We Turned Her Into A Disney Lovin', Character Huggin', Thrill Ridin' Girl! COMPLETED 7/11 About This Page:

[Colexis Mom]

What a great day at AK! Glad Selah is enjoying all the rides, even if EE was a bit scary! Love all the pictures! Can't wait to hear about Boma!

[Cam22]

Selah is definitely a little daredevil! Your description of your ride on EE had me laughing and I had to read it aloud to Luke and Stefanie. Luke has to go solo on this one as the backwards part makes dizzy and nauseous and Stefanie does NOT do thrill rides ever. Sorry you didn't get to see FotLK, but sounds like Nemo was a success. Too funny that Wanda didn't recognize her own hat. Can't wait to hear about Boma as it is one of our favorites.

[cindybelle]

I have to agree with Selah about EE -- I always want to stay on it.

I can sympathize with Wanda losing her visor and then thinking the one that had been turned in wasn't exactly like hers. Been there, done that.

[MayraLR]

I understand your frustration at the family with the wheelchair at Kilimanjaro Safari. I don't ever question when someone with a disability goes first in a ride or a show. What bothers me is when people abuse this privilege.

Funny, the story about the ride in EE. I was laughing the whole time.

[alexsmommy0412]

Got a little behind but I am all caught up now. What an awesome day at Epcot. I am with Selah about TT, I love it too. Your dinner looked like a lot of fun. I will have to put that on our to try list. Great that Asher made a friend.

Great AK day so far. You did a lot more than we did in that park but that just gives us more reason to return. I have to side with Asher on EE, no way will anyone get me on that one. Alex had a fit when we went to see FOTLK as well, luckily for us he calmed down, too bad you had to leave the show. I think you are right it has something to do with the crowd. Can't wait to hear about Boma.

[bsblady01]

more please

[Tabitha34]

Originally Posted by materstater

More please!

Hopefully can get another update up tomorrow!

Originally Posted by chezp

Sorry about the experience with Expedition Everest, although I think it's one of those things you can laugh at after the event - I loved reading your description of it, although I can imagine it must have been a bit hairy at the time...

That was definitely a laugh about it after the fact kind of thing.

[Tabitha34]

Originally Posted by OneLittleSpark

Tabitha, I am not saying a word, not a single word about your being nervous with Selah on EE. I think my DD age 7, will be an adult before I ride Soarin with her again. The lift to the air, scares me...okay the whole thing scares me, I am afraid of heights. At least heights that I sit long enough and can contemplate how high I actually am...think ferris wheels, the long trek up EE. I love EE and Soarin after those parts so I will still ride...actually, Soarin is the scariest ride to me!

Anyway, after getting in the air, and I thought, "OMG! What if she doesn't like it and tries to get out of her seat??" Let's just say my hand was white and achy by the time I got off the ride from holding the bars on the other side of her. yep, she might just be an adult before I ride that with her again. The roller coasters? Sure! She is trapped in the ride, but Soarin isn't too secure IMO, if your child wanted to jump out. Panic can make people do weird things! Luckily, my DD isn't quite the thrill seeker little Selah is (shucks!) and didn't seem to have an opinion of Soarin one way or another. She just sat there and had this blank look on her face. Poor DH was clentching his eyes closed the whole time, lucky I sat between DD and DH.
So I understand that feeling completely!

Space Mountain scares me too, bc I can't sit next to her. Luckily, she can't see SM so she never asked about it. She ins't tall enough for RNRC, but was for EE, however she didn't ride it bc I took her on BTMR and she didn't really like it, so I figured EE was out of the question.

DD has developmental delays, including speech, so she is close to 8 years old, but cognetively she is closer to age 6. I can't really ask her yet if she wants to ride something and get a straight answer, or any answer sometimes...at least for rides she hasn't ridden before.

She has a love/hate relationship with Dinosaur. The first year age 5, she didn't like it. Face planted in my side the entire time. This past year, she asked to ride the dinosaur ride, and I said sure and took her on (DH doesn't like it at all). Once inside past the museum type stuff, she says "I want the FLYING dinosaurs!" She knew what ride this was, uh-oh. I said to her "Well, how about we do this one and then we'll do the flying dinosaurs" She said "Okay. I am a brave girl. I won't close my eyes!" She did but not as much this time around, she actually talked to me about some of the dinosaurs she saw on the ride, so I know she was looking sometimes.

