May at the Poly! Home & catching up on work...TR to come soon!

[aprilisis]

I saw an accident last night- click here for the news story. It was CRAZY. An SUV crashed through the front of a house & injured an 80 something year old woman. I hope she will be ok! I hate seeing accidents- and I have seen too many with the amount of driving I do.
I'm getting SO excited for my trip! 18 days to go- 11 of those are work days. I read somewhere that they are coming out with Disney Couture Pirates jewelry. I'm going to have to avoid looking at that so I don't buy everything! I'm starting to feel the travel anxiety already, too. I'm always a nervous wreck until I get through security & I'm sitting at the gate on time. That is when I start to relax. I purchased the early bird check-in again on my Southwest tickets. I hope that I get a better spot in line than I did last time. I think this will be the last time I pay for it if I don't get a good position in line- I was NOT happy last time. I will try to find something besides birds to photograph this weekend so I at least have something interesting to post. Tuesday I can start my "In two weeks" posts. Have a great weekend!

 

[407-W-DISNEY]

I caught the end of a story on the news...they mentioned an 80 year old woman that died on the operating table...I didn't catch much of the story so I don't know if it was the same accident you saw....oh, I hope not, how sad in any case. My thoughts are with that woman's family.

 

[aprilisis]

I caught the end of a story on the news...they mentioned an 80 year old woman that died on the operating table...I didn't catch much of the story so I don't know if it was the same accident you saw....oh, I hope not, how sad in any case. My thoughts are with that woman's family.

That was it. I feel terrible about it. She was a retired Clark University Professor & her late husband was a doctor. The other story in our news that really upset me recently was the 20 year old mother who went missing- I was really hoping they would find her alive. When they didn't, it was very upsetting.

I'm sorry I'm such a bummer with the news stories. I'll post something happier soon.

 

[aprilisis]

I've been experimenting with the camera & 2 different lenses again yesterday & today. I'll share some of what I took. (Sorry it's all pets & birds!)
Dirty look from the cat:

Isis was waiting for me inside:

That's all for today. I can't believe I'm down to just over 2 weeks!!

 

[clearskies]

Great pictures April. I love animal pictures so no apologies necessary for me to showing only pets and birds. The dirty look from the cat is too funny
Looks like you are ready to get some great photos on your trip!

 

[aprilisis]

Great pictures April. I love animal pictures so no apologies necessary for me to showing only pets and birds. The dirty look from the cat is too funny
Looks like you are ready to get some great photos on your trip!

Thanks! I'm so nervous about taking photos on my trip. I hope they will come out ok. I'm still taking the point & shoot with me.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Wow April! You're getting really good with the new camera. I especially like the one of the two dogs lying upside down. Too cute!

I bet you're about to bust at the seams knowing you are down to just a couple of weeks. I know I would be.

 

[Chaitali]

Loved the photos! I especially like the one of the cat giving the dirty look... it seems like that's the look which is always on my cat's face Only 2 weeks to Disney World!

 

[Marshay]

Great pictures!! I like the bird photos! So many different types.

We ate at Jiko when it first opened...I remember our meal wasn't that good but they gave us the pistachio-choc creme brulee for free for dessert. And it was heavenly!!

We didn't really eat creme brulee up until then...and we've never had another one like that since.

Looky Looky -- our countdowns are sooooo close!!!

 

[407-W-DISNEY]

Hi April,
As usual, work has been interfering with my time on the DIS...I"ll have to speak to my boss ! LOL

Your pictures are FANTASTIC! I agree with Lisa, the two dogs lying upside down is so cute! The pictures of the birds are amazing...what detail...
now I'm camera dumb....so how far away from the birds/chipmonk or squirel? were you....it looks like you were a foot away, but I'm guessing you had a zoom lens???

no pics of our trip to the Swam Boats...of course since neither of us can take a pic to save our lives, we didn't bring the camera...If I go again, I will bring it for sure.

I can't believe your trip is so close!!!!!!!!! YEAH!

 

[aprilisis]

Wow April! You're getting really good with the new camera. I especially like the one of the two dogs lying upside down. Too cute!

I bet you're about to bust at the seams knowing you are down to just a couple of weeks. I know I would be.

Thanks! I still feel like I'm not ready with the new camera yet, but I think I'm going to take some family photos this weekend using the tripod, so that will make me feel a little more ready.
My mom's dog looks SO funny when she lies on her back like that. I can't believe I caught them both at the same time.
I am REALLY freaking out about my trip now. I changed a few reservations when I found out that my friend would be joining me, then I heard that a bunch of things will be closed when I'm there, I just heard that a "tropical system" might be moving through on my arrival day, AND I just found out that John can't pick me up from the airport when I get home!

Loved the photos! I especially like the one of the cat giving the dirty look... it seems like that's the look which is always on my cat's face Only 2 weeks to Disney World!

