Dznyfan's long weekend to get away from it all, **UPDATED, more photos 3/28**

[DznyFan]

This is my first TR on the TR board, and frankly I'm afraid I won't be nearly as entertaining as some of the trip reports I've read here. I'm just going to share my shots, it's really mostly going to be a photography report more than anything.

So, without further delay, we invite you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the in-flight movie.

DH and I are long time DVCers and empty nesters. We love Disney, and having lost DD to the central Florida area, it gives us a great excuse to go back. After a long, cold, wet, snowy and dreary winter (even though we were just down there in December) it was time to get away for some hopefully warmer weather. We flew out in the afternoon after a partial day's work.

Now, I'm not good flier to begin with, but with a little help, I do OK. I do tour airplane lavatories, though. Being a big water drinker, I get a chance to visit each one in each plane, and these flights were no different. I read a little of Colt's TR on here, and can actually relate to that secure feeling of that little windowless room... I don't feel like I'm 32,000 feet in the air when I tour the plane lavs -and a little turbulence to the mix and it can be kind of like Big Thunder Mountain RR.

After arriving safely in Orlando about 11:00 pm, got our car, went to our resort, and waited for the kiddo to show up as she opted to stay with us. It was a late night, exhausted from travel, and I was ready for the next day! I had a bunch of new photog gear to try out at the Flower & Garden Festival!! Don't get me wrong - I couldn't wait to see my girl - but I like my sleep, and I'm a big fan of getting an early start! Plus, I had a date at Whispering Canyon to get to the next morning.

So, where are the photos, you ask? They're coming - starting with tomorrow's installment(s). There will be a point where you readers may say "stop with the pictures, already!" I just hope I can keep y'all entertained with my relatively boring family's trip!

 

[DznyFan]

mmm... Whispering Canyon Cafe for breakfast... does it get much better than that? After sleeping in as much as possible, that's where we headed - and I had a skillet waiting for me. I quickly killed it, though.

After breakfast, our girl had to leave and go to work. Although we were off to Epcot, we had to run a quick errand in the Magic Kingdom, via the Poly for monrail service. Its one of my favorite resorts and never short on photo ops!

Not long after, we were on our way to Epcot, via the Beach Club. It was a chilly day, but at least we had sunshine. A sunny day at Disney beats a dreary day back home any day!

Flower and Garden Festival 2010!!

We wandered in, and quickly ran into Bella Bouquet - she's not camera-shy by any stretch of the imagination. Awfully perky for such an early hour of the day - but the again, we had been up late the night before. She's hilarious!

I wish I could remember her friends name, but at one point he wound up hiding from her.

Just when she was getting ready to get my DH into the act, they had to leave. Not that he would have been a totally willing participant. Saved by going off and having to tend one of their gardens somewhere...

It was time to stalk one of my favorite princesses

I love watching those special princess moments!

It was a great start to a great day at the F&GF. Since it was so early in the festival, it wasn't quite as scenic as I'm sure it will be in another month - some things still not in bloom yet, but gorgeous nonetheless.

 

[NUguyinCrew]

Very nice pics. Im by no means any kind of photo-phile but I am in the market for a nice camera. What kind of camera are you using for those shots and is it a fairly easy to operate one?

 

[DznyFan]

Very nice pics. Im by no means any kind of photo-phile but I am in the market for a nice camera. What kind of camera are you using for those shots and is it a fairly easy to operate one?

Thank You! I shoot a Sony A550. It really has a user-friendly interface, very easy to operate. Everything in my TR is shot with either a 16-80mm zoom lens or a 70-200mm zoom lens.

 

[PrincessAlways]

mmm... Whispering Canyon Cafe for breakfast... does it get much better than that? After sleeping in as much as possible, that's where we headed - and I had a skillet waiting for me. I quickly killed it, though.

I've never eaten there. Guess I should put that on a list!

It was time to stalk one of my favorite princesses

I love watching those special princess moments!

It must have been chilly!!

 

[cmp1111]

Lovely photos! Were you staying at the AKL?

 

[DznyFan]

I've never eaten there. Guess I should put that on a list!


It must have been chilly!!

It's a great place for breakfast - if you get the skillet it's eggs, biscuits & gravy, waffles, potatoes, bacon and sausage, all you can eat, served family style. Not character dining, unless you count the wait staff!
Yes, it was a little cool the first couple days!

Lovely photos! Were you staying at the AKL?

Thank you! Nope, OKW.

