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

[Todd_H]

Very exciting news about MNSSHP---although I think seeing BBVD at Epcot would have been fun too. So much to do, so little time!

Yep, BBVD would be awesome to see I'm sure. The reason I seriously considered MNSSHP again is because I read that first night of the F&W Festival in Epcot draws A LOT of the locals and it really gets crazy. We'll still spend our Friday daytime in Epcot to partake in some of the festivities, but this gives us an awesome final night in the MK!

That being said, now my pictures from MNSSHP are going to be that much less interesting when I eventually post a TR. As you had said previously in this report---it's on like Donkey Kong, Todd. I may not have gear as good as yours, but I don't have any kids to take care of either.

You know, one thing that's going to be hard for me is to keep reminding myself that this is not a photography trip, but a family trip. Therefore, I can't keep them waiting while I set up shots or venture off on my own to do some shooting. I hope I can get my photography mojo working while I'm there. It's easy to get excited about it beforehand, but once you're there and it's really really hot and humid, all bets are off as to what you find yourself lugging around the parks every day.

I can't wait to see what you capture on your upcoming trips. You've got a great eye and some great camera gear too ! I'm sure you're going to grab some awesome shots in October and then especially in December once you've already been down there once with a DSLR and get really familiar with shooting under the various conditions there. For me, photography really added a new level of enjoyment to the parks.

 

[annnewjerz]

Yep, BBVD would be awesome to see I'm sure. The reason I seriously considered MNSSHP again is because I read that first night of the F&W Festival in Epcot draws A LOT of the locals and it really gets crazy. We'll still spend our Friday daytime in Epcot to partake in some of the festivities, but this gives us an awesome final night in the MK!

Bleh! I didn't realize it would be the first day at F&W, for some reason I was thinking that started in October, don't know why. I agree though, I hear it gets pretty nuts over there so it's probably best you steer clear.

You know, one thing that's going to be hard for me is to keep reminding myself that this is not a photography trip, but a family trip. Therefore, I can't keep them waiting while I set up shots or venture off on my own to do some shooting. I hope I can get my photography mojo working while I'm there. It's easy to get excited about it beforehand, but once you're there and it's really really hot and humid, all bets are off as to what you find yourself lugging around the parks every day.

Short of going solo for work, are there ever any real "photography trips"? I'll be going with DH and then DH & DM in December and even though they're pretty patient, I doubt they will stand around for 10 minutes while I see which angle is best, etc. I'm just going to have to keep my fingers crossed and shoot. I guess the lack of heat and humidity (hopefully) is another thing I've got going for me since we're going in December. Apparently the normal temp is mid-70's, but we'll see about that.

I can't wait to see what you capture on your upcoming trips. You've got a great eye and some great camera gear too ! I'm sure you're going to grab some awesome shots in October and then especially in December once you've already been down there once with a DSLR and get really familiar with shooting under the various conditions there. For me, photography really added a new level of enjoyment to the parks.

Geeez, talk about expectations to live up to.

 

[All7OfUs]

Very stoked you added the party! Breaking tradition might be a tough pill to swallow.

Love your reminder to self about this being a family trip, too! That may make all the difference in how you approach your touring, and what you see and what you don't.

 

[Todd_H]

Short of going solo for work, are there ever any real "photography trips"?

Good point.

Geeez, talk about expectations to live up to.

Expectations are high, Ann! Bring it!

 

[Todd_H]

Very stoked you added the party! Breaking tradition might be a tough pill to swallow.

I'm really excited about MNSSHP now. I think that could be the highlight of our trip (if we're not about to drop from exhaustion at that point in our trip). The kids did really well 2 years ago when we went. They made it all the way to midnight (quite a feat for our kids who are used to going to bed by 8pm every night).

Love your reminder to self about this being a family trip, too! That may make all the difference in how you approach your touring, and what you see and what you don't.

Yes, we try to plan everything for them and from their perspective. It's a bit of a balancing act because you don't want to push them so hard they burn out by 3pm, so we usually take the afternoon break and head back to the parks at night. You definitely have to pace yourself with small kids.

 

[Todd_H]

Ali and I were talking over our schedule last night and we decided to change it slightly. With our first schedule and the addition of MNSSHP, we figured out that we weren't giving ourselves enough time in Epcot and DHS. Therefore, since we are planning on purchasing base tickets for the kids, we decided to ditch Typhoon Lagoon and use Wednesday all day for Epcot and Friday for DHS. This means that we'll miss the first day of the F&W Festival, but that's o.k. We can't really drink in the daytime and expect to make it for MNSSHP that night anyway .

So our final schedule looks like this:
Sunday, September 20th
Arrival at WL around 11:00am
lunch at Roaring Forks
DHS with dinner at Sci-Fi
catch late Fantasmic show

Monday, September 21st
Breakfast at Chef Mickey's
Magic Kingdom a.m.
break
Magic Kingdom p.m.
No ADR's for dinner (Cosmic Ray's maybe)
Spectro
Wishes

Tuesday, September 22nd
Animal Kingdom all day
after parade, back to WL to rest/swim
Hoop Dee Do Revue at 9:30pm

Wednesday, September 23rd
Epcot a.m.
break
Epcot p.m.
Dinner at Teppan-Edo at 7:30pm
Illuminations

Thursday, September 24th
Magic Kingdom a.m.
break
Magic Kingdom p.m.
No ADR's (hopefully we can get into O'hana that night on a last minute cancellation)
photograph Wishes from Poly beach or TTC

Friday, September 25th
DHS a.m.
after lunch, head back to WL for long afternoon break/swim
MNSSHP
No ADR's

Saturday, September 26th
Depending on how we all feel, we may head back over to the MK for one or two last minute rides
around 11:00am - head home

We'd love to squeeze in the Fort Wilderness Campfire Movie one night, but not sure if we'll be able to do it.

