#as a kid carousel was my fave but as an adult it makes me so uncomfortable oh god i cant believe 5 year old me liked billy i swear they didn

[oodlyenough]

last of us 1x07 left behind

left behind is like. my fave dlc ever so i was anxious for this one

I anticipated from the start this episode would be unpopular with both the action-oriented crowd (who I... have to assume aren't really enjoying this show at all at this point? lol) and homophobes, so I'm unsurprised to see it ranking lower with people and getting reviewbombed by losers

but TOO BAD it's an episode for ME

I've been liking Bella Ramsey more and more as the series goes on but this episode really clinched it for me I think, I felt she gave a great performance and all those longing looks and mixed emotions around Riley all ep were super well done. I'm sure some people were still shocked Pikachu by the kiss bc that's how dense the audience is sometimes but Ramsey was really giving it their all. Adjusting her hair in front of the window fjlghlksg... The awkward ping-ponging between trying to seem cool and unaffected, trying to impress Riley in both more adult ways (like fixing her hair, drinking the booze) and such kiddie ways (showing off on the escalator)... very good

Storm Reid's Riley was very good as well. I thought the tension between the two of them -- not just the romantic tension but like, both trying to have fun while ignoring the elephant in the room, etc, was well played.

They got a bit luckier in some places here than in the DLC (Riley got to ride the carousel too; the photobooth actually printed, albeit a washed out shitty copy; the arcade WORKED) which felt like kind of nice compensation and a nice way to adapt it to a passive medium lol.

This was quite a faithful adaptation despite changing some of the core conflict between Riley and Ellie. I don't mind the changes... I really loved the "you mattered to me first" exchange, you can really feel all of Ellie's Issues, poor kid. I also felt Riley's impending sewer assignment vs Ellie on the officer fast track was an interesting contrast.

I realize the Firefly pendants are an in-game collectible, so putting them on screen doesn't really make sense (and if you think about it, having a token on you that instantly identifies you as a rebel to FEDRA is simply just Not a good strategy LOL) ... but I did miss it in this ep because Riley ripping the Firefly pendant off her neck when Ellie asks her to stay is imo more powerful than Riley just going "okay". I mean I know Riley meant that "okay" geuinely, but lol, doesn't hit the same.

My biggest reservation this episode was probably that I'm still not really ...sure about/comfortable with the Both Sides-ing of FEDRA and the Fireflies. (I know some fans will scream up and down about how the Fireflies were always some evil sinister shadow org or whatever but 🙄 lmfao) The Ellie-Riley-Marlene relationship being changed I'm on the fence about until we see the rest of Marlene's backstory... I feel like it could go either way depending what they do. I suppose the Fireflies were always a bit morally gray....

But the softening of FEDRA is very questionable to me lol -- Riley's clearly right that Ellie is parroting propaganda, but I think we're also meant to agree with Ellie that Riley doesn't know what the Fireflies are really doing, and that Riley is parroting THEIR propaganda, and I just... like... I dunno man. FEDRA is pretty awful. FEDRA rounded up citizens and then shot them all and left the bodies in a ditch. FEDRA uses the death penalty for minor infractions. They overthrew the government in a military coup. Dwight Schrute voice FEDRA are the bad guys Jim.

Other notes:

-loved the water gun reference, hehe

-I was so happy for them getting to play the actual arcade games mlao

-OMG the masks are like pixel perfect to the game...

-miss u skeleseer ... you live in my heart

-it felt like a stretch to me that Spirit Halloween would be Ellie's fave (hence saved for last) after the other things were SO cool lol

-I get why people missed current-day Ellie scavenging in the mall but I think it would've been mostly meaningless on the show, and having her tear the house apart to find some needle and thread worked the same really

#the last of us #the last of us hbo

[fadingfartconnoisseur]

The Ultimate Guide to Disneyland with a Toddler

When you’re a kid, there’s nothing better than your first trip to Disneyland. Visiting The Happiest Place on Earth is a rite of passage, especially for California kids. As a kid that great up in Southern California, some of my fondest childhood memories are from my family trips to Disneyland.

I’ve been an Annual Passholder for most of my life!

I recently got to take my niece on her first trip to Disneyland, and we had a blast. It’s a memory we can both always cherish. That said, it’s not exactly “a walk in the park.” I definitely underestimated the challenge of taking a toddler to Disneyland by myself. Bringing little ones along requires some real preparation– especially when you’re an inexperienced aunt with no toddlers of your own!

Here are some tips for going to Disneyland with a toddler!

What is the Best Age for a Child’s First Trip to Disneyland?

Obviously, whenever you get the opportunity to bring a child of any age to Disneyland, it will be a magical experience. As an aunt, I realize I don’t have enough experience to make expert claims, however, I believe the following points are important to consider before bringing a toddler to Disneyland!

If your toddler is at the age where he or she needs to be held, visiting Disneyland is a lot of work. It’s definitely doable, but it’s more manageable to have at least one other adult with you.

My niece, Sadie, has just turned two before I took her on her first trip to Disneyland, so we took advantage of her free admission. Kids under three are free!

I’ve heard many people say to wait to travel or to experience things until your child is “older.” I don’t know what that perfect age is, but I know that at even 2 years old (and nearly 6 months later), my niece is still talking about her trip to Disneyland with Aunt Kiki.

Most importantly, I think understanding your child’s needs will determine if they’re ready for a trip to the Happiest Place on Earth– whatever their age.

