How "just one trip" became three (babies)... update 6/29, huge triplets photo update

[Code]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/misc/trip-report-sig.jpg

Welcome to our trip report thread! It was originally just for our Sept 2007 trip report, as we were taking "just one trip" before starting our family, but we had such an amazing time that it turned into two trips (Jan 2008) and then three (Sept 2008).

We knew the third trip truly was our last as just the two of us, and it delivered in grand fashion when we found out my wife came home with some amazing souvenirs. I announced that she was pregnant on Page 39 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1550901&page=39), then three months later we found out it is TRIPLETS on Page 41 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1550901&page=41), then I announced their genders on Page 43! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1550901&page=43)

Our boys were born on 4/24/09, and I posted updates with photos on Page 60 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1550901&page=60) and Page 66 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1550901&page=66)!

The title was originally This Trip Report Title Left Intentionally Blank, but I eventually changed it to How "just one trip" became three…. How appropriate that we were talking about threes! So I just tacked (babies) on the end when we found out about the boys.

The September 2007 pre-trip/trip report with lots of photos is complete and links to every post are below. Unfortunately, I've only completed the first trip report as I have procrastinated processing the photos for the two remaining trips. But they are coming soon (Sept 2008 first, then January), and with lots of photos!

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/s08_day1/tr2_bullet.gif September 2008 **coming soon**

I tried to do a live trip report for this trip, but only made it about halfway through before I was too exhausted every evening to make an entry.. it starts on Page 33 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=27368831#post27368831) after the end of the Sept 2007 report


http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif September 2007 **COMPLETE!**

Pre-Trip


(this post, scroll down) 21 days - Code's Intro - 8/15
21 days - Lease's Intro - 8/15 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20314635&postcount=2)
19 days - Itinerary, Gearing Up For Disney, Photos, Photos, Photos! - 8/17 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20340965&postcount=15)
19 days - Essentials - 8/17 (http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20353142&postcount=21)
17 days - We Can't Go Naked - 8/19 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20367749&postcount=26)
17 days - Disneymoon? - 8/19 (http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20367778&postcount=27)
13 days - Funcrastination, Dear, Can I have $400? - 8/23 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20439736&postcount=41)
13 days - The four legged kids - 8/23 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20455310&postcount=46)
12 days - Mom's WDW Souvenir Box - 8/24 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20458083&postcount=49)
10 days - GLOWY; Hotel Beds; Shopping for the Tall Man; More Maps - 8/26 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20490627&postcount=64)
Seven Days to Go! - 8/29 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20561040&postcount=76)
3 days - Shiny Pennies; Maybe a Bit Ridiculous; I Have No Self Control - 9/2 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20606664&postcount=85)
3 days - Are We Done Shopping Yet? - 9/2 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20619239&postcount=89)
1 more full day! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20635991&postcount=91)
OK - One Last Post (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20652567&postcount=99)


Trip Report


9/14 - Let the Trip Report Begin! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20815684&postcount=103)
9/23 - Arrival Day - In Transit (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20954960&postcount=127)
9/30 - Magic Kingdom At Last (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=21076749&postcount=153)
10/2 - Day 1 Part 3 - More MK (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=21106586&postcount=165)
10/3 - Picture of the Day (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=21126305&postcount=173)
10/4 - SpectroMagic (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=21141248&postcount=184)
10/19 - Wishes (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=21385652&postcount=206)
10/19 - Didn't Get Enough (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=21387301&postcount=212)
10/24 - Day Two--Pirates, Turtles and Food (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=21461497&postcount=223)
10/24 - Day 2 Photos, Part 1 - Magic Kingdom (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=21461623&postcount=224)
10/25 - Day 2 Photos, Part 2 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=21467047&postcount=227)
3/9 - Day 2 Photos, Part 3 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=23702678&postcount=318)
3/10 - Day 2 Photos, Part 4 - Epcot (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=23719790&postcount=325)
3/10 - Day 2 Photos, Part 5 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=23721169&postcount=328)
3/15 - Day 2 Photos, Part 6 - California Grill, Wishes (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=23824379&postcount=334)
4/10 - Day 3 Part 1 - Blizzard, AK, Boma, MGM (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=24380591&postcount=346)
4/10 - Day 3 Part 2 - Fantasmic (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=24380677&postcount=347)
4/10 - Day 3 Part 3 - Epcot EMH (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=24391479&postcount=351)
4/11 - 147 Days (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=24396570&postcount=354)
4/20 - Day 4 Part 1 - "Knock it off or we'll go to Epcot!" (MGM) (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=24396570&postcount=354)
4/21 - Day 4 Part 2 - Lights Motors Action! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=24633180&postcount=367)
4/25 - Day 4 Part 3 - Indiana Jones (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=24710996&postcount=380)
4/27 - Day 4 Part 4 - Beauty and the Beast (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=24758967&postcount=383)
5/6 - Day 4 Part 5 - "It's like the world, or something" (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=24945306&postcount=390)
5/28 - 100 days! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=25359880&postcount=407)
5/28 - Day 5 Part 1 - Animal Kingdom Safari (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=25370005&postcount=409)
5/30 - Day 5 Part 2 - More AK (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=25398792&postcount=412)
5/30 - Day 5 Part 3 - Festival of the Lion King (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=25409564&postcount=416)
8/12 - Day 5 Part 4 - Kona Cafe, Grand Floridian (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=26879109&postcount=443)
8/12 - Day 5 Part 5 - MAGIC FLOWS FREELY (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=26881230&postcount=446)
8/22 - Day 6 Part 1 - Discovery Cove Dolphin Swim (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=27096362&postcount=453)
8/22 - Day 6 Part 2 - Discovery Cove Aviary (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=27096399&postcount=454)
8/22 - Day 6 Part 3 - Spoodles, MGM EMH (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=27100489&postcount=459)
8/30 - Day 7 Part 1 - We try Beverly (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=27264682&postcount=464)
8/31 - Day 7 Part 2 - American Adven....zZzZzZzzzz (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=27269535&postcount=466)
8/31 - Day 7 Part 3 - Past Its Prime Time (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=27282394&postcount=468)
9/1 - Day 8 Part 1 - Buzzed by an Owl (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=27303374&postcount=473)
9/1 - Day 8 Part 2 - Nemo Show, and Goofy Hug (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=27303385&postcount=474)
9/2 - Day 8 Part 3 - More AK, MK, DTD, Fauna Focker (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=27320670&postcount=476)
9/4 - Day 9 Part 1 - THE RE-HAUNTING!!! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=27347535&postcount=481)
9/4 - Day 9 Part 2 - Soaking up the Magic (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=27347539&postcount=482)
9/4 - Day 9 Part 3 - All good things (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=27347541&postcount=483)


January 2008 **coming soon**

----------------------

To start our pre-trip report, I thought I'd take a trip down memory lane. Let us delve into the darkest places in my memory...

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_cake.jpg

Yes everyone, this is my last memory of Cinderella Castle - a fact I'm very anxious to change!

OK OK... I have to admit that my family didn't think it was that bad at the time. I do believe that it was referred to as Pepto Castle a few times, but other than that we just thought the inflatable decorations were tacky.

My time on the DIS, however, has turned me into somewhat of a wand-hating Horizons-hugger, and I'm really looking forward to turning the corner onto Main Street and seeing the Castle in all its pink-less glory once again!

Speaking of the wand, how about a happier memory?

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_epcot25.jpg

I suppose the one advantage to skipping a decade is that I never had to see the wand ;) (I suppose I will wait to pass judgement on the graveyard in person)

Anyway, on with the pre-trippy!

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif Just the 2 of us! http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

My wife and I have been married for 3 years, but we were together all through high school and college.. we waited until we were both college graduates to get married. She is my one true love by any meaning :hug: We don't have any kids yet, and we said for quite a long time that we didn't want any, but we slowly changed our minds (mostly due to my adorable nephew) and this may be our only WDW trip without kids.

Code - 26

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_DSCF0031.jpg

In terms of Disney, I was happily spoiled growing up (thanks Mom & Dad!) My family went on summer vacations to Disneyland 5 times between '85 and '89 (5x Disneyland Hotel) and WDW 5 times between '91 and '97 (1x Polynesian then 4x Grand Floridian). I don't remember a whole lot about our DL trips, but the WDW vacations are among the fondest childhood memories I have, no question.

First WDW trip, 10 years old... Such a nerd!!! :lmao:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_cody91.jpg

Last WDW trip, 16 years old...

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_cody97.jpg

Lease, my fabulous wife - 27

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_P6300273.jpg

She has only been to WDW once when she was in junior high. She went with her grandmother and her sister, and her immature sister (who is older than she is :sad2:) made it a not-so-magical trip. I'm going to show her WDW done right! Unfortunately she doesn't have the pictures from that trip.

I should also mention that I am over a foot taller than she is. I'm 6'8" and she's 5'5".

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_DSCF0391.jpg

Ahhh... It's good to be tall

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif A trip 10 years & 100 lbs in the making http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

We have been talking about this trip for as long as we've been together.. we finally booked it when a few things fell into place:

- Money. This one is obvious, I don't need to tell anyone here how expensive Disney is. There was no way we could afford it when we were starving college students, and we are both very opposed to avoidable debt. We are finally in a fairly comfortable financial place, time for Disney to put us back in the poorhouse :rolleyes:

- Last year, my wife committed herself to a weight loss journey. She stated quite matter-of-factly that she was going to Disneyworld at her goal. 13 months later she had lost about 100 lbs, and we are happily keeping her promise! I'm so very proud of her, and she looks amazing :goodvibes

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif 21 days, EVERYBODY PANIC http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

I planned on a post-trip report ever since I discovered the DIS, but when my wife started drinking the DIS koolaid a few weeks ago (she had a stack of Mickey head paint chips and a plan to decorate our hotel window less than a week after she read her first trip report!), she insisted that we do a pre-trippy, and I have to admit, it is pretty fun so far. Glad to have you along for the ride!

My wife's post to follow...

Go to 21 days - Lease's Intro - 8/15 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20314635&postcount=2)

[Lease]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet_lease.gif Intro http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet_lease.gif

After getting all choked up by the intro by my wonderful DH, welcome to our pre-trippie. I’ll be your co-pilot on this journey. As Code has mentioned, we’ve known each other since junior high. He even was the first one to get me interested in going to the world and helped me with planning my first trip. He is just an amazing guy and I’m still very twitterpated with him :love:.
My first Disney World trip was far from being a dream vacation, it was fun, but not nearly as fun as it could have been. As DH said, my grandma took me as my 14th birthday present. We missed a lot due to just not knowing everything there was to do and see. To her credit, Grandma rode every thing in the park we did and at 75 yrs old it was no small feat (Grandma was an amazing woman), but because she could only take so much each day we were back at the hotel (All Star Sports) by 6 pm each night and didn’t see any fireworks. Five days in the parks and not a single firework sighting or any other night time festivities. I did however get to see my big sister throw a screaming stomping fit. :headache:

I’m unbelievably excited for this trip which has been meticulously planned with very little input from me. I was slow to get to the DIS, but now I’m on top of it. Many Mickey heads have been liberated from HD. Count down calendars have been placed and the excited panic of vacation has set in. :yay:

I’m sure the itinerary and all the nifty things we had to have or just really wanted for the trip are coming up next.

Go to 19 days - Itinerary, Gearing Up For Disney, Photos, Photos, Photos! - 8/17 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20340965&postcount=15)

[Msslaydbug]

Code and Lease -
I can't wait to read more of your pre-trip and trip report. It looks like we are going around the same time. We will follow you by a few days ! We have 28 days !! :woohoo:

[Msslaydbug]

Lease -
I forgot to say that 100lbs is amazing ! You should be so proud of yourself !

[randy4au]

Code, I'm subscribing as promised! Your pre-TR is off to a great start. Posting the photos from past trips was a great idea. Congrats, Lease, on the weight loss! I lost 30 pounds last year when my wife and I did Weight Watchers together. Unfortunately, I gained most of it back after she became pregnant a month later, but I'm slowly shedding the weight again (just not trying as hard as I did last year...plus I'll be 39 in two weeks, and the older you get, the harder it is to lose weight :sad2:).

BTW, Code, I made a guess as to what your "cool photo gadget" might be when I replied to the message you posted in my trip report. ;)

Anyway, I'm looking forward to reading future updates to your pre-TR, and can't wait to read the actual TR.

[SwansLoveDisney]

You sound like such a sweet couple!

I am very excited to hear your plans.

Congrats on the weight loss, Lease. That is truly amazing. You absolutely deserve this trip.

Your pre-trip makes me so wish my DH was into Disney!

[TheLastPrincess]

Yeah! Great start to your Pre-Trip! And we are only 8 days behind you, you leave the day before we arrive!

[DisneyMomFanatic]

Hi guys,

Just checking in and saying you are off to a great start. Love the fact that you are both doing parts of it. My DH wouldn't do that (unless it was undercover and behind my back and to make fun of it some how). But that's ok, it gives me more to do and my way. So, I am looking forward to more of this great report.:thumbsup2

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Hey guys,

Great start! My first trip to WDW was also in the year of the horrid pink castle and I just went for the first time since then in July so we both ended up having to wait 10 years to see Cinderella Castle in its true form.

Lease, what an amazing accomplishment, losing 100 pounds! I am currently trying to lose weight before my next trip a year and a half from now. I hope that I can be as successful as you! So far I have lost 10 pounds so I am off to a good start.:)

I can't wait to hear more about your plans!:thumbsup2

[kindakrazy2]

Hey Code and Lease! Great start on the trippie!

Can't wait to read more!

Congrats on the amazing weight loss Lease! That is truly amazing, you should be so proud of yourself!

Keep the report coming you two!

[Nicole786]

Traveled here from my pre-TR, cant wait to hear more! Congrats on your weight loss! thats terriffic!

Can't wait to see how your mouskeeping envelopes come out! Keep us posted out here!

[randy4au]

Hmmm...have we lost Code and Lease? :confused3 ;)

Well, I'll follow your lead and do a disappearing act of my own--for three days (I'll be at the beach in Destin, FL). Look forward to reading more when I get back.

:thumbsup2

[UGAFan0829]

Hey there! I found your link from Nicole786's Pre-TR!
I'm so excited to read your trip report and find out what your plans are. Looks like our trips will be overlapping a bit, as the DH and I will be there from the 8th-15th!
It's always nice to read reports from others who have things in common. (The DH and I are about the same age and are also childless right now!)

Keep it comin'...can't wait to read more!:thumbsup2

[Code]

Lori - Thanks for posting :) 26 days for you now!

Randy - Sorry to leave you hanging on the photo gadget. Have fun at the beach!

Julie - Sounds like you have some great friends to go with even though DH is Grumpy!

Colleen - Hope you have a great Disneymoon!

Karla - There's plenty of other things my wife does that I make fun of behind her back :laughing: I kid, I kid!

Lessa - Worth the wait, I hope ;)

Sarah - Glad to have you on board!

[Code]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif Itinerary v8.16 http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

Next time, I'm going to be a planning guru, but this time I admit that I really underestimated the planning process, and I got very overwhelmed for a while. I became a perfectionist and a procrastinator at the same time (heavy on the procrastination.. it's my fatal flaw), and nothing meaningful got done for a while. It wasn't until Lease offered to help that we finally got the last of our ADRs. I missed out on maybe 1 or 2 I wanted, but I'm pretty happy overall. The Wishes timed California Grill on our first full day is one I'm pretty excited for.

Here's my chart. Strictly utilitarian compared to the many artful itinerary card designs I've seen on the DIS, but it's pretty much all crammed on 1 page (I cut off the ADR #s).

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/itinerary_v816.gif

On our arrival day, we're going to follow what became my family's tradition after Splash Mountain opened.. straight to Pecos Bill Cafe, then Splash Mountain! Nothing special, but it just feels right.

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif Gearing Up For Disney http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

When these arrived, it sunk in for me just how quickly the last 30 days were going to fly by. No more procrastinating!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_P8111234_v1_OS.jpg

Shoe recommendations were one of the first things I looked for on the DIS. I wanted waterproof but not flip-flop. Wading through a sea of Crocs (sorry no fan of Crocs here), I read a lot of good things about Keen Newports. We tried them on locally and loved them, so we both got a pair. Can you tell which are mine?

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_P8111232_v1_OS.jpg

A couple other things I've picked up on DIS recommends...

Misty Mate
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_P8161353.jpg

Overland Donner bag. Lease will usually be carrying this and I'll have the camera bag. Love the 2 water bottle holders.
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_P8161357.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif Photos, Photos, Photos! http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

Here is the part I'm most excited about: my new camera, and our very cool photo gadgets :hyper:

I've wanted a DSLR camera for years. I really enjoy photography, and have a bit of film SLR experience from high school photo classes, but since then I've only had point and shoot. With my wife in agreement that we want to bring back lots of great pictures, she finally let me have my DSLR about 2 months ago. :thumbsup2

After a lot of research, I got the Olympus E-510 two lens kit...
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_DSCF0046.jpg
I've had a blast using it so far. I'm very glad I got it a few months in advance because it has definitely been a learning experience. I want to be as quick and proficient as possible for our trip.

