How "just one trip" became three (babies)... update 6/29, huge triplets photo update

[Code]

We had a blast I talked before we left about how I was having trouble getting into the spirit of it all, and when we arrived it was cold, windy and rainy and I was still struggling to find the magic. I talked in day 1 of Sept about all the goosebumps I was getting when we arrived.. well for some reason I just wasn't getting the same feeling... until Wishes. We walked out of Philharmagic right as Wishes started and watched it from Fantasyland.. That's when the magic arrived for me, and it was a euphoric ride from then on

How did you like the Pop versus the French Quarter? How were the crowds? How was the weather?

I admit, my first impression of Pop wasn't good. I really liked the casual elegance of POFQ. It grew on me, though. I probably wouldn't stay there again just the 2 of us, but down the road when we have a family I would stay there no problem.

Crowds were far above what we expected. We booked those dates specifically because they were reported by the Unofficial Guide site as the lowest crowds of the year.. for the majority of our days there, it wasn't even comparable to our Sept trip. The 3 low crowd days we had were last Tue-Thur. Besides those days I would say the crowds were moderate... our longest waits were just about 90 minutes, once for Soarin and once for RnRC.

Weather.. I already said it was cold, windy and rainy when we arrived.. that was the worst day we had. The next 2 days included some rain but it didn't pour. After that it stayed dry and gradually got warmer until it was short & tshirt weather for the last 3 days

19 gig of pics, I didn't even have the space on my main hard drive to move them from the external HDD until tonight, so we haven't even had a look yet. Time for the first once-over

 

[abbybeth]

WELCOME BACK!!!

I'm not glad for you that you're back in the real world, but I'm glad that I"ll be able to hear all about it

I'm here for the ride (and my cameo appearance!)

 

[pl'smama]

We had a blast I talked before we left about how I was having trouble getting into the spirit of it all, and when we arrived it was cold, windy and rainy and I was still struggling to find the magic. I talked in day 1 of Sept about all the goosebumps I was getting when we arrived.. well for some reason I just wasn't getting the same feeling... until Wishes. We walked out of Philharmagic right as Wishes started and watched it from Fantasyland.. That's when the magic arrived for me, and it was a euphoric ride from then on


I admit, my first impression of Pop wasn't good. I really liked the casual elegance of POFQ. It grew on me, though. I probably wouldn't stay there again just the 2 of us, but down the road when we have a family I would stay there no problem.

Crowds were far above what we expected. We booked those dates specifically because they were reported by the Unofficial Guide site as the lowest crowds of the year.. for the majority of our days there, it wasn't even comparable to our Sept trip. The 3 low crowd days we had were last Tue-Thur. Besides those days I would say the crowds were moderate... our longest waits were just about 90 minutes, once for Soarin and once for RnRC.

Weather.. I already said it was cold, windy and rainy when we arrived.. that was the worst day we had. The next 2 days included some rain but it didn't pour. After that it stayed dry and gradually got warmer until it was short & tshirt weather for the last 3 days

19 gig of pics, I didn't even have the space on my main hard drive to move them from the external HDD until tonight, so we haven't even had a look yet. Time for the first once-over

It is amazing how Wishes brings on the magic for so many of us. I am glad that it did for you Code. Your weather was as strange as ours! We too had a nasty day, but it was our second day there. We also got the cold ( as low as 4 degrees), but it was still wonderful just to be there.

I can't wait to see your photos! I have lots of patience though. I plan to do a TR myself, but need to find the time.

Suz

 

[Lease]

So months have dragged on since our first trip, weeks since our second and we are only on day 2 of 18 Disney filled days. The biggest hold up on our report is the picture processing, as a person determined to finish the trip reports and a scrapbooker I need pictures!! So far I've only been able to scrap to the entrance of MK from day 1

That being said I made Code an offer. Code really really really wants a laptop, he has been asking for one since he started his new job. Asking everyday, multiple times, showing me examples of what he'd like. At first I said he could get a laptop if he sold his two newest camera lenses (Abby's dad don't panic I'm wouldn't really make him). Two months of constant asking

Leaving us with a dilemma, I want pictures and trip reports; Code wants a laptop. The solution: Code can get a laptop right after all of the pictures of our trips have been processed. The best ones printed and placed in an album, and the trip reports done. That's 18 days photos of Disney, Discovery Cove, Sea World, 5 airports (I think it's nearly 4000 pictures) completed and shared with everyone that has stuck with us.

That being said, I would expect the trip report to be added to very quickly. Photos are being processed at a increased pace

 

[pl'smama]

That being said, I would expect the trip report to be added to very quickly. Photos are being processed at a increased pace [/QUOTE]

Hey Lease, if we get to see even a tiny little bit of the 4000 photos you have it will have all been worth it!! Take your time, we are still here.

Have a lovely day, Suz

 

[abbybeth]

It's all about finding the right "carrot" ...

good for you sounds like we're back in business!

