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

[Caretames1]

I love the dress! Katie is going to look so beautiful. I can't wait to see it totally done.

 

[mom2rtk]

Well that is good to know! Another DIS friend! I scrapbook too! I'm actually going to update with pictures of my scrapbook on my ptr tomorrow! I have a sewing machine but I need to take a refresher course! I took home ec in high school and sewing in high school but it's been too long I think i'm going to go to Joann's and take a class! I went and bought fabric and decided to make some washcloths for myself but I couldn't get the right stitch and didn't know how to start and end properly Lol! I would totally do that too! Uh Oh! I hate when they sell out of fabric! The Belle dress is Amazing! I love it! I can only hope that one day I will be able to make clothes like that for my kids!

Thank you! I think a class is a great place to start. But from there I say JUMP IN..... with BOTH feet. Just start cutting and allow yourself to make mistakes. I learn more that way than any other. I practically made that Belle gown twice.

People ask me all the time to make custom items for them (things I haven't done before), but I usually turn them down. It's because the FIRST time I make something I usually have to do it twice. The first one to learn, the second one to get it right.

I love the dress! Katie is going to look so beautiful. I can't wait to see it totally done.

Thanks Carey! I think it will be a bit before I get this back on her. I had a lot of problems with it and asked her to try it on a couple dozen times too many.....

 

[MNTwinsMom]

The new Belle gown (and the Christmas Snow White gown) is gorgeous! What a great start on Katie's wardrobe for your next trip.

I've been absorbing all the photography talk in this thread as well and wanted to thank all of you for it. I'm considering taking the plunge and buying a DSLR, but only want to do it if I am actually going to be able to take better pictures then I do with my P&S.

I just bought the "Understanding Exposure" book you and others have recommended. I'm a pretty light packer when we tour the parks, so I'm not sure I want to commit to carrying around a DSLR and all the gear that goes with it to take better pictures.

The biggest challenge I have with photography is the bright flash that makes our already pale family (we live in Minnesota and don't get much sun ) look like we belong in the Haunted Mansion!

Looking forward to more . . . maybe this TR could just role right into the next PTR ??

 

[mom2rtk]

The new Belle gown (and the Christmas Snow White gown) is gorgeous! What a great start on Katie's wardrobe for your next trip.

I've been absorbing all the photography talk in this thread as well and wanted to thank all of you for it. I'm considering taking the plunge and buying a DSLR, but only want to do it if I am actually going to be able to take better pictures then I do with my P&S.

I just bought the "Understanding Exposure" book you and others have recommended. I'm a pretty light packer when we tour the parks, so I'm not sure I want to commit to carrying around a DSLR and all the gear that goes with it to take better pictures.

The biggest challenge I have with photography is the bright flash that makes our already pale family (we live in Minnesota and don't get much sun ) look like we belong in the Haunted Mansion!

Looking forward to more . . . maybe this TR could just role right into the next PTR ??

Many thanks! I'll try to post a finished photo of Belle when I get the last detail finished. After that, she's good with a winter Cindy and a Christmas Mary Poppins (don't know if I mentioned that one or not) but then that's pretty much it. Actually quite a bit less than out previous trips.

Be sure to post back here if you have any questions while reading "Understanding Exposure". It really is a great starting point.

Only you can say whether you'd be happy carrying around a DSLR. I will say that you can go "DSLR-lite". You really don't have to carry around all the extra lenses and stuff. You can get a case that's just barely larger than the camera itself. I still remember one trip where I had one of those small bags, put my ID and charge card inside, and that's all I carried! Hard to believe I know!

I will say that even back when I shot only in the automatic modes, I thought the shots were much better with a DSLR. They have a much larger sensor than any point and shoot, and it shows in the finished product. The other big advantage is the low light capability. Even without any fancy lenses, DSLR's do far better in low light situations.Think about indoors without a flash, outside at night for parades, and castle shots.

I don't know what most point & shoots will do, but I know that with a DSLR you can turn down the intensity of the flash with the flash exposure compensation setting.

I appreciate your vote of confidence on a PTR...... and I've thought about it. But I'm not Jen. I can't do 10 trip reports at once......... Heck, I can barely do one! If I decide to do one though, I'll be sure to let you all know.

Speaking of which, I just realized tonight I have some more work to do on our park days for December. I had us slotted to do DHS on a Saturday. I chose it because it's one of the few days that week with no Fantasmic. But I forgot it's an early EMH. And that late in the week, I doubt we'll want to do that. Nor do I want to get there after everyone else. Hmmm..... and just when I thought I had it all figured out.........

 

[mom2rtk]

12/18/10: Continued

It was still raining when we came out of Nemo, but much lighter. We headed for another indoor attraction I had wanted to do for some time…….. It’s Tough to be a Bug. I probably would have enjoyed it more if the little boy next to us didn’t scream in my ear the entire time. That one might deserve another chance. I can't believe I don't have ONE SINGLE photo to document this attraction. Not a photo of one of the goofy posters, not a picture of Katie in her bug glasses. I was growing weary of getting the camera in and out of the backpack with the rain poncho over it. I probably wouldn't do this attraction again....... but since I don't have any pictures of us in our bug glasses........ I think I'll give it a go. Although I don't hold out much hope of sitting through it without SOMEONE screaming next to me.....

