It's gonna take a lot to take me away from this view! 7/10 - Finished!

[natebenma]

Boma breakfast is da bomb!



I can totally appreciate and understand taking a day off from your camera, yet still having the crutch of your backup cell phone camera!



It is probably a good thing the safari and trail weren't the best ever since you weren't "carrying"

 

[teekathepony]

Boma breakfast is da bomb!



I can totally appreciate and understand taking a day off from your camera, yet still having the crutch of your backup cell phone camera!



It is probably a good thing the safari and trail weren't the best ever since you weren't "carrying"

Mmm agreed, I love Boma breakfast. I'm trying to figure out a way to work it into our September trip... but I just can't see it happening.

I knew I couldn't go with nothing to take pictures with, so my phone was a good, small back up! (Not to mention the cameras in iPhones are really spectacular, considering their size!)

You have a great point. If the animals were all out their best, I would have cried that I had no camera!

 

[natebenma]

You have a great point. If the animals were all out their best, I would have cried that I had no camera!

There have been two occasions when I have spotted an octopus when I have been out snorkeling and I didn't have a camera with me either time.

 

[amazingact21]

I can't blame you for wanting a day off. I know, for me, I get sick of carrying my huge camera around all day. And I only do it on trips. I can only imagine what it must be like to constantly be doing the same thing your job is.
Besides, it can be fun to not worry about taking photographs and just enjoy the park.


The safari is always a gamble; sometimes the animals are great, sometimes not so much. At least you were able to sit in the front and not have to wait for a vehicle. There's that...

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Well gee it's about time he got his bacon.

Ummm... so... you left the camera. Ummm...

Actually, I think that's SO WICKED AWESOME!! How much of our trips are wasted behind a lense. I honestly commend you for this.

And yet the pictures you took are STILL gorgeous.

 

[geckodani]

I'm glad you took a day off from the camera. I find myself taking fewer pics of the place and more of the people, if that makes sense? More time to enjoy. Then again I use a crappy camera and rely on people like you for the good pics so... there's that.

 

[khaleesi]

So glad Johnny finally got his bacon!!

I was blown away by your photography before, but now that I actually have some very similar shots I gotta say that I am so impressed!! I am so happy with the way mine turned out, I can't even imagine how it must feel for you to look back on your pictures.

 

[PopArtGal]

Awe seeing your review and pics of Be Our Guest made me so happy. I'm still smiling hehe

 

[JulieODC]

How brave to do SM at night in November!! ITs one of my favorites rides though..so hard to pass up!!

Boma is on my list if places to try in future trip -- looked like a yummy breakfast!

That fish photo is actually really cool --- DD just loved that, could have spent an hour just watching the fish!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

What? No camera??? At Animal Kingdom!?!? Inconceivable!!!

Ok, actually I have a lot of respect that you were able to do that. I don't think I could go cold turkey like that.

We sat in the exact same spot for our Safari ride last month as well. Love the picture with the ostrich sitting down. Just like the giraffe (from my trip report), I don't think I've seen a ostrich sitting down like that.

 

[teekathepony]

There have been two occasions when I have spotted an octopus when I have been out snorkeling and I didn't have a camera with me either time.

Noooo! That's a heart breaking miss!

I can't blame you for wanting a day off. I know, for me, I get sick of carrying my huge camera around all day. And I only do it on trips. I can only imagine what it must be like to constantly be doing the same thing your job is.
Besides, it can be fun to not worry about taking photographs and just enjoy the park.
Sometimes I feel like the camera is an extra appendage of me, so it's really nice to go unburdened sometimes!


The safari is always a gamble; sometimes the animals are great, sometimes not so much. At least you were able to sit in the front and not have to wait for a vehicle. There's that...
Oh we weren't too disappointed, we had a pretty good (if not great) safari, and we always remember the amazing safari we had a few years ago and figure we've already had our fair share!

Well gee it's about time he got his bacon.
He was happy!

Ummm... so... you left the camera. Ummm...

