2011 Yacht & Beach Club FAQ, Part III- DO NOT POST HERE- Summer/Fall

[Marlton Mom]

That is so wrong when it isn't even November yet!

Oddly enough, up here in Canada it is a beautiful sunny day with not a snowflake in sight.

Ack!!!! The States called, you can have your weather BACK!!!!

Awesome post MM. I am hoping to get more into photography soon myself so I'm happy to read this and have spent some time checking out those boards today.

Anyway, out of curiosity as I will be in the market for a DSLR camera in the next three months or so. Canon or Nikon? I lean towards Canon and I'm planning to actually go to a camera shop and hold each of them in my hands once I'm ready to actually buy but I wanted this forum's opinion on that. I figure since I will be using my camera to photograph the parks, that makes your opinion even more relevant than others.

Thanks Again!

Allen

If you lean towards Canon then I would go that way. If you'd like to post to the photography boards asking for advice be sure to include as much info as possible about what kind of pictures you like to take and how much you want to spend, Also let us know if you are thinking about a small point and shoot or a larger DSLR type of camera.

The worst thing you can do is post a question asking people which is better Canon or Nikon. You'll get people coming out of the woodwork proclaiming their brand the choice to make and then you'll get the Pentax and Sony people chiming in too.

The bottom line is that you're going to have to "feel up the merchandise" and become familiar with what it can do. Then, if you have specific questions, say about certain features, those would be the questions to post to the board.

Canon and Nikon in reality are about equal. It's more about deciding on the features that are important to you and then seeing which camera is the best fit.

Good luck,

Marlton Mom

 

[MickeyT]

Thank you darling!

The first thing I would recommend is that you learn your camera's controls and understand what they do. Next I would start with the basics of photography. A fellow by the name of Bryan Peterson has written a book by the name of "Understanding Exposure". This book talks about, and more importantly shows you what ISO, Shutter Speed and Aperture mean and how manipulating those variables impacts your pictures.

When you get a handle on that topic you next might want to consider finding out about computer software programs that manipulate your digital images. I took a 4 session mini course in Photoshop at my community college, which was so fast and so complicated that I almost fried my brain. I did manage to figure out how to work with Camera Raw software and that's was a good enough start. I recently purchased Adobe Light room 3 and for this Non Photoshop photographer it's proving to be slow for me to figure out. The good news is that there are tons of online tutorials so it's just a matter of time and persistence to figure it out.

Seeing that I'm 48 years old, I tried to approach this photography software knowledge acquisition effort from the traditional bricks and mortar school. After not having much luck finding the classes I wanted it dawned on me that much better resources were to be found online, and for the most part for FREE! How quickly times change!!

Photography can be anything you want to make it. With today's cameras you can keep it simple or you can go 'there'. In the end it's all about making the picture what you want it to be, so don't get overwhelmed and don't get frustrated and compare yourself to what others are doing. If you are inspired you will find a way to get there. Every photographers journey is there own.

Photography is one of those things that keeps giving. There is enough to it to keep you learning and inspired for a long time. We are also in a very exciting age of photography with the advent of digital imaging. I like to think that photography is more accessible to many people, now, more than ever, and in this age of communication that we find ourselves living in, that's a beautiful thing!

It seems you've been bitten by a very intriguing bug.... Congratulations!
And take lots of pictures! Feel free to contact me if you have any questions and I will be more than happy to help!

~ Joanie

Thank you Joanie....I think you have inspired quite a few of us. You were spot on with the information also. The ISO, shutter speed and aperture etc..are the tech things I completely do not understand. Sounds like a good basic book is what I need.

I tinkered around with an early version of Photoshop and agree I need to learn the basics and get comfortable with my equipment. But like you said, with the digital technology it makes experimenting fun.

 

[nannette]

Hey Nannette! How's it going? Have you gotten to the point where you just wanna call for the dumpster and have them haul it ALL away? Just take 1 day at a time. Each day you are closer to those chocolate croissants at the BC/YC Market place. Closer, Closer, CLOSER!!!!~MM

Thank you for asking... the snow today didn't help me much! I've heard that this is what happened...

Fall dressed up as Winter for Halloween!

A very wet heavy snow here in the city, lots of down trees. Anyway I can't wait for the whole move thing to be over... DH (still DAMN husband) thinks he's being helpful, but he's selling my apartment out from under me... Has someone who wants the living room furniture and the fridge (it was for today, but the snow stopped that) so lucky me I still have a fridge! I was going to be without one for 4 days.. that would have been not good. So tomorrow is the day we bring loose things to the new place. Everything else is packed and ready to go. 2 days at work this week and then 5 days to get it all unpacked. Today is 19 days until Disney and all I can say is I hope it's warm when I get there!

On another note your pics are amazing... I also have loved photography since a young age. I had a 35 mm Cannon for years. Just got a digital last Christmas. Love it!!

Thanks for thinking of me in my own personal hell!! I keep thinking about the chocolate croissants....mmmm 19 days!!!

