A Photo Safari Halloween Solo Trip for Oct'13: Trip Report Started!

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Had to share this picture I took while waiting in line at our hospital cafeteria to pay.


Untitled by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

Did a double take because at first I thought I saw Donald eating lunch. It was just a giant Aflac stuffed duck that they set up for one of the employee benefits table.

 

[emmysmommy]

Untitled by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

Did a double take because at first I thought I saw Donald eating lunch. It was just a giant Aflac stuffed duck that they set up for one of the employee benefits table.

You definitely need help Dave!

I have no idea about the camera equipment but I know that we are in for a treat when you share your 5,000 photos.

Love the advice and strategy for dealing with your limited private event time at DHS.

I discovered some of the hidden Pascals and the apples at the Tangled rest area. There are so many clever details. Plan to spend at least 15 minutes in that area - 17 if you need to use the facilities!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

I have no idea about the camera equipment but I know that we are in for a treat when you share your 5,000 photos.

Love the advice and strategy for dealing with your limited private event time at DHS.

I discovered some of the hidden Pascals and the apples at the Tangled rest area. There are so many clever details. Plan to spend at least 15 minutes in that area - 17 if you need to use the facilities!

It might take more than a couple of extra minutes inside the facilities because from what I've seen there are a lot of theming in the restrooms! Am I going to look ridiculous holding up my DSLR and taking pictures inside the men's room?

I'm pretty sure the final number of presentable photos will be less far less than 5000. Lot of photobombs to account for, you know.

 

[emmysmommy]

It might take more than a couple of extra minutes inside the facilities because from what I've seen there are a lot of theming in the restrooms! Am I going to look ridiculous holding up my DSLR and taking pictures inside the men's room?

I'm pretty sure the final number of presentable photos will be less far less than 5000. Lot of photobombs to account for, you know.

Why not? I took a lot of photos in the ladies room! Just wait..... Not to make it completely creepy, I kept to just the entrance and sink area. There were other ladies with their cameras out so you may just be the first gentleman viewing those photos!!

Ok, even if you share the best of the best 4,000+ photos, I'm still looking forward to a visual treat!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Why not? I took a lot of photos in the ladies room! Just wait..... Not to make it completely creepy, I kept to just the entrance and sink area. There were other ladies with their cameras out so you may just be the first gentleman viewing those photos!!

Ok, even if you share the best of the best 4,000+ photos, I'm still looking forward to a visual treat!

Thanks Brenda! Hope I don't disappoint. Seriously, if my camera breaks down in any way during the trip y'all are going to hear a blood curdling scream from the southeast direction.

And I will try my best to toe the fine line of being artsy and creepy with my pictures in the bathroom.

 

[chattadisser]

Had to share this picture I took while waiting in line at our hospital cafeteria to pay.


Untitled by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

Did a double take because at first I thought I saw Donald eating lunch. It was just a giant Aflac stuffed duck that they set up for one of the employee benefits table.

Hee, hee at seeing Donald automatically. I do stuff like that all the time and then internally ask myself if I'm weird because I apparently have Disney on the brain all the time? Then I decided that it's everyone else who doesn't see Disney all around that are the weirdos!

Now my girls will point out hidden Mickeys when we are out. I have sufficiently brainwashed them properly!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Now my girls will point out hidden Mickeys when we are out. I have sufficiently brainwashed them properly!

Love it.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Another week is in the bag and just 43 more days left!

With DW working the weekend again, it's just me with the kids. I've come up with a couple of fun outings that I hope to report back with some pictures on Monday morning. One involves watching teams of 25 grown men and women trying to pull a Boeing 747 by tugging on a rope. Intrigued? I know I am!

Have a great weekend everyone!

 

[chattadisser]

Another week is in the bag and just 43 more days left!

With DW working the weekend again, it's just me with the kids. I've come up with a couple of fun outings that I hope to report back with some pictures on Monday morning. One involves watching teams of 25 grown men and women trying to pull a Boeing 747 by tugging on a rope. Intrigued? I know I am!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Did you make it or give up? From the picture you posted on FB, it looked like you didn't have much choice but just sit and wait. I thought it was an air show. Now watching people pull a 747 might make me wait in that traffic. That is definately something that you don't see everyday!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Did you make it or give up? From the picture you posted on FB, it looked like you didn't have much choice but just sit and wait. I thought it was an air show. Now watching people pull a 747 might make me wait in that traffic. That is definately something that you don't see everyday!

