IMO

We're going to Walt Disney World in December. I've been reading a lot of blogs and such for tips, and I'm so over parents asking what to at WDW with their babies. I say, leave them at home.

My personal opinion is that taking a baby to WDW is not worth it. I'm so glad we waited until Punky was 5 to take her. She still talks about our trip last year and I hope she always has fond memories of that first trip.

I think it would be such a hassle to take a baby, with the bottles, special food, diapers, naps, and all the stuff a baby needs. Not to mention the stroller. I hated getting run into by strollers when we were there last year. They're kind of like mini-vans, giving people this idea that somehow they're more special or entitled because they've got a kid in a stroller. Like it's a free pass to the best seat for the parades and such.

I'm not saying leave your baby home if you've got older kids. But, if your only kid or all your kids are under 5, wait a few years to take that first trip. Disney is about great family memories. Don't you want your child to remember the trip?

100 days

This is not a Disney blog, but it is a Disney blog entry! Today is only 100 days until we visit Walt Disney World for the second time as a family. On the way home, I was planning our next trip on the iPhone. I have been excited since we decided to go earlier this summer, and obsessed with planning our vacation since we booked it! I have been reading lots of Disney blogs, forums, and websites.

I love this picture because Punky's smile is so big and genuine!

From what I've read, it is difficult to get a coveted reservation at Cinderella's Royal Table. We must have been lucky last year, because we got a table without any problems. It was a must do for our first family visit with Punky. She was 5 years old and loved getting to go inside the Castle. It was a dream come true, and I got a bit misty eyed, which was not the only time during that first magical trip.

Another thing we lucked into was seeing the parade during Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party the same night as we left our dinner at the Castle. While we didn't get to do the trick or treating, the parade was great fun. We followed it down Main St. to the gates. A perfect end to a great night and lots of good memories.

I find myself singing the "Good Mornin'" song from the Magic Kingdom opening. We still talk about the little things we remember, like the "special ticket" we got on the Dumbo ride because other guests didn't load correctly. We were without an elephant when it was time to load. We used it for Splash Mountain. Punky said she hopes we get another one.

We talked to lots of Cast Members while we were there. I remember the young lady selling ice cream treats at Animal Kingdom. She spoke Armenian according to her name tag. I think she was glad to have some fellow Americans to chat with for a few minutes. Phil and I have also worked in customer service, so we understood what it's like to deal with cranky customers, like the ones she had helped just before us. We were hot and tired too, but instead of being cranky, we tried to make her day better. It wasn't her fault the ice cream fell off your kid's stick, buddy.

We had only three days last time. This time we have four and a half days. I know we can't see and do everything in that time, which is why I'm obsessed with planning this trip, to make the most of the time we have. We had an idea of what we wanted to see and do last time, but this time I want a real plan of attack.

Eventually, I would love to have a whole week at Walt Disney World. And someday, maybe I'll be a Cast Member. That's what I want to be when I grow up!