Island Hopping: A Highly Inappropriate TR. (Boom.)-- Link to NEW TR! 10/8

[GrimGrinningStitch]

What is it with Hollywood Studios ALWAYS being busy? It's so weird!

Yay for breakfast! I'm a firm believer that breakfast buffets are the best possible of all buffet options.

I didn't know they did a Disney Jr character meal! That's pretty awesome! I love how involved Sawyer is with all the characters.

Seems like overall this is a much better experience than the previous night!

P.S. We're getting really excited for September! We got clearance from work for time off between Sep 12th-22nd!

 

[Aurora1972]

I have never read a bad review of that breakfast! They do a really great job there. Mine are too old for that kind of breakfast now : (. I do miss watching all the shows for younger kids.....

 

[ronnmel]

What a great breakfast! One I see in my future, as we've already started watching Disney Junior shows such as Little Einstein and Special Agent Oso.

 

[danimaroo]

Well THAT looks like a fun breakfast! I love getting into the parks before they open, though I've only done that at Magic Kingdom. This breakfast looks perfect for you kids and HOORAY for finally getting a table made for a family of 5! Hahaha.

I can't wait to see what the morning holds for you guys in good ol' Hollywood Studios.

And yes, what Matt said above. It's not officially booked but we are definitely in the process of getting stuff figured out for a September trip. It's killing me to not have a ticker in my signature but I want to wait until we have something booked.

 

[katt789]

Oh my goodness, thirty minutes of waiting to get in in the ADR line?! That’s crazy! All of your photos are awesome!! I really do wish they’d have another option for character breakfasts in DHS, something that would appeal to people I go with (ie: no kids in our party, haha

Yay for a big table and lots of space, and coffee right away!! All good things first thing in the morning!! I like the sound of the cheese grits, and the ham, this menu’s looking pretty good! This sounds like a great breakfast!! The food, characters, dance parties, everything sounds like it was awesome, glad you guys enjoyed it all!!

 

[nannye]

See, after reading that you had such a similar experience, I really do think I should write, even though it's been a while. Obviously this is not a one-time problem. So frustrating!
As for the camera, I'll try to answer as best I can!
Yes, he takes the photos. He uses a Canon 5d Classic (which is a full frame camera). He only uses manual mode and shoots only in RAW format. The software is Lightroom (mostly) and some PhotoShop on a couple of the obviously touched up ones (like stitching big panoramics, etc).
Our video camera is a Canon Vixia HFM52. We were not even using the highest resolution this trip, as we didn't know if we could convert it to edit it. Turns out we can, so next trip will be even more HD! I took well over half the video on the trip, and if I can use the camera, so can you! It is a tiny camera, but has great features and looks great on screen. Brandon could easily fit it in one of his big man pockets, and it fit in my purse. I also clipped it to the stroller quite often. It has a wonderful microphone on it, as well, which many cameras do not. And it does pretty well in dark places. I can't say enough good things about it!
We had a different DSLR and took some video with it before, but they aren't as user-friendly as actual video cameras and I don't think the sound quality is anywhere as good. Plus, it sucks battery life from the camera. When Brandon wanted to switch to a full-frame camera, he chose one without video capability because he knew we wouldn't be using that anymore.

THANK YOU!!!!! I think you have sold me on my Video camera issues. I think that is one of the video cameras I've been looking at (or maybe it was a JVC hmmm) It's hard being just me and V and I worry getting the video camera will be a waste because I cant video and take pics at the same time! I'm HOPING that i will be able to hand the video camera off to a CM so I can get a couple shots here and there,the video always gets cut off in our character interaction to take some pics. We get photopass too, but.... ya know.
I have a Nikon D90 and am struggling to learn manual. The info just isn't sinking in. Apparently I have a thick skull. (I've done a photography course too)
one last question, does he use autofocus in manual mode or does he use manual focus?

