Inching My Way Closer to the Castle Final thoughts/future trips 4/2p90 The End 4/4p92

[Ducky4Disney]

Dude, I'm going to have to start posting first because I feel like a giant photo copycat! And because I didn't have my big camera with me I couldn't get the depth of field I'm used to. You kept offering me your camera why did I keep saying no? Let's go back and do it over MEK, this time I'll say yes! :ROTFL

The urge to use old stock photos is overwhelming but I shall resist!

We are off to Sam's Club now (and DH has already rolled his eyes at me for checking this thread on my phone) so when we get home, and Thomas goes down for a nap, I'll fix up some pics and continue the never-ending stroll through MK!

D4D

 

[Ducky4Disney]

Oops, double post. Still working out the details of this phone.

 

[MEK]

I'm going to take a picture of the poster and post it for you!

You have plenty of time for the BLT pictures! Don't rush! We still have 9 days and that 9 days includes next weekend!

Oh that would be so cool - whenever you get a chance. No rush. I know you are probably busy right now getting ready to go.
Yeah for 9, I mean 8 days!!!!!! Are you totally psyched???? Doh! Dumb question.

I agree, your pictures are awesome!!!
The skway would let off right by Space Mountain and CoP. I used to love riding the skyway. Such good memories.

Disney Jill! Thanks for joining in. Wow - that's a long ride. Basically almost HM to Space Mountain. People must have LOVED that. I must have missed it during my high school trip because I spent most of that day in the infirmary. It was such a bummer cause I remember being amazed at how clean the park was. I remember thinking it was the cleanest public place I had every seen.

Oh Mary Ellen!! If I begged and pleaded would I be able to get a copy of that attic picture...you know I'm never going to take one in there because well I enter a euphoria of happy goodness when I ride HM but that is an AMAZING picture!! HOLY MOLY I know I keep saying it but your pictures are PHENOMENAL!!!! AMAZING!!!! WOWZERS!!!!!

Loving your trip with Jen!!!!

Of course you can have a copy. I think you should be able to take the link right from here, but if you need the link to that entire series of pictures I can pm it to you.

Now I'm not gonna lie, I told Jen I was going to take one flash picture during this trip and it was going to be that shot. I told her I really wanted to take it with my new camera and I had the timing down. I think I just got lucky, though! So, yeah, I used a flash but I couldn't control myself. I was good the rest of the trip!

Sorry double post!!! So I'm just going to tell you again how fantabulous I think your TR is!!!! I loved the flower pictures too!!!

Thanks so much Jen! I am so glad you are enjoying it!

Oh that bride picture in HM!!! That is hands down the best I have EVER seen!!!

Thanks Tracy. Well, if you read above you know that I did use a flash, but its my last flash ever. I am now reformed!

Love all of your artsy pictures....the fence, the berries/flowers, roof tiles.....you capture so much through your camera lens that I think a lot of us overlook

Thanks. I am so glad you like all the pictures. I really do enjoy trying to get a good shot. When I am taking pictures I actually start to look at my surroundings differently. I like that, because I was never a detail person. Some people notice so much just from taking a walk. I notice it later in pictures, so that's probably why I like it so much. It's always a little bit of a mystery to see what you've got.

I think I always head towards Tomorrowland....I guess I am looking towards the future

another vote for tomorrow land!

Do you print all of your pictures....or just choose the ones you really want I would have such a hard time picking

Nah. I just post them to my photobucket account. I decided just to upgrade and get the pro account because I take so many pictures. It's worth for me to put them there.

I also like to make those photobooks on shutterfly. Jen turned me on to those. I made one from our OBX trip and each family got one. I think they all enjoyed them.

I will go to Tom Sawyer Island with you I haven't been since I was a kid....my brothers used to hide in the caves and jump out and scare me. I remember that like it was yesterday!!

Tracy

Let's do it then! I was just reading someone else' s TR where they went to the Backlot tour. That's another place I have only been once, so I really should do these things and stop putting them off.

Hey Mary Ellen - I have to tell you - again - great shots!!

I was browsing through the Adventureland pics and the flower shots and DD9 leaned over and I told her that I was reading Mary Ellen's TR, and she takes great pictures. She burst out - "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh, they are beautiful" So you have yet another fan!

Keep them coming!

Oh, that's so sweet what your daughter said. I am so glad that both of you are enjoying the pictures. I have plenty more and I know that Jen had a lot of great ones, too.

Yay for more MK pics! just love all the "off the beaten path" ones.

Thanks. I love looking for things off the beaten path. When I first started going to WDW I would never have noticed half these things, but now I notice the strangest things or I will see something in someone else's TR and I have to know where it was taken.