I also looked at camera bags for quite a while before getting a Lowepro Slingshot 200.
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_P8111258_v1_OS.jpg
The convenience factor of this bag cannot be overstated - just slide it around front, unzip the side of the bag, and there's the camera. The strap is comfortable but wide and insulating. I'm a little worried about sweating underneath in the heat since you can't interchange which shoulder it's on.

We're also taking our compact camera. It's a Fuji Finepix F30, and we have 2 very cool gadgets to go along with it. Many of you have probably heard of the Gorillapod. If not, it's a mini-tripod with bendable legs that have a fair amount of traction.
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_P8111245_v1_OS.jpg

Even better than the Gorillapod is something that I can search the DIS for and get zero results returned, which surprises me because it is going to be great to have at WDW.

It's called XShot (xshotpix.com), and it's basically a collapsible rod to which you screw your camera on one end to extend your own reach for taking self-portraits. 9" collapsed, 37" extended. It has a quick screw for mounting the camera, it only takes a few seconds. Then just set the camera's 2 second self timer to take a self-portrait!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/xshot.jpg

I took the picture of me in the first post of this thread myself. Here's another:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_DSCF0053.jpg

Far better than arm's length, that's for sure. Not great for more than probably 3 people in a shot, but that fits the bill for us. We'll mostly be using it with the small camera, but it works with the DSLR also even though it weighs more than the max weight specification of the XShot (keep in mind that the E-510 is a fair bit smaller and lighter than most DSLRs).

Yeah, we're in for some funny looks with this thing, but who cares? It will be worth it.

There's a similar product called the Quikpod that I'm pretty sure came out before the XShot, but it's made of plastic and is quite a bit shorter fully extended.

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif 19 days! http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

This weekend has to be devoted to getting ready. We both need a bunch of clothes, and I'd like to get a day-before checklist made.

Go to 19 days - Essentials - 8/17 (http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20353142&postcount=21)

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Love all the camera toys. I have heard of the gorillapod before and have been considering getting one for myself it would be really handy for night/fireworks shots.

Good for you for getting the DSLR. I really want one but I need to save some money up first and my Canon PowerShot is a great camera for now.

[mvazul]

Hi!! :wave2:

Great start to your pre-trip report!! Congrats to Lease on the weight loss. That's awesome!! How did you do it??? :confused3 Very nice gadgets, shoes, bag, etc. And congrats on a new camera. I have a Nikon D50 with a 28mm lens and a 300mm lens. I love it!! It will definitely be going on my trip with me. :thumbsup2

I look forward to reading more!

Michelle

[maiziezoe]

Great PT! Love the pictures!

Lease ~ congrats on the weight loss. That's fantastic! :thumbsup2

[Lease]

Msslaydbug - Thank you!

Randy4au - Thank you, I really enjoyed your trip report I hope ours has as many great photos.

SwansLoveDisney - Thank you, I hope I deserve the trip 'cause I'm going no matter what.

TheLastPrincess - Thank you for stopping by, I loved your proposal story :)

DisneyMomFanatic - Thanks for checking in. If we both do half the report it should be more entertaining for everyone else.

Lifelong_Dreamer - You guys make me so happy to have missed the pepto castle. Thanks for the congrats, 10 lbs is a great start!

Kindakrazy2 - Thanks for reading.

Nicole786 - Thanks for sharing your envelopes, I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet...maybe dig in to the scrapbooking supplies.

Mvazul - Thanks for coming by. The weight loss involved the strictest diet ever. PM me if you really want details.


Okay I think all the thanks are in there, on with the show...

[SwansLoveDisney]

Now I want a gorillapod! I should never have read your pre-trip! :rotfl:

[Lease]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet_lease.gif Essentials http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet_lease.gif

Code pretty well covered the new gadgets for the trip, but there are a few other essentials I'll be taking. Things I'll need to keep me from going a little crazy on flight. Two projects on the needles with patterns committed to memory.

Socks for my mother-in-law, this is mindless knitting. Wonderful for the crazy early flight out of SLC.
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_P8161359.jpg

A lace scarf for my mother for the hotel breaks each day. When it's done it'll be 80 inches long with braided fringe. Big head start on Xmas this year.
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_P8161358.jpg

Also going to load up my ipod with new music. Something soothing to get me through the 6 am flight out of SLC. Getting up at 4 to get to the airport is evil!

Today as part of getting ready for the trip I got my hair done, nothing beats a new hair cut and color. Now if I could just fix it the way my stylist does. :scratchin

Code isn't joking when he said this weekend is devoted to getting clothes for the trip. All of my summer clothes are from last year and well they don't fit (in the good way). Since my office is always cold I've been wearing sweaters to work, so they are the only things I have in my size. Somehow I don't think wool and WDW in September mix.

There is so much more to say, but I now have sufficient pause time on the Tivo and High School Musical 2 is calling.

Go to 17 days - We Can't Go Naked - 8/19 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20367749&postcount=26)

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Not to be a downer but do airlines allow knitting needles on the plane? I would double check before going because it would be a shame if they confiscated your lovely knitting.

[Lease]

Not to be a downer but do airlines allow knitting needles on the plane? I would double check before going because it would be a shame if they confiscated your lovely knitting.

Yes they do as long as the circular needles are not longer than 31 inches and it's recommended that you take bamboo or plastic needles. I've never had a problem with them before though. Just in case I'll take a self addressed envelope with me and two sharped pencils. The pencils are roughly the same size as the scarf needle :) Unless they start preventing writing utensils on planes I should be good.

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Yes they do as long as the circular needles are not longer than 31 inches and it's recommended that you take bamboo or plastic needles. I've never had a problem with them before though. Just in case I'll take a self addressed envelope with me and two sharped pencils. The pencils are roughly the same size as the scarf needle :) Unless they start preventing writing utensils on planes I should be good.

That's good to hear.:thumbsup2 I wasn't sure as you never know with airport security these days. It seems like they are always coming up with something new to ban from carry ons.:confused3

[kindakrazy2]

Oooohhhhh....your knitting is beautiful! I love to knit but sadly I am not very good at it. Those projects are going to be beautiful when they are finished!

[Code]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif We Can't Go Naked http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

Neither of us are big on shopping, but we both desperately needed clothes for the trip, so we bit the bullet today and spent some time at Kohls. Lease picked up 7 shirts, 2 skorts, and a pair of shoes for our California Grill dinner. I was amazed to find that Kohls carries tall sizes in-store now, and got 5 shirts, and also some shoes. Fall clearance prices were good to us, it ended up being much cheaper than we expected.

We so rarely buy this many clothes at once that we felt the need to take a picture.

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_P8181387_v1_OS.jpg

Sadly, we're not done with the shopping.

Go to 17 days - Disneymoon? - 8/19 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20367778&postcount=27)

[Lease]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet_lease.gif Disneymoon? http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet_lease.gif

Today while we shopped and shopped and shopped, it came up that this is our first "real" vacation since we got married. It's the first vacation for just the two of us. We never did the honeymoon trip.

:bride: :groom:
Our wedding was wonderful if not exactly traditional :) My ring was left to me by my grandmother and after some searching Code found the ring he liked. After some planning attempts and just not finding what we wanted, Vegas started looking really good. We were looking online at places to have a ceremony and I just jokingly said "we have the rings lets just go to Vegas." So, that's what we did!
We booked the chapel and gave our guests (Code's parents and sibs, my dad) 10 days notice. We left after work on a Friday to drive to Vegas. We went straight to the court house to get our license while the family settled into their rooms. I still remember waiting for the marriage license, the line went out the door and took us about an hour. We got married Saturday afternoon then went out for a nice dinner. My new sister-in-law swiped one of our room keys and decorated with confetti and two Krispy Kreme doughnuts for our cake.
Sunday morning we drove home so everyone could be back to work Monday. We had a really great time, it was perfect for us and in our price range.

At the time I had just switched careers from teaching at a junior college to my current employer and vacation just was not an option. Since we've been married, we've talked about when we'd get to go on vacation. Where was never a question. It was Disney or bust! So we've decided this is going to be our much delayed honeymoon:love:

Go to 13 days - Funcrastination, Dear, Can I have $400? - 8/23 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20439736&postcount=41)

[Nicole786]

Aw, a much deserved honeymoon, how cute! You guys should get those buttons and everything!

[pierresgirl]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet_lease.gif Disneymoon? http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet_lease.gif

Today while we shopped and shopped and shopped, it came up that this is our first "real" vacation since we got married. It's the first vacation for just the two of us. We never did the honeymoon trip.

:bride: :groom:
Our wedding was wonderful if not exactly traditional :) My ring was left to me by my grandmother and after some searching Code found the ring he liked. After some planning attempts and just not finding what we wanted, Vegas started looking really good. We were looking online at places to have a ceremony and I just jokingly said "we have the rings lets just go to Vegas." So, that's what we did!
We booked the chapel and gave our guests (Code's parents and sibs, my dad) 10 days notice. We left after work on a Friday to drive to Vegas. We went straight to the court house to get our license while the family settled into their rooms. I still remember waiting for the marriage license, the line went out the door and took us about an hour. We got married Saturday afternoon then went out for a nice dinner. My new sister-in-law swiped one of our room keys and decorated with confetti and two Krispy Kreme doughnuts for our cake.
Sunday morning we drove home so everyone could be back to work Monday. We had a really great time, it was perfect for us and in our price range.

At the time I had just switched careers from teaching at a junior college to my current employer and vacation just was not an option. Since we've been married, we've talked about when we'd get to go on vacation. Where was never a question. It was Disney or bust! So we've decided this is going to be our much delayed honeymoon:love:

Alright, I'm on board!!! Love the start you guys have! Me and my dh got married very similarly, 3 days notice, about 15 family members, nice dinner afterwards. Our 8 year anniversary is this coming Friday and I love him more every day! Way to go on your weight loss, that's fab!

[TheLastPrincess]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet_lease.gif Disneymoon? http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet_lease.gif

Today while we shopped and shopped and shopped, it came up that this is our first "real" vacation since we got married. It's the first vacation for just the two of us. We never did the honeymoon trip.

:bride: :groom:
Our wedding was wonderful if not exactly traditional :) My ring was left to me by my grandmother and after some searching Code found the ring he liked. After some planning attempts and just not finding what we wanted, Vegas started looking really good. We were looking online at places to have a ceremony and I just jokingly said "we have the rings lets just go to Vegas." So, that's what we did!
We booked the chapel and gave our guests (Code's parents and sibs, my dad) 10 days notice. We left after work on a Friday to drive to Vegas. We went straight to the court house to get our license while the family settled into their rooms. I still remember waiting for the marriage license, the line went out the door and took us about an hour. We got married Saturday afternoon then went out for a nice dinner. My new sister-in-law swiped one of our room keys and decorated with confetti and two Krispy Kreme doughnuts for our cake.
Sunday morning we drove home so everyone could be back to work Monday. We had a really great time, it was perfect for us and in our price range.

At the time I had just switched careers from teaching at a junior college to my current employer and vacation just was not an option. Since we've been married, we've talked about when we'd get to go on vacation. Where was never a question. It was Disney or bust! So we've decided this is going to be our much delayed honeymoon:love:

Wow I wish our wedding was that simple and stress-less. :thumbsup2

We were engaged for 9 months, and that was constant chaos. I wish we would have eloped at WDW. One of the barbers at the barbershop in MK was licensed....he offered to marry us!! But noooooooo...we had to be all "traditional"...........bah! :rolleyes:

[randy4au]

sorry no fan of Crocs here

Same here. I'm baffled as to how such an ugly shoe can be so popular. :confused3

Even better than the Gorillapod is something that I can search the DIS for and get zero results returned, which surprises me because it is going to be great to have at WDW.

It's called XShot (xshotpix.com), and it's basically a collapsible rod to which you screw your camera on one end to extend your own reach for taking self-portraits. 9" collapsed, 37" extended. It has a quick screw for mounting the camera, it only takes a few seconds. Then just set the camera's 2 second self timer to take a self-portrait!

That's a cool device! Speaking of the Gorillapod, do they make one that can support the weight of a DSLR with a heavy zoom lens?

[abbybeth]

Hello you guys! I'm on board - glad that you decided to do a pre-TR :)

Code - great camera equipment. I had considered getting a Gorillapod myself and ended up not ...

Lisa - congrats on the weight loss, that's amazing!

Can't wait to hear more about the planning and hopefully we'll work out our schedules to meet up while we're all down there!

[mvazul]

Congratulations on finally getting your honeymoon! DH and I will be married 7 years on September 2nd and still haven't had a honeymoon. I'm hoping to do something big for our 10th! :thumbsup2

Congrats on the clothes!! :goodvibes

[Lease]

Welcome aboard Abby! Even if you don't have a gorilla pod for this trip they are great. We've used ours more than I thought we would. It's been great for snowboarding, the legs spread and balance well enough to set the camera up on snow banks to get shots of us together. This is much preferred to handing our camera off to someone of questionable balance with their feet also strapped to a board.

Sorry we didn't have any updates yesterday we were recovering from the weekend. Code should have pics up later today of Sunday. Tonight we're going to start watching Disney movies we haven't seen in a long time. Lets call it research. I want to know the lyrics to "Phony King of England" in case we run into Prince John :)

Lisa

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

My brothers and I watched all our Disney movies before the trip so that they would be fresh in our memories. Every Sunday we watch 2 movies and play Disney Scene It. It was a lot of fun!

[Code]

Thanks everyone for posting.. sorry for my slow replies!

UGAFan0829 - I followed you to your pre-trip. Thanks for your comment!

Lessa, Julie - Gorillapod is definitely worth it!

Michelle - Thanks! If you have any Disney photo tips, feel free to share :)

Nicole - Hmm I think I'm really on board calling this a belated honeymoon, not sure about the buttons though...

Leyla - Great way to do it. I didn't want a stressful wedding.. I sat by the pool for an hour on the morning of our wedding :thumbsup2

Colleen - hmm, see above? :rolleyes1

Randy - 3 sizes of Gorillapod, the one I have is the smallest, the other 2 are SLR and SLR zoom. I'm tempted to get the SLR size for the trip.

abbybeth - Glad to have you following along, and I look forward to meeting you! :)

[mvazul]

Michelle - Thanks! If you have any Disney photo tips, feel free to share :)

Try "shooting" from different angles - and take LOTS of pictures!! Also, if at all possible, don't use flash. Flash ruins so many nice pictures. Flash is my enemy!! ;) Your camera should have a setting for aperature and speed. Play with those so you don't need flash. It's nice with a digital since you can delete any you don't like.

I went in January with my DH and kids. We only made it to Epcot, MK, Universal and then headed to Tampa to visit the B'sIL. I had almost 2000 pictures by the time we got home. Here is my absolute favorite from that trip:

http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL290/1474749/17105553/265298578.jpg

I really can't wait until Sunday!! I am looking forward to taking even more pictures. My mom gave me a 2G memory card for Christmas. Plus, I will be taking my 512mb. I'm taking my laptop with me so I can empty the cards each night.

Sorry to hijack your thread! I love photography!! :thumbsup2

Michelle

[Abby's Dad]

We don't have any kids yet, and we said for quite a long time that we didn't want any, but we slowly changed our minds (mostly due to my adorable nephew) and this may be our only WDW trip without kids.

Ah, I remember the days - having a baby was DW's idea. OK, if you really want a baby, I'll do my part :) . Then we finally had a positive pregnancy test - and I started talking to DW's tummy - what is happening here? Suddenly, it wasn't just "OK,", I was pretty darned happy about this new addition. Then DD arrived, and I found out that a missing piece in my heart had been filled (that I didn't even know was missing). I miss those days, but you know, she's turned out to be a pretty nice adult :rotfl2:

Count down calendars have been placed and the excited panic of vacation has set in. :yay:

Time is getting short and there is so much to do - and what am I doing here instead of making name tags and mousekeeping envelopes - oh yeah, reading a good pre-trip YEAH and it is gooooood!:woohoo:

It all sounds great, and I like the layout of your itinerary. Somewhat jealous of the camera - last time that I went to WDW (before Epcot - I think Mickey was still in diapers) I was carrying 2 35mm SLR bodies, and something like 10 lenses, a TLR with 3 lenses, tripod, and flashes I'm not sure if I was a tourist or a pack animal. Much simpler this time - digital camera, digital camcorder, monopod - all weighing less than just my long lens last time. But your camera and lenses look really sweet - and lightweight.

"we have the rings lets just go to Vegas."

We had a pretty simple wedding 26 years ago. We had been planning a church wedding (including being taken off the church steps in a hot air balloon - I used to fly them, and had friends that wanted to do this for us) - then I got a job out of town, and didn't want to leave without Lynn (I'm an old-fashioned kind of guy), so what to do - elope (which was probably best, because there was plenty of "this won't last" coming from her family anyway). So we had wedding announcments printed up to let everybody know after the fact, addressed them, stamped them (we'll come back to that one), and arranged for the magistrate to marry us on a Friday with just a best man and matron of honor there (well, Lynn's twin sister found out, and showed up too, but that was OK). After a nice lunch with everybody, we left for the honeymoon - Toronto and Niagara Falls (no time to book WDW). We stayed overnight in Detroit, and then left the next morning for Niagara Falls, Ontario - therein lies the problem - Ontario, not Niagara Falls, New York - we were supposed to mail the announcements before we left Detroit (US postage), and we didn't. So one of the first things we had to do on arrival in Niagara Falls was to take the bridge across to the US side (nice view) - on arrival at customs, purpose for entering the US - um, to mail these wedding announcements?!? Mailbox over there - thanks! And then back over to Canada - and the last vacation that we had before this trip coming up!