Anyhow, isn't it funny how different 2 kids can be? Asher is more cautious it seems while Selah...well she seems to be a "throw caution to the wind" kind of gal, so to speak. I have been very much enjoying all her reactions to the rides. Especially this last EE one! Sounds like she was the only one who actually enjoyed that time around. Hmmmm....do I see maybe US days at other Disney trips? Boy, look out! Hold that girl back when she is a little older, she might think the Disney rides are too tame!

Too funny about Wanda and her hat! Great story!

Sounds like a great day, despite the couple of bumps. Great pics as usual! Can't wait to hear about Boma!

I actually had those same thoughts about Soarin' before going on it with her. I was concerned about her trying to get out but that is why I had to raisinettes in hopes that would keep her seated so imagine my anxiety when she threw down the raisinette. During that ride I had one hand on her and Jamie and a hand on her so we were both holding a leg but on EE I felt like I needed to hold her and couldn't very well. Looking back on it now I know she was perfectly fine but still...

Space Mountain will be one that Selah will never be allowed to go on. I can't see her or hold on to her so she will not go on it. Jamie and I went on that this last time and both of us commented that is a child wanted to wiggle out of that it wouldn't have been too difficult. So Selah will not be allowed on that one. We just won't ever let her know what it is.

I definitely understand not being able to ask what they want to go on. Leading up to the trip I was questioning whether or not even to consider taking Selah on rides like Splash Mountain because she cannot protest it. I knew she was tall enough but had no idea what she would think about it.

That's pretty funny about the Dinosaur ride confusion. She probably thought, "is my mom crazy?! I clearly told her what ride I wanted to do." Even though she did say Dinosaur ride.

Asher is definitely cautious and Selah is definitely not. Asher is just like me when I was a kid. My first trip to the World I was 10 and wouldn't even go on Splash Mountain but my little brother went on everything on that trip and he was 7. He even went on Space Mountain. I guess that is where Selah gets it from. I don't know if Jamie would have been that way as a kid. He never went to Disney until our Honeymoon and other amusement parks only when he was a teenager. US is definitely on our list for the future. Asher is a big Harry Potter fan but we need to wait until he is ready for the thrill rides so he can truly enjoy WWoHP.

The hat thing was hilarious! We knew as soon as she said it wasn't that it was her hat. Those CM's just looked at us like we were crazy.

[clio]

Your day at Animal Kingdom sounds like fun. Selah is really a dare devil. Too bad you had such bad seats at the Lion King. I think the last time I saw it we were way up high, too. The lost hat story sounds like something my mom would do. She's always losing things. Can't wait to read about your dinner.
Liz

[Tabitha34]

Originally Posted by HollyH

Oops, I've gotten a little behind in your TR, but I'm caught up now.

Glad you enjoyed Teppan Edo. We had the Mickey head onions, oil, etc. I remember our cook saying, "See -my boss." which was pretty funny. It isn't too different from our local Japanese steak house, but we our local Japanese steak house so all is good!

Love the pictures of Selah watching Illuminations. I think you're right, if we looked around during the show, I bet we would see many mesmerized faces. It's my favorite show.

And that family with the wheelchair at the safari . Where they also the people the driver had to keep asking to sit down?

Sorry that you and Selah missed FotLK. As I was reading about Selah wanting a drink, I was thinking, "Wait -they do have straws at AK now." Glad you found them.

Love the picture of Selah kissing Minnie's nose.

I'll admit that I thought of PW when I read your title. Glad Asher enjoyed it, and sorry you got bumped around so much.

Too funny about the visor!

Looking forward to reading about your meal at Boma. We love it, but haven't been there in a few years.

I wish we would have had more Disney in our meal at Teppan Edo but it was still good and we will most likely go back again some day but first we got to mark off some more never been off our list. There is a lot.

The pics of Selah at Illuminations are awesome. The look on her face is priceless. I have to admit that although I was not looking around at other people to see the looks on their faces I was also not really watching Illuminations. Only because I have seen that show and I have never seen that look on Selah's face. It was definitely worth it to miss most of Illuminations.

Yes! The family in the wheelchair at the safari was the family that was standing during the ride. The kids kept standing up and even the parents stood part way up a couple of times during the ride. It was crazy!

It was ok that Selah and I missed FOTLK. I have seen it many times and there is always next time. I was so happy to find a straw! The last time we were there they did not have the paper straws. I don't know what I would have done if they didn't have one. I think that they probably got complaints about the lack of straws before the paper ones because what did parents do when their kids couldn't yet drink out of an open mouth cup? I guess sippy cups.

