Anyone Game? 2 Castles and a Road Trip TR! Last Day and TR Wrap Up! #2796; 10/01

[PrincessInOz]

I PROUDLY will take credit for the photographer you have become Honestly it doesn't seem like that long ago when you did timidly put your toes into the area of Dis pictures I remember it well & it has brought more people than you know much joy

Along with my kids and their achievements in life I will puff up my chest in pride with the knowledge that I had a teeny part in pushing/encouraging all of you Fly seagull fly ! ( which is still after all of your posts my favorite of all time )

Thanks for pushing me in there, Ruthie.

We love the Indiana Jones stunt show! DW and I have both participated in the show, which is a lot of fun as well. I don't really ever get sick of this one.

Did you ever see the IJSS/Star Wars mash-up they did a couple years back. It was for some sort of Star Wars celebration (Not SW Weekends, but perhaps when ST2.0 opened.) They mashed up the Star Wars characters into the Indiana Jones stunt show. The funniest part was everyone kept calling Indy "Han " and he kept saying "I don't know who that is." You can find it out there on youtube. Can't look it up to give you a direct link, though since I'm at work. I thought sure they would make it a regular thing during SWW, but they never did.

Pete - I did think about you in there when the volunteers came out. I remember reading your TR when you were talking about being part of the cast.

I haven't seen that mash-up! Thanks for the heads-up.

Here you go Pete That would have been damn incredible to see in person Warning this is long about 45 minutes but it is the whole show & professionally filmed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biJLNXBsjk8

Thanks Ruthie. I'm going to have to come back to this at the weekend to watch it.

Sneaking back in for another look at your great pictures. You Indy pics are amazing but that airplane mechanic is the smallest guy I have ever seen playing that role.

Thanks for sneaking back in here. Hope you'll continue to do so. Yes, I do remember a lot more muscle in the motorcycle guy and the mechanic the last time we saw this show. Still.....it's not all about looks, is it???

I just thought I would pop in over here to say that I will now be participating in the "Photo Babble". Yesterday after becoming wildly frustrated with being unable to take pre-dawn pictures, I came back to the room and read the manual of the camera. I know, I know, that's against the rules. It didn't take much once I learned how to adjust the ISO, F-stop and shutter speed.

This morning as I took my sunrise pictures, they first came out completely white, so after adjustment, less white, adjustment, some images, and more adjustment, I settled in on the right settings. Then I moved to another subject. Complete readjustment. Now I'm doing this like a fiend, checking every shot, adjusting, taking another. So now I'm officially crazy.

It's like riding a bike or playing an instrument. It all comes back to you pretty quickly.

YAY!!!!!


Welcome to the LIGHT side. And I can't wait to see your pictures on your TR.

Mmmm, Han Solo. Mmmm, Indy Jones. I love them both but Han is my favorite. I do love a bad boy with a heart of gold.

Jill in CO

It will be very interesting to see how Han 'grows up' in Episode 7.

Well stated!

Mmm CMC has the best breakfast! It will probably be a while till we go back, as DH doesn't like spending money on breakfast rolleyes2) and would rather spend money on lunch or dinner. That's too bad they couldn't make a table for all of you guys!

I have never seen the Indy stunt show and with your commentary, i'll never need to!

You haven't seen the Indy stunt show either? Glad the commentary helped.

That's a shame about your DH not wanting to spend money on breakfast. Maybe you can convince him next time to do at least one for DS' sake.

 

[PrincessInOz]

A Slow Day in the Universe Far Far Away



By this stage in the day, I figured that I'd given that robot enough time to change the random selection program. Besides, it was time to collect our second FP+ for the day. Given the ride times, we really didn't need it.






It was a very s-l-o-w day at this part of the park this day. We had plenty of time to check out the advertising material.






I did try to re-create the angle....try....being the operative word.






I was after robot shots this time round. And as there was no one in front of us or behind us to worry about, I did get some of the collection.

















Believe me. I would have been quite happy to keep snapping away.