Really hope to meet up with you two while we are there! Great Pre-trip so far.

[Lease]

Michelle - wow what an amazing photo, I hope we get some at least half as gorgeous. Code is the big photography buff, I just like having the pictures.

Abby's Dad - Thank you for sharing your wedding story with us. We also sent out announcements after the fact. Code photoshopped some of the wedding pics into a "Surprise we got married" postcard giving the website to see the rest of the pictures. I'm sure you'll meet up with us at some point on vacation :wave2:

Lisa

[Code]

Michelle - That is an AWESOME photo :thumbsup2 Hope you have it hanging on your wall somewhere!

I agree about the flash, Lease just agreed to let me order a fast prime lens (f1.4) so I can get good indoor shots without a flash :) More about that in my next post...

I look forward to taking many, many pics! With the rapid fire feeling of a DSLR.. it will be hard not to. We'll have 4 gig in the DSLR, 1 gig in the Fuji, and a spare 1 gig that is compatible with either camera. Borrowing my parents' laptop to unload the memory cards onto nightly, and taking an external hard drive so we can have two copies of everything (I'm a stickler for backups).

Abby's Dad - Thanks for following along.. fun wedding story! As far as camera gear goes, I'll be carrying the body & 3 lenses, but the 2 kit lenses at least are very small and lightweight as far as DSLRs go, and everything (including compact camera+gadgets) fits in my sling camera bag nicely. I'll stow a tripod in a locker for night shots. A monopod would be nice but I've already stretched my wife-approved photo budget a bit far for this trip ;)

[Code]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif Funcrastination http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

We were good about getting things done on Saturday, but my brother invited us out on his boat Sunday and all productive thoughts were put on the back burner in lieu of wakeboarding! Snowboarding is my true passion, but I've been wakeboarding since my brother got his boat last summer and am really starting to enjoy it.

Making this video hurt a bit... Prepare for a laugh at my expense..
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/th_DSCF0073.jpg (http://s188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/?action=view&current=DSCF0073.flv)

I believe the look on my face is something along the lines of "oh crap"...
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/P8191481_v1_OS.jpg

Fun XShot picture...
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/DSCF0068.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif Dear, Can I Have $400? http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

Photography is an expensive addiction, and I'm only just getting started :scared:

This is the object of my lens lust:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/300101.jpg

If you aren't into photography, feel free to skip the next paragraph ;)

I obviously bought the E-510 with the 2 lens kit, 14-42mm (28-84mm) f3.5-5.6 and 40-150mm (80-300mm) f4.0-5.6. They are great little lenses (emphasis: little), so I'm well covered outside during the day, but obviously a bit slow for indoors without a flash so I found myself wanting a low light lens pretty quickly. The lens above is the Sigma 30mm f1.4, and I'm just about to order it :woohoo: I know I'm really stretching it to add another big expense to the trip, but I think it will be worth it, and not just for the trip. Lease "left it up to me", which I know is begrudging approval at best, but in this case, I'll take it :lmao:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif 13 days! http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

We crossed over the 2 week mark (13 days by the time I post this!) We have a lot to get done still and I know that these 2 weeks are going to blink by. I'm not the panicking type, but I am becoming, shall we say, acutely aware of the time left. More excited than nervous though!

Go to 13 days - The four legged kids - 8/23 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20455310&postcount=46)

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

:lmao: That sure does look like a lot of fun but also very painful!

[Abby's Dad]

I obviously bought the E-510 with the 2 lens kit, 14-42mm (28-84mm) f3.5-5.6 and 40-150mm (80-300mm) f4.0-5.6. They are great little lenses (emphasis: little), so I'm well covered outside during the day, but obviously a bit slow for indoors without a flash so I found myself wanting a low light lens pretty quickly. The lens above is the Sigma 30mm f1.4, and I'm just about to order it :woohoo: I know I'm really stretching it to add another big expense to the trip, but I think it will be worth it, and not just for the trip.

Looks like you've got your bases covered - good range and flexibility, and you should be able to do pretty much whatever you want to with this setup, and not feel like a pack animal :) . That XShot is getting some good use and it looks like you enjoy it, but that is one of the reasons why I take the pictures - so I don't have to be in them :rotfl:

[mvazul]

Awesome lens!! :thumbsup2 I would really love to get a new one, but there are so many I would like I can't decide. I think I would love a fish eye some day. I really like the results of those. Before that, I think I need to get a 50mm. I miss the one I used to have.

I used to have a Minolta HTsi 7 35mm. For lenses, I had a 28mm, a 50mm and a 300mm. I didn't use the 28mm much, but I used the 50mm and 300mm all the time. But, all of them - along with my camera - were stolen. $1000 worth of camera equipment. I was absolutely sick. Thankfully, our homeowner's insurance covered it.

So, I bought new. I was very much a traditionalist and didn't think I would ever switch to digital. I was wrong!! ;) I took the opportunity to do a ton of research and decided on the Nikon D50. I absolutely love it and am glad I switched. I had really wanted to stay with Minolta, but the glass on a Nikon is so much better. Plus, the Nikon kit was only $100 more than the Minolta. I couldn't pass it up. If you would like to see some of my work, just click here (http://www.michellevazul.com).

Okay, I have hijacked, again!! Sorry!! :upsidedow

Thank you to both of you for the compliments on my castle picture. I only have it in a 5x7 right now, but would love to get a gallery wrapped enlargement done. :thumbsup2

Michelle

[Code]

Looks like you've got your bases covered - good range and flexibility, and you should be able to do pretty much whatever you want to with this setup, and not feel like a pack animal :) . That XShot is getting some good use and it looks like you enjoy it, but that is one of the reasons why I take the pictures - so I don't have to be in them :rotfl:

:laughing:

Awesome lens!! :thumbsup2 I would really love to get a new one, but there are so many I would like I can't decide. I think I would love a fish eye some day. I really like the results of those. Before that, I think I need to get a 50mm. I miss the one I used to have.

I could spend us into poverty on lenses, an external flash, a monopod, filters, etc etc etc.. I've had to restrain my gadgetlust and realize that what I have already is great for a total amateur. The fast prime is the only lens I need (ok, want ;)) to feel like I can grab just about any shot I want to. Though.. you know.. I could really use a wide-angle too.. :lmao:

Must have been awful to have your gear stolen. At least you were covered! I'm planning on getting scheduled protection through our homeowner's insurance for the camera and lenses before we leave. I believe I was quoted $15 per year for zero deductible protection, seems worth it to avoid a $250 deductible if something happens.

No hijack! I love talking about photography too :) I tried going to your site but it complained I don't have Flash. I do have Flash but it probably has something to do with being on Linux. I'll take a look from home!

[Lease]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet_lease.gif The four legged kids http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet_lease.gif

We've done lots of planning and preparing for this trip, but we can't forget the family members that won't be going with us.
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/P8111254_v1_OS.jpg
This is Willow, I adopted him the day he turned 8 weeks from a shelter. Don't let this picture fool you, he is always running wild through the house. He's about 4 and half years old now. I'd say he's my cat, he'd probably say he's my cat too. He's a sweet kitty to me and tolerates Code most of the time. On one hand he'll curl up in my lap and purr every chance he gets on the other Code and many of his friends have scars from this 10 pound ball of fur :worried: I'm worried about leaving him for over a week, last year I went on a business trip for 9 days and he spent a couple days looking for me and was really clingy when I got home. At the other end of the spectrum is Leo.
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/p7210428_v1_OM.jpg
Before we bought our house the people living in the apartment below us were given a three day notice to evict. The day the notice went up a bowl of cat food, 2 adult cats and 3 kittens appeared on the porch. These wonderful people moved without their pets :confused:. We found homes for all of the cats. Luckily for us the woman that took Leo home found out her husband was severely allergic and brought him back. He is the friendliest, most attention seeking, lazy, and loving cat I've ever met. When he adopted us he was in pretty bad shape, his coat was dull and he was so thin. He's now a shiny black 18-ish pound kitty that lives for soft places to lay. We don't know how old he is the vet guessed by his teeth/size/magic 8 ball that he was around the same age as Willow. He'll approach anyone and loves constant attention. I'm not too concerned about him while we're gone since family will be stopping by daily to feed and play with the kitties and he's not picky about who he'll approach. I've had to apologize to a plumber while repeatedly pulling Leo off him. :rolleyes2

It's amazing how we can spend all this time getting excited about our vacation and making sure every detail is planned, but the one thing we worry about is our 'kids'.

Go to 12 days - Mom's WDW Souvenir Box - 8/24 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20458083&postcount=49)

[abbybeth]

We've done lots of planning and preparing for this trip, but we can't forget the family members that won't be going with us.
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/th_P8111254_v1_OS.jpg
This is Willow,

At the other end of the spectrum is Leo.
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/th_p7210428_v1_OM.jpg


These wonderful people moved without their pets :confused:. We found homes for all of the cats.

It's amazing how we can spend all this time getting excited about our vacation and making sure every detail is planned, but the one thing we worry about is our 'kids'.


awww your furbabies are gorgeous!!! and good for your for giving those rescue babies a home. I can't believe that those "lovely" people just moved without taking the cats, but lucky for them you guys were there to help out. I'm nervous about leaving my little Zoe behind, she's never been apart from me for more than 24 hours. She's staying with my friend & her husband (and their 2 cats) for the stretch of vacation, and I'll be a wreck over it - it's going to be so hard to leave her!

but it really is amazing how much a part of the family they become :)

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Love your kitties, they are adorable!

[Code]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif Mom's WDW Souvenir Box http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

I fired up the scanner again to share some more memories. I enjoy looking through old guide maps, I wish I had one for each park for all 5 years I went.

MK '91, '95 (I think), and '97. (CAAAAKKKKEEEEEE :scared:)

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/800_mk_maps.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif Disney: Before & After http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

Taken on my last WDW trip in '97, age 16...

BEFORE
Waiting at the airport for the flight to Orlando, happy and full of energy...
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/97_before.jpg

AFTER
8 days later, waiting for the flight home, even happier and completely devoid of energy...
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/97_after.jpg

I don't remember the flight home on any of the 5 trips I took with my family. (Including the one where my brother was throwing up the whole flight 2 seats away)

Pure post-Disney exhaustion.

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif Extinct Castle View http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

Skyway was definitely my favorite way to see the castle. Taken in '95.
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_skyway_castle.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif First Ride: Splash Mountain http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

Oh boy, here's an embarrassing one...

This was my first ride on Splash Mountain in '93, age 12... I zoomed in on my head for your laughing convenience.
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/splash93_zoom.jpg

Speaking of firsts, we plan to ride Splash Mountain as our first ride on this trip. It's a carryover of what my family did our last 3 trips. Not a strong tradition or anything, it just feels right to me.

Go to 10 days - GLOWY; Hotel Beds; Shopping for the Tall Man; More Maps - 8/26 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20490627&postcount=64)

[Nicole786]

Awesome vintage pictures! I love the guidemaps!

[mvazul]

Those guidemaps are pretty cool! That castle cake is absolutely hideous. What in the world were they thinking when they did that??? :confused3 Thankfully, I never did see that in person. Blech!!

You cats are adorable. I'm sure they will do just fine while you are gone.

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Love the Splash Mountain picture! I was there the year the castle was turned into that horrendous cake. :scared:

[prncssmel]

I found your pre-trippie from Abby's when I saw you were from Utah. Me, too.

Congrats on the weight loss! That is fantastic.

Your cats are gorgeous. I am trying to imagine 18 pounds though. He looks small, but that is like 5 of my dog!

So, at this point, I am a little envious of the Vegas wedding people. I never realized there was so much involved in planning a wedding. It will be wonderful, but I have had a few daydreams about just running away.

[pierresgirl]

I love the old pics! I could sit and look at anyones pics all day, just love it! Keep it coming!

[TheLastPrincess]

Wow!! I love the maps!! That totally brings back memories. I thought the Rescue Rangers were the awesomest thing ever. I had a crush on Chip back then...haha :blush:

I remember the birthday cake, unfortunately. Ugly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :crazy2:

[Lease]

Your cats are gorgeous. I am trying to imagine 18 pounds though. He looks small, but that is like 5 of my dog!


First of all :welcome: to our pre-trippie. Leo looks like a normal cat when Code holds him the way Willow looks normal when I hold him. Of course I pick up Leo and he reaches from my shoulder to almost my hip. It's like we have his and her cats.

[abbybeth]

It's like we have his and her cats.

This comment made me laugh out loud (got a dirty look from my cat - must have disturbed her ...:lmao: ) that's great :)

[TKDisneylover]

Hello Lease & Code,

I migrated over from another pre-tr and just love yours too. I must be subscribed to 10 reports now, how will I ever keep up??!!

Anyway, it sounds like you've got a great trip planned, I love your itinerary. Mine is in the 4th revision stage, and I still have not gotten my ADR's yet!!

I'm also enjoying your photos & videos, very cool! DH & I visited WDW for the very first time when the castle was pink. To see it at the time wasn't so bad, but looking at your photo's made me realize how awful it really did look. Oy!

Looking forward to reading more! Thanks so much for sharing.

PS: DH & I eloped, we had been together 6 years (since high school) and decided to get married at the Courthouse before we left for a weekend camping trip. It was definitely more economical, unfortunately we could not afford take our honeymoon until our 8th wedding anniversary & chose Jamaica. This year we celebrated our 20th, and plan to wear the anniversary pins. I can't wait!!!

[kindakrazy2]

I think I am caught up now!

Score on the new clothes for both of you! And Code - get the new lens! :thumbsup2

Another Disneymoon! I had mine there 13 years ago. Yikes! Was it really that long ago? :eek:

Your cats are beautiful and they will do just fine without you. Just think how happy they will be to see you when you get back!

Keep it coming you two!

[Disneydad99]

Hello I am Subbing ...Great report so far...I am looking fwd to the TR with all the Pics you are going to take!!!!





:thumbsup2

[kindakrazy2]

Disneydad - are you following me again? ;)

[Disneydad99]

Disneydad - are you following me again? ;)


I am always right Behind You My Dear!!!!



:thumbsup2

[kindakrazy2]

I am always right Behind You My Dear!!!!



:thumbsup2


Excellent! :thumbsup2

[Code]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_glow10days.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif GLOWY http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

I remember always wanting the glow stuff the park street vendors peddle for exorbitant prices... doesn't every kid?

I saw on kindakrazy2's pre-trip (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1501487) that she was stocking up on glow stuff for her kids, and I found myself wanting to do the same.

Except we don't have kids. While at WDW, I'm just a big kid, right? :teeth:

This is the haul from the dollar store
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_P8251589_v1_OS.jpg

5 of each color 8" with connectors, and 2 cool pendants. We'll probably end up getting more :laughing:

We decided to crack one open, and I set up the camera on a tripod. The "10 days" shot above was a 20 second exposure.

Add a flash to the long exposure for extra fun:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/500_codyglowring.jpg

Going to be loads of fun in the parks :)

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif Hotel Beds http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

I really dread 8 nights on a hotel mattress. Our last vacation was 3 nights in Vegas. The hotel bed was awful and my back hurt after the first night.

Yes, I am a bed snob. I'm going to sound like an infomercial, but I really hate having to go without my Tempur-Pedic bed and pillow. We've been sleeping on TP for 4 years, and it is hard to go back to springs. If Disney offered a Tempur-Pedic room option, I'd willingly pay extra! :laughing: I am finding space (somehow) in my suitcase for the pillow, but that has as much to do with comfort as the shape being better for my CPAP mask (sleep apnea) than a normal pillow.

Also we're getting a king bed room but we have a California King (4" longer) at home, and my feet are going to hang off the end :rolleyes:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif Shopping for the Tall Man http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

Unfortunately, you won't see me in too many Disney shirts. It's not that I don't want them, it's that I don't fit into them. Large is too short, and XL is usually either still too short, or just too big. I always got at least one shirt per trip as a kid, and I'll be on the lookout for a reasonable fit this time around, but I won't get my hopes up. Disney needs to carry tall sizes!

There are only 5 places I know of that I can shop for shirts because they carry tall sizes: Eddie Bauer, Lands End, LL Bean, JCPenney, and Kohls (just found out last time we went shopping there). My experience with the specialized "big&tall" shops is that you have to be either just big, or big and tall, but not just tall.

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif More Maps http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

Everyone seemed to like the old park guides, here are a few more:

Epcot '92 and '97
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_maps_epcot.jpg

MGM '91 and '92
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_maps_mgm1.jpg

MGM '95 and '97
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_maps_mgm2.jpg

I'll throw this one in too :)
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_maps_dl85.jpg

Go to Seven Days To Go! - 8/29 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20561040&postcount=76)

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Love the glow pictures, they are really neat!