Arrive Early

Whether you drive to Disneyland for the day or stay at a local hotel, it’s best to aim to arrive when the park opens. If you’re celebrating something like “My First Trip to Disneyland,” make a quick stop at City Hall (to the left of the park entrance) for a souvenir button.

This was my niece’s favorite souvenir from the day… and it was free!

Reserve a Character Breakfast

The perfect way to start the day is with a character breakfast. Check out the Disneyland site to set up a celeb dining experience. Perfect for all ages, it’s a fun buffet-style meal in a magical spot. (The Mickey Mouse waffles are so cute!) In fact, it was one of Walt Disney’s favorite places to dine.

This is honestly one of the best hacks for visiting Disneyland with a toddler. Sadie got to see all of her favorite characters in the first hour of the day, so we never needed to stand in a line to meet Mickey or his friends. Trust me, this is a huge time and tear saver!

Helpful Tip: The Character Breakfast books out months in advance, so don’t hesitate to make your reservation!

Tips on Strollers

Strollers are essential, but they are tricky. Keep in mind that you’ll have to hold the child while collapsing the stroller. I’m not a mom, so it was surprising to me how many moving parts there are to think about.

Remove toddler from stroller. Hope toddler doesn’t cry while standing. Potentially hold toddler. Unpack stroller. Collapse stroller. Move everything+child onto tram. Carry everything off tram. Repack stroller. Replace toddler…

Trippin’ solo with toddlers aiiiiin’t easy!

As far as strollers, you can bring your own or rent one on-site. You’ll want to bring along two bags too. Pack one bag full of heavy stuff that you can hang on your stroller; pack a smaller bag with just your valuables that you can always keep on you. If you have all of your things mixed together, you’ll have to have a constant eye on the stroller, which isn’t always easy.

I will say that with a 2 year old, the stroller was absolutely essential. We were able to move through the park more quickly and it kept both of us going for longer. It also gives your little one an easy and comfy napping spot.

My niece did well in her stroller for most of the day, and when she was at her “hold me” stage of the day, we took a break from rides.

Clothes and Layers

Disneyland can go from super hot to really chilly from day to night. At any time of year, it’s good to bring layers. In the winter, the temperatures can range from the 40s to the 70s. During the summer, days can go from the 60s to the 90s.

You’ll be running around and standing in line, so comfortable shoes are a must-have. Wear the best ones you have, and plan for a long day on your feet.

Pack Snacks

Bringing baby food and snacks to Disneyland is always a good idea. It saves money and guarantees that you have something that your toddler likes. While there are some tasty treats at the park, they are pricey, and you often have to wait in long lines for the popular ones.

You’ll also want to bring along a bottle and cup to refill throughout the day.

I found that having Sadie’s favorite snacks from home kept her from “overindulging” in everything Disneyland has to offer. I allowed her to pick a single treat for us to share at the end of the day during the fireworks, which made it more special and a lot less junk food for her little tummy.

Plus, it was a churro. So, after her 2 tiny bites, I got to eat most of it 😉

Buy Souvenirs Early

The stores at Disneyland are absolutely packed right before the park closes. Shopping earlier in the day makes it easier to browse; plus your little one can pick up something to play with and enjoy for the whole day.

I bought Sadie a Minnie Mouse ears headband, and myself one to match, and it made for cute photos all day. She surprisingly loved wearing them all day, but she’s also a HUGE Minnie Mouse fan!

Hit Their Favorite Rides

My niece’s fave rides were the teacups, rockets, carousel, and It’s a Small World. She wasn’t the slightest bit interested the Dumbo ride (which I thought would be a sure bet). Since there are more than fifty attractions scattered around the main park, it’s easy to find something that will suit pretty much any age and thrill level.

Avoid Lines and Wait Times

The official Disneyland app is essential for any visit. Download before your visit so you are ready to go as soon as you get inside. This app is awesome because it shows you how long the wait is for each ride.

Especially for toddlers, it’s usually better to pick a ride with a short wait time that they can ride over and over again rather than just wander around or stand in line.

Helpful Tip: Disneyland offers Fast Passes for their most popular rides. They allow you to return to the ride at a designated time and jump into a shorter queue. Time your day around the wait times listed in the app and get Fast Passes whenever possible.

Best Places to Nap

Naps are essential, and your little one has a few good options to get some shut-eye. Check out Animation Academy in Disney California Adventure at Hollywood Land for a quiet space.

The Disneyland Railroad is also made for naps. It travels on a continuous loop all day and you can get a nice breeze on there. Likewise, the Mark Twain Riverboat offers a relaxing twenty-minute trip that’ll cool you down and get you off your feet.

Another cool, dark spot is the Main Street Cinema. It’s small and rarely crowed, which makes it a perfect spot for some quiet rest.

As far as nursing, the best spot to go is the Huggies Baby Care Center. It’s on Main Street USA near first aid. There are rocking chairs, nursing areas, changing tables, toddler toilets, and even a kitchen for prepping formula.

Change into Pajamas

A trip to Disneyland makes for a LONG day. Bring pajamas along so that your little one can get changed towards the end of the day, especially if you’re driving a long distance home.

The most important thing is to have fun. Seeing a kid experience Disneyland for the first time is purely magic, so be sure to soak it all in!

Shop my essentials for your day at Disneyland!

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The Ultimate Guide to Disneyland with a Toddler is a post from: The Blonde Abroad

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