Learning to NOT Photograph Fireworks Behind Trees (Sept/Oct 2012)

[Cafeen]

Welcome!
I have no title yet. Though, I'm lazy, so this will probably be the title for the PTR.

Moving along, I'm not good at these things, so I don't know why I keep writing them up! At any rate, I have returned to the DIS after ~6 or 7 months away (I don't know why I also stop coming here over the holidays...) and have come stocked with a new trip in the making.

And, of course, by "in the making," I mean everything set except the actual resort and flight bookings...

And, of course, by "set," I mean that everything below is subject to change... even the people!

And, of course, by "the people," I mean... let's get the introductions out of the way.

I'm Allan... I'm 33 this year and work as a Software Quality Assurance Specialist. I lead a super exciting life of go to work, go home, sleep, repeat x 5. Then just hang on the computer for a couple days, and do it all again. Yipee!

This is the entire cast and crew for this trip. It's just me again. I really love my solo trips (not that I have much to compare them to at the moment), but I will admit, they likely seem boring to outsiders

I know, I'm really selling this thing aren't I?

I'm planning for the following, note that resort and flights have not yet been booked (resort will be done on the 15th, which is pay day...):

• Resort: CS...erm..wait...NO! This year, it's Caribbean Beach Resort! I know, I know, I'm cheating on CSR, but it's time for a change of pace. I would have preferred POR/FQ, but nothing is available for my dates under either of the special offers CHANGE OF PLANS!! When attempting to book the trip this morning, I simply chose "Moderate Resorts" instead of CBR directly... and POR popped up as available! So... POR it is! - Since I'm pretty lazy, you may have to adjust the plans below to mentally remove CBR and replace it with POR. Change of plans #2 - Work asked if I could push back my trip, and I told them that it may cost me ~$800 more as I may lose my discount. Well, I finally called today and I was able to shift my trip! Better yet, I got my very first choice of POFQ! So, now, I'll have to redo the daily plans... I'm going to keep the originals up there, as that's a lot of work to redo them, and people will end up confused. I'll make notes that they are DEPRECATED though (which means, no longer applicable or something, it's a programming word)
• Timeframe: I'm aiming at going from Sept 13 - Sept 22 Sept 27 - Oct 06. This is 10 days again. While it's a bit long, and I'll be exhausted when I get home, it is what it is. It's also a week later than my past 2. I
• Details: DxDDP again. I can't stop with it... I'm hopelessly addicted to spending half of my time in restaurants and eating WAY more than I should. I figure, I walk a lot of it off so why not? (At least, that's my internal rationalization of the matter).

Goals - What's a trip without actual goals? Oh, yeah...a relaxing vacation...

• See Fantasmic - Since I haven't seen this in the past 3 trips, it's time. (I may attempt to photograph this if I can get in on another night. I'm not going to attempt it the first time though).
• See/Photograph Wishes - See above
• Photography - It's been a bit over a year since I got my camera, and with roughly 5200 pictures taken, I've improved a ton. My post-processing has also improved, but greatly slowed down as I'm much more nitpicky
• Watch fireworks from somewhere NOT behind trees (I haven't reached this point in my 2011 TR... or maybe I have by the time you read this, but at the time I'm writing this, I haven't)
• Not be at work - This is an easy goal to achieve (and, in fact, one that I achieved today by being out sick )
• I suppose I should put "have fun" in here too.

For now, until I get around to updating this thing some, you can peruse my old TRs:

• New Camera? Sounds like a perfect excuse for a Disney trip! (Sept 2011 - Still in progress)
• Cafeen takes it slow in Sept (and not by choice) (Sept 2010)
• Daddy for a week, Emily's Special Trip to "Ally's Room" (Sept 2009)

I like September...

(I'll also be working on my Sept 2011 TR in this timeframe... I'm still redoing all the photos (and culling several of the less than acceptable ones...and I don't think you all need to see all 47 pictures of LMA (well, not you all, but you all that hop onto that TR (I like parenthesis))))

(Note: I updated the title... there's a story behind it, of which you'll see a bit as the PTR (and last year's TR) goes on)

 

[Cafeen]

Photography Stuff​

(This particular post will expand in size as I add more to it)

So, yes, I'm a photographer. I do it all on my own time and have made a whopping $0 from it so far. I do it for the process because I enjoy it (though, making money doing it would be nice ) At any rate, this PTR will have some focus on that aspect, as the trip will have much focus on that aspect. You can see my current work over at my smugmug.