[Lease]

Also we're getting a king bed room but we have a California King (4" longer) at home, and my feet are going to hang off the end :rolleyes:

He's kidding his feet will not hang off the bed, Code will sleep diagonally and I will be clinging to the edge of the bed in hopes of not ending up on the floor.:headache:


Disney needs to carry tall sizes!

Everywhere needs to carry tall sizes! I've had department stores tell me people aren't built that way when trying to buy jeans for Code. Either stores will need to start carrying his size or I will need to cook far less healthy food so he can be 'Big & Tall." In the mean time I will try not to enjoy being able to find clothes for me almost anywhere :rolleyes1

[pierresgirl]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_glow10days.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif GLOWY http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

I remember always wanting the glow stuff the park street vendors peddle for exorbitant prices... doesn't every kid?

I saw on kindakrazy2's pre-trip (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1501487) that she was stocking up on glow stuff for her kids, and I found myself wanting to do the same.

Except we don't have kids. While at WDW, I'm just a big kid, right? :teeth:

This is the haul from the dollar store
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_P8251589_v1_OS.jpg

5 of each color 8" with connectors, and 2 cool pendants. We'll probably end up getting more :laughing:

We decided to crack one open, and I set up the camera on a tripod. The "10 days" shot above was a 20 second exposure.

Add a flash to the long exposure for extra fun:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/500_codyglowring.jpg

Going to be loads of fun in the parks :)

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif Hotel Beds http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

I really dread 8 nights on a hotel mattress. Our last vacation was 3 nights in Vegas. The hotel bed was awful and my back hurt after the first night.

Yes, I am a bed snob. I'm going to sound like an infomercial, but I really hate having to go without my Tempur-Pedic bed and pillow. We've been sleeping on TP for 4 years, and it is hard to go back to springs. If Disney offered a Tempur-Pedic room option, I'd willingly pay extra! :laughing: I am finding space (somehow) in my suitcase for the pillow, but that has as much to do with comfort as the shape being better for my CPAP mask (sleep apnea) than a normal pillow.

Also we're getting a king bed room but we have a California King (4" longer) at home, and my feet are going to hang off the end :rolleyes:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif Shopping for the Tall Man http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

Unfortunately, you won't see me in too many Disney shirts. It's not that I don't want them, it's that I don't fit into them. Large is too short, and XL is usually either still too short, or just too big. I always got at least one shirt per trip as a kid, and I'll be on the lookout for a reasonable fit this time around, but I won't get my hopes up. Disney needs to carry tall sizes!

There are only 5 places I know of that I can shop for shirts because they carry tall sizes: Eddie Bauer, Lands End, LL Bean, JCPenney, and Kohls (just found out last time we went shopping there). My experience with the specialized "big&tall" shops is that you have to be either just big, or big and tall, but not just tall.

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif More Maps http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

Everyone seemed to like the old park guides, here are a few more:

Epcot '92 and '97
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_maps_epcot.jpg

MGM '91 and '92
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_maps_mgm1.jpg

MGM '95 and '97
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_maps_mgm2.jpg

I'll throw this one in too :)
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_maps_dl85.jpg


That GLOW pic is very cool! I love how you did it! I need to get me some glow sticks and bracelets. We also have a Tempurpedic and dare I say we don't really like it? I just don't feel like shelling out more money on a King matress :sad2:

[Lease]

We also have a Tempurpedic and dare I say we don't really like it? I just don't feel like shelling out more money on a King matress :sad2:

Duck and cover! Only happy thoughts can be expressed around Code and his love for all things Tempurpedic.

[abbybeth]

oooh fancy-schmancy bed! I myself, am almost always pleased with hotel beds. I sleep on a twin myself, and have been for over 20 years (don't know exactly when I got the bed - it's my first post crib "big girl" bed :rotfl: ) Someday I'll replace it with a bed that's big enough for two pillows so when Zoe decides she needs to push my head off so that she can sleep on the pillow I'll have a back up option! :)

And I love that you've been posting the vintage park maps - they're great. Since I'm an uber rookie, I've never seen any of them before! :)

also nifty with the picture taking - I still have a lot to learn ... but whee! shiny things!

[Nicole786]

I love that 10 days sign! Its looks like something really creepy from a movie but totally awesome!

[TheLastPrincess]

I know what you mean about the beds. We have a THICK mattress with a nice soft cashmere pillow top, that I paid an arm and a leg for because I had some awful back problems. Now when I sleep in hotel beds, those back problems return. I'm hoping that AKL's beds will be better than POFQ's.

[prncssmel]

First of all :welcome: to our pre-trippie. Leo looks like a normal cat when Code holds him the way Willow looks normal when I hold him. Of course I pick up Leo and he reaches from my shoulder to almost my hip. It's like we have his and her cats.

:rotfl: His and hers cats. I love how they fit you in every way, apparently.

I remember always wanting the glow stuff the park street vendors peddle for exorbitant prices... doesn't every kid?

I saw on kindakrazy2's pre-trip (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1501487) that she was stocking up on glow stuff for her kids, and I found myself wanting to do the same.

Except we don't have kids. While at WDW, I'm just a big kid, right? :teeth:

This is the haul from the dollar store

5 of each color 8" with connectors, and 2 cool pendants. We'll probably end up getting more :laughing:

I have really been wanting to get these, too. But I also thought that I had no kids to give them to. After seeing yours, though, I think I am going to go ahead and get some for us. Why should I have to grow up?

[Code]

I'm glad everyone is enjoying the old park guides and pictures, and the glow shots :)

I found your pre-trippie from Abby's when I saw you were from Utah. Me, too.

So, at this point, I am a little envious of the Vegas wedding people. I never realized there was so much involved in planning a wedding. It will be wonderful, but I have had a few daydreams about just running away.

Glad to have another Utahn along. We aren't in SLC, but close enough (Woods Cross) that it's easier to just say SLC.

I saw your bridal pics on your pre-trip, stunning! I'm sure all your planning will be worth it.

Anyway, it sounds like you've got a great trip planned, I love your itinerary. Mine is in the 4th revision stage, and I still have not gotten my ADR's yet!!

I'm also enjoying your photos & videos, very cool! DH & I visited WDW for the very first time when the cake was still pink. To see it at the time wasn't so bad, but looking at your photo's made me realize how awful it really did look. Oy!

PS: DH & I eloped, we had been together 6 years (since high school) and decided to get married at the Courthouse before we left for a weekend camping trip. It was definitely more economical, unfortunately we could not afford take our honeymoon until our 8th wedding anniversary & chose Jamaica. This year we celebrated our 20th, and plan to wear the anniversary pins. I can't wait!!!

I had many itinerary revisions too, and procrastinated my ADRs as well. GET THEM DONE! I'm generally happy with my finished ADRs but I did miss 1 or 2 I wanted.

Hello I am Subbing ...Great report so far...I am looking fwd to the TR with all the Pics you are going to take!!!!

Welcome aboard! I'm going to sub on your pre-trip, I can hardly believe how long it is!

That GLOW pic is very cool! I love how you did it! I need to get me some glow sticks and bracelets. We also have a Tempurpedic and dare I say we don't really like it? I just don't feel like shelling out more money on a King matress :sad2:

TEMPURPEDIC BLASPHEMY!!

Nah just kidding ;) I lent a spare TP pillow to my mom and she didn't like it, to each their own. But you can pry my bed & pillow from my cold dead fingers :lmao:

If I didn't get a king hotel room, my legs would hang off the end of the bed halfway up my shin.

oooh fancy-schmancy bed! I myself, am almost always pleased with hotel beds. I sleep on a twin myself, and have been for over 20 years (don't know exactly when I got the bed - it's my first post crib "big girl" bed :rotfl: ) Someday I'll replace it with a bed that's big enough for two pillows so when Zoe decides she needs to push my head off so that she can sleep on the pillow I'll have a back up option! :)

I'd have to curl up in the fetal position to fit on a twin :laughing: When Lease and I first moved in together we shared her twin for a few days while our bed was in transit to us, it wasn't too comfy.

I know what you mean about the beds. We have a THICK mattress with a nice soft cashmere pillow top, that I paid an arm and a leg for because I had some awful back problems. Now when I sleep in hotel beds, those back problems return. I'm hoping that AKL's beds will be better than POFQ's.

Your POFQ bed comment scares me :scared:

Why should I have to grow up?

My thoughts exactly :thumbsup2

[TheLastPrincess]

Ha....I just now noticed you are staying at POFQ.

Um, yeah, I don't know how you will feel about the beds there. My parents normally sleep on one of those expensive adjustable foam mattress that expands with air and so forth, and they didn't mind them. But then again, they like FIRM beds.

My bed is very soft and is sort of like sleeping on a cloud. So having to sleep in THOSE beds was very, very different. Ouch.

My question is, do all Deluxes have the same kind of beds? Because the ones at GF were HEAVENLY...:cloud9:

[Code]

Ha....I just now noticed you are staying at POFQ.

Um, yeah, I don't know how you will feel about the beds there. My parents normally sleep on one of those expensive adjustable foam mattress that expands with air and so forth, and they didn't mind them. But then again, they like FIRM beds.

My bed is very soft and is sort of like sleeping on a cloud. So having to sleep in THOSE beds was very, very different. Ouch.

My question is, do all Deluxes have the same kind of beds? Because the ones at GF were HEAVENLY...:cloud9:

What really gets me is feeling the lumps and bumps of inconsistent pressure from well used and worn out springs jabbing me. Our bed has really spoiled me for no pressure points.

I'm going to take a body pillow case and stuff it with 3-4 extra hotel pillows. Having a body pillow will help. I'm such a wimp.

[Lease]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet_lease.gif Seven Days to Go! http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet_lease.gif

One week to go and I'm sure the speed that time passes will be inversely related to just how much I have left to do. So, here's the plan for the next week:

Today: Work and gym, then dollar store for more glow stuff :) Ooh glow barrettes :thumbsup2

Thursday: Work - Start reiterating that I am going on vacation and will be in a no service area (I work for a wireless provider). Odds are no one will believe me, but it is worth a shot. Hour at the gym. Make the big "To Do" list, I mean actually write it down then start completing things on said list. Big Brother, I'm really hoping Amber is out, but still think Eric should have used the veto.

Friday: Countdown to the weekend starts at 7 am. Really convince people I'm not available for anything work related until I get back. Hour at the gym. Attempt a test pack to see if I really will be able to fit everything into my suitcases.

Saturday: Unable to put it off any longer go swimsuit shopping...ugh! Start cleaning everything. Mother-in-law is stopping by to feed the kitties so house must be spotless. Finish any last minute shopping for incidentals ie antacids, Pepto you name it I'll have a quick fix for it.

Sunday: Cleaning must be completed :laundy: Finish packing everything that will not be needed until we arrive. Dinner with the family and subtle questioning for souvenir ideas. Finish mouse keeping tip envelopes.

Monday: Strongly consider going to work, they don't expect me and I could get a lot done. :scratchin Attempt to quell the rising feeling of panic :scared1: Watch some Disney classics and relax.

Tuesday: Take kitty to the vet for check up and shots at 7 am blargh. Head to MRA test at noon and pretend I'm not claustrophobic for an hour or so. This was not part of the original vacation plan, but I was outvoted. Do any last minute checks on luggage. Attempt to go to sleep really early.

Wednesday: Get up at 3:45 :scared: and be camera ready by 4:15. There is no chance that Code will not be taking pictures before we leave, at the airport, on the plane, during our brief layover, on the second plane...you get the gist of it. Throw all last minute need for the morning items in suitcase and stumble to the nearest caffeine source. Our ride to the airport should be here around 4:30. Try to sleep on the flight and hit the ground running ready for the Magic Kingdom.

Wow look it all fits so nicely in a list. If 50% of it goes as planned it will be a wonderful thing. I'm sure after all the waiting and counting down this final week is going to fly by at a frightening pace and I can't wait. :yay:

Go to 3 days - Shiny Pennies; Maybe a Bit Ridiculous?; I Have No Self Control (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20606664&postcount=85)

[abbybeth]

Wheee! 1 week dance! :banana:

Don't ya just hate cleaning? I'm going to try to give the apartment a good scrub down this weekend because I don't want to come home to a mess and work will be extremely busy when I return and won't have time ....

I won't be answering any phone calls from work while I'm down there:thumbsup2

[randy4au]

Wow! Your trip is getting close! It seems that many of the forumers whose pre-trip reports I've been following are leaving within the next 3 or 4 weeks. I'm jealous and ready to go back (even though it hasn't even been 2 months since I was there...LOL). ;)

[TheLastPrincess]

One week!!!!!!!!!

:hyper::hyper::hyper::hyper::hyper::hyper::hyper:

[TKDisneylover]

Just wanted to stop by and say happy swimsuit shopping. You've worked hard for this moment, enjoy! You'll look great in no matter which type of suit you choose! What a great feeling!

Hope everything else comes together well in your preparations for WDW!!!
4 More Days to Go!!

[kindakrazy2]

You guys are so close now!

And Lease - enjoy the bathing suit shopping! I know it is never any woman's idea of fun but gee whiz girl, you've come so far and you are going to look marvelous! Go get something cute and be proud of it!

[kindakrazy2]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_glow10days.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif GLOWY http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

I remember always wanting the glow stuff the park street vendors peddle for exorbitant prices... doesn't every kid?

I saw on kindakrazy2's pre-trip (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1501487) that she was stocking up on glow stuff for her kids, and I found myself wanting to do the same.

Except we don't have kids. While at WDW, I'm just a big kid, right? :teeth:

This is the haul from the dollar store
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_P8251589_v1_OS.jpg

5 of each color 8" with connectors, and 2 cool pendants. We'll probably end up getting more :laughing:

We decided to crack one open, and I set up the camera on a tripod. The "10 days" shot above was a 20 second exposure.

Add a flash to the long exposure for extra fun:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/500_codyglowring.jpg

Going to be loads of fun in the parks :)

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif Hotel Beds http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

I really dread 8 nights on a hotel mattress. Our last vacation was 3 nights in Vegas. The hotel bed was awful and my back hurt after the first night.

Yes, I am a bed snob. I'm going to sound like an infomercial, but I really hate having to go without my Tempur-Pedic bed and pillow. We've been sleeping on TP for 4 years, and it is hard to go back to springs. If Disney offered a Tempur-Pedic room option, I'd willingly pay extra! :laughing: I am finding space (somehow) in my suitcase for the pillow, but that has as much to do with comfort as the shape being better for my CPAP mask (sleep apnea) than a normal pillow.

Also we're getting a king bed room but we have a California King (4" longer) at home, and my feet are going to hang off the end :rolleyes:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif Shopping for the Tall Man http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

Unfortunately, you won't see me in too many Disney shirts. It's not that I don't want them, it's that I don't fit into them. Large is too short, and XL is usually either still too short, or just too big. I always got at least one shirt per trip as a kid, and I'll be on the lookout for a reasonable fit this time around, but I won't get my hopes up. Disney needs to carry tall sizes!

There are only 5 places I know of that I can shop for shirts because they carry tall sizes: Eddie Bauer, Lands End, LL Bean, JCPenney, and Kohls (just found out last time we went shopping there). My experience with the specialized "big&tall" shops is that you have to be either just big, or big and tall, but not just tall.

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif More Maps http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

Everyone seemed to like the old park guides, here are a few more:

Epcot '92 and '97
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_maps_epcot.jpg

MGM '91 and '92
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_maps_mgm1.jpg

MGM '95 and '97
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_maps_mgm2.jpg

I'll throw this one in too :)
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_maps_dl85.jpg


HEY!!!!! Thanks for the shout out!!!!

:banana: :banana: :banana:

Now you need to tell me how you took the cool glow pics! ;)

[kindakrazy2]

and if I had read more carefully I'd see you already did tell me how to do that! Sorry. Its late and I've had lots of pain killers!

I must try that with the kids!

[Lease]

Just wanted to stop by and say happy swimsuit shopping. You've worked hard for this moment, enjoy! You'll look great in no matter which type of suit you choose! What a great feeling!

Hope everything else comes together well in your preparations for WDW!!!
4 More Days to Go!!

You guys are so close now!

And Lease - enjoy the bathing suit shopping! I know it is never any woman's idea of fun but gee whiz girl, you've come so far and you are going to look marvelous! Go get something cute and be proud of it!

Thank you both! Tomorrow is the big shopping day. For added fun it's also Snigrab (Bargains backwards) for winter gear so I get to get my swimsuit and new snowboarding pants at the same place. I can't wait for winter :) That countdown begins after Disney, well this Disney trip anyway...

[Code]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif 3 days! http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

OK technically it's 4 days, but this day is almost over so close enough. Can't believe it's almost here!

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif Shiny Pennies http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

I told Lease about the multitude of pressed penny machines all over WDW, and she ran with the idea. Last night we sorted through our big bucket-o-change to get a bunch of pre-1982 pennies, and then she cleaned them. She's going to put them in mini M&M tubes stacked two quarters for each penny so the process will be very quick - more great DIS advice!