 

[Abby's Dad]

At first I said he could get a laptop if he sold his two newest camera lenses (Abby's dad don't panic I'm wouldn't really make him).

You had me grabbing my chest there for a minute!

It's tough, and I do very much understand. We're here for you guys!

 

[Code]

Since this deal with Lease for the laptop, I've made a lot of progress in processing our photos. Next photo update coming very soon!

In the meantime, I've started contributing again to the Picture of the Day thread (thanks for the heads up pl'smama). Here are my posts for the last few days:

See the hidden Mickey?
This is the same photo before cropping and lots of editing.. I love Photoshop

 

[pl'smama]

Awesome pics Code! That monorail shot is beautiful! It looks like it is flying through the air. I am glad you found the POTD thread. Your photos are a treat to look forward to each day.

Suz

 

[abbybeth]

See the hidden Mickey?

for the record, I did see the hidden mickey BEFORE the photoshop!

and I'm stealing the BATB picture from Fantasmic!

 

[Lease]

You had me grabbing my chest there for a minute!

No chest grabbing!! Arms above your head, slow deep breaths.

 

[Abby's Dad]

No chest grabbing!! Arms above your head, slow deep breaths.

Ah, I'm better now - thanks!

 

[Code]

My Wednesday Picture of the Day

Next day 2 photo update coming very soon!

 

[donaldduck1967]

Great shots Code. How did you like the 11-22 on the last trip?

 

[Code]

Great shots Code. How did you like the 11-22 on the last trip?

It was great.. got used a lot not only because wide was fun but it is faster than my kit lenses (f/2.8-3.5). Really nice to be able to capture so much in the frame indoors like the above ToT lobby shot.

My Thursday and Friday Pictures of the Day, some fun with Photoshop and continuous shots

(Link to a 2x bigger version of the panorama)

 

[Abby's Dad]

It was great.. got used a lot not only because wide was fun but it is faster than my kit lenses (f/2.8-3.5). Really nice to be able to capture so much in the frame indoors like the above ToT lobby shot.

My Thursday and Friday Pictures of the Day, some fun with Photoshop and continuous shots

So did you layer these up in Photoshop with sequential photos or were they in-camera multiple exposures? Like the car one a lot!

 

[donaldduck1967]

It was great.. got used a lot not only because wide was fun but it is faster than my kit lenses (f/2.8-3.5). Really nice to be able to capture so much in the frame indoors like the above ToT lobby shot.

(Link to a 2x bigger version of the panorama)

Thats a great sequence shot.

 

[Code]

Day 2 Photos, Part 3

Let's see if I can't get this train rolling again!

Quick reminder, Lease wrote about day 2 back here and the first half of day 2 photos are in this post and this post

After Splash, we headed over to Pirates and I made my best effort at getting a few shots ...

After Pirates we were in line to meet Captain Hook and Smee when Mack walked by with his cart ("Watch out! Little man with a big cart!") and started setting up for the pirate tutorial. We jumped out of line and got a front row for the show. Captain Jack was a spitting image of Johnny Depp, both in appearance and character, and Lease got picked to do the Pirate oath. It was a lot of fun!

Afterward we wandered through Adventureland ...

... and after buying the most expensive sunscreen ever when we realized we forgot ours, we decided it was time to experience the legend that was Dole Whip. We both had a pineapple float and it was soooooooooo good! It definitely deserves its devoted following. Under the hot sun it was the perfect treat. I couldn't resist the opportunity to get a shot of Lease double fisting Dole Whip ...

... we were right next to the Swiss Family Robinson treehouse so we took a quick tour. Great views from the top!

We ended up at the Enchanted Tiki Room: Under New Management after passing on a 40 minute wait for the Jungle Cruise. Lease never saw the original Tiki Room but I did, and this updated version was just painful to watch. Really, truly awful. (though this first pic is fun and somewhat creepy)

Next we met Genie ...

... and then decided it was time for our afternoon break. I took this shot walking past Crystal Palace, it's one of my favorites from the trip. I made it intentionally vibrant, and edited the sky a deeper blue.

And lastly for this update, a fun monorail shot as we waited for the resort bus to load ECVs...

We crashed at the room for about an hour before heading to Epcot, which is coming in the next update!

Go to Day 2 Photos, Part 4

 

[Glendamax]

LOVED your pics! Glad you're back!

 

[Abby's Dad]

Great pics as usual, particularly enjoyed the single pic of Jack Sparrow just before the picture of Mack alone - quintessential Jack Sparrow! The views from the tree house may put this one on the todo list for the next trip, coincidentally, Dole Whips are on the todo list - didn't make it last September.

Question - picture #1, was that inside POTC, and if so, was it being projected on a "water screen?" Nice effect, just don't remember seeing the picture.

I suspect that there will soon be a mini-trip report over on the August/September Trip Enders thread, as Abby arrives home from China today - can't wait to see what she bought, the pictures she took, and the stories she has to tell. Sorry for the interuption, but I'm excited to get her home (and in the meantime, I am tracking her flight in another window - oh the technology!)