More great detailed pictures. I've run out of adjectives to describe your pics.

No adjectives necessary - just keep coming back to read my TR. That's good enough for me!!!!! Thanks!

It's a special place...in it's own way and I bet you'd take some amazing pictures over there. I re-fell in love with it this past trip.

So you went over there? Cool - Did the boys enjoy it? I can't wait to see your pics cause I honestly forget what's over there. I just know I haven't been there since 2002.

Brian and Taylor should hang out. Or not.

Sigh. But yes, in a BIG BIG way. And honestly, my TSI moments, in a way, were related to that entire feeling.

Or not! That's funny. Yes - they have a few things to common! It's such a tough age for some kids. You know they have all kinds of potential but they are just too immature to see it. It's sad and frustrating because you can't do much to change it.

Yeah TS3 was way more emotional for me than I thought it would be. It made me want to go back and watch the original. It took me right back to the days my kids would sit there in the family room mesmerized by it. Brian has a stuffed animal named Rufus that he absolutely refuses to give away. Sort of like Woody.

One of these days... I will have one! Perhaps in May.

I have had one, but my timing is always bad. I'm never in that spot when I want a snack and I have to want it before I can buy it. I won't buy something just to say I had it.

More beautiful picture MaryEllen! I love every single one!

It sounds like a nice relaxing, albeit hot, stroll through Frontierland and Adventureland! I'm sure POTC was a nice, cool escape from the hot sun!

Thanks Melissa. I'm so glad you like them.

Yes - it was stink'in hot - summer hot! It probably was worse because it feels like we had too much heat this summer and every trip I've been on since May was hot. I just wanted a little break - like temps in the mid 80's instead of md 90's.

You really have a gift with the photos! You know, I don't think I have ever noticed the Huck and Tom loves Becky "graffiti." I will have to be more observant next time!

Looking forward to more when you have a chance!

Thanks Christine. I'm so glad everyone is enjoying the pictures. I have a great time taking them.

I can't believe you've never seen that graffiti. I think its near the side of the island where the Liberty Belle boat is docked. It goes well with the whole island concept. Definitely look for it next trip!

Another wonderful update, MEK!

thanks LL. So glad you are enjoying!

Dude, I'm going to have to start posting first because I feel like a giant photo copycat! And because I didn't have my big camera with me I couldn't get the depth of field I'm used to. You kept offering me your camera why did I keep saying no? Let's go back and do it over MEK, this time I'll say yes! :ROTFL

You are so not a copy cat. You are getting completely different pictures from me.

And...YES....I did offer you my camera because I KNEW you would take some fabulous pictures. I have a good eye, but you have the "know how" on operating the camera. You know a lot more than I do, so I am really looking forward to all your pics.

The urge to use old stock photos is overwhelming but I shall resist!

We are off to Sam's Club now (and DH has already rolled his eyes at me for checking this thread on my phone) so when we get home, and Thomas goes down for a nap, I'll fix up some pics and continue the never-ending stroll through MK!

D4D

If you sneak in a few "old" photos no one will be the wiser.

I hope Thomas gets real tired real fast! Is that wrong of me?

 

[Ducky4Disney]

Let's get through the rest of MK and move on over to BLT!

Mary Ellen's memory is spot-on; we went from Tomorrowland over to the Haunted Mansion then skipped BTMRR and Soaked Mountain and headed over to POTC. Taking pics along the way!

I love the elephant topiary, as you can see, I took lots of pics of it.

That last one would be great if it were my kid in the elephant.

Notice the camera surgically fixed to her hand.

I forgot to mention, we passed by the teacups but didn't ride.

Look at the bottom teapot on the right. Is that a shadow hidden Mickey? Now I'm seeing things!

I love architecture shots too.

The first time I rode this was at MNSSHP back in... 2003, I think; the part MEK mentioned, when you fly over London is my favorite as well. I turn into a kid on that ride, leaning over with eyes open wide, taking in every detail, not wanting to miss a thing.

My FAVORITE ride at MK!

I love that carriage. I could take pics of that all day long, from every angle.

This is one of the reasons why I feel like a photo-copycat!

Look familiar? Oh well!

It was a hot day!

This didn't turn out quite the way I saw it. I might have to do some editing to this and see if I can pull off what I saw in my minds-eye.

POTC

cont'd...

 

[Ducky4Disney]

Flowers, buildings, and other pretty things.

We left MK and went over to - BLT! I can't remember how we got there. I think we walked over, is that right? Walked! Can you imagine walking into the MK? From BLT that is a reality - too cool!