So... what am I bringing (aka "The Gear")

• Camera: Canon EOS T1i dSLR
• Lenses:
  • Short Zoom: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS (the standard "Kit" lens)
  • Long Zoom: Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS (the "Kit" zoom lens, which is a really underrated lens!)
  • "Nifty 50": Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 (used for low light shots)
  • Ultra-Wide Angle (UWA): Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM (As the description suggests, this gives me a super wide field of view, it's borderline "fisheye" and the focal length is typically within that range, it's been "corrected" to provide straighter lines though, so it's not really a fisheye. I like this lens a lot and did not use it to it's potential at all last year. Hopefully this year will be different.
  • UPDATE!: Just ordered the Sigma 30mm f/1.4. This will be replacing the nifty 50 in my bag for this trip.
  • UPDATE!: Just picked up the Canon 430EX II Speedlite! While this isn't a lens, it'll go here as this is the more interesting stuff. This should help for when I can use a flash so I don't get that annoying strobe thingy that the on-camera flash does for autofocus assist (yes, I spent ~$270 for an LED AF assist...mostly).
• Support
  • Slik Mini Tripod
  • Dolcia Proline full-size lightweight tripod
• Misc: This is less interesting, so be assured that I'm bringing a couple memory cards, 2 batteries, cleaning stuff, and a few other toys that go along with the camera.

Photography Goals (Beyond having fun of course )

• Create more HDR imagery than last year (shot 1 real set)
• Redo BTMRR and EE on-ride shots
• Photograph all 3 of the nightly shows (Wishes, Illuminations, Fantasmic!) - Bonus points for Hallowishes
• Not be stuck behind trees during nightly shows!
• Get some shots with both Me and Mom in them...

Photography "Must Shoot" list

• General
  • Characters
  • Food Porn
• MK
  • Iconic pictures in front of castle with Mom
  • Wishes from Train Station - Tentative
  • MSEP from Train Station - Tentative
  • HDR Cindy's Castle
  • Tomorrowland "Light Canyon" at night
  • BTMRR Exterior HDR
  • BTMRR On-Ride
  • HM Exterior HDR
  • PotC Exterior HDR
• Epcot
  • Icon shots with Mom
  • Illuminations
  • Mexico - Assorted Interior and Exterior HDR shots
  • Norway - Exterior HDR
  • China - Evening Exterior HDR and other assorted evening shots
• AK
  • EE "Action" Shots
  • Safari
  • FotLK
• DHS
  • Daytime shows
  • Fantasmic!
  • HDRs of Theater, BAH, ToT, and RnRC (all nighttime)
• Misc
  • Resorts
    • Boardwalk (Including HDR)
    • GFR Assorted and HDR (if no MNSSHP on day 4)
    • Poly Assorted and HDR (if no MNSSHP on day 4)
  • Downtown Disney
    • Assorted shots (including HDR)

Table of Contents​

The real PTR here starts on page 3. The items before that point are no longer applicable since I changed the dates.

• The newest version of the PTR starts here...ish
• The ADR Puzzle - Redux
• Days 1 & 2 - Again
• Day 2 - Take 3 (Note: I changed my days around again, hence the day 2 repost.)
• Day 3 - Plans Version 2
• Intermission - Dining Plan Math
• Day 4 - New Plans
• Day 5 - Altered Plans
• Day 6 - All Over Again
• Intermission #2 - Some Photography Plans
• Day 7 - Signaturepalooza!
• Day 8 - Epcot and MNSSHP (and a full recap of plans to date, with latest changes, which may change before I go...again !)
• Day 9 - My last full day
• Day 10 - And we're...done

 

[KatMark]

I'm here.

 

[Cafeen]

Hey Kathy! I've restarted my other TR too... for real now thanks to OhMari moving it back over to the non-slackers...erm... main trip report forum!

As far as PTR news... nothing yet. I do have my ADR puzzle all worked out, and I'll go into detail there eventually, but I still have super massive amounts of 2011 photos to slog through to rework...so that may take a backseat.

 

[Cafeen]

DEPRECATED
The following plans will no longer be happening as I have switched dates. See ToC for updated plans!
For some reason, the ADR puzzle is always my favorite part of planning the Disney trip. Maybe it's some unhealthy obsession with food? I don't know. At any rate, since I'm planning on DxDDP again this year, I figured that I had better get a move on making my reservations.

For starters, it was MUCH easier this year to find times (though, there's one evening that I'm not entirely sold on right now). Pretty much everything I searched for, I got at nearly the exact time I wanted. Of course, it's not like I'm going for any super hard-to-get meals...

This is a mix of places that I've done before, and places that I've wanted to do for the past few trips. Unfortunately, Epcot is so full of places I wanted to do that I'm STILL missing some from there... maybe next time.

You'll be able to get the gist of some of the daily plans on here, but I'll go into more detail to add more words, posts, and maybe pages to this PTR. Really just for the sake of it not being 1 page over 4 months

Thu 13 Sept - Travel/Me @ Epcot/Mom Arrives/Wishes (Tentative)
B - Something from the airport... remember, don't get a migraine again!
L - QS at Epcot. Originally thinking Cantina de San Angel, but this may change as I've done that for the past 2 years now.. and, while I like it, it's really not that great
D - Narcoossee's @ 7:20 PM.

Fri 14 Sept - MK/MNSSHP
B - Crystal Palace @ 8:40am - We've done Tusker House breakfast for the past 2 years, and while it's good, I want a change of pace. I have much <3 for Eeyore, and Tigger is Beth's favorite so he holds a place in my heart too. I figure that we'll take some pre-rope drop pics on Main St as well.
L - QS somewhere in MK - I'd like to try Peco's Bills or Tortuga, though Mom may prefer CHH.
D - The Plaza @ 5:15 PM - I figure that we'll head back to the room after lunch, and then head back to MK for this ADR before the party.

