DON'T Read This TRIP REPORT If You're a Princess Hater!

[mom2rtk]

12/18/2010: Animal Kingdom:

All week they showed rain in the forecast for Saturday. I kept waiting for it to change, but it never did. So I packed our rain gear and off we went into the very gray morning. Forecasts get changed all the time, so how could they get this one so right? So we got our things together and headed out......

The view from right outside our room was actually quite pretty.

By the time we got to the park, it was REALLY gray, and the air felt heavy. I KNEW we were in for it. You could just feel it. Luckily we were able to get a few photos on the way in and get back to Tusker House without the rain starting.

We had only ever been to Animal Kingdom twice before, so I was looking forward to experiencing it again. We had NEVER done Tusker house, so that was going to be new to us as well.

The line to check in was HUGE, and it moved very slowly, so I stood there and Katie wandered over to a merchandise cart. It had various hand instruments for sale, but the lady at the cart let her play with them for a while. It was a long enough, and they had a memorable enough conversation, that the lady gave her a "magical moment" certificate! To this day, I have no idea what they talked about or what brought about calling it a "magical moment" but Katie really enjoyed playing while I waited!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Love the shot at Pop!!!

I had high hopes my internet wouldn't fail me because the first few images came through just fine. I had to load the last few manually!

I can't believe you've not spent much time at AK! It's my 3rd favorite park!

 

[mom2rtk]

Love the shot at Pop!!!

I had high hopes my internet wouldn't fail me because the first few images came through just fine. I had to load the last few manually!

I can't believe you've not spent much time at AK! It's my 3rd favorite park!

Thanks Jenn! Too bad you can't see them all though. I'm sure if you were REALLY dedicated, you'd go camp out at the library and wait for my updates. The kids could just run around helping the other patrons while you surf............

Is this your way of saying we won't see any of YOUR shots from your most recent trip until fall? Did you get the word on your position for the new year yet?

As for AK....... we like it a lot. It just always seems to be odd man out. I hope to make up for lost time with it in coming trips. As you might see, we love the MK so much, everything else pretty much just needs to fit in around that for us. And keep in mind, until this trip, Katie didn't do thrill rides, so EE and Dinosaur were out, so it sort of dropped down on our "must do" park list. We're definitely going again this year. I'm really hoping for a prettier day for photography there!

 

[DISNEYaddict4evr]

I concur with Jenn, that shot at POP is absolutely mesmerizing!

And I really don't see why people don't like AK, though I love all they parks. Have I mentioned who much I love Katie's "normal" outfits. Jenn was going to maybe help me make one, but shoot I think I should just send you my fabric when I get back form Tokyo Disney Land and pay you to make it. No offense Jenn , but these ladies already have it down and well shoot, maybe you will work for fabric in exchange since I am going to Tokyo Disney and Japan and all, just a thought.

 

[Caretames1]

Well, I'm back after getting my laptop virus free and I'm catching up on all my subs, and I find that you posted an update just today

I love the POP morning picture, really nice color! We loved the Tusker House. It was one of our best character meals ever! And the food wasn't bad either
I hope you stay dry for the rest of the day.

p.s. The Winter Snow White dress looks better than the dolls! Katie's dark hair is going to be a perfect compliment.

 

[mom2rtk]

I concur with Jenn, that shot at POP is absolutely mesmerizing!

And I really don't see why people don't like AK, though I love all they parks. Have I mentioned who much I love Katie's "normal" outfits. Jenn was going to maybe help me make one, but shoot I think I should just send you my fabric when I get back form Tokyo Disney Land and pay you to make it. No offense Jenn , but these ladies already have it down and well shoot, maybe you will work for fabric in exchange since I am going to Tokyo Disney and Japan and all, just a thought.

Thanks for your nice comment on the POP photo. It was a really colorful morning. Too bad it got solid gray so fast........

We do like AK, we just like MK more, even to the exclusion of the other parks. I hope we get time to explore some more there this next trip though. We had a nice day, but the weather sort of interfered a bit......

And thanks for the nice comment on Katie's skirt sets. It was nice that our AK day was at least WARM enough that she could wear the set and not have bundle up over it the entire day. I had a lot of fun putting the AK set together. I wanted something in a Christmas safari theme, and that was a tall order! Someone on the Disboutiquer thread showed me that Christmas animal print and I knew what I'd do from then on! I'm clueless on what to do for this trip though. I need some inspiration!

I appreciate the vote of confidence in making something for you, but I wouldn't know where to begin on something similar for an adult. And to be honest, it's just not as much fun doing adult stuff.

I had no idea you were going to Japan. What an amazing photographic opportunity that will be!

Well, I'm back after getting my laptop virus free and I'm catching up on all my subs, and I find that you posted an update just today

I love the POP morning picture, really nice color! We loved the Tusker House. It was one of our best character meals ever! And the food wasn't bad either
I hope you stay dry for the rest of the day.

p.s. The Winter Snow White dress looks better than the dolls! Katie's dark hair is going to be a perfect compliment.

Yeah on getting the laptop fixed!

