Don't Fear the Rain, We Have the "Ducky of Death!"-Jan '14 **Bonus TR DCA 9/1 x2

[emmysmommy]

Hey Dave! Before I forget, your Rapunzel Wishes photo is fabulous - it definitely got my vote for the Disboard contest.

Ok, so like always I'm catching up.

I loved the perspective of the Finding Nemo musical show at AK. The faces of the puppeteers was perfectly captured. Great job!

I've only seen Characterpalooza at the Animation building and it was sectioned off with dedicated lines for every character so you couldn't get to all of them in the short time they were out. I like the idea of them on Streets of America and as you pointed out, they are so completely out of place that it makes it even more unique. Not to mention the spontaneous antics are so much better when the characters can mingle amongst themselves. The Mulan interaction was adorable!

Tobias at BBB messengering between the girls. Awesome. Glad your DS and DD had their special make-overs.

Your dealing with rain tips are spot on. How many people think ahead to bring a small towel to wipe off wet seats? The stroller cover with a hood, ingenious!


Your Tiki room photos are awesome! Ha ha! That Tiki Room song was bouncing around in your head? I bet it is now again!

I hope you are enjoying your weekend.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Hey Dave! Before I forget, your Rapunzel Wishes photo is fabulous - it definitely got my vote for the Disboard contest.

Ok, so like always I'm catching up.

I loved the perspective of the Finding Nemo musical show at AK. The faces of the puppeteers was perfectly captured. Great job!

I've only seen Characterpalooza at the Animation building and it was sectioned off with dedicated lines for every character so you couldn't get to all of them in the short time they were out. I like the idea of them on Streets of America and as you pointed out, they are so completely out of place that it makes it even more unique. Not to mention the spontaneous antics are so much better when the characters can mingle amongst themselves. The Mulan interaction was adorable!

Tobias at BBB messengering between the girls. Awesome. Glad your DS and DD had their special make-overs.

Your dealing with rain tips are spot on. How many people think ahead to bring a small towel to wipe off wet seats? The stroller cover with a hood, ingenious!


Your Tiki room photos are awesome! Ha ha! That Tiki Room song was bouncing around in your head? I bet it is now again!

I hope you are enjoying your weekend.

Hi Brenda! Thank you so much for your vote on the DIS photo contest!

Even in the Streets of America, time was pretty tight trying to meet all of the characters. So although I was slightly disappointed that we didn't get to meet Snow and the Queen together, I'm pretty sure that if we had lined up for that then there would have been almost no time to meet any of the other characters.

Yep, the Tiki Room song sadly never truly leaves my head.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Thank you to everyone who voted so far for my photo on DIS' Photo Contest! If you would like to take a look at my submission you can follow **this link**.

It’s time to explore the great vast savanna of the Animal Kingdom. You know, the two-week safari that somehow gets shortened to 15 minutes. The one that used to be famous for hunting down elephant poachers but now is more well known for the phantom zebras. It’s time for the Kilimanjaro Safari!

It has become our family’s little routine to go on the safari at rope drop. As every DISer can recite, “the animals are more active” earlier in the mornings although it never seems to be early enough to catch the male lion moving about or the hippos out of the water.

After a very hearty meal at Tusker House with a before-the-park-opens ADR, we left the restaurant around 8:45am. We walked over to the entrance of the Safari which was still roped off with a CM manning the front. Yes, we were first in line but I noticed in the corner of my eye another family of three being escorted by another CM headed to the side entrance of the queue near the stroller parking. As I found out a few minutes later they were picked to be the family of the day for the Safari and got their own safari truck all to themselves.

It was still great for us as we got the very front row. Our driver was awesome. In fact, I think she was the best tour guide we ever had. She had a bit of a dry sense of humor that made her narrations all the more enjoyable. Sort of had a streak of Jungle Cruise in her. When we got to the crickety bridge she said “Well, I’m pretty sure most of you know what’s coming up ahead. So cross your fingers and hope for the best!” The bridge was active so there was tilting and rocking which I always enjoy and scares the kids just a little bit.

Both of the kids enjoyed it. I think DS liked the truck ride aspect of the attraction more than the actual animals. But they all ooo’ed and ahh’ed their way through the safari especially getting excited about the lions, giraffes, and elephants.

Having been on the safari just a mere three months before, I had gotten a good practice photography run with my 70-200mm telephoto zoom lens. It’s tricky because the driver stops just for a few seconds at a time. And you all know how bumpy these trucks are while it’s moving. So I set my shutter speed as high as the light would allow me, image stabilizer switched on, and hoped for the best.