I ended up bailing It was poor planning on my part. We'll try again for next year now that I've learned my lesson. I'm posting the full experience/vent below.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Hope everyone had a great weekend! I did but I'm still recovering from last night's gut wrenching episode of Breaking Bad. Not sure if I can make it through the final two episodes in the next two weeks without bursting into flames.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to deliver on the tease I provided on Friday about our visit to the Dulles Day Festival and Plane Pull. Yup, that's right. For the past 20 years or so, they've been holding a festival on one of the runways at Washington Dulles Airport benefiting the a charity for the Special Olympics. The highlight of the event is a competition where teams of 25 people line up and pull on the rope attached to the front landing gear of a 747 to see who can pull the aircraft to the finishing line in the fastest time. They also have a car show on one side of the runway and a display of 20 something aircrafts/jets on the other where you can climb into the cockpits on some of them. And this year, they secured the only privately owned Harrier Jet in the country which made it's appearance in grand fashion. By flying into the festival and doing its signature vertical landing on the runway next to the Festival runway and taxiing to it's parking spot in the aircraft show area.

I know, pretty cool stuff. I wish all of this could have been first hand reporting but sadly there was a major glitch in my plans that prevented us from getting there. I think I mentioned that DW was working this weekend so I was flying solo once again. The festival started at 11:00am with the Harrier Jet landing scheduled for 12:30pm. I dropped DD off for her Saturday ballet and jazz dance classes which is actually all the way out near Dulles airport. DS and I killed some time like last week. Once she finished her classes at 11:00am, I picked her up, drove through McDonalds to grab some lunch to eat in the car, and drove over to Dulles.

As soon as we entered the exit ramp to the airport access road that leads to the single parking lot designated for the event, the traffic came to a screeching halt. It was a mess. The root of the problem is that they designated one of the infrequently used long term airport parking lot for event parking and it basically has only one entrance. In the mean time, you have people approaching the airport from the North, South, and East all bottlenecking into this one entrance. Yes, that was some genius planning. So for the next 45 minutes we moved about 0.2 miles. Since we were still on the exit ramp, there was no place for us to bail.

The people I really felt sorry for were the people who were heading to the airport to catch a flight. Yup, they were stuck in the same traffic mess as we were since all of the major routes heading to the event is pretty much the same as the route heading towards the airport. I saw several desperate folks get out of their taxi cabs or family's vehicle and started walking towards the airport with the luggage in tow. Mind you, we were about a mile and a half way from the terminal.

Meanwhile back in my car after 45 minutes of waiting, DD declares a restroom emergency. (Darn you McDonalds!!) By that point I was about 200 feet from an offshoot road of the exit ramp that will take me straight to the terminal. I looked back and told the kids we were going to have to bail and the two of them in sync began crying in disappointment. It lasted about 5 seconds because I then told them I would take them to Chuck E Cheese to make up for it. The cries turned into cheers immediately!

Once we got out of that car line I drove over to the Dulles terminal and parked in the hourly parking lot. Took the kids to the restroom in the baggage claim area. Paid the parking fee and went to Chuck E Cheese to play some games for 2 hours. Best $5 parking fee ever spent!

So instead of some cool pictures from Dulles Day, I have just two pictures for you.

Us stuck in our car line


Untitled by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

The Baggage Claim at Dulles - I know, exciting stuff


Untitled by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

Lesson learned. Next year, I will get to the airport at least an hour before the event starts even if it means DD misses her dance classes.

On Sunday, took the kids to the zoo and had a great time. We usually skip going to the zoo during the summer time when it's crowded with out of town visitors and when it's hot. It was great to be back after a 4 month hiatus and we had some very cool fall weather to go with it.

 

[abbybeth]

ugh! My heart sank when I saw the traffic picture on fb - what a mess. I really hate it when people plan huge events, but have no forethought as to how people will actually GET to and/or LEAVE the event.

