Originally Posted By LVBelle After an absolutely fantastic night of sleep (best in literally years!) I was ready to go in the morning. Jake, on the other hand, took a little more persuading than usual to get out of bed! We got ready pretty quickly and headed over to Captain Kidd's for their continental breakfast. It wasn't great (the next day we'd find out how awful it really was) so we ate just a little and headed to the park. We got to the park before the bag checks were even open so we hung out and took some pictures. When we got through security and had our place in line, Jake and I took off on a little picture taking adventure. When the gates opened, we headed towards Fantasyland, making a stop at a deserted Partners statue for some great pics of the kid and the grandparents. We walked right on Dumbo with no wait. Again, Jake liked it when we were low to the ground, not a big fan of going up high. Next we had to do our traditional picture in front of the Monkey cage on Casey Jr. For those that don't know, Jake's nickname has been Monkey since the day we found out we were having him. And it fits. We got a train to ourselves- Mamaw was a Wild Animal and Grumpa, Jake and I were Monkeys. Next we headed to the Storybook Canal Boats where we saw Duckzilla! Of course, by that time Jake was ready to visit The Buzz so we headed to Tomorrowland. Afterwards the line for Space Mountain was still short so we grabbed fastpasses for later and a babyswap to use then. Babyswapping is best on Space Mountain, the second group gets to go in through the exit and jump right on! We were starting to feel ready for a treat and some airconditioning so we headed over to the Tiki Room where Jake entertained himself during the wait by going up and down the steps over and over and over while we had delicious Dole Whip floats! We did a quick Jungle Cruise so Jake could see the elephants and Grumpa took him up Tarzan's Treehouse, God bless him! After doing it that first day, I decided once a trip was more than enough! I made my parents go on Pirates without us since Jake didn't like the dark and the little guy got a nap in his stroller while we sat by the exit and waited. The evening before I had really wanted a Monte Cristo but Cafe Orleans wasn't taking any walk ups at that time so I called and got us reservations for later that evening. Grumpa and I went on Mansion then we headed over to DCA, we were all getting hungry for something a little more substantial than Dole Whips. Even though it was really hot, we wanted corn chowder bread bowls so it was off to the Bakery, picking up fastpasses for Soarin' and Grizzly River Run on the way! After a very yummy lunch we decided to check out the lines on the Pier. Most everything was long and it was hot but I noticed that there was no line for the stationary cars on the Sunwheel of Death. Jake was a little unsure when it started moving but he soon was enjoying the ride. Mamaw, on the other hand, was freaked out but trying hard not to show it! After we were done I told her how I always worry about there being an earthquake while I'm on the Sunwheel and the whole thing toppling over, leaving me in a cage underwater. I'm not sure she'll ever ride that one again! Mamaw wasn't too interested in getting wet so Grumpa and I headed to Grizzly River after depositing her and Jake in the lobby of the Grand Californian. I knew we were headed back to the hotel so I didn't mind getting wet. Good thing because I got drenched. At one point I had a literal puddle in my lap. Everyone in the boat declared me the winner! I should have gotten a prize! Mamaw and Grumpa did Soarin' while I waited with Jake. He used his cup to make puddles on the ground then spent his time playing in the mud. He was dirty but at least he was happy! It seemed to take a while for my parents to come out of Soarin' and they said that they were only using one side. I was tired so I said we'd hold on to our babyswap pass and try again later. It was hot and we were tired so we swung by Tower of Terror for fastpasses for later, stopped and got ice cream and a frozen banana for me, and headed back to the hotel for a rest. Once we were rejuvenated we headed back into DCA to use our fastpasses. First stop- Tower of Terror. When we got there we were warned that there was only one elevator working so it was an extremely long wait, even for fastpasses. So we decided to skip it and check Soarin' instead. The line wasn't so bad so Mamaw and I went while Grumpa and Jake did a little shopping. He got Jake his very own Buzz plushie! Our reservation time was approaching so we decided to head across the way. We had a little time so I decided we should try and drive the Mark Twain. I asked the CM there if we could go up with the captain but he said there was a reservation for that time but if he didn't show we were welcome to go up. So we boarded the Twain and waited patiently. At the very last minute the guy came so we didn't get to drive. But Jake had a great time going up and down the steps and looking for ducks. We were a few minutes late for our Cafe Orleans ressie but we were seated quickly with no problems. Since Jake had been so picky with his eating, I didn't see any point in ordering him an $8 kids meal so we got some fries to share, something he usually loves. Well, he loved to dip them in the sauce and feed them to us. Otherwise he would only eat grapes. Oh well. Our food was awesome! Mamaw and I really should have shared a monte cristo, it was just too much food! My notes for this evening are not quite reliable. I know we must have done more than I wrote down. We did use our Space Mountain fastpasses, Mamaw and I going first while Grumpa took Jake to play with the big ball. Grumpa and I used the babypass to go through the exit. We got there just in time for Space to break down. (Are we sure iceknyght didn't come to this trip? There sure was lots broken down!) Again, I missed riding with the lights on by just a few minutes. They were very fast getting the ride back up and we were soon on our way. We also rode Matterhorn that evening. While Grumpa and I were riding, a CM came along and noticed the balloon tied to Jake's stroller. The kid has a thing about balloons these days (he calls them oons!) and I thought he would be throwing fits left and right at the sight of all the other kids with balloons. Since I'm cheap and didn't really want to pay Disneyland prices for a balloon, I had my parents stop at a dollar store and pick one up on their way in town. It said "You're Special" and it was great because no one else had one like it so it was easy to spot our stroller! Anyway, the CM asked if Jake was the special one and said since he was he could be an honorary citizen of Disneyland! She gave him a button and a few disney stickers. By this time we were all tired so we headed back to the hotel, making a quick stop to get Jake's siholuette done on Main Street on the way. The CM there was wonderful and the siholuette turned out awesome! I had wanted Jake to see the fireworks to be sure he wouldn't be freaked out by them at the meet the other night but we were too tired to wait so instead I said we would take him out on the hotel balcony when they started. Good plan except for the fact that the hotel next door was taller than ours and we could just barely see them over it. Jake couldn't care less, he just wanted to go up and down the stairs. I was not gonna do that so we headed back to the hotel where Mamaw sung him to sleep and Grumpa made us rum and cokes so we could go to sleep! Pictures from Day 3 start here- <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28729608" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/28729608</a>@N07/2689617451/in/set-72157606252475284/
Originally Posted By LadyKluck O M G ! I was hungry before I saw this - now I'm freaking STARVING! <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28729608" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/28729608</a>@N07/2689743179/
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 YAY for a good nights sleep!!! >>The line wasn't so bad so Mamaw and I went while Grumpa and Jake did a little shopping. He got Jake his very own Buzz plushie!<< Being a grandparent is so much fun! I am loving your Jake stories. Especially the stairs stories, too cute. When our grandson was Jakes age we let him go up and down the stairs of the "ss rustworthy" while his parents went on a couple of rides. When our DD found out that we actually stayed in one place for all that time she thought we were nuts, nope, just grandparents with all the time in the world I admire your mom for even going on the Sun Wheel of Death! I haven't been able to view your pictures
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 Thanks, I don't know why I didn't think of that Your pictures and captions are adorable. My favorite one is of your jammie clad sleeping angel curled up smack in the middle of the bed
