GREETINGS FROM EPCOT!

Princess Auroa AKA sleeping beauty. (Don't know why she is in France, doesn't say so in the movie.)

Marie from Aristocats. (Everybody wants to be a cat!)

Beauty & the Beast.

Best movie ever.

Same day, just had to change Joey's outfit.

Little too much mess on it, even by my standards.

I'M NOT SLEEPY! YES YOU ARE! NO I'M NOT...

Watch the overtired, slightly ticked toddler drift off in less then 30 seconds on the people mover in Tomorrowland.

THE TODDLER AND THE MOUSE

TIP # 4: BYOS

BRING YOUR OWN STROLLER

If your flying, this may be difficult, I know. No need to worry, Disney certainly has plenty to rent, although I would suggest reserving if you are going during a busy weekend.

But if your travel plans have room for it, bring your own stroller. For the following reasons:

1) You can't take Disney strollers off the park grounds.

So what are you going to use from the hotel room to the park?

What if you go park hopping? You have to return the one you have and pick up another at the next park.

2) Disney strollers don't fold.

They are hard plastic things.

So even if you could sneak one out the gate, you sure as shit aren't going to get in on one of the Disney buses. (Or your trunk, which is probably why they are designed that way.)

Collapsible strollers are welcome on the Magic Kingdom train, the train to Rafiki Watch in Animal Kingdom and all Disney complimentary transportation (Buses, boats and monorails).

3) You & your child are used to his or her stroller.

It reclines to the exact level of nap happiness. You will also be able to find it quicker in the sea called: designated stroller parking area.

BREAKFAST AT CHEF MICKEY'S

Joey really loved meeting and interacting with the characters.

She didn't pose for the camera too good, but you can catch a glimpse in the picture of her and Pluto of how much fun she was really having.

Someone has on a Mickey Bib while taking a pic with Mickey.

She kept slapping at his nose and saying "Dog" and "Nice".

WE'RE BACK!

Sorry for the month long hiatus on blogging.

I don't really concern myself with computer stuff while on vacation.

So I am REALLY behind in blogging pictures and videos (I still have more from Disney). I also have 50 or so YELP reviews to do.

BUT NOT YET!!!

First we are going to the keys for Memorial Day weekend.

Will get caught up soon.

Adventures of the not-so-stay-at-home-mom will continue!

DUMBO!

ANIMAL KINGDOM

Do you know how hard it is to take a picture with ONLY your family in it?

Really, Joey?

We came all this way so you could play in the dirt?

Nice sheep.

THE TODDLER & THE MOUSE

Tip # 3: PLEASED TO MEET YOU!

Where is the best place to meet the characters with minimal line?

Will your kid run up and give Mickey a big hug or flip out, scream and cry?

Don't you wanna know before you wait in line?

ANSWERS:

If your kid did well taking her picture with Santa, chances our she will like the characters too. If you kid flipped out with Santa, you may want to skip waiting for Mickey.

If you do want to take pictures with the characters, the 2 best spots are:

CAMP MINNIE MIKEY at ANIMAL KINGDOM

&

CHEF MICKEY'S at the CONTEMPORARY RESORT

1) Veer to the left when you hit Discovery Island inside ANIMAL KINGDOM to reach CAMP MINNIE MIKEY. The good thing about this location is the characters are there all day long. No getting lucky or hunting to find the right time and place. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy. Those are the staples and the average wait time was 10 minutes. Not bad at all. There are also always additional characters around (Chip & Dale, Thumper, Pocahontas & Miko...).

2) I highly recommend having breakfast at CHEF MICKEY'S at the CONTEMPORARY RESORT. They have a great buffet (although you know you just going to stuff yourself on Mickey waffles with strawberry topping). And, while you eat, the main characters (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto) come around to YOUR table. You can eat breakfast, take a picture with Mickey, get his autograph and do it all without waiting in line! You don't have to stay there, or even drive there. Just hop on the Monorail (Resort line). Reservations highly recommended.

WHAT A CHARACTER!

I'm a Donald fan, hence, we saw Donald first.

Joey LOVED meeting the characters. That's why we saw so many.

She didn't always pose well for the camera, but she got a kick out of meeting the characters.

Mickey is blushing cause' Joey just gave him a kiss goodbye.

We met most of the characters at CAMP MINNIE MIKEY at Animal Kingdom.

That's how come the safari outfits.

I can't tell you how many grown men were standing in line to take their picture with Pocahantas.

Thumper & "Ms. Bunny"

(In Bambi, the girl rabbit that wins Thumper's affections is not given a name so they just refer to her as "Ms. Bunny."

One of my favorite characters, Rafiki.

THE TODDLER & THE MOUSE

Tip # 2: Rockin' with the Rhythm of the Train.

Still having a bit of trouble getting your toddler to take a much needed nap?

Take a train ride around Magic Kingdom. Or jump on the people mover in Tomorrowland.

Not because they are boring (different strokes for different folks) but because of the slow, rhythmic motion. The people mover knocked Joey right out. And it is neat, how you get to ride through all the other attractions.

LINES & RIDES

What do you do while waiting in line?

Why, take pictures of course!

Especially because a great many of the rides are too dark for pictures or videos and flash isn't allowed on many as well.

Above is Small World.

Below is Cinderella's Carousel.

She loved the tot lot in front of Minnie's House in Toon Town.

Mark had bought her a big, red Mickey balloon and had her own personalized ears on order before we were a quarter of the way down main street.

THE TODDLER & THE MOUSE

THE TODDLER & THE MOUSE will be a series of tips on how to maximize the magic of your trip to Disney with a toddler in tow.

Tip # 1: Take a practice run at the zoo.

Not sure if your kid will nap in the stroller at the park but don't want to go back to the room for a mid day siesta (or two)? Do a practice run. Spend all day at the zoo.

I thought I'd have to put a blanket over the stroller top and block everything out, sit on an out-of-the-way bench and lay the seat all the way flat.

I was way wrong.

My daughter finally fell asleep when I gave her her lovely, reclined the seat only a little, and let her drift a sleep watching the hustle and bustle while I kept walking. Kinda like when I fall asleep watching the TV.

HI, FROM THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH!

I AM WOMAN, HEAR ME ROAR!

Yes,

I have mowed the front lawn, with a PUSH MOWER, with an infant strapped to me in a sling.

A day in the life of a stay-at-home mom.

A GOOD DAY AT DISNEY

This is what a good day at Disney looks like.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNCLE WECK!

Mark, Joey & I stopped to visit Aunt Agnes & Uncle Weck on our way to Disney World.

Uncle Weck just turned 90 years old!

From back left: Tony, Dennis, Bess Pam, Aunt Agnes, Me, Joey, Mark, Uncle Weck, Holly

Joey LOVED Holly.

She loved her sunglasses too.

Joey gave Aunt Agnes bunches of kisses when we said Bye Bye and left to visit Miska Muska.

COPPERTONE BABY

While we were in Naples visiting Bob, Sally and family, we stopped at the beach.

Joey loved it!

Grandpa made a sand castle for his beach princess.

But Joey is a girl after her Grandma Higgins heart.

She took to shelling naturally.

She dumped out the contents of her bucket, squatted down over a good pile, and began sifting and collecting her ocean treasures.