EDITED: To add WHOA I looked up the camcorder and it is lovely!!!!! A bit out of my pricerange but so lovely. but still I think I am sold on the camcorder. I just need to find one with good sound and picture. lol


Thanks
Erin

 

[nannye]

Hmm apparent;y you've sold me on Hollywood and Vine. I was thinking of cutting it this trip in favor of sci fi or in favor of nothing since we are over in ADRS but who knows. We did lunch and I didn't care too much for it, breakfast sounds better! I am so hoping to see Doc there by August. OSO or Manny is ready to be retired! lol

 

[shan23877]

Yay! Yay! Yay! I'm so glad that you loved your H&V breakfast! That seriously makes me so happy!

I'm so sorry about Julia's HM book. Poor kid must have been so upset. I was thinking about borrowing your idea and making one for Maddie, but the possible destruction of it gives me pause.

Can't wait to hear about your DHS morning!

 

[merbobear]

You are so right about that picture! Julia has to make cards for her class next week, so we may use that picture! Thanks for the idea!
Do you think they'll listen even though it was months ago? I was so upset that this is the first time I've written it down. It makes me shake just thinking about it now. I don't have names or anything because I was crying and not thinking about addressing it later.

You're welcome! You'll have to post a picture of her valentines when she makes them! I do think they will care to hear your story even months later. After all, your kids are all young and you have lots of family vacations ahead of you, they want those vacations to be at WDW So they will listen. I think even just getting an apology will make you feel a lot better. I work in retail and you would be surprised how much a simple "I'm sorry" will help a situation. I have seen people fuming and flipping out before, and when they have someone just listen and apologize, it instantly starts to calm them down. At my particular job they call it "lead" - Listen Empathize Apologize Deliver. Listen to the problem, Empathize with them, Apologize sincerely, Deliver a solution. Lol not that you asked, but my point is that my employer is very customer service driven (and having worked in various retail establishments, I can say from experience that this is a rarity!) and Disney is too, so I would imagine that they will at least give you an apology email or phone call.

 

[merbobear]

So first of all, I love this picture!

I take a lot of pictures like this, because I always want to capture the little details that you might otherwise overlook or forget about.

Second, AHHH why did you do that? That thing where you made the Play & Dine breakfast look so good? Now I am dying to eat there and plotting out what meal would be best to pay OOP for so I can add this ADR (we are maxed out of dining credits already, but we could always pay oop for whatever will be the least expensive meal and shuffle our ddp credits around).

But before I book, I need to know (and I am assuming it will be in your next update), did you run to TSMM right after breakfast? And did you make it for a decent standby line or get FP? How long was the wait or what was your FP return time? In other words, is doing a first-thing breakfast at DHS going to impede in our ability to ride TSMM? In your experience of course...I mean it's not like the entire outcome of our day rests on your answer or anything hehe.

Oh and also, someone was asking about shooting in manual in the parks. I just want to throw my 2 cents in - I personally find that learning manual has been slow going for me too, but I do think it's because I rely heavily on auto and the other "pre set" modes on my camera. I should work on that, but I always get nervous that I'm going to shoot an entire event or day in manual and get terrible pictures...but then my pics on auto aren't amazing, so I don't know what I think I'm saving myself from lol! But anyway, I have learned a teensy bit of shooting in manual mode, and what I have found is that for the most part, you can set your camera and take a test shot in a particular situation and it usually works for several shots. So if I am outside and it's super sunny, I'll fiddle with my settings until I get a decent test shot, and then just leave those settings as long as I am outside. Then if I go inside, I'll do the same. My camera does actually have a way to save the settings too and you can make your own pre-set "modes" in manual...Now that I'm thinking about it, I should figure out how to do that! lol But I have a Canon xsi, which at this point is a fairly outdated body style, so I would have to guess that anything new beyond that model would also have that option. So, assuming your camera has that capability, you could do a "sunny outdoors" setting, a "low light inside" setting and whatever others you want and then you already have your settings down before you start shooting. And then you just have to take a test shot and make any tiny adjustments necessary. Sorry that was so long winded, but hope that helps you out, one still-learning-amateur to another!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Yay for a fun breakfast at H&V! That looks like a great one for the little ones!

