Chunkymonkey and Chubbyhubby eat for free! WE ARE BACK! Photo Teasers pg. 23!!

[trickiwoo]

Aww thank you. At this point, I do it mainly for friends and family. I did advertise a little bit on wedding websites just to get experience with building my portfolio, but I was unemployed at the time. I now work full time again, so I dont' have much time for the side business, so I do it mosty by referral.

I used to work with another wedding photographer in the area as her 2nd shooter. When it comes to weddings, I love doing candids, but hate posing people for groups and portraits and stuff. I'm really shy... so I hate like telling people where to stand and how to pose. I just feel like I'm bossing people around, and I so don't have that in me! So that's why I don't do a lot of weddings! I did do my cousin's wedding a year ago. I guess I feel more comfortable posing people and telling them where to stand and what to do if I know them. But it's really hard for me to do that to complete strangers!

DH's family is from Hemet, CA. It's a small town in Riverside County. He did go to San Diego quite often and he really likes it there. We did our engagement pictures in downtown San Diego. We got married actually out in Temecula, CA. It was soooo pretty!

Gotta love Indiana Jones. I am surprised that WDW doesn't have it! It's like one of my favorite rides ever! I do love DL though, I love how the parks are right across from each other and you could jump back and forth easily with no buses, or transfers. And DCA is pretty awesome too.

I've actually never been to DCA! I can't get anyone to go with me! When I go with my family they only want to go to Disneyland Park! And I can't even get The Boyfriend to go to Disneyland at all! He's all "But WDW is so much better!"

The Boyfriend has actually never been to San Diego... so maybe one day I'll take him there and we can squeeze in a trip up to Disneyland!

OMG I LOVE LOST!!! I was so sad it ended, but I loved the ending. I think the pilot and the end were my 2 favorite episdes of TV. EVER. I cried like a baby too. I rewatched it and cried like a baby AGAIN!
Wow you have the numbers tatooed?? That is a true fan!! I am scared of pain. LOL or else I think tatoos are soo pretty. My cousin and friends have them and I'm always admiring them.
That's so neat that your movie theatre has such a cool concept. Sorta like Sci-Fi Dine In, minus the Disney part of course. Sounds like an awesome time!!

Oh man, if they showed Lost at Sci-Fi that would totally be the most awesome thing ever!

I'm really really really hoping that the Lost Disney ride that's in the works ends up happening! Haha, if it's at Disneyland then I could probably get my boyfriend to go! And if it's at WDW, then I could definitely get my mom to go to WDW! My mom absolutely refuses to go to WDW (she's never been.) She hates Florida and she's always all, "It's not the same as Disneyland..." But she is a HUGE Lost fan...

 

[chunkymonkey]

So based on feedback, here are some snacks that I most likely will be getting:

Old Favorites:
CC-stuffed pretzel from tomorrowland's Lunching Pad
School bread from Norway at Epcot
A sweet pastry or savory croissant from France at Epcot depending on mood
Dole Whip from MK
Popcorn! (may pay OOP for this depending on cost of a bag)


Trying for the first time:
Smoothie from KRNR at DHS
Sweet Pretzel from Norway at Epcot
Beignets from POFQ
Anything else?

I wasn't sure when I would be able to get the Beignets since it's in POFQ, but I thought that the night we are going to DTD for our T-Rex dinner would be a good opportunity to go! That way I can just take the water launch from POFQ to DTD and vice versa.

I wasn't sure if I should go before dinner as a pre-dinner snack or after dinner as dessert. We would head to DHS for EMH that evening anyways. I will leave it open for now, and probably decide on the day of depending on how much we get done at MK.

Here's our schedule for that day:

Sept 6th:

Morning:

Breakfast – 8:00am ADR @ Kona Café, Polynesian Resort

Monorail to MK

Afternoon:

MK

Evening:

Dinner 5:00pm ADR @T-Rex Downtown Disney
POFQ for Beignets! (before or after dinner)

Hollywood Studios EMH until 11:30pm

 

[trickiwoo]

So I'm trying to figure out what would be the best options when using our snack credits at Disney. I was looking at this thread here to get some ideas on what each park/resort offers as snack credits.

