So it's true, Disney is even better when you get to experience it through the eyes of your child! We had a great trip and all-in-all, Holden did great.Between all of the character meals and park meet & greets, Monkey got to meet just about every character. He would start off shy, but once he got comfortable, he would clap and he even hi-fived Goofy!
I was so happy that my sister Joanne and her family were able to make the trip with us. I loved watching the girls interact with Holden. He adores them and he definitely liked seeing Ariana and Alyssa dressed in their cute little Minnie Mouse dresses. He lets Melina hold him and seems to remember the time she spent with us on our road trip in July! He does great with Aunt JoJo (he loves when she's silly) and he constantly cracks up with Uncle Steve.
Holden did great on all of the rides. We started off at "Small World". His eyes were as big as saucers and he looked liked a little bobble head doll as he turned in all directions and tapped his fingers to the beat of the song! I will remember that ride forever!Holden did so well on all the kiddie rides that we even took him on the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean! Just more smiles! He's amazing!
The shows were hit or miss with him. I think a combination it being so loud and having to sit still for so long, make the shows less appealing than the attractions at this age. He did love the Playhouse Disney show at Hollywood Studios. It had puppets and music for the couple of Disney shows he watches...Mickey Mouse Club House, Little Einsteins and My Friends Tigger and Pooh.
And while the trip was fun, I have to admit, going with a 19-month old did pose some challenges! When we planned the trip 6 months ago, I thought Holden would be fully walking by now (he walks by holding your finger, but still prefers to crawl). So it was hard to keep the active little guy content riding around in a stroller for so many hours! Fortunately, there were several of us to hold him when he got fidgety. And the fact that it rained every day we were there, did not help! He was also cutting yet another canine tooth, so he would often refuse to eat. I guess we were lucky that he at least ate snacks: french fries, popcorn and ice cream (yes, I know how awful that sounds. But the tooth finally cut and he's back to eating normal healthy meals!).
So things did not necessarily go perfectly, but we still had an amazing time and I will remember Holden's 1st visit to Disney World (and his precious smile) for the rest of my life!
