"I Don't Wanna Go Home" Lots of Pics **Updated 10/17, Day 2 - Part 6 - Page 5

[mpp3843]

Harters2WDW: Thanks so much. Dora was afraid of any and every character 6 months ago, Santa Clause, the Easter Bunny, the Chic-fil-a cow was worst. She even had nightmares about the cow being in her room. You should have plenty of time to work with your DD on conquering her fear. I method was to increase her exposure to characters (Dora, Sponge Bob, Blues Clues) at the local theme park and to let her be in control of how close she go to each characters. We had to really encourage her to push the limits of her fear. She was willing to get closer to some much earlier than others. It took several attempts to get the fear conquered, but to have it done before this trip was such a relief. You have plenty time to get your DD ready.

As for my "eye". The great thing about digital cameras is the ability to take tons of pictures. We took 3983 pictures during this trip, averaging almost 500a day, of which about 85% are either bad (out of focus, bad timing, etc) or redundant (near duplicates). My philosophy is the more pictures I take the better chance I have of getting something good.

To accomplish storing all the pictures I carried 2 - 8GB memory cards and off-loaded the pictures from these cards on to my laptop each night. By the end of the trip I had accumulated 58GB of pictures.

 

[mpp3843]

We made it, just catching a boat launch about 5 minutes before departure to Wilderness Lodge. We hit the dock at WL at 7:15, 20 minutes before our ADR. I went to check in at the Whispering Canyon hostess desk while DW and the girls did a couple of pressed pennies. The hostess informed me that they running behind by around 30 minutes. With the extra time we decided to check out the Mercantile. Dora being her normal self finds a coon skin hat and the barrel of rocks and begins collecting. Collect rocks is one of her things. For example when we go for a walking in our neighborhood she takes a Ziploc bag to carry any rocks she might find on the sidewalk or road. Rocks are her spring and summer collectable,, in the fall and winter is acorns. She was actually disappointed when Santa did not bring her any acorns last year, Back to the TR... so while Dora and I dig through rock, DW and Ariel decide that as Ariel's reward for doing so well at the Hall of Fame Tent store is a charm bracelet and 3 charms. Ariel proceeds to look at every available charm and select the 3 most gaudy ones she can find. This does not sit well with DW, who then spends 5-10 minutes negotiating with Ariel she get Ariel to change her selection to something more acceptable. These are our children, they're quirky, but we love'em.

This picture is of Dora's reaction when she was told that I was not spending $7 on a bag of rocks. Her response "Yes My Am"
We didn't buy any rocks.

So right around 7:45 our buzzer go of and we head into WCC for dinner. DW and I both select the skillet which was very good. I enjoyed everything but the shrimp, which I found to be chewy. Ariel gets a grilled cheese and fries and Dora, she get two slices of American cheese and Fries. Please try to contain your laughter. DW is a bottomless pit for Diet Coke and of course this is rewarded with a giant mug and straw. Ariel's request for Ketchup was also rewarded with a couple dozen bottles. The girls also participated in a lap around the restaurant on stick ponies. We had a lot of fun, DW and I both over ate and suffered later as a result. Ariel got a little overwhelmed when we had to pass our Ketchup on to another family and pronounce she did not like this restaurant. Overall it was a fun dinner, but one we will likely wait a couple of years before returning.

Hallowishes started on our boat ride back to the Magic Kingdom to catch our bus back to ASMu, . Our boat captain slowed so that we could watch. All I can really say is that these are the surprises that really make Disney so magical.

It was a great day, and this long day was now almost over. Both girls passed out on the near empty bus on the way back to the resort. We had left our room before 7:00 this morning and it was after 10:30 by the time we got back. The bed was calling our names. But tomorrow would bring new day and a 3rd park... Epcot.

 

[jmskinner]

Oh, WCC. I have such great memories of that place. Ketchup being the main one as I didn't warn my DH and DS about it. The poor family after us had girls about the same age as yours and they were completely shocked when we came around the corner with all those bottles.

You didn't spend $7 for rocks?!!??? My DS keeps trying to get me to buy more of the magnet ones. I think one bag is enough.

 

[mpp3843]

I knew about all the tricks. Ariel did get a little flusterd when Dora kept yelling "We Need Ketchup" over and over though our entire meal.

Only kind of rocks we brought home were free rocks. Disney's smart, but I'm just not that rich.

 

[jmskinner]

I knew about all the tricks. Ariel did get a little flusterd when Dora kept yelling "We Need Ketchup" over and over though our entire meal.

Only kind of rocks we brought home were free rocks. Disney's smart, but I'm just not that rich.

That's funny that she wanted more ketchup.

I was just kidding about not buying the rocks. I have never bought rocks either, except for those magnet ones. Like I said, once and only once.

 

[mpp3843]

The magnet ones are pretty cool. Luckly neither of mine saw them, or I may have had to buy them too.

 

[sunnyday123]

WCC looks like so much fun!!

And the gaudy charm thing and rock collecting I totally get! DD's perfect rock would be large, purple, and sparkley. I usually get talked into the bag of rocks, no matter where. In the fall we collect leaves, which are really great when you find them crushed up in your back seat. In the winter, I sometimes find snowballs in the freezer. Because it doesn't snow much here, we apparently need to save it.

 

[mommyintn]

Only kind of rocks we brought home were free rocks. Disney's smart, but I'm just not that rich.

My boys both love those rocks!! But we always end up with the free gravel or whatever kind of interesting rock the boys pick up, this applies for most places we go. Playground...bring back gravel, parking lot...oh look more gravel!

We LOVED WCC when we went. It was crazy enough for the kids to enjoy and be able to get up and move around (stick horses) but we really enjoyed the food too. Great pics!

 

[mpp3843]

JUst a quick update... I'm working on processing our Epcot pics from day 3. I hope to have a new chapter for the TR tomorrow.

Darren

 

[mommyintn]

Any updates? Love the pictures!

 

[Nicole786]

I LOVE this TR!!! Its a coincidence that i've been saving up for the XSI and now i get to see it in action!! I read about your lens advice which is very helpful for a beginner like myself. So the kit lens wouldn't produce nice pictures just walking around?

 

[Nicole786]

Still out there?

 

[Lynn5700]

OMG hi! Your girls are sooo cute!!! God bless them!!!

Geat TR so far!! I love it. You take awesome pics!

 

[jmskinner]

I'm still here also waiting for an update. Hope all is ok!

Trying to talk my husband into getting me the XSI for Christmas. He's a little worried because I have destroyed two of his point and shoot cameras. I think in 13 years of marriage that isn't so bad. Love your pics!

 

[OhMari]

bump