We loved Tusker House too and really look forward to eating there again on our next trip!

And many thanks for the nice comment on the POP photo and Snow White!

 

[mom2rtk]

12/18/2010 Continued: Animal Kingdom

Breakfast at Tusker House was awesome. The food was great, and it was fun to meet the characters in their safari outfits. I ALMOST forgot sitting there how forboding the weather had looked when we entered......... so when we came around the corner to the front doors to leave........ it was NOT fun to look out and see that the skies had opened up. We had our umbrellas and ponchos, but my tote bag was going to get drenched. So we stopped in to the shop across the courtyard and asked for a big plastic bag. While there, Katie couldn't resist playing with some more instruments.......

Since we were so close to the Safari, and since the jeeps are covered, we decided to give that a try. It was nice to actually DO something while it was raining, but the photos weren't great.

At this point, I didn't really have high expectations for the day. This was more than a pop-up Florida thunderstorm, so it looked like it would last for a while. So we covered up and went on our way. I was REALLY surprised to look off to the side and actually see some characters out in the downpour! It was a covered character meeting area, but it was raining pretty hard. King Louis, Terk and Baloo were all there just waiting for us! They had 2 or 3 character handlers with huge umbrellas over the photopass person. This really surprised me since my experience had always been that photopass went indoors during the rain. I told the CM's how cool I thought it was to find them out. They said they like to reward the guests who make the effort to come out even in the rain. It was like our own private little meet & greet!

Our destination at that point was Expedition Everest. I knew we wanted fastpasses. I just wasn't sure if we'd be able to ride it in the rain or not. Along the way, I saw that stunning view I wanted to photograph....... I was about to walk right by because of the rain, but then it dawned on me that the fog and rain MIGHT make an interesting shot. I carefully huddled under an overhang and got my NON weathersealed DSLR out...... and gave it a go. Fortunately I had picked up a rain sleeve for it before the trip, just in case...... Katie held the umbrella over me and I gave it a go.

For a bit, I really thought I had pushed my luck too far with my new camera. The screen on back kept blinking on and off and I thought rain must have gotten in and was shorting it out. Then I realized the rain sleeve and me holding it close to my body kept triggering the sensor to turn it off (the one that makes it go off when I hold it up to my face.) Regardless, I decided a few shots were enough and I carefully stowed it back away in my backpack.

We talked it over and decided to get brave and give Everest a try. The rain was slowing down, and we wanted to get on with some fun. I'm just gonna go out on a limb here now and offer this bit of advice........ DON'T ride Everest in the rain. Even LIGHT rain. You'd think we would have been able to figure that out, but there's nothing like a little real world experience to bring that lesson home....

It turns out that even light sprinkles feel like NEEDLES PIERCING YOUR SKIN when you travel at the speed of Everest! Regardless, it was great fun, and Katie loved it. It was only the second time I had ever ridden it. I got to ride it once with my husband back in 07, but none of the kids would get on with us then.

After looking at the schedule, it dawned on us that we could make the next showing of Nemo onstage. I had never seen this show, so it was on our "to do" list for the day. I wasn't that excited about it, but I wanted to see it. It was, after all, a Pixar story, and Pixar just doesn't get us too excited. I'm so glad we did though. I absolutely LOVED this show. The puppetry, the music, the gorgeouse colors......... the DRY INTERIOR venue! It was packed inside, in spite of the low crowds in the park, probably becuase everyone had the same idea we did. It felt awesome to go in, sit down, and take photos of beautiful things. We were up near the back, but I had no problem getting the shots I wanted.

We left the theater singing Nemo songs, something I honestly have never done before. We both loved "Big Blue World". And I particularly loved "Just Keep Swimming". It has sort of become a mantra in my life of late. When life hurls even more incoming missiles at me, I remind myself to "just keep swimming"........

 

[AprilRenee]

Awesome update! I've missed your wonderful pictures. You two always have so much fun!
Love the fog pics. Especially the one with the flags.

 

[mom2rtk]

Awesome update! I've missed your wonderful pictures. You two always have so much fun!
Love the fog pics. Especially the one with the flags.

Many thanks! I was really disappointed in the weather that day. but it was fun to try and make some lemonade out of those lemons!

 

[RGirl]

Wow - your EE and Nemo pics are amazing!!!!

I'm not sure I would have done so well keeping the day on track with weather like that. Good for you!

 

[mom2rtk]

Wow - your EE and Nemo pics are amazing!!!!

I'm not sure I would have done so well keeping the day on track with weather like that. Good for you!

Thanks RGirl! We might have altered our plans a bit that day if we didn't have the 8 AM Tusker House ADR we had been looking forward to. On our 09 trip, we also had a day scheduled at AK, and had an 8 AM Tusker House ADR then too. But then we ended up completely throwing that schedule out when my son joined the high school soccer team and was only able to make half of the trip. I ended up letting him pick the park and not surprisingly he ditched AK for Epcot........ so no Tusker House, no AK at all that trip. So I REALLY didn't want to miss it this time. And it was our last full park day.

