First-Timers Take on Disney World - Pictures!!! Multiple Updates - 10/10

[ddstratton]

Epcot on Thursday Oct. 23rd? That is funny that we both scheduled that day there . We have a 4:40pm ADR at LeCellier.

That is so cool! Perhaps we'll run into each other... I'm not sure what time we'll get to Epcot. We'll be going after an afternoon break/swim/rest. Future World closes at 7:00 that night, and World Showcase at 9:00. We basically have to be done with that day's Epcot touring before our ADR for Coral Reef. With a 7:40 ADR, there won't be a whole lot of time left to look around the World Showcase before closing. But we might be finished with supper just in time to catch Illuminations....

 

[mrsksomeday]

Oh, I hope you get to see Illuminations that night, it is wonderful!!

 

[ddstratton]

Oh, I hope you get to see Illuminations that night, it is wonderful!!

Well, if we don't get to see it on this night, I've actually got it "scheduled" for another night, just in case.

We went to see some fireworks tonight, at a local Fireman's Carnival. I got in a little practice for taking fireworks pictures at Disney World I don't think they're too bad for a first-timer. I've never tried taking pictures of fireworks before. These were taken free-hand, too. No tripod or anything to lean the camera on.

and finally, a little (and I mean little) video

 

[mrsksomeday]

YAY!! Great pictures!! I can't wait to see your Disney fireworks pics.

 

[GeminiAngel]

Haven't read a word yet. I saw you on Jordan's thread, subbing!

 

[GeminiAngel]

Well, if we don't get to see it on this night, I've actually got it "scheduled" for another night, just in case.

We went to see some fireworks tonight, at a local Fireman's Carnival. I got in a little practice for taking fireworks pictures at Disney World I don't think they're too bad for a first-timer. I've never tried taking pictures of fireworks before. These were taken free-hand, too. No tripod or anything to lean the camera on.

and finally, a little (and I mean little) video

How wonderful these photos are!!!! some of the best i've seen.
I love the way you plan, you remind me of myself. So far it all sounds just wonderful.
We did our first trip in Apr 07. You are not gonna want to come home!!!!

 

[ddstratton]

YAY!! Great pictures!! I can't wait to see your Disney fireworks pics.

Thank you. I can't wait to TAKE some Disney fireworks pics

How wonderful these photos are!!!! some of the best i've seen.
I love the way you plan, you remind me of myself. So far it all sounds just wonderful.
We did our first trip in Apr 07. You are not gonna want to come home!!!!

Thanks! I should have the next day's itinerary up tonight.

 

[ddstratton]

Our Day 5 is a Friday. We have an 8:20 ADR for Crystal Palace. This will be our second meal at Crystal Palace in three days, but I think we can handle it.

Magic Kingdom opens at 9:00 on this day, so we may get a chance to get some nice pictures of a not-too-crowded Main Street.

As for Magic Kingdom touring, we have a few things we'd like to see. We'll be visiting the Magic Kingdom several times, so again we don't feel the need to go commando touring. We wanna do the major attractions -- Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, BTMRR, POTC, Haunted Mansion, etc. Whether we get to them today or not.... Who knows?

We have a 12:25 ADR for lunch at Cinderella's Castle. DD really couldn't care if we went to Cinderella's Castle, but I want to!!! Also, since we are a party of five, we will get two photo packages (according to allears menus, anyway). I am really looking forward to seeing my mom's and MIL's reactions to Cinderella's Castle.

After our lunch at the Castle, we'll be heading back to the Caribbean Beach resort to rest/swim/etc. I imagine that for DH, mom and MIL, it will be the rest portion, and for DD and I it will be the swim portion.

After our break, we have a 5:55 ADR at Cap'n Jack's.

Our evening plans are not solid. Depending on energy levels, we may either browse around Down Town Disney, or we may try to hit Epcot for their EMH's. Then again, maybe we'll just head back to the resort for more pool time. Whatever just feels right at the time.

 

[mrsksomeday]

WOW, sounds like a great plan. I can't talk Bill into eating at the castle...yet, but I will one day. I can't wait to see pictures of a not so crowded MK!!

 

[GeminiAngel]

I've thought about dining with Cindy, but I read too many reviews where people say they feel rushed. Nova, my daughter seems to be getting out of that princess phase anyway. She wants to see Pooh. So we will be dining at Crystal Palace next trip.

 

[ddstratton]

WOW, sounds like a great plan. I can't talk Bill into eating at the castle...yet, but I will one day. I can't wait to see pictures of a not so crowded MK!!

One of the benefits of being the sole planner for the trip I get to say where we eat! hehehehhehehe

I've thought about dining with Cindy, but I read too many reviews where people say they feel rushed. Nova, my daughter seems to be getting out of that princess phase anyway. She wants to see Pooh. So we will be dining at Crystal Palace next trip.

My DD isn't into princesses. I'm not over-the-top into princesses, either. I dunno, I just wanna try it. If I had to pay out-of-pocket, I probably wouldn't go. We're on the Deluxe Dining Plan, so will be using credits for it. I'll give it a go

 

[ddstratton]

Made another change to ADR's. I got to looking over my first day ADR's and could not see what I was thinking??? I've got a 2:10 ADR for lunch, then supper at 5:20!!! Urgh. I have now switched my supper ressie at Whispering Canyon to 7:40 pm. Sounds much better. Now we won't be running from one meal almost directly to the other. Phew!