But this guy did confirm that he'd tweaked the program a little for me.







And he who must be obeyed (DS) was keen to get into the ride.





So....how empty was it?




The people in the front row were there before us and the CM waited for us to get there. We were told to pick a seat....any seat. And as we sat down, the family in the middle got in as well.







At least this time, we experienced a completely different sequence. In fact, we all saw 4 completely different elements to ones we'd previously experienced. I think I might need to make sure I put my randomness order in with that computer robot every time I get on this ride now.


I have no idea why DHS was so quiet at this end of the park. Maybe everyone else was hitting TSM or ToT or RnRC. In any event, I was very happy it was quiet. It meant that we had this area all to ourselves. Between DH and myself, we have a ton of pictures taken here of us in various poses. But there was someone else here as well. So let's just share the photopass pictures with the pretty borders.


















This family CANNOT wait for Episode 7 and to see Indiana Han in action!





(Continued in Next Post)

 

[PrincessInOz]

(Continued from Previous Post)


Filling a Schedule Gap with an ABC-Upcake



By this stage in the day, we'd come to one of the two gaps I had in the day.

Truth be known....I had hoped to make it to Animation Academy but when I checked with the boys, they both wanted some water to drink. It had turned out to be another hot and humid day at WDW.



I don't remember why....but we ended up here.






I should have gone to the Backlot Express from where we were.



In any event, here we were and here we stayed.


I don't find ABC Commissary a particularly inspiring counter service location. But then again, we are at the Hollywood Studios and there's not a lot of inspiring food here. But there are touches of colour every so often.






Whilst we were grabbing the water, a little something caught my eye. Despite being still stuffed from breakfast, we all managed to enjoy this little delectable! The seasonal cupcake was delightful. And we just ooh'd and aah'd over the decoration. I loved the Halloween inspiration and the Minnie Mouse Witch Hat.








But I do wish we had taken a bit more time to look around the Commissary; but we figured we needed to keep going and get in early for our next destination.




(Continued in Next Post)

 

[PrincessInOz]

(Continued from Previous Post)


The Midway Battle (Toy Story Mania)




No contest.
My gut wins!



When we returned to the FP+ entry and scanned our bands, we got a distinctive blue colour. It was definitely NOT green....but that's the colour I felt when the CM on duty said that we weren't eligible for FP+.



Naturally. I. took. that. On. The. Chin.



NOT!




Here's where all the people are. I did take a look at the stand-by wait time. I was NOT waiting 80 minutes for this attraction! And yes, I know....80 minutes was probably good for this attraction at DHS.






Sometimes, I embarrass DH and DS when I pull out my best imitation of a (bull) dog with a bone. This was one of those moments.



I "patiently" explained what had happened this morning to the CM on duty but he wasn't really paying attention.


At least he wasn't until he realised that I could turn up the volume to screeching decibel levels. To his credit, he did come to the realisation before I got to screeching level. And to his credit, when he finally listened, he did understand and got me to scan my band again and checked my previous FP+ return time for this ride.


Check, check, check.


Either he believed me or he figured the only way I was moving from that spot was into the FP+ queue line. So, he green-lighted us in.


You know....life is not really like a box of chocolates. It's more like a room of Candy Land games on the walls and red barricades.






And yes, green was the colour I wanted to see. So, I thank you CM on duty. I suspect that you green-lighted me only to get me out of your face....but hey....if the ride had been up and running in the morning during my allocated return time, I wouldn't have been in your face.







Embarrassing as it was for my boys, I think they were pretty pleased that I'd gotten them in.







I'm prepared to shake on that this time now.







It didn't take us long to collect these.







You know....I seem to recall that room where the FP+ enters into used to be the room for the stand-by queue. Did the entry for this ride change?



In any event, we met up with the stand-by queue somewhere here.







So close....but yet still so far.







It really wasn't that bad. We were at the boarding area before too long.








Yeah! So why do I love this ride?







