He Was Bitten, Bitten By The Bug! A Nov-Dec '12 TR **WRAP UP 7/26**

[afwdwfan]

Thanks for the tip on Buzz. I've seen some info on some of the other 100K targets, but they're all more complicated to get to. That one seems pretty simple. I'd imagine that is probably the one that I hit the time that I had over 500K and didn't know how I got it.

I have to agree with your opinion of the partners statue picture. Excellent! That would make a nice picture to frame and look at every day.

I love the new castle projection show so much more than the original. They seem to do so much more and do a much better job projecting Disney movie "scenes" and integrating them all together.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Thanks for sharing the tip on which Z to hit while on Buzz. I had no idea! Now....do I share with my family or do I keep it a secret?

Your pictures of the castle are absolutely gorgeous! Love every single one of them! I am with you on the castle show. It's amazing!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Thanks for the tip on Buzz. I've seen some info on some of the other 100K targets, but they're all more complicated to get to. That one seems pretty simple. I'd imagine that is probably the one that I hit the time that I had over 500K and didn't know how I got it.

I have to agree with your opinion of the partners statue picture. Excellent! That would make a nice picture to frame and look at every day.

I love the new castle projection show so much more than the original. They seem to do so much more and do a much better job projecting Disney movie "scenes" and integrating them all together.

I know the other 100K targets too, but that one is the easiest by far which is why I posted it. It's also the easiest to get a picture of and recognize in the room it's in!

I keep thinking I should print that picture and frame it.

The new show does have a ton of content. With as many pictures as I took there were at least just as many scenes I didn't get pictures of. It's definitely very well coordinated and so seemless as it goes from scene to scene.

Thanks for sharing the tip on which Z to hit while on Buzz. I had no idea! Now....do I share with my family or do I keep it a secret?

Your pictures of the castle are absolutely gorgeous! Love every single one of them! I am with you on the castle show. It's amazing!

Hmm...maybe use the tip first yourself next trip, then after they wonder how you got such a high score you can tell them!

Thank you! It is such an amazing show for sure and just kept me entranced the whole show.

 

[KatMark]

Phew....caught up again. Great updates! I'm glad you didn't get too wet on Splash Mountain (we never rode it in December even though it was 80 degrees ).

Love the castle pictures, and great shot of you in front of the castle.

 

[ronnmel]

Wow! You got some great pictures of the castle, both with the dream lights and during the show. Also, I love that photopass spot because the castle is framed by the shrubs.

As for the spot in Buzz, I think it's the one I hit the last time. I was only able to hit it once though because I have the HARDEST time aiming with those laser guns.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Phew....caught up again. Great updates! I'm glad you didn't get too wet on Splash Mountain (we never rode it in December even though it was 80 degrees ).

Love the castle pictures, and great shot of you in front of the castle.

Glad you are caught up! I'm glad I wasn't too wet too, I'm not a big fan of wet jeans!

Thanks!

Wow! You got some great pictures of the castle, both with the dream lights and during the show. Also, I love that photopass spot because the castle is framed by the shrubs.

As for the spot in Buzz, I think it's the one I hit the last time. I was only able to hit it once though because I have the HARDEST time aiming with those laser guns.

Thank you! I love that spot for the same reason. And it's not as busy usually also.

It's definitely the easiest of the high score areas to hit. The others are way up and hard to see let alone hit!

 

[wiigirl]

Love your castle pics!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Love your castle pics!

Thank you, I love them too!!!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

For anyone who is going to Disney in the next four months, did you see this?

"Announcement from Disney Today:
Refrigerator Removal from Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort and Aulani Guest Rooms

Due to a possible defect in the refrigerators in some of the Guest rooms at the Walt Disney World® and Disneyland® Resorts, as well as Aulani (Hawaii), resort hotels at these locations have removed or temporarily disconnected guest room refrigerators until the issue can be resolved.

Guests staying at these Resort hotels will be notified of the refrigerator removal via a letter in their room. Currently the schedule for replacing the refrigerators at these Resorts is expected to last several months.

This is for all Resorts, except Disney Vacation Club rooms and the cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground. All studio, 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom villas at Disney Vacation Club Resorts will still have their refrigerators. Also, the Family Suites at Disney's Art of Animation Resort, as well as the Family Suites at Disney's All-Star Music Resort, are NOT affected by this removal.

Currently Disney does not have an exact timeframe for when the refrigerators will be replaced, but it is expected to take at least 4 months. At each Resort there will be a limited number of refrigerators available by special request.

For Medical Purposes: We can call the Disney Reservation Center to request a refrigerator in advance of your vacation. Or, once at the Resort, you may request a refrigerator by dialing "0" on your Resort phone. The Resorts will do their best to fulfill these requests, however they cannot be guaranteed."

Seeing as how my possible trip is in 2 months I'm not thrilled about this. I like cold drinks! I don't use the fridge for much else though, so I could survive with drinks in the bucket filled with ice I guess. But it's definitely good they are replacing them if there is a defect!