~Nannette

 

[saintstickets]

The worst thing you can do is post a question asking people which is better Canon or Nikon. You'll get people coming out of the woodwork proclaiming their brand the choice to make and then you'll get the Pentax and Sony people chiming in too.

Good luck,

Marlton Mom

Yup....I ended up buying a Sony A55. I'm sure I would've loved a Canon, Nikon, Pentax or Olympus too. There was one feature on the Sony that I liked better than the others so that is why I went with it. I've only had it a month but so far I really love it. If there is a camera store in your town, go hold each one you are interested in and get "a feel" for it. The salesperson will try to convince you to purchase a specific brand but sometimes that could be because it is the one they have the most of or the one they make the most commission on. I agree with Marlton Mom about reading the Photography thread here on the DISboards. There are plenty of people that will be very kind and answer your questions. Good luck with your choice and don't forget to post your pics.

 

[jaceraden]

That is so wrong when it isn't even November yet!

Oddly enough, up here in Canada it is a beautiful sunny day with not a snowflake in sight.

Same here. I'm North of North and it's looking like today will be a great day for hubby to get his last round of golf. I do get some satisfaction from the South getting snow before us. It makes the Winter more bearable somehow....

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I never thought my kids would be trick or treating in the snow!

Really makes me long for BC and SAB!

We took a quick trip for the F&W Festival and MNSSHP in 2008. It's hard to believe that we were swimming in SAB in the same time frame that we're now getting snow off our cars!

 

[MickeyT]

I never thought my kids would be trick or treating in the snow!

Really makes me long for BC and SAB!

We took a quick trip for the F&W Festival and MNSSHP in 2008. It's hard to believe that we were swimming in SAB in the same time frame that we're now getting snow off our cars!

Hey Robyn, Dee, Nannette, Joanie etc...

Haven't heard much from our North Eastern nieghbors this weekend. Guess you can't tell us if you don't have power.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We have power, but it still feels wierd to be looking out the window at snow topped trees in October! Hope everyone is managing - Dee how is everything in MA????

 

[natebenma]

Hey Robyn, Dee, Nannette, Joanie etc...

Haven't heard much from our North Eastern nieghbors this weekend. Guess you can't tell us if you don't have power.

We have power, but it still feels wierd to be looking out the window at snow topped trees in October! Hope everyone is managing - Dee how is everything in MA????

Checking in!

Thanks for the concern, friends. We had about 3 inches here, and our house didn't lose power. A lot of our town went dark last night around 10 and some still don't have power. Thankfully, we will be able to watch the Pats game at 4:15 and maybe invite over some friends if they need to come!!!

Heard one town in Mass got over 20 inches. This is crazy!!!

 

[LaurieN]

We are in North West N.J. and we are the big "winners" in the snow department: 18" We are quite lucky compared to others in the same town, all our trees are still standing and we have power! Trick or treating should be interesting tomorrow in the snow, will make for great pictures (and great stories for my boys to tell their kids someday)
As I was digging myself out this morning I kept telling myself only 25 more days and I'll be at the Beach Club
Laurie

 

[nannette]

Hey Robyn, Dee, Nannette, Joanie etc...

Haven't heard much from our North Eastern nieghbors this weekend. Guess you can't tell us if you don't have power.

Ok now I can add snow to the list of things happening when I moved.... We had about 5 inches in the North Bronx... About 10 miles from me they had 10 inches. Lots of downed trees and power lines, but somehow I never lose power here... in Brooklyn where I'm moving the power goes out all the time when there are storms... NOT looking forward to that. Thanks for the concern Mike.

~Nannette

 

[Rags]

This will be our first stay at the Beach Club. I love the Epcot area and I have a feeling it won't be our last stay!!!!!

 

[Mississippianna]

We're heeeeere! We checked in yesterday and I'm posting now from my iPad with my snoozing DD beside me.

We walked right on to Magical Express and were the third stop after POR and BW. Checked in and we made it here in time to meet Teena!

We got a room with a full balcony on the second floor with a view of woods, a phone book (I have pics to post when we get home) ... and a funky mildew smell. We decided to crank up the ceiling fan and AC and go exploring before dinner. We ate at Cape May. We didn't love the food. I love crab legs but the ones I tried were overcooked. We all liked the chicken nuggets, corn bread and mashed potatoes. My favorite item was the salad tossed with craisins, walnuts and blue cheese, but it's a lot like a salad I make at home. We did agree that as tired as we were a buffet was the best idea. We got real food, fast. Back to our room, luggage had arrived from ME BUT ... Still stinky.

I went to the front desk, and after waiting while they did some searching and found us another room. Now we are on the third floor, with a standing only balcony, and a connecting door instead of the nice shelf with the pegs for hanging things, but it smells nice! Our view is toward the pool, but blocked by trees. To the left we can see the lake and BWI. AND I found a phonebook here too!

Tried out our Cuisinart pod brewer this morning, and I did not like it at all. I don't think I'm a terribly picky coffee drinker but I think I might prefer to go downstairs for some Nescafe rather than drink what I fixed this morning. I'll try it again tomorrow and see if I can get better results with more water or something.