Well....where else do I get to indulge in open warfare in 3D life?







Okay. So it really is just target practise in here.








And supposedly for fun.







I'm always torn in here as to which sort of shooting practise I should do. In the past, the barrel of a lens has always won out.







But this time....I was riding with a DS that was getting older and better. I KNOW at some stage, I started to focus on the 3D game on hand.



Midway Games?







More like the Battle of Midway immediately after this picture. I realised that DS was shooting up a storm!







My accuracy sucked and I may have developed RSI on this ride....but the point is....I did beat DS.







Only just.





Isn't it sad when on reflection you realise that I battled with two 'boys' today? Both of which were effectively innocent bystanders and doing no real harm???

 

[Luvchefmic]

The only reason I ever go into ABC is to look at the displays I haven't ever had a good food experience in there Have you ever eaten at Mama Melrose ? I forget I think the food is wonderful and the interior is nicely done

Nice photopass shots of all of you

I LOVE TSM what great pictures you took You screeching ? ! Can't picture it but then again they say you have to watch out for the " quiet " ones He must have seen the potential in your eyes !
Good for you this is the " Stand your Ground " state

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Great update! I love many things about your posts PIO but one element is your photos of the attraction queues. As Star Tours is one of my favourite rides being a complete SW geek I never experience the main queue because I take the handicap line. So I never see those images! Same for TSM! You enter a different route.

Great you finally got a different sequence! Yeah! If I see that pod racing later this May I will laugh! How many times! I loved your photos on the speeder bikes!

Oh yum re that cupcake. Me and DW agree food counter service at DHS is probably our least favourite park. First love is def Pesco Bill's at MK!

Yes for sure Episode 7 cool! You should make it over for the Star Wars weekends sometime. You would love it if you haven't already experienced the force of this event. We are going end of May. We miss Mark Hamill but one week never mind. Last SWW we got Carrie Fisher so I'm in credit...

 

[mvf-m11c]

Another fine day at DHS. All of your pictures at Star Tours are very nice. When you look at the inside queue at DHS and DL that they almost look the same. There is no question I like the outside facade at DHS over DL.

Nice to see that you were able to ride TSMM that day. The queue looks so fun to go through. 80 minutes at DHS version isn't that long where I have seen it in the 90+ For most of the day at TSMM in my experience at DHS. The pictures are every nice.

Great update.

 

[ejud]

Nice shots in the TSM queue. First time I think I've seen correct white balance!



Jud

 

[franandaj]

Nice updates! I have yet to get pictures on those whatever you call them crafts outside the ride.

I ate at the BBC Commissary years ago and it was OK. Nothing they had then is on the menu now. We like Backlit Express. Ruthie I'm glad you like the menu at Mamma Melrose, it's included in my SWW package and I've never been there before.

I had the same little....er discussion with the CM on that day when we went to ride it. That was our ONE FP+ that I made after I said this was my only one, he told me I needed to go to Guest Relations and link my remaining FP+ to my MB.

Nice shots in the TSM queue. First time I think I've seen correct white balance!



Jud

This is now going to be my goal on all the dark and darkish rides with my newly regained camera obsession.

 

[zanzibar138]

Wow Star Tours was so empty! Glad you finally got to experience a different sequence

That cupcake looks delicious! What flavour was it? (Yes, I have to know details like that.)

Good for you standing up for yourself. There is no way I would have waited in line for 80 minutes either, especially since you did the right thing and had your FP+ booked. I hope they can iron out those sorts of issues nice and quick.

 

[eandesmom]

BTMRR was down EVERY single time I had a FP for it. In each case I was automatically given an magic fp for anything, at any time that autoloaded to my band. Interestingly enough the email that told me this showed up hours after the actual FP window was, for when it was down but it did pop up. I wonder if the manual entry "broke" that feature?

The first time I went on the new Star Tours, in fact all 3 times that trip...I got the SAME experience every time. Since then though, totally different and that's over 2 coasts in the last 4 months. Go figure. Love Star Tours!