As far as the animals go, this was also the best Safari outing we’ve ever had. All of the animals were indeed out and about for us. You’ll have to excuse my lack of knowledge when it comes to the names of these animals.

An animal that looks like a deer but I’m pretty sure it isn’t.



A bird that looks like a stork but also shares features of another bird that graces my kids’ cereal box.



One of the main reasons why early morning rides tend to yield more animals being visible – that’s when the keepers bring out the breakfast. Here’s a rhino (and I’m 99.9% sure that’s what this animal is ) enjoying the most important meal of the day.



The hippos *always* seem to be in these exact same positions.



I swear, I’m starting to believe these hippos are as real as the ones on Jungle Cruise. I never see them out of the…..WHAAAAAA?



Ladies and gentlemen, do not adjust your screen. That is indeed a hippo out of the water. Ok, so it’s doing the same thing it does in the water – nothing. But still! It’s out of the water!

Next we arrived at our favorite part of the safari. The savanna with the giraffes. You would think that we would have developed giraffe-fatigue after watching them night after night from our balcony but you would be wrong.





The one on the left in this picture is “Pfffft”ing us.



We happen to arrive at this part of the trail just as the giraffes were crossing. They decided to herd along our truck including the baby giraffe who apparently is still very curious about the trucks and doesn’t hesitate to come right up against it. Our driver said that we would have to keep moving because if we stopped the baby giraffe will NOT let us go.



Yep, this is just how close he got.



Next, the elephants who were also enjoying their breakfast.





I don’t think this elephant knows that it’s not nice to play with your food.



This is my favorite shot from the safari.



The zebras!! Phantom no more!



An ostrich also decided to trot along our truck for a few seconds.



So at this point I was already declaring this ride along a WIN. I mean we actually saw a hippo out of the water and the Wilson-substitutes zebras out and about. Oh and look, the male lion is awake. What?? Whoa!! The male lion is actually awake! You can gauge my level of excitement just from the number of photos I have of this fella.





I imagine this is what a photo of the lion would look like if I were actually out of the truck and this close to him. Laying as low as I can.



And finally an animal that looks like a cross between a goat and a deer but I’m pretty sure it isn’t either.



It was an excellent outing on the safari. The rain did drizzle through out the trek but that didn’t seem to bother the animals, us humans included. As usual, we went on the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail after getting off the truck but the skies opened up again with pouring rain so we didn’t get to spend too much time in the outdoor exhibits. I did capture this amusing picture at one of the covered exhibits. This is the pond exhibit where you get to see all of the interesting fish – the picture gives you an idea of the rain that was coming down on the surface of the water. Yes, that’s one half of a duck in the middle of the picture. And no, that's not our Ducky of Death.

 

[IheartDDuck]

The best luck I've had for the safari has always been in the rain.

Your safari pictures are still awesome! Since I'm no photographer, I just point, shoot, and pray.

Curious baby giraffe! That's so cool.

Lucked out with the awake lion! That's only happened to me once on the safari. In all my years, and all my trips. Sad state of affairs that is.

Okay, that duck picture is the best! I love it.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Amazing safari pictures Dave! Also very much love the one of the pond from the trail with 1/2 a duck. Very neat seeing the rain drops from below!

 

[Valgoof]

Love the safari pictures!! Especially the giraffes. They are my favorite.

Thanks for the link to your picture in the contest. I voted yesterday, but wasnt sure how to find it today.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

The best luck I've had for the safari has always been in the rain.

Your safari pictures are still awesome! Since I'm no photographer, I just point, shoot, and pray.

Curious baby giraffe! That's so cool.

Lucked out with the awake lion! That's only happened to me once on the safari. In all my years, and all my trips. Sad state of affairs that is.

Okay, that duck picture is the best! I love it.

I was secretly hoping that the baby giraffe would be allowed to get very close and maybe, just maybe begin licking some of the guests on the truck. Since it was approaching us on the other side of the truck from where I was sitting, I could have just enjoyed the show.

I've been trying to think back as far as I can remember, but I do believe this was the first time I've seen the male lion awake.

The duck photo continues to give me a chuckle.

Amazing safari pictures Dave! Also very much love the one of the pond from the trail with 1/2 a duck. Very neat seeing the rain drops from below!

