Meeting, Munching, and Merriment!-Updated 7/7-Can you believe I updated this again?

[monymony3471]

For people with a fear of heights, this can be a very scary ride. Trust me. I know.

It's not enjoyable being on something that causes great fear, perspiration, nausea, panic, etc.

That's what I experienced. It's hard to build courage to endure something like that.

Baby steps Josh!

Lynda, great installments. I knew Melinda came from good people. She just oozes it. I feel you do too

 

[smidgy]

It was great meeting you guys! tell josh not to feel bad. nebo rides rollercoasters, tower of terror, by himself (although I tried that one once, promised him I would). I do saoring, but only on the lowest row.
we love cedar point, but we really need others to go with, since nebo has to do a lot by himself otherwise. (they Do have about 5 coasters I will do) last time, a few years back, we went with our youngest son and his fiancee. we have been there 3 times, and have always stayed at Breakers.

 

[Disneyfreak92]

Wow, another installment already? I love the pics of Illuminations. I hope that my pictures in December turn out as beautiful. If not, could I swipe your photos for scrapbooking purposes?

Yes, I wanted to finish off Day 1, and I did! Thank you so much! Yes, you can swipe the pics for scrapbooking. I'd be honored!

Great pics, Lynda!!!!!!!! I loved Lexi and family too, the way they the girls took care of Norah was really so sweet!

Those are the sweetest girls! And thanks for the compliment!

Too bad no Soarin' for DH! I know how he feels, I was very nervous myself the first time and I am def afraid of heights. I did go on it and I loved it but I was kinda buggin out the whole time so tell DH - baby steps and he'll get there!

MY DH is looking over my shoulder at your pics and he said how absolutely beautiful they are! I def agree!

Yeah, that's what I keep telling him. I am strictly NO PRESSURE! I don't want him getting freaked out or not enjoying it. He'll do it when he's ready.

Thank you and thank your DH!

 

[winkers]

You are so much nicer than me Lynda! When dh & I went on our solo trip we got up to the "cars" on space mountain and right before it was our turn he said "you go and I'll meet you later, I really need to go to the bathroom". To which I replied "you can do that after the ride." He got on and loved it. But he always gets super nervous before rides and I have to gently push him along and then he loves it.

 

[Disneyfreak92]

I LOVE the illuminations pics!! SO beautiful! That is something i need to work on, taking fireworks pics...do you have any hints..I have a great digital camera, Its one of the new Nikon Coolpix ( i think is the name)..but it doesnt' have any fancy lenses or anything...

Thank you so much! I'm not that familiar with your camera and how much control you have over settings. I highly recommend a tripod, or at least a bean bag rested on a railing or trash can - something to stabilize the camera because you want longer shutter speeds for fireworks photos. If you can control aperture (the 'f' number), you would want about f/8. If you can control ISO, keep it as low as possible. And if you can control shutter speed, you'll want it long - anywhere from 2-6 seconds could work, depending on the particular burst you're photographing. I use a cable shutter release and set the shutter speed on 'bulb' so that I can control the shutter speed myself. Let me know if you have any questions I can help you with.

At least he found out he didn't want to do it BEFORE he got up there, and realized it was too high! Maybe January will be his time to ride! Wish y'all were coming to DW in Jan. because I would love to meet you, but DL will be awesome too!

Yes, he did! Thank goodness! I think it really caught him off guard, so he wasn't going to enjoy it that time anyway. Maybe January will be it. Once we've flown to Cali, he may think Soarin' won't be a big deal. Whatever he decides is fine by me. No point in ruining your day over a ride.

I wish we were going to meet you too! I hope we get to meet you on a future trip! It was a tough decision to make as far as what to do in January, but I am really excited now!

What lovely pictures! We missed Illuminations last October, so dd and I plan on seeing it in Jan. It looks beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

It was beautiful! Thanks for the compliment, and I hope you get to see it in January!

Poor Josh! I am sooo with him on the height thing! The thought of Soarin' scares me, so I don't know if I will go on it or not. My other issue is I get motion sick very easily and am afraid this ride will trigger that. I don't want to spend my day feeling lousy!

Again...gorgeous pics of illuminations. You get the best firework pics I've ever seen!

Oh, motion sickness WOULD be an issue if you ask me! It can be very realistic! I get motion sickness from spinny rides, so no Mission Space for me. I haven't even tried the non-spinny version because I don't want to feel lousy all day either. Seems a waste of WDW time, don't ya think?

Aw, THANK YOU! That is so nice!

For people with a fear of heights, this can be a very scary ride. Trust me. I know.

It's not enjoyable being on something that causes great fear, perspiration, nausea, panic, etc.

That's what I experienced. It's hard to build courage to endure something like that.

Baby steps Josh!

Lynda, great installments. I knew Melinda came from good people. She just oozes it. I feel you do too

Yeah, DH's issue would be panic/fear. For him, if I understand it correctly, I think it is a head thing. And I think that's why he wants to overcome it so badly. I think baby steps are the way to go in this situation though. I'm not pushing. I don't mind riding alone. Of course, if he did ride it and love it, all the better to have him with me in the future. But I want him to enjoy it!

Melinda is great! And thank you!

It was great meeting you guys! tell josh not to feel bad. nebo rides rollercoasters, tower of terror, by himself (although I tried that one once, promised him I would). I do saoring, but only on the lowest row.
we love cedar point, but we really need others to go with, since nebo has to do a lot by himself otherwise. (they Do have about 5 coasters I will do) last time, a few years back, we went with our youngest son and his fiancee. we have been there 3 times, and have always stayed at Breakers.