 

[Kbendig]

I am sooooo behind!

I had a bad castle experience 15 years ago and I refuse to go back even now. The thing is, they changed the thing that gave me trouble but it still bothers me! I'm sorry everything got wet, I can't believe they blew you off like that.


We LOVED H&V breakfast! We went there for lunch and it was ok but not great. Our last trip we decided to try breakfast and it was great. We ended up staying for a long time because my son kept asking for more food, I think he had 4 plates (though he had been sick and not eaten for days...but I don't think he would eat 4 plates of bad food). Sawyer looking up at the characters is absolutely adorable!!

 

[Disney9.9.10]

It looks like your morning was much better than your previous night! Lovely photos, as always! It seems like the breakfast at H&V is better than the dinner - when we went, it wasn't super clean and not all of the food was good or hot. Poor Julia! She must have been so upset that her book got ruined, I hope that you were able to get her another one.

 

[LifeIsDis]

THIRTY MINUTES TO GET INTO MGM (yes, I still call it that)?!

An empty Hollywood Blvd. is A LOT better than a busy one.

I would have LOVED this breakfast when I was a kid. I watched Disney Junior (well Playhouse Disney then) ALL THE TIME. I used to drag my mom to see Playhouse Disney Live on Stage 24/7, but there were characters like Bear in the Big Blue House, etc. then. It’s awesome they have this meal for families!

Sounds like you guys had a great start to the day!

 

[amberg93]

I just found this trip report the other day and have been reading through all of it. I think it's one of my favorites just because there is such a great balance of pictures and honest commentary as to all experiences good and bad.

I'm glad that your meal at Hollywood and Vine actually worked out to be good, I was beginning to worry that your experiences this trip would just all turn out shaky.

 

[gabzee]

Hi there! I just stumbled upon your TR the other day and I am absolutely loving it! All of the pictures are great!

You vacation video is adorable and definitely one of my favorites that I have seen. Your kids are the cutest things ever!

I can't believe how "unmagical" the CM were during the CRT experience. I'm sorry! I'm definitely glad to here that the magic began to return the following morning at H&V.

Looking forward to reading about the rest of your trip!

 

[HappyGal]

And Julia was busy being sad because her Hidden Mickey book, the one I'd spent HOURS AND HOURS compiling for her, was ruined the night before because it was in the basket of the stroller and all the ink ran when it got wet.

Oh dear, I know how much work you must have put into that book! We have the official hidden Mickey book but it doesn't interest the kids because there aren't actual pictures of the Mickey's. I started making a list with pic for my girls but eventually gave up. Would you happen to have a file copy of yours that I might use for our spring break trip? Or could you tell me what website you used?

That breakfast looked like a good time and as always, Brandon's pics are so cool! I've been to HS once and was underwhelmed but we're gonna give another chance in April. Looking forward seeing how ya'll make the most of your day...

 

[nfggirl5454]

It's so nice to read a good review of H&V - all the ones I've seen pretty much agree that it isn't a very good meal. I don't think I've seen one for breakfast before though. When I go to WDW, I'm with my sister and her two year old (as of tomorrow!) son, so I think we'll have to try this one out next time.

That stinks about the Hidden Mickey book after you put so much work into it! I hope Julia was ok with the official book.

Such cute pictures - your kids are so adorable!

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Love the empty Hollywood Studios pictures! How odd though at a 30 minute turnstile line. Are there other restaurants in the park with a breakfast pre-opening? I thought that was the only one. How odd but better for you guys!

The breakfast looks amazing. That's one meal we will be skipping for a long while lol. I like other character meals but I think Disney junior with no kids is pushing it. Although I do enjoy watching Jake and Sofia the first with the baby I babysit hahaha

Sounds like it was right up Sawyer's alley though! I'll experience it vicariously through him hahahaha. Another amazing update!