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_P8311720_v1_OS_NN.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif Maybe a Bit Ridiculous? http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

Another trip to the dollar store...

Our glow total is now 50 8" bracelets, 2 22" multicolor necklaces, 6 mini glow sticks, 2 pendants, 12 hair clips, and even a glow lei.

Too much? :rolleyes1

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_P8291684_v1_OS_NN.jpg

Lease tested one of the hair clips - it's just a 2" glow stick attached to a bobby pin, but still fun!

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_P8291686_v1_OS_NN.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif I Have No Self Control http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

I'm taking a tripod (that is older than I am, it was my dad's) to stow in a locker on nights when there will be some spare time for photos, but I started thinking how nice it would be to have an SLR sized Gorillapod for night shots anytime. I had go to a camera store to pick up a backup memory card today, and Lease let me grab the Gorillapod while I was at it.

I don't think I really want to add up all the money I've spent on photo stuff in the past 2 months, but it's going to be worth it :thumbsup2 Lease has mandated that I make a comment about how spoiled I am :laughing:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_DSC02344.jpg

Go to 3 days - Are We Done Shopping Yet? - 9/2 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20619239&postcount=89)

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_DSC02344.jpg

That picture is great!:lmao: :rotfl:

[Lease]

I'm not sure why but the picture of the two cameras makes me think of the movie "Batteries Not Included"

[SwansLoveDisney]

I'm not sure why but the picture of the two cameras makes me think of the movie "Batteries Not Included"

:rotfl: :rotfl: You are so right! :rotfl: :rotfl:

[Lease]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet_lease.gif Are we done shopping yet? http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet_lease.gif

Today we did the last of the clothing shopping. Had to get a swimsuit, even though I should have done it yesterday. I was amazed with how little time it took. I pulled two suits off the rack the first one was perfect :) Grabbed some shorts and all done in 15 minutes.
At the same store I did find something even worse to try on, even worse than swimming gear. :eek: Snowboarding pants! Normally snow gear is just fine to try on and I am in desperate need of new pants. Code refers to my old pants as MC Hammer pants (8 sizes to big). Snowboarding gear :goodvibes It means summer is nearly over and no more 100 degree days. There is an annual pre-season clearance sale on all winter sports gear. It's wonderful everything on sale, but there is a downside. Everything is set up in a temporary building, I think it has plywood walls and roof over the parking lot.
So there I am in a plywood dressing room set up in a parking stall (you can see the lines on the blacktop) with a vinyl curtain trying on pants. Doesn't sound to bad until you consider it's 96 degrees and you are putting on water proof pants. Lined for warmth gortex pants...pure evil!

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet_lease.gif More before the trip shopping http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet_lease.gif

We also had to go get keys made so different family members can feed the kitties. Today we found out in addition to the wonderful and highly collectible paint chips HD also has Disney Keys! We got a Mickey Mouse house key made :) I also grabbed a couple of paint chips, in my defense of the eye rolling hubby :rolleyes: it was the first time they've had any black ones.

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet_lease.gif Tomorrow there will be more shopping http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet_lease.gif

Tomorrow I will make my last store run (why are you giggling?) We have a short list of must haves left including flight food. Our flight does not serve a meal so we have to come prepared for 6 hours in transit. They may not allow drinks through security but there will be snacks :thumbsup2

Go to 1 more full day! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20635991&postcount=91)

[Abby's Dad]

Our flight does not serve a meal so we have to come prepared for 6 hours in transit. They may not allow drinks through security but there will be snacks :thumbsup2

6 hours and no meal - you are certainly going to be ready for the DDP when you get there!

And I loved Cody's picture of the standoff between the cameras! Great sense of humor!


You guys have a safe and smooth trip!

[Code]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif 1 more full day! http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

This will probably be my last post as we have to be ready to go before bedtime tomorrow and it feels to me like there is still a mountain of stuff to do.. I'm pretty sure our TODO list is reasonable, but there is an irrational panic creeping its way in. Today I started to get the surreal feeling that I always get before and during a vacation, and I think tomorrow is just going to be a euphoric blur.

The new camera lens was supposed to be here last Friday but the shipper marked it for in-person signature required and nobody was home, so I have to wait around for the UPS guy tomorrow while Lease takes her cat to the vet and goes to a doctor appointment. Lots of house cleaning still to do, I think that's probably the biggest task at hand, but I also need to deliver house keys and cat care instructions to my mom and brother, charge all the batteries, put some music on my Ipod, more packing, more stuff to buy... on and on!

Leo made it clear that he wants to come with us:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_P9031745_v1_OS_NN.jpg

Anyway, if I don't post again, thanks everyone for reading along and I look forward to sharing some photos and a trip report when we return!

Go to OK, One Last Post (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20652567&postcount=99)

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Have a great trip!

[pierresgirl]

Have a great time!

[Abby's Dad]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif 1 more full day! http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif


PACK! PACK! THERE ISN'T A MINUTE TO LOSE!! And you guys need to pack too:lmao:

Very soon now ............

[DisneyMomFanatic]

Have a blast and a magical vacation.:thumbsup2

[UGAFan0829]

I hope that y'all have a wonderful time. I know exactly what you mean about the anxiety. I've been feeling that way for the past couple of weeks, but now that there's only 3 days to go, I'm starting to get excited again!
Maybe we'll cross each others paths while we're down there...I will be looking for you!

[abbybeth]

EVERYBODY PANIC!!!:eek:


hehehe, I know I'm pretty much there myself ... have a safe trip!

(and I'll have a very similar cat-in-suitcase picture for my own report)

[kindakrazy2]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_DSC02344.jpg

Go to 3 days - Are We Done Shopping Yet? - 9/2 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20619239&postcount=89)

Love this photo! Looks like the little one is scared! :eek:

I have a gorilla pod that DH bought me but he bought the small one not the one for the SLR so I can't use it. He got mad and said it would be fine. So I hooked it up to show him and the poor gorilla quivered and then its legs spread out and it ended up being one very squished gorilla. :headache:

So I am still gorilla pod free here. :sad2:

[Code]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif OK, One Last Post http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

Just because my toy came today :)

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_DSCF0148.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_DSCF0149.jpg

Delicously shallow depth of field...

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/640_P9041760_NN.jpg

Bed time..

TOMORROW MORNING, WE DISNEY!

Go to 9/14 - Let the Trip Report Begin! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20815684&postcount=103)

[roxannensteve]

Just found your PT - I know you guys are already gone - but wanted to tell you - I so love your report!! Can't wait to hear more when you get back. Have fun!!

[Code]

We're back, and it was awesome!

I don't have time until after work to say any more, unfortunately... I'll be back later!

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Welcome back!

[Code]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif Let the Trip Report Begin! http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

Good times were had,
Memories were made,
Magic was felt,
Pictures were taken,
Money was spent :laughing:

I just wanted to come and officially kick off our trip report! We had a magical, amazing, wonderful, spectacular time!!!

I wanted to post more tonight, but we took 1,552 pictures :eek: and have only looked through about half so far (and we have some great ones!!)

Stick with us, it's going to be a fun and photo filled ride!

Go to Arrival Day - In Transit (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20954960&postcount=127)

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Can't wait! The more pictures the better!

[Code]

Can't wait! The more pictures the better!

Stay tuned ;)

[TKDisneylover]

Woo Hoo! Can't wait to hear about the trip and see the "excellent" photos! Oh, and some great video footage too?!:cool1:

[SwansLoveDisney]

Welcome back!

I am very excited to hear about your trip and to see all your photos!

[abbybeth]

Hey! I absolutely can't WAIT to see the pics - the few I saw on your camera were teaser enough :)

So glad I met you guys - between you guys and Mel and John (prncessmel) I think I have enough reason to trek it out to Utah to do some visiting!

How are the kids? I picked up mine this afternoon and she's pretty much not left my side since we got home :)

[Lease]

How are the kids? I picked up mine this afternoon and she's pretty much not left my side since we got home :)

The kitties are fine. Code's cat was happy to have plenty of visitors while we were gone. My cat let my brother-in-law pet him and luckily didn't break skin when going after my sister-in-law :scared1: My kitty wanted nothing to do with me when we got home :sad1: then in the middle of the night (about 3 am) he woke me up purring and demanding attention. He's been attached to me since then. Hopefully we'll have the report started and a few pics up tonight. I have to transcribe my notes (I believe reference to chicken scratch has been made) for Code to start on it.

[randy4au]

Welcome back Code and Lease! Looking forward to the trip report!

[Rootskate]

Welcome back you guys! It was DH and myself who met you both on the tram leaving Animal Kingdom! I realized afterwards that I never told you my Dis name. Hope the rest of your trip went well. Looking forward to reading all about it! :wave:

[Lease]

Welcome Rootskate! We completely forgot to get your username so I'm glad you found us.
We've looked at all the pictures we took (It took a couple sittings). Code should have a good start up tonight. He has all the pics so I kind of have to wait to start the report. 'Cause what fun is a TR without pictures :)

[tinawv]

Hi Lease and Code. I just found your trip report, and I so glad I did. First of all Lease I would like to congratulate you on your weight loss. May I ask how you did it? Looking forward to seeing your pictures Code. I know they are going to be spectacular. :)

[Lease]

Hi Lease and Code. I just found your trip report, and I so glad I did. First of all Lease I would like to congratulate you on your weight loss. May I ask how you did it? Looking forward to seeing your pictures Code. I know they are going to be spectacular. :)

Thanks for posting and welcome aboard! The pictures for the report are currently in the screening process and should make it here very soon.

Thanks for the congrats :)The weight loss involved a really really strict diet and a lot of quality time at the gym. I still have a long way to go in the on going mission to attain a shape other than round :rolleyes: but I'll get there.

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Thanks for the congrats :)The weight loss involved a really really strict diet and a lot of quality time at the gym. I still have a long way to go in the on going mission to attain a shape other than round :rolleyes: but I'll get there.

You must be very proud of your weight loss. I am also trying to lose weight and it is such a struggle. I don't have a gym membership so I have been exercising at home on the elliptical trainer and I try and take daily walks. I really think I need to bite the bullet though and invest in a gym membership. Hopefully the cost will motivate me to go A LOT!

I hope that I can be as successful as you Lease!

[Hedy]

Can't wait to hear the details.

[mvazul]

Welcome back!! Good to read you had a good time. I love, love LOVE your new "toy"!! How awesome. And I didn't know they made a Gorillapod for DSLR's. How could I have missed that??? :confused3 I may have to look into one for myself!

I can't wait to read more. And I definitely can't wait to see your pictures! :goodvibes

[MayButterfly]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet_lease.gif The four legged kids http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet_lease.gif

At the other end of the spectrum is Leo.
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/p7210428_v1_OM.jpg
Before we bought our house the people living in the apartment below us were given a three day notice to evict. The day the notice went up a bowl of cat food, 2 adult cats and 3 kittens appeared on the porch. These wonderful people moved without their pets :confused:. We found homes for all of the cats. Luckily for us the woman that took Leo home found out her husband was severely allergic and brought him back. He is the friendliest, most attention seeking, lazy, and loving cat I've ever met. When he adopted us he was in pretty bad shape, his coat was dull and he was so thin. He's now a shiny black 18-ish pound kitty that lives for soft places to lay. We don't know how old he is the vet guessed by his teeth/size/magic 8 ball that he was around the same age as Willow. He'll approach anyone and loves constant attention. I'm not too concerned about him while we're gone since family will be stopping by daily to feed and play with the kitties and he's not picky about who he'll approach. I've had to apologize to a plumber while repeatedly pulling Leo off him. :rolleyes2

It's amazing how we can spend all this time getting excited about our vacation and making sure every detail is planned, but the one thing we worry about is our 'kids'.

Go to 12 days - Mom's WDW Souvenir Box - 8/24 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=20458083&postcount=49)


I'm loving the trip report so far.. I just had to say we have a cat named Leo as well. He's gray and white like yours is black/white!! I just laughed at how much he weighs too. My Leo is about 14 lbs!

Back to reading.. lol

[BTDTGB]

Enjoying the trip report so far, can't wait to hear more.

[TKDisneylover]

Ahem! popcorn:: We're anxiously waiting Lease & Code.......;)

[abbybeth]

Ahem! popcorn:: We're anxiously waiting Lease & Code.......;)

it'll come, no worries - Cody just took photos in RAW format, so they require a lot more work to get them TR-ready than pictures on a typical digital camera ... it'll be worth the wait!

[Lease]

Code was developing pictures till almost 2 this morning. So were almost there. Sorry for the delay. The pictures look amazing though :) Hang in there.

[KimAshton]

Just found this TR cannot wait to read more. :)

[Mickeys_n_me]

popcorn::

Love your trippie so far!

[Code]

I definitely do need to apologize for the delay. Like Abby said, all the pictures from our DSLR camera were taken in RAW, and while I had some RAW experience before the trip, there was much I didn't know. I hadn't really worked out a good workflow, and wasn't very satisfied with the results I was getting. I knew that if I got going and then found a better way of doing things, the OCD in me would have me re-doing them all anyway, so I've been very (ridiculously, over-the-top, insane-o) thorough in figuring things out. I have it down now, though, and I'm very glad for the RAW flexibility, it has really helped me enhance good pictures and save some duds.

So... I blame one part RAW, one part OCD, and I'll throw in one part procrastination just because it's me.

Part one to follow today!

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

:woohoo: I am sure the pictures are going to be great and worth the wait!

[Code]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif Arrival Day - In Transit http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

When last I pre-tripped, it was - hmm let's see - 8:54pm, and I still had several things left to do before bed. With our flight leaving so early (6am), the goal was to be completely ready and packed by a reasonable bedtime (9pm).

Do you think I was in bed 6 minutes after my last post?

:rotfl2:
Yeah, right! How could I continue to call myself a professional procrastinator if I wasn't still awake several hours after the planned bedtime? I'm not a seasoned traveler, and I'm the type that worries about forgetting something no matter how thoroughly I planned right up until I leave the house and there's nothing that can be done about anything forgotten. Needless to say, I kept finding things to do, and I think it was 11:45 before I was in bed. I was pretty tired, but the excitement was palpable and my brain wouldn't shut up... Lease conked out, but I didn't fall asleep until sometime after 1am :eek:

3 hours later ...

The morning was a delirious blur of last minute necessities and making over the cats before Lease's dad arrived and drove us to the airport. We arrived pretty early for our flight and security was deserted so early in the morning, so we breezed through with the only hiccup being the rolls of M&M Mini tubes filled with pennies and quarters in Lease's bag (a very strange look from the TSA employee while trying to explain).

Only a WDW trip could have me looking this chipper and happy at 4:52am after 3 hours of sleep...
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/WDWPictures001_800.jpg

Lease passed the time...
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/P9051772_800.jpg

While we were boarding the plane, I forgot to duck stepping through the door and whacked my head pretty hard on the door frame :headache: Lease drifted in and out of sleep for this leg of the journey, I tried to sleep but only managed about 15 minutes, doh! We had a 45 minute connection in Minneapolis/St. Paul, just enough time to grab a few pictures and marvel at the huge airport.

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/P9051774_800.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/P9051773_800.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/P9051776_800.jpg

The second leg was longer and I wanted to try very hard to get some sleep. Little did I know, there wasn't going to be any chance of that happening. You see, apparently small pets are allowed in the cabin of the plane in a carrier if an extra seat is purchased just for the pet. Two rows back from us, someone had brought along their pet poodle, and it was the yappiest poodle I've ever heard. It yapped every 10 minutes throughout the whole flight. Every time I would get close to sleep, YAP YAP YAP. It wasn't particularly loud, but it was like nails down a chalkboard - it pierced my brain with every YAP YAP YAP, no matter how loud I turned up my iPod. We were both ready to fashion a muzzle made of scotch tape about a half an hour in.

Lease captured my frustration (homicidal rage) quite well...
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/WDWPictures009_800.jpg

During our descent to land I caught a glimpse of Spaceship Earth out the window, and the adrenaline started flowing freely. I was wide awake for the rest of the day. I knew I was tired, but I simply didn't feel it at all.

After landing, we both bounced happily through the airport.. I was floating on cloud 9 at this point. It was pouring outside, but it wasn't dampening our spirits one little bit.

I love the tram ride between the two airport sections, it sort of feels like a monorail.. I know, easy to please :)

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/P9051777_800.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/WDWPictures010_800.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/P9051778_800.jpg

The regular line at the rental car counter was about 10 people long, and in the time it took us to wait in the Dollar Express line for one person in front of us, sign our name, get our keys and be gone, the regular line didn't even move. Thank you DIS advice!

It only rained for about 10 minutes after we left the airport before clearing up for the rest of the day!

Excitement reaches a fever pitch when we pass under this!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/P9051780_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/P9051781_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

Then this!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/P9051782_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

Hotel check-in was also quick, no line at all. I had made a request on the reservation when I made it for a river view King room (since you can't specify a view when you book a King room) and sadly they didn't receive the request. We were a bit disappointed, but we ended up with a wonderful room anyway - building 3, not far from the parking lot but without a view of said parking lot.

