Inching My Way Closer to the Castle Final thoughts/future trips 4/2p90 The End 4/4p92

[Native NYer]

I'm so glad you got your AP drama sorted out. I guess we all have to check the expiration date on our passes when we purchase them because of human error.

Your photos are so amazing! What camera do you use? I need to upgrade from a point and shoot digital and there are just too many options!

 

[Nermel9]

Glad you got the AP situation figured out! I love those pics they have up in Guest Services, I LOVE old Hollywood, which is why I love DHS so much, I almost feel like I'm there!

I love all of the pictures you took! Those busts are a little weird, and no, that definitely does not look like Oprah!

That Halloween cup is so cute! I can't wait to be there for Halloween!

You know, we never go to a park on the last day, we always take the first flight home, because I figure if we stay, go to a park, and leave at night it will be too hard, but I'm thinking about doing that for my next trip, why waste a day if you're already there?

 

[jenjolt]

Whew....I'm so glad you were able to get your AP straightened out!! No kidding that would not have been a hassle I would have wanted to deal with later!!! YAY for a CM who could fix it for you!!!

Your pictures are just so fabulous Mary Ellen!! I can't wait until May when I get to see you in action WOOT WOOT!!!!

Sorry about the crowds, DHS has the ability to feel VERY crowded so I can understand that!! Glad you got your thrill ride on!!! Loved the picture!!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Glad you were able to get your AP dates fixed, what a nightmare! I can just see you walking up to the turnstiles in May and being denied entry because your AP was expired So glad it didn't come to that!

I think we've all been in that hot, tired, frustrated, cranky mood at some point or another during a Disney trip

Great pictures once again! Oh, and I agree, Oprah's bust looks nothing like her

I hold on for dear life on ToT too.......

 

[MEK]

My goodness that was a long wait for a bus. Good thing you had so many, er - entertaining, things to photograph. On my last couple of trips there has been, more often than not, a CM at the bus stop at the resort (at least for the prime hours). He/she has been playing games with the kids, trivia with the adults and has a way of contacting "dispatch" to find out when the next bus will be. Hopefully that is a trend. I do think they're trying! I know lots of people like renting a car but I am all about letting Disney do the driving!

I did have some interesting subject matter, didn't I? Thank goodness!

There was no CM at the Contemporary. Maybe they don't post one there because two of the four parks are monorail accessible. I don't know, but I sure think they need one because that was ridiculous.

Holy AP drama. That would have freaked me out!

I was a little freaked out, but soooooooo grateful that I discovered the mistake when I did. It was actually a blessing in disguise because I don't know how I would have fixed it after I left Disney property.

I think your pictures turned out great this day! HS isn't my favorite park either. In fact, I think it may be my least favorite. But you just reminded me that I'm looking forward to seeing the changes to One Man's Dream and I am crossing my fingers and hoping that maybe, just maybe, Star Tours might be doing an unofficial open/previews when we're there!

!

It's really not my fav either, but I hope we all get to spend some time there together in May. I would love a group ToT ride. That would be a riot!

I would love it if Star Tours was doing soft openings. That would be awesome!

I am def looking forward to one man's dream. I love that attraction.

Jen- totally agree. Packing stinks. I do love that owner's locker, though!

I think I might need to get one of those to cut down on my sherpa ways!

I'm so glad you got your AP drama sorted out. I guess we all have to check the expiration date on our passes when we purchase them because of human error.

Thanks. I am so glad it worked out and it definitely taught me a lesson. I will always upgrade outside the park and I will always check dates.

I
Your photos are so amazing! What camera do you use? I need to upgrade from a point and shoot digital and there are just too many options!

Thank you!

I have an entry level Cannon DSLR (Rebel) and Jen has a Cannon point and shoot. I have to agree with what Jen says - its not so much the camera, but knowing how to use it correctly. If you notice, Jen rarely takes a bad shot because she knows how to use all the settings on her camera. That is something I am still mastering and I really learned alot from her.

I picked the Cannon because I had consistently seen great pictures taken with Cannons on the boards. It was really a toos up between the Cannon and the Nikon. If you belong to Costco they often have nice bundled starter and above packages. Also - visit the photography boards. Those guys know A LOT!

