Braved the Sept humidity in WDW - We're back! (new pics added 12/2/09)

[MRYPPNS]

Thanks for the HM pictures Todd! I can see myself riding this over and over again in October just to figure out where you took most of those pictures. It's the one ride I wish I would get stuck on for awhile....in the attic scene would be the best!

The Kona Sushi bar is actually the same location as the Kona Coffee bar, coffee in the am, sushi in the pm. It's located to the left of the entrance to the Kona Cafe.

{Hijacking Note to All7ofUs: you probably see me mostly on Kathy's report and TK's report. In the last week I've read your whole blog, caught up on your PTR and when I have the time will read your TR....and someday I will post on your thread }

 

[Gabrielsbigtrip]

Hopping in for the ride!

Great pictures and BEAUTIFUL children!

 

[All7OfUs]

Thanks to all for the sushi bar info!!! I'm dying for some!! But will have to wait a year before there is ANY fresh fish of any kind within 1,000 miles of me. (I was going to say something about the 9-foot tape worm I saw on, oh never mind....)

I have absolutely NO guess on the rather eerie picture of the 2 red "eyes".

 

[Todd_H]

Hopping in for the ride!

Great pictures and BEAUTIFUL children!

Thank you and welcome!

I have absolutely NO guess on the rather eerie picture of the 2 red "eyes".

I had forgotten about that "quiz" that no one else bit on. It's actually right after you pass the bride and go "outside" the house. There are several ghosts flying up toward the sky (just before your doom buggy turns around backwards to head down to the graveyard).

 

[Todd_H]

I was sitting in front of my computer last night processing some first day of school shots listening to some WDW park music on my iphone. In particular, the Adventureland Area Loop which is my favorite of all the "land" music loops. If you don't already have some of the park music, google WDW park music and try to grab some... it really helps on those long days if you're in a bad mood, or just miss the parks (or gearing up for a trip!).

For our Day 5 morning, we're going to do something we have never done before... let the kids choose where they want to go (and pray it's the same place, or we can compromise ). I'm guessing it will be either a water park or the MK, but who knows . They have been known to surprise us before.

In the afternoon/evening, I think we'll definitely head to the MK and try to get into the Plaza for dinner (couldn't make an ADR, they were full that night). If we can't get into the Plaza, we'll likely shoot for Cosmic Rays.

One thing I wanted to try on this trip was to photograph Wishes from some different locations. This could be the night for doing that. One location I want to set up is on the Polynesian Beach, a second is at the TTC (so you have both the train station and the Castle in the foreground) and the third is from the Contemporary observation deck. Who knows? If we don't have dinner reservations, it could be a good night to slip up to the Contemporary, sit at the bar (with kids? not sure if we can do that... actually probably not now that I think about it) eat some sushi, have a few drinks and try to set up a straight shot from the observation deck.

So after writing this update, it is clear to me that we have absolutely NO plan for Thursday (or, at least nothing in stone). That could be good, or could be disastrous. With us, it can go either way.

 

[scoot241]

I was sitting in front of my computer last night processing some first day of school shots listening to some WDW park music on my iphone. In particular, the Adventureland Area Loop which is my favorite of all the "land" music loops. If you don't already have some of the park music, google WDW park music and try to grab some... it really helps on those long days if you're in a bad mood, or just miss the parks (or gearing up for a trip!).

For our Day 5 morning, we're going to do something we have never done before... let the kids choose where they want to go (and pray it's the same place, or we can compromise ). I'm guessing it will be either a water park or the MK, but who knows . They have been known to surprise us before.

In the afternoon/evening, I think we'll definitely head to the MK and try to get into the Plaza for dinner (couldn't make an ADR, they were full that night). If we can't get into the Plaza, we'll likely shoot for Cosmic Rays.

One thing I wanted to try on this trip was to photograph Wishes from some different locations. This could be the night for doing that. One location I want to set up is on the Polynesian Beach, a second is at the TTC (so you have both the train station and the Castle in the foreground) and the third is from the Contemporary observation deck. Who knows? If we don't have dinner reservations, it could be a good night to slip up to the Contemporary, sit at the bar (with kids? not sure if we can do that... actually probably not now that I think about it) eat some sushi, have a few drinks and try to set up a straight shot from the observation deck.

So after writing this update, it is clear to me that we have absolutely NO plan for Thursday (or, at least nothing in stone). That could be good, or could be disastrous. With us, it can go either way.

TTC sounds like a good place to catch the fireworks from. Probably would need a decently long lens (something I don't have yet).

Good luck in letting the kids decide. No plans can be good sometimes, especially if you find during the trip that you need
to go back somewhere because you missed something or just want to do it again.