Our thoughts on Boma coming up tomorrow... Hopefully.

Originally Posted by lauriep

What a packed and eventful day at AK! I'm exhausted following you all around. I can only imagine how nervous you must have been on EE, but it sure sounds like Selah loved it. Poor Asher and Wanda, though. By the time of your last ride on Dinosaur everyone looks to be enjoying it-- great photo. How great that Selah recognized the Dino building-- she's taking in a lot even when it seems she isn't! I love Asher's dinosaur imitation, too!

It was a packed day! The only thing we didn't do that I really wish we would have done is go take a walk around the Tree Of Life. Wanda would have loved to see that. We just didn't have time. Selah really was taking a lot more in than we realized. It's so awesome to see when she is learning something new. We don't always know what she is taking in and learning. Asher is a pretty funny guy. He saw that Dino and wanted a picture with it. I had no idea what he was going to do.

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

What a great day at AK! Glad Selah is enjoying all the rides, even if EE was a bit scary! Love all the pictures! Can't wait to hear about Boma!

It was a great day! Selah was loving it all! Thanks! Hopefully I will get the Boma update up tomorrow.

[Tabitha34]

Originally Posted by Cam22

Selah is definitely a little daredevil! Your description of your ride on EE had me laughing and I had to read it aloud to Luke and Stefanie. Luke has to go solo on this one as the backwards part makes dizzy and nauseous and Stefanie does NOT do thrill rides ever. Sorry you didn't get to see FotLK, but sounds like Nemo was a success. Too funny that Wanda didn't recognize her own hat. Can't wait to hear about Boma as it is one of our favorites.

Yes she is a daredevil!! Me thinking about our ride on EE makes me laugh! In the moment I was even laughing a little but it was more of a nervous laugh. With Asher behind me, Wanda in front of me and Selah beside me I was surrounded. Jamie was doing a very good job of taking care of Asher though and the man beside Wanda, well... I don't know what he was doing but I just left her to him. I'm glad Stephanie and Luke enjoyed the story too! Too bad you can't ride it. It really is a fun ride, if you don't have the craziness surrounding you like I did along with my own anxiety. When Wanda told us the hat was not hers we knew she was wrong. She got the hat that first day at DTD it not like they have a bunch of different variations of that straw visor. Hoping to get the Boma update up tomorrow.

Originally Posted by cindybelle

I have to agree with Selah about EE -- I always want to stay on it.

I can sympathize with Wanda losing her visor and then thinking the one that had been turned in wasn't exactly like hers. Been there, done that.

Selah definitely wanted back on that ride but I wasn't going through that again. I'm sure we will do it again the next time we go though. Hopefully she still likes thrill rides.

Originally Posted by MayraLR

I understand your frustration at the family with the wheelchair at Kilimanjaro Safari. I don't ever question when someone with a disability goes first in a ride or a show. What bothers me is when people abuse this privilege.

Funny, the story about the ride in EE. I was laughing the whole time.

I don't question people being in the alternate entrances either even when it is not obvious why. It is not obvious to people why we are in that line until Selah screams at them or spits. This family though obviously had no reason. It was a WDW wheelchair and the kids were taking turns riding in it.

I laugh when I think of the ride on EE! I really wish I could have seen the picture.

Originally Posted by alexsmommy0412

Got a little behind but I am all caught up now. What an awesome day at Epcot. I am with Selah about TT, I love it too. Your dinner looked like a lot of fun. I will have to put that on our to try list. Great that Asher made a friend.

Great AK day so far. You did a lot more than we did in that park but that just gives us more reason to return. I have to side with Asher on EE, no way will anyone get me on that one. Alex had a fit when we went to see FOTLK as well, luckily for us he calmed down, too bad you had to leave the show. I think you are right it has something to do with the crowd. Can't wait to hear about Boma.

It was an awesome day at Epcot! You should definitely put Teppan Edo on your list to try.

I have seen FOTLK many times so it was ok. Hoping to get the Boma update up tomorrow.

Originally Posted by bsblady01

more please

More to come tomorrow! Hopefully.

Originally Posted by clio

Your day at Animal Kingdom sounds like fun. Selah is really a dare devil. Too bad you had such bad seats at the Lion King. I think the last time I saw it we were way up high, too. The lost hat story sounds like something my mom would do. She's always losing things. Can't wait to read about your dinner.
Liz

It was a really fun day at AK. Next time we know we have to go early to get good seats WITH the stroller. I really think that is the key with Selah. She needed her stroller to feel better about it all. Hoping to get the Boma update up tomorrow.