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pofq_room_3315.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/P9051784_800.jpg

View from the room...
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/P9051785_800.jpg

We dropped our bags and headed for the bus stop to the Magic Kingdom, a few pics on the way...
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/P9051787_800.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/P9051788_800.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/P9051783_800.jpg

And finally on the bus to MK!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/WDWPictures011_800.jpg

All the waiting, all the planning, all the hype and excitement.. we were about to be at the Magic Kingdom again!

Go to Magic Kingdom At Last (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=21076749&postcount=153)

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Alright the TR has started!:woohoo:

I have seen the pictures you have posted on the Picture of the Day thread and they are fantastic! Can't wait to see the rest of them.:banana:

That is very lucky that the rain stopped pretty much as soon as you exited the airport and it sure does look like a beautiful day in Orlando.:love:

[Hedy]

I love the POFQ pictures! And I love your glowy stuff-I'm hoping to hit my local dollar stores after Halloween.

[Rootskate]

Yay!! Great pictures! Can't wait to read more! :cheer2:

[4thgeermama]

Hi Code & Lease

I am loving your trippie thus far! It is bringing it all back for me! We had the privilege of meeting you both on Tuesday at MGM EMH in the rain in front of the Sorcerer's Hat. We were juggling our 4 kiddos & 2 grandparents and trying to get a family picture made.

We just got back from our vacation last night. I hope to get started on our trip report soon, but I am a huge procrastinator as well!:)

[Lease]

Hi Code & Lease

I am loving your trippie thus far! It is bringing it all back for me! We had the privilege of meeting you both on Tuesday at MGM EMH in the rain in front of the Sorcerer's Hat. We were juggling our 4 kiddos & 2 grandparents and trying to get a family picture made.

We just got back from our vacation last night. I hope to get started on our trip report soon, but I am a huge procrastinator as well!:)

Thanks for stopping by our report! We tried to find you on the boards when we got home, but I wrote your user name down incorrectly.
We also ran into your group in AK twice :) We sat near you at lunch but missed your DIS stuff and we did say hello leaving Lion King. Loved the lime green stroller :thumbsup2

[4thgeermama]

Yeah. Our group was hard to miss! Sorry I didn't register you all at AK. That was our first day, my daughter's Birthday and my toughest agenda...trying to pack it all in into one day! I was probably not very aware of anything but where we were going next!:laughing:

[Code]

Hi Code & Lease

I am loving your trippie thus far! It is bringing it all back for me! We had the privilege of meeting you both on Tuesday at MGM EMH in the rain in front of the Sorcerer's Hat. We were juggling our 4 kiddos & 2 grandparents and trying to get a family picture made.

We just got back from our vacation last night. I hope to get started on our trip report soon, but I am a huge procrastinator as well!:)

Woohoo thanks for finding us :) We now have 2 DISers that we actually met at random that have found our report.. so cool :)

[scottny]

ok first you have me wanting the Evolt 510. I have the 500 and want to upgrade so badly.
2nd, great report. just read it all and it is really a lot of fun. The pics from arrival are great.
looking forward to more.

[DancinDaisyDuck]

Hi Code and Lease! I really like your trip report and am looking forward to reading (and seeing- I saw some of your pics on the Disney Picture of the Day thread) more! Plus your avatars rock. I haven't seen that movie in forever and now have Stand Out in my head.

[abbybeth]

wheeeee! it's begun :) and I hear ya on the early morning flight thing - and though our flight there was surprisingly quiet and calm, the flight back was anything but .... some people (or critters or small children) should not be allowed to fly the fine skies!

btw, I love tha tyou guys stayed at the same resort as us. Now I can snag your firework pictures AND the resort pictures! :lmao:

[DisneyMomFanatic]

Great Pics! Love the report so far.
Sorry about the head wound from the plane. I have no fear of that ever happening to me. I am only 5'0", but my DH sometimes has to watchout for things like that. But at least you were so pumped up that it really didn't impact your spirit at all. So will patiently wait for more TR to follow.

[TKDisneylover]

Yippee!!! You were right, the wait was definitely worth it, your photos look so clear & colorful! I will have to head over to the POTD board so I can see some of the photos the previous posters are raving about!

Thanks for sharing!!:banana:

[Lease]

I hope everyone is in for a long report. I've been typing the trip notes and have found that one page of handwritten is equal to two pages typed single spaced. I have nine to type up. Code won't accept my written notes claiming something about not being able to read my handwriting. I think it's so he can copy and paste it straight into the report ;)
Just getting to the Magic Kingdom was an adventure. Do we get to count the Disney transportation bus as our first ride? I think it's funny how going from Utah to Florida the humidity more than doubled as did the size of my hair :eek: The pictures don't show it quite yet but as the day went on my hair just kept growing. Okay so welcome to my random thoughts in posting form, this is why Code does the reporting...that and I have a grammar struggle.
Up next: Arrival at MK

[mvazul]

Great start!! Great pictures, too. :thumbsup2 I absolutely LOVE the DOF!! I seriously miss that and need to look into getting another lens soon.

I think I would have punted that poodle. :rolleyes1 How rude!

Look forward to reading more!!

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

My motto is "The longer the better":rotfl: Seriously though I love long trip reports that are really detailed and have lots of funny stories and pictures. They are the most fun to read.

[Lease]

Hi Code and Lease! I really like your trip report and am looking forward to reading (and seeing- I saw some of your pics on the Disney Picture of the Day thread) more! Plus your avatars rock. I haven't seen that movie in forever and now have Stand Out in my head.

Welcome!! Sorry to get Stand Out stuck in your head :) Maybe this will help:

With nobosdy else but Y-O-U! :rotfl2: Mwhahaha Sorry couldn't help myself.

[UGAFan0829]

Welcome back y'all!! Awesome start to the TR!! Can't wait to read more!!

[DancinDaisyDuck]

Welcome!! Sorry to get Stand Out stuck in your head :) Maybe this will help:

With nobosdy else but Y-O-U! :rotfl2: Mwhahaha Sorry couldn't help myself.

Bahahahaah! How about the old Granny singing "watch out you dirtbags eat my dust!" in Open Road. I love that part. It's a popular movie on the campus where I work, I'm pretty sure it's played every day in any given residence hall.

Looking forward to reading more!:surfweb:

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Goofy Movie is AWESOME! It is a favourite here at my house.

[DisneyMissy318]

I'm all caught up and on board - can't wait to hear more popcorn::

We stayed at POFQ in December - it was very quiet - and quaint - we really liked it and will be staying there again - although we want to try out some of the others too!

I LOVE all of the pictures! You guys have done a great job so far!

Thanks for taking the time to share your trip with us!

DisneyMissy

[m11dolphin]

great job you 2, Love the report so far

[pl'smama]

Code and Lease, you guys are a riot to read and I am so enjoying your report. Code, your photos are awesome.

I have been taking notes as I read your TR. I just confirmed our next trip yesterday!!! We are going in January 2008 and will be staying at the POFQ for the second time. I love that place.

Code, can I ask you how or where did you get that arieal (sp?) of the POFQ? That was pretty neat.

Thanks Suz

[DancinDaisyDuck]

:surfweb:

sorry, I'm impatient and I've caught up on all my other trip reports and pre-trips. I just love your pictures!

[Lease]

Sorry for the delay, work is making us pay for taking a vacation. I'm over 40 hours in and will probably work through the weekend. Code has been working 11+ hour days as well. UGH!! Pictures are ready to go (I think) so next installment should be less than a day away.

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Take your time and try not to get too stressed out with work.

[Code]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif Magic Kingdom At Last http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

When the bus arrived at the Magic Kingdom, we practically bounced off and toward the front gate. Do you think I look a bit happy?

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/WDWPictures012_800.jpg

We experienced our first bag check and our first finger scan before basking in the glow of the front gate for a bit...

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/WDWPictures013_800.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/98c8a0a3.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/616b84e1.jpg

Then through the tunnel...

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/P9051795_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

I probably wouldn't admit it anywhere but a forum filled with Disney fans, but I buy into the "Disney Magic" lock, stock, and barrel. I have already said that my family's Disney trips were among my favorite childhood memories. I have to admit that I was somewhat worried that being a bitter, jaded adult ;) would have somehow diluted the feeling, but as we walked out on to Main Street, there is no question that I was feeling it... I was drinking in every sight, sound, and smell and loving every second. Everything felt uniquely familiar, but finally sharing it with my wife made it feel about 10 times more special.

As we walked up the steps of the train station to get our first look at the castle, I got the most intense goosebumps I've ever felt that didn't involve sub-zero temperatures. Goose bumps were going to be a common thing for me over the next few hours...

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/P9051796_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

Lease convinced me to buy into the idea of calling this our belated Disneymoon, so we headed to guest relations to pick up our buttons. This ended up being a lot of fun, I only wish that the buttons said something besides "Just Married". Oh well, we played along!

On the way to guest relations, Lease jumped rope with some CMs. She didn't get many jumps in a row, but it sure was fun to watch!...

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/P9051798_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

After guest relations, up Main Street we went!

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/P9051801_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

Then the obligatory castle pics...

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/P9051803_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/P9051804_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/P9051802_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

I call this one "Everyone else is doing it, so why can't I?"...

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/P9051806_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

My family's tradition when I came as a kid was to start with Pecos Bill Cafe and then Splash Mountain as our first ride, and thus our plan was the same, so we headed for Frontierland. When we arrived, we ordered on the handy self service kiosk and were soon enjoying our first free dining foodfest - chicken wraps with apple slices on the side and peanut butter brownies for dessert (yep, we ordered the same thing).

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/P9051810_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

We decided not to do food porn photos on counter service meals, but the peanut butter brownie was so delicious (or we were just so hungry) that I had to capture Lease's food review...

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/P9051812_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

On to Splash Mountain!

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/WDWPictures015_800.jpg

We were planning on waiting for it no matter how long the line. I knew crowds were going to be low, but I didn't expect this...

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/P9051813_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

In addition, 5 minutes is Disney for 0 minutes.. at 5:30 in the afternoon, we walked directly on.. yay! Having only ever come in the middle of June, this was a completely new experience.

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/P9051814_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/P9051826_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

Splash is one of my favorite rides ever, so for my first ride I left the camera in the bag so I could just completely soak it in, but I did get some good on-ride pictures the next day so stay tuned...

Oh, and the ride was just as great as I remember! We made our first pressed penny on the way out, then headed over to Big Thunder. The wait sign said 20 minutes, we waited less than 10...

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/P9051828_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

We decided we had ridden 2 of the 3 mountains, why not just make it 3 for 3 to start out? So we headed for Tomorrowland...

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/b4f82823.jpg

Next up... a few more rides, then Spectro and Wishes to finish day 1!

Go to Day 1 Part 3 - More MK (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=21106586&postcount=165)

[SwansLoveDisney]

Your photos are AMAZING!

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Wow you guys sure got lucky with such short waits. Only 5 minutes for Splash at 5:30!:eek:

Love the photos Code, keep em coming!:thumbsup2

[Code]

ok first you have me wanting the Evolt 510. I have the 500 and want to upgrade so badly.
2nd, great report. just read it all and it is really a lot of fun. The pics from arrival are great.
looking forward to more.

I didn't really start researching DSLRs until I was ready to buy one so the 510 is my first experience with Olympus, but I have absolutely loved it. But I've seen some of your 500 shots too and they are great.. it's not ALL about the camera now is it? (coming from me, this question is hilarious.. i know it is true but always have to have the latest :))

Great start!! Great pictures, too. :thumbsup2 I absolutely LOVE the DOF!! I seriously miss that and need to look into getting another lens soon.

Getting the fast prime lens was a GREAT thing, I used it as much as both other lenses combined, I think.

Bahahahaah! How about the old Granny singing "watch out you dirtbags eat my dust!" in Open Road. I love that part. It's a popular movie on the campus where I work, I'm pretty sure it's played every day in any given residence hall.

Whenever I think of that song, it's always.. "the old man drives like such a klutz that I'm about to hurl my guts directly upon the open road!" :laughing:

Code, can I ask you how or where did you get that arieal (sp?) of the POFQ? That was pretty neat.

Got it right here (http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=nqx29n864sdk&style=o&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=3949875&encType=1) :)

To everyone else that commented, thanks for following along. I'm really sorry it's going so slowly, I'll try very hard to get a few updates done this week but with the high level of pain and suffering coming up in this work week, I can't promise :(

Also, thanks for the compliments on the Picture of the Day (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=836587) pics. :)

[mvazul]

Great post and awesome pictures!! I love the last one. :thumbsup2

I look forward to reading more.

[TKDisneylover]

What a great start to your first day. I think I just may take on your start out plan with the same restaurant and Splash Mountain. I knew I wanted to head that direction, now I'm positive.

And of course the photos are excellent! I love, love, love the shot of Main St. USA & the Castle from the railroad station!

Looking forward to the continuation of Day 1.

[scottny]

Great update. I love MK. Lucky you had such short wait times.

This Saturday coming up I am getting the 510. I like the stabilization mode and live view. You are right it is the person more than the camera and there is nothing wrong with my 500 I just like to have newer things.

I think I am also getting the Ipod touch cause it is the newer model. :confused3 I think it is an illness.
newidus. anything new I have to have. :rotfl:

Thanks for sharing your trip I am really enjoying it.

[pierresgirl]

Code- your pictures are breathtaking! Love it!

[Beka]

Great pics so far! Love this TR! One of the few I can wait for!

[pl'smama]

Great photos Code and thanks for the link of the ariel photo of POFQ.

Will you be providing us with your opinions of your stay at POFQ?

Suz

[DisneyMomFanatic]

Those are some simply spectacular pictures you have. I can not wait to read and see more of them. Love that you did the 3 mountains the 1st day. Waiting on more popcorn::

[DancinDaisyDuck]

Anytime I need a picture fix I come to your TR. Love it!!!!

[Code]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif Day 1 Part 3 - More MK http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

A quick update on my lunch break since this one is mostly pictures and I had them ready last night :)

Along the way from Frontierland to Tomorrowland...

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051830_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/70e8b5fe.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051832_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051833_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051834_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

We arrived at Space Mountain only to find it temporarily closed (didn't get to ride all 3 mountains to start out after all.. oh well!) so we headed for TTA, did our first pin trade with the CM there, then went for a ride around Tomorrowland. Lease had never ridden TTA before, she really enjoyed it and thought it was pretty funny that I could recite along with certain parts of the recording.

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/63036f29.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051843_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

We noticed as we were riding TTA that Space Mountain had reopened, but we didn't have time to wait in the line and still make it to Spectro, so we headed back toward Frontierland to get a spot. We walked through Fantasyland to get to Frontierland, and when we walked by the Pooh ride and saw a zero minute wait, we couldn't resist!

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051846_sRGB_LR_NN-2_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051847_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051848_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

Blurry, but Lease's favorite Pooh character so I had to include it...

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051849_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051850_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051851_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051852_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051854_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

Also blurry, but my favorite Pooh character...

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051855_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051856_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

We continued to Frontierland, I took one of my favorite shots of the trip along the way...

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051858_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

We got a spot for Spectro across from Pecos Bill Cafe, and Lease held it while I went off to grab a few pics with the Gorillapod...

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051862_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051866_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051864_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

Then I came back and we took an XShot pic while we waited...

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/WDWPictures021_800.jpg

Next up.. SpectroMagic! (promise this time)

Go to Picture of the Day (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=21126305&postcount=173)

[mt mommy]

Love all of those fantabulous pictures!!! Excited to hear more!!!:)

[mvazul]

I seriously need to get a GorillaPod for my DSLR. I hate carrying my tripod with me. But I don't like my night shots without it. :rolleyes: Seems like the GorillaPod would be a happy medium.

Again, awesome pictures!! :thumbsup2

[Hedy]

Love the evening/gorillapod shots.

[Abby's Dad]

Love the castle pics, as well as the boat pics - sure is great detail in the castle, and a wonderful color range!

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

I love your pictures Code. I wish that I had even a smidgen of your skill.

[abbybeth]

your pics make me all warm & fuzzy inside! and it's decided, my camera wants a new friend ... a gorrillapod (especially since now the little ones come in BLUE!) I can't wait to see your spectro pics....

[kindakrazy2]

Hey! I found you guys!

I was gone when you came back adn then I couldn't find your report!

Ah, I can sleep well tonight knowing that Code and Lease have been found!

Okay, can I say that your photos are absolutly amazing. Seriously. I look at mine and some aren't bad but wowzers yours are stunning. Next time we go you have to come and be our personal photographer!

[Code]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif Picture of the Day http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

I've been contributing to the Disney Picture of the Day (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=836587) thread since we got back... I thought I would put all the pics here that I have shared over there since they are already ready to go.

A few you have seen already, the rest are teasers!

Enjoy!

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/potd/P9051858_sRGB_LR_NN.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/potd/P9133176_LR_NN.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/potd/P9051862_sRGB_LR_NN.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/potd/P9123051_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/potd/4d1e1535.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/potd/076379c5.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/potd/1f74a6fa.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/potd/P9072242_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/potd/4ae3953d.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/potd/a60dc4ef.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/potd/45f81b7f.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/potd/P9051852_sRGB_LR_NN.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/potd/88cc1b81.jpg

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/potd/fd87cb45.jpg

Go to SpectroMagic (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=21141248&postcount=184)

[Hedy]

Love the bride picture!

