From Certifiably Insane to Shockingly Lucid: 10/20 - TR Link Posted, We're Back!!!

For Magical Express you can just call Disney normal reservation line and they can connect you. I believe they can also add the info onto the reservation themselves.
 
For Magical Express you can just call Disney normal reservation line and they can connect you. I believe they can also add the info onto the reservation themselves.

Well, our course you can!! I knew that, I was just trying to keep my PTR readers on their toes. :rolleyes1 ;)

Thanks for the info, I'll have to give em a call on lunch after I check Southwest just ooooone last time. :)
 
I've been seriously slacking on this October PTR---but with the trip getting so close I figured it was time to start with the updates again. This one is kind of a mix-up of multiple random topics that have been floating around in my head for some time now, rather than a separate post for each.

1. I ordered a new lens yesterday and should have it today, just in time to have a full month or so of playing/practicing/learning to make sure I can put it to good use in The World. I also borrowed a lens from a very kind fellow DISer, Karyl (spinetnglr) that I plan to bring with me for our weekend trip and return to her when we meet up at MNSSHP on the 18th. Relating to photography, I also purchased a bunch of things on my "To Buy" list for the trip. I got some film, a new lens pen, some memory cards, a cable release for night shots and a new scanner. I asked for a new backpack, a second battery and a new filter for my birthday and if all goes well, I will have those before leaving on the 17th.

New lens?!?! What kind? Also, what lens are you borrowing?

Film... what's that? Something to put over the lens? :rotfl:

If I were to get anything else, it would probably be a circular polarizer for the Sigma 30mm, but it's too late to order one now.
 
New lens?!?! What kind? Also, what lens are you borrowing?

Film... what's that? Something to put over the lens? :rotfl:

If I were to get anything else, it would probably be a circular polarizer for the Sigma 30mm, but it's too late to order one now.

Yes, new lens. I got the Tokina 11-16 f/2.8 UWA lens. It had been on backorder FOREVER and I started to think I might have to get the Sigma 10-20 instead, which wasn't really what I wanted, but B&H finally got some in stock and one day later, it's here!

I'm borrowing the Nikon 10.5mm fisheye lens. It's a lot of fun, but definitely a "specialty" lens. I'm looking forward to seeing what I can get with it in WDW, since a lot of the stuff I've shot around here with it has been less than interesting.

It's never too late to order something new. That's what overnight shipping from B&H, Adorama or Amazon is for :thumbsup2
 


Yes, new lens. I got the Tokina 11-16 f/2.8 UWA lens. It had been on backorder FOREVER and I started to think I might have to get the Sigma 10-20 instead, which wasn't really what I wanted, but B&H finally got some in stock and one day later, it's here!

I'm borrowing the Nikon 10.5mm fisheye lens. It's a lot of fun, but definitely a "specialty" lens. I'm looking forward to seeing what I can get with it in WDW, since a lot of the stuff I've shot around here with it has been less than interesting.

I took a look at that Tokina. Might be something to get down the line. What I really need is a good telephoto first.

A fisheye looks like fun, but that'll be something for later too.

Amazon has me spoiled in not paying for shipping at all most of the time, so I hate paying a lot for shipping. CP is going to have to wait (besides, I don't need to spend $80 on a filter right now... that $80 will probably be spent in WDW).
 
I took a look at that Tokina. Might be something to get down the line. What I really need is a good telephoto first.

That's next on my list, the 80-200 f/2.8. I have the 18-200 right now which is a good all-purpose walk-around lens, but it leaves a little to be desired.

Amazon has me spoiled in not paying for shipping at all most of the time, so I hate paying a lot for shipping. CP is going to have to wait (besides, I don't need to spend $80 on a filter right now... that $80 will probably be spent in WDW).

