Breaking All the Rules: Pirates, Pixie Dust, and Pictures... a January 2012 Report

[NLD]

Thursday, February 2

Making the Bed

Our last full day in Disney World...

By this point in the trip, we were T-I-R-E-D. So we decided to sleep in this morning. We had no plans, no reservations... the day was wide open.

Unfortunately, I had been fighting a sore throat and ears for the past several days. Upon waking this morning, I felt even worse.

We took our time in the room. Deb (as was her custom at this point) went to Roaring Fork and brought Sunshine back some breakfast.


20120202-DSC_0969 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

As we poked around over breakfast, we talked about what to do. Deb and Carole both wanted to hit Downtown Disney. So did Sunshine and I... we had never been. But I was feeling absolutely miserable. So Deb and Carole offered to take Sunshine and let me me laze around the resort. Sunshine was all for it! (Shopping spree + great-aunt + grandma + 8-year-old girl = lots of spoiling!)

Before they left, though, Sunshine had a self-appointed task. She needed to make the bed and write a note to someone special...


20120202-DSC_0970 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

Now, in the last post, I talked about our pixie dust running out. But... we actually did have a sprinkling when we'd returned to the room that night. That was the first day of the trip we'd gotten towel animals! And Sunshine's animals had been arranged.

At the time I thought, "Oh that's nice, and this was a good day for it too, since nothing else special happened today." But I didn't think too much of it.

All of a sudden it made sense why we'd finally gotten some towel animals. Sunshine had made the bed the previous morning, too, before we left for Epcot. She had also left a note, though I hadn't seen it that day. My guess is the housekeeper got a smile out of it and left us those special towels.

So anyway... Sunshine had to do the same thing again this morning.

After Sunshine had arranged her note, she, Deb, and Carole left and headed for Downtown Disney.I poked around the room some more and finally wandered to the courtyard.

I spent the day there sipping a pina colava, smoking cigarettes, watching the boats on the lake, and reading. Meanwhile, Sunshine, Deb and Carole shopped till they dropped at Downtown Disney!

Side note: sorry, no pictures of this part of the trip. I was feeling too yucky... and when I asked Deb and Carole later if they'd taken any at Downtown Disney, they shook their heads--too busy shopping! Next update will have a few, though.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Hey Nicole! I finally got all caught up and have come to ask for more please

Your pictures are absolutely amazing. Your camera must be awesome

Seriously though, you really do post some stunning pictures. You should be very proud of yourself!

Looking forward to the next update but dreading the final one

 

[NLD]

Wrapping By the Pool

After a while, Deb, Carole, and Sunshine came back from Downtown Disney, laden with purchases.

They dropped their bags in the room, then came to the pool, where we hung out the rest of the afternoon.


20120202-DSC_0985 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

Sunshine and Deb decided to swim.


20120202-DSC_0978 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr


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This gave me a chance to wander around the courtyard area and take pictures.


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Even towel returns are pretty and themed at Disney!


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Finally I checked back in poolside.


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Carole had an idea. Apparently she hadn't spoiled Sunshine enough at Downtown Disney, and figured a hair wrapping was in order.


20120202-DSC_1009 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr


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The hair wrapping took a looooooong time. But finally... she was done!


20120202-DSC_1033 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

Sunshine was thrilled.

 

[NLD]

Can't We Just Live at Disney?

By now it was dinnertime. We had squandered our last full day in Disney. I had fully intended to go to a park... at least for the afternoon. But with that winter cold, I just never felt up to it. And Sunshine, Deb, and Carole seemed happy enough to take it easy, too.

So dinner was more of the same... we all wandered upstairs to change clothes, then back to the courtyard. Sunshine played on the beach while Deb, Carole, and I took turns watching her and running into Roaring Fork to get food.

Eventually Carole and Deb headed upstairs for the evening, to pack, while Sunshine and I stayed outside. We'd decided to see the movie on the beach: Dumbo!

