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

[teekathepony]

Just looked up the dimensions for the lockers. Depth is 22". Manfrotto lists my tripod's closed length at 19.68". So I should be good, right?

Most likely! I remember different parks had different size lockers (but not too much) but I think at just under 20" you should do fine.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

I don't know enough about camera equipment to have any reaction other than "oooooh, shiny!" to your list.

That was my reaction too when I first got the new gear! "Oooo shiny" mixed with "Ooooo so many buttons.....what does this one do?"

I'm excited to play around with it. Hopefully I can learn where everything is and how to use all the new features before the trip. I had posted on the Photography board to get opinions about going with the Sigma 30mm 1.4 or the Sigma 18-35mm 1.8. Ultimately I decided to go with the 18-35mm. The versatility and great reviews really won me over. I know it's big but I can squeeze it in my kit so I went with it. and I've heard/seen good things about it when paired with the 70D for video. Can't wait to try it out on the dark rides!

I think I would have picked the 18-35mm as well if I had to choose. Can't wait to see your pictures from the dark rides with that one!

I know I'm game and DW sounds like she is too. DS is the question though, whether he will be cooperative or not. Maybe we will just strap him in the stroller and push him off to the side will you get some good shots of us. We can always get DS a snack from a cart near by to make him happy if he doesn't want to pose for pictures.

I think he'll be fine. I don't really try to pose families with young children unless it happens spontaneously. I enjoy taking candid pictures especially when the children are young. They rarely pose and even if they do it's like for a split second. Thanks to having young children of my own I've gotten a lot of practice of capturing candid shots.

You should be good. On another trip report the persons tripod was 21.5" and they were able to squeeze it in. You might have to take your ball head off to store it since that added height might make it too long.

Awesome!

Most likely! I remember different parks had different size lockers (but not too much) but I think at just under 20" you should do fine.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Thanks! I was reading that AK's lockers don't have the same depth but since there will be no nighttime photography at that park this time around I should be good.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

I've been looking for a t-shirt that has the silhouettes of the Hitchhiking Ghosts as the main design. Thinking that I could wear it at MNSSHP. Found one online but didn't really like the color combinations. Any suggestions where I could find one?

 

[DDuck4Life]

Not sure exactly what shirt you were looking at but I did find this one with a lot of color options and even different shirt styles. Might be the same one you were looking at.

Haunted Mansion Hitchhiking Ghosts T-shirt

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Not sure exactly what shirt you were looking at but I did find this one with a lot of color options and even different shirt styles. Might be the same one you were looking at.

Haunted Mansion Hitchhiking Ghosts T-shirt

Awesome! Thanks! Now I just have to pick a color.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Hope everyone had a good weekend! I'm now at 47 days. Yes, well under the 50 day mark although with everything happening at work it still feels like it's another 100 days away!

DW had to work all weekend so it was just me and the kids. DD's ballet and jazz classes started up again so after dropping her off at her class I took DS over to Target to try to kill some time. Of course, we wanted a toy. And of course, I just can't say no to any Disney or Star Wars toy. Can't tell who's more excited about the toys, me or the kids. DS went ahead and picked out a really big Bucky (Jake's pirate ship). I had to pick something out for DD so got her a talking exam table for Doc McStuffins.

I thought that was the end of my Disney shopping spree. However, after DD's classes were over I decided it was time to go look for Halloween costumes for them. And where did we go to for that? The Disney Store at our local mall. I had already discussed costume options with the kids a couple of weeks ago and we all came to the consensus that DS would be Jake and DD would be Izzy. The Disney Store had both and after figuring out the correct sizes we made our purchases. The kids pretty much wore their costumes all weekend despite my anxiety kicking in when they showed up at lunch and dinner yesterday with the costumes on. Seriously, we've got 1 1/2 more month to go before Halloween and I'm not sure these costumes are going to be survive!

On Sunday morning, I took the kids to our local ginormous playground complete with a carousel. Went on that thing three times in a row. If there was any doubt that my body wouldn't be able to handle Mission Mars Orange, I got my definitive proof when I started getting woozy on the third run on the carousel. Sheesh.

