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

[khertz]

It's ambitious, to say the least, but will be soooo amazing if you are able to time everything right and pull it off!!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

It's ambitious, to say the least, but will be soooo amazing if you are able to time everything right and pull it off!!

It would be so much easier if I could just watch 3 Wishes in 3 nights. Then I wouldn't have to run around like mad man.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Spent some quality time last night with my spreadsheets and crunching numbers to figure out which of the rumored January discount promotions would save us the most money for our family trip. This year I'm juggling two separate packages, one for my brother's family. It looks like the Room Only discounts will be the way to go for us. And for the first time, I think we're going without Park Hoppers.

 

[chattadisser]

I wish you nothing but a positive experience starting the photography up. Like others have said, starting a business is not easy and with photography some think that all it takes is a camera. But you are doing your research and planning it out. I think you'll do great. Your pictures are amazing and I like to find photographers for family sessions via word of mouth and it sounds like you've got that started.

I think your plan for the magic bands sounds like a solid plan and you may have an advantage in wanting FP's for later in the evening when others would want them in the morning.

 

[teekathepony]

Spent some quality time last night with my spreadsheets and crunching numbers to figure out which of the rumored January discount promotions would save us the most money for our family trip. This year I'm juggling two separate packages, one for my brother's family. It looks like the Room Only discounts will be the way to go for us. And for the first time, I think we're going without Park Hoppers.

No park hoppers!? Hahaha I'm too indecisive for that, I change my mind on the fly! I know with some planning it has worked for some people really well, and it is such a savings.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[afwdwfan]

This would be especially helpful since I'm going to be at the conference sessions during the day and spending park time in the evenings. So would be nice to have a FP+ for something like Soarin which will run out of regular FPs by mid afternoon while I'm still at the convention center.

That's why you need to take an "important phone call" sometime earlier in the day and slip out to go to the parks.

Even if you can get FP+.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

I wish you nothing but a positive experience starting the photography up. Like others have said, starting a business is not easy and with photography some think that all it takes is a camera. But you are doing your research and planning it out. I think you'll do great. Your pictures are amazing and I like to find photographers for family sessions via word of mouth and it sounds like you've got that started.

Thanks! Hoping that the word of mouth does continue to spread especially after the next two photo sessions!

No park hoppers!? Hahaha I'm too indecisive for that, I change my mind on the fly! I know with some planning it has worked for some people really well, and it is such a savings.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

I've always been a PH fan but this year when I laid out our daily park plans it was so straight forward. A single park for each day. Plus we're staying for only 5 nights and 4 full days so that made it easier as well. Aaaaaand, my brother's family is coming with us and they would much prefer not to hop around the World.

That's why you need to take an "important phone call" sometime earlier in the day and slip out to go to the parks.

Even if you can get FP+.

I think there's a good chance that I may buckle under the temptation and do something like that

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

It's time to replace my Disney iphone cover once again. This is the one I've had since April.

Bruce by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

Really liked it and the kids got a big kick out of it too. The version I have is fabric-backed and last week a coffee stain made its way on to it. Since I'm about to head out for another Disney trip in a few weeks I decided to replace it. So here are the candidates that I've narrowed down to.

Sticking with the Nemo theme:

Crush by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

They had tons of Monsters U themes to choose from. Liked this one the best.

Mikey by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

Woody looking classy.

woody by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

Probably my favorite Pixar movie.

Dug by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

Aaaaaand

Teen Beach by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

Juuuuuuussst kidding on the Teen Beach one! Seeing if you were paying attention.

And I found this one that would be perfect for a certain DIS friend. (looking at you Abbybeth )

Tight Rope Girl by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

 

[teekathepony]

My vote goes to Nemo, my runner up would be Dug!
(LOVE the HM one!)

 

[chattadisser]

I think I have to vote for the HM and then Dug. I too love HM!

Nice move sliding in that Teen Beach movie one. My initial reaction was "oh, no", then I scrolled down. Have to make sure we are all paying attention!

Christine

 

[afwdwfan]

TEEN BEACH!!!

TEEN BEACH!!!

TEEN BEACH!!!

Nah, just kidding.

But it would be funny if you were walking around and pulled out a phone with that cover on it.



I really like the HM one. And Woody.

 

[abbybeth]

Congratulations on taking the next steps for creating a photography business - I have less than zero doubt that you will be incredibly successful! I'm sure it's a little scary, but also exciting! I started my own tiny little CrossFit-related business last fall, and it is intimidating putting yourself out there, but it is also really rewarding and a great learning experience. Keep us posted!

I love park hoppers, but if not going with them saved enough to rationalize the trip, you can do it without them.

I love the Crush case, with my second choice being the MU case. You really have me thinking about how to get the HM case ...

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

My vote goes to Nemo, my runner up would be Dug!
(LOVE the HM one!)

That's how I'm leaning right now too.

I think I have to vote for the HM and then Dug. I too love HM!

Nice move sliding in that Teen Beach movie one. My initial reaction was "oh, no", then I scrolled down. Have to make sure we are all paying attention!

Christine

In fact, I may end up getting two since I really can't decide between Crush and Dug!

TEEN BEACH!!!

TEEN BEACH!!!

TEEN BEACH!!!

Nah, just kidding.

But it would be funny if you were walking around and pulled out a phone with that cover on it.

Why keep a Teen Beach phone in my pocket when I could get a lanyard and display it proudly everywhere I go in Disney!

Congratulations on taking the next steps for creating a photography business - I have less than zero doubt that you will be incredibly successful! I'm sure it's a little scary, but also exciting! I started my own tiny little CrossFit-related business last fall, and it is intimidating putting yourself out there, but it is also really rewarding and a great learning experience. Keep us posted!