 

[SilverL]

Look for us on the 20th, 21st, and 22nd! We'll be at the same parks.

 

[VVFF]

Fantastic pictures. Someday here I'll post the pictures and trip report from my December trip...I started it but never finished it

 

[scoot241]

Todd, your plans look great!

I hope your kids don't mind getting a DelMonte fruit cup at Teppan Edo, because that's the only dessert they have for kids. Everything else about the restaurant was great, but the fruit cup left a bit a of a bad taste in my mouth. I haven't reached that point on my trip report yet, so I felt the need to point that out.

Our first night (a Sunday) we had reservations for Ohana, and I overheard that it was a two hour wait to get in. Good luck with getting in!

 

[MRYPPNS]

If you can't get in to 'Ohana's as a walk-up (I personally wouldn't try that for dinner) may I suggest the Grand Floridian Cafe or the counter service at the Contemporary. Always good to have a back up plan I say!

 

[disneygirlinnj]

Great final plans!

Scott...did the kids have the option of ice cream at Teppan Edo? Fruit cups are bleh!

 

[scoot241]

Great final plans!

Scott...did the kids have the option of ice cream at Teppan Edo? Fruit cups are bleh!

No, the kids must have fruit cups, or at least that was my experience.

 

[Gabrielsbigtrip]

Ohana's was a zoo when we arrived for our ADR but we were seated right away. I am not sure about a walk up there but guess what......

while we were waiting to be seated at Le Cellier.....a lady came out with her family proudly saying "I don't know about this Dining Plan stuff but we were seated after 15 minute wait with NO ADR!!!"



We were there for 4:30pm ADR's so they must have come right at opening.....it was our first time and oh boy was the filet good....it was our best meal.

Good luck with Ohana's I hope you get in!

 

[All7OfUs]

Your plans look great! They look like a nice balance of all the parks and you're hitting some really nice places to eat. I agree, need a back up plan in case O'hana is full.

I'd say your best bet for making the campfire over at the Fort is to try before the Hoop on Tues. You wouldn't make it through all of it, but at least the sing a long and marshmallows and probably Chip and Dale as well.

WOW! Less than week to go!!

 

[annnewjerz]

I can't believe you're leaving in 4 days. I'm so jealous, Todd.

 

[Todd_H]

Look for us on the 20th, 21st, and 22nd! We'll be at the same parks.

Will do, Shawna! You guys have a great trip.

Fantastic pictures. Someday here I'll post the pictures and trip report from my December trip...I started it but never finished it

Thanks!

Todd, your plans look great!

I hope your kids don't mind getting a DelMonte fruit cup at Teppan Edo, because that's the only dessert they have for kids.

Our first night (a Sunday) we had reservations for Ohana, and I overheard that it was a two hour wait to get in. Good luck with getting in!

Well, that's not all bad about the fruit cup. Being on the DDP, there will be puh-lenty of other opportunities for junk. Hopefully we can get them to eat a grape or two .

2 hour wait at 'Ohana, huh? Well, that probably won't work out so we'll figure out a backup.

If you can't get in to 'Ohana's as a walk-up (I personally wouldn't try that for dinner) may I suggest the Grand Floridian Cafe or the counter service at the Contemporary. Always good to have a back up plan I say!

We very well could try one of those other options. Thanks for the suggestion!

Great final plans!

Thanks!

Your plans look great! They look like a nice balance of all the parks and you're hitting some really nice places to eat. I agree, need a back up plan in case O'hana is full.

I'd say your best bet for making the campfire over at the Fort is to try before the Hoop on Tues. You wouldn't make it through all of it, but at least the sing a long and marshmallows and probably Chip and Dale as well.

I think we're actually going to try to make the GF/Poly beach movie on Thursday night (the night we were going to try to get into 'Ohana or at least somewhere in the MK resort area).

I can't believe you're leaving in 4 days. I'm so jealous, Todd.

Yep. 4 days and counting down !

 

[Todd_H]

O.K. for those of you who might be interested, this is the photography gear I'll be lugging down to the World. Note that this is NOT what I plan to carry into the parks every day. I'll probably just have one camera body and two or three lenses. I'll rent a locker to stash my tripod and maybe one of the lenses while we tour in the daytime and retrieve it at night. The rest will accompany me in my gear backpack.

If you're interested in what all this stuff is, here is a link to a thread in the photography board with the rundown: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=33596007#post33596007

 

[scoot241]

Well, that's not all bad about the fruit cup. Being on the DDP, there will be puh-lenty of other opportunities for junk. Hopefully we can get them to eat a grape or two .

2 hour wait at 'Ohana, huh? Well, that probably won't work out so we'll figure out a backup.

Overall I agree, but a $13 kids entree should come with something slighty better I think. I was on DDP also though. The fruit cup was mandarin oranges or something like that.

 

[disneygirlinnj]

I think I almost shorted out my laptop by accidentally drooling on the keyboard after seeing the photography gear. You know...if you EVER want to get rid of some stuff... I'm a Canon user tooooooo

 

[annnewjerz]

Pec pads, huh? Is that something you use prior to going into the pool or waterparks to make the chesticles look nicer for the viewing public?

The gear looks good (considering it's Canon, since we all known Nikon is far superior). I'm assuming the second body is just for back-up rather than your DW shooting also, right??