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

[afwdwfan]

Beautiful cherry blossom pictures! Well worth getting up a little early to head in to DC.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Oh wow, what a gorgeous sight! (Not least because it gives me hope for spring here on my ice-encased island! ) I've been looking at your website, so happy for you, it's awesome!

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Thanks Wendy! It was a nice relief from the winter this year to see those cherry blossoms. Of course right now it's sleeting outside.

Your cruise looks like fun, even without a great view of Wishes. You did (as always) get some great pics of the castle.
Love your DC pics. I will have to mark your website and take a look.

Thank you! I love photographing DC as much as I do at Disney.

Not going to lie, I was interested in seeing your Wishes pictures from the Pirates cruise, simply because I knew they'd be fantastic. I'm sorry to hear the fog and clouds weren't cooperating that night and most of the show was hidden. Guess you can't win them all.

The upside to it, though, is that it sounds like everyone still walked away from the experience happy. I'm sure that's one of the best Peter Pan interactions you'll have at Disney, and I'm sure your kids will remember it for years to come.

Definitely! It'll be hard to top that interaction with Peter for any future meet and greets! I know I'll remember it for a long time.

I've been reading your trip report without commenting (even though all of your pictures are gorgeous), but those cherry blossom picture--wow!!! So beautiful! Thanks for sharing.

Thank you so much for following! I love hearing comments and reactions from my DIS friends about my trip report so please post comment as much as you would like! I'm heading to NYC for a short one night trip this week and I'm hoping to capture some good pictures there. I'll definitely share on here once I get back.

GORGEOUS pictures of the cherry blossoms! Well worth getting up early for! Going to check out your website now!!

Thank you! I seem to go through the same cycle of emotions on those mornings when I get up early for the sunrise. It always starts off as being groggy and questioning my sanity but once I get there and see the sun coming up I'm a happy camper! Usually I'm even more satisfied later in the day when I pull up the photos on my computer.

Beautiful cherry blossom pictures! Well worth getting up a little early to head in to DC.

Thanks Andy! The cherry blossoms looked extra good this year after the winter we had.

 

[princess_momma]

Pirates & Pals looks like a hoot!! I'm glad you were able to experience that!! Good tip to consider about booking times! Do you think that is something you guys will do again?

Wow, your pictures of the memorials and cherry blossoms are GORGEOUS!! The pictures completely took my breath away! Beautiful!

 

[MEK]

Beautiful!

 

[saintstickets]

Absolutely beautiful pics of the Tidal Basin area and the cherry trees. How much more beautiful would the area be if we could just get rid of the politicians!

 

[mecllap]

Hooray! Back from my Spring trip for F&G festival and finally can find out about the Ducky of Death! Plus bonus awesome cherry blossom photos.

One of my off-site nights I made the mistake of going to MK for Wishes -- and vowed never again to go see Wishes unless I'm staying on-site. There was such a massive crush at both the Ferry and Monorail, I ended up walking to the Contemporary to ride the monorail from there to the TTC. And likely never again to go during any kind of school-break (I think Spring Break stretched out 4 or 5 weeks this year -- I was there parts of 3 weeks and it was really crowded the whole time). Totally loved my short add-on stay at Kidani AKV.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Pirates & Pals looks like a hoot!! I'm glad you were able to experience that!! Good tip to consider about booking times! Do you think that is something you guys will do again?

Wow, your pictures of the memorials and cherry blossoms are GORGEOUS!! The pictures completely took my breath away! Beautiful!

Thanks!

I think we may do the Pirates and Pals Cruise one more time in the future just so we can experience Wishes from the middle of the lake. Once the kids outgrow the whole pirates and character meet and greets, we may not.

Beautiful!

Thank you!

Absolutely beautiful pics of the Tidal Basin area and the cherry trees. How much more beautiful would the area be if we could just get rid of the politicians!

I think the sheer number of cherry trees around the Tidal Basin is what makes it so beautiful. We have some cherry trees here and there scattered throughout our neighborhood streets but just doesn't have the same effect in smaller numbers.

Hooray! Back from my Spring trip for F&G festival and finally can find out about the Ducky of Death! Plus bonus awesome cherry blossom photos.

One of my off-site nights I made the mistake of going to MK for Wishes -- and vowed never again to go see Wishes unless I'm staying on-site. There was such a massive crush at both the Ferry and Monorail, I ended up walking to the Contemporary to ride the monorail from there to the TTC. And likely never again to go during any kind of school-break (I think Spring Break stretched out 4 or 5 weeks this year -- I was there parts of 3 weeks and it was really crowded the whole time). Totally loved my short add-on stay at Kidani AKV.