Before the movie, though, Sunshine had to roast a few more marshmallows...


20120202-DSC_1046 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr


20120202-DSC_1035 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

While there, she made a friend. Her friend was just her age, also in second grade. They hit off big time and soon were laughing like they'd known each other their whole lives.


20120202-DSC_1041 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr


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At last it was time for the movie...


20120202-DSC_1055 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

Sunshine and her new friend watched together, while I stuck near the seating behind the pool bar and kept an eye on them. I met the friend's parents, and we chatted a little.

After the movie, Sunshine, her friend, and couple other kids they'd met played on the beach playground. Sunshine desperately wanted to see the Electrical Water Parade, so we dragged it out a while. A few other people had lined up some beach chairs near the water, waiting. But 15 minutes after we thought it should have come... we all realized we were an hour early.

I was beat, still battling that cold, and we had to leave the next day. Sunshine wanted to wait the 45 minutes for the water parade, but I knew we couldn't. So I finally dragged her away, but not before she gave her new friends a million hugs.

By the time we got back to the room, she was in full-blown tears over having to leaving her new friend. They had hit it off SO WELL, and she was just heartbroken over the idea that she'd met this lovely girl and would never see her again. She kept saying it wasn't fair, and that she should have met her earlier in the week, and then they could have spent more time together. We had to give a lot of hugs and comfort. Poor little kiddo finally exhausted herself with all the tears and fell asleep.

It was certainly a sad night. We'd all had so much fun in Disney. The weather had been perfect, the parks magical, the resort relaxing. Sunshine had found a kindred spirit... on our last night. It didn't seem right that we had to leave the next day. Couldn't we just live in Disney World?

 

[NLD]

(Still determined to get this thing finished, even though it's been months! Sorry to anyone who was once reading!)

Final day coming up...

 

[NLD]

Friday, February 3

Scattered Clouds of Melancholy

Morning dawned, and we awoke reluctantly. Today was the day.... time to head home.

We finished packing. Sunshine staged a protest:


20120203-DSC_1066 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

After all... If I'm in the suitcase, Mom can't pack the suitcase, right? We'll have to stay!

Too bad for her, I can still physically pick her up and move her.

After getting the bags packed, having bell services help us drag them all to the lobby, checking out of the room, and using RAC... we trooped down to the bus stop one last time.

We weren't done yet! Our flight didn't leave until the evening. Time to soak in a few last hours of magic.


20120203-DSC_1072 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

While waiting for the bus, Sunshine showed off her favorite souvenir from the trip:


20120203-DSC_1071 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

At last the bus came, and we were on our way...


20120203-DSC_1083 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

No, not to the Contemporary...


20120203-DSC_1087 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

No, not to the Polynesian...


20120203-DSC_1091 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

Yes! (Of course.)

Now, at this point I realized I'd been woefully negligent in documenting the construction at Magic Kingdom this trip. So I decided there really should be at least a few photos of this.


20120203-DSC_1093 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr


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We made our way past all the tarps towards the hub.


20120203-DSC_1098 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

It was an overcast day, and this suited us just fine. The scattered blue sky and clouds matched our sensibilities... still happy and determined to have fun our last few hours, but with a tinge of melancholy.

When we got to the hub, we turned... yes, left.

Had to stop for some last pictures of the castle.


20120203-DSC_1101 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr


20120203-DSC_1103 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

It wasn't just tarps out in Magic Kingdom... the crane, in all its glory, was still present, too.


20120203-DSC_1106 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

So where were we headed? We had turned left at the hub, crossed into Adventure Land, and...

No. Not Pirates of the Caribbean this time, not yet. So... where?

 

[mom2rtk]

You seem like a Jungle Cruise sort of group?????????

It's funny, but it's always overcast in the MK on our last day too.

LOVE the photo of Sunshine trying to forestall the inevitable.........

Do Chip and Dale come to the campfire? We're kicking around staying at the WLfor 2 nights at the beginning of our trip and looking at what special things to do.