DH and I like to snack a lot, sometimes we even split a QS meal and then supplement our day with lots of snacks. This allows us to try different things around the parks, and not spoil our appetite for our TS meal! We won't be using our snack credits to just get a soda or bottle of water. We'd rather pay OOP for that and save our SC for something more substantial, that ultimately will be a better value.

So what are some of your favorite snacks in the parks/resorts?

Here are some of mine:

Cream-cheese stuffed pretzel in Tomorrowland
Dole Whip in MK
Frozen Chocolate dipped bananas - they are found at all the ice cream carts at all/most parks.(I don't know if this counts as a snack credit? Can anyone verify?)
Pastries from France and Norway pavillions in Epcot (school bread, anyone?)
Giant soft pretzel from Germany pavillion in Epcot
Cupcake from anyplace that has a good-looking one, really.
Popcorn! I am such a popcorn snob. I can't stand microwave popcorn. I love movie theater popcorn. I eat so much of it it's insane. I love freshly popped corn, but it must have the right ratio or salt/butter during the popping process. I never put any butter toppings on my popcorn though, it's way to greasy for me. I can't remember how much a bag costs at WDW, so I can't be sure if it's worth a snack credit or not.

For the most part I've planned out my meals for my trip... but I have no idea what to use my snack credits on!!! I've also bookmarked that thread! I like that it includes the prices! I know I'm going to want more snacks than I have credits for... so I plan on using my credits for the more expensive snack options and then paying OOP for the cheaper ones! Haha, I know there's really only a few bucks difference... and when you're already spending so much on your Disney trip, what's a few bucks here and there? But if I didn't do it this way, then I'd have no idea at all which snacks to pay OOP for and which snacks to use my credits for!

Haha, I actually mentioned this to The Boyfriend yesterday... that I didn't know what I was going to use my snack credits for yet. And he was like, "Why don't you just wait till you're there and when you see a snack you like that sounds good to you, get it." And I told him, "But I like to plan!" Haha, he thinks I'm insane! But he loves me anyway! And he did admit that my overplanning on our last trip really made the trip better when we got there!


Sadly, I'm severely allergic to popcorn! I'm allergic to corn, but for some reason popcorn affects me worse than any other form of corn! So I've never had Disney popcorn. Well, I may have as a kid... but if I did, I don't remember what it tasted like!

 

[annmarieda]

All this snack credit talk has me thinkin I might need to plan some as well. There are so many yummy ones... Last trip I brought a printed list from here of all the items. That way everyone kinda could pick and choose and know what their options were. Course, most of the guys picked the same snack daily.

One thing about the beignets...they are best warm. I am not sure how they would keep if you were to pick them up to save fore later. That might be an idea though if you are too full after dinner.

 

[chunkymonkey]

For the most part I've planned out my meals for my trip... but I have no idea what to use my snack credits on!!! I've also bookmarked that thread! I like that it includes the prices! I know I'm going to want more snacks than I have credits for... so I plan on using my credits for the more expensive snack options and then paying OOP for the cheaper ones! Haha, I know there's really only a few bucks difference... and when you're already spending so much on your Disney trip, what's a few bucks here and there? But if I didn't do it this way, then I'd have no idea at all which snacks to pay OOP for and which snacks to use my credits for!

Haha, I actually mentioned this to The Boyfriend yesterday... that I didn't know what I was going to use my snack credits for yet. And he was like, "Why don't you just wait till you're there and when you see a snack you like that sounds good to you, get it." And I told him, "But I like to plan!" Haha, he thinks I'm insane! But he loves me anyway! And he did admit that my overplanning on our last trip really made the trip better when we got there!


Sadly, I'm severely allergic to popcorn! I'm allergic to corn, but for some reason popcorn affects me worse than any other form of corn! So I've never had Disney popcorn. Well, I may have as a kid... but if I did, I don't remember what it tasted like!

I totally hear ya about spending the SC on the most expensive snacks. I mean, it's just more worth it, right? I would totally feel like I am not being wise with the plan if I didn't. That's why I am perusing all the menus and threads to help me plan what I want to eat! That way I can gauge which meals/items I want to use the dining plan credits on, and what I can pay OOP for. DH doesn't care how much I plan, as long as it ultimately saves money, LOL. Which is exactly why I am so obsessive planner about these things!