At least Chuck E Cheese seemed to placate the littles, but I know you were bummed to miss the cool plane stuff. The plane pull and the vertical landing sound so neat!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

ugh! My heart sank when I saw the traffic picture on fb - what a mess. I really hate it when people plan huge events, but have no forethought as to how people will actually GET to and/or LEAVE the event.

At least Chuck E Cheese seemed to placate the littles, but I know you were bummed to miss the cool plane stuff. The plane pull and the vertical landing sound so neat!

Our kids are nuts about going to Chuck E Cheese. I've only taken them there twice so far but they love it. This time we just skipped the food and spent the money on tokens. DD gets a kick out of collecting tickets from the games and trading them in to get those little toys at the exit. DS mostly enjoys the rides. He also likes to play the racing video games although he's too small to play on his own since his feet can't reach the pedal. He sits on my lap and I do most of the footwork and provide a little help here and there with his steering.

 

[afwdwfan]

Hope everyone had a great weekend! I did but I'm still recovering from last night's gut wrenching episode of Breaking Bad. Not sure if I can make it through the final two episodes in the next two weeks without bursting into flames.

This is a show I've missed out on. I've seen the hype and thought about checking it out, but I've already got a DVR full of stuff that I'm behind on.

I just hope for your sake that the end of Breaking Bad is better than end of one of my favorite shows on cable, Burn Notice. I thought the 2 or 3 episodes leading up to its finale were much better than the last one.

In the mean time, you have people approaching the airport from the North, South, and East all bottlenecking into this one entrance. Yes, that was some genius planning. So for the next 45 minutes we moved about 0.2 miles. Since we were still on the exit ramp, there was no place for us to bail.

The people I really felt sorry for were the people who were heading to the airport to catch a flight. Yup, they were stuck in the same traffic mess as we were since all of the major routes heading to the event is pretty much the same as the route heading towards the airport. I saw several desperate folks get out of their taxi cabs or family's vehicle and started walking towards the airport with the luggage in tow. Mind you, we were about a mile and a half way from the terminal.

Wow... And this isn't the first time this event was held? I mean really? Was some intern in charge of logistics for this event?

Meanwhile back in my car after 45 minutes of waiting, DD declares a restroom emergency.

Well, naturally!

I then told them I would take them to Chuck E Cheese to make up for it. The cries turned into cheers immediately!

That might be an even bigger sacrifice on your part than deciding to miss out on the show.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Wow... And this isn't the first time this event was held? I mean really? Was some intern in charge of logistics for this event?

Either I'm being more sensitive and less patient than I should be about this traffic mess (and I don't think I am ) and no one else has complained OR this is the first year they've had this problem OR they are just flatly ignoring the congestion. Whatever the answer it is perplexing.

That might be an even bigger sacrifice on your part than deciding to miss out on the show.

Yes. Although there are a couple of games I really got into.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

I’ve been pouring over this particular touring plan for the past couple of weeks since I only get one crack at this. Of course, the idea of doing a second party night has come up more than once but I just can’t swing it. I love the idea of being able to take more time and perhaps squeeze in a couple of character meets here and there but a second party would mean ditching my only opportunity to see Illuminations during this trip as well as some quality time at the FW Kiosks. So I’m sticking with the one party plan.

My priorities are the Boo To You Parade, the Villains Mix and Mingle, and Hallowishes. And meeting up with khertz/DDuck4life and their adorable son at some point during the night. So here’s how I have things mapped out after much tinkering.

I’m hoping to enter MK by 5:30pm at the latest. Will have to grab a bite somewhere along the way from the Convention Center and MK. As of now, I have Raglan Road reserved for a 3:30pm meal but not sure if I’ll be able to do that with the sessions I have to attend at the meeting.

I’m planning on spending a good 45 minutes after entering the park in Main Street. This will be the first MK visit for this trip so I want to soak in the Halloween decorations. I also want to spend time meeting some of the Main Street CMs and take some pictures of them in their special outfits. And finally would like to take this time to appreciate the costumes of fellow party attendees. I may even ask permission from some of them to take a picture or two of the costumes I really like. (Seriously Abbybeth, don’t know why you couldn’t be going to Disney the same time I am )

After getting in the right frame of mind in Main Street I’m going to mosey over to Adventure Land. I plan on doing only two rides this evening. PotC is one of them. I think it’s pretty appropriate for the occasion of Halloween, don’t you think? Maybe a pirate or two will be joining the boat I’m riding?