I just thought I would pop in over here to say that I will now be participating in the "Photo Babble". Yesterday after becoming wildly frustrated with being unable to take pre-dawn pictures, I came back to the room and read the manual of the camera. I know, I know, that's against the rules. It didn't take much once I learned how to adjust the ISO, F-stop and shutter speed.

This morning as I took my sunrise pictures, they first came out completely white, so after adjustment, less white, adjustment, some images, and more adjustment, I settled in on the right settings. Then I moved to another subject. Complete readjustment. Now I'm doing this like a fiend, checking every shot, adjusting, taking another. So now I'm officially crazy.

It's like riding a bike or playing an instrument. It all comes back to you pretty quickly.

I need to do that. Read the manual. I always mean to, pack it, never read it. Sigh.

No contest.
My gut wins!


When we returned to the FP+ entry and scanned our bands, we got a distinctive blue colour. It was definitely NOT green....but that's the colour I felt when the CM on duty said that we weren't eligible for FP+.


Naturally. I. took. that. On. The. Chin.


NOT!


Here's where all the people are. I did take a look at the stand-by wait time. I was NOT waiting 80 minutes for this attraction! And yes, I know....80 minutes was probably good for this attraction at DHS.

Sometimes, I embarrass DH and DS when I pull out my best imitation of a (bull) dog with a bone. This was one of those moments.


I "patiently" explained what had happened this morning to the CM on duty but he wasn't really paying attention.


At least he wasn't until he realised that I could turn up the volume to screeching decibel levels. To his credit, he did come to the realisation before I got to screeching level. And to his credit, when he finally listened, he did understand and got me to scan my band again and checked my previous FP+ return time for this ride.

Sometimes screeching is what it takes. Unfortunate that you have to go there but you have to do what you have to do.

Lots of great PP shots on top of all of yours, photo bonanza!

It's funny, I heard a lot about the lights moving before the holidays. Since then, not a peep. It will be interesting to see what happens.

 

[Pinkocto]

We recently discovered the Studio Catering Company back by the Honey I Shrunk the kids playground. They have a great veggie sandwich and Greek salad, both fresh and delicious. That will be our go to QS at DHS from now on.

Glad you were able to ride TSM but sorry your gut was right. You sure had a tight battle with DS!

Hooray for a new ride on Star Tours! Cool that you were able to enjoy it crowd free

 

[SunDial]

I just thought I would pop in over here to say that I will now be participating in the "Photo Babble". Yesterday after becoming wildly frustrated with being unable to take pre-dawn pictures, I came back to the room and read the manual of the camera. I know, I know, that's against the rules. It didn't take much once I learned how to adjust the ISO, F-stop and shutter speed.

This morning as I took my sunrise pictures, they first came out completely white, so after adjustment, less white, adjustment, some images, and more adjustment, I settled in on the right settings. Then I moved to another subject. Complete readjustment. Now I'm doing this like a fiend, checking every shot, adjusting, taking another. So now I'm officially crazy.

It's like riding a bike or playing an instrument. It all comes back to you pretty quickly.

I have another partner to walk out of the parks very late now

You are going to need those afternoon naps and need to start reading up about long exposure shots for when you come back here in a few weeks.

 

[ejud]

We recently discovered the Studio Catering Company back by the Honey I Shrunk the kids playground. They have a great veggie sandwich and Greek salad, both fresh and delicious. That will be our go to QS at DHS from now on.

Seconded!

And as a GF person, the chef did me up a special and OMG was it good!!! Made me just want to sit there and eat food from now on!



Jud

 

[Leshaface]

Wow you weren't kidding about Star Tours. It really was empty! Kind of weird to see it not filled up like that.

I love the photo of DH on the cruiser!

How funny, in one of my updates I wrote about the ABC Commissary. We were definitely surprised by how much better it has gotten since 2008.

I love that you still took a ton of pictures on TSMM, but still managed to get a high score! That's what I call a FANTASTIC multi-tasker!