 

[NLD]

Hi Janet!

Chip and Dale don't come to the fire at WL. There is a Chip-and-Dale campfire event at Fort Wilderness though.

That was on my bucket list of things to maybe do this trip... but we never made it over to FW. A shame too, since we were only a boat ride away.

 

[mom2rtk]

Hi Janet!

Chip and Dale don't come to the fire at WL. There is a Chip-and-Dale campfire event at Fort Wilderness though.

That was on my bucket list of things to maybe do this trip... but we never made it over to FW. A shame too, since we were only a boat ride away.

Ahhh.... thanks for that clarification. Do you have any idea what they do at the campfire? I'm trying to decide if it's worth our time that night.

Sad to see things coming to a close. Any other trips in the works?

The photos continue to be amazing. I never feel the pull to upgrade and go full frame....... until I see your photos. Not only do you have a stellar camera, but you have a very good eye and use it to its fullest.

 

[NLD]

First off... you are so sweet, thanks.

Second, on the Chip and Dale campfire: they do a sing-along at the campfire, and there is also marshmallow roasting. Then after the sun goes down, there's a movie over at FW, too.

So yes, definitely a fun evening can be had there! (Not that we made it over, but from what I've read.) The only place you can meet characters outside a park, without spending money on a meal.

Funny thing on the photography... I've been thinking lately how much of it is post-processing, and how, when the D700 kicks the bucket, I'll probably just go back to APS-C. My husband just got me Topaz for my birthday and I've been playing with old Disney photos, and it's like finally having the missing "piece" of the puzzle.

All of these on the trip report have been fairly traditional edits in Lightroom... but I've been pulling out some crazy fun texture and color with Topaz with older photos.

Of course full-frame helps a LOT in low light, and there's the depth of field issue, too. Sometimes though I miss the reach of APS-C. It's all trade-offs...

 

[NLD]

Last Splash of Fun

So... where were we headed?

To a ride we hadn't experienced this trip...

Splash Mountain!

Sunshine had tried Splash Mountain on her first trip. And she HATED it. I had prompted, and it backfired. But this trip, she'd been toying with the idea of trying again all trip. She didn't want to ride it in the dark, though.

Well, it was mid-day. Lots of light. And it was our last day. Now or never.

First we watched the logs come down the drop.


20120203-DSC_1109 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

She was a little nervous, but Sunshine agreed to checking the wait time. So we made our way to the entrance.


20120203-DSC_1110 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

(Ahhh, Big Thunder! How we missed you this trip! See, all that construction wasn't just on Main Street...)

The wait time was very manageable. Maybe 15 minutes. Carole and Deb passed, saying they'd wait for us if we wanted to go. Did we? Did Sunshine?

Yes!

We joined the queue. As we neared the front of the line...


20120203-DSC_1112 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

...Sunshine looked nervous.


20120203-DSC_1115 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

But she wasn't backing out now!

We approached the cast member loading, and she directed us to the front row!

In no time at all, we were climbing into our log and meandering through the mountain.


20120203-DSC_1118 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

As we climbed past Brer Frog, I reassured Sunshine that this was not the big drop (yet). But we would get a nice view of others plunging into the thorns.


20120203-DSC_1120 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

And sure enough, we got splashed by another log. Fortunately, Sunshine laughed. We continued our journey through the mountain.


20120203-DSC_1123 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr


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Brer Frog is my favorite...


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And finally out in the open...


20120203-DSC_1155 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

The big drop!


20120203-DSC_1158 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

(Missed the focus, sorry!)

After it was done...


20120203-DSC_1159 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

...we were W-E-T!

And Sunshine's verdict? Two enthusiastic thumbs up!


20120203-DSC_1161 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr


20120203-DSC_1162 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

Time to disembark.


20120203-DSC_1173 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

Sunshine was all smiles. She wanted to ride again, but with Deb and Carole waiting for us, it wasn't practical. So instead, we stopped in the gift shop and I bought her a Splash Mountain pin, plus a pressed penny. Badges of honor for conquering the Mountain!