Sat 15 Sept - DHS/Boardwalk/F!
B - I figure that we'll just grab a quick snack or something for breakfast while heading out to DHS (or at DHS... what time does Starring Rolls open?)
L - Mama Melrose @ 1:25pm (F! Package) - It's a bit later than I'd like, but it'll work. F! is at 8:30pm that night, and after 3 years of skipping it, it's finally in the plans! (I guess part of that is the fact that it's no longer going to be super busy on F! days, since it's every day now )
D - I'd like to stop into Big River Grille before Fantasmic. Probably not a full dinner, but a couple brews and some meatloaf will do the trick.

Sun 16 Sept - EP/MK PM EMH (Tentative)
B - Mom loves Soarin', so I figure we can grab a bite at Sunshine Seasons after the mad rush and Ride then FP pickup.
L - San Angel Inn @ 1:10pm - Again, slightly later than I'd like (I prefer lunches around 11:30am), but I want to share this place with Mom. I absolutely love the food here (for lunch) and it's my own personal must do. A couple Margaritas will also be nice .
D - Garden Grill @ 7:15pm - Since lunch is a bit later, I pushed dinner off a bit later. I've always wanted to go here ever since I was little. I figure, may as well do it now. Chip & Dale are also 2 of my favorite characters!

Mon 17 Sept - AK/Mom Leaves/Wishes
B - Boma @ 8am - Mom loves her some Boma dinners. However, since we've done that twice now, I figure it's time to try breakfast!
L - QS in the park - Either Restaurantasaurus (I think I'm one of a few that actually prefers that place over others, of course, it could be due to my picky nature) or whatever Mom feels like. I know she's going to say it's up to me, since it's my trip, but I can at least pretend that I don't know this already.
D - Sanaa @ 5:00pm - After last year's Untamed Lunch at Sanaa, this is an absolute must do. It'll work great with Mom leaving after dinner as well. Pretty much the same as the Boma plan last year...

Tue 18 Sept - MK/MNSSHP
B - Kona Cafe @ 8:10 am - Decided to add this for a yummy sugary sweet breakfast
L - QS/Snacks - (Removed GFC from here... so that's 3 years in a row I have dropped it!)
D - The Plaza @ 4:10 pm - Decided against 1900 PF here and figured The Plaza (again) was a good standby!

Wed 19 Sept - DHS/Boardwalk/EP EMH
Signature meal frenzy!
B - None planned, snack @ Starring Rolls maybe
L - Hollywood Brown Derby @ 11:30am - I figured it was something to try, there's not much for lunch at DHS, and I needed to burn credits down.
D - Flying Fish @ 6:30pm - This was my favorite signature last year, so it's a certain must do.

Thu 20 Sept - MK/EP
B - Main St. Bakery again
L - Liberty Tree Tavern @ 11:45am - This is a strange must do for me. I love the food here. Last year, I kinda failed at being hungry enough for it on my last day, so it certainly needs a go around earlier this year
D - Hacienda @ 6:30pm - Yes, yet another must do for me. Much love for this place

Fri 21 Sept - AK/EP
B - No plans
L - Yak & Yeti @ 11am - Not entirely sold on here just yet. I'm not a big fan of Asian food really... but there's not much left for me to have lunch at for TS in the AK area
D - Via Napoli @ 7pm - I didn't get to get back here last year, and it was great in 2010 (except our server that is).

Sat 22 Sept - EP/Go Home
B - No plans
L - Coral Reef @ 11:30am - I've been trying to get here for the past 3 trips and it never happened. Again, figured it was time.
D - Pizza Hut, Sabor-a-Mexico, or something from Circle K... in other words, I'll be home

So, those are the plans. For the lists:
New Places (Meals if they're considerably different than I've done already)
Big River Grille (Tentative)
Garden Grill
Boma (Breakfast)
Sanaa (Dinner)
Grand Floridian Cafe
Brown Derby
Yak & Yeti
Coral Reef

So, roughly 8 out of 18... I think I have too many must dos! (We can add one more if I get the 1900 PF or Narcoossee's ADR though )

 

[Cafeen]

DEPRECATED
The following plans will no longer be happening as I have switched dates. See ToC for updated plans!
I think I updated the TR yesterday, so I'll update the PTR today. I'll also put a disclaimer... the plans are made with Mom in mind. She hasn't made up her mind if she's going to come or not, so I'll move ahead assuming she will. If not, then that's fine too as the root itinerary won't change much.

There's also a bit of something extra on this PTR, since I'm slacking on last year's TR, some of these pictures may not yet be posted there, so it's like a sneak preview!

Day 1 & 2 (Sept 13-14) Plans - Travel/EP & MK/MNSSHP

Since Day 1 is traveling day, it's a bit light on plans, so in order for me to continue being considered as a novelist type of poster (that is, I write a lot of words ), I'm combining the first two days.

