live2tell75 Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 This past weekend my best friend, Amanda, her husband Brett and their 2-year old son, Adrian came down from up north for a visit. They were in Orlando for a conference for Brett's work. So I decided to come up and visit with them and checkout the Magic Kingdom and Sea World. "Uncle Eric" gave them the tour. It was a lot of fun doing these parks with a 2-year old. You really do see everything totally different. The light of wonder in Adrian's eyes will always be remembered. Tha Magic Kingdom was perfect for Adrian. His eyes looked as if they were going to pop out of his head with amzement! At the Magic Kingdom he got his first coaster credit ever on Goofy's Barnstormer. He really loved Sea World. We also checked out Shamu's Halloween Spooktacular on Halloween. Adrian had a lot of fun trick or treating around the park. First up: our day at the Magic Kingdom. Brett had to go to the conference so Amanda, Adrian and I headed over to the most Magical place on Earth. Mom and Adrian I think along with Pooh, Small World was Adrian's favorite of the day. Lot's of wonderment. Brought back memories of when I was a child. It's A Small World was a big ht. This has to be one of the cutest photos ever! Mom and Adrian Adrain and "Uncle Eric" Couldn't visit Fantasy Land without a ride on Dumbo the Flying Elephant. The new Pooh todler playground was perfect for Adrain. We rode a few times, after each time, Adrian was like: "Again! Again! Pooh was a big tumbs up from Adrian! First up, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. With a little pixie dust, we helped open the Magic Kingdom. Everyone enjoyed the Welcome show and train arrival of the Disney characters. Looks like Adrain notices a certain castle coming up. He recieved his co-pilot monorail license. Adrian loves trains, so we sat in the front of the monorail. He added the "choo choo" sound effects.
bgwfreak Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 CUTE! Do they give you the buttons that say "1st visit" or do you have to buy them? I didn't get one in 1977. So much for the "good ol' days".
live2tell75 Posted November 3, 2006 Author Posted November 3, 2006 ^ Yes, when we arrived at the park we stopped at Town Hall/Guest Relations and mentioned that it was his first visit and they gave a button for him to wear. This was great because all the Disney cast members paid even more attention to him. I did this last year on my friend Lynn's birthday. She wore the button and she had 55 Disney cast members wish her happy birthday everytime. Very cool!
live2tell75 Posted November 3, 2006 Author Posted November 3, 2006 Magic Kingdom Photos: But went crazy for Mickey and gave him a kiss on the nose. Amanda and Adrian with Mary Poppins. He wasn't so sure about Donald. Adrain, like another certian TPR member loves Chip and Dale.
live2tell75 Posted November 3, 2006 Author Posted November 3, 2006 Magic Kingdom Photos: The food was really good. An all-you-can-eat buffet, and the characters all for only $20! Worth every penny! I think Adrain will always remember this lunch. He couln't stop smiling! Adrain is one of Pooh's biggest fans! It was great, we didn't even have to move, all the Pooh characters came right up to our table. Adrian loved every minute. Actually I think both Amanda and I loved it just as much! I set up a surprise character lunch with Pooh and friends at The Crystal Palace.
live2tell75 Posted November 3, 2006 Author Posted November 3, 2006 Magic Kingdom Photos: After a long day of magic at the Magic Kingdom. Next up Downtown Disney. Stay tuned! I think one of the main hightlights for Adrain were the ducks. We took a a ride on the Magic Carpets. Peoplemover is always a nice way to relax. After the nap, Adrian was already to zap some alien butt on Buzz lightyear. After all the excietment of lunch, Adrain slepted for 2 hours, even through the parade. The parade was cute.
RaptorBoyASU Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 Such cute pictures. I love taking first timers to the park, and it's even better when they're little kids. So much fun watching their excitement. Glad it was a good trip for you
Louise Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 Awww, Eric some of those pictures are priceless!! The pictures of my first trip to Disney are similarm but I wasn't nearly as cute! It's always cool to see something familiar through someone else's eyes, puts a different spin on stuff. Glad you guys had fun!!
cfc Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 A-w-w-w. . . I never got to spend any time at DL or WDW with my nieces and nephews when they were that age, but my Dad remembers the first time he took his oldest granddaughter, Sarah, on the Haunted Mansion, back when she was four or five--she peed all over him! You've had quite a parade of company lately, Eric.
verticalzero Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 Lovely photo's and what a wonderful place to take a 2 year old. He will remember that day for years to come. I was 15 when I went to Disneyland, only been there once but still remember most of the day spent there. A very magical place.
SharkTums Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 Wow Eric...this TR really touched me. It almost made the whole KidTums thing seem real and that I'll be doing a TR like this soon enough! Very cool!