 

[MEK]

Glad you got the AP situation figured out! I love those pics they have up in Guest Services, I LOVE old Hollywood, which is why I love DHS so much, I almost feel like I'm there!

It really is a park with some great theming and I think I have missed alot of it. I am looking forward to taking more detail pics in May.

G
I love all of the pictures you took! Those busts are a little weird, and no, that definitely does not look like Oprah!

It totally doesn't look like her. It's like they hired a different artist for that one, because all the others have the correct resemblance.

That Halloween cup is so cute! I can't wait to be there for Halloween!

If they put that design on a mug I would totally buy it. I had a cool one from the Disney store like that, but the painting all wore off in the dishwasher. I finally threw it out.

You know, we never go to a park on the last day, we always take the first flight home, because I figure if we stay, go to a park, and leave at night it will be too hard, but I'm thinking about doing that for my next trip, why waste a day if you're already there?

I say - either go home first thing in the morning or late at night. I know its going to be a late night, but as long as I am mentally prepared I am fine. I love having an almost full last day at Disney.

Whew....I'm so glad you were able to get your AP straightened out!! No kidding that would not have been a hassle I would have wanted to deal with later!!! YAY for a CM who could fix it for you!!!

She totally knew what she was doing. From now on I am going to check everything, because for all I know I may have overpayed for that AP. I remember thinking the price was a little high, but I really didn't pay any attention to it. I definitely will know exactly what to pay next time.

And I will always check the dates because Denny and I still have one more ticket we haven't upgraded yet.

Your pictures are just so fabulous Mary Ellen!! I can't wait until May when I get to see you in action WOOT WOOT!!!!

Thanks Jen. I am really looking forward to taking more pics in May. I really got some good pointers from Jen and I got better with my camera settings from taking soccer pictures.

Sorry about the crowds, DHS has the ability to feel VERY crowded so I can understand that!! Glad you got your thrill ride on!!! Loved the picture!!

It felt VERY crowded in there, but between lunch and ToT, I finally got rid of all my cobwebs and grumpy mood!

Glad you were able to get your AP dates fixed, what a nightmare! I can just see you walking up to the turnstiles in May and being denied entry because your AP was expired So glad it didn't come to that!

OMG! Seriously. That would have been the worst nightmare scenario ever because I'm really not sure if it could have been fixed. I am sure they would have bent over backwards to fix it, but I would definitely have been holding up the line for that one.

I think we've all been in that hot, tired, frustrated, cranky mood at some point or another during a Disney trip

Yeah - I felt bad though because Jen was all chipper and I was grumpy there for a bit. Fortunately it was very short lived.

Great pictures once again! Oh, and I agree, Oprah's bust looks nothing like her

Oh - that Oprah. I guess she's never seen it because I don't think she would be too pleased.

I hold on for dear life on ToT too.......

I'm glad I'm not alone!

 

[cdotla]

OK - I am still not fully caught up yet (not even close), but I was intringued with your latest post title and had to sneak ahead. OMG...I would have died with that AP drama. I don't know how you kept your wits about you still snapping photos while you were waiting for all that to get straighted out!

Thank goodness is right that you noticed that when you did, and not in May!

Great pics in HS...love the one of you guys on the TOT.

 

[MEK]

OK - I am still not fully caught up yet (not even close), but I was intringued with your latest post title and had to sneak ahead. OMG...I would have died with that AP drama. I don't know how you kept your wits about you still snapping photos while you were waiting for all that to get straighted out!

Thank goodness is right that you noticed that when you did, and not in May!

There was a part of me that really could have panicked and then there was the part of me that thought, "This is Disney. Nothing totally disastrous can happen here." I knew if anyone had the customer service to fix it, it was Disney.

I guess there is a part of me that blames myself too for not knowing I should have upgraded outside.

Great pics in HS...love the one of you guys on the TOT.

Thanks. We seriously had so much fun taking pics on this trip. I can't wait to see Jen's HS pictures!

 

[eandesmom]

OMG what a funny first update! I mean really, none of it actually sounds fun mind you but the butt picking (which is a nice ring shot actually) is hysterical. I mean really, white jeans or jeans shorts and you sit on a bench with a wet paint sign?

And the Alice tatoo?????

Oh My!