So, I'm looking to take either the 6:30am or 7:30am flight out of Mobile and landing at MCO around 10:30-noon. I'll hop ME to CBR (hopefully I won't get confused and get into the CSR line!) and be on my way. This will be completely uneventful!

Once at CBR, I'll check in and be lost, as I haven't been to this resort since a year or two after it opened. Suffice to say, I remember very little, except the "Tubees" (little motorized inner-tube thingies basically) and the arcade...

So, I'll check in, hike to my non-preferred standard room, and set off for Epcot. Epcot is my traditional solo starting point, so I may as well bow to said tradition.

I was planning on doing La Cantina de San Angel for lunch again, but now I'm reconsidering it. I may just stop in at Electric Umbrella or something for a burger and to eat inside, as it will probably start raining knowing my luck (although, now that I say that, and I may plan to eat inside, it will probably NOT be raining...). At any rate, I'll take my obligatory first ride on Spaceship Earth and then tool around for a couple hours. Around 3-4pm, I'll head back to CBR (it's weird typing CBR into my plans...)

I have ADRs at Artist Point for dinner at 6:15, so we'll head on over to there a bit early to score some photos of WL. My trusty tripod will come with me as I've gotten used to carrying it, and I want to head over to Poly after dinner for some Wishes from the beach. After dinner, depending on the time, we'll head to poly for Wishes (I know I just said that, bear with my narration, as it only gets worse) and then head on back to CBR after.

Day 2 - MK/MNSSHP

Since Mom's an early riser, and I can handle rising early at Disney (don't you DARE ask me to do it at home though) we have an 8:40am ADR at Crystal Palace. We'll see Pooh and the Gang (Ceeelllleeeebrate good times, c'mon!... erm..wait, that's Kool and the Gang... whoops) and have a good breakfast.

After that, it's up in the air until dinner. Since it's mid-Sept (well, it will be, right now it's mid-May), we don't have to plan out every little detail concerning ride order and all that.

I figure we'll head down toward Tomorrowland (just to change things up, normally we're a clockwise kind of family) and grab FPs for Space Mtn if needed. If not, we'll just hop on. I do plan on doing Space again this year, though I'm requesting a front car. I'll also be sneaking in a few Advils just in case. I'd say that I'd shoot pictures on here, but since it's all black, I can make one that'll look the same without having to get my camera out.

After Space or FPs, TTA will be nearby, so that'll work. Then Monster's Inc and Stitch (YES, I LIKE STITCH! I don't love the ride, but I do enjoy it) and then on over to Fantasyland. I want to take Mom to at least Mickey's Philarmagic, and after that it's again, up in the air.

We'll work our way over to Haunted Mansion and see what time it is. It'll probably be too early for lunch, so we'll hit up the mansion and then Hall of Presidents again. Finally making our way over to Frontierland. BTMRR is on the slate here before we finish the circle in Adventureland and Pirates (Mom's favorite ride of all time) and Jungle Cruise (my old favorite).

For lunch, we'll hit up CHH, or Peco's Bills, or Tortuga, or whereever happens to be close by at lunch time.

After completing the circle, we'll head on back to the resort for a rest break (I need it more than she does!)

We'll then head on back by about 4pm and get our wristbands for MNSSHP. Dinner is at The Plaza again for 5:15pm. I expect the meatloaf to remain and will be seriously put out if it's not (actually, I won't be... I'll get the yummy burger instead)

I flaked out on our party last year, and basically just sat waiting for Hallowishes. We see how well that turned out...

...And those are two of the better ones...​

So this year, we'll do the things that the party is meant for and I'll remember to get a drink at some point so I don't get all dehydrated and feel ill during the parade. I'm also not going to focus on attempting to photograph the fireworks at this point in the trip. I'll actually experience them with Mom.

After the party, it'll be late, so we'll head on back to CBR for the night.

Days 1 & 2 Food Plans

• Day 1 (Sept 13 2012)
  • Lunch @ Some CS in Epcot at whatever time
  • Dinner @ Artist Point in WL (6:15pm) Narcoossee's in GFR (7:20pm)
• Day 2 (Sept 14 2012)
  • Breakfast @ Crystal Palace (8:40am)
  • Lunch @ CS in MK
  • Dinner @ The Plaza in MK (5:15pm)

Days 1 & 2 Photography Plans
Keeping it light here, aiming to focus on being at Disney with Mom while she's there. Will attempt to get some more iconic pictures (e.g. In front of the castle) with the 2 of us. We'll see how that goes . May also attempt to photograph Wishes from Poly beach, but that's tentative.

 

[Cafeen]

Just a quick update here. Since today is payday, I had the money to book. As I mentioned in the first post, I decided one last time to see if anything other than CBR was available (which, don't get me wrong, would have been absolutely fine, but it was my 3rd choice of 4.) Lo and behold, POR came up as available for the special offer for my dates! So, since that was my first/second (I was wishy-washy between Riverside and French Quarter), that is where I booked!

