing ducks around Adventureland.

We walked through Minnie’s house in Toontown but it was too crowded for anyone to really enjoy.

Attractions: Epcot

Here everybody went on Spaceship Earth, Ellen’s Energy Adventure, Living Seas, Maelstrom, El Rio de Tempo, and saw Honey I Shrunk the Audience and American Adventure. We also met Chip, Dale and Pluto while walking around World Showcase and saw Illuminations. I like this version better than the Illuminations 25 version.

Attractions: MGM

We all saw the Little Mermaid, mom and baby saw Hunchback of Notre Dame (it is WONDERFUL) and mom and dad took turns on Star Tours. The lines for Tower of Terror were too long. This is our second trip in 10 months, we didn’t have a large "must do" list and this more relaxed method of touring was preferable with a small child along.

General Toddler Information:

I recommend the baby centers very highly, sure all the restrooms have changing tables, it’s just a little nicer in the actual baby centers.

We like to bring our own stroller, it reclines for when she does fall asleep, it has a huge basket and a hood to keep some sun off her.

Bring along some snacks and juice, bring sunscreen (even on a cool dayin March she got a little pink one afternoon), bring a change ofclothes, and certainly, your patience and sense of humor … and lots offilm.

Donna Staffanson

doncliff@capital.net

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