 

[franandaj]

I have another partner to walk out of the parks very late now

You are going to need those afternoon naps and need to start reading up about long exposure shots for when you come back here in a few weeks.

Maybe some day, but not this trip. I've got so much jam packed into each day and Fran needs me to get her home and tucked in at night. Now if we can get her on board.

I love long exposure shots. They were amongst my favorites In my heyday of photography, which would have been 7th and 8th grade.

 

[Aussie Wendy]

The One about My Disney Experience



In planning this trip, I had decided that I needed to learn to play with MDE and work out for myself whether I would love or hate the new system.

Chinese needle torture would have been kinder; but I persevered with it.



After navigating my way around the extremely user unfriendly site and working out how to thread my way through that Chinese torture needle, I decided that I probably should put my Dis skills to full use and plan the heck out of one day. That was just as much fun as I could stand on this site.


After considering my schedule, I chose to plan this day out fully on MDE. Afterall, between the FP+, the shows and my ADRs, this day could end up Herbie Fully Loaded and completely DIS-organised. So I did invest a bit of time defining and refining my order of events of the DHS day. Afterall, there were quite a number of parameters to consider in the planning i.e., which direction to walk, what time I expected to get to the park, rides to do, show times, ADR times etc.


Here's what my day looked like in MDE.







Yup. All that time planning and changing and DIS-organising on that site.....and the output was still mostly all black and white. You'd think they would find a way to add some Disney sparkle, colour and motion to it!!!



I think you can immediately figure out that we got to the park later than I expected. We didn't make it to the Voyage of the Little Mermaid. *hangs head in shame* First attraction of the day and this Dis-ser didn't even make it!!! My only excuse is that I ended up with a bunch of family friendly pictures down Hollywood Boulevard instead.



And if you've checking out the boring mostly all black and white image in detail, it will give you an idea of the pictures to come on this day; assuming that I managed to hightail the family to it.



What did I learn?

• I liked that the system listed out every single possible DHS attraction.
• In addition, I liked that I could select any DHS attraction and add it to my list; FP+ or not. This created my itinerary for the day and I could refer back to it at any time so that I stayed on-plan.
• I also liked that the system showed the time of the events I had picked; including my FP+ return window and my ADR booking time.
• There were a couple of spots in the day that I had big time gaps from the previous attraction to the next. I'd like to say that I deliberately planned it this way....but I didn't. It was how the cards fell. In hindsight, these gaps were perfect and if I had to do it all again, I would make sure that I did have those 'free time' periods in the day.
• Whilst there were many things about the system that I disliked, they mostly related to operational and user experience aspects; as opposed to function. From a functional perspective, there was only one thing I would improve.....The way the selected options are displayed needs to be changed so that all items on the list, be they a hard booked FP+ or ADR; appear in time order.
• And as I said before, I wish they would make this output screen a lot more colourful.

And, No! I didn't tell DH nor DS what I did. They would have completely admitted me to the funny farm if they knew the depths of my inner Dis-organiser geek gene.




(Continued in Next Post)

Oh goody - I was wondering if I would be able to do this though out of order times yes is annoying. (OCD planner hangs head in shame!)

 

[Aussie Wendy]

I love how you compare Indiana Jones to Star Wars

I'm personally not a big Star Wars fan *ducking for cover* but quite enjoy Indy

Duck, duck, duck you unbeliever you...and this family did enjoy IJ no. 4 too! but new star wars - the jury is out til we see what Disney and co do --we loved all 4 Pirates so there's hope..

 

[Aussie Wendy]

My last post for today I promise. Glad you stood up to the CM and got in to TSM. On our upcoming trip I will have a chat to that robot too as if I see the pod racing sequence one more time...as yes we also got the same sequence was it 3 or 4 times-I forget? It was a nice touch of nostalgia to ride the original in DLP though...and still enjoyable even if not in 3D.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Just want to post and say I'm still with ya!! Just caught up on this latest installment. Life's getting busy as my own trip approaches!



p.s. I love how you literally tell the story with your pics!