Same here, I always use the free shipping from Amazon because it comes most times from Delaware or Pennsylvania and will get here for me next-day or second-day regardless. :thumbsup2

You can definitely spend less than $80 on a CP filter. I posted a thread a while back and got recommendations and right now Adorama has a Tiffen 77mm CP (which I believe might be the size you need for the Sigma 30) for $35 on sale. ;)
 
That's next on my list, the 80-200 f/2.8. I have the 18-200 right now which is a good all-purpose walk-around lens, but it leaves a little to be desired.



Same here, I always use the free shipping from Amazon because it comes most times from Delaware or Pennsylvania and will get here for me next-day or second-day regardless. :thumbsup2

You can definitely spend less than $80 on a CP filter. I posted a thread a while back and got recommendations and right now Adorama has a Tiffen 77mm CP (which I believe might be the size you need for the Sigma 30) for $35 on sale. ;)

It's 62mm, but Adorama does have a Tiffen for $26.50. I wonder how much shipping is... :rotfl:

ETA: $36.85 for Next Day!!! :sad2: That's more than the cost of the filter! Well, forget that... I don't trust getting 2-day shipping.
 


It's 62mm, but Adorama does have a Tiffen for $26.50. I wonder how much shipping is... :rotfl:

Well if for some strange reason you decide to get one, don't forget to get some step-up/down rings so you can use it on your kit lens as well. :)

ETA: They have the same filter on Amazon.com for $29 and it's only $17 for next day shipping :)
 
So it's time to get back on the ball with this PTR. I have been slacking, because the 90 day mark for our December trip is rapidly approaching---this coming Sunday I get to make my ADRs :hyper: :hyper:

First and foremost, I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend. Ours was way too busy and the three days just flew by. We had a family picnic on Saturday, another on Sunday and a cook-out with the neighbors on Monday. Doesn't sound like too much, but add that to the housework, the cooking for the picnics, etc. and it was exhausting!! :faint:

I can't believe Summer is pretty much over already. I didn't step foot on the New Jersey shore even once this whole season, and considering they found medical waste on the beaches this weekend (i.e. needles, feminine hygiene products, etc.) I'm kind of happy I didn't. :eek:

Yesterday we had the dogs out back to give them their last treat of the summer, a watermelon that had been sitting on the counter getting ripe for a few weeks. They loved it and per a request over on the Photo Board's "Pets" thread---I documented it.

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Great doggie pix, Ann! paw:

Good luck with your ADRs Sunday!


Kathy

Thanks for popping in Kathy!! :goodvibes

I'm looking forward to ADRs. Apparently, a lot of people are able to book online now at 3:00am EST, so I'll either be going to sleep very early tonight or staying up veeeerrry late to make my reservations. Gotta finalize the plan tonight and from there, all I can do is cross my fingers and hope the stars align!
 
Well everyone, today we actually made some progress on the trip planning front---and made a change while I was at it!

I realized that we are officially 30 days from WDW today and had a minor freak-out. I've been so wrapped up in planning for our trip in December that I have completely lost track of how quickly our October trip is approaching.

As of today, I still hadn't scheduled the Magical Express, figured out 100% if we are doing costumes for MNSSHP or not, started a packing list, bought a new camera strap---the list goes on and on. :surfweb:

So about an hour ago, I checked Southwest for one last time and resigned myself to the fact that we will, indeed, be flying out of Baltimore instead of Philly. While it's an inconvenience in the sense that it is about 2.5 hours away from our house, it's not really that bad once you consider the fact that our initial plan was to drive all the way from NJ to FL and back in one 3-day weekend. :eek:

I called up the Disney reservations line and finally added the Magical Express to our reservation. So now, instead of just getting to MCO, we can actually get to our resort!! ;)

After I was done adding the Magical Express, I got to thinking that maybe I should reconsider the dining reservations we had booked. The original plan was The Plaza Restaurant on October 17th for my birthday, as well as October 18th before MNSSHP. Originally, this sounded like a great plan for our trip on a budget. Quick, easy, inexpensive and most importantly TASTY. Well, we may be eating at The Plaza two times in December also, and thinking it might be a little bit of burger and milkshake overload I decided to celebrate my birthday with something a little more special.