OMGarsh!! We love Cedar Point too! And we like to stay at Breakers too! I think it was monymony Monica who mentioned a possible meet there this coming summer. Would you and nebo be up for that? That'd be a blast! We try to go every year, but we missed it last year. I think I actually told the story earlier in this trippie - maybe in the This Summer in Pictures chapter. Actually, we've been there 3 times too. (Well, 3 times together - I went there twice in high school too.)

 

[Disneyfreak92]

What a great day! I didn't remember that you guys hadn't had anything to eat?! Poor you! It was late and I'm sure you were tired!

Eh, we were fine! We had Food & Wine snacks and Tangierine Cafe earlier, so we weren't exactly starving. It was nice to have pizza delivered anyway. We never do that at home! (Limited choices here.)

Right here, folks! This is an example of why Lynda is such a pleasure to be around....always smiling and looking on the bright side.....going with the flow. You prolly just hugged him and told him it was OK. So cute!

I believe I did hug him. You know me too well!

I can't wait to hear about this! I've never ridden a Segway!

Neither had we! I can't wait to tell you about it! But it will mean the TR is over because it's the last thing we did.

I know!!! I just couldn't move things along fast enough at LeCellier! I handed the waitress the Key to the Food when we ordered dessert and we still barely made it! Thanks for saving our spot!

Key to the Food! That's great! Doesn't it seem like sometimes it takes FOREVER to get the check taken care of? It was no problem - really!

Great photos as always! I think there was a lot of..."Honey, don't touch the tripod" and "Sweetie, stay away from the camera!" in between those shots!

No, I think that was before the show started. Mimi had James during the show. I remember because he asked "Is that it?" about 2 or 3 different times during the show. He's a funny kid! And when he did touch the camera or tripod, he touched it very lightly. Didn't hurt a thing. I dealt with some much heavier handed kids later in the week...who I didn't know. But that's for another installment!

THANK YOU!!!! That was SO nice of you! What a pleasure to not have to wait out the bus crowd after Illuminations! THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! And thank Josh again for the wonderful pins for the kids. That was so generous of him to give the kids some pins. I love the FP ones!

You're welcome! It was really no trouble. And we got to visit longer. Besides, I love to make use of the back of my van!

We felt the exact same way about you and Josh!

to you too! So, when are we getting together again?...

Yea - more great pictures!!! How long was the exposure for the fireworks? They are beautiful! (I only took our little point and shoot camera and didn't have a tripod - used the railing on the deck at Rose & Crown, though. I got a couple good ones, but nothing like yours.)

Can't wait for more!!

Thank you! The exposures were (in order of posting) 4s, 2s, 5s, 5s, 4s, and 3s. I want to eat at Rose & Crown during Illuminations sometime! How was that?

 

[Disneyfreak92]

You are so much nicer than me Lynda! When dh & I went on our solo trip we got up to the "cars" on space mountain and right before it was our turn he said "you go and I'll meet you later, I really need to go to the bathroom". To which I replied "you can do that after the ride." He got on and loved it. But he always gets super nervous before rides and I have to gently push him along and then he loves it.

Well, whatever works, right? I don't think that'd work for DH though. He's the one who decided he should fly on a plane, and we're doing that in January, so I'm sure he'll do it when he's ready for it.

 

[monymony3471]

It was great meeting you guys! tell josh not to feel bad. nebo rides rollercoasters, tower of terror, by himself (although I tried that one once, promised him I would). I do saoring, but only on the lowest row.
we love cedar point, but we really need others to go with, since nebo has to do a lot by himself otherwise. (they Do have about 5 coasters I will do) last time, a few years back, we went with our youngest son and his fiancee. we have been there 3 times, and have always stayed at Breakers.

Hey we love Cedar Point and my DH needs a ride buddy when we go. I am too conflicted with Vertigo to enjoy these anymore. Plus I'm hanging with the kids on the tamer rides. It's only a 3 hour drive for us. The last time we went I was pregnant with Malorie, so that's about 4 years. I think there's a peep meet in our future!!!

 

[Spartangirl]

After eating, we shopped. In the large store in Japan, we saw this!

This is just not right!!! In Disney??? C'mon!

DH found a really yummy orange and Grand Marnier frozen beverage in France.

I want to try one of these on our next trip...I heard they are delish!

Your Illuminations photos are WONDERFUL!!! DH & I love that show......we're planning to see it once again on NYE this year!

I can't wait for the next installment.....

Off topic...Another Cedar Point fan here! I saw it mentioned earlier in a post.

 

[GSD4ME]

Thank you! The exposures were (in order of posting) 4s, 2s, 5s, 5s, 4s, and 3s. I want to eat at Rose & Crown during Illuminations sometime! How was that?

The Rose & Crown was wonderful, as always! It's a "must eat at" place for us when we go. We had reservations for 7:30, so it worked out really well. The waitress asked us if we wanted to wait and order dessert after Illuminations, which was really nice. I would definitely recommend watching Illuminations from the deck or the patio.

Thanks for the info on the fireworks pics. I was really wishing at different times throughout the week that I had my SLR with me! (Although, the FOUR pictures I had my DH take with the point and shoot at my birthday breakfast with Pooh and Friends ALL turned out blurry - LOL! That's why he's the golfer and I'm the photographer ) Guess I know what I'll be packing next time, though . . .

 

[Disneyfreak92]

Hey we love Cedar Point and my DH needs a ride buddy when we go. I am too conflicted with Vertigo to enjoy these anymore. Plus I'm hanging with the kids on the tamer rides. It's only a 3 hour drive for us. The last time we went I was pregnant with Malorie, so that's about 4 years. I think there's a peep meet in our future!!!

This sounds like FUN!!! I am SO ready to tackle Millenium Force! (Of course, I