Oh no, allergic to corn?? That's too bad. It's funny how you are more allergic to popcorn than any other corn products though, I have never heard of that!

 

[chunkymonkey]

All this snack credit talk has me thinkin I might need to plan some as well. There are so many yummy ones... Last trip I brought a printed list from here of all the items. That way everyone kinda could pick and choose and know what their options were. Course, most of the guys picked the same snack daily.

One thing about the beignets...they are best warm. I am not sure how they would keep if you were to pick them up to save fore later. That might be an idea though if you are too full after dinner.

That's a good idea to bring a list of snacks with us. There is a side of me who likes being spontaneous too and following my craving. I want to make sure I'm using my snack credit on the best possible item that day. I dunno, I guess it is like a game to me, LOL. Best Snack Value for Snack Credit game.

It's funny how guys tend to have a one track mind, hehe. I know my DH loves dole whip too so I'm pretty sure we'll be using both our snack credits on those at some point. I don't think he snacked as much on our last trip, it was mainly me. I dunno if it's because I am just hungry all the time...

I will be sure to eat the beignets as soon as I get them. I always like my food fresh and hot to experience the best flavor. So even if I have no room, I will make room!

 

[Cat0727]

wow popcorn everyday? that sounds totally like me. I am the only person that gets a refill of popcorn AFTER the movie is over! I take the bag home and munch on it all week until I go to the movies again. LOL Hey, they offered free refills!

school bread is great! it's rich, like a cream puff and dusted with flaky coconut. yum. I am definitely getting school bread again.

the cc pretzel is amazing. It was the best new discovery of our last trip to the world. and heck, I thought I knew everything! goes to show how there is something new to learn and love on each trip. wonder what we will find on this trip?

We had a free $500 gift card that came with our package so it was an easy decision to get popcorn every day we were there

I know! That's one of the reasons I give to people who tell me I go to Disney too much. It shuts them up pretty quick!

 

[flamestarrdust]

So after our (my) flip-flopping back and forth. I finally decided to go with the Contemporary. Despite the lack of Disney warmth in the decor, it is still a monorail resort, and nothing can really beat that convenience.

Since we're doing "power Disney" again, although I swore I wouldn't do so, traveling back and forth by bus between resorts and parks is tiring. We've not eaten at any of the resort hotels, save for afternoon tea at the GF one year, mainly because it was so difficult to get from resort to resort, well for us at least. We're true New Yorkers, and the thought of having to transfer from bus to subway is already appalling to us. Hahaha. I love the thought of being able to walk to MK!

I really wanted to eat at Chef Mickeys, O'hana, and Kona Cafe. It helps that they are all located at monorail resorts which partially fueled my decision to go with the CR.

As for PH vs non-PH tickets, we've always had PH and I like that flexibility, but part of me wanted to see if we could actually stand to be 1 whole day at a single park, I'm sure it would be more relaxing. Anyways, we are sticking with the PH tix for now.

Our flights arrive at Orlando at 10pm on Friday night, we've never used ME before, so I'm not sure how long it's going to take us to get to the resort so I'll have to figure that out.

As for dining, here are my must-go-to TS places:

Chef Mickey's for breakfast
Kona Cafe for breakfast
Ohana for dinner
Boma for dinner
Kind of want to do Tusker house as well for breakfast

Love that you can make ADRs online now! Fun fun...

Chef Mickey's and Kona Cafe's breakfasts are also a must do for us. I love both of them sooo much. Never been for dinner or lunch for either. Though, we now have switched our Ohana dinner to a Kona dinner instead. I'm hoping it will be just as good as breakfast. I still have a Kona breakfast ADR for our departure day. So I will be doing both a breakfast and dinner there.

 

[chunkymonkey]

We had a free $500 gift card that came with our package so it was an easy decision to get popcorn every day we were there

I know! That's one of the reasons I give to people who tell me I go to Disney too much. It shuts them up pretty quick!

$500 Gift Card!! Damn! That is pretty awesome. I wonder if they will have a promotion like that again!

 

[HeatherBelle614]

I highly rec the beignets, too! We ate them daily on our honeymoon when we stayed at POFQ.

Definitely go AFTER T-Rex, or you'll just get addicted to them and miss dinner.