To my knowledge, there are no others. I think the problem is that the line absolutely wasn't moving at first--maybe they had it closed?--and then when it did move they were taking their sweet time looking up each family's name and swiping their cards. It took forever.
Yeah, this might be a bit much without kids, LOL! BUT there are plenty of people who do it, if that's your thing!

What is it with Hollywood Studios ALWAYS being busy? It's so weird!

Yay for breakfast! I'm a firm believer that breakfast buffets are the best possible of all buffet options.

I didn't know they did a Disney Jr character meal! That's pretty awesome! I love how involved Sawyer is with all the characters.

Seems like overall this is a much better experience than the previous night!

P.S. We're getting really excited for September! We got clearance from work for time off between Sep 12th-22nd!

We aren't even really breakfast people, but we have come to that same conclusion! While we don't eat much of it at home, the buffets at WDW are pretty great, and by the time you travel to the park you've been up a while and are ready for it.
SO MUCH BETTER than the night before!!

I have never read a bad review of that breakfast! They do a really great job there. Mine are too old for that kind of breakfast now : (. I do miss watching all the shows for younger kids.....

That's why I'm trying to fit it in now. I know that Julia's already outgrowing some things, so it will only be a matter of time until we're at that point.

What a great breakfast! One I see in my future, as we've already started watching Disney Junior shows such as Little Einstein and Special Agent Oso.

You will enjoy it! It's so fun to watch the kids there.

Well THAT looks like a fun breakfast! I love getting into the parks before they open, though I've only done that at Magic Kingdom. This breakfast looks perfect for you kids and HOORAY for finally getting a table made for a family of 5! Hahaha.

I can't wait to see what the morning holds for you guys in good ol' Hollywood Studios.

And yes, what Matt said above. It's not officially booked but we are definitely in the process of getting stuff figured out for a September trip. It's killing me to not have a ticker in my signature but I want to wait until we have something booked.

They won my heart when they gave us that appropriate table! This was our first non-MK before-park-opening restaurant, and it was just as great to enter that park as MK!
<----ME. Cause I'm SO DANG EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh my goodness, thirty minutes of waiting to get in in the ADR line?! That’s crazy! All of your photos are awesome!! I really do wish they’d have another option for character breakfasts in DHS, something that would appeal to people I go with (ie: no kids in our party, haha

Yay for a big table and lots of space, and coffee right away!! All good things first thing in the morning!! I like the sound of the cheese grits, and the ham, this menu’s looking pretty good! This sounds like a great breakfast!! The food, characters, dance parties, everything sounds like it was awesome, glad you guys enjoyed it all!!

Yes, those are all the important things!! Glad someone got them all right at the same time and place! This was the point in our trip that things really started looking up!

THANK YOU!!!!! I think you have sold me on my Video camera issues. I think that is one of the video cameras I've been looking at (or maybe it was a JVC hmmm) It's hard being just me and V and I worry getting the video camera will be a waste because I cant video and take pics at the same time! I'm HOPING that i will be able to hand the video camera off to a CM so I can get a couple shots here and there,the video always gets cut off in our character interaction to take some pics. We get photopass too, but.... ya know.
I have a Nikon D90 and am struggling to learn manual. The info just isn't sinking in. Apparently I have a thick skull. (I've done a photography course too)
one last question, does he use autofocus in manual mode or does he use manual focus?

EDITED: To add WHOA I looked up the camcorder and it is lovely!!!!! A bit out of my pricerange but so lovely. but still I think I am sold on the camcorder. I just need to find one with good sound and picture. lol


Thanks
Erin

Autofocus. There's enough fiddling with things just adjusting the manual focus!! Plus, things move so fast that you don't really want to waste much time. Autofocus doesn't detract from the quality of the shot. Focus on the focus, so to speak.
Also, don't trust the online price!! We got ours at BrandSmart for about $300 LESS than the listed price. Just look around!

Hmm apparent;y you've sold me on Hollywood and Vine. I was thinking of cutting it this trip in favor of sci fi or in favor of nothing since we are over in ADRS but who knows. We did lunch and I didn't care too much for it, breakfast sounds better! I am so hoping to see Doc there by August. OSO or Manny is ready to be retired! lol

We had lunch there on our first visit. I was less than impressed, so I was sort of worried going into this breakfast experience. It could not have been more different of an experience! I was so happy.
We are hoping for different characters next time, too. We'd LOVE Doc!