 

[ddstratton]

We had a good day today. We went to Bloomsburg, PA, to the 21st Annual Four Wheel Jamboree Nationals. A whole lot of big trucks.

This is one of DD's favorite Monster Trucks.

The floorboard on this truck is almost over DD's head!!!

At the tender age of 9, DD has developed an expensive taste in cars. She LOVES Corvettes. Doesn't the blonde on the right look just so thrilled to be there???

Saw this truck, and found I've been brainwashed by Disney planning. The first thought that came to mind was, "Hey, a DIS truck!!"

After DH was finished drooling over the big trucks, we headed to Knoebel's. This is a great little amusement park in central PA. No charge to park, no charge for admission. Lots of shade. We only hit three rides, but had a great time.

First we did Knoebel's version of a Haunted Mansion. I'm not thrilled with this. Reminds me of a carnival spook house. Bah. We grabbed a bit to eat. DH had a Philly steak sandwich, I had a grilled cheese and DD had a bbq chicken sandwich. Of which she ate about two bites.

After eating, we rode the Log Flume ride. I actually broke or bruised my tailbone on this ride about four years ago. I was paying more attention to making sure DD stayed in the log than bracing myself for the bottom of the drop. My tailbone still hurts if I sit wrong...

This is our $6.95 4x6 photo from the ride. I had to buy it. DD looks absolutely terrified! But she said she loved it. (We're in the back.)

After this ride, we decided to do the Skloosh. Similar to the log flume ride, but you side four-across with about six rows rather than four to a log.

DH took this picture. He almost missed us. You can see me and DD at the very bottom of the picture. Looks thrilled again, doesn't she? You get absolutely soaked on this ride. Even more so if you stand on the bridge on the way off the ride. You get hit by the deluge of water that the next car throws. Of course, me and DD just had to stand there. We were soaked to the skin. We loved it, as it was really hot today.

I guess we're all set for Disney rides now, though. DD says that she loves the "hollow" feeling she gets in her stomach on the drops. YES! I've got another ride partner for the rides at Disney! I know DH won't ride, nor with his mom. My mom probably will, and says she wants to. I was just really hoping that DD would ride, and not let her fear stop her from enjoying something new. A good experience to day looks like its pointing to good riding at Disney! YAY!!!

 

[GeminiAngel]

That looks so fun!!! By the way, I HATE that drop feeling in your stomach!! Arghhh!

 

[GeminiAngel]

What happened? Where are you???
Please don't quit.

 

[ddstratton]

Oh, I haven't quit yet. Just been really busy. I've also got a couple of MAJOR changes to make to the trip. I'll probably be posting a new update either tonight or tomorrow detailing the changes.

 

[GeminiAngel]

Oh, I haven't quit yet. Just been really busy. I've also got a couple of MAJOR changes to make to the trip. I'll probably be posting a new update either tonight or tomorrow detailing the changes.

Good to know you're still with us.

 

[ddstratton]

OK, it's been a while since I've posted. Life has gotten very busy here. It's almost County Fair time, and I help them out with their computer issues. I've also been earning some extra money (for Disney, of course) by doing ChaCha. I love it! If you have any questions about it, please just PM me.

I may have to change the title of my pre-trippie. We are no longer a party of five. DH's mom has decided not to go with us after all. She was kind of hemming and hawing about going in the first place. She's a homebody type, and being gone for two whole weeks was really concerning her. She just would not be comfortable being away from home for that long. On previous trips to NC, she would rather drive the 12 hours straight home than stop overnight at a hotel part-way through.

This means some other changes. Since there are now only four of us, we can get away with just one room. Major $$ savings there, even though I had 40% off the room rate. Ten nights, even at 40% off, still adds up big-time! Also, for our trip back on the Auto Train, we now only need two roomettes instead of three (each roomette sleeps 2).

This saved almost $200. So, although I'm sorry DMIL is not coming with us, it does cut the cost of this vacation down quite a bit.

Now for a question. I had already made all of my ADR's. There were a few that were held by CC, even though we're on the DxDDP. Am I going to be able to change these ressies, or am I going to have problems? We will just be changing the number of people from 5 to 4. I'll be trying that later today, so I'll let ya know how it went.

Only other thing -- I now have an extra ticket for the 10/26 MNSSHP. I'm pretty sure I don't have a chance of Disney refunding that ticket.

 

[GeminiAngel]

Too bad about MIL. I guess when the older crowd gets set in their ways, thats the end of that.

Great about saving some $$$$$

sounded a little fishy when you said you cha-cha for extra money!



The auto train looks like so much fun!! I love trains.

 

[ddstratton]

As for changing my ADRs - I only wanted to change the few that were held by a credit card for now. Surprisingly, I was able to change the Cinderella's Table (for lunch) without a problem at all. The other three ADRs were for Hoop De Doo, Akershus Breakfast and Mama Melrose's (this was for the Fantasmic package). The CM on the line could not change my ressie's! She had to "talk to another department to downsize my reservation." I ended up sitting on hold for almost 20 minutes, but did get my ADR's changed to show our new party size.

It really surprised me that one of the ADR's that is supposedly so hard to get is one that I was able to change the easiest!