The boatride from DTD to POFQ is so, so pretty at night, too. We had a boat driver that told all of these Disney jokes and facts the entire ride back; he was fantastic!

 

[Cat0727]

$500 Gift Card!! Damn! That is pretty awesome. I wonder if they will have a promotion like that again!

I know! When I saw the code in my e-mail box I HAD to book a trip and made it into a birthday one for my sis. You could use it everywhere so we used it mostly to eat. I'm hoping it comes along again too because it is definitely worth it!

 

[chunkymonkey]

I highly rec the beignets, too! We ate them daily on our honeymoon when we stayed at POFQ.

Definitely go AFTER T-Rex, or you'll just get addicted to them and miss dinner.

The boatride from DTD to POFQ is so, so pretty at night, too. We had a boat driver that told all of these Disney jokes and facts the entire ride back; he was fantastic!

Aww that sounds like fun! I can't wait to take the boat from DTD or POFQ. And of course beignets!

I know! When I saw the code in my e-mail box I HAD to book a trip and made it into a birthday one for my sis. You could use it everywhere so we used it mostly to eat. I'm hoping it comes along again too because it is definitely worth it!

Wow, wouldn't it be awesome if they did free dining AND the gift card?!?! I'd be in Disney heaven. I'd go for 2 weeks just because I could! hahaha.

 

[chunkymonkey]

I used to work with another wedding photographer in the area as her 2nd shooter. When it comes to weddings, I love doing candids, but hate posing people for groups and portraits and stuff. I'm really shy... so I hate like telling people where to stand and how to pose. I just feel like I'm bossing people around, and I so don't have that in me! So that's why I don't do a lot of weddings! I did do my cousin's wedding a year ago. I guess I feel more comfortable posing people and telling them where to stand and what to do if I know them. But it's really hard for me to do that to complete strangers!

Sorry for the delayed response! I wanted to respond to this post a few days ago but then lost my response somewhere in cyberworld. So here it is finally!

Yes working with strangers is hard. I have only done 1 wedding so far other than my relatives or friends, and that was really really tiring. At the end of the day though, I really do enjoy the pictures and capturing the moments. I do more engagements and portraits, babies and kids, just because there is less pressure and time commitment.

I've actually never been to DCA! I can't get anyone to go with me! When I go with my family they only want to go to Disneyland Park! And I can't even get The Boyfriend to go to Disneyland at all! He's all "But WDW is so much better!"

The Boyfriend has actually never been to San Diego... so maybe one day I'll take him there and we can squeeze in a trip up to Disneyland!

OMG you've never been to DCA?!?! They have Soarin' there!!! I would go into DCA just to go to that ride. It really is a lot of fun, they have the big roller coaster and other attractions which aren't at any other Disney. Next time you are in CA, I highly recommend a day at each park!!

Oh man, if they showed Lost at Sci-Fi that would totally be the most awesome thing ever!

I'm really really really hoping that the Lost Disney ride that's in the works ends up happening! Haha, if it's at Disneyland then I could probably get my boyfriend to go! And if it's at WDW, then I could definitely get my mom to go to WDW! My mom absolutely refuses to go to WDW (she's never been.) She hates Florida and she's always all, "It's not the same as Disneyland..." But she is a HUGE Lost fan...

WOW, there is a possible LOST ride? I hadn't heard about it! That would be soooo awesome, although I would be only one out of my family who would actually understand what is going on. That sounds super sweet if they did decide to go ahead with it!!

 

[PirateKate]

You all are making me so nervous with all this Lost talk! My husband and I just started watching the show and we are about halfway through season 3. We love the show and watch one or three every night. So far, I actually haven't heard much about the series finale. When I read this and I see Lost, I close my eyes and scroll down as fast as I can.

 

[chunkymonkey]

You all are making me so nervous with all this Lost talk! My husband and I just started watching the show and we are about halfway through season 3. We love the show and watch one or three every night. So far, I actually haven't heard much about the series finale. When I read this and I see Lost, I close my eyes and scroll down as fast as I can.

LOL! I promise not to reveal anything about the actual plot or ending of lost in this thread. I will just ramble on and on about how much I love LOST...

 

[trickiwoo]

WOW, there is a possible LOST ride? I hadn't heard about it! That would be soooo awesome, although I would be only one out of my family who would actually understand what is going on. That sounds super sweet if they did decide to go ahead with it!!

