Live Photos and Updates 6/7-6/9 & 6/16-6/24

[ADP]

Goodbye Ammityville. Hello expanded Harry Potter?

 

[ADP]

Construction walls near The Mummy.

Universal officials speaking to the press about Despicable Me.

 

[ADP]

Construction walls at Citywalk.

Back at the Hard Rock Hotel

Showing Bee Movie in the lobby.

 

[ADP]

Hey everyone,

We are back at Disney World. We checked back into Saratoga Springs. Got to our room and look at what we found outside our balcony.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Great trip timing Aaron, I think it's hotter in Indy than it is there in Orlando!

Love your big hidden Mickey off your balconey.

 

[ADP]

Great trip timing Aaron, I think it's hotter in Indy than it is there in Orlando!

Love your big hidden Mickey off your balconey.

I think you're right. My lawn in Indy ought to be pretty brown about now. From what I understand there's a drought going on.

 

[ADP]

Hi Everybody -

Just wanted to give you a few of my thoughts during our two days at Universal while they're fresh in my mind.

First Despicable Me is a pretty awesome ride. The theater configuration is pretty much like you remember from Jimmy Neutron. The one thing I noticed is the movement of the seats seems more smooth than Neutron. I thought the 3-D and film was very clean, clear, and crisp. The glasses are simiar to the gasses used at the Spiderman attraction. The queue and preshow room are very well themed. The premise of the ride is you are being recruited by Gru to become a Minion. However, you need to be transformed from a human to a Minion and then go through Minion training. When you exit the theater be sure to look up and check out the video screen where you will appear with the Minions. From what I could tell they seem to interact with you on the screen. I really liked that part of the attraction.

The updated Blue Man Group show is also 2 thumbs up. They left some of the more popular scenes in the show and changed a few not so popular scenes. The new scenes make fun of new technologies like iPads and more. Very clever. If you want a more personal experience be sure to add the $20 per ticket Bluephoria VIP experience. It's a great way to meet the Blue Men themselves. I thought it was well worth the additional $20 per ticket.

The new miniature golf courses are among the best I ever played, but beware they are costly. If you wish to play both courses you could spend up to $80. You do get a 10% discount with your Preferred AP and a 15% discount with your Premier AP. I'd recommend playing these courses at night because the neon lighting makes a big difference in your overall experience. The lighting and effects at night are really cool.

The updated Spiderman attraction is improved, but honestly not as much as I thought it would be. It's still the best attraction on the planet and it's now improved. Some new visual effects, wording, and music have been added. What's funny is I can't tell if some of these new elements were added or I just noticed them because the visuals are much more clear and crisp. Either way, it's still a great ride and the best attraction anywhere. I'm still convincecd of that.

The new Superstar character breakfast is much more improved than the Spiderman character breakfast at Islands of Adventure. The food is much better, there are more characters, and the service is solid. My only complaint is the price. For the 3 of us to eat there it cost over $80 (tax included). It's a pre-plated breakfast. You order your breakfast entree when you arrive. It's not a buffet or unlimited dining. Once you enjoy your entree that's it. You can't get seconds. I thought for fhe price it would be buffet style. If you're willing to pay the high price tag then you will probably enjoy it.

There's a lot going on at the resort right now. Can't wait to see what the next 2 or 3 years look like. I think there's plenty more to come.

 

[ADP]

Giving this place a try.

 

[ADP]

Good Morning Everyone -

We are headed out the door this morning to try the Tusker House character breakfast. We are going to spend most of the morning and day at AK today.

More photos and updates to come.

 

[OKW Lover]

Keep an eye out for those thunderstorms Aaron.

 

[ADP]

In the park alone headed to Tusker House.

We have the pink Flamingos all to ourselves this morning.

We're here!

 

[buckeev]

We were greeted out front at AKV Jambo by our last name. Pretty nice touch. The we were escorted to the front desk. A great way to start a trip.

So...What did they say...
"Jambo Mr. Technically Gifted!"
If I may ask, is it relatively "easy" to upload pics to photobucketwhile in the park?

Thanks for the trip live reports...My son is SO excited...we'll be hittin' the road a week from today!!! 5+ nights at USO and "several" more WDW moments. Not too bad for a "rush/Surprise/Last Minute trip!"

He LOVED the Hidden Mickey on your building...that's one he didn't know about.

 

[ADP]

Just hangin' around.

Hidden Mickey...Yes or no?

 

[jcb]

So...What did they say...
"Jambo Mr. Technically Gifted!"
If I may ask, is it relatively "easy" to upload pics to photobucketwhile in the park?

Thanks for the trip live reports...My son is SO excited...we'll be hittin' the road a week from today!!! 5+ nights at USO and "several" more WDW moments. Not too bad for a "rush/Surprise/Last Minute trip!"

He LOVED the Hidden Mickey on your building...that's one he didn't know about.

I did this from Italy from my iPad.

You will want establish your settings on photobucket before you leave. I didn't want to upload 1.6 meg photos so I set photobucket to upload photos at 600 dpi (or ppi, whichever). I also created a separate photobucket folder for the photos I would be uploading. I used the photobucket app to upload but found it too cumbersome for taking the photos so I used the camera app for this, by and large. Once I did it a few times, it was pretty easy to upload, as long as you had sufficient bandwidth. In Italy, the photobucket app timed out a lot when I was trying to upload the photos. I doubt you would have that problem in Florida, unless the parks a stupid crowded.

Once the photo was uploaded, linking in a board post was a simple cut and paste.

I'm sure Aaron has other helpful information. I think he carries a power cord with him so he can recharge his phone when an outlet is available.

 

[ADP]

Have your Birthday bash at Goofy's Candy Co.

Lego Store tourist family.

 

[Sooze]

Oh, Aaron... it is a grass-scorching summer back home in Indy. Although the north side has been skirted with more rain than the west side. We are dry as a bone. Hope your lawn recovers quickly!

Thanks again for all of the wonderful pictures! So cool to see Gru at the character meal!!

 

[WaltD4Me]

So, how was Tusker House? It's one of my favorite character breakfasts. Hope it's still good. Have fun at the Sundown Celebration!

 

[ADP]

Hanging out at the Polynesian Pool

Electrical Water Pageant.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Hanging out at the Polynesian Pool

Aaron Del Prince! Are you pool hopping!?!?!

Or are you there with Pete?

 

[ADP]

Aaron Del Prince! Are you pool hopping!?!?!

Or are you there with Pete?

Pool hopping, Yes. DVC pool hopping, of course. .