 

[mickeystoontown]

For anyone who is going to Disney in the next four months, did you see this?

"Announcement from Disney Today:
Refrigerator Removal from Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort and Aulani Guest Rooms

Due to a possible defect in the refrigerators in some of the Guest rooms at the Walt Disney World® and Disneyland® Resorts, as well as Aulani (Hawaii), resort hotels at these locations have removed or temporarily disconnected guest room refrigerators until the issue can be resolved.

Guests staying at these Resort hotels will be notified of the refrigerator removal via a letter in their room. Currently the schedule for replacing the refrigerators at these Resorts is expected to last several months.

This is for all Resorts, except Disney Vacation Club rooms and the cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground. All studio, 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom villas at Disney Vacation Club Resorts will still have their refrigerators. Also, the Family Suites at Disney's Art of Animation Resort, as well as the Family Suites at Disney's All-Star Music Resort, are NOT affected by this removal.

Currently Disney does not have an exact timeframe for when the refrigerators will be replaced, but it is expected to take at least 4 months. At each Resort there will be a limited number of refrigerators available by special request.

For Medical Purposes: We can call the Disney Reservation Center to request a refrigerator in advance of your vacation. Or, once at the Resort, you may request a refrigerator by dialing "0" on your Resort phone. The Resorts will do their best to fulfill these requests, however they cannot be guaranteed."

Seeing as how my possible trip is in 2 months I'm not thrilled about this. I like cold drinks! I don't use the fridge for much else though, so I could survive with drinks in the bucket filled with ice I guess. But it's definitely good they are replacing them if there is a defect!

I saw that. I bet there will be a bunch of unhappy folks.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

I saw that. I bet there will be a bunch of unhappy folks.

I have already seen several threads complaining about it. I'm not thrilled, but I'm glad they are being proactive and replacing them. And I'll be fine without one, I'd just prefer to have one.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

DAY FIVE, MONDAY DECEMBER 3RD, PART FIVE

After the Celebrate the Magic castle show ended there was a brief break before Wishes started, so I got a couple castle shots and one of the crowd waiting down Main Street.












Soon Wishes was starting and I got back into my good spot in front of the Castle. I really like the color changing on the Castle during Holiday Wishes, since it adds a new element to it, beyond just amazing fireworks! As usual I took a ton of pictures, so here they are for you to enjoy!





































































CONTINUED IN THE NEXT POST



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[PhoenixStrength]

More Wishes pictures...











































































CONTINUED IN THE NEXT POST



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[PhoenixStrength]

After Wishes ended I hung around the Hub for a bit, waiting for the crowds to disappear before moving. While I waited I got a few more pictures of the Castle in all her lighted glory.















Once the crowds moved out (mostly literally, a lot of people left though it was only 9:15pm at that point), I headed over to Fantasyland for some more attractions.






Since I was passing it and there was no line I headed into Monsters Inc Laugh Floor.






There was truly no line and I was sent right into the holding area. There were not many people in there and isn't wasn't long before they closed the area to prepare for the show. I got some shots of the room and the video they play before letting you in.



























Once they let us in the theater I got one quick picture in before the show started...






Then I laughed at the hilarity of the monsters and guests pulled into the fun.


NEXT TIME: BREAKING THE RULES, BUT THE CM SAID IT WAS OKAY!!



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[taaren]

After Wishes ended I hung around the Hub for a bit, waiting for the crowds to disappear before moving. While I waited I got a few more pictures of the Castle in all her lighted glory.

Once the crowds moved out (mostly literally, a lot of people left though it was only 9:15pm at that point), I headed over to Fantasyland for some more attractions.


Since I was passing it and there was no line I headed into Monsters Inc Laugh Floor.


There was truly no line and I was sent right into the holding area. There were not many people in there and isn't wasn't long before they closed the area to prepare for the show. I got some shots of the room and the video they play before letting you in.


Then I laughed at the hilarity of the monsters and guests pulled into the fun.

​

Your castle pictures are simply lovely! I never got to see the show on the castle though DH did twice and said it was awesome. (Once I had taken DS back to the room for some relaxing pool time, the other I was guarding some great ELP spots for my group but at least the kids got to watch.) This year, I'm making DH guard the parade spots and watching it!
Also jealous that you got to watch Monsters Inc ... it was on my list as a must-see (Loved that movie!), but it kept closing before we got to it. Guess its just as well we scheduled another trip, and there are rumors its coming to DLR in a few years.
I'm amazed at your memory. The details of our trip are already hazy and that's after going over the photobook once a month or so. I know I forgot a few things in my TR less than a month later, because there are things I remember doing that don't "fit" into any particular day or sequence. The fact that you can remember everything you did 7 months later is awesome!

 

[ronnmel]

Woah! Tinkerbell looks funky in that picture of her flying.

Great pictures, as usual. I think I should try to see Holiday Wishes again some day. Maybe I'll like it more then instead of having these bad memories of it.