[OneLittleSpark]

Originally Posted by Tabitha34

I actually had those same thoughts about Soarin' before going on it with her. I was concerned about her trying to get out but that is why I had to raisinettes in hopes that would keep her seated so imagine my anxiety when she threw down the raisinette. During that ride I had one hand on her and Jamie and a hand on her so we were both holding a leg but on EE I felt like I needed to hold her and couldn't very well. Looking back on it now I know she was perfectly fine but still...

Space Mountain will be one that Selah will never be allowed to go on. I can't see her or hold on to her so she will not go on it. Jamie and I went on that this last time and both of us commented that is a child wanted to wiggle out of that it wouldn't have been too difficult. So Selah will not be allowed on that one. We just won't ever let her know what it is.

I definitely understand not being able to ask what they want to go on. Leading up to the trip I was questioning whether or not even to consider taking Selah on rides like Splash Mountain because she cannot protest it. I knew she was tall enough but had no idea what she would think about it.

That's pretty funny about the Dinosaur ride confusion. She probably thought, "is my mom crazy?! I clearly told her what ride I wanted to do." Even though she did say Dinosaur ride.

Asher is definitely cautious and Selah is definitely not. Asher is just like me when I was a kid. My first trip to the World I was 10 and wouldn't even go on Splash Mountain but my little brother went on everything on that trip and he was 7. He even went on Space Mountain. I guess that is where Selah gets it from. I don't know if Jamie would have been that way as a kid. He never went to Disney until our Honeymoon and other amusement parks only when he was a teenager. US is definitely on our list for the future. Asher is a big Harry Potter fan but we need to wait until he is ready for the thrill rides so he can truly enjoy WWoHP.

The hat thing was hilarious! We knew as soon as she said it wasn't that it was her hat. Those CM's just looked at us like we were crazy.

I had never been on Soarin' before so I had NO idea what to expect. I had no idea either till a few days later when talking to a security lady at Epcot, how high you are on that ride. She said that the front row is 45 feet up in the air, second row 40 feet and the 3rd row 35 feet. I think I wouldn't have as much of a problem with it, if I knew she liked it.

I hear you on Space Mountain. I will let my DD ride it, but only when I KNOW that she understands that once you are on a ride, that is it. You have to sit there the whole time the ride is moving...period.

Oh my DD did think I was crazy. Just the way she said "I want the FLYING dinosaurs!" Like are you stupid?? It was very funny. I was glad though that she wanted to give it another try. I think she'll be fine for the next trip with that.

As far as US, I think you need to make sure that Selah is tall enough for rides! She is just cute as a button with her wild side! I love it.

[stardust190]

Alright I'm caught up again.

I agree with your review of Teppan Edo. We liked it, but it was just like the places we have at home. And we love the places at home so we did enjoy Teppan Edo we just choose to go elsewhere at WDW as we get that same experience at home.

Sorry you have so much trouble with the stroller. I suppose people see the stroller and assume you're trying to break the stroller rule like a lot of people probably do, but in your case it's needed. Must be such a pain for you. Glad Selah enjoyed Illuminations! Cameron didn't like it so I'm a little jealous.

Looks like you had fun at AK too. Minus the meltdown with FOTLK. We missed that show too and I'm sad because I really like it. But the kids dictate what you're able to do and sometimes it's easier to just skip something you would like.

I can't believe your kids liked Dinosaur! And that you went on it twice. I went on it in 2009 and never again. I was terrified. I don't know why, but I was. I guess I just think of it as something that would scare kids. EE on the other hand I LOVE. I'll probably be nervous the first time Cameron asks to go on it as it is a little intense, but I love it so.

I hope your dinner at Boma is delish. It's on my list of places to try. Maybe I'll make it there next trip.

[KMB733]

All caught up!! Looks like you had a great evening at Epcot and a great day at AK!! Selah really is a ride junkie!!

[shnewell]

Yikes -- I was not on the computer much over the weekend and missed 2 updates!

I love that Selah loved Illuminations! That is my favorite nighttime show at WDW! It makes me feel exactly the way Selah looked -- mesmerized and peaceful!

And it's great that she has made the association that getting buckled in means something awesome is about to happen!

Your day at AK sounds like a whirlwind! Your description of the family riding EE was so well written -- it definitely kept me chuckling! Sorry Asher was scarred by the experience , but I love that Selah loved it! It's one of David's and my favorite rides!