After cleaning up the house a bit and taking care of the dishes, I was going to watch some football in the afternoon but the kids decided that Disney Jr was the more appropriate channel for some good ol' Sunday TV watchin. So I spent a couple of hours looking up pictures people took on Flickr and studying their camera exposure settings while also keeping another eye on my fantasy football scoreboard.

Now I'm back at work ready for another week. Got a few more Safari items to add this week after flipping through Flickr and getting some ideas.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Bag of Apples at Tangled Rest Area

I've been really obsessed with this new rest area at Magic Kingdom especially I have yet to have seen it myself. The more I look around online the more I'm impressed with the attention to detail with the theming. Like today, I learned that there are multiple chameleons or friends of Pascal "hiding" in the area for you to find. A few weeks ago, I came across a picture of a bag of apples spilled on top of a barrel or some wooden structure. One of the apples had the distinct bite marks of Maximus. I wish I had bookmarked that picture because now I can't find it anywhere despite multiple search attempts on Google. I don't know exactly which part of the rest area the apples are located but I am determined to find it.

 

[afwdwfan]

Of course, we wanted a toy. And of course, I just can't say no to any Disney or Star Wars toy. Can't tell who's more excited about the toys, me or the kids. DS went ahead and picked out a really big Bucky (Jake's pirate ship).

Is it the Bucky with the trap door on the side that Tick Tock Croc comes out of and the cannon that fires a blue plastic "cannonball"?

DS has that one. I might have played with the cannon feature once or twice.

On Sunday morning, I took the kids to our local ginormous playground complete with a carousel. Went on that thing three times in a row. If there was any doubt that my body wouldn't be able to handle Mission Mars Orange, I got my definitive proof when I started getting woozy on the third run on the carousel. Sheesh.

I'm telling you though, I don't think the ride would be as dizzying since you're not watching everything around you be a blur. But if 3 rides on a playground carousel does that to you, there's no point tempting fate.

Now I'm back at work ready for another week. Got a few more Safari items to add this week after flipping through Flickr and getting some ideas. [/QUOTE]

I've been really obsessed with this new rest area at Magic Kingdom especially I have yet to have seen it myself. The more I look around online the more I'm impressed with the attention to detail with the theming. Like today, I learned that there are multiple chameleons or friends of Pascal "hiding" in the area for you to find. A few weeks ago, I came across a picture of a bag of apples spilled on top of a barrel or some wooden structure. One of the apples had the distinct bite marks of Maximus. I wish I had bookmarked that picture because now I can't find it anywhere despite multiple search attempts on Google. I don't know exactly which part of the rest area the apples are located but I am determined to find it.

[/SIZE]

Haven't seen that one myself, but I look forward to seeing it in your TR!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Is it the Bucky with the trap door on the side that Tick Tock Croc comes out of and the cannon that fires a blue plastic "cannonball"?

DS has that one. I might have played with the cannon feature once or twice.

Yes, that's the one! The hidden Tick Tock is my favorite part!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Arrrrgh! Nope that wasn't me doing a pirate impression as I play Jake with DS and DD. That was me finding out this morning that the conference private evening event at DHS has once again been shortened by 15 minutes. First it was posted as being a 4 hour event, then 3 hours and 45 minutes, and now 3 hours and 30 minutes.

I want my 30 minutes back!!

Ok, seriously though if this is the worst thing that happens to me today I would say I'm having a good day. But I am beginning to think trying to squeeze in 3 rides on TSMM, 2 on RnR, 2 on ToT, and 2 on Star Tours may be pushing it now.

 

[abbybeth]

Arrrrgh! Nope that wasn't me doing a pirate impression as I play Jake with DS and DD. That was me finding out this morning that the conference private evening event at DHS has once again been shortened by 15 minutes. First it was posted as being a 4 hour event, then 3 hours and 45 minutes, and now 3 hours and 30 minutes.

I want my 30 minutes back!!