[scottny]

OMG.

Those pics are beautiful. I cannot wait to go i hope I get my pics half as nice as yours.

[PrincessTiff]

Love the trip report and the picture quality is amazing!:thumbsup2

[KimAshton]

OMG these pictures are amazing. what camera do you use?? I am so getting me a gorillapod. I should get that soon.

[travelmel]

Wow, your pics are almost so good I don't want to look! We have HD TV and I my husband says we don't have to travel since the picture is so clear and that's how yours are! Don't care... I'm loving your pictures and can't wait for more. :cloud9:

[roxannensteve]

You are such a great photographer!!!

[LMO429]

WOW!!! incredible Trip Report!!!! you put alot of work into it and its awesome!!! looking forward to reading more

[Nicole786]

Great so far, can't wait to see your spectro pictures!!

[pierresgirl]

Code- the waterfall pic is just stunning! The castle too! I wish I took more pics but my camera kept spazzing out on me. I saw Lease had one of those peanut butter brownies, how good were they??!! Loved 'em!

[Tink-ing]

I can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip! Your report is excellent so far.

Your pre-trip was also great! Love your furry little kids. They sound a lot like ours. Only our Dory isn't quite as big as your Leo. He's got about 5 pounds on her.

And I loveLoveLOVE the picture of the cameras on the gorillapods! Who knew two inanimate objects could be so, well, animated. :thumbsup2

Two more things before I actually get back to work ( :guilty: ):

Code - you are a truly wonderful photographer. I have hundreds of pics from all of my trips to the World and going through them and now, seeing yours, it's a fun trip down memory lane. I'd love to get a DSLR and learn a whole lot more about photography. Right now, I'm completely camara-less (stolen out of my car during an oil change :sad2: ) and it's driving me crazy. I actually wandered over to this report after enjoying all of your pics on the 'Pic of the Day' board.

Lease - Congrats on the weight loss. I'm trudging along on that journey myself. And I have to say you look so much like a friend of mine who I haven't see in, easily, 10 years. I smile every time I see your picture.

Can't wait for more, but don't rush. I know how work can be. In my opinion we spend far too much time at work and too little time in the World, but somehow, I don't know that my boss would agree!

popcorn::

[Code]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif SpectroMagic http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

I really loved Spectro as a kid, and up until I rode Soarin', it was my favorite music from the parks. Lease had never seen it before, she really liked it!

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051871_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051873_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051875_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051877_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051879_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051880_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051881_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051883_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

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http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051888_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051889_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

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http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051892_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051893_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

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http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051903_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051904_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051906_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051908_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051910_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051913_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

Go to Wishes (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=21385652&postcount=206)

[Credit Man]

Wonderful pictures!

[Abby's Dad]

Great job with Spectro, Cody! You not only know how to use your camera very well, but you also have a good eye. Nicely done.

[Hedy]

Love the Spectro pictures.

[mvazul]

I have seen Spectro once and I really didn't care for it. To me, it looks (and sounds) like someone was on acid when they created it!! :confused3 But, I know so many people do like it. It's nice that Disney has so many different show choices. :thumbsup2

But, even though I don't like that parade - AWESOME pictures!! ::yes::

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Great Spectro pictures:thumbsup2

[abbybeth]

EEEEEEEE!!!!! [that's my excited noise!] They're wonderful - you even made the weirdo clowns look great .... and it looks like you guys had a great viewing point. I'm not even gonna finish my TR, I'll just send everyone over here to see your pics ....:lmao:

[Lease]

pierresgirl - The brownie was very tasty!!

Tink-ing - Thank you

Abbybeth - Finish your TR it's lots of fun, and you have some great pictures.

Spectro was really cool even though it has creepy clowns, clowns are by default pretty darn evil. One thing Code didn't mention was the couple next to us watching the parade. The woman was taking pictures (like everyone else) and kept checking the screen on our camera to see what we were getting. All we heard from her was "*whine* Why can't we get a camera like theirs?" :rotfl: I should have told her that turning off the flash would really help improve her pictures.

Up next Wishes and signs that should be posted on railings...

Last thing :bday: Code

[abbybeth]

Spectro was really cool even though it has creepy clowns, clowns are by default pretty darn evil. AGREED!

Up next Wishes and signs that should be posted on railings...

Last thing :bday: Code


ooh we missed something, huh?


HAPPY BIRTHDAY CODE! :bday:

[Robert TG]

Wow! What a show.

Thanks for the photo's as I have never seen this show live and this is the closest I've come to seeing it. Thank you for my 5 minute escape to disneyland holiday SpectroMagic show.

[KimAshton]

pierresgirl Why can't we get a camera like theirs?" :rotfl: I should have told her that turning off the flash would really help improve her pictures.

Up next Wishes and signs that should be posted on railings...



Remind me this when I go on my trip in November to turn it off during spectromagic.

[eeyoresnr]

just found this thread:thumbsup2

[disneyfanforlife]

Got me hooted. keep it comming.

[Code]

Sorry everyone, I haven't forgotten about our TR :sad2: The last day 1 pictures and most of day 2 are ready to go, and we some fun news to reveal at the end of day 1. I'll get the end of day 1 up ASAP (tonight hopefully).

[scottny]

Looking forward to seeing and reading it. I got the Evolt 510 on Saturday and have been practicing. I think it is a big improvement from the 500.

[donaldduck1967]

I just found your trip report, I.m hooked.

[pl'smama]

Can't wait to hear your news!!

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

I can't wait to hear your exciting news!

[Lease]

While Code is working on the end of day 1 I wanted to interrupt the TR with something Code bought on our last day of the trip and something he surprised me with after we had been home for a while.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/f2ca0c31.jpg

As a bit of a bookworm myself I love Belle, especially Belle in the blue dress. We spent a lot of time looking at lanyards and in the shops for a Belle not in the yellow princess dress. We looked everywhere and were not able to find one. While waiting in line to buy something for our last day Code took the search to the internet (via his cell phone) and found the pin on the left on ebay and placed a bid. It came a couple days after we got home. Then a week later he surprised me with the other Belle pin. I am so spoiled!

Oh and this isn't the news Code mentioned :)

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

While Code is working on the end of day 1 I wanted to interrupt the TR with something Code bought on our last day of the trip and something he surprised me with after we had been home for a while.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/f2ca0c31.jpg

As a bit of a bookworm myself I love Belle, especially Belle in the blue dress. We spent a lot of time looking at lanyards and in the shops for a Belle not in the yellow princess dress. We looked everywhere and were not able to find one. While waiting in line to buy something for our last day Code took the search to the internet (via his cell phone) and found the pin on the left on ebay and placed a bid. It came a couple days after we got home. Then a week later he surprised me with the other Belle pin. I am so spoiled!

Oh and this isn't the news Code mentioned :)

What a sweet hubby!:love:

[EasyGoing*]

Love this report brings back so many memories. Thanks for sharing yours:cloud9:

[pl'smama]

While Code is working on the end of day 1 I wanted to interrupt the TR with something Code bought on our last day of the trip and something he surprised me with after we had been home for a while.
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/f2ca0c31.jpg

As a bit of a bookworm myself I love Belle, especially Belle in the blue dress. We spent a lot of time looking at lanyards and in the shops for a Belle not in the yellow princess dress. We looked everywhere and were not able to find one. While waiting in line to buy something for our last day Code took the search to the internet (via his cell phone) and found the pin on the left on ebay and placed a bid. It came a couple days after we got home. Then a week later he surprised me with the other Belle pin. I am so spoiled!

Oh and this isn't the news Code mentioned :)



Okay Lease, that is just too sweet. You guys are so cute together.

Suz

[Code]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif Wishes http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

After Spectro, we literally ran through Liberty Square towards the hub in hopes that a good railing or garbage can spot would be open to set up the Gorillapod for pictures of Wishes. Unfortunately despite being a very low crowd day, the hub was already packed. Oh well, the downside of watching Spectro in Frontierland, I suppose. We looked around for a bit before I spotted one of the big spherical cement railing toppers on one corner of the bridge from Main Street to the hub. I asked the people standing next to it if it would be ok to set my camera on top of it and stand on the other side of the railing so as not to bother them. They agreed, and I stepped over the railing.

Now, in the instant that I came up with this bright idea, I was assuming that the ground on the other side of the railing was even with the sidewalk.. the bushes certainly made it look that way. When I stepped over the railing, though, I learned this was not the case as I stepped down about 3 feet farther than I expected to, almost falling completely backwards which I'm sure would have ended with me in the water under the bridge. Luckily I regained my balance, stepped back up on to the railing, and we watched the show.

Disclaimer on these pictures.. in all the confusion with almost going for a swim and the awkward angle at which I had to operate my camera, I forgot to change the ISO from the 1600 I had it set for Spectro. Also most shots were very crooked, and not zoomed in far enough so I had to crop heavily. These shots were the few I (just barely) salvaged from deletion. Oh well, at least there is a funny story to go along with them ;) Lesson learned for next time: arrive earlier!

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051916_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051917_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

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http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051937_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

Wishes for the first time was spectacular, by the way! Very well choreographed, awesome theme, great music, love the castle lighting, and it even tugs at your emotions (Quote from Lease: "all kinds of chills and warm fuzzies" :goodvibes)

After the show, we wandered around the hub for a bit...

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051940_sRGB_LR_NN_lzn_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051948_sRGB_LR_NN_lzn_800.jpg

...then wandered through some Main Street shops on the way out of the park...

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051950_sRGB_LR_NN_lzn_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051955_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9051956_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

On the bus ride back to the hotel we met a nice older couple who were spending the ride talking to two kids (brother and sister) about their favorite Disney characters. The man then offered both of them pins of those characters from his lanyard (he was obviously a seasoned pin trader)... it’s little things like this that remind you that the Disney magic is real.

We got back to the hotel too full of Magic Kingdom induced joy to sleep so we went for a short swim. We made it back to the room around midnight and it finally caught up to us that we had been awake for 21 hours on 3 hours of sleep. We crashed hard and slept deep. What a great day 1!

Next up.. some important news! (I'll post it tonight before bed so I'm not dragging this on too long)

Go to Didn't Get Enough (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=21387301&postcount=212)

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

I think it is funny that your barely acceptable pictures are what most of us would consider our really GOOD pictures.:rolleyes: :lmao:

[Hedy]

I think it is funny that your barely acceptable pictures are what most of us would consider our really GOOD pictures.:rolleyes: :lmao:

I'm with her. :)

[Lease]

These shots were the few I (just barely) salvaged from deletion. Oh well, at least there is a funny story to go along with them ;) Lesson learned for next time: arrive earlier!


Also learned: Railings are in place for a reason! All I saw was Code go over the railing and he just kept dropping.

I think it is funny that your barely acceptable pictures are what most of us would consider our really GOOD pictures.:rolleyes: :lmao:

And he wonders why I often hand him the camera instead of taking pictures, I just don't have the same talent :)

[scottny]

i think the pics look great. :scared1: how u did drop down.

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Lease, I have the same approach to picture taking that you do. Of course I love it when a picture turns out really well but I am happy if it is simply okay but still captures the magic of the moment.

Of course I would love it if I had Code's talent so that I could have beautiful pictures and capture the moment all in the same picture.:goodvibes

[Code]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif Didn't Get Enough... http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

About halfway through our trip, I realized that I didn't want this visit to be our last one for quite a while as was the plan, so I went to work on Lease, jokingly at first but increasingly more serious. By day 6 or 7, she started to come around, and as we got near the end of the trip, we were both about 95% sure we were going to return soon. In the week following our return home, we solidified the last 5%, then figured out when we are going back, and it's sooner rather than later! We got spoiled by the low crowds in September but we don't want to wait a full year, so I looked at the Unofficial Guide crowd calendar for minimum possible crowds and came up with 3 options: early December, late January, or mid-May. December is too soon, and May isn't quite as low crowds, so......

This trip report is now also a pre-trip for January 24 to February 1, staying at Pop Century! :yay:

I never thought we'd be going back so soon, but we just didn't get our fill, and this one really will be our last trip for quite a while ;) We think a winter trip will be an interesting and fun change of pace as neither of us have been there outside of summer, and to be honest we're looking forward to visiting without the dining plan. Splash Mtn will be closed, which is a downer, but the two big attractions we missed this time (Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and Spaceship Earth) will be open!

Back to our regularly scheduled trip report.. next up, day 2!

Go to Day Two--Pirates, Turtles and Food (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=21461497&postcount=223)

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Wow, you are lucky to be going back so soon!

[Rootskate]

That is so cool that you guys are going back!! Great pictures, too! :thumbsup2

[TKDisneylover]

Another great installment Code & Lease. The pictures are beautiful as usual, I could feel the chills from the photo with the fireworks going straight up in the air and the crowd glowing from the light. Awesome!:thumbsup2

Congrats on planning another return trip! Looking forward to your next installment!

[pl'smama]

Congrats guys on your impending return to the world!! That will be awesome. DH and I thought kind of the same thing after our first trip as a family with our DD, then 3.5. We went in Dec '06, which was a fantastic time to go! Now we head back to Run Amuck in Jan '08!! We will miss you by four days!

Tell me, anything you will do differently the next time around?

Suz

[roxannensteve]

That picture with Lease & the background blurred out is very nice - how do you do that

[abbybeth]

great pics :) as per the usual .... glad to hear the official announcement (even though I can officially say that I knew before! yay, I feel special!)

but I defnitely will be getting a gorrillapod!

[Hedy]

great pics :) as per the usual .... glad to hear the official announcement (even though I can officially say that I knew before! yay, I feel special!)

but I defnitely will be getting a gorrillapod!

Have a great trip C&L!

[Lei]

Your pictures--especially the castle ones, with or without Wishes!---are just.....

Okay, I'm lost for words.

[Lease]

Your pictures--especially the castle ones, with or without Wishes!---are just.....

Okay, I'm lost for words.

Can I take full credit for taking the pictures because I said "yes" to buying the camera? I'm kidding of course, Code does a great job :)

great pics :) as per the usual .... glad to hear the official announcement (even though I can officially say that I knew before! yay, I feel special!)

but I defnitely will be getting a gorrillapod!

Well you certainly are special :) You'll love the gorrillapod, it's had more use than I ever thought it would.

Congrats guys on your impending return to the world!! That will be awesome. DH and I thought kind of the same thing after our first trip as a family with our DD, then 3.5. We went in Dec '06, which was a fantastic time to go! Now we head back to Run Amuck in Jan '08!! We will miss you by four days!

Tell me, anything you will do differently the next time around?

Suz

Sorry we'll just miss you :( What we'll be doing differently...hmm well a couple rides were down so we are both looking forward to our first ride on Rock N Roller Coaster and a few others we some how missed. I'm looking forward to wandering around Tom Sawyer's Island. This next trip we are not going to do the water parks so we'll have more time to roam the parks re-ride the things we really like and we will be attending the Pirate and Princess party one night while we are there. Off property we'll be going to Bahama Breeze for dinner one night and one thing I'm really excited about is another day at Discovery Cove, I did the dolphin swim this trip(Day 6). Next time I'm going to do the Trainer for a Day which is more time spent in the water with the dolphins.

[Code]

I am hopelessly behind on my replies.. you might have forgotten you made some of these comments ;) but I'm going to reply anyway.

First, a mass THANK YOU so much for all the photo compliments :goodvibes

I saw Lease had one of those peanut butter brownies, how good were they??!! Loved 'em!

Yummmmmmmm

I'd love to get a DSLR and learn a whole lot more about photography. Right now, I'm completely camara-less (stolen out of my car during an oil change :sad2: )

Ouch on the stolen camera :headache: A good excuse to get the DSLR maybe? :) I really enjoy photography and I wanted one for a long time, it has been a lot of fun.

Looking forward to seeing and reading it. I got the Evolt 510 on Saturday and have been practicing. I think it is a big improvement from the 500.

Still liking the 510? I saw the NY shot you put on the photo board, really cool.

Tell me, anything you will do differently the next time around?

Good question.. the biggest difference to me will be the lack of dining plan, and I'm looking forward to that. It was a great experience to do once, but we think it just ate up too much time.

That picture with Lease & the background blurred out is very nice - how do you do that

You blur the background by using a large aperture. My 30mm lens can open to f/1.4 (small number = large aperture), giving a very shallow depth of field, thus a very blurry background (the blur is called bokeh).

[Lease]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet_lease.gif Day Two--Pirates, Turtles and Food http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet_lease.gif

I'm getting anxious to finish the trip report, since we need to finish the report before starting another pretrip, right? I typed up my notes from the trip when we got back and Code has been using them to put in the installments. Usually edited as I tend to be longwinded and they end up being grammatically correct. However due to my lack of patience I'm going to continue on with the posting and Code will follow with pictures either inserting them in or adding them after my post. So here comes day two:

After a very long first day we were counting on Disney magic :wizard: and Dr. Pepper to get us going for morning EMH at Magic Kingdom. No worries on a lack of energy, something about Disney just made us giddy and full of energy. As soon as we entered the park we rushed to Space Mountain. I’d forgotten how much fun this ride was and can’t believe I got my grandma to go on it when she was 75. After Space we walked onto Buzz twice, each winning one round. We stopped at twice because it's nice to end with a tie. What a fun ride! It does make me wonder just how cool Toy Story will be when it's completed. We then went on Peter Pan, this ride I remember from Disneyland when I was 4 because it scared me to death. I have no idea why it scared me so much, but it was pretty cool this time around. Cody laughs at my fear of Peter Pan as a kid, but he had a meltdown at Disneyland on the Storybook Canal boats. According to his mom he really really didn’t want to go into the whale’s mouth. We were young and who knows what either of us thought was going to happen.