 

[NLD]

Last Disney Meal

Back outside Splash, we rejoined Deb and Carole. They'd gotten a little concerned at our length of absence, but another guest had told them it was a long ride.

By now we were ready for lunch. So we wandered back through Adventure Land and toward the castle.


20120203-DSC_1182 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

I knew where we should go... someplace we hadn't been yet, a place you HAVE to visit at least once a trip.... Cosmic Ray's.


20120203-DSC_1184 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

No healthy food for our last meal, no way! Bacon cheeseburgers with the fixin's!


20120203-DSC_1185 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

After gobbling my burger, it was time for a quick cigarette by the castle. While they waited for me, Deb and Carole spotted Repunzel. However... they missed the gigantic LINE to meet her! They got so excited, they just started right up, thinking we'd be done soon and Sunshine could meet Repunzel with them! But a cast member quickly stopped them. And pointed out the line. They decided it wasn't worth it.

As consolation for missing Repunzel, I impulsively picked up Pascal at the nearby kiosk and paid for him. Then handed him to Sunshine.

Her little eyes got big. She'd been eyeing up Pascal all week... and I'd told her no more souvenirs on our last day. Well, so far I'd bought her a pin, a pressed penny, and now Pascal. She was so sweet, kept saying, "Are you sure, Mommy? Are you sure? But you said no more? It's okay if I don't get him..."

What can I say? It was our last day. I wanted her to have him probably more than she did!

Anyway, after buying Pascal, we ran right into...


20120203-DSC_1188 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

Alice was just coming out. Sunshine didn't want to meet her though, so we just grabbed the quick photo as we passed and made our way to Tomorrowland.

 

[mom2rtk]

20120203-DSC_1115 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

I'm loving the look of anticipation! So glad it went well!

And thanks for the info on Chip and Dale!

You'll have to let me know how things go with Topaz. I've seen some great shots done with Topaz. Is it an add-on to another program? Or does it stand alone?

 

[NLD]

Topaz is an add-on... works with Photoshop or just Lightroom. So far I've just used it with Lightroom.

Maybe later I'll post some "before" and "after" shots... Isn't there a post-processing thread on the photography board, somewhere? Maybe need to resurrect that.

 

[mom2rtk]

Topaz is an add-on... works with Photoshop or just Lightroom. So far I've just used it with Lightroom.

Maybe later I'll post some "before" and "after" shots... Isn't there a post-processing thread on the photography board, somewhere? Maybe need to resurrect that.

Yes, I'd love to see some before and after shots. That might just be the new photography toy I need!

And yes, there was a PP thread, but I haven't seen any posts for a while, so you'll probably have to dig for it.

 

[DitkaFan]

Topaz is an add-on... works with Photoshop or just Lightroom. So far I've just used it with Lightroom.

Maybe later I'll post some "before" and "after" shots... Isn't there a post-processing thread on the photography board, somewhere? Maybe need to resurrect that.

Are you on a Mac or PC? If on Mac, have your tried Aperture. I prefer that over Lightroom for its easier to use/maintain photo db and simplified post processing, but I still use photoshop for all my "serious" picture editing.

I just got done checking out the Topaz website. I think I might have to try out some of the free 30 days trials

 

[NLD]

Are you on a Mac or PC? If on Mac, have your tried Aperture. I prefer that over Lightroom for its easier to use/maintain photo db and simplified post processing, but I still use photoshop for all my "serious" picture editing.

I just got done checking out the Topaz website. I think I might have to try out some of the free 30 days trials

Hi DitkaFan,

I am on a PC, but have certainly heard good things about Aperture.

Sounds like you shoot? What subjects do you like?

 

[NLD]

Crowd-Gazing in Tomorrowland

We had spent so little time in Tomorrowland, I thought the People Mover would be a good after-lunch attraction.


20120203-DSC_1190 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

Fortunately it was running, so we hopped in line.