.

Thanks!

Your countdown is looking very exciting. 6.days.
Enjoy the delicious anticipation feeling and have a great trip.

The only reason I ever go into ABC is to look at the displays I haven't ever had a good food experience in there Have you ever eaten at Mama Melrose ? I forget I think the food is wonderful and the interior is nicely done

Nice photopass shots of all of you

I LOVE TSM what great pictures you took You screeching ? ! Can't picture it but then again they say you have to watch out for the " quiet " ones He must have seen the potential in your eyes !
Good for you this is the " Stand your Ground " state

We nearly made it to Mama Melrose in 2005. Sadly, we had to pass on the opportunity.

And yes, I can screech as well as the best fishwife in a market (Just ask DH and DS if you don't believe me. )

Great update! I love many things about your posts PIO but one element is your photos of the attraction queues. As Star Tours is one of my favourite rides being a complete SW geek I never experience the main queue because I take the handicap line. So I never see those images! Same for TSM! You enter a different route.

Great you finally got a different sequence! Yeah! If I see that pod racing later this May I will laugh! How many times! I loved your photos on the speeder bikes!

Oh yum re that cupcake. Me and DW agree food counter service at DHS is probably our least favourite park. First love is def Pesco Bill's at MK!

Yes for sure Episode 7 cool! You should make it over for the Star Wars weekends sometime. You would love it if you haven't already experienced the force of this event. We are going end of May. We miss Mark Hamill but one week never mind. Last SWW we got Carrie Fisher so I'm in credit...

Glad that you get to see some of the queue theming from my pictures.

That cupcake was pretty good but I have to admit that I liked the butterfinger cupcake from Starring Roles better.

I hope to be able to make it to a SWW sometime. I haven't had the pleasure....yet.
It would be so cool to see Mark Hamill. *sigh* I can only dream. Have fun with your trip there!

Another fine day at DHS. All of your pictures at Star Tours are very nice. When you look at the inside queue at DHS and DL that they almost look the same. There is no question I like the outside facade at DHS over DL.

Nice to see that you were able to ride TSMM that day. The queue looks so fun to go through. 80 minutes at DHS version isn't that long where I have seen it in the 90+ For most of the day at TSMM in my experience at DHS. The pictures are every nice.

Great update.

Thanks Bret. Yes, the interior is almost identical between DLR and WDW. And I was pretty pleased to get on the ride here.

Nice shots in the TSM queue. First time I think I've seen correct white balance!



Jud

Thanks Jud. I do try to get the exposure and colour right in-camera rather than rely on post-processing. Thanks for noticing.

Nice updates! I have yet to get pictures on those whatever you call them crafts outside the ride.

I ate at the BBC Commissary years ago and it was OK. Nothing they had then is on the menu now. We like Backlit Express. Ruthie I'm glad you like the menu at Mamma Melrose, it's included in my SWW package and I've never been there before.

I had the same little....er discussion with the CM on that day when we went to ride it. That was our ONE FP+ that I made after I said this was my only one, he told me I needed to go to Guest Relations and link my remaining FP+ to my MB.



This is now going to be my goal on all the dark and darkish rides with my newly regained camera obsession.

I'll be waiting to see what you think of Mama Melrose.

Maybe you'll get your picture with those cruisers this coming trip.

Wow Star Tours was so empty! Glad you finally got to experience a different sequence

That cupcake looks delicious! What flavour was it? (Yes, I have to know details like that.)

Good for you standing up for yourself. There is no way I would have waited in line for 80 minutes either, especially since you did the right thing and had your FP+ booked. I hope they can iron out those sorts of issues nice and quick.

The cupcake was a vanilla flavour. It was reasonably moist but I don't think it was super fresh.

I suspect that the CM with the tablet didn't quite get things correctly sorted out for me. Oh well. It worked out in the end.