I’ll circle around to Liberty Square to spend a good 40 minutes in and around the Haunted Mansion. I’ll need to go on the ride at least once. I mean the parade and fireworks is pretty much themed around this attraction so how can I not? My tripod will undoubtedly be making its appearance for some of the exterior shots of the HM as well as the lovely ladies who make their appearance sitting in a bench in the front yard. I would also like to get a few close ups of the HM CMs. From the pictures I’ve seen they may be in extra Halloween spirits during the party.

If I have time I’m going to hop over to the castle walls in front of New Fantasyland to catch a glimpse of the Seven Dwarfs. I have decided not to actually get in any of the character meet and greet lines. I know, boooooorrrring. But as I mapped out my touring plan I realized how tight my time is. Plus I’ll probably feel awkward posing with the characters by myself knowing how I am. I’ll take a few snaps of the characters from the side. As I always say, I’m a lot more comfortable behind the camera than in front.

Then it’s time to get back over to Liberty Square where I will grab a snack at Sleepy Hollow if time permits (a certain waffle snack is beckoning) and find a spot to camp out across from Sleepy Hollow or Hall of Presidents in preparation for the first Boo To You Parade that begins at 8:15pm from the Frontierland end. I debated a lot about what I want to set up as my backdrop for the first set of parade pictures and decided that this area would work great especially for the Headless Horseman pictures. Yes, I’m secretly hoping that I somehow luck out with a shot of the HH trotting in front of the Sleepy Hollow sign.

After the parade, it’s time to reposition myself for Hallowishes. Once again, I debated endless times where I want to do this. Ideally, would like to be dead center where the “hump” on the street is between Casey’s and Plaza Ice Cream. If you don’t know, there’s a specific spot in the middle of the street where it begins to slope downwards towards the Castle. You may have seen a lot of good looking photos from that spot where it appears that the picture was taken by an extremely tall man as the people in front do not obstruct the view. But this party being so close to Halloween and most likely being sold out I am a bit concerned about the crowds and whether I’ll be able to set up my tripod on that spot without tripping someone or myself over. I also tend to get uncomfortable with big crowds where I have about an inch diameter of personal space. I’ll scope things out but I’m going to guess I’ll be bailing on that spot and head over to…..the fencing in near Crystal Palace. It provides an off-center view but I can set up my tripod at the fence without worrying about getting in the way. No concerns of someone deciding to stand right in front of me and the camera 1 minute before the start. And I’m hoping slightly less crowded than the center of Main Street.

Once I finish oooing and ahhing at Hallowishes I’m going to slowly fight the crowds and make my way to be in position for the second Boo To You Parade. Yes, once is definitely not enough for this awesome line of rare characters. I haven’t quite made up my mind as to whether I will do the second viewing from the Tomorrowland side of the Hub with the Castle as a backdrop or from Main Street with the awesome Halloween lighting of the buildings and a more distant castle as a backdrop. I’m leaning more towards Main Street and setting up camp in front of the flagpole facing straight at the Castle. This way I will get more shots of the parade and characters without the guests from the sidelines getting in the way. Plus the castle can still be in the background!

After the second parade, I’ll move up to the Hub for my one and only viewing of the Villains Mix and Mingle. The priority is the 8 minute show itself. I would like to try to use the actual meet and greet time to take a couple of more pictures of the villains that I may have missed during the show. Can I just take this moment and ask how the heck Frollo continues to grace his presence for this show after all these years? Seriously, Quasimodo never gets to see the light of the day at Disney and Frollo somehow does? Do kids these days even know who he is? Considering how many other cool villains are out there it irks me that he’s still hogging prime real estate at the party. Ok, composing myself again. Aaaaand we’re back. Sorry about that. Just one of those annoying Disney mysteries.

The final 30 minutes or so of the party time will be a whirlwind with me running through Tomorrowland’s Trick or Treat Trail as I try to make up for the lack of candy collection throughout my evening. I heard CMs are shoveling out candy by this time in the evening trying to get rid of their lot before the party closes. Then it’s me running off to the Tomorrowland Dance Party to catch a glimpse of not Mikey, not Sulley, but George Sanderson and the sock on his back aka “Code 2319!”. Ok, if I run into Mike and Sulley it won’t be the end of world. Then the last leg of my 30 minute sprint will be to catch Captain Sparrow over at Adventureland.