Not knowing what the weather would do the rest of the day, we headed for Camp Minnie Mickey to find some characters and see Festival of the Lion King. First we stopped at Pizzafari for a bite to eat. Our timing was good and after eating we were able to go straight into the theater and out of the sprinkles that were still falling. It’s an awesome show and hard NOT to sing along with.



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When we came out, it had actually.......... STOPPED RAINING! We headed for the character lines. I had looked forward to this, since this is the only place the characters appear in Christmas attire during regular park hours. First we saw Mickey and Minnie together. The other line wasn’t open, but we looked over and saw Pocahontas. If we could catch her there, we could save a long trek out to Rafiki’s Planet Watch. So we saw her then jumped in the next line for Donald and Santa Goofy. We had a lot of fun playing with them, even if the line moved very slowly.




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[Caretames1]

Oh, I like the Pochantas costume! But I really love all the Christmas photos. I am for sure now, that our next, next trip will be around Christmas ( crossing my fingers for 2012).
Do you know when they really start with the Christmas stuff? I know that the MVMCP parties start early Nov. Kadence's Bday is Nov 14 and I'd like to go on and around that.

 

[mom2rtk]

Oh, I like the Pochantas costume! But I really love all the Christmas photos. I am for sure now, that our next, next trip will be around Christmas ( crossing my fingers for 2012).
Do you know when they really start with the Christmas stuff? I know that the MVMCP parties start early Nov. Kadence's Bday is Nov 14 and I'd like to go on and around that.

Thanks Carey! The Pocahontas was a cheap Ebay find. We had done a photo with Pocahontas on our one day there in 07 and I thought it would be fun to update it. Here's that shot. Pocahontas told her "Let's do our strong princess pose".


Pocahontas Pair by mom2rtk, on Flickr

I had thought we'd have to trek out to Rafiki Plant Watch to find her, so it was nice to stumble across her close-by.

Obviously the MK is decorated by the first party in early November. (My dream trip is to go long enough to catch the last MNSSHP and the first MVMCP all in the same trip.) The tree won't be up in the MK until after the parade taping the first weekend in December though. And I think they take down some of the garlands over Main Street for parade taping. Osborne lights are generally up and going before Thanksgiving. The rest of the stuff goes up in mid-November. I don't think they commit on dates, but I think it's all up by Thanksgiving. I think if you were there the week before Thanksgiving, you'd see it all. But once again, no guarantees. Mid-November is a great time to be at Disney though. One of the few slower crowd times left. And honestly, a birthday in the Magic Kingdom is pretty cool. That's part of the reason we did late Sept/early Oct in 09.

 

[DISNEYaddict4evr]

::sigh:: what will I do when this is all over ever TR I start to read always ends and it is depressing

 

[mom2rtk]

::sigh:: what will I do when this is all over ever TR I start to read always ends and it is depressing

LOL! I'd be happy to take a never-ending trip, and do the accompanying never-ending trip report if you can find someone to ........... you know..... PAY for it.........

Or maybe you could just start a pre-trip report of each of your OWN upcoming trips!

 

[RGirl]

Great update!!!!! FotLK looks amazing. We missed it last year on our first trip. We did see the Traveling Broadway production of The Lion King and loved it, so I'm hoping to catch this show in October.

Awesome character pics. Your DD is so adorable, and I am so impressed with her costume changes!!!!!

 

[Caretames1]

My dream trip is to go long enough to catch the last MNSSHP and the first MVMCP all in the same trip.

I maybe shouldn't say this but.........that's what we're thinking of doing. The only thing in the deciding is Kadence's b-day.
When my DH first decided on this Sept, he asked me to check into MVMCP too and thats when I saw that the last HP and the first CP were only 7 days apart.

I've got time, 2012 is a maybe with 2013 the back-up for sure date.

 

[DISNEYaddict4evr]

LOL! I'd be happy to take a never-ending trip, and do the accompanying never-ending trip report if you can find someone to ........... you know..... PAY for it.........

Or maybe you could just start a pre-trip report of each of your OWN upcoming trips!

That is a great idea! I'll head to the bank right now to get the money...

As per ME doing a PTR I would but I have this thing called school, I will be done with my Masters degree in a little less than 5-weeks and well I have slacked of and will not pay for that so I will not have any time. I was going to at least blog my trips, but not sure with internet. YOu guys will for sure get a blog for the Asia trip (My Graduation present to myself), but the others not sure

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

WOW! Your FotLK pics are fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!! Not that I am surprised!