 

[DznyFan]

We spent most of the afternoon just walking around the World Showcase. It was a beautiful day, although cool, and the crowd were minimal - it was so nice! We toured the Japanese gardens, love looking at the Bonsai. I did miss that that the flowering ones weren't in bloom yet.

When we came up to the American Pavilion, the Spirit of America Fife and Drum Corps were just coming out. What a wonderful show that is - very moving. I was touched and had such a lump in my throat when they had us recite the Pledge Of Allegiance.

Time for wandering some more - we really did just stroll around the promenade, and took in the sun and the gardens. I don't think we even wandered INTO any of the pavilions on that side of the WS.

China as always, was stunning, and I loved the little 'seed' Chinese Horoscope animals!

More to come... tomorrow, Pixie Hollow Fairy Garden!
(yeah, I never said it was going to be an EXCITING trip report! )

 

[DznyFan]

after a few days I've had a chance to work over a few more photos, and going to continue on with our day at Epcot! We continued our stroll though the World Showcase but I was ready to see the the expanded Fairy Gardens. I have an affinity for the cute little pixies, and have always been a huge fan of the butterfly gardens as well. I was pleased to hear this year that it was Fawn's butterfly garden. I suspected that the gardens would be exceptional in this area, and I wasn't disappointed. Even DH enjoyed the gardens here!

They even had a Terence topiary this year!

What could be more appropriate than the garden fairy Rosetta in the garden!

The butterfly garden wasn't as full of butterflies as it is later in the season, but there were a few around. This is about the time DH starts tapping an impatient foot, as I could stay in there for hours and shoot. He tries to be patient with me, though...
I thought the plantings around the ponds were really pretty this year, with the "Oceans" theme.

After a lengthy stay in the Fairy Garden, it was time for a spin on Test Track! I don't know about most of you, but I can't hardly step foot in Epcot without little adrenaline.

Oh, no - not the Barrier Test!!

Test Track hair!

Not sure who the guys in the front were, but they were awfully calm...

after a stroll through the post-show area, I found my new car in the gift shop. Sadly, I couldn't think of a way to pack it in my luggage, so alas, it is still sitting in the gift shop.

Off to Spaceship Earth, where we had a little fun with the personal info you enter in before getting into the ride. Nope, don't speak German, nor are we from Africa...
I think that's the one attraction that holds the most affection from my DH. He loves, and has always loved, Spaceship Earth. I do, though, miss the Jeremy Irons narration.

Surprisingly, it was still pretty early in the day and we'd already seen a lot. The crowds were extremely manageable, and depite a slight chill in the air, it turned out to be a gorgeous day!

Still to come... Off Kilter, waiting patiently.... patiently.... for a monorail to come at just the right time, drinks and dead crab legs! And it's still day one!

 

[pozey]

GREAT trip report and FANTASTIC photos!!

 

[Mombits]

Wow you are really a wonderful photographer. Love it!

 

[reyasmommy]

Great TR and photos…..Love it! ((your pictures are amazing))

I hate flying too, so I can totally relate! Although I try to avoid the lavatories at all cost, so we differ there. Usually when I get off the airplane I’m running to the nearest bathroom.

It’s so weird seeing Jasmine all covered up…. It must have been chilly.

I’m so sad that we missed the butterfly garden….. I’m currently working on my TR and writing about our EPCOT day right now. My poor DD was NOT happy with Test Track. I think I’ve scared her for life.

Anyway, looking forward to more!

 

[Brenle]

Awesome disney photos as well as those on your flickr account! You must be a professional!! And if you're not, you missed your calling.

 

[DznyFan]

GREAT trip report and FANTASTIC photos!!

Thank You!!

Great TR and photos…..Love it! ((your pictures are amazing))

I hate flying too, so I can totally relate! Although I try to avoid the lavatories at all cost, so we differ there. Usually when I get off the airplane I’m running to the nearest bathroom.

It’s so weird seeing Jasmine all covered up…. It must have been chilly.

I’m so sad that we missed the butterfly garden….. I’m currently working on my TR and writing about our EPCOT day right now. My poor DD was NOT happy with Test Track. I think I’ve scared her for life.

Anyway, looking forward to more!

Thank You!
Off to go check out your TR!! Had to chuckle about the 'off plane sprint'. I do that too!! Everbody get outta the way!

Awesome disney photos as well as those on your flickr account! You must be a professional!! And if you're not, you missed your calling.

Thanks - that's very kind! No, I'm not - although I'd like to be and a sort of working my way slowly toward it in a part time kind of way.

 

[Brenle]

Thank You!!