Yay! Yay! Yay! I'm so glad that you loved your H&V breakfast! That seriously makes me so happy!

I'm so sorry about Julia's HM book. Poor kid must have been so upset. I was thinking about borrowing your idea and making one for Maddie, but the possible destruction of it gives me pause.

Can't wait to hear about your DHS morning!

Buy the official one. Trust me. She was so upset, and all that work was for nothing!

You're welcome! You'll have to post a picture of her valentines when she makes them! I do think they will care to hear your story even months later. After all, your kids are all young and you have lots of family vacations ahead of you, they want those vacations to be at WDW So they will listen. I think even just getting an apology will make you feel a lot better. I work in retail and you would be surprised how much a simple "I'm sorry" will help a situation. I have seen people fuming and flipping out before, and when they have someone just listen and apologize, it instantly starts to calm them down. At my particular job they call it "lead" - Listen Empathize Apologize Deliver. Listen to the problem, Empathize with them, Apologize sincerely, Deliver a solution. Lol not that you asked, but my point is that my employer is very customer service driven (and having worked in various retail establishments, I can say from experience that this is a rarity!) and Disney is too, so I would imagine that they will at least give you an apology email or phone call.

You are absolutely right. I'm sure they will at least apologize and hopefully will make some changes. I love the idea of a "lead!"

So first of all, I love this picture!

I take a lot of pictures like this, because I always want to capture the little details that you might otherwise overlook or forget about.

Second, AHHH why did you do that? That thing where you made the Play & Dine breakfast look so good? Now I am dying to eat there and plotting out what meal would be best to pay OOP for so I can add this ADR (we are maxed out of dining credits already, but we could always pay oop for whatever will be the least expensive meal and shuffle our ddp credits around).

But before I book, I need to know (and I am assuming it will be in your next update), did you run to TSMM right after breakfast? And did you make it for a decent standby line or get FP? How long was the wait or what was your FP return time? In other words, is doing a first-thing breakfast at DHS going to impede in our ability to ride TSMM? In your experience of course...I mean it's not like the entire outcome of our day rests on your answer or anything hehe.

Oh and also, someone was asking about shooting in manual in the parks. I just want to throw my 2 cents in - I personally find that learning manual has been slow going for me too, but I do think it's because I rely heavily on auto and the other "pre set" modes on my camera. I should work on that, but I always get nervous that I'm going to shoot an entire event or day in manual and get terrible pictures...but then my pics on auto aren't amazing, so I don't know what I think I'm saving myself from lol! But anyway, I have learned a teensy bit of shooting in manual mode, and what I have found is that for the most part, you can set your camera and take a test shot in a particular situation and it usually works for several shots. So if I am outside and it's super sunny, I'll fiddle with my settings until I get a decent test shot, and then just leave those settings as long as I am outside. Then if I go inside, I'll do the same. My camera does actually have a way to save the settings too and you can make your own pre-set "modes" in manual...Now that I'm thinking about it, I should figure out how to do that! lol But I have a Canon xsi, which at this point is a fairly outdated body style, so I would have to guess that anything new beyond that model would also have that option. So, assuming your camera has that capability, you could do a "sunny outdoors" setting, a "low light inside" setting and whatever others you want and then you already have your settings down before you start shooting. And then you just have to take a test shot and make any tiny adjustments necessary. Sorry that was so long winded, but hope that helps you out, one still-learning-amateur to another!

I will definitely be talking about TSMM in the next update, but you'll have to keep in mind that since the line to get into the restaurant was so long, we were out well after 9!
You are absolutely right about setting it and forgetting it for a few shots. If you're in the same area with the same lighting, there's no need to change it!

Yay for a fun breakfast at H&V! That looks like a great one for the little ones!

It was wonderful and lots of fun!