Thanks!! The cat is usually very sweet, so that photo is so funny to me. Though- I was playing with her on Saturday & she scratched my finger SO bad. I probably should have gotten a couple of stitches.
I'm so excited/anxious that the trip is almost here!! What is your arrival day again?

Great pictures!! I like the bird photos! So many different types.

We ate at Jiko when it first opened...I remember our meal wasn't that good but they gave us the pistachio-choc creme brulee for free for dessert. And it was heavenly!!

We didn't really eat creme brulee up until then...and we've never had another one like that since.

Looky Looky -- our countdowns are sooooo close!!!

Thanks! I was really surprised to see so many different birds in one day.
How many days are you staying in WDW?

Hi April,
As usual, work has been interfering with my time on the DIS...I"ll have to speak to my boss ! LOL

Your pictures are FANTASTIC! I agree with Lisa, the two dogs lying upside down is so cute! The pictures of the birds are amazing...what detail...
now I'm camera dumb....so how far away from the birds/chipmonk or squirel? were you....it looks like you were a foot away, but I'm guessing you had a zoom lens???

no pics of our trip to the Swam Boats...of course since neither of us can take a pic to save our lives, we didn't bring the camera...If I go again, I will bring it for sure.

I can't believe your trip is so close!!!!!!!!! YEAH!

Thanks!! I am a terrible judge of distance, but I think I was about 30 feet away from the birds. I have a zoom lens- I can't wait to use it in Animal Kingdom. I'm starting to think I HAVE TO do Wild Africa Trek, but the price is kind of crazy. I wish I was more decisive!
I'm really getting excited about the trip. I'm anxious, too- I really don't relax until I'm sitting at the gate...well...really until I'm checked into the resort! I'm definitely a worrier.

 

[aprilisis]

Sorry I totally missed yesterday's "in two weeks" post. I'll be working on those, but I wanted to share some photos I took (with a point & shoot camera) in Boston yesterday.

Most of those were taken in the North End. The one of the rabbit was at the conference I visited. I really wish I had my new camera with me.
I'm going to work on my "in two weeks" posts for yesterday & today. I know I will be too frantic to do "in one week" posts!

 

[Chaitali]

Thanks!! The cat is usually very sweet, so that photo is so funny to me. Though- I was playing with her on Saturday & she scratched my finger SO bad. I probably should have gotten a couple of stitches.
I'm so excited/anxious that the trip is almost here!! What is your arrival day again?

We leave on May 17th The Wild Africa Trek looks great but I just don't think I can justify the cost Also, I jsut saw what you posted about the tropical system on arrival day! Where did you see that? Either way, I'm determined not to let the weather get in the way of having a good trip

 

[mickeystoontown]

Holy crapadelic! I hope that you get the "changes" worked out soon. I would be a bit freaked out too.

The pictures of Boston reminded me of Hollywood Studios. I know! I know! I've got Disney on the mind right now.

 

[aprilisis]

We leave on May 17th The Wild Africa Trek looks great but I just don't think I can justify the cost Also, I jsut saw what you posted about the tropical system on arrival day! Where did you see that? Either way, I'm determined not to let the weather get in the way of having a good trip

So we DO leave the same day. Forgive me- my memory STINKS. I guess they give you a free Photopass cd with Wild Africa Trek- but I don't know if it will be photos of the trek ONLY or if you can use it for all Photopass photos.
I'm not TOO worried yet about the tropical system. If they are still saying that a few days before the trip, then I will freak out! I saw it on a Discussion Board- I only check it for the updates on the weather systems. If it happens- it will be another first for me! But let's just keep saying it will NOT happen.

Holy crapadelic! I hope that you get the "changes" worked out soon. I would be a bit freaked out too.

The pictures of Boston reminded me of Hollywood Studios. I know! I know! I've got Disney on the mind right now.

I totally get what you mean about the Boston photos vs. DHS- it's like the streets of America area!
I'm trying to relax a little. I was able to get a shared van service to pick me up from the airport on the way home, so that definitely helps. You must be getting super-excited with your trip being so close, too!

 

[aprilisis]

In two weeks (yesterday), I will be waking up at 2:30am to get on the road by 3. John is going to drive me to the airport for the earliest flight I have ever taken. I will be arriving in Orlando by 9am & catching the ME to the Poly. If my room is ready at check-in, I will unpack & walk around the resort taking photos. I plan to go to DtD to shop & take pictures. After an early dinner (or late lunch) at Portobello, I'm going to see if I can get to Characters in Flight. I hope the weather cooperates. I figure I will be exhausted after that, so I plan to go back to the room & try to photograph the fireworks at MK from the balcony of my room- OR (thanks to tips from Clearskies) from the TTC. I'll be in bed early that night.

In two weeks, I *might* be getting up early for the Wild Africa Trek. Either way, I'll be going to AK. I'm going to visit mostly everything in the park. I'm also going to get my vegetarian egg roll between Africa & Asia. You know I am hooked on those things. I have dinner planned at Artist Point. Nothing is open too late that night, so I'm not sure what I will do after dinner. Maybe I will resort hop on the monorail resorts & check out the shops & lounges.