And honestly... we had survived the record cold. How bad could a little rain be?

 

[Caretames1]

Your pictures are just stunning! I think Disney should use them on their promotional items, they would have people falling over themselves to get there!

I wish I lived close to you, I could learn soooooo much!

 

[KAA1972]

I have been a secret admirer of your beautiful costumes for years!!!!!!

I have really enjoyed reading your trip report over the last several weeks.. You have inspired me to make some cute things for my daughter's trip in September and in December. Also, I am totally inspired to get out my DSLR and learn to use it!!!!

 

[foodrocksluver]

I remember riding Big Thunder once with my mother when it was slightly raining out. We got off looked at each other and said, "Is it me, or did that ride actually HURT?"
Word to the wise, NEVER ride anything roller coaster-like in the rain.

 

[mom2rtk]

Your pictures are just stunning! I think Disney should use them on their promotional items, they would have people falling over themselves to get there!

I wish I lived close to you, I could learn soooooo much!

Awwwwwww......... thanks Carey!

And I'd LOVE for you to live closer!

I have been a secret admirer of your beautiful costumes for years!!!!!!

I have really enjoyed reading your trip report over the last several weeks.. You have inspired me to make some cute things for my daughter's trip in September and in December. Also, I am totally inspired to get out my DSLR and learn to use it!!!!

Thank you so much for the kind comment! I'd love to be your inspiration to make something pretty for your DD and take some nice photos of her in it! Any ideas on what you'll make?

I'm sort of at a loss for ideas for daily clothes for Katie for this next trip. She has said maybe tops but not skirts. So I'm thinking maybe I need to spend more time on the Disboutiquers thread again for some more isnpiration. I think she'd probably like it if I did something with some jeans, or jean shorts or a jean skirt. I've never done that before, but keep thinking that's where we'll be with it. Whatever I come up with, it needs to be flexible enough to add layers for warmth. THAT much I know!

I remember riding Big Thunder once with my mother when it was slightly raining out. We got off looked at each other and said, "Is it me, or did that ride actually HURT?"
Word to the wise, NEVER ride anything roller coaster-like in the rain.

So NOW you tell me............. I know...... I should have been able to see it coming. But I think we were just overcome with optimism at the rain letting up a bit. After the big downpour, it was hard to notice it was even sprinkling........ Of course, sitting in the front car probably didn't do us any favors either........

 

[Iwant2BAprincess]

WOW!!! I haven't caught up yet, but had to stop and say your Nemo shots are AWESOME!!!!!!

 

[DISNEYaddict4evr]

I agree that the pictures of Expedition Everest and the cue, in the rain, are stunning, I really like the wide angle shot! One of these days I am going to see a show there too. In the the fours time I have been to AK since it opened I have never seen a show. I know I know its a crime right?! Shoot I've never even made it to Camp Mickey, blasphemy I KNOW!

OH and Janet... no worries on the skirt I understand I can see now I am low on the totem of importance and its cool, really . I'll get over it but don't worry I will keep reading and won't stop being your friend over it . I'm just kidding its cool I didn't actually expect you to say yes (thinking to myself, yes I did , I sound convincing right?). Though what is funny to me is that you thought you needed to make something adult looking... I WANT one that looks just like your daughters skirts only my size , which considering hwo small I am you would probably just hav eto make the waist bigger . Don't belive me I'd want one like that? Just ask Jenn it is totally me, I'd wear it even at home and not WDW. I'm a big nerd and walk to the beat ofmy own drummer... has no one told you this yet ? Below I have attached what my future could look like if Jenn can get this skirt thing figured out, thoughI have to be honest I was more hoping for a skort, but details shmetails. But really look how happy I look with it; it wasn't best shirt choice that day, plus I had to turn my shirt B&W to match ( do you knwo how hard that is to do!), plus change the color of the skirt (even harder!), but again all detail that can be adjusted in the design process

 

[Lucys2200]

Your pictures are amazing! If you don't mind me asking...what camera do you use? Your daughter is soo precious, she looks great in her costumes.

 

[stephielela]

Wow! Reading about your AK day was almost creepy, since I already know we were there at the same time and everything!! I noticed I am not in any of your pictures! I know what you mean about Everest, we had the same experience with the razor sharp water drops! We did Safari right after TH too, but we went to FOTLK next, then Everest. Nemo was a nice way to get out of the rain! Thanks for helping me reminisce!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Your Nemo pictures are hands down the best I have ever seen! They are gorgeous! Can you tell me in general what kind of settings you use for stuff like that. I could never get a decent shot of that show when we saw it a few years ago. The combo of low light, lots of motion, various lighting on stage, etc. was just beyond me. If you could just tell me some basics for shooting performances I would be very grateful. We plan to see Nemo again this year and we will be seeing a show each night on the Dream as well and I need a few pointers.

I also think your EE pictures are awesome! You were right, the rain and fog made for an awesome set up! It looks so real!!! I love it!

So glad that you trudged on even though the rain made it less than perfect! Can't wait to see more pictures from you. I think AK is a beautiful park and you have done a great job capturing it!