 

[annnewjerz]

I was sitting in front of my computer last night processing some first day of school shots listening to some WDW park music on my iphone. In particular, the Adventureland Area Loop which is my favorite of all the "land" music loops. If you don't already have some of the park music, google WDW park music and try to grab some... it really helps on those long days if you're in a bad mood, or just miss the parks (or gearing up for a trip!).

Alright I'm very interested in this, but have no idea how to do it. I have an iPHONE but am pretty technologically unsavy when it comes to getting music on it. The only way I know how is on iTUNES, but when I searched the iTUNES store, none of the park music came up except the WDW Band.

So, I Google'd "WDW Park Music" and the first site that came up (some geocities site) has a crap load of songs that I would love to have. You can right click to save them---but from there, I have no clue how to get them into my phone, and they are in .MDI format??

If you can explain, it'd be much appreciated.

 

[crocko]

Well, if you DO end up at Magic Kingdom on Thursday, keep your eyes open for the Crocker Family

We'll be spending most of our Thursday at MK.

 

[scoot241]

Alright I'm very interested in this, but have no idea how to do it. I have an iPHONE but am pretty technologically unsavy when it comes to getting music on it. The only way I know how is on iTUNES, but when I searched the iTUNES store, none of the park music came up except the WDW Band.

So, I Google'd "WDW Park Music" and the first site that came up (some geocities site) has a crap load of songs that I would love to have. You can right click to save them---but from there, I have no clue how to get them into my phone, and they are in .MDI format??

If you can explain, it'd be much appreciated.

It sounds like those are MIDI files. They won't play on the iPhone.

Look for mp3s. They are compatible with iPhones as well as most other devices. I'm not sure what Todd's source is but I've gotten mine from multiple places over the years but recently I've been using a torrent site (which requires an explanation in itself).

 

[SilverL]

I would tell the kids that they get to pick something to do, BUT they have to agree. That is, assuming that might get them to "work together" instead of cause a fight.

 

[Todd_H]

TTC sounds like a good place to catch the fireworks from. Probably would need a decently long lens (something I don't have yet).

Yep. Not sure exactly what I'll need. I may just take my 24-70 and my 70-200 and see what I can compose when I get out there. From what I can remember from watching Wishes on the beach at the Poly last year, those fireworks bursts are extremely large so the long telephoto might actually not be necessary to keep everything in frame.

Alright I'm very interested in this, but have no idea how to do it. I have an iPHONE but am pretty technologically unsavy when it comes to getting music on it. The only way I know how is on iTUNES, but when I searched the iTUNES store, none of the park music came up except the WDW Band.

So, I Google'd "WDW Park Music" and the first site that came up (some geocities site) has a crap load of songs that I would love to have. You can right click to save them---but from there, I have no clue how to get them into my phone, and they are in .MDI format??

If you can explain, it'd be much appreciated.

Ann, I'll send you a pm on this.

Well, if you DO end up at Magic Kingdom on Thursday, keep your eyes open for the Crocker Family

Will do! You guys keep an eye out for us too.

I would tell the kids that they get to pick something to do, BUT they have to agree. That is, assuming that might get them to "work together" instead of cause a fight.

That's a great idea. I think we will do it that way .

 

[Gdad]

Great TR Todd- with some awesome photography.

 

[Todd_H]

Great TR Todd- with some awesome photography.

Thanks, Jeff! Welcome aboard!

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

Great, now I'm going to spend time listening to some WDW music... thanks...

 

[All7OfUs]

I LOVE the Disney music I"ve managed to find. I have about 3 hours worth on my IPod that I listen to constantly. One thing I've done is find some typical music from World Showcase from Amazon(Mo' Rockin', Off Kilter, French street music, the Mexican group (can't remember the name off the top of my head), etc... and made up a little World Showcase "tour". I listen to it and imagine myself strolling around enjoying all that magical place has to offer.

I"m having a super hard time, though finding the music they play around Future World. Any hints?? I especially love the music from around The Seas area. Anyone know the artist and if it's available??

 

[Todd_H]

Great, now I'm going to spend time listening to some WDW music... thanks...

You're welcome !

I"m having a super hard time, though finding the music they play around Future World. Any hints?? I especially love the music from around The Seas area. Anyone know the artist and if it's available??

The site I used to pull my park tunes from has been shut down for some time. However, there is a huge amount of Disney park stuff over at mousebits.com and they might have the Seas area music over there . You will have to sign up for a free account and use a bittorrent program to download it, but it's well worth it (you can google "how to use a bittorrent" if you need an explanation on how bittorrent files work... it's a little more than I want to explain in my PTR... it's very easy though, I promise ).