Checking in was fun. From some reason it never goes smoothly for me. It's always something: can't find the reservation, they find an old reservation, or something is missing. I'll take option #3 for $1000, Alex. That's right - DP is not on the ressie! David, the Bruin fan who checked us in, made a phone call and, after a few tense moments, it was fixed! Thanks David ! He then reminded us (well, me) to always call MS and make sure that DP is on the ressie about 72 hours before you check-in.

That is lesson #2 for this trip - call to confirm DP before you check-in.

Once we had that dealt with - we had lunch at the Contempo Cafe.

I will leave you with - FOOD PORN!

Do not attempt to adjust your monitor! This is the actual size of the Chicken Chop Salad!

MEK a sandwich... which 'wich is this?

And for dessert...

I had a Caramel Dos Leches cupcake and MEK had the Black Forest cupcake in the background. Let me explain to you how good this cupcake was. When I pushed my fork down through the soft, moist, cake and pulled it away, a delicious river of caramel flowed from the inside! I was giddy when I saw it!

The room is next!

D4D

 

[MEK]

Thank you Jen! I am so happy to wake up this morning and find your awesome pics! These are definitely my favorite. No depth of field! pffffft!

I am pretty sure we took the monorail over to blt, because like I said a million times, it was so stinkin' hot! Plus I have a couple pictures I took from the monorail.

I'm so glad you remember the names of the cupcakes because I would have just said something like - cupcakes.

So see there folks, Jen finally got us to BLT and tonight I will try really hard to get my BLT arrival post done.

Thanks Jen!

 

[dawnbu40]

Nice updates ladies!

We had those cupcakes last year and they were wonderful! YUM!

Looking forward to your BLT pics

 

[brookelizabeth]

Sorry to hear about the heat! Yuck! But, it sounds like a very fun photography adventure through the park!

How was the food at the Contempo Cafe? Are the prices higher, or do they seem about normal for a CS? That salad is HUGE!! YUM!

 

[MEK]

Nice updates ladies!

We had those cupcakes last year and they were wonderful! YUM!

Looking forward to your BLT pics

Those cupcakes were amazing. Seriously - talk about a top notched dessert option. They were a snack option, too!

BLT is REALLY coming up next post!

Sorry to hear about the heat! Yuck! But, it sounds like a very fun photography adventure through the park!

It was probably no hotter for me than when you were there, but it just felt brutal to me. At the time I tried not to focus on it because I knew it would make me feel worse, so in retrospect it probably seems worse than it really was.

How was the food at the Contempo Cafe? Are the prices higher, or do they seem about normal for a CS? That salad is HUGE!! YUM!

I thought our lunch was fabulous. My sandwich was awesome and the desserts speak for themselves. I would say prices were average. I would have eaten there everyday if it had worked into the touring plans.

I also like the location - being smack in the middle of things in the contemporary. It was cool!

 

[Native NYer]

Absolutely beautiful photos!

 

[Ducky4Disney]

Thank you Jen! I am so happy to wake up this morning and find your awesome pics! These are definitely my favorite. No depth of field! pffffft!

I am pretty sure we took the monorail over to blt, because like I said a million times, it was so stinkin' hot! Plus I have a couple pictures I took from the monorail.

I'm so glad you remember the names of the cupcakes because I would have just said something like - cupcakes.

So see there folks, Jen finally got us to BLT and tonight I will try really hard to get my BLT arrival post done.

Thanks Jen!

I'm serious, those shots do not have the depth of field I wanted. Fortunately, I can cheat and photoshop some in there. Maybe I'll do that later tonight.

if you have monorail pics then that must be how we got over to BLT. Which makes sense because we had to traverse a bunch of escalators to get to the lobby.

I would love to let you assume that I have a fabulous memory for details but I looked up the menus on Allears to get the food names.


I can't wait to talk about the room and the Torture Chamber!
D4D

 

[KatMark]

Great pics, Jen. That salad is HUGE. I should never have looked at the cupcakes because I've not yet had breakfast and now I'm going to run upstairs to the cafeteria and get some big, fattening danish or something.

You gals are doing a great job.

 

[eandesmom]

So you went over there? Cool - Did the boys enjoy it? I can't wait to see your pics cause I honestly forget what's over there. I just know I haven't been there since 2002.

It was funny. We all wanted to go there but I expected them to be a little dissapointed for some reason, or bored. Not to mention hot. It's "old school" play, you know? NO cool rides or shows....just the imagination and being boys (or girls). They'd loved it in 2004 but didn't remember a thing about it.