Should be a very nice change of scenery, and I'll be even more lost than I would at CBR.

 

[Cafeen]

DEPRECATED
The following plans will no longer be happening as I have switched dates. See ToC for updated plans!
Day 3 - Initial Plans

​

Day 3 will find us back at Hollywood Studios (Mom's favorite park, at least it was when we used to go, not really sure what it is now). Today will be a relatively busy day, at least in spurts.

We'll start out by grabbing a snack for breakfast. I'm looking at Starring Rolls for this, though I don't know what time they open. We may just grab something from the room (Mom always brings stuff to eat, and I rarely eat them since DxDDP is so much food anyway). We'll get to DHS around rope drop and hit up TSM. After that, it's pretty much winging it until lunch.

I do want to be sure to hit up Star Tours, Great Movie Ride, ToT, and RnRC. Whether or not those will be done before lunch, doesn't really matter.

For lunch, I have reserved Mama Melrose again. We ate there last year and it was very good. DHS does lack for a bit in TS meals as well, especially since I'm not into the interaction at 50s. The added benefit of the Fantasmic package (along with the added limitation on places that offer it) also pushes MM to the choice for lunch. This will be at around 1:25 PM, so there's time.

​

After lunch, depending on what we've accomplished already, we'll hit up both LMA and the Indiana Jones shows. I also want to see about both The Little Mermaid and the Beauty and the Beast shows, but we'll have to play those by ear.

​

Fantasmic is at 8:30pm this night, so the rest of the day will, again, be up in the air. I do want to pick up a lighter dinner (along with a couple brews) at Big River Grille, so we'll head to the Boardwalk if we have time.

At around 8:00pm, we'll get ready for Fantasmic. This will be the first time that I've seen this show ever. It wasn't playing back in the day when I was young, and I haven't done it since I started coming on my own. This should be a good time. I also figure that we probably don't really need the dining package, since it's mid-September, but we may as well make sure we can get in. I do not believe there are any trees in the theater. If there are, I'm sure I'll pick a great seat... right behind one .

After Fantasmic, it'll be time to head back to POR for the night, we have a busy Epcot day following.

Food Plans for Day 3

• B - Snacks/Starring Rolls
• L - Mama Melrose @ 1:25pm (F! package)
• D - Tentative (Big River Grille ideal)

Photography Plans for Day 3
Still keeping it light since Mom is still here. Though I would like to:

• Photograph Beauty and the Beast stage show
• Photograph The Little Mermaid show
• Photograph Fantasmic

I'm not going to focus a lot of time on these 3 pieces today though, since I'll be back later in the week on my own and can do it up right then.

 

[Cafeen]

DEPRECATED
The following plans will no longer be happening as I have switched dates. See ToC for updated plans!
Day 4 - Initial Plans

Day 4 will put us back in Epcot.

​

I figure that we'll get here for "Rope Drop" (yes, I know they don't really do rope drop anymore here, but it's still a good time to suggest for opening) and head on over to Soarin'. This is Mom's favorite ride at Disney right now, so it's a must do, multiple times, each trip. We'll grab FPs after we ride, and pick up something to eat at Sunshine Seasons.

After breakfast, we'll meander through Future World for a bit and see the sights and do the rides.

Living with the Land


Journey into Imagination (sic) with Figment


Spaceship Earth


Mission Space
(no pics)

And Test Track...erm... wait... that's going to be closed
( )​

At 1:10, we have lunch scheduled for San Angel Inn. This is my absolute FAVORITE lunch ADR in Epcot. Last year we tried Marrakesh and it's off my list for this year for sure (and next year, and the year after). It wasn't bad, just not my thing. So, fixing that up with a very yummy SAI lunch this time!

This is my plan for SAI







All of which should be delicious!​

We'll hop on the Gran Fiesta Tour either before or after lunch, depending on the timing.

After SAI for lunch, we'll meander through the World Showcase including hitting the highlights of:

Norway

(Note: This photo has not been reprocessed yet, since it was already posted on the TR)

China (of which I have 0 pics of... )

Germany

(See France's note)

Italy


American Adventure

(See France's note)

Japan

(See France's note)

Morocco


France

Note: I'm hoping it won't be this dark at that time, since we would have missed our Dinner reservations!

Also Note: Yes, I put the above note first and referenced those higher up to it. Normally, a normal person would have put the note on the first one and then done a "See x's note" for the following ones. When have I ever really been considered normal though?

UK


And Canada
​

We have dinner planned at Garden Grill for 7:15pm. Even when I was little, I always wanted to eat here (LWTL was a favorite ride of mine too), but we never did. I figured that it's finally time. Of course, I'm picky and won't like much of the offerings, but that's ok, what I DO like will be good .

We'll do that and maybe ride Soarin' one last time (which will be #3, since we will have used our FPs by now) before heading out for the night.

Food Stuff for Day 4

• B - Sunshine Seasons after Soarin'
• L - San Angel Inn @ 1:10pm (or so, I want to see about getting a slightly earlier ADR here)
• D - Garden Grill @ 7:15pm

Photography Plans for Day 4
Still playing it light as Mom is still here.