You can bet I’m going to take my sweeeeeet ol time making my way out of MK after midnight. Yup, I’m going to position myself in the deep recesses of Frontierland when the clock strikes midnight and give everyone else a chance to leave the park before I do. Then as I’m being prodded forward by CMs who are desperate to close up shop and head home I will try to catch a few photos of the park as empty as I can find them. My slow exit will also be helped by the inertia that would have set in as I try to make myself leave my first ever MNSSHP. Yes, I will be in full denial that the party is over.

So there you have it! Not sure how much sleep I’ll be able to get by the time I return back to my Beach Club room which will probably be around 1am. And I’ll probably be hopped on sugar as I munch through half of my candy trove while waiting in line for the ferry to take me back to TTC to my car. But I am absolutely certain it’ll be worth it.

 

[afwdwfan]

Wow. Just wow. You've really got this thing planned out. I hope you really can make the most of this party and maybe things will fall into place and allow you to get everything you want done and then some. I'm definitely glad you're making time for a candy trail. I mean who would pass on free junk food (that really isn't free)?

And Frollo... Really?????

 

[abbybeth]

I may even ask permission from some of them to take a picture or two of the costumes I really like. (Seriously Abbybeth, don’t know why you couldn’t be going to Disney the same time I am )

My tripod will undoubtedly be making its appearance for some of the exterior shots of the HM as well as the lovely ladies who make their appearance sitting in a bench in the front yard. I would also like to get a few close ups of the HM CMs. From the pictures I’ve seen they may be in extra Halloween spirits during the party.

But I am absolutely certain it’ll be worth it.

Ugh! If I somehow win the lottery I will buy a plane ticket and a MNSSHP ticket! It would be so fun to meet up!

I will however go out on and limb and say I'll probably beg you for files of your pics of Madame Carlotta and Madame Rosetta (I think?!) as they sit out on the mansion's lawn. The HM CMs will definitely be in high spirits and awesome makeup for the occasion.

And it is so worth it. Our first party in 2007 we lost about an hour and a half to torrential rain. Still felt that we got our money's worth. The party I attended in 2009 had great weather and I enjoyed it even more. It is really SO much fun and worth every penny of admission!

 

[chattadisser]

I think the kids won on the weekend, getting Chuck E Cheese and the zoo! Love the pit stop in baggage claim, we’ve all had to come up with some creative bathroom stops at one time or another.

What about forgoing Raglan Road to grab a some counter service just before the party “officially” starts? You can get into the party at 4, take some pictures on Main Street and then grab a counter service later. We usually grab CHH to not loose to much party time.

I can’t wait for the pictures of the ladies at the HM! We never seem to time in right when they are out.

I think you have a great spot planned for the parade. I’ve heard that spot recommend as having the best lighting for pictures.

Ahh, the fencing near CP, that is where we usually view Wishes from. It does give you a slightly off-center picture of the castle but I have found that those tend to look more “artsy” that way, like I intended to do that, not that that was the only place I could find to stand! Walk really slowing out of the party…how great are empty MK photos on a MNSSHP night be?

I think you have a great plan and will definately be making the most use out of your time.

Christine

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

What about forgoing Raglan Road to grab a some counter service just before the party “officially” starts? You can get into the party at 4, take some pictures on Main Street and then grab a counter service later. We usually grab CHH to not loose to much party time.

That's a good idea especially if I want to get inside the park earlier. I think the biggest obstacle is when my last session at the convention center ends. It all depends on how early or late I can get out from that.

I think you have a great spot planned for the parade. I’ve heard that spot recommend as having the best lighting for pictures.

That's great! Which also means there may be some competition for those spots.

Ahh, the fencing near CP, that is where we usually view Wishes from. It does give you a slightly off-center picture of the castle but I have found that those tend to look more “artsy” that way, like I intended to do that, not that that was the only place I could find to stand! Walk really slowing out of the party…how great are empty MK photos on a MNSSHP night be?

I've seen a handful of pictures taken from the CP fencing and I do like the angle. Plus I haven't come across a picture of Hallowishes from that spot so that'll be something new.