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Your castle pictures are simply lovely! I never got to see the show on the castle though DH did twice and said it was awesome. (Once I had taken DS back to the room for some relaxing pool time, the other I was guarding some great ELP spots for my group but at least the kids got to watch.) This year, I'm making DH guard the parade spots and watching it!
Also jealous that you got to watch Monsters Inc ... it was on my list as a must-see (Loved that movie!), but it kept closing before we got to it. Guess its just as well we scheduled another trip, and there are rumors its coming to DLR in a few years.
I'm amazed at your memory. The details of our trip are already hazy and that's after going over the photobook once a month or so. I know I forgot a few things in my TR less than a month later, because there are things I remember doing that don't "fit" into any particular day or sequence. The fact that you can remember everything you did 7 months later is awesome!

Definitely see the castle show and make DH guard the parade spots! It is gorgeous and just amazing. And do Monsters Inc too, it so funny and different every time.

Secret to remembering? Take lots of notes! I take a journal and write notes while waiting in line and during meals so I don't forget details for my TR.

Woah! Tinkerbell looks funky in that picture of her flying.

Great pictures, as usual. I think I should try to see Holiday Wishes again some day. Maybe I'll like it more then instead of having these bad memories of it.

Yes, Tink was having some issues that night!

You should see it again in the future, when you aren't sick, or have a tree in your way, or any of the other issues you guys had this trip!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

LIFE/FUTURE TRIP UPDATE:

So, before I get to the maybe-trip update, I have a request from everyone. Can everyone send prayers/positive thoughts/good juju/etc to my wonderful friend Steve? I don't want to get into a ton of detail but he is having a rough year. He owns/runs a one-person diving company in Florida. Most of what he does is cleaning and maintaining boats, though there is some other things he does too. It's a very physically demanding job and the equipment he uses weighs a couple hundred pounds, which he has to take from his apartment to his truck, his truck to each boat, then at the end of the long day back to his truck and then up the stairs into is apartment. In February he tweeked his sciatic nerve and hurt his hip. Not bad but made things tougher on him. Then in late-March/early April he ripped all the muscles and tendons in his calf in his right leg, which took him completely out of commission for 6 weeks. No working, no income at all for 6 weeks. He was just able to start again around Memorial Day but could only do about 25% still as it's still healing. He is getting better every day is up to about 50% of what he could do before, but due to 4 months of little to no income when he was already living pretty tightly with money means he is struggling badly. I've been helping him as much as I can financially and being an ear for him to vent to about things, but he is doing bad still. It doesn't help that his customers often live on the other side of the country (snowbirds!) this time of year so it can take him 3-5 weeks to get paid by them after he does their boat. He also desperately needs to upgrade his equipment before he can grow and expand his business, but it's extremely specialized equipment which means expensive. The cheaper piece to upgrade will still cost him $13,000!!!! Obviously he can't afford that on his own. And the banks down there aren't offering small business loans right now. He's tried every bank down there, local and national branches, but even with them telling him he is a safe-bet and has all the right proof and paperwork they just aren't offering the loans due to the economy. He has tried getting private funding too but so far only one person has contacted him once and then nothing else after he responded back. So, if anyone knows anyone around the Bradenton/Sarasota area with a boat that needs cleaning or even selling (he works with a broker too), or someone who has money they are looking to invest in a company let me know! But more than that I would appreciate any good thoughts you can send his way that he will have something good come his way soon. He is an incredible man, works so hard and is so passionate about what he does and deserves good things to happen to him.

So, what does that have to do with the upcoming maybe-trip? He is thinking he needs to get a steady part-time job to guarantee income so he can get caught up on bills and know he can have some money at all times. Right now I'm the only reliable source of money he has! He is worried that with so many people looking for jobs it may put him at a disadvantage if goes in needing time off. While I understand that fear, I also think he is overqualified for the types of jobs he is going for and if he goes into the interview telling them up front he will be okay. Beyond that though he did tell me today he definitely wants to do the trip, he just wants to settle this fear before saying yes. So I'm feeling much more optimistic about it now and he will let me know 100% one way or the other by next Saturday the 20th so I have time to pay it off or cancel before the 45 day mark on the 25th. We both know we need the vacation time since we are both working like crazy and under a ton of stress so I think he will say yes, but I'm still trying to not get too excited as I don't want to be disappointed if he can't go.

So, that was longer than I expected it to be, but there is my update and request for prayers for Steve!



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[mickeystoontown]

Stephanie, it sounds like Steve needs all the prayers that he can get! I'll definitely put him on my prayers list. Why is it that good people can never get a break?

Yay for the trip sounding more and more promising!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

Stephanie, it sounds like Steve needs all the prayers that he can get! I'll definitely put him on my prayers list. Why is it that good people can never get a break?

Yay for the trip sounding more and more promising!

Thank you so much. I think the fact that he knows he is working so hard, doing everything right and still can't catch a break is what is the hardest part for him. It's not like he isn't trying or is slacking off to where he can understand it. He is starting to lose hope and its breaking my heart.