We were there a lot lot longer than I'd expected. In a way, probably, the perfect respite from over stimulation elsewhere but at the end of the day the verdict was....Eric's new favorite place in all of WDW. Not favorite ride, but place. They definitely found the magic there, especially Eric. the coolest part for me is it got both of them wanting to read the book (and Swiss Family Robinson) and that was exciting as well. They are avid readers but choosing classics on their own is sporadic at best and definitely works better if they are driving that choice.

And I found my favorite bathroom.

Or not! That's funny. Yes - they have a few things to common! It's such a tough age for some kids. You know they have all kinds of potential but they are just too immature to see it. It's sad and frustrating because you can't do much to change it.

Yeah TS3 was way more emotional for me than I thought it would be. It made me want to go back and watch the original. It took me right back to the days my kids would sit there in the family room mesmerized by it. Brian has a stuffed animal named Rufus that he absolutely refuses to give away. Sort of like Woody.

Yeah, we are in the midst of Kaplan/ACT nightmare land...and an 18th birthday in 10 days immature is it in a nutshell. Alternatively surprising and then making you want to tear your hair out. What gets us through is he is a good kid and it could be a lot worse. He isn't buying into why he needs to do the Kaplan or even take the ACT and we are quite worried about college for next year...he's seemed to adopt an "eventually" attitude that we are not happy about. But, as you well know, at this age, it can change overnight. We will see.

I cried at TS3.

I have had one, but my timing is always bad. I'm never in that spot when I want a snack and I have to want it before I can buy it. I won't buy something just to say I had it.

I tried, and tried to get my family over there but as a snack, the concept just didn't appeal to anyone. Either that or Auntie Gravity put something in the smoothies...no one wanted to branch out after that. I'll admit, conceptually it isn't something I'd probably choose but I do want to try it, at least once!

Flowers, buildings, and other pretty things.
Once we had that dealt with - we had lunch at the Contempo Cafe.

I will leave you with - FOOD PORN!

Do not attempt to adjust your monitor! This is the actual size of the Chicken Chop Salad!

MEK a sandwich... which 'wich is this?

And for dessert...

I had a Caramel Dos Leches cupcake and MEK had the Black Forest cupcake in the background. Let me explain to you how good this cupcake was. When I pushed my fork down through the soft, moist, cake and pulled it away, a delicious river of caramel flowed from the inside! I was giddy when I saw it!

The room is next!

D4D

Pretty Pretty things! Between the two of you, amazing shots! Though Mary Ellen does have a high sherpa rating in that picture between the backpack and the camera bag...that looks like a lot to carry around in the heat!

I've heard nothing but good things about Contempo. I can't imagine how you'd eat that salad without it spilling though!

 

[PrincessAlways]

Just found this TR!!! Can't wait to go back & read! I love to read TRs of "girls' trips"!!! I leave on one in 13 days....not that I'm counting!!!
Jen....PA? Where? I'm in Berks County. The ladies I'm traveling with are all from PA too!! We met here on the DIS!!! This will be our 2nd trip together!!

 

[manntra]

Pretty Pretty things! Between the two of you, amazing shots! Though Mary Ellen does have a high sherpa rating in that picture between the backpack and the camera bag...that looks like a lot to carry around in the heat!

A high Sherpa rating!!!!

Last night I was putting some things out for my trip....little things like laundry detergent, contacts (I wear daily disposable and am always paranoid I am going to forget them ) toothbrush, etc and I remembered a small bag I had in May (I don't always bring a Vera ) that I liked...it is made by Sherpani!!!! I laughed right out loud last night!!

Tracy

 

[Ducky4Disney]

Great pics, Jen. That salad is HUGE. I should never have looked at the cupcakes because I've not yet had breakfast and now I'm going to run upstairs to the cafeteria and get some big, fattening danish or something.

You gals are doing a great job.

Well in that case, I'm sorry and you're welcome!

 

[Ducky4Disney]

What is up with me and the double posts? No more phone posting!

D4D

 

[Nermel9]

Great pictures! Those cupcakes look soooo good! And now, I will definitely call and confirm the DDP before I arrive! I never bothered before but now it sounds like a good idea!

 

[MEK]

Absolutely beautiful photos!

We both thank you and I see that you have a trip coming up soon! Awesome!

I'm serious, those shots do not have the depth of field I wanted. Fortunately, I can cheat and photoshop some in there. Maybe I'll do that later tonight.


D4D

Well, you would know, but they look pretty darn good to me. Cool that you can photoshop that in. Interesting feature!

if you have monorail pics then that must be how we got over to BLT. Which makes sense because we had to traverse a bunch of escalators to get to the lobby.

We did indeed because check-in was on the first floor and we kept going down, down, down.