 

[scoot241]

You're welcome !



The site I used to pull my park tunes from has been shut down for some time. However, there is a huge amount of Disney park stuff over at mousebits.com and they might have the Seas area music over there . You will have to sign up for a free account and use a bittorrent program to download it, but it's well worth it (you can google "how to use a bittorrent" if you need an explanation on how bittorrent files work... it's a little more than I want to explain in my PTR... it's very easy though, I promise ).

Mousebits was the site I was referring to earlier but didn't want to start a torrent tutorial in your PTR. I wouldn't be surprised if they had the entire Seas loop. Pretty sure they have multiple versions of the EPCOT entrance loop depending on the year (and what attractions are in the park).

 

[Todd_H]

Welcome to Day 6! This is going to be our last full day in the World and we're still not 100% sure what we're going to do. The last day of your trip is always bittersweet, but this one is going to be tough because we're still torn as to what exactly we're going to do this night. Ali and I both like to spend our last day/night in the Magic Kingdom. To us, it just feels right to end our trip there. However this particular Friday night, the last night of our trip, is MNSSHP. We did MNSSHP two years ago and had a blast, but it's A LOT of money to drop for 4 of us, especially when we've already done it (my inner child voice - "but the rides will have nooooooo waaaaaaaaiiiiiiiitttttttt!). This is a tough one, but I think we're going to forgo MNSSHP this year and spend the morning and early afternoon in the MK, travel back to our room for one quick break and head over to Epcot to finish out the night. After riding some rides in Future World, we need to figure out dinner plans. This is the other night of our trip that we do not have any ADRs (Thursday was the first). I think we're going to try to get into the Coral Reef, we'll see (we haven't eaten there before and I've heard some good things about it). After dinner (wherever it may be), we'll head over to WS to check out the F&W festival and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, who are playing two shows that night, I think. Also, if we happened to miss Illuminations on Wednesday night for whatever reason, this may be our second chance for it. Otherwise, we may finish out the trip with a last burst of rides (whatever we can get on at this point of the night).

Still to come in the PTR... Day 7 - one final quick a.m. visit to the MK (maybe) and our departure from the World. Also, final thoughts about the trip, last minute changes (and you know there will be some), last minute plans, and probably some minor details like what are we doing for park tickets, how/why we picked the VWL, what we pack (and don't/won't pack), and I'm sure I'll lay out the photo gear I plan to carry and take a picture of it for those who may be interested or need a good shock . That should carry us over the next 3 weeks .

 

[All7OfUs]

Thanks for the hints on music. I'll read up on torrents and do the best I can.

Hmmm.... plans for Day 6...

I really hope you won't miss the party too much, but it sounds like you've talked yourselves out of it, and have some other equally fun plans. I WS! My inner-novice- photographer-self says there are tons of great photo ops. over there.

Coral Reef sounds heavenly!! Someday I'll have to get myself over there and give it a try. I always end up in WS for eats, though.

I'm not a huge fan of Illum. but I like the idea of giving yourselves a second chance for it.

Looking forward to the last day's plans and all the little extras

 

[jordanyosh]

I was sitting in front of my computer last night processing some first day of school shots listening to some WDW park music on my iphone. In particular, the Adventureland Area Loop which is my favorite of all the "land" music loops. If you don't already have some of the park music, google WDW park music and try to grab some... it really helps on those long days if you're in a bad mood, or just miss the parks (or gearing up for a trip!).

Sometimes the best medicine for a bad day is WDW music! We listened alot of WDW must to and from AZ last week....sooooo relaxing.

For our Day 5 morning, we're going to do something we have never done before... let the kids choose where they want to go (and pray it's the same place, or we can compromise ). I'm guessing it will be either a water park or the MK, but who knows . They have been known to surprise us before.

In the afternoon/evening, I think we'll definitely head to the MK and try to get into the Plaza for dinner (couldn't make an ADR, they were full that night). If we can't get into the Plaza, we'll likely shoot for Cosmic Rays.

One thing I wanted to try on this trip was to photograph Wishes from some different locations. This could be the night for doing that. One location I want to set up is on the Polynesian Beach, a second is at the TTC (so you have both the train station and the Castle in the foreground) and the third is from the Contemporary observation deck. Who knows? If we don't have dinner reservations, it could be a good night to slip up to the Contemporary, sit at the bar (with kids? not sure if we can do that... actually probably not now that I think about it) eat some sushi, have a few drinks and try to set up a straight shot from the observation deck.

So after writing this update, it is clear to me that we have absolutely NO plan for Thursday (or, at least nothing in stone). That could be good, or could be disastrous. With us, it can go either way.

I think having some ideas of what you'd like to do will prevent any disasters.