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

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Stitch's Great Escape

It's been years since I went on this one. I don't find it as bad as most people do but perhaps it's because enough time has passed that I can no longer recollect what Stitch's breath smells like. In any case, I'm going to have to time the pictures right so that I can avoid getting my camera wet from Stitch. Hopefully I can capture him right as the smoke begins to clear from his transporter then tuck the camera away from his nasty sounding spits.

 

[afwdwfan]

Stitch, huh? Well, ok. Whatever makes you happy.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Stitch, huh? Well, ok. Whatever makes you happy.

It may be that just after a minute into it I'll think to myself "Oh yeah, I remember now. This is pretty disgusting."

 

[chattadisser]

Everyone knock's poor Stitch! I can't say I really like it but my oldest is a Stitch fanatic so we have to go on his "ride" every time we can. I get irritated because it's just like the old alien encounter that was there before. I think with Stitch they could do so much more.

I do think you could end up with some great photos from it and, I would think, it would be pretty challenging with the different lights and effects.

Christine

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Everyone knock's poor Stitch! I can't say I really like it but my oldest is a Stitch fanatic so we have to go on his "ride" every time we can. I get irritated because it's just like the old alien encounter that was there before. I think with Stitch they could do so much more.

I do think you could end up with some great photos from it and, I would think, it would be pretty challenging with the different lights and effects.

Christine

I have very good memories of Alien Encounter and I think the attraction worked a whole lot better under that theme than Stitch. I remember the first time I went on Alien Encounter it was intense and suspenseful. Probably too intense for the average MK crowd which may be why they decided to re-theme it to a more child friendly version. I also think Alien Encounter may have survived a little longer had it been in DHS rather than MK.

As for trying to get Stitch pictures, my biggest worry is that I'm going to get my camera wet by whatever nastiness that gets hurled my way by the little monster.

 

[teekathepony]

Oh dear. While I agree it could afford some interesting photo opportunities, I don't think I could make myself "ride" it ever again. I did it in 2007 and hated it, but when my travel partners wanted to go on in 2011 I thought "oh surely it wasn't that bad" so I did it again. I hated it so much I got "do not ride stitch" tattooed on my right hand so it wouldn't happen again.
Not really of course, but I was close.
Good luck with this one! Hope your camera doesn't get spit on! Good thing it's environmentally sealed, just in case

 

[DDuck4Life]

That's 15 minutes of your life you will never get back. It's been awhile since I've been on Stitch, but good luck to you.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Oh dear. While I agree it could afford some interesting photo opportunities, I don't think I could make myself ride it ever again. I did it in 2007 and when my party wanted to go on in 2011 I thought "oh surely it wasn't that bad" so I did it again. I hated it so much I got "do not ride stitch" tattooed on my right hand so it wouldn't happen again.
Not really of course, but I was close. Rofl
Good luck with this one! Hope your camera doesn't get spit on! Good thing it's environmentally sealed in case

Even though it says "environmentally sealed", I still don't trust it to the point where I want to test its limits.

That's 15 minutes of your life you will never get back. It's been awhile since I've been on Stitch, but good luck to you.

Hmmm. The responses from everyone has been very concerning especially how everybody's wishing me luck. Perhaps this is a lot worse than I remember. Perhaps I should plan on doing it at a time that's not right before our BOG ADR (which is where I have it slated on my touring plans) since it sounds like I may lose my appetite afterwards.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Here's a question for my DIS friends. I've never been on Mission Space. (And if you're noticing a theme that I've been neglectful towards all things Epcot then you would be correct. ). And I'm looking to try it this time.

I've read some stories about how some folks come stumbling out looking for the "air sickness bag" if they go on the orange version. So how bad is it, really? Is it really that much worse than your average spinning amusement park rides? I can handle most rides well these days although EE twice in a row does get my head spinning.

 

[SAT887]

Here's a question for my DIS friends. I've never been on Mission Space. (And if you're noticing a theme that I've been neglectful towards all things Epcot then you would be correct. ). And I'm looking to try it this time.