I

I would love to let you assume that I have a fabulous memory for details but I looked up the menus on Allears to get the food names.

I do the same thing. Allears is my best friend when it comes to reporting on food.

I can't wait to talk about the room and the Torture Chamber!

Shhhhhhhhhh! I was going for the element of surprise!

Great pics, Jen. That salad is HUGE. I should never have looked at the cupcakes because I've not yet had breakfast and now I'm going to run upstairs to the cafeteria and get some big, fattening danish or something.

Those cupcakes were simply amazing, but Jen did pick the right one because I think mine had cherries in it. Heck, I foget!

You gals are doing a great job.

Thanks. We aren't posting at your lightening speed, but we keeping the pace.

It was funny. We all wanted to go there but I expected them to be a little dissapointed for some reason, or bored. Not to mention hot. It's "old school" play, you know? NO cool rides or shows....just the imagination and being boys (or girls). They'd loved it in 2004 but didn't remember a thing about it.

We were there a lot lot longer than I'd expected. In a way, probably, the perfect respite from over stimulation elsewhere but at the end of the day the verdict was....Eric's new favorite place in all of WDW. Not favorite ride, but place. They definitely found the magic there, especially Eric. the coolest part for me is it got both of them wanting to read the book (and Swiss Family Robinson) and that was exciting as well. They are avid readers but choosing classics on their own is sporadic at best and definitely works better if they are driving that choice.

And I found my favorite bathroom.

OMG - that sounds sooooooo cool. Then I definitely must go over there in May. No more excuses. I am going!

What's this about the perfect bathroom? Is there such a thing? Do tell!

I


Yeah, we are in the midst of Kaplan/ACT nightmare land...and an 18th birthday in 10 days immature is it in a nutshell. Alternatively surprising and then making you want to tear your hair out. What gets us through is he is a good kid and it could be a lot worse. He isn't buying into why he needs to do the Kaplan or even take the ACT and we are quite worried about college for next year...he's seemed to adopt an "eventually" attitude that we are not happy about. But, as you well know, at this age, it can change overnight. We will see.

Well, at least he is taking a review course. Brian did no preparation for the SAT. He took it for the second time this past Saturday and stayed out until 1:15am Sat morning. To say I was fit to be tied is an understatement. I almost kicked him out of the house. I was so close to just telling him to leave and not return until the end of the weekend.

We have totally lost all control of him and its a constant struggle. Every once in a while there is a glimmer of hope and then....poof....gone! I was supposed to take him on a college visit Friday morning. He got up and said he wasn't going. So, fine. I am done. He can muddle his way through the applications and he can come to me. We have decided that for our sanity he has to leave the house when he's 18. He's that bad. He is completely selfish, completely unprepared for most thing, and he exhibits no personal responsibility. It is very, very difficult.

If Brian was my only child I would be certain that I was the world's worse parent. But fortunately Nick is my link to sanity. He does the things you expect a normally maturing teenager to do. He takes responsibility for his own actions, is appreciative of things, and is adequately prepared (most of the time).

It's night and day.

I



I cried at TS3.

Me too. Big time!

I tried, and tried to get my family over there but as a snack, the concept just didn't appeal to anyone. Either that or Auntie Gravity put something in the smoothies...no one wanted to branch out after that. I'll admit, conceptually it isn't something I'd probably choose but I do want to try it, at least once!

Auntie Gravity does make awesome smoothies. It is seriously my favorite place to get them. I had a cappuccino one that was super yummy.

Pretty Pretty things! Between the two of you, amazing shots! Though Mary Ellen does have a high sherpa rating in that picture between the backpack and the camera bag...that looks like a lot to carry around in the heat!

I was actually thinking the same thing when I saw that picture. I was like "hmmmmm....I do like like a sherpa" - probably why I had that snarky look. I only brought the backpack because we were having the luggage transferred and I wanted my regular pocket book, my jewelry, and my bathing suit. I packed better on the last day so THAT didn't happen again.

I've heard nothing but good things about Contempo. I can't imagine how you'd eat that salad without it spilling though!

It was a totally yummy lunch and totally worth the praise. I had very good CS experiences this trip!

Jen could not finish that salad, so it went back to the room.

More replies coming after short break!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

You two were well matched on this trip with your artsy photos. It's always good to go with someone who "gets it." I recall a recent trip where I heard, "you're taking a picture of a lamp??"

That chicken chop salad looks pretty yummy. I have never tried Contempo but have heard good things about it.

Can't wait to see pics of the room!

Tracy - you are putting me to shame. You've started packing/piling already? My flight is 7am Thurs and I have not started one iota.