Actually, I think that's SO WICKED AWESOME!! How much of our trips are wasted behind a lense. I honestly commend you for this.
I totally agree, and I try to get a good balance each trip, getting my pictures while still enjoying my time! I think I got a good balance this past trip.

And yet the pictures you took are STILL gorgeous.
Thanks! I can't complain about the camera in the iPhone, to be honest!

I'm glad you took a day off from the camera. I find myself taking fewer pics of the place and more of the people, if that makes sense? More time to enjoy. Then again I use a crappy camera and rely on people like you for the good pics so... there's that.

Yes, I know exactly what you mean. Less about the scenery and more about the experience. I love it!

So glad Johnny finally got his bacon!!

I was blown away by your photography before, but now that I actually have some very similar shots I gotta say that I am so impressed!! I am so happy with the way mine turned out, I can't even imagine how it must feel for you to look back on your pictures.

Thanks I admit I enjoy looking back on my pictures from each trip, but even the "bad" ones are still fun to look back at, they are all memories!

Awe seeing your review and pics of Be Our Guest made me so happy. I'm still smiling hehe

I loved it!

How brave to do SM at night in November!! ITs one of my favorites rides though..so hard to pass up!!
Ours too, especially at night!

Boma is on my list if places to try in future trip -- looked like a yummy breakfast!
I recommend it to everyone, it's an excellent breakfast buffet!

That fish photo is actually really cool --- DD just loved that, could have spent an hour just watching the fish!
I'm kind of a fish lover, we have 4 tanks currently running and two are African cichlids, so I could also spend hours just watching the fish!

What? No camera??? At Animal Kingdom!?!? Inconceivable!!!
I know, right??

Ok, actually I have a lot of respect that you were able to do that. I don't think I could go cold turkey like that.
Sometimes I just get totally fed up with the camera. I don't regret a thing!

We sat in the exact same spot for our Safari ride last month as well. Love the picture with the ostrich sitting down. Just like the giraffe (from my trip report), I don't think I've seen a ostrich sitting down like that.
It's not a bad seat, we kind of enjoyed sitting at watching all the animals from the front!

 

[teekathepony]

Hello again! Happy Saturday!

I am in a great mood today. It feels like Sunday, but it's only Saturday and that's never a bad thing! Also the temperature has gone up above freezing!!!

Later on we are going to my Mother in Law's place to A) Do our tax return, B) Possibly take the dogs for a playdate and C) PLAN OUR SEPTEMBER TRIP a little more! If you haven't already joined me on my PTR for that trip, here it is:

Dole Whip is a Dish Best Served Cold.

I'm going to keep shamelessly plugging it until you do.

Let's get back to this story.

Thursday November 14
"Photographer's Day Off"

First, I'm going to slip in a PP pic I forgot to post in the last update!


That was when we first walked into the park.

Ok now we're caught up.

We had just come out of the Pangani trail. We wandered around a few of the shops and I bought a scarf (silver knit on one side and leopard print on the other, it's so cute!) then we checked the time and figured we might have just enough of it to cross the park and take in FotLK.

Sure enough we were able to walk right up and go in, our seats were excellent! Things were working out so well for us with time.



I LOVE this show. I am one of those clapping, singing, swaying and maybe even tearing up adults who still loves this show. I get right into it no matter how many times I've seen it, and I'm really excited for their new theatre!

We were in the LION section! ROAR!



I clapped to Hakuna Matata


I tried my hardest not to let that sneaky little tear escape while swaying to Can You Feel the Love. (I um, I have allergies?)


I clapped and stomped and sang along with the finale


I posted this:

[Instagram: Photo

"It's the circle of life folks. #waltdisneyworld #festivalofthelionking #animalkingdom"

Marie, Bertha, Alicia and 7 others like this.
Anita: love that show
DaveinFallsChurch: my favorite show! Sad that it'll be on hiatus when we visit in January.]


And you know what?

I enjoyed this show infinitely more without my camera.



I know that I'll never be able to resist taking my camera every time, I will photograph this show again, but for once it was really nice to just snap the occasional cell pic, but mostly sit back, relax and enjoy the show. I felt like I was actually on vacation!