I've had waits like that and it's awful. 2009 at FW trying to get to AK, same exact thing. And I too do not understand why the bus drives can't radio back and do something about it but they really seem powerless.

YIKES on the AP. It's funny though that you were able to get it fixed inside the park. Who would have though inside versus outside made a difference. Resort versus the park I can see but that's a bit surprising. Thank heavens you figured it out!

Food has amazing healing properties. Top that with a good laugh and I can see how your day turned around. Not a fun morning at all.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Mary Ellen - you don't have an Owner's Locker yet? You should try it!

And good luck getting me on ToT. I will happily hold purses and wait for you all outside.

 

[jenjolt]

Mary Ellen - you don't have an Owner's Locker yet? You should try it!

And good luck getting me on ToT. I will happily hold purses and wait for you all outside.

I might help you hold those purses C!! I haven't ridden TOT in over a year!!! Wanting to ride it comes and goes and I'm in a go phase LOL!! I'll say a prayer for everyone else LOL!!!

 

[MEK]

OMG what a funny first update! I mean really, none of it actually sounds fun mind you but the butt picking (which is a nice ring shot actually) is hysterical. I mean really, white jeans or jeans shorts and you sit on a bench with a wet paint sign?

And the Alice tatoo?????

Oh My!

I am glad that Jen reminded me that the woman was picking her butt because she sat on white paint. I was starting to wonder exactly WHY I took a picture of someone's butt in the first. I mean....why was I even looking at that?

So many people wanted to sit on the wet paint bench. But here's the thing - I saw that sign out there at 8am in the morning. I knew that paint had to be dry in 2 hrs in the hot Florida sun so I was telling people - just go sit there!

Alice was a little peculiar? I mean, Come on? Oh well, whatever floats your boat.

I've had waits like that and it's awful. 2009 at FW trying to get to AK, same exact thing. And I too do not understand why the bus drives can't radio back and do something about it but they really seem powerless.

They definitely need a system for situations like that. When everything is computerized and gps'd. It makes no sense.

YIKES on the AP. It's funny though that you were able to get it fixed inside the park. Who would have though inside versus outside made a difference. Resort versus the park I can see but that's a bit surprising. Thank heavens you figured it out!

.

I could have had it fixed either place, but I think the fact that I had it upgraded inside the park somehow took the ticket back to its original package date - even though all I used on the ticket was the room entry and the dining credits. That's why the original cast member posted dated it to Sept 2009 with a 2010 expiration.

Mary Ellen - you don't have an Owner's Locker yet? You should try it!

Yeah - I really should. I'm pretty sure the only reason I haven't gotten one is that 2 bags fly free on SWA. That allows me to sherpa more stuff. Perhaps the next time we go as a family (or Denny and I) I will get one. I'd probably use it mostly for alcoholic beverages, although it sure would be nice to have real coffee mugs and a flat iron in there.

And good luck getting me on ToT. I will happily hold purses and wait for you all outside.

I figured you would opt out since you don't love the thrill rides, but you can still walk through the queue with us and get me nervous. Because I ALWAYS get nervous on that ride!

I might help you hold those purses C!! I haven't ridden TOT in over a year!!! Wanting to ride it comes and goes and I'm in a go phase LOL!! I'll say a prayer for everyone else LOL!!!

What - You Too!!!!! And then there were 4. I know Cynthia and Tracy will ride. What about Melissa? Does she ride?

I go through phases, too. And I could easily chicken out, but I have to do it. It's therapy for me because of my real life anxiety issues.

So you can walk through the queue too and get me nervous with C!

 

[Queenofallthings]

Thank goodness you noticed the dates! I don't know what I would have done....you know how sometimes you can look at something and not see it....that would have been me

Considering you may have still been a little hung over...your pictures are amazing as usual.....and I have to agree...it looks nothing like Oprah!

 

[Ducky4Disney]

Where were we? Oh yes, DHS.

MEK is right. There was the stress level was high today. Heat and crowds, combined with last day packing, checking flight status, and knowing there is an airport to navigate later = last day craziness.

No matter, we were still in WDW and our time was not going to be wasted on stress. We shook off the morning and moved deeper in DHS.

I love this store! We venture in here later.

This is another good place to take a good look around and notice the details.