Thank You!
Off to go check out your TR!! Had to chuckle about the 'off plane sprint'. I do that too!! Everbody get outta the way!

Thanks - that's very kind! No, I'm not - although I'd like to be and a sort of working my way slowly toward it in a part time kind of way.

One of my uncles is an engineer but he's been taking pictures since he was a kid. He travels to different parts of the country the same time every year to take pictures of wildlife. Alligators in Florida, some type of migratory bird species I can't remember down in Louisiana, etc. He's been published in outdoor mags and sells his photos locally. They are AMAZING photos. He's a very talented guy. Just because you have a good camera, doesn't mean you'll take good shots! You obviously have talent. Clear, crisp, original photos. Looking forward to more.

 

[DznyFan]

Working toward the end of a fantastic day! After Test Track, we headed for some quick shopping at Mouse Gear, an it wasn't a zoo in there for once! Gave me some time for some shooting.

the RARE photo of me!

You know those awesome photos we see from EPCOT that have Spaceship Earth AND the monorail in them? Of course, I went by a great spot for such a shot, and no monorail came. I waited, and waited, and waited... and much like a Disney bus, there's never one when you want/need one!

FINALLY!

Headed over to Soarin' for a relaxing cruise over California. Am I the only one who could just stay on Soarin' for HOURS at a time? We had a very late dinner time so caught late lunch at Sunshine Seasons - great food! Headed back to the World Showcase for some shopping - I was hoping that the Canada pavilion would have some Olympic merchandise, but was disappointed. We did arrive in time to catch a set from Off Kilter, though. One of my absolute fave entertainment offerings at the World.

we shopped our way out of EPCOT on the way to dinner at Cape May Cafe.

DH and I arrived at the Beach Club with plenty of time to relax before dinner. Our daughter was still at work, so we had to wait on her. We put our feet up for a while over at Martha's Vineyard, and had a couple adult beverages. If you haven't tried the Pomegranate Splash, they're great! Perfect for the end of a long day.

My daughter showed up shortly before being seated and brought along my old gear! Although it hasn't been gone for long, it was nice to see my old Sony again, and it's being put to good use.

We got seated, ate until we were about to burst, and of course, colored on the table'cloth'. That's one of the endearing things about Cape May - getting to pass the time by coloring... ahhh, we're all just big kids, now aren't we?

alas, no 'food porn' unless you count the remnants of my crab legs. Now why didn't I do this BEFORE I killed them?

We waddled out of Cape May and headed back to the room for the night. I love Illuminations but we wouldn't have made it in time, plus I'm not sure I could have walked any more! Voila! That's it for the first day - day two is Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom! Thanks for reading!!

 

[pozey]

Fantastic installment!!

Can't wait for more!

 

[DznyFan]

I'm finally getting around to day 2!
Our daughter was sleeping in, she'd gone to the midnight premiere of Alice in Wonderland after dinner the night before, so DH and I were on our on. I haven't had what for me is a good day in Animal Kingdom in a few years as it's hard to get my family to spend time there other than to hit Everest and Dinosaur, and maybe a couple other things. I had a plan to make it a ME day at Animal Kingdom -checking out the animal exhibits, maybe spending time in areas we wouldn't normally go. We didn't get a super early start there, but I did start my time there by going through some (but not all) of the Oasis and Discovery Island.

from there we made our way to Kilimanjaro Safaris. I was disappointed in my lack of many great shots - not a lot of animals out and we had a spastic driver. Makes shooting with my long lens a little challenging. Oh well.

but I was shocked! For the first time in more Kilimanjaro Safaris rides than I can count, the Cheetahs were up!! (well, sort of) I was really excited.

after Kilimanjaro, it was time for a little sightseeing and we made our way to Asia and Maharajah Jungle Trek.

It was still pretty chilly in Florida, and for the first time ever I saw NO wait for Kali River Rapids. I passed.

Here, Kitty, Kitty...

this was a smart kitty... lounging in the sun.

bath time!

Catching the tigers was a big test of my patience, as Maharaja was very busy that day and PACKED! I skipped a lot of opportunities as my DH has back issues and can't stand still for long periods without extreme pain. He was patient as he could be.

still to come - more Animal Kingdom from our day 2!

 

[Brenle]

Great photos of the tigers. Whenever we've been to AK, the animals seem to be in hiding, usually under a tree because it's so warm.

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

I'm in!

Fantastic pictures!

My mom was also disappointed that Canada didn't have any Olympic gear when we went I'm not sure if it was all sold out or if they never got any