I've read some stories about how some folks come stumbling out looking for the "air sickness bag" if they go on the orange version. So how bad is it, really? Is it really that much worse than your average spinning amusement park rides? I can handle most rides well these days although EE twice in a row does get my head spinning.

I went on it once in 04... Hated it - I wasn't sick or anything but it made me feel "off"... If that makes any sense

 

[afwdwfan]

You might think I'm nuts... And you might be onto something, but I actually seem to handle orange better than green. Just take some dramamine or bonine just in case. You'll never know until you try it.

 

[DDuck4Life]

I've never had an issue with riding orange, but I like that sort of thing. It's just a ton of pressure on your chest and head during the whole ride, not just the launch or tight spirals in other rides where it comes and goes. If you've done the carnival ride gravitron it's just really a beefed up version with a story and visual effects to go with the sensations you are feeling. If you can handle the constant G-forces on you it should be ok. It's hard to explain or compare it to something since there is really nothing that is very similar out there.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

I went on it once in 04... Hated it - I wasn't sick or anything but it made me feel "off"... If that makes any sense

You might think I'm nuts... And you might be onto something, but I actually seem to handle orange better than green. Just take some dramamine or bonine just in case. You'll never know until you try it.

I've never had an issue with riding orange, but I like that sort of thing. It's just a ton of pressure on your chest and head during the whole ride, not just the launch or tight spirals in other rides where it comes and goes. If you've done the carnival ride gravitron it's just really a beefed up version with a story and visual effects to go with the sensations you are feeling. If you can handle the constant G-forces on you it should be ok. It's hard to explain or compare it to something since there is really nothing that is very similar out there.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts! I am a bit worried based on DDuck4Life's description that I will have some issues especially considering the last few sideway loops on EE can get my a bit woozy. Last time I was on gravitron type of ride was probably 15 years ago. Also I don't want to jeopardize my ability to eat at FW, I may have to put this one off until next trip. Hmmm, maybe I can make up for skipping Mission Space (once again) by going on Spaceship Earth twice!

 

[DDuck4Life]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts! I am a bit worried based on DDuck4Life's description that I will have some issues especially considering the last few sideway loops on EE can get my a bit woozy. Last time I was on gravitron type of ride was probably 15 years ago. Also I don't want to jeopardize my ability to eat at FW, I may have to put this one off until next trip. Hmmm, maybe I can make up for skipping Mission Space (once again) by going on Spaceship Earth twice!

The main difference between Mission Space and EE is that the movements on EE are sudden and quick. Where MS is a build up and hold until it's over kind of thing.

Although, one other thing I forgot to point out. I did give a similar description and saying it's not so bad to my parents the last time they went and they told me it was nothing like I said. it was way more intense for them and had they know before what they knew after riding they would have passed on riding it. I think it took them a little bit for them to get over the ride. I still tend to think it's not that bad but I feel I'm in the minority.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

The main difference between Mission Space and EE is that the movements on EE are sudden and quick. Where MS is a build up and hold until it's over kind of thing.

Although, one other thing I forgot to point out. I did give a similar description and saying it's not so bad to my parents the last time they went and they told me it was nothing like I said. it was way more intense for them and had they know before what they knew after riding they would have passed on riding it. I think it took them a little bit for them to get over the ride. I still tend to think it's not that bad but I feel I'm in the minority.

It's your description of sustained g-force pressure that worried me. I don't think I'll be able to hold it together. It's sad because I used to do so well with these types of rides - just another reminder that I'm aging?

 

[teekathepony]

Here's a question for my DIS friends. I've never been on Mission Space. (And if you're noticing a theme that I've been neglectful towards all things Epcot then you would be correct. ). And I'm looking to try it this time.

I've read some stories about how some folks come stumbling out looking for the "air sickness bag" if they go on the orange version. So how bad is it, really? Is it really that much worse than your average spinning amusement park rides? I can handle most rides well these days although EE twice in a row does get my head spinning.