I love the Pocohontas outfit! She is one of my favorites! I have a history degree and I'm a full fledged history nerd, so I am very fond of that Disney character. I am wondering how you get her outfits changed between character meetings though????

I LOVE all the Christmas shots too! They are sooooooooo good! You really hit the jackpot there!

 

[mom2rtk]

WOW! Your FotLK pics are fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!! Not that I am surprised!

I love the Pocohontas outfit! She is one of my favorites! I have a history degree and I'm a full fledged history nerd, so I am very fond of that Disney character. I am wondering how you get her outfits changed between character meetings though????

I LOVE all the Christmas shots too! They are sooooooooo good! You really hit the jackpot there!

Thanks RTT!

I thought it would be fun becuase we had that whole "winter princess" thing going anyway...... My big draw to Pocahontas has always been the music. I love playing it in the car when we're driving through the national parks. Nothing like the desert sounthwest with "Colors in the Wind" blaring on the CD player. Gee...... can't figure out why no one wants to go back with me!

We actually didn't have much with us this day because of the rain and because Pocahontas was the only princess we were likely to find. So it was really easy. She had on a white t-shirt and leggings under her skirt, so we just swapped out while in line. After that though she ducked into the restroom because she wanted to put the top back on without the t-shirt underneath. After a week of intense cold, it was nice to ditch a layer or 2 when possible!

And yes, wasn't that an awesome batch of characters to find? I loved having them in something for Christmas. Although Donald needed to step up his game! Maybe a sprig of holly or something???????

 

[mom2rtk]

Great update!!!!! FotLK looks amazing. We missed it last year on our first trip. We did see the Traveling Broadway production of The Lion King and loved it, so I'm hoping to catch this show in October.

Awesome character pics. Your DD is so adorable, and I am so impressed with her costume changes!!!!!

Thanks!

We love FotLK. We will probably pass on Nemo again when we go back, but can't imagine missing FotLK. I love the music. But then that's generally the case for me at Disney!

I maybe shouldn't say this but.........that's what we're thinking of doing. The only thing in the deciding is Kadence's b-day.
When my DH first decided on this Sept, he asked me to check into MVMCP too and thats when I saw that the last HP and the first CP were only 7 days apart.

I've got time, 2012 is a maybe with 2013 the back-up for sure date.

Fine...... Just steal my "best trip ever" idea! Wouldn't that be awesome though? What the heck, just go ahead and stay for the birthday too. I hear DISNEYaddict4evr is picking up the tab!

That is a great idea! I'll head to the bank right now to get the money...

As per ME doing a PTR I would but I have this thing called school, I will be done with my Masters degree in a little less than 5-weeks and well I have slacked of and will not pay for that so I will not have any time. I was going to at least blog my trips, but not sure with internet. YOu guys will for sure get a blog for the Asia trip (My Graduation present to myself), but the others not sure

Early congrats on the Masters degree! So we'll let you pass on all the PTR's. But we'll hold you to it on the Asia blog. I'm so jealous. It would be AWESOME to read along as you go though!

 

[stephielela]

Awesome pics with all the Christmassy characters! I think we left shortly after it sunnied up, we were just soaked and I needed a change of clothes.

 

[DISNEYaddict4evr]

Thanks!


Early congrats on the Masters degree! So we'll let you pass on all the PTR's. But we'll hold you to it on the Asia blog. I'm so jealous. It would be AWESOME to read along as you go though!

I'l be sure and post a link some how to let you know and others how to find it. I can't wait... can you believe I have already started packing in fact I think I have to be honest and say I started backing the middle of last month

 

[petals]

I'm luvin all your pics. When are you going in December?

 

[KCmike]

OK, sorry I've been MIA. Sometimes I get in the middle of a project and just can't stop until it's done. And maybe done again. I'm finally back up for air......... I still have about a day's work to do making fabric flowers, but the dress has finally taken form.......


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Holy Belle dresses Batman! Sorry I've been watching alot of Batman on the HUB tv channel (we just got it on time warner a few weeks ago). What a great looking dress Janet. Amazing.

 

[mom2rtk]

Awesome pics with all the Christmassy characters! I think we left shortly after it sunnied up, we were just soaked and I needed a change of clothes.

Thanks Steph! I can certainly see how one could be soaked by afternoon..... We only survived because of our ponchos and because we kept ducking for cover. The afternoon was nice though. Not too hot, not too cold, and the rain did stop.

I'l be sure and post a link some how to let you know and others how to find it. I can't wait... can you believe I have already started packing in fact I think I have to be honest and say I started backing the middle of last month

I don't blame you. I'd be excited too! We actually pack for our Disney trips months on advance. Well, sort of. I start a master packing list and I start throwing things in a corner and marking it off the list. Mostly that's because it's just nuts for us getting out the door with me still trying to finish up all my work first.

I'm luvin all your pics. When are you going in December?

Many thanks!

Right now the plan is to arrive on the 10th. But I've held off booking flights until I find out what sort of discounts and blackout dates they offer in December.