I placed my Garden Grocer order today for snacks & bottled water. I also managed to get a reservation for a shared van service back from the airport. I have to un-pack and re-pack this weekend just to see what I put in the suitcase. This is why I should stop packing too early!

I'll try to post tomorrow, too. Have a great night!

 

[mickeystoontown]

In two weeks (yesterday), I will be waking up at 2:30am to get on the road by 3. John is going to drive me to the airport for the earliest flight I have ever taken. I will be arriving in Orlando by 9am & catching the ME to the Poly. If my room is ready at check-in, I will unpack & walk around the resort taking photos. I plan to go to DtD to shop & take pictures. After an early dinner (or late lunch) at Portobello, I'm going to see if I can get to Characters in Flight. I hope the weather cooperates. I figure I will be exhausted after that, so I plan to go back to the room & try to photograph the fireworks at MK from the balcony of my room- OR (thanks to tips from Clearskies) from the TTC. I'll be in bed early that night.

In two weeks, I *might* be getting up early for the Wild Africa Trek. Either way, I'll be going to AK. I'm going to visit mostly everything in the park. I'm also going to get my vegetarian egg roll between Africa & Asia. You know I am hooked on those things. I have dinner planned at Artist Point. Nothing is open too late that night, so I'm not sure what I will do after dinner. Maybe I will resort hop on the monorail resorts & check out the shops & lounges.

I placed my Garden Grocer order today for snacks & bottled water. I also managed to get a reservation for a shared van service back from the airport. I have to un-pack and re-pack this weekend just to see what I put in the suitcase. This is why I should stop packing too early!

I'll try to post tomorrow, too. Have a great night!

I think it's fantastic that you are getting to Walt Disney World so early in the day. Hopefully, you'll luck out and your room will be ready so you can freshen up before heading to DTD.

Aren't clearskies pictures outstanding! I saw the two of your chatting about taking pictures from the TTC and think it's be a great spot to try and get pictures of Wishes!

OMG! I would love to do the Wild Africa Trek. I've read a few blogs on it and it looks amazing. I think I could even deal with my fear of heights if I were able to go on it.

I am happy to hear that the trip home from the airport has been worked out. I know you were stressing a bit about that.

 

[aprilisis]

I think it's fantastic that you are getting to Walt Disney World so early in the day. Hopefully, you'll luck out and your room will be ready so you can freshen up before heading to DTD.

Aren't clearskies pictures outstanding! I saw the two of your chatting about taking pictures from the TTC and think it's be a great spot to try and get pictures of Wishes!

OMG! I would love to do the Wild Africa Trek. I've read a few blogs on it and it looks amazing. I think I could even deal with my fear of heights if I were able to go on it.

I am happy to hear that the trip home from the airport has been worked out. I know you were stressing a bit about that.

I'm happy that I'm getting there so early this time. I still wish our trips overlapped, though.
Clearskies photos are awesome! I have been hooked on that TR.
Guess what??? Now John CAN drive me home from the airport, so I had to cancel the shared van!!!
I have been trying to find more info on the Wild Africa Trek photopass cd because I think it includes all trip photos as of right now. I have to look into it more, but that could sway my decision. I'm really nervous about the foot bridges, though.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I'm happy that I'm getting there so early this time. I still wish our trips overlapped, though.
Clearskies photos are awesome! I have been hooked on that TR.
Guess what??? Now John CAN drive me home from the airport, so I had to cancel the shared van!!!
I have been trying to find more info on the Wild Africa Trek photopass cd because I think it includes all trip photos as of right now. I have to look into it more, but that could sway my decision. I'm really nervous about the foot bridges, though.

One day our trip dates will overlapse and we'll get to meet each other face to face.

I am always amazed at how wonderful Clearskies' pictures are. I always find myself at a loss for words (yeah....hard to imagine but still true ) when I post on his report. There are only so many times I can say that his pictures are awesome or fantastic or fabulous. But, they are!

I'm so happy to hear that John will be able to drive you home from the airport. I know you'll be glad to see him when you get back.

I would be nervous about the foot bridges too on the Trek but I think it would be well worth it.

 

[aprilisis]

One day our trip dates will overlapse and we'll get to meet each other face to face.

I am always amazed at how wonderful Clearskies' pictures are. I always find myself at a loss for words (yeah....hard to imagine but still true ) when I post on his report. There are only so many times I can say that his pictures are awesome or fantastic or fabulous. But, they are!

I'm so happy to hear that John will be able to drive you home from the airport. I know you'll be glad to see him when you get back.

I would be nervous about the foot bridges too on the Trek but I think it would be well worth it.

I definitely miss John while I'm away, but I literally call my mother twice a day to check up on Isis.
Clearskies photos are ALL great. It's like he can't take a bad photo. I'm just in awe of all of the fireworks photos....and the animals...and everything else!