Thank you! It was such an interesting view that I had to take a picture even if it meant taking off my poncho, taking off my backpack, and switching the lens. Totally worth it.

Love the safari pictures!! Especially the giraffes. They are my favorite.

Thanks for the link to your picture in the contest. I voted yesterday, but wasnt sure how to find it today.

Thank you so much for voting! Really appreciate it!

I too really like how the giraffes photos turned out this time.

 

[pktbMouse]

I love your photos!! Im dying to ask what kind of camera/lens you use? oh and I most definitely voted for your pic!

 

[JDUB]

Great Rapunzel Wishes pic. You got my vote!

Your Casey Jr story reminded me of our trip 3 yrs ago. Our kids were soaked from running thru that play area. Lucky the spare dry clothes came in handy afterwards. But pure enjoyment on the kids faces

Great pics on your jungle cruise Safari!!!!

 

[Credit Man]

Great Safari Dave. Hippo!!!

 

[afwdwfan]

Excellent safari! I guess a lion with it's head up is at least an improvement on the normal safari.

I'm glad you got to see so many animals and get some great pictures. And as far as having to keep moving because the baby giraffe won't let you go if you stop... I'm having a hard time seeing what the problem is with that. An up close view of a baby giraffe who is as curious about you as you are about it...

 

[PeanutButterMom]

Dave, have you ever done Wild Africa Trek? You won't be able to contain yourself. It's AMAZING, and when you're in the truck they'll stop when you want and you can snap to your heart's content

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

How cool would it be to be picked Family of the day for this? I remember Kristy getting picked for that if memory serves. Such a a cool experience.

Oh wow, I honestly thought the bridge effect was gone. I haven't experienced it in forever. Though that may be a good thing because my niece lost her phone as a result of that rocking bridge. Thankfully it was found, but... DRAMA for most of the day. Separating a teenager from her phone is NOT recommended.

I will NEVER tire of seeing giraffes. EVER.

Maybe it's just me, but I look at that Lion and I think bed-head. It is early afterall. Or the Seinfeld episode where they had no water pressure.

That last shot with the duck is fabulous. The back side of rain!!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

I love your photos!! Im dying to ask what kind of camera/lens you use? oh and I most definitely voted for your pic!

Thank you so much for your vote! (I sound like a politician when I say that aloud. )

My current camera body is a Canon 7D. I mostly use the 17-55mm f/2.8 lens but for stage shows and safari pictures I've been using the 70-200mm f/2.8 lens. For the dark ride photos from this trip, I rented a 35mm f/2.0 with IS.

Great Rapunzel Wishes pic. You got my vote!

Your Casey Jr story reminded me of our trip 3 yrs ago. Our kids were soaked from running thru that play area. Lucky the spare dry clothes came in handy afterwards. But pure enjoyment on the kids faces

Great pics on your jungle cruise Safari!!!!

Thank you very much for voting for my photo!

It's amazing how much fun kids have in those water play areas or mist areas. It's also equally amazing how quickly our kids become cranky about their wet clothes after they're done.

Great Safari Dave. Hippo!!!

Thank you! That hippo out of the water reminds me of the Hungry Hungry Hippos.

Excellent safari! I guess a lion with it's head up is at least an improvement on the normal safari.

I'm glad you got to see so many animals and get some great pictures. And as far as having to keep moving because the baby giraffe won't let you go if you stop... I'm having a hard time seeing what the problem is with that. An up close view of a baby giraffe who is as curious about you as you are about it...

That's exactly what I was thinking about the baby giraffe! Let it come explore the truck!

Dave, have you ever done Wild Africa Trek? You won't be able to contain yourself. It's AMAZING, and when you're in the truck they'll stop when you want and you can snap to your heart's content

I haven't tried the Wild Africa Trek but have been wanting to do it for awhile now. I'm basically waiting for our kids to get old enough for the minimum age to participate. Once that happens, I can't wait to bring my camera along and get up close looks at the animals!

How cool would it be to be picked Family of the day for this? I remember Kristy getting picked for that if memory serves. Such a a cool experience.

Oh wow, I honestly thought the bridge effect was gone. I haven't experienced it in forever. Though that may be a good thing because my niece lost her phone as a result of that rocking bridge. Thankfully it was found, but... DRAMA for most of the day. Separating a teenager from her phone is NOT recommended.

I will NEVER tire of seeing giraffes. EVER.

Maybe it's just me, but I look at that Lion and I think bed-head. It is early afterall. Or the Seinfeld episode where they had no water pressure.