I love the Crush case, with my second choice being the MU case. You really have me thinking about how to get the HM case ...

Thanks Abby!! Hope you have a blast at WDW!

 

[abbybeth]

Why keep a Teen Beach phone in my pocket when I could get a lanyard and display it proudly everywhere I go in Disney!

Just get a Teen Beach shirt for each day of your trip. You can wear it under your business casual conference wear and then bust it out for the parks. The Tween Dream equivalent of Clark Kent/Superman!!!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Just get a Teen Beach shirt for each day of your trip. You can wear it under your business casual conference wear and then bust it out for the parks. The Tween Dream equivalent of Clark Kent/Superman!!!

Almost spit out the soda I was drinking while reading this I fear that if any of my colleagues catches me doing that my career may never recover.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

If the phone cases weren't enough now I have to pick a t-shirt or two! I posted before that I was hoping to find a HM t shirt to wear for MNSSHP. Someone from the October DIS Facebook group recommended Mouse Street USA. They had been closed for the past month while the owner was on vacation. Well now they're back and open again! So I have narrowed down the choices to these four:

Stretching Room design. This is the front and back of the same shirt.

HM4_1 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

Beware of those hitchhikers!!

HM3 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

I tell ya, they're up to no good.

HM2 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

And Mickey and Goofy getting in on the act.

HM1 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

So what do you think? Which one's your favorite?

 

[DDuck4Life]

Damn you Dave I've already spent enough money for this trip but after checking out some of those shirt designs I want to spend more. I had never seen Mouse Street USA before but they have some great shirt designs that DW and I might have to get before our trip.

I'm a fan of the first one, really love the stretching room. and for the phone cases I would stick with the Nemo theme. or buy a couple and rotate them out.

 

[SAT887]

Another week in the books. I'm now exactly 5 weeks away! Although it's going to feel like 10 weeks as I have a very busy stretch of work coming up at the hospital that will last for 3 weeks but I'm trying not to think about that until it actually begins. Sitting at Starbucks right now while waiting for DD to finish her dance classes. Just finished making arrangements for next weekend's Snore and Roar Campout/ Sleepover at the National Zoo for DD and DW. I took DD last year and had a blast so it was DW's turn. DS is still too young for the age requirement. It's extremely popular and I reserved our spots back in March. This year I made reservations for two additional spots and two of DD's friends are coming as well. Had a fairly productive week in terms of prep work for all things photography. Had a consultation with our tax accounting firm and have all of the steps lined up local/state/fed regulatory and tax requirements. Now I just have to come with a name for the business which is driving me nuts. I have a practice family portrait photo shoot coming up in two weeks. My friend who I did the practice shoot last month was so happy with her pictures that she basically advertised for me. One of her friends called me up and asked if I was still looking for subjects and I was happy to take up on her offer. This will be a very good real world simulation since I don't know the family at all and they have three young children! I have one more practice family shoot arranged for November with a friend of mine and his family. I also have three evening classes lined up for the next month. One of them is called "Starting a second career in Photography". I'm very excited and nervous about where all of this will take me. Hopefully someplace good Finally, I have to mention at least one thing about my Disney plans. I've been watching all of my fellow October DISers of the FP page signing up for Magic Bands and arranging FP+. Even though I'm staying at Beach Club which is one of the test resorts, I haven't been able to opt in with these testings because the reservation was made through the conference and it's booking agency. This is pretty standard fare for conferences where the booking agency basically buys out a big block of rooms and handles all of the reservations internally until about 2 weeks before the conference when they finalize everything and hand all of the names and reservations to Disney. So until then I'm not in the Disney's system and hence don't have a Disney reservation number to link on My Disney Experience. What I am thinking of doing is calling Disney right after the reservation has been transferred to them to see if I can get my Disney ressie number and see if I can sign up for MB and some FP+. With only 2 weeks remaining, I'll have to pick up my MB at the resort but hopefully there will be some FP+s options available for me to use. This would be especially helpful since I'm going to be at the conference sessions during the day and spending park time in the evenings. So would be nice to have a FP+ for something like Soarin which will run out of regular FPs by mid afternoon while I'm still at the convention center. Ok, I think I rambled on long enough and oh lookie time for me to head back to pick up DD. Hope everyone has a great weekend!!

Spent some quality time last night with my spreadsheets and crunching numbers to figure out which of the rumored January discount promotions would save us the most money for our family trip. This year I'm juggling two separate packages, one for my brother's family. It looks like the Room Only discounts will be the way to go for us. And for the first time, I think we're going without Park Hoppers.

Snore and Roar?? That sounds sooo awesome... I slept over at the Franklin Institute in Philly a few times and it was so awesome hopefully I can do something with the kiddos like that.

Awesome news on the photography front! Wow - the best of luck! Your pictures are amazing and that's great that your friend is recommending you Word of mouth is the best advertising.

Do you have MB envy? Good luck on getting some FP+ options. I am excited to try them in January - Zoey was adorable and pretended to put one on before entering the rides we used FP on, she would wave her little wrist by the Mickey head and tell the CM "It worked!!"

Ooooo no park hoppers?? I don't know if I could do it!!

 

[SAT887]

Ohhh and I love the iPhone cases. I need a new one, I tried to find one in WDW that I loved, but I couldn't. I like the Nemo one best My sister has the HM one it's pretty neat.

 

[afwdwfan]

I like the second shirt... the bright green hitchhiking ghosts.

But I also like the first one.

And the last one.

OK, they're all pretty cool, but I have to say the green hitchhiking ghosts is my favorite.