I honestly don't remember what we did in DHS I don't understand MEK's FP chosing technique but I went with it

Knowing this was the last day of my last trip for who-knows-how-long I started looking at souvies and taking pics of UPC's in case I needed to order something I saw in the park at a later date.

I might need one of these:

Mmm... or these!

In fact, speaking of Mickey rice krispie treats, I wonder if I can have one shipped to me? I'm sure I could make one myself, but where is the fun in that? And the one MEK took a pic of is not the one I was looking for, the one I wanted was in MK and I saw it the day before but alas, it was too late in the trip to start a cereal treat that size!

I love the candy store display!

Yup, we walked by Starring Rolls in search of food.

I wish I had a pic of a sign from every park like this!

I noticed this sign and was wondering why a warning to step down and not to step up; because I'm more likely to trip going up the steps!

Polar opposites.

One more sign shot before we picked up the personalized ear hats for my nieces and headed out; NOT by bus!

D4D

 

[Wicket's Mom]

Mary Ellen & Jen, you two take some of the most interesting photos. Mary I can see you getting better & better the more pictures that you take. I think that you have botten the hand of it!

I just love TOT, my DH & i have ridden it so many times. The on that I won't ride is RRC, don't like coasters that go upside down.

 

[MEK]

Thank goodness you noticed the dates! I don't know what I would have done....you know how sometimes you can look at something and not see it....that would have been me

That is exactly what happened. It did not register that the date was 2010, not 2011. If I hadn't been waiting for that bus for so long I really don't think I would have checked the dates at all.

Considering you may have still been a little hung over...your pictures are amazing as usual.....and I have to agree...it looks nothing like Oprah!

I'm glad you like the pics. I have such fun taking them.
to the Oprah bust. I think it looks more like June Cleaver.

Mary Ellen & Jen, you two take some of the most interesting photos. Mary I can see you getting better & better the more pictures that you take. I think that you have botten the hand of it!

Thanks! I am trying to get better. I would love to take a course or class. I think it would be so beneficial. Someday! Hopefully!

I just love TOT, my DH & i have ridden it so many times. The on that I won't ride is RRC, don't like coasters that go upside down.

Isn't that funny. I don't mind going upside down on roller coasters, but I am inherently fearful of dropping at a fast rate of speed. I just think its interesting what appeals to or causes fear in different people. I would love to be a completely fearless of all thrill rides, but that will never happen.

 

[KathyRN137]

Oh, the last day is so bittersweet!


Kathy

 

[MEK]

Oh, the last day is so bittersweet!


Kathy

Hey Kathy!

How true! How true!
Our last day actually turned out to be a really nice day, despite the bad start. I think we knew our trip was over so we used up the rest of the day just taking in the sights and sounds. It was really enjoyable.

 

[Charleston Princess]

What an ordeal with the AP! I am glad you were able to work it all out though. Whew! Not to mention what a blessing it was that you noticed the mistake before you left the World.

Love all the old photos of Hollywood in Guest Services. Very neat touch!

Well, I have to say having no agenda while at DHS certainly paid off for all of us with all those great photos you took!

Okay, I am sure I will be gripping the handrails for dear life when I am forced to go on TOT. LOL!

 

[manntra]

Love your waiting for the bus pictures!!! Alice really does look demented!! I see a little charm bracelet off to the left of her with the little bottle that says 'drink me.' I was always very good at playing I Spy

@ Glenn...I had to go back and look at the parachute guy...he really does look like he was about to crash into BLT

Very, very nice shots...even for being hungover and errrr moody

Thankfully you cleared up the AP mishap....I happened to look at mine last week knowing that my renewal is soon....how odd. It was nice because last year I got an extra three months or something like that

I have been putting stuff away for my OL....I will ship it down in a box for when we are there. I will still probably check a bag anyways Seriously there are certain things I want there....pool bags, plastic wine glasses, detergent, full size beach towels, flat iron and so on...that way I can just focus on what I want to wear and buy when I am there

I actually enjoy HS....I love the atmosphere...that it is a smaller park and easy to get from one place to another...and of course I LOVE TOT Could go on it over and over and over again... But that is okay....that is what my niece is for in October My favorite is when you go up first instead of drop...very unexpected

Tracy