4 gigs of pics, 3 blisters, 2 pairs of new shoes, 1 bleeding toe = our great trip!

[WillowBelle]

On my honor I promise I will try to get another installment done tomorrow!!! I still have so much to write about.

I've got a slew of juror comments to type up, the girls spent the night out tonight - I'm hoping that I can wrap up part of my work stuff tomorrow and do another bit.

Sorry for the gap!!!!

 

[annnewjerz]

 

[crocko]

 

[WillowBelle]

OK all caught up for the moment!!!

SO, we were headed to TSM with our FP's in hand. Here's some photos of waiting in line:

the ceiling.......

glasses pickup......

From the walkway above......

Going down the stairs to the ride......

Back out and snapped a photo of across the street from the ride:

Now it's time to head to Fantasmic. We had our golden tickets from dinner at HW&V. While we were walking up the walkway, some man crashed into Angelina with a stroller. Really messed up the back of her foot. In case curious minds want to know, yes - it was the same foot that she'd already messed up her toe. Poor thing was crying and limping along. I felt so bad because there was nothing I could do for her.

Got our seats just off to the right in the preferred section about 8 rows back. They were great. Started chatting it up with the sweetest family from Colorado. They had 2 little girls who immediately befriended my girls which made the 1 hour wait bearable. The mother went and got something for her girls from a vendor and brought back a bag of ice for Angelina's ankle.

Here's the theater, about 30 minutes out from showtime:

Finally the lights kicked off and the show began:

*Note: We had the "preferred seating" because of eating at HW&V. I don't know that I will worry about getting the Fantasmic seating on our next visit. Since you are filtered in with everyone else, and are suggested to be there just as early as everyone else, I don't really see the use. We could have sat front and center in the center just as easily as the seats we chose to sit in.

Once the show ended we hurried out, being careful to avoid speed walker daddys with strollers and started exploring DHS in the dark.

Up next.......hand held attempts at nighttime pictures, we check out the Villain store and are we in bed any earlier tonight since the park closes at 10:30?.........

 

[WillowBelle]

ended....BRAVO.....so glad we were able to catch this. It's one of my favorites.

Now it was time to photograph my way out of the park. We'd already done pretty much everything we wanted to. The park closed at 10:30, B&TB wasn't running anymore. Once again, missed this one. We've never seen it - guess it's something for 2010.

Girls wanted to go in to the

store. I stood outside and took photos of:

and

Then we wandered into the Villain store. I had strolled through at a very quick pace before Fantasmic. Wanted to take some pictures of the displays there:

And through the windows:

Further down and accross the street I was really excited to take photos of:

I probably took 50, won't force you to look at them all.

The girls got in on the action:

Display out front near the car:

Then I looked up and saw this:

Kind of sad now that Kodachrome film is no longer being produced. Not that I miss film, but I would imagine that some photographers are crying because they are part of a dying breed. Not everyone likes the switch to digital.

But I digress.......

Put the fisheye back on and attempted some handheld dark photos:

This area of the park was pretty much empty - since it was basically closing time, we wandered a bit so I could get some empty pictures:

Time to turn around and head for the exit:

The girls did a bit of pin trading:

Then we walked to the bus. Since the park was basically empty at this point - we had a front spot waiting......which as most of you know is basically unheard of at night leaving a park.

Bus pulled up and Gabriella whispered in my ear "think the driver will have trading cards?" I told her I had no idea, she should ask. She shyly walked up to the driver and asked. To her AMAZEMENT she did. The girls now have their complete set of trading cards.

Nice and easy ride back to the resort - strolled to the room, started charging camera batteries and the phone. Got to bed by 11:30. Tomorrow is EP, and the park doesn't open until 9:00 -- going to get a great nights sleep again! We're going to need it because the park is open till midnight.

Up next......a special guest at Akershus and when it rains it pours!

 

[crocko]

More great pics.....the ones in the Villains store are awesome and with your girls in front of the car as well.


And man....all those late nights.....that's definitely one thing cool about going in the summer, those nice late hours in the parks.

 

[annnewjerz]

Another great update, love this shot---although all of them are awesome. Night shots are my fave and luckily I'll have DH to lug around my tripod for me each night---so I should get a good bit of them during our trips in October and December. Can't wait to see more!

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Still loving your pix! You have a really good eye! We thought the same thing about Fantasmic last year...my DH actually thought the others that came in later than us ended up with better seats!! The nice part about it though was that we didn't have to stand outside in the long normal line...waiting....waiting....waiting!!!