• Character Shots with whoever is out front if there's no line
• Garden Grill meal shots
• "Icon" shots with Mom

 

[Cafeen]

DEPRECATED
The following plans will no longer be happening as I have switched dates. See ToC for updated plans!

Day 5 - Initial Plans​

​

This will be the last day that Mom is with me, and it's an AK day. Animal Kingdom works great for Mom's last day since it closes early so she can get a decent start on her drive home. She doesn't like driving in the dark too much, so finishing dinner by about 6pm puts her home by 7:30ish, which is perfect.

While last year, we planned on getting there later than early, this year won't quite be the same (we can rest a bit on our Epcot day if needed). I made ADRs for ... BOMA for 8am. We've done Tusker House breakfast twice now, and last year we didn't even bother waiting for the characters after our ~45 minute wait after checking in. Suffice to say, it would be a bit of a waste of money. Plus, Mom loves Boma for dinner, but I have other plans for dinner, so at least we're going to Boma in general. She'll drive this day, as she'll leave after our dinner which we'll go to from the park, but I'm getting ahead of myself.

After Boma, we'll hit up Animal Kingdom. The big plans will be to hit up Expedition Everest, which we both love (or, FP it)

​

After Everest (either FP or ride), we'll head on over to the Safari and do that and probably the Pagani Trail. After our 2 weeks in Harambre, we'll see what time the shows are playing, and hit up whichever we can make.

We both loved Nemo last year...

​

ANd I also loved FotLK (which she wasn't there for)

​

Whatever else we get done will be bonus, but I want to make sure that Dinosaur! is on the list. But, if we miss it, I'll do it later in my trip!

By this time, it should be 4-4:30ish. If it's not, we'll do other stuff until it is, and when it is, it will be. We'll head out of the park, and head on over to Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village for dinner. I made 5pm ADRs at Sanaa, which if you remember from last year, I had the Untamed Lunch at and it was amazing! Now, if you're thinking... "Wait, I don't remember that from the TR... what is he talking about?", that's because I'm not there yet. So, anyway, Sanaa for dinner, which should be VERY good.

After dinner, it's time to say goodbye to Mom and start my Solo portion of the trip. By the way... I'm bringing my tripod today. I'll hop on the next bus to Magic Kingdom (though, I'm toying with DHS for night shots, since I don't really have another late night here... we'll have to see) and head on over for some real shooting (shooting pictures that is). I plan to attempt to photograph Wishes, so I'll stake out my spot on the train station pretty early for this. After Wishes (or DHS, whatever it ends up being), it's time for bed.

Day 5 - Food Plans

• B - Boma @ 8AM
• L - Um, I got nothin'. Probably a light QS stop somewhere
• D - Sanaa @ 5pm

Day 5 - Photography Plans

• Don't forget tripod
• AK - Still light, still with Mom
• MK
  • Wishes from Train Station
  • Other magic hour shots between the time I arrive and ~7:00 pm when I'll stake out my spot.
• DHS (Alternative to MK)
  • Various night shots utilizing the tripod.
    • Redo HDR of Chinese Theater
    • Redo HDR of ToT
    • Various HDR shots of both streets
    • HDR of BAH (Yuck)
    • Playing with some of the light

 

[orangecats2]

Just noticed that we'll be there at the same time this year. DH and I are staying at CSR! It will be our first mod and non value resort. Staying 9/15 - 9/21. Hope you like POR.

 

[Cafeen]

Just noticed that we'll be there at the same time this year. DH and I are staying at CSR! It will be our first mod and non value resort. Staying 9/15 - 9/21. Hope you like POR.

I have much love for CSR. It's been my "home" for the past 3 years. It's such a beautiful resort and you're really going to be happy there. I decided I needed a change for this year though, and POR is about as far away from CSR as you can get while staying in the moderate range .

Though, if you're staying in a preferred room, and they try to give you the 4th floor of Casitas 2, immediately request another room. That section of the resort is horrible to get to, as there's no elevators in that building, and the other buildings only have 3 floors. Just a heads up!

 

[sjs314]

I'm here! Your plans look good. We ate at Big River in March and loved the chicken quesadilla app, loved the cheesecake dessert but..... The steak I think it was rib eye was by far the worst of the trip

I make my ADRs this Friday and still have not ironed out my plans for the parks or where we won't to eat. I am hopeing for FD and to upgrade to the DXDP but DH thought it was too much food in March so going to make my ADRs for DxDP, I can always trim it back later if we go with DDP instead.

I was surprised that your staying POR but it is a Mod I want to try someday. We have done POFQ 2x & CSR once.

We fell in love with BWI in March and heading back there In Nov/Dec

My March camera blooper was I only took one battery with me, need to buy a 2nd one before my next trip, I took extra SD cards but ran out of power at MK and Epcot.

 

[orangecats2]

I have much love for CSR. It's been my "home" for the past 3 years. It's such a beautiful resort and you're really going to be happy there. I decided I needed a change for this year though, and POR is about as far away from CSR as you can get while staying in the moderate range .