live2tell75 Posted November 3, 2006 Author Posted November 3, 2006 Thanks everyone for the kind responses. ^ Elissa you and Robb are going to be theme park enthusiest's dream parents! I can hear it now: Robb & Elissa: "Ok, little one we have to go to another theme park" Baby: "If we have to"
live2tell75 Posted November 3, 2006 Author Posted November 3, 2006 Kevin and one of Amanda and my best friends from high school, Cristina came up Sunday afternoon to hang with us at Downtown Disney. It was such a nice day. Brett had a long break from his meeting so he was able to join us. Adrian loved the World of Legos and the Pooh store - Suprise suprise! We had lunch at the Rainforest Cafe. We thought it would be neat for Adrian seeing all the animals. He enjoyed it, except the thunderstorm that comes through the resaurant every 20 minutes or so. None of us ever noticed how long they last until this visit! I think every kid jumped out of their seats/high chairs when the first crash of thunder hit. It seemed liked the storms lasted forever! Overall he seemed to like the Rainforest Cafe. After a nap for all of us, we ended the day with a bite to eat at Giordano's Pizza. This is the best pizza place period! I first went to one in Chicago and was so thrilled to find one outside of Disney property. It was Yumo! How cute is that! Adrian loved the World of Legos Adrian and Mom taking a train ride. Adrian and Dad enjoying a ride. Uncle Eric, Adrian & Brett
live2tell75 Posted November 3, 2006 Author Posted November 3, 2006 Downtown Disney Photos: Ok, this might tie as cutest photo. Adrian with his favorite uncles. Mom, Adrian and Dad. High School Reunion: Amanda, Cristina and me. Cristina, Adrian, Amanda, Brett & Kevin Look at the fishies! Me, Kevin, Cristina, Adrian, Amanda & Brett.
live2tell75 Posted November 3, 2006 Author Posted November 3, 2006 Dinner Pics: Another high school reunion pic. Next up: Our 1st day at Sea World Orlando, stay tuned! We were so glad that Cristina and Kevin could make it up. Best pizza ever. One slice and I was done. So I had two and I thought I was going to die! He loves Thomas the train. At Giordanos - best pizza place!
coaster05 Posted November 3, 2006 Posted November 3, 2006 Another great trip report Eric, glad you had fun. We got snow while you were in your nice Florida parks. No I am not jealous at all.
live2tell75 Posted November 3, 2006 Author Posted November 3, 2006 ^ Thanks Rich. It figures, the very next day everyone left Florida from the "TPR Real World Orlando", the weather became gorgeous! No humidty high 70's low 80's. And it has been like that ever since.
live2tell75 Posted November 4, 2006 Author Posted November 4, 2006 We spent a few fantastic days at Sea World Orlando. Amanda & Brett were able to get a "Anytime Pass" which let them come and go to Sea World for up to 7 days. This worked out perfectly. We split the park in half. Did a few hours, then went back to the park after a nap. We then did the rest of the park on Halloween for Shamu's Halloween Spooktacular. I think everyone enjoyed the park a lot. Adrian absoultely loved all the marine exhibits. Here are the photos from our first day at Sea World Orlando: The underwater viewing area is very awesome. A lot more to it then an average dolphin show. The new Blue Horizons show was very cool. Uncle Eric & Adrian. The dolphins looked like they were sitting at a bar waiting for drinks. I always forget how cool Dolphin Cove is. Adrian maps out our adventure.
live2tell75 Posted November 4, 2006 Author Posted November 4, 2006 Sea World Orlando Day 1 Photos: Adrian in the Shark Encounter. Next up: Day 2 at Sea World and Shamu's Halloween Spooktacular. Stay tuned! What kid doesn't love the polar caves in the Wild Artic. Adrian got a few new feathered friends. Brett and I were all thumbs up for this floorless coaster. Before conquering the beast known as "Kraken". One of the coolest aquariums ever: the Windows Of The Sea located next to the Journey To Atlantis gift shop. Amanda and Brett enjoyed the wet Journey To Atlantis. The always cool original Journey To Atlantis. We didn't have to fight other park guests to get good views of the exhibits. The park was not very crowded. Dad, Mom, Adrian, & some Manatees.
niiicolaaah Posted November 4, 2006 Posted November 4, 2006 "I don't care about sea animals, I don't care about Eric.. I've got CANDY!!" So cute.. thanks for sharing your pics Eric!
jedimaster1227 Posted November 4, 2006 Posted November 4, 2006 This is a really great (and heart warming) trip report! Great job! All I can say, is that I didn't look that happy at Disney when I was that young.
Ed Posted November 4, 2006 Posted November 4, 2006 I bought one of those hats from Disneyland like 4 years ago haha. Awww this is such a cool report. Sorta reminds me what Disney is all about.
jarmor Posted November 4, 2006 Posted November 4, 2006 Was I the only one thinking the 2 year old was taking the pictures based off the subject??? cool pictures though
live2tell75 Posted November 5, 2006 Author Posted November 5, 2006 On Halloween afternoon and evening we decided to head back to Sea World to checkout their Halloween event: Shamu's Halloween Spooktacular. I had never been to the event, and we all thought is was great. This was perfect for families and it was included in the park's admission. There was plenty of trick or treating, shows for kids and lots of kid-friendly sea creature characters walking around the park. I think this is a great first Halloween theme park event for a yound one to attend. As they get older they can graduate to MNSSHP, then HOS and HHN. Onto the photos, enjoy! Dad modeling Adrian's pirate hat creation. Making some arts and crafts. Time for some trick or treating. Adrian seemed to love the Sea Witch. Boys with the hott mermaid. Amanda and I met some interesting sea creature characters. Everyone loves bubbles! Time for Shamu's Halloween Spooktacular.
live2tell75 Posted November 5, 2006 Author Posted November 5, 2006 Shamu's Halloween Spooktacular Photos: The video screens used in the show were pretty awesome. Time to check out the new Believe Shamu show. What a cute pumpkin! Uncle Eric and Adrian in the pumkin patch. Mom, Dad & Adrian in the pumkin patch. A little pumkin returns to the home pumkin patch. The Flamingos were a little overwelling for Adrian. Shamu Express wasn't that bad, it took longer to load then the entire length of the ride! Had to get the new coaster credit. Adrian loved the Jumpin' Jellies. Got to pet a sloth, which was very cool.
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