What a great trip you had!
And such amazing photos. Do you frame any or do you scrapbook?
It was a lovely trip. I just started digital scrapbooking, so I will definitely do that with these pics. I also need to do one from my OBX trip. That should probably be the priority since there were parents with kids involved in that trip.
I tend to get in a last day funk too. It's just no fun leaving the magic. BUT you are going back so soon!!
Knowing that I had a trip planned in a few months really did help with the last day funk. I think I might also have been craving some alone time at the world, something I haven't had in while.
I think the margarita at the DTD shack is the best. LOVE it. La Cava del Tequila also makes great ritas- I like the jalapeno one believe it or not. And the crab tostadas there are divine!! At the Contemporary there's a martini with a splash of champagne and chambord that is yummy. I have not yet tried it but the Lapu Lapu at the Poly is supposed to be delish (& strong) - it comes in a pineapple!
I KNEW that you would help me out with finding the best drinks. I can't wait to try the DTD ritas. That may be the first drink I have on arrival since we are going to DTD that evening (I think).
I'm not sure if I want to drink out of a pineapple, so I might skip that one in favor of the backscratcher (recommended by Dawnbu), but that martini sounds really yummy - adding it to the list!
YES, you should be able to ride EE when it's DARK. I'm 99% sure of this! I believe the first time I ever did was September 2009 and it was dark enough where I couldn't see the track.
I so wish our times lined up so we could ride together.
That's what I want to hear - only problem is we have Y&Y at 730pm, but I figure if we are on the ride at 730pm we can be 10 mins or so late for our ADR.
I wish our dates overlapped, too. I figure if I get an AP this trip I might have to go back a little earlier NEXT september!
Just sayin'
vibes
My favorite snack - that is a tough choice (aside from Corn Dog Nuggets!), I think it might have to be the Sweet Pretzel from Norway. It's sweet, but not overly so. I've only had it twice, but both times was soooooo yummy! I see the gelato from Italy has made your list already, it is very tasty! Henry and I devoured one!
Sweet Pretzel from Norway going on the list! Yes - the corn dog nuggets and gelato are already there. I know you
those corn dog nuggets and I am determined to try them this trip!
My favorite off the beaten track thing to do - you already know it - the Discovery Island trails at AK!
We are also huge fans of resort hopping and just exploring the various lobbies, pool areas, playgrounds
, and getting a feel for the theme. I think the BW area can be a lot of fun when the entertainment is out as well, stop and watch one - soak it in...or the entertainers at DTD too. Oh - watch Wishes from a hammock on the Poly beach. Let me tell you, it's NICE!!!!
I love the Discovery Island trails!!!!!!! I had such a blast there last September and it would be fun to go back with my camera this year. I also want to get over to the trail with the bats - the "M" trail. I'm trying to decide if I want to go to Rafiki's planet. I have only been there once. I actually think there is a ton to do at AK, if you do everything, so its hard to pick and choose.
Now onto your WL updates:
You SO COULD be a Photopass Photographer! Some of the ones Disney has - as you have experienced - aren't good at all! I can't believe how many tilted horizons, out of focus or "hot" (too much flash) pictures I've gotten. I really think they just assign people who might have a sort of interest in photography and then run them through a course to give them some skills. But, then there are some that really know what they are doing and have a BLAST with you doing it! That would be YOU! I'll hunt you down in the parks for a picture should you ever become one.
I prefer scenery to people, but I would have no problem adapting to being a PP photographer. You're right - some of them are very knowledgeable. One of them recommended a certain lens for me. Of course, I don't have the $ for it right now. but someday......
I just love, love, love your WL pictures. It made me grin ear to ear! I love that resort, so peaceful and beautiful. Wonderful lodge pictures from the outside too - the architecture of it is simply amazing.
Sorry to hear about the "last day funk" - I've had that myself.
Wonderful TR, as always! I'm looking forward to the rest taking us to your September trip!
I agree that the architecture is simply amazing. I think its the most interesting resort, architecturally speaking. I'm so glad you enjoyed all the pics.
The last day funk was a bit of a bummer, but nothing major.
Can't wait until both of our September trips!
So cool that you got a Photopass photograher to take some pictures of you folks around the resort. Your friends must have been quite surprised!
Ranger Joe really did hook us up! And my friends are not really that into Disney so it may have been lost of them. Still a great experience.
How strange that the photographer did a crappy job with your camera. Usually if I ever try to explain to them how to focus it, they're like, "um yeah, I know."
Yeah - I don't know what was up with that??????
It's certainly not hard to focus a camera. Oh well.
So sorry you had the blues that afternoon. I could really feel it coming through your writing and pictures. 
I'm looking forward to hearing more about your September plans!
I hope it didn't sound like too much of a pity party. I think it was a bunch of things rolled into one and I couldn't get out of that cloud for a few hours!
More September plans coming!
Awesome pictures! Bummer about your funk, been there, done that.
Its reassuring to know that we all have been in a post trip funk from time to time!
Glad you enjoyed the pictures!
Thanks so much for sharing all your amazing pictures with us. Great Trip Report!
So glad you enjoyed the TR and the pictures. Stick around until the end because I hope to post some more pics of my other summer trips!
I always get into a funk on the way home. I always bring a good book to sink into on the plane so i don't get weepy, it's my happy place, what can i say.....
I hear ya' - Its my happy place, too and leaving is never fun! I mean, sometimes you are tired and you have to get back to real life, but losing the magic stings a bit!
It is hard to leave but we will always be back so I guess we have to look at it that way 
The sunset pictures from the plane are beautiful! 