 

[WillowBelle]

And man....all those late nights.....that's definitely one thing cool about going in the summer, those nice late hours in the parks.

I agree, the hours too me are one of the biggest benefits of going during the summertime. I'm excited to go in October next, but not looking forward to being out of the parks so early.

Another great update, love this shot---although all of them are awesome. Night shots are my fave and luckily I'll have DH to lug around my tripod for me each night---so I should get a good bit of them during our trips in October and December. Can't wait to see more!

I took about 6 photos of that dreadful sign ! I couldn't get my WB right. That is something I really struggle with! I'll have my DH with us on the next trip too, so he'll help carry some of the load also. Part of the reason that I didn't bring it with me though was because there was supposed to be several INCHES of rain fall this day. We had that one brief shower and that was it. Oh well, live and learn. Unfortunatelly "tomorrow" we're not so luck with the 'scattered' showers.

Still loving your pix! You have a really good eye! We thought the same thing about Fantasmic last year...my DH actually thought the others that came in later than us ended up with better seats!! The nice part about it though was that we didn't have to stand outside in the long normal line...waiting....waiting....waiting!!!

I didn't remember that they don't project the cartoon images on the side water as well as the center. I was really hoping to get photos of that part of Fantasmic. Next time we'll just sit in the middle.

 

[annnewjerz]

I took about 6 photos of that dreadful sign ! I couldn't get my WB right. That is something I really struggle with!

Do you shoot in RAW or JPG? I always leave my WB in auto and the D90 does a pretty good job picking out what's right, but with RAW I can go into my editing suite and use the sliders to tweak the WB until it's juuuuuuuuust right.

 

[WillowBelle]

Do you shoot in RAW or JPG? I always leave my WB in auto and the D90 does a pretty good job picking out what's right, but with RAW I can go into my editing suite and use the sliders to tweak the WB until it's juuuuuuuuust right.

I shot in JPG. I don't know how to batch edit RAW yet. I do have an internet friend who is going to teach me how - then the sky is the limit. I was also afraid that I would fill all of my cards and not have enough memory. I only have one 4 gig card and three 2 gig cards . I have two 8 gig cards on my amazon wishlist. Once I get them I will feel secure enough taking in RAW and not worrying about space.

 

[Disneychix]

Love love the updates!

It's amazing how much G looks like you!

 

[MelanieC]

Those are hands down some of the best WDW pictures I've ever seen!!

 

[WillowBelle]

Love love the updates!

It's amazing how much G looks like you!

Poor thing - hopefully she won't continue to look like me when she gets older !

Those are hands down some of the best WDW pictures I've ever seen!!

WOW, thanks Melanie! I feel like I can't even hold a candle close to some of the pictures I've seen 'round here.

 

[Mamie]

I am so enjoying your report. Your pictures are amazing and your girls are beautiful!

 

[Arwen0503]

What a great trip report and your pictures are amazing.

 

[WillowBelle]

I am so enjoying your report. Your pictures are amazing and your girls are beautiful!

Thank you . I see you live in Jacksonville, my mom lives in Jax - she lives very near the American Adventure waterpark - are you near there? We spend every 4th of July there watching the fireworks get shot off the pier!

What a great trip report and your pictures are amazing.

Glad you're enjoying it thus far . I have several more photos to go, even though I'm almost finished with my vacation *sigh*. With a 25 photo max/per comment reply, it is going to take me quite a while to get through "tomorrow" on here. I took a BUNCH of photos on the next day.

 

[ScrappinGran]

I am so totally INSPIRED by your fantastic photographs. Your trip report is awesome, too...but your pictures are amazing! I am going in Sept.-just me and my DH. We have been many times, but never just the 2 of us. One of the things I am most looking forward to, is taking pictures of architectural details, flowers, windows and doorways,etc. All the shots we never have had time for in past visits. You have given me SO many ideas...I LOVE the pictures in the shops, especially the Christmas ornaments. I also love all your night shots, and will be practicing with my Canon Rebel XTi. I got a wide angle lens for Xmas from my kids, but don't know really how to use it. we'll be staying at POFQ, so maybe some scenery shots there. I love your fisheye lens pictures, too. I am SO glad you shared your trip and your pictures. You are an amazing Mom, your girls will treasure these pictures and memories. THANK YOU!!!

 

[tamlav]

WOW!!!!! These pictures are amazing! You are very talented. Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed looking at them.

I look forward to seeing more.

 

[BabyPiglet]

Just found your trip report, and I am loving it! You're a great writer and photographer! Can't wait for the next update. :