Though, if you're staying in a preferred room, and they try to give you the 4th floor of Casitas 2, immediately request another room. That section of the resort is horrible to get to, as there's no elevators in that building, and the other buildings only have 3 floors. Just a heads up!

We just booked a standard room but did request the Casitas. POFQ was my first choice but there was no availability.

We got regular free dining so no signature places for us.

The only day our schedules overlap at all is your thursday morning at MK. We have LTT for dinner that night. Maybe we will run into you that day!

 

[Cafeen]

I'm here! Your plans look good. We ate at Big River in March and loved the chicken quesadilla app, loved the cheesecake dessert but..... The steak I think it was rib eye was by far the worst of the trip

I make my ADRs this Friday and still have not ironed out my plans for the parks or where we won't to eat. I am hopeing for FD and to upgrade to the DXDP but DH thought it was too much food in March so going to make my ADRs for DxDP, I can always trim it back later if we go with DDP instead.

I was surprised that your staying POR but it is a Mod I want to try someday. We have done POFQ 2x & CSR once.

We fell in love with BWI in March and heading back there In Nov/Dec

My March camera blooper was I only took one battery with me, need to buy a 2nd one before my next trip, I took extra SD cards but ran out of power at MK and Epcot.

I'm aiming for something simple at BRG, a burger, or something along those lines, since it will be a bit closer to lunch than I'd like, so I should be safe. Besides, I'm going more for the microbrews than the food anyway .

It took me 2 days to draw up the park plans and initial ADRs. I've changed a few ADRs around, but the park plans are pretty solid. Granted, it's pretty easy when it's mid-September, slow, and I'm the only one who I need to plan for (The days with Mom mirror the plan from last year).

As far as POR, my order of preferences was POR/FQ (either or), CBR, then CSR this year. Mainly since I've done CSR 3 trips in a row, I felt it was time for a change. Originally, I had planned for CBR, since neither of the Port Orleans resorts had room on FD for my dates (which, I would have been absolutely fine with! Heck, I would have been perfectly happy at CSR too!), but when I went to book, it magically appeared. I think they were just holding my spot to make sure no one else booked . I'd love to do BWI one of these days. I'm planning a bigger trip for next year (Brother, Sister-in-law, and nephew, Mom, Beth, and Emily) and looking at a Deluxe for that trip. I'm thinking either CR, Poly, WL, BWI, or BC/YC (this location would be for Beth, Emily, and I... I think they're planning on FWC with Mom's RV). I still have to get with him though and figure out what timeframe they are looking at. I know it's likely going to be the fall, but when in the fall will play a big part.

As for the blooper, I did the SAME thing in 2010. Forgot to swap to the recharged batteries the morning of our DHS day, hence I got like, 12 pictures from that day. Since then, one of the very first things I did was to get a 2nd battery, and keep it fully charged.

We just booked a standard room but did request the Casitas. POFQ was my first choice but there was no availability.

We got regular free dining so no signature places for us.

The only day our schedules overlap at all is your thursday morning at MK. We have LTT for dinner that night. Maybe we will run into you that day!

With a standard room in Casitas, you'll be in 4 or 5, both of which are great (especially 4... I was there in 2010 and it was a great location) . You really can't go wrong with any of the resorts, so long as you like the basic theme. And CSR gets REALLY pretty around dusk, due to the color palette of the resort, it reflects the light just right and puts a very nice contrast against the darkening blue sky.

The signatures are the primary reason that I upgrade to DxDDP, that, and the fact that I don't care that much for the QS food, but I do love me some signatures. I think I toned it down a little this year, but there are many other places I wanted to go/try, so they won out a bit.

As for that Thursday, it's a definite possibility. I'll be a goofy (with a small g) looking guy running around with a big camera. And by "running" I mean likely walking slowly as my feet get torn up by walking these days.

 

[mxkris]

Count me in! Your pictures are beautiful!!! I'll be there the 15-20th @ CBR so our paths may cross at the parks! I'll keep my eye out!! I'll have a LGMH on my bag so maybe you'll spot me! I have a PTR going too!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2917758

 

[Cafeen]

DEPRECATED
The following plans will no longer be happening as I have switched dates. See ToC for updated plans!

Day 6 - Initial Plans​

Day 6 will be my first full day of being solo. I'd say of "freedom", but since Mom pretty much defers everything to me anyway, I kinda have full freedom just the same .

The overall plan is to get a bit of a late start and then head to MK for the morning. Head back to the resort for the afternoon, and then head BACK to MK for MNSSHP that night.

So, I'll get a move on whenever I feel like it, though I'd like for it to be before 9am. Breakfast is tentative, and I'm currently planning to pick something up in Main St. Bakery again. I love me some baked goods!

After breakfast, I'll be meandering around for awhile with my camera. I don't really have any hard set plans or things I need to catch at this point, so, yeah, this is pretty boring

I do aim for some specific photography stuff here though. Namely, shooting on the Dark Rides. Since Mom's gone home, I can ride PoTC several times to attempt to shoot the whole thing if I want .