Our next FP+ wasn't valid for a little while, so when we came out of FotLK we spotted a DVC booth and decided to go for a chat. We spoke to a very nice man who was friendly and enthusiastic, he signed us up for a tour on Saturday at Kidani. We knew we were not ready to buy, but wanted to know if DVC could be right for us. The one thing we didn't like was that we wanted a starting number, a price to get in our heads, and he didn't really lay out what the cost would be very well. Anyway, we left there thinking about it.

We headed to Expedition Everest next!



Stopped for another PP pic:


We ran through a virtually non-existant FP line and got at the back! Either back row or close to it.

Here:


Anyone remember how many rows on EE?

As always, we had a blast, and as always, Johnny came off saying "It was a lot faster than I remembered!!"

We ran to the photo counter. I LOVED the old cameras:


Got our EE pic:


I look a little like I'm going to bust out singing a princess song or something.

We were going to get another FP for later, but the time wouldn't work out for us so we decided not to.

We went through the Maharaja Jungle Trek. Again, the animals were there but we saw nothing spectacular.

This guy was pacing a bit:






After that, we checked our times guide and were happy to see that once again, time was on our side and Finding Nemo was just about to start. We walked right up and right in, and again had a great seat.



This is such an adorable show, I love the puppets and was totally mesmerized watching how the actors made them move.











We loved it! But you know what?

I missed my camera.

Kind of ironic, but while I have lots and lots of pictures of FotLK, I have hardly any of Finding Nemo. I admit I was wishing I had my camera for this. But no matter, it was certainly not the end of the world.

We did notice those seats are incredibly uncomfortable. I can't figure how one plain bench could be any less comfortable than any other plain bench, but this one was the worst. I fidgeted a lot.

Next up, just a ride, a parade, and a meal left.

 

[WDWaddictt]

I love FotLK! I am looking forward to seeing it in their new theatre, which hopefully will be open by our September trip.

I was thinking of buying a point and shoot camera for our next trip and just use that and/or our iPhone to take pictures instead of taking my large heavy camera. I am just worried the pictures won't turn out and I will miss it. But we have been to Disney a lot and I have tons of pictures...what do you think? I would love to enjoy my vacation without having to worry about the camera, but I don't want to miss a special moment either...ahhh decisions!?! Lol

Great update!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Haha, isn't it amazing when barely above freezing temps feel like a heat wave???

I adore FotLK too, and I'm someone who used to avoid shows like the plague. Plus, Lion section, oh yeah because... ROOOOOOOAAAAAAAR!

Um, yeah, 17 rows on EE. Not that I'm a fan or anything.

Hehe, I was thinking you might still be belting out "Can You Feel The Love Tonight?" on EE.

Whether or not you see much in the way of animals, Maharaja Jungle Trek is still so incredibly beautiful.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

I can't wait to see FotLK in its new theater when he visit in October! And I'm pretty sure that my camera will be glued to my face the entire time.

I never noticed the theming behind the EE's photo area. That's pretty cool! Sort of reminds me of the theming behind ToT's photo area.

 

[eandesmom]

I am VERY proud of you for venturing out without the camera. I confess, I rarely used mine in Dec/Jan. Almost to the point that I wished I hadn't brought it. While pictures may say 1000 words...experiencing the moment can't always be captured on film and being in the moment can be...priceless and beyond words.

Not saying FOTLK was all THAT but still.

Hello again! Happy Saturday!

I am in a great mood today. It feels like Sunday, but it's only Saturday and that's never a bad thing! Also the temperature has gone up above freezing!!!

Later on we are going to my Mother in Law's place to A) Do our tax return, B) Possibly take the dogs for a playdate and C) PLAN OUR SEPTEMBER TRIP a little more! If you haven't already joined me on my PTR for that trip, here it is:

C. I pick C!

We did notice those seats are incredibly uncomfortable. I can't figure how one plain bench could be any less comfortable than any other plain bench, but this one was the worst. I fidgeted a lot.

I completely agree, I was SO uncomfortable in there. NO idea why.

Fun on the DVC tour but yeah...they don't want to give you any real numbers until they HAVE to.

 

[teekathepony]

It's another beautiful day out there! Did everyone remember to change your clocks?

I love FotLK! I am looking forward to seeing it in their new theatre, which hopefully will be open by our September trip.
Me too, but I won't get to see it until next year!

I was thinking of buying a point and shoot camera for our next trip and just use that and/or our iPhone to take pictures instead of taking my large heavy camera. I am just worried the pictures won't turn out and I will miss it. But we have been to Disney a lot and I have tons of pictures...what do you think? I would love to enjoy my vacation without having to worry about the camera, but I don't want to miss a special moment either...ahhh decisions!?! Lol
My own opinion -- I have a point and shoot but I didn't even bring it to Disney last year because I just took my phone. The pictures were just as good as they would have been with my p&s!

Great update!

Haha, isn't it amazing when barely above freezing temps feel like a heat wave???
I was going to bust out my shorts! We bought a new BBQ!

I adore FotLK too, and I'm someone who used to avoid shows like the plague. Plus, Lion section, oh yeah because... ROOOOOOOAAAAAAAR!
The lion section is hands down the best. You get to roar instead of snorting or bleating or trumpeting.

Um, yeah, 17 rows on EE. Not that I'm a fan or anything.
I was thinking we were second last, but then I was thinking there were 16 rows. I guess my first instinct was right after all!

Hehe, I was thinking you might still be belting out "Can You Feel The Love Tonight?" on EE.
Oh, good point! Maybe!

Whether or not you see much in the way of animals, Maharaja Jungle Trek is still so incredibly beautiful.
Yes absolutely, and such a nice relaxing walk.

I can't wait to see FotLK in its new theater when he visit in October! And I'm pretty sure that my camera will be glued to my face the entire time.
Me too! I was all excited for it for September and then I realized... I'm not going to AK in September! Next year!

I never noticed the theming behind the EE's photo area. That's pretty cool! Sort of reminds me of the theming behind ToT's photo area.
I can't say I'm familiar with the ToT photo area, but I definitely love EE's. That whole park blows my mind with the theming!

I am VERY proud of you for venturing out without the camera. I confess, I rarely used mine in Dec/Jan. Almost to the point that I wished I hadn't brought it. While pictures may say 1000 words...experiencing the moment can't always be captured on film and being in the moment can be...priceless and beyond words.
You're so right, experiencing everything is more important sometimes. Even when I do take my camera, I try to balance it out with actually living through everything!

Not saying FOTLK was all THAT but still.

C. I pick C!

I completely agree, I was SO uncomfortable in there. NO idea why.
I just couldn't figure it out, I only knew that however I sat, it hurt!

Fun on the DVC tour but yeah...they don't want to give you any real numbers until they HAVE to.
I understand that. Numbers can be shocking before you get to what comes with them!

 

[kayemgi]

Trawling for new TRs, found yours, caught up, love it! I love your photos, they are so great looking without being overly processed in post like so many that I see lately are (former art school student here!). I too tear up during FOTLK. I think AK is the only park I feel like I need to have the DSLR and a zoom lens. I can go without it anywhere else, but AK is so photogenic and it's great to get close ups of the animals! One day I will have to try it without. It is so freeing when I leave it at the hotel on other days!

 

[MEK]

Did you totally leave your camera in the room? On purpose? I have to give you props for leaving it behind and not taking any pics. Every time I say I'm not going to take pictures of something, I always do. I'm so fickle like that. But it is very liberating to just sit (or stand) and watch something.

So will we hear about your DVC tour? That's the first step down the slippery slope. I have to admit that I have no regrets about buying DVC but I am concerned with the continual price increases in all other areas of Disney. But that's a whole other story.

any how - fun update. I really need to check to see if I missed anything else!

 

[amazingact21]

Any DISers who says they don't get caught up in FotLK is lying. How can you not sing and dance along? Between the music, the dancers, the whole audience getting involved it's impossible not to.


That's amusing that you loved being camera-les for FotLK and regreted not having it for Nemo. Just gives you something to do on another AK visit.