According to this article, "A Lost ride is one of several attractions being workshopped at Walt Disney Imagineering right now [...] The Lost attraction would be a motion-based dark ride featuring Kuka arm technology, the flexible new innovation that Universal is employing for its upcoming Harry Potter theme park."

 

[therussells08]

Dole Whip is da bomb! Do you like pineapple? You have to love pineapple. Or you can get it fused with vanilla ice cream, but I go for the pineapple always. It's kinda like if sherbert were made into a soft-serve, if you can imagine how that would taste. It's both refreshing and creamy at the same time. It's just plain yummy! If I am thirsty I get the float which is just dole whip on pineapple juice.
I hear you about the frozen bananas. Sometimes I have to wait a while before I can bite into one esp if it's frozen solid! I love the banana-choc combo though, one of my faves

Yes, I LOVE pineapple! That sounds amazing...I can't wait to try one! Yeah I know what you mean, chocolate and banana is a great combo! Maybe that's my problem with the frozen bananas...I'm so eager to eat them I can never wait for them to thaw out a little bit!

 

[chunkymonkey]

According to this article, "A Lost ride is one of several attractions being workshopped at Walt Disney Imagineering right now [...] The Lost attraction would be a motion-based dark ride featuring Kuka arm technology, the flexible new innovation that Universal is employing for its upcoming Harry Potter theme park."

That sounds like a sweet ride if it ever goes into production. I wonder what they will call it, LOL. Ride with the Smoke Monster seems to be a good one!
I cannot wait to go to WWOHP one day. Am aiming for next year as it doesn't look like we'll get to make it this year.

 

[chunkymonkey]

Handbags!! I love handbags. What girl doesn't? I own so many handbags I cannot even keep track of them. Sometimes I find bags in my stash I didn't even know I had and it's like finding treasure, LOL. I own so many different bags, from things I have found at flea markets, travels, and vintage finds on ebay, plus a few designer bags too. This doesn't include my mini-collection of camera bags too. LOL.

Anyways, when looking for bags to bring while traveling, I always look to Lesportsac. They have the cutest designs and most functional styles, and they are also very lightweight, which is a must for me. I have been collecting them for many years and some of my prints are really old and some styles I have are discontinued! Currently my favorite bag for touring the parks is the Deluxe Everyday Bag, a messenger style bag with a ton of compartments. It also expands using a zip-around, so you can make it hold a bit more. I have 2 prints of the Everyday bag, one in a beige print with large colorful hearts, and another which is bright kelly green with grass and flowers. I brought both of them to Disney last year and you can probably see them in my old TR (in my siggy). In it I can fit my long wallet, a powder compact and lipgloss, park maps, tickets, itineraries, hand lotion/sanitizers, 2 point and shoot cameras and there's always room for other little knick knacks. I like to travel light at the parks so I don't usually bring even 1/3 of the stuff I normally carry in my handbag!

Here's a pic of the Everyday bag, although I don't have this print.

This year however, since I might be bringing my dslr, I would need something that would accomodate a bit more stuff, especially if my neck gets tired and I don't want to carry the camera around my neck. Plus it needs to hold an extra lens. I don't plan on carrying a separate camera bag and pocketbook, I'd prefer to carry one bigger bag that can hold everything. I usually carry a neoprene sleeve for my extra lens and also a neoprene camera cover, so I can put them both in my handbag and they can still be protected. I wanted a bag that I could use as both a messenger as well as a shoulder bag.

Here is a bag I currently have which fits my criteria. I am most likely going to bring it!

Lesportsac Luggage Tote medium in Pep

This seems like a good med-sized tote bag that can be used as both shoulder and messenger styles. It is also pretty neat in that it has a "sleeve" which you can slide through on the handle of your rolling luggage so that your bag can rest nicely on your wheely bag. It just so happens that I have the matching 21" expandable upright bag:

I will be so coordinated it's too funny. LOL I am taking a short trip to vegas in a few weeks and will test drive the luggage and matching tote (they are both new) to see if they are functional enough take with me to Disney!

I have other options too which I plan to post pictures in a bit.

Do you have a favorite park bag?

 

[annmarieda]

Love the bags!