So, this morning will be spent doing some shooting, and riding stuff that I missed with Mom.

For lunch, I'll be hopping over to the Grand Floridian Cafe. I've planned lunches here for 2 years (this is the 3rd) and they always got changed out for something else. Let's see if we can stick to it this year, shall we?

After lunch, I'll head back to POR for a break. I'll likely take a nap, but if not, I'll see what there is to shoot there (midday light won't be ideal, but we'll see if we can work it in). Around 3:30 or 4, I'll head back out to MK for the party...and dinner.

Dinner is currently planned for 1900 PF at 4:55pm. I'm not entirely sold on this though. I'm thinking it may be weird for a single, solo, mid-30s guy to be going to this dinner alone. I'm sure the CMs will make the best of it, but I'm still having reservations (and I don't mean ADRs, though I do have one of those too )

After dinner, where ever it ends up at, I'm off to the party! I love MNSSHP. Absolutely love the vibe in the park on these nights, and the special lighting is a photographer's dream. I'll also be planning on shooting the fireworks from somewhere different than last year. I'm thinking that I'll head up to the train station shortly after the first parade, and hopefully will find a spot to set up there. Other than having fun, the primary goal of this night is to properly shoot Hallowishes!

After the fireworks, and the puttering around taking pictures of the light, I'll head back to POR for the night. I have a full day of good food coming in the morning!

Day 6 - Food Plans

• B - Tentative. Main St. Bakery or something similar. I may switch some things around here and do a TS breakfast, remove GFC from lunch, and do a different dinner as well. This day's food is really up in the air! Kona Cafe (Poly) @ 8:10 AM
• L - Grand Floridian Cafe (Grand Floridian Resort) @ 11:50 AM QS in the Park, or maybe just snacks
• D - 1900 Park Fare (Grand Floridian Resort) @ 4:55 PM (Again, tentative and such). I'd like to hear other opinions on this day's food plans too, be harsh, it's ok (and yes, I know 11:50 and 4:55 is a bit too close together. I'm going light(ish) at GFC to make up for it.) The Plaza (MK) @ 4:10 PM

Day 6 - Photography Plans
Since Mom is back at home, now's the time to really do some photography work. I plan on bringing the tripod for MNSSHP as well.

• Photograph PoTC the right way
• Other Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square shooting
• GFR at some point (or whatever resort I end up at for dinner)
• Me hanging with the Step-Sisters (hey, they deserve love too!) (Assuming I don't step back from doing 1900 PF)
• Hallowishes from Train Station - NOT BEHIND A TREE!!!!
• Assorted Halloweeny HDRs
• Boo To You parade, somehow

I'll also be aiming to average at least 250 shots per day once Mom leaves. I'm not going to just shoot until I hit that number, I'd like ~250 decent attempts (and bracketing doesn't count!) I did do this daily average thing last year, and the first few days, I blew it away. The last half of the trip, not so much... I'm not quite there yet on the TR, so you'll have to stay tuned as to why (though, the 140 of FotLK alone pretty much made that day hit my mark )

 

[Cafeen]

Count me in! Your pictures are beautiful!!! I'll be there the 15-20th @ CBR so our paths may cross at the parks! I'll keep my eye out!! I'll have a LGMH on my bag so maybe you'll spot me! I have a PTR going too!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2917758

Woohoo! Thanks . I must admit to cheating though. I'm severely limiting the photos I place here to the top 5% of them. Rest assured, I have plenty of not-so-beautiful photos hanging out there .

You know, I ALMOST booked at CBR. I was all ready to book it when I decided to try POR one last time. Not that I have anything against CBR, or CSR, or POFQ (which still had nothing available), I just wanted a change from CSR and the Port Orleans were much more different than CBR is .

I'll hop on over to your PTR too and say hi and stuff too . I typically don't post much on TRs or PTRs though, but rest assured that I'll be reading along.

I used entirely too many smileys in that response...

 

[Cafeen]

Just a quick update, I've edited my Day 6 ADRs.... now I'll be going to breakfast at Kona Cafe (no more sleeping in) and Dinner at The Plaza.

Dropped GFC for the 3rd year in a row, as it was WAY too close to dinner, and killed off 1900 PF as I just wasn't feeling it.

 

[Cafeen]

Ok, need a couple words of wisdom.

My Day 5 plans currently have me at MK for Wishes. It's a DHS EMH night and the only time I'm planning to be at DHS in the evening. From a photography aspect, which would you guys prefer to do? Wishes (keep in mind, I'll be at MK at least 1 more night for the party) or DHS (which, while I don't particularly enjoy the part itself, it has awesome night photography opportunities)? (Also keep in mind, that with Narcoossee's on Day 1, I will certainly at least watch Wishes (for the first time)).

I was originally planning DHS here, then I swapped to MK, then back to DHS, then MK again... and now I'm leaning back to DHS. DHS also closes at ~11pm, so with Wishes ending at 9:30ish, I don't think I'd make it with much time in the park...