We then walked over to Mickey’s Philharmagic and both loved it. The jewels that Ariel throws were really cool and the smell of fresh baked pie during the Be Our Guest part was awesome. Continuing down the row, we took Snow White next. Here is the first indoor ride that we really wish people would not use the flash on their cameras. The people in front of us made it seem like we were riding behind a strobe light. :sad2:

Next I convinced Code to go to Toontown for some character pictures, he still wasn’t really sold on the whole character thing, but it was only day two. Minnie’s house was up first. The house was cute and we enjoyed the interactive kitchen especially the cake in the oven. Sadly Minnie wasn’t that great, I was expecting her to be energetic and well she just kind of stood there for the pictures.

Then we went to see Mickey, just like the Minnie’s house we appreciated the attention to detail. Code notice the oven with it’s fun heat settings. In the short line to meet Mickey we had our first Dis-meet with Mickeymouse2003, a couple of big Disney cruisers proudly sporting lime green shirts. Mickey was great, he saw our buttons and made a big deal about them.

After Mickey we decided to pass on Barnstormer and take the train to Frontier land. As it is Code's favorite we went to Splash Mountain enjoying the lack of wait to get on. We were in the front row this time and got soaked! It seems we made a wonderful water shield for the kids behind us. We went on pirates next, it was cool to see the changes and spotting Captain Jack.

On the way out in the pirating spirit we got in line to meet Captain Hook and Smead, the line was pretty long and soon after we really settled in for a wait they went on break so we gave up and headed down the street and saw a pirate pulling a cart yelling “Watch out, little man with a big cart” we watched him set up and found out his name was Mack and Captain Jack Sparrow would soon be joining us. It was great timing on our part. Mack was really funny and Sparrow looked so much like Johnny Depp it was amazing. I got picked to be an apprentice pirate scroll and everything (yay free souvenir).

The heat and sun started getting to us so we bought our first souvenir, I forgot to throw the sunblock in my bag that morning. So we spent $11 on sunblock (painful I know..but a burn is worse), they definitely know they have a captive audience. It was getting very hot so we decided get our first Dole Whips. We both got Pineapple Floats and they were amazing! After finishing our floats we did a quick walk through Swiss Family Robinson treehouse.

After seeing the wait for the Jungle Cruise was 40 minutes we decided to go to the Tiki Room: under new management. Ugh…we should have just waited for Jungle Cruise. I never saw the original Tiki Room but it had to be much better than the new one. I think the word travesty was used.

We then got in a short line to meet Genie. He was a lot of fun. By then it was around 2 in the afternoon and time for our midday break. We used Disney transportation that day, so we headed to the bus lines there were two people with ECVs waiting for the bus. They had to be loaded first and it took over 20 minutes, they were not able to drive them on correctly. Lucky for us another passenger was able to drive them in by standing in front and steering.

At the hotel we both crashed for about an hour long nap before hopping over to Epcot. We stopped at the concierge to change an ADR for Kona Café so we could make the Wishes cruise with Abbybeth and the ‘rents.
We drove to Epcot and went straight for The Land, had a late lunch at Seasons both having turkey sandwiches. I got the strawberry shortcake for dessert and Code had the cheesecake.

Soarin’ was our first ride. We were top row on the left side, it was amazing! We then headed over to Living with the land which is always cool. Next up was Figment and it was…interesting. We then went to meet Figment in what had to be the loneliest character spot in the park. We snapped some quick pictures and headed on our way.

Next was the Living Seas/ Nemo the ride was cute, I loved the clamshells. We then decided to wait for Turtle Talk with Crush. We read all the displays and watched the jellyfish for a bit. We enjoyed Turtle Talk, it was pretty funny thanks to audience interaction. During the time kids could ask questions one kid asked a question and his parents were pointed out in the audience, then his brother raised his hand. Instead of a question he said “I hate bubbles” his big brother was kind enough to explain he doesn’t like bubbles because they smell bad when the get to the surface.:rotfl2: There was no need to explain what he meant and we all had a good laugh I’m sure the parents were proud of their not so shy little boy :) .

We wandered through the aquarium watching the dolphins and turtles and spotted our first dream team member. We traded a pin with her, it was her “mystery pin” turned backwards so we had to trade sight unseen. We traded an aesthetically challenged pin for an equally unattractive pin, but hey it was worth trying to strike up a conversation. I'm not above seeking out dream teamers in hopes of scoring dream ears.

Next up was Mission Space – Orange Team. I can say I rode it and I’ll never do it again. It took me almost 2 hours to feel okay again (I'm such a lightweight). I was pretty worried since it was our night to eat at California Grill. I didn’t start feeling normal again until we sat down for dinner. We had stayed as long as we dared to while leaving enough time to shower and change for dinner. On the way from Epcot we somehow missed a turn or a sign or something and ended up at Coronado Springs.:confused3 This was our first Coronado Springs sighting in what became a running joke for the trip.

We made it back to the hotel after some creative driving and had just enough time to get ready for dinner and head over to the Contemporary arriving exactly on time for our ADR.

California Grill was excellent. :thumbsup2 Our server was Joy and she was wonderful. We both got a flatbread appetizer I got the roasted chicken and Cody ordered the triple cheese. For the main course I had the oak fired fillet of beef and Cody had the grilled pork tenderloin. Both were amazing. I never get steak, but boy was I glad I took Joy’s recommendation on it. About 5 minutes into our food we headed to the observation deck to watch Wishes. It was really neat to see again, I still giggle at the exploding blue fairies (I understand they fireworks are not meant to be the blue fairy exploding, but really it's a blue fairy shaped explosion..hence the exploding blue fairies). When we returned to our table we found our meals had been covered which was completely unexpected and very nice. For dessert I had the “Year of a Million Dreams Cake” it was yummy. Cody had the Banana and Butterscotch “Buzz” it was better! The best custard we’ve ever had.

Our ADR was pretty late so we milled around the Contemporary gift shop for a while then headed back to the hotel, where we happily fell into a deep and restful night of sleep.

Go to Day 2 Photos, Part 1 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=21461623&postcount=224)

[Code]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif Day 2 Photos, Part 1 - Magic Kingdom http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

I'm really glad Lease took it on herself to get day 2 written. Here are the photos, with my comments!

First up, a mini-rant related to the first photo... The Year of a Million Dreams decorations, almost without exception, were in dire need of replacement. It seemed like they were all faded, worn, and even torn in some cases. They are set up in great photo spots, but they weren't very picturesque.

Anyway, starting in MK...

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9061961_sRGB_LR_NN_lzn_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9061962_sRGB_LR_NN_lzn_800.jpg

We first headed to Tomorrowland for Space Mountain (just as great as I remember, and when I heard the queue line music it was like a childhood flashback) then Space Ranger Spin x2 (really enjoyed this one, a new favorite)...

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9061963_sRGB_LR_NN_lzn_800.jpg

I have to admit that I stole this idea for ride photos from someone else's trip report, but I can't for the life of me remember who. Lease didn't play along this time, so I look a bit ridiculous...

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9061964_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9061966_sRGB_LR_NN_lzn_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9061967_sRGB_LR_NN_lzn_800.jpg

Then to Fantasyland for Peter Pan, yep it was a low crowd day :goodvibes

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9061970_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

Small World after that, definitely worth 1 ride per trip...

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9061971_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9061972_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9061975_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9061978_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9061980_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9061981_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9061982_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9061983_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9061984_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9061986_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

Then PhilharMagic, another new favorite!

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9061988_sRGB_LR_NN_lzn_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/DSCF0182_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9061989_sRGB_LR_NN_lzn_800.jpg

This one almost belongs in the empty parks thread.. Fantasyland at noon...

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9061991_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

Go to Day 2 Photos, Part 2 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=21467047&postcount=227)

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Thanks for the update Lease and Code.

California Grill sounds lovely.

[Tink-ing]

Ouch on the stolen camera :headache: A good excuse to get the DSLR maybe? :) I really enjoy photography and I wanted one for a long time, it has been a lot of fun.

Not just yet. I want to be able to devote a lot of time to learning how to use it, take a class, etc. and unfortunately time is not something I have a lot of right now.

But, for my birthday, my boyfriend replaced the stolen camera. :goodvibes I got a Nikon Coolpix 200, so I'm camera-less no more!

Great update, Lease and Code!

[Code]

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif Day 2 Photos, Part 2 http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/trip%20report/pretr_bullet.gif

A quick reminder that the day 2 story is in Lease's post back on page 15.. I'm just the photo guy for day 2, so my comments are brief :)

Picking up where I left off.. after Philharmagic, we headed to Toontown..

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9061992_sRGB_LR_NN_lzn_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9061993_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9061994_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9061995_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/25dd4eb2.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9061999_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

Then we hopped on the train and rode around to Frontierland.

Taken on the train... NO DANCING!
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9062000_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

Our second Splash Mountain ride, this time I took the camera out..

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9062002_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9062004_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9062005_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9062007_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9062008_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/d5dc74d4.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9062012_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9062014_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/7211e7ad.jpg

This time Lease played along on the ride photo...

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/P9062018_sRGB_LR_NN_800.jpg

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc215/xavarri2/DSCF0183_800.jpg

Go to Day 2 Photos, Part 3 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=23702678&postcount=318)

[Abby's Dad]

Another great update C&L - makes me feel like I'm back there (which would certainly be better than what I am doing:laundy: ). And Lease, I agree with you on the oak filet at CG - I was prepared for just another filet, and I was very pleasantly surprised, definitely delicious!

Cody, you've got great color saturation in your pictures - is that a function of post-processing, good glass, a polarizer, or what. Nice!

[kindakrazy2]

Great job you guys! Your photos are amazing! I have some serious editing to do on mine and I have no time so I am just posting them as they came off the camera. Sad but true. Oh well.

Waiting for the next update! popcorn::

[scottny]

the photos look great as usual.

[EasyGoing*]

Code I would like to ask if the Sigma 30mm lens is worth the price and did it do the job you needed it for with the lowlight.Reading your trip report I have made up my mind to buy the 510 with the two lens.The pics where GREAT. They helped me to decide about the camera.So I would like to know if that 30mm helped with the lowlight because I will buy that one as well.You have been a big help for me to make my mind up on what camera to buy.


THANKS:cloud9:

[abbybeth]

ALL ROADS LEAD TO CORONADO SPRINGS!:lmao:

And Code, I'm a little disappointed that you didn't take pictures of the weirdo penguins on IASW. Guess it's a good thing I did!

Cali Grill - total agreement on the review, I had the oak filet for my main course as well and it was wonderful (though I really could have been happily full off of my appetizer, but still!)


yay pictures :) :thumbsup2 :)

[Lease]

Day three is in the works, due to my car becoming the center of a three car freeway sammich (no injuries except my poor car :sad1: ) and the holiday it's been a busy week. For those of you that have stuck with us, thank you...more is on the way :)

[Hedy]

Day three is in the works, due to my car becoming the center of a three car freeway sammich (no injuries except my poor car :sad1: ) and the holiday it's been a busy week. For those of you that have stuck with us, thank you...more is on the way :)

:( :grouphug: :grouphug:

[Code]

Day 3?!?! I still need to finish the day 2 pics :scared:

[scottny]

i am still here. sorry about the car but glad no one was hurt.

[Lease]

Day 3?!?! I still need to finish the day 2 pics :scared:

*cracks whip* Consider this fair warning Mwhahaha :duck:

[Lease]

The damages:

The back end
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/misc/18d78f88.jpg

The Front end
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z112/xavarri/misc/d77ffc00.jpg

These were the first scratches to my car, estimated damages 5K :scared1: Let it be known that when I do something I really go all out! The best part was the woman who rear ended me arguing with the officer that it wasn't her fault because cars are not supposed to be stopped on the freeway. :confused:

[kindakrazy2]

Oh gosh Lease! :eek:

Sorry about your poor car but I am so thankful that you are okay. :hug:

[scottny]

The best part was the woman who rear ended me arguing with the officer that it wasn't her fault because cars are not supposed to be stopped on the freeway. :confused:

:rotfl2: :lmao:

I hope the cop laughed at her.

that is weakest excuse I have ever heard. she was probably on the phone and not paying attention.

[Code]

Cody, you've got great color saturation in your pictures - is that a function of post-processing, good glass, a polarizer, or what. Nice!

Olympus is known for great colors, but also I love vibrant photos so I definitely boost the vibrance (non-linear saturation increase) in post-processing. The postcard-ish deep blue skies on some of the shots I've posted so far are photoshopped manually.. makes it look sort of like a polarizing filter was used.

Great job you guys! Your photos are amazing! I have some serious editing to do on mine and I have no time so I am just posting them as they came off the camera. Sad but true. Oh well.

I know the feeling.. I'm wayyyyyyyy too much of a perfectionist in my photo processing...

Code I would like to ask if the Sigma 30mm lens is worth the price and did it do the job you needed it for with the lowlight.Reading your trip report I have made up my mind to buy the 510 with the two lens.The pics where GREAT. They helped me to decide about the camera.So I would like to know if that 30mm helped with the lowlight because I will buy that one as well.You have been a big help for me to make my mind up on what camera to buy.

The 510 is a great camera, I'm sure scottny would agree :) The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 worked out really well, I knew I needed some sort of low light lens or I would have been very frustrated. I found myself using at or near max aperture a lot, so I'm glad I went with the f/1.4, just had to learn how to deal with the VERY shallow depth of field.

[scottny]

The 510 is a great camera, I'm sure scottny would agree :) The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 worked out really well, I knew I needed some sort of low light lens or I would have been very frustrated. I found myself using at or near max aperture a lot, so I'm glad I went with the f/1.4, just had to learn how to deal with the VERY shallow depth of field.

love it. I may get that lens before I go. Not sure yet.

[Code]

love it. I may get that lens before I go. Not sure yet.

Do you have any besides the kit lenses yet? I think Lease is going to let me get another lens before our next trip (best wife EVER), trying to decide which one...

[scottny]

Do you have any besides the kit lenses yet? I think Lease is going to let me get another lens before our trip, trying to decide which one...

nope. I have gone back to school and paying for it on credit cards along with my disney trip. they r a little maxed out almost. so I have been taking it easy.
Maybe Christmas I will get it.

[scottny]

Do you have any besides the kit lenses yet? I think Lease is going to let me get another lens before our next trip (best wife EVER), trying to decide which one...

may I ask what rides or where u used the lens?

[Code]

may I ask what rides or where u used the lens?

I used it on general indoor photos a lot because I despise using a flash. It was great for Spectro and Fantasmic. Rides I used it on: Splash Mtn, PotC, Pooh, IaSW, Tiki Room, The Seas, Carousel of Progress, Buzz Lightyear, Haunted Mansion. I also used it for the Beauty and the Beast show, the Nemo show, the Lion King show... probably a few I missed, but basically, it got used everywhere :)

For many of the dark rides (HM, PotC, etc), even 1600 ISO at f/1.4 isn't enough.

If I had the 14-54 f/2.8-3.5 or the 50-200 f/2.8-3.5 I probably wouldn't have used it as much, but it was my only low light lens so it got used a LOT.

[scottny]

I used it on general indoor photos a lot because I despise using a flash. It was great for Spectro and Fantasmic. Rides I used it on: Splash Mtn, PotC, Pooh, IaSW, Tiki Room, The Seas, Carousel of Progress, Buzz Lightyear, Haunted Mansion. I also used it for the Beauty and the Beast show, the Nemo show, the Lion King show... probably a few I missed, but basically, it got used everywhere :)

For many of the dark rides (HM, PotC, etc), even 1600 ISO at f/1.4 isn't enough.

If I had the 14-54 f/2.8-3.5 or the 50-200 f/2.8-3.5 I probably wouldn't have used it as much, but it was my only low light lens so it got used a LOT.

Ok thanks. not sure if I will be taking pics on ride in the dark like POTC. SM is closed when we go. I do still want one. My pics are not half as nice as yours maybe it will help me. :laughing:

[Code]

SM is closed when we go.

So sad :( But I'm not nearly as disappointed about that as Spaceship Earth, its refurb got extended through mid Feburary :sad1: :sad1: :sad1:

At least RnRC will be open (refurb during last trip, never ridden it before).

[scottny]

So sad :( But I'm not nearly as disappointed about that as Spaceship Earth, its refurb got extended through mid Feburary :sad1: :sad1: :sad1:

At least RnRC will be open (refurb during last trip, never ridden it before).

i didn't know spaceship got extended. not fair.

[Rootskate]

Sorry to hear about your accident Lease, glad that you are okay!! :)