Yep! The Ducky of Death!

You know, on our trip before this one I did the same thing to get back to our car in the TTC. The rest of my family took the bus back to AoA because that would be quicker than trying to fight the crowds to get back to the TTC.

Great to hear you enjoyed AKV!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Today’s update comes from the Beauty and the Beast show in DHS! We usually like to park the kids inside the theater with at least one adult while people take turns going on RnR or ToT. I had FP+ reservations for DW and DSIL for ToT so they went off while my brother and I took the kids in to the covered theater. It was raining a bit so I was very happy that it was covered!

The kids enjoy this show. I think it’s pretty good although it could use some updates or refurbishing to tighten up the special effects and the sound effects a bit? The Beast’s “Arggghs” and roars are slightly overcooked but that’s ok. It sort of reminds me of a CliffsNotes version of B&B where it goes through all of the songs from the movie in accelerated fashion. If I’m not mistaken, Maurice is not even included in this version of the storytelling.

Belle's intro scene.





The best part of the show is Gaston. His character is really the glue to this stage production.







When these folks make their entrance and are “dancing” around the stage, I always worry they will trip and fall. The costumes don’t seem to give much wiggle room for their legs and feet.



And my favorite sequence: Be Our Guest. With the giant golden spoons. The whole scene is very colorful. Right around this time DW and DSIL rejoined us after their travels to the Fifth Dimension.













A quiet and romantic moment




The angry mob storming the castle.


So we got to the scene where the Beast is wounded, dies, and then resurrected.



After he transforms back to his human form through some 80s David Copperfield style illusion, Adam aka Beast yelled out to a stunned Belle “It’s ME!” But the way he said it was so over-the-top in a very Zoolanderish way it caught me by surprise and I started quietly laughing. And then I heard my DSIL laugh sitting behind me as well. I don’t blame Adam. He has basically this one line in the whole show. It’s his moment to shine, right? Although now that I think of it, I don’t think Adam is mic’ed up for the show. Maybe it’s one of the pre-recorded lines of the show along with his growls. In fact, I think only Belle and Gaston are mic’ed up.

Anyhoo, here's the finale scene with lots and lots and lots of pink.



And Purple.





The songs are classic (can’t believe the movie is almost 23 years old!) and are the focus of the show. The show always puts me in good spirits by the end and the kids and I were humming the tunes on our way out.

 

[IheartDDuck]

Beautiful pictures of the cherry blossoms! Man, that's a big reason I want to visit DC.

Gaston does make that whole show. He's just a great villain.

Best part of that show though? When Cogsworth starts his kick line. Just cracks me up every time.

 

[khaleesi]

Stunning DC photos! When I was down there, the family I worked for decided that we would go one day to see the cherry blossoms. From what we could see out the window of the car, they were beautiful We wound up at Teddy Roosevelt Island that day because we couldn't find a single place to park. This was in the very early days of the internet and nobody (even the people who were from the area) had any idea how to navigate the throngs of people.

Bummer that the fireworks from the cruise weren't too great but it still sounds like a awesome time!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

I agree about Gaston. And nothing like having a Gaston that doesn't require "wardrobe help" to look muscular. He really is a perfect villain too. There is nothing more hate-worthy to me than someone who's conceited and he fits this in spades.

I find so much funny about the show (unintentional of course). But I love it anyway. But then I'm easily amused.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Beautiful pictures of the cherry blossoms! Man, that's a big reason I want to visit DC.

Gaston does make that whole show. He's just a great villain.

Best part of that show though? When Cogsworth starts his kick line. Just cracks me up every time.

I have to agree with you about Cogsworth!

I definitely think it's worth at least one visit to DC to brave the crowds and see the cherry blossoms.

Stunning DC photos! When I was down there, the family I worked for decided that we would go one day to see the cherry blossoms. From what we could see out the window of the car, they were beautiful We wound up at Teddy Roosevelt Island that day because we couldn't find a single place to park. This was in the very early days of the internet and nobody (even the people who were from the area) had any idea how to navigate the throngs of people.

Bummer that the fireworks from the cruise weren't too great but it still sounds like a awesome time!

Traffic, crowds, and parking was a big mess that weekend when the cherry trees peaked. I was so glad that I took the Metro in. People were stuck in traffic for a very long time. Oh and the tour groups! So many schools across the country had their students visiting DC that same week - and just like any tour group in Disney they had knack for stopping their entire group squarely in the middle of walkways.

I agree about Gaston. And nothing like having a Gaston that doesn't require "wardrobe help" to look muscular. He really is a perfect villain too. There is nothing more hate-worthy to me than someone who's conceited and he fits this in spades.