20120203-DSC_1195 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

We settled into our seats...


20120203-DSC_1197 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

Sunshine wasn't thrilled about pictures, she was too sad about leaving.


20120203-DSC_1196 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

But I made her take one with her Grandma.


20120203-DSC_1200 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

(Guess that's the "fake it till you make it" look? With static-electric hair? )

And soon we were moving around Tomorrowland...


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20120203-DSC_1204 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

As we approached Space Mountain, Sunshine asked lots of questions. I'd been feeling her out to see if she wanted to try it. Going through the darkness and hearing the coaster made her decision: nope, not this trip.


20120203-DSC_1205 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr


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The crowds had picked up since our arrival in the park. All week Magic Kingdom had felt crowded for a supposedly super-slow time... today was no exception.


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And more crowds!


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The ride mellowed us out... maybe too much. Sunshine was ready to settle in for a nap, just as we neared the end of the ride.


20120203-DSC_1219 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

After the ride, we talked about what to do next. Carole and Deb decided to head back to the Wilderness Lodge and relax there before Magical Express. But Sunshine and I weren't leaving Magic Kingdom until absolutely necessary!

 

[NLD]

Pascal Poses for Pictures

On our way out of Tomorrowland, Sunshine spotted some friends:


20120203-DSC_1234 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

She decided she wanted a picture, and took charge of posing herself and Pascal.


20120203-DSC_1231 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

Pascal looked nervous, but... he survived.

Then we talked. What should we do with these last, precious moments in Magic Kingdom?

Sunshine wanted Haunted Mansion. She'd wanted it after lunch, too... but the wait time was too long. I checked my Mobile Magic app. Still a wait... in fact if memory serves, it had gone up... maybe 35 minutes? It was definitely over a half hour wait. (Yes, for Haunted Mansion. The first week of February. On a week day.)

Sunshine said, "Well maybe your phone's not right! Let's go check!" But... I knew it was right, because I'd checked it against another attraction in Tomorrowland as we passed, for precisely that reason. The app was correct... it was just more crowded than it should have been.

We probably could have squeezed it in. But... we had to end with one particular ride. And I was worried that if we squeezed in Haunted Mansion, we might not have time for that all-important final attraction.

So, a bit forlorn, we wandered through the hub.


20120203-DSC_1237 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

And again, Sunshine demanded a few pictures...


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Then we turned left...


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And fought the crowds to get to...


20120203-DSC_1253 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

Our final ride of the trip.

 

[NLD]

Final Adventure

Our trip would begin and end with Pirates of the Caribbean.


20120203-DSC_1255 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

We joined the queue, savoring the sights, smells and sounds for the last time.


20120203-DSC_1258 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

Soon we boarded our boat and drifted through our last adventure of the trip.


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Goodbye, girl with the pink hat...


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Goodbye, Captain Jack...


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Goodbye, hissing cats...


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At last it was over. Reluctantly, we disembarked and exited the ride.


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Back outside, there was just one more item to check off the bucket list...


20120203-DSC_1314 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

We sat on the stone benches nearby and people watched, slurping down the last pineapple Dole Whip float of the trip. We were tired and a little sad. In the end, Sunshine accidentally spilled the Dole Whip. Half of it went dribbling onto the pavement. It was a sign... our time had come to end. Scooping up the cup with the remaining dregs of pinapple juice, I said, "It's okay. Time to go."

I sucked down the remaining juice as we turned right out of Adventureland, past Crystal Palace and down Main Street.

As we exited, we watched the parade float by.


20120203-DSC_1318 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

Our final farewell to Mickey...

We got caught near the train station, unable to exit as the parade rounded the circle.


20120203-DSC_1328 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr

But then the parade passed, and we were moving again, under the train station tunnel with the sign "See Ya Real Soon!" Sunshine and I consoled ourselves... we would be back... some day.


20120203-DSC_1332 by nicole_lynn_, on Flickr