I am sooooo behind!

I had a bad castle experience 15 years ago and I refuse to go back even now. The thing is, they changed the thing that gave me trouble but it still bothers me! I'm sorry everything got wet, I can't believe they blew you off like that.


We LOVED H&V breakfast! We went there for lunch and it was ok but not great. Our last trip we decided to try breakfast and it was great. We ended up staying for a long time because my son kept asking for more food, I think he had 4 plates (though he had been sick and not eaten for days...but I don't think he would eat 4 plates of bad food). Sawyer looking up at the characters is absolutely adorable!!

We had the same experience with lunch, but the breakfast is so much better, right?!

It looks like your morning was much better than your previous night! Lovely photos, as always! It seems like the breakfast at H&V is better than the dinner - when we went, it wasn't super clean and not all of the food was good or hot. Poor Julia! She must have been so upset that her book got ruined, I hope that you were able to get her another one.

I agree that breakfast is definitely their strong point!
She was very upset, but I remedied it the best I could very soon.

THIRTY MINUTES TO GET INTO MGM (yes, I still call it that)?!

An empty Hollywood Blvd. is A LOT better than a busy one.

I would have LOVED this breakfast when I was a kid. I watched Disney Junior (well Playhouse Disney then) ALL THE TIME. I used to drag my mom to see Playhouse Disney Live on Stage 24/7, but there were characters like Bear in the Big Blue House, etc. then. It’s awesome they have this meal for families!

Sounds like you guys had a great start to the day!

I KNOW! That line was bonkers. I think it was closed at first because it didn't move for the longest time, and then it was really slow-going.
Oh, how sweet! I remember my little sister watching those old school Playhouse Disney shows! And of course it was still Playhouse Disney when Julia was a baby. Memories!!

I just found this trip report the other day and have been reading through all of it. I think it's one of my favorites just because there is such a great balance of pictures and honest commentary as to all experiences good and bad.

I'm glad that your meal at Hollywood and Vine actually worked out to be good, I was beginning to worry that your experiences this trip would just all turn out shaky.

Glad you're reading along!
All our experiences were great after the CRT experience! I'll still keep it honest, though.

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

Hi there! I just stumbled upon your TR the other day and I am absolutely loving it! All of the pictures are great!

You vacation video is adorable and definitely one of my favorites that I have seen. Your kids are the cutest things ever!

I can't believe how "unmagical" the CM were during the CRT experience. I'm sorry! I'm definitely glad to here that the magic began to return the following morning at H&V.

Looking forward to reading about the rest of your trip!

That makes me so happy to hear that!
Our trip takes a turn for the better from that low experience on, I promise! It is not the norm for WDW, for sure. This trip ended up being our best ever!

Oh dear, I know how much work you must have put into that book! We have the official hidden Mickey book but it doesn't interest the kids because there aren't actual pictures of the Mickey's. I started making a list with pic for my girls but eventually gave up. Would you happen to have a file copy of yours that I might use for our spring break trip? Or could you tell me what website you used?

That breakfast looked like a good time and as always, Brandon's pics are so cool! I've been to HS once and was underwhelmed but we're gonna give another chance in April. Looking forward seeing how ya'll make the most of your day...

The file I had of the book was on the laptop that crashed . Brandon is working to get files off of it, so maybe I have it...not sure. I will let you know if he gets it! I used multiple sites and only included ones I knew we'd see (certain restaurants, none for the rides we'd skip, etc.).
We ended up having a great day at DHS!

It's so nice to read a good review of H&V - all the ones I've seen pretty much agree that it isn't a very good meal. I don't think I've seen one for breakfast before though. When I go to WDW, I'm with my sister and her two year old (as of tomorrow!) son, so I think we'll have to try this one out next time.

That stinks about the Hidden Mickey book after you put so much work into it! I hope Julia was ok with the official book.

Such cute pictures - your kids are so adorable!

I would agree that lunch is not great, but the breakfast was far above what I expected! You should definitely try this one with a two year oAld in tow (and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to him!!).