Ok, seriously though if this is the worst thing that happens to me today I would say I'm having a good day. But I am beginning to think trying to squeeze in 3 rides on TSMM, 2 on RnR, 2 on ToT, and 2 on Star Tours may be pushing it now.

this has to be one of the only instances where it's disappointing for a WORK related event to be shortened!

steel your nerves, channel your focus and tackle those rides with the sheer will and determination of ..... something really determined. I have faith!

 

[afwdwfan]

Arrrrgh! Nope that wasn't me doing a pirate impression as I play Jake with DS and DD. That was me finding out this morning that the conference private evening event at DHS has once again been shortened by 15 minutes. First it was posted as being a 4 hour event, then 3 hours and 45 minutes, and now 3 hours and 30 minutes.

I want my 30 minutes back!!

Ok, seriously though if this is the worst thing that happens to me today I would say I'm having a good day. But I am beginning to think trying to squeeze in 3 rides on TSMM, 2 on RnR, 2 on ToT, and 2 on Star Tours may be pushing it now.

It just depends on how many people are there and how much they know about DHS.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

this has to be one of the only instances where it's disappointing for a WORK related event to be shortened!

Totally agree!

steel your nerves, channel your focus and tackle those rides with the sheer will and determination of ..... something really determined. I have faith!

I will run over those other attendees when the gates open as I run towards TSMM! It will be like the old days of TSMM bull run!

It just depends on how many people are there and how much they know about DHS.

Very true. I can also help myself by spreading some bad information among the conference attendees during the day to divert them away from the rides I want to go on. "Psst, I hear that lines for Muppetvision and Disney Jr. Live get insanely long. That's where I would head first thing when the gates open."

 

[afwdwfan]

Very true. I can also help myself by spreading some bad information among the conference attendees during the day to divert them away from the rides I want to go on. "Psst, I hear that lines for Muppetvision and Disney Jr. Live get insanely long. That's where I would head first thing when the gates open."

Hey, everyone, remember... there's a reason it is called "The Great Movie Ride." Check it out early and often.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Hey, everyone, remember... there's a reason it is called "The Great Movie Ride." Check it out early and often.

And hopefully it will take them a long time to get through the ride because people are doing this:

http://youtu.be/L16HHxiSPXA

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Or this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iO1emb3M7s8&feature=share&list=PL88D6BAE0A997D1C2

 

[chattadisser]

this has to be one of the only instances where it's disappointing for a WORK related event to be shortened!

steel your nerves, channel your focus and tackle those rides with the sheer will and determination of ..... something really determined. I have faith!

I agree, it's not often that you get upset that forced corporate fun has been shortened. I know I've never been upset about that, of course we weren't at Disney either!

Totally agree!



I will run over those other attendees when the gates open as I run towards TSMM! It will be like the old days of TSMM bull run!



Very true. I can also help myself by spreading some bad information among the conference attendees during the day to divert them away from the rides I want to go on. "Psst, I hear that lines for Muppetvision and Disney Jr. Live get insanely long. That's where I would head first thing when the gates open."

I think this is defiantely an opportunity to spread some Disney knowledge. "Hey Star Tours can have a long line...go there first" No completely a fib and maybe there will be some huge Star Wars fans in the group?

Christine

 

[emilyindisney]

I've been completely absentee from here lately (darn school!), but I just looked over your photo opp list and am so pumped!

I'm especially excited to see some of the emotion shots, and the sunset over crescent lake shots. The color in your pictures is always gorgeous so I'm sure that one won't disappoint!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

I agree, it's not often that you get upset that forced corporate fun has been shortened. I know I've never been upset about that, of course we weren't at Disney either!
Christine

Exactly! They can "force" me into staying at DHS for hours!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

I've been completely absentee from here lately (darn school!), but I just looked over your photo opp list and am so pumped!

I'm especially excited to see some of the emotion shots, and the sunset over crescent lake shots. The color in your pictures is always gorgeous so I'm sure that one won't disappoint!

Thanks!! I've been very happy with the list so far. Have a few more to add but probably will need to put a cap on it since I don't think I'm going to be able to do all of them if add to many more.