Today, we've been to Akershus, toured Epcot, had AMAZING burgers at Hurricane Hanna's (Definitely going back here aging later in the week.) and taken the Noodles to the pool. Great first full day at the World! I'll be back to post more as I can!

 

[Pinkgirl]

Checking in!

Thanks for the concern, friends. We had about 3 inches here, and our house didn't lose power. A lot of our town went dark last night around 10 and some still don't have power. Thankfully, we will be able to watch the Pats game at 4:15 and maybe invite over some friends if they need to come!!!

Heard one town in Mass got over 20 inches. This is crazy!!!

I do hope you are giong to carve that pumpkin.

 

[Laffites Landing]

We're heeeeere! We checked in yesterday and I'm posting now from my iPad with my snoozing DD beside me.

We walked right on to Magical Express and were the third stop after POR and BW. Checked in and we made it here in time to meet Teena!

We got a room with a full balcony on the second floor with a view of woods, a phone book (I have pics to post when we get home) ... and a funky mildew smell. We decided to crank up the ceiling fan and AC and go exploring before dinner. We ate at Cape May. We didn't love the food. I love crab legs but the ones I tried were overcooked. We all liked the chicken nuggets, corn bread and mashed potatoes. My favorite item was the salad tossed with craisins, walnuts and blue cheese, but it's a lot like a salad I make at home. We did agree that as tired as we were a buffet was the best idea. We got real food, fast. Back to our room, luggage had arrived from ME BUT ... Still stinky.

I went to the front desk, and after waiting while they did some searching and found us another room. Now we are on the third floor, with a standing only balcony, and a connecting door instead of the nice shelf with the pegs for hanging things, but it smells nice! Our view is toward the pool, but blocked by trees. To the left we can see the lake and BWI. AND I found a phonebook here too!

Tried out our Cuisinart pod brewer this morning, and I did not like it at all. I don't think I'm a terribly picky coffee drinker but I think I might prefer to go downstairs for some Nescafe rather than drink what I fixed this morning. I'll try it again tomorrow and see if I can get better results with more water or something.

Today, we've been to Akershus, toured Epcot, had AMAZING burgers at Hurricane Hanna's (Definitely going back here aging later in the week.) and taken the Noodles to the pool. Great first full day at the World! I'll be back to post more as I can!

Reading trip reports like this help make it easier for me to pass the time until our trip to the World next June. Thanks for the report! Sorry about the stinky room, glad they got that fixed for you!

Allen

 

[Kona65]

Spending Christmas at the BC for the first time. Just an information question. Are the Christmas decorations up to par with the WL and GF?

 

[TeenaS]

Spending Christmas at the BC for the first time. Just an information question. Are the Christmas decorations up to par with the WL and GF?

I think they are better myself but then I like the Beach Club gingerbread better (it's from Chef Stefan's grandmother's recipe) and I think the chocolate gingerbread carousel beats a gingerbread house anytime. We have two trees ... no tree as big as WL and GF.

I hope they sell the gingerbread house kits again this year. If they do, everybody needs to get them fast. They sell out all the time.

 

[natebenma]

Spending Christmas at the BC for the first time. Just an information question. Are the Christmas decorations up to par with the WL and GF?

I have never been at the resorts at Christmastime, but there are several pictures posted by vicki_c on page 202 of this thread and there are some on the first page of this thread (in the Beach Club section and the Yacht Club section)

 

[natebenma]

We are in North West N.J. and we are the big "winners" in the snow department: 18" We are quite lucky compared to others in the same town, all our trees are still standing and we have power! Trick or treating should be interesting tomorrow in the snow, will make for great pictures (and great stories for my boys to tell their kids someday)
As I was digging myself out this morning I kept telling myself only 25 more days and I'll be at the Beach Club
Laurie

Wow! That sounds brutal! Hope you have cleaned up ok. Are schools open tomorrow? We won't hear until the morning.

This will be our first stay at the Beach Club. I love the Epcot area and I have a feeling it won't be our last stay!!!!!

Congrats!

Would you like to be added to our Page 1 Guest List? What are your checkin and checkout dates?

We're heeeeere! We checked in yesterday and I'm posting now from my iPad with my snoozing DD beside me.

Thanks for your report. Hope the rest of your trip is spectacular! Sorry you had to move rooms, but it sounds like it was necessary!

I do hope you are giong to carve that pumpkin.

Great idea!

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Checking in!

Thanks for the concern, friends. We had about 3 inches here, and our house didn't lose power. A lot of our town went dark last night around 10 and some still don't have power. Thankfully, we will be able to watch the Pats game at 4:15 and maybe invite over some friends if they need to come!!!

Heard one town in Mass got over 20 inches. This is crazy!!!

Hi Dee-
We were on the rain/snow line and only got about an inch. It was really crazy though!
It's just so weird to hear that states so far south of us got slammed. Wouldn't it be just be horrible to have a snow day from school in October
We didn't get much snow but I can't stand how cold it is already!!!
Trick or treating isn't gonna be to much fun- good thing that's DH dept.
What happened to the Pats?????

Deb