That last shot with the duck is fabulous. The back side of rain!!

Yeah I remember reading about Kristy's experience of being the family of the day for the Safari. I also think our truck driver/guide was the same one that she had.

The bridge is always such a crap shoot. I've had times when it made all of the creaky sound effect but no actual movements. I've had other times when the truck just rolled over it without so much of a hint of problem.

Ooof. I'm impressed that they were able to locate the dropped phone for your niece!

And I totally agree with you about the lion's hair. If you look closely enough, he's also got some dried leaves or something stuck in its hair.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Last week I finally got a chance to go out on a mini photography session for about 90 minutes. I had been dying to go out with my camera which had been gathering dust since returning home from our Disney trip. So last Friday on my way to work I decided to stop by the Tidal Basin in DC before sunrise to catch some photos. With the temps being in the low 20s, I pretty much had the entire Tidal Basin to myself. I think I saw one other person during my entire stay there.

It was very therapeutic and I had a great time taking the pictures. Here's one of them during sunrise with the Jefferson Memorial in the foreground. Hoping to continue to take more pictures in the next few weeks as spring eventually rolls in and the Cherry Blossom festivities begin.

Also, I'm nearly finished building my photography website where you'll be able to see a lot of my non-Disney pictures. I'll post a link once it's completed.

 

[afwdwfan]

Great picture. Makes me want to get back out to DC again sometime soon.

I can't wait to see the pictures you get of the cherry blossoms.

 

[khertz]

There are SO MANY photos in the contest! But you got my vote for sure.

Yeah I remember reading about Kristy's experience of being the family of the day for the Safari. I also think our truck driver/guide was the same one that she had.

If it was, she was really awesome! I actually sent in an email to Disney about how wonderful she and Justin were for us that morning, and got a voicemail back from someone at Disney who said my email would be circulated to the CM's! I definitely hope they were recognized, because they made a very magical morning for us!

Anyway, on to your update...

I'm loving all of your Safari pictures! Now that I think about it, I don't think I've ever seen a hippo on land either?! Pretty cool that you were able to spot one, even though he's just, well...laying there.

Always exciting when the male lion is up and you can actually get good photos! Love that one through the grass. Very cool!

Love that DC shot you shared as well. We had such a great time there a few years ago, and now that DH is more interested in photography, I'm sure he'd love to go back and take some photos!

 

[saintstickets]

REALLY enjoying your TR and all the fantastic pictures! Count me as another vote for your pic in the DIS photo contest. Can't wait to see more of your trip.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Great picture. Makes me want to get back out to DC again sometime soon.

I can't wait to see the pictures you get of the cherry blossoms.

After the winter we've had, I can't wait to see the Cherry Blossoms bloom! We're once again planning a one night stay at the same hotel from last year by the Tidal Basin on the evening of the festival's fireworks. We had such a fun time that we decided to do it again.

There are SO MANY photos in the contest! But you got my vote for sure.

If it was, she was really awesome! I actually sent in an email to Disney about how wonderful she and Justin were for us that morning, and got a voicemail back from someone at Disney who said my email would be circulated to the CM's! I definitely hope they were recognized, because they made a very magical morning for us!

Anyway, on to your update...

I'm loving all of your Safari pictures! Now that I think about it, I don't think I've ever seen a hippo on land either?! Pretty cool that you were able to spot one, even though he's just, well...laying there.

Always exciting when the male lion is up and you can actually get good photos! Love that one through the grass. Very cool!

Love that DC shot you shared as well. We had such a great time there a few years ago, and now that DH is more interested in photography, I'm sure he'd love to go back and take some photos!

Thanks for voting Kristy! You're right that there are lots and lots of pictures to browse through in the contest.

That's great that you let Disney know of your positive experience with the Safari CM! I know they always appreciate the positive feedback.

Yes, DC is photography heaven! Absolutely worth the trip.

REALLY enjoying your TR and all the fantastic pictures! Count me as another vote for your pic in the DIS photo contest. Can't wait to see more of your trip.

Thank you for the kind words and for voting! Hope to have another update by tomorrow!

 

[afwdwfan]

After the winter we've had, I can't wait to see the Cherry Blossoms bloom! We're once again planning a one night stay at the same hotel from last year by the Tidal Basin on the evening of the festival's fireworks. We had such a fun time that we decided to do it again.

That sounds like fun!

I just hope that all these false starts to spring before plunging back into winter don't have a negative effect on the cherry blossoms.