I've never done orange team, because green team makes my legs shaky and I do get nauseated on motion simulators. DH does the orange team all the time and he loves it, but can't do it more than once in a day or he will get sick. He described it to me saying that you're sucked back so strong that you can't move your head at all. Not for me! I do like the green team, it's a pretty cool simulation effect. If you don't go orange you should at least try green!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

I've never done orange team, because green team makes my legs shaky and I do get nauseated on motion simulators. DH does the orange team all the time and he loves it, but can't do it more than once in a day or he will get sick. He described it to me saying that you're sucked back so strong that you can't move your head at all. Not for me! I do like the green team, it's a pretty cool simulation effect. If you don't go orange you should at least try green!

Definitely something to consider. Which brings me to another question - sort of. I've seen the youtube videos and each person has to push their assigned button when prompted by Mr. Sinise. So what happens if someone fails to press their button?

 

[DDuck4Life]

Definitely something to consider. Which brings me to another question - sort of. I've seen the youtube videos and each person has to push their assigned button when prompted by Mr. Sinise. So what happens if someone fails to press their button?

Your space ship will spin out of control into a death spiral. jk, nothing happens the ride video moves along as if you pushed the button. We've ridden where not all the seats in our pod was full so not every button could be pressed.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Your space ship will spin out of control into a death spiral. jk, nothing happens the ride video moves along as if you pushed the button. We've ridden where not all the seats in our pod was full so not every button could be pressed.

Actually, the death spiral sounds more exciting if someone fails to press the button. In fact, if they had that feature I'm pretty sure there will be plenty of people like me who won't press the buttons on purpose just to crash!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

I now have only 60 days to go! So I thought I'd take this opportunity to provide a few updates on the trip and life.

First, this came in the mail yesterday!


Untitled by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

I had been putting off purchasing my park pass but went ahead and did it last week. That's pretty much the final item needed for this trip. Hotel, MNSSHP, plane tickets, car rental. They're all done now.

As you may remember I am staying at Beach Club. The conference I'm attending secured an unbelievable room rate of $189/night. I booked the room back in June through the conference and the booking agency it contracted to handle attendee hotel reservations. Because I went through the "middle man", I received a confirmation number from them and not from Disney and thus I don't have a Disney unique reservation number I can link to My Disney Experience. This is pretty standard procedure for all of the conferences I attended so I'm not worried about my reservation not being there. But since BC is one of the resorts that is testing Magic Bands and FP+, the thought has crossed my mind that maybe I should call around and find out if I'm eligible to sign up for the testing.

After much debating, I've decided not to mess around with this. Sure the Magic Bands look cool. But I decided that it's probably not worth tempting fate and even inviting the possibility of a glitch that could derail what little time I have in the parks. Plus, since I'm by myself I'm perfectly content with using the old FP system probably for the last time.

Finally a little bit of a life update. I've been slowly (and I mean very slowly) inching my way forward with my grand plans of turning my photography into a side business. Been doing a lot of research on taxes, state regulatory requirements, etc. I'm in the process of building a website.

A couple of weeks ago, one of my coworkers volunteered herself, her husband, and their two year old daughter for a practice outdoor family portrait session. They're about to move away from DC and wanted to have some pictures taken in front of the memorials and monuments. So we spent about two hours at the Lincoln Memorial, WW I Memorial, and FDR Memorial taking pictures. I wasn't quite sure how they turned out - it's a bit difficult to be objective about the pictures I take. When I handed over the finalized set to her, she was ecstatic! So much so that she decided to show them off to a bunch of her friends. One of those friends contacted me asking if I could take photos of her family. I definitely need more practice so I took up on her offer and we should be doing a photo session in the next few weeks! Even though I'm not getting paid yet, I'm absolutely giddy about this. I've also got some relatives and in laws who have requested photos as well.

I'm probably at least a year away before I can actually start making an income off of photography. Even then, it'll still remain as a very small part-time thing. But hopefully enough to fund my equipment upgrades and new purchases so that I won't feel guilty about my hobby costing so much money.