I find so much funny about the show (unintentional of course). But I love it anyway. But then I'm easily amused.

I think that's the best way to describe the show. Unintentionally funny.

I think we're going to have to make time to meet Gaston in New FL next time we visit. I have yet to have interacted him.

 

[JDUB]

Nice updates Dave!!! Gotta love finding shelter from the rain and the adults get to ride some indoor thrill rides too. It's amazing that you can ride almost every ride when it's raining and not have to worry about rain shutting them down.

 

[teekathepony]

I enjoy the Beauty and the Beast show, but it is very condensed (and those ROARs can be almost funny!) You're right about Gaston though, his character does translate very well to the stage!
LOVE the Be Our Guest number!

Poor Adam and his one line. Reminds me of those "You had one job!" memes.

Gorgeous photos! So bright and colourful, I love them all but especially the last number!

 

[amazingact21]

You know, I'm getting a 2 for 1 by reading your trip report. I'm getting to see some spectacular pictures while reading about how your family trip went, yet I'm also getting the opportunity to read about shows/places I've never experienced before.
It's actually quite interesting, because I have no idea what to expect from these places. ETWB, Flights of Wonder, Nemo the Musical, now Beauty and the Beast. It's very informative.


I could see how Gaston would make the show great. He's the funniest character, and the one with the biggest personality, so it makes sense.


Oh, wow, 23 years old....I forgot about that. I'm sure in about 30 years there will be a Frozen musical show at one of the parks and someone will be saying the same thing.

 

[momabbate]

Your pics of Beauty and the Beast only reminds me of the only regret from my Mother Daughter trip in 11. We never got around to watching it. So this is still on my bucket list. I can't wait to be able to see it live, but your pics will get me threw till then. Thanks

 

[lovegrumpy]

Thanks for the heads up about the Dinasours. We went up this past weekend and boy it was packed. Can't wait to hear what they are putting in.

 

[chattadisser]

We love going to see the Beauty and the Beast show! My girls love live theatre and the fact that its covered and is usually a little cooler is a bonus.

Beautiful pictures as always. I think one of the best parts of this show is how colorful it is. Makes for a fun show to photograph!

Christine

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Nice updates Dave!!! Gotta love finding shelter from the rain and the adults get to ride some indoor thrill rides too. It's amazing that you can ride almost every ride when it's raining and not have to worry about rain shutting them down.

Thanks! I appreciated that fact about how many rides were not disrupted by rain a lot more during this trip.

I enjoy the Beauty and the Beast show, but it is very condensed (and those ROARs can be almost funny!) You're right about Gaston though, his character does translate very well to the stage!
LOVE the Be Our Guest number!

Poor Adam and his one line. Reminds me of those "You had one job!" memes.

Gorgeous photos! So bright and colourful, I love them all but especially the last number!

You had one job! That's perfect!

Yeah, the roars tend to bring me to the verge of uncontrollable laughter.

You know, I'm getting a 2 for 1 by reading your trip report. I'm getting to see some spectacular pictures while reading about how your family trip went, yet I'm also getting the opportunity to read about shows/places I've never experienced before.
It's actually quite interesting, because I have no idea what to expect from these places. ETWB, Flights of Wonder, Nemo the Musical, now Beauty and the Beast. It's very informative.


I could see how Gaston would make the show great. He's the funniest character, and the one with the biggest personality, so it makes sense.


Oh, wow, 23 years old....I forgot about that. I'm sure in about 30 years there will be a Frozen musical show at one of the parks and someone will be saying the same thing.

I'm happy to provide some sneak peaks into these attractions through my pictures! It's funny how such a one-dimensional character like Gaston can still be the most entertaining one.

I'm really hoping for a Frozen musical on Broadway!

Your pics of Beauty and the Beast only reminds me of the only regret from my Mother Daughter trip in 11. We never got around to watching it. So this is still on my bucket list. I can't wait to be able to see it live, but your pics will get me threw till then. Thanks

Hope you will be able to make it next time. It's worth seeing it at least once.

Thanks for the heads up about the Dinasours. We went up this past weekend and boy it was packed. Can't wait to hear what they are putting in.

Definitely packed!

We love going to see the Beauty and the Beast show! My girls love live theatre and the fact that its covered and is usually a little cooler is a bonus.

Beautiful pictures as always. I think one of the best parts of this show is how colorful it is. Makes for a fun show to photograph!

Christine

Yep, it was a lot of fun to take pictures of for sure. That's what I love about these shows at Disney. Each time I try to photograph I catch new details and aspects of the show so each time it feels semi-new to me.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Beautiful BAtB pictures! Definitely not my favorite show but it is still enjoyable and the kids liked it last time