So.............instead of The Plaza for my birthday, I booked..............

The Wave!

:woohoo: It was one of the two I was considering initially and since it seems to be getting good reviews, why not? It is my birthday after all. :)

Next on the list is going to be doing a clothing inventory to see if we need to buy anything before we leave, and to purchase some photography related stuff that I need (I use that word loosely) before October.

So that's my update for the day. Hope everyone is having a fantastic week. Only a month more until I'm in The World!!!!!
 
After so much waffling back and forth about whether to dress up for MNSSHP or not----it is officially decided, we're doing it! I even started buying the components to my costume, so there's no turning back now!

We are going as.............

(drumroll please).............

THE VILLAGE PEOPLE! :rotfl2: :rotfl:

There are only four of us going to MNSSHP, so we won't be the whole group, but most of it. I am going to be the Indiana, my DH is going to be the sailor (since he was a sailor in real life for 8 years), my DBIL is going to be a cowboy and my DBIL's boyfriend is going to be the construction worker.

Someone at my work came up with this idea. I wanted cheap, fun, easy to wear and not too hot so this will be perfect.

Mostly, we'll wear normal clothing and then accessorize for our individual costumes. I'll wear a dress with a feather headdress, some basic face paint and fringed flip flops. My DH will wear a white t-shirt with some of his ribbons/medals and a dixie cup sailor hat. My DBIL is planning on wearing a plaid shirt, tying some rope around his beltloop and maybe wearing a cowboy hat if he can find one for cheap and his BF will be wearing a reflective vest, some cutoff shorts and maybe a toolbelt of some sort.

So happy that decision is made. Now I just have to order/make everything else we'll need and it's another thing I can cross off of the pre-trip to-do list. :thumbsup2
 
Good choice on the wave!! I've only heard amazing things about it :) And I LOVE the idea of the Village People! hahahahhaa!
 
Good choice on the wave!! I've only heard amazing things about it :) And I LOVE the idea of the Village People! hahahahhaa!

I'm hoping it's good---I'm even going to break my vow of abstaining from alcohol until our trip in December to have an antioxidant cocktail for my birthday. I saw a picture of it on someone's dining review recently and it looked soooo good. :thumbsup2
 
I've also heard nothing but good about The Wave and saw a delicious chocolate dessert from there in the food porn thread recently. Should be delicious!
 
Well---I changed our dinner reservation again. Anyone surprised?? :rolleyes1

Originally, we had The Plaza for my birthday dinner. Then, I switched to The Wave. Now, we are booked at Todd English's bluezoo in the Dolphin.

Here is my logic:

1. It's not on the DDP, where The Plaza and The Wave are, which means we can't try it in December---so this is our shot.

2. We have The Plaza and The Wave booked for our trip in December, so this will keep us from spoiling the surprise for that trip.

3. It's right near the Boardwalk, which means if we reaaaaally want to, we can pop into Beaches & Cream for a No Way Jose dessert.

4. It was recommended by Carrie, so it's got to be good, right?

So that's where we're at for now. I don't hear too much about bluezoo on the boards and they had every timeslot that I tried to reserve available (5:00, 5:30, 6:00, 8:00, 8:30, 9:00) so I'm hoping all ends well with a belly full of birthday seafood! :thumbsup2

The plan is:

12:30pm / Arrive at CSR
1:30pm - 5:00pm / Magic Kingdom
5:00 - 7:30pm / Dinner at Todd English's bluezoo
7:30 - 11:30pm / Magic Kingdom

Almost at the three-week mark, time to start getting excited people!!! :yay: :woohoo:
 
Yaaaaay! :yay: I like your new plan. I admit, I was a Disney-restaurant-only :snooty: until my last trip, but then when I tried bluezoo and Shula's at the Dolphin, I was like "Forget :snooty:ery - these places are great!" It's just too bad you have to go to the Dolphin to eat at them.... :rotfl:

So.... I sure hope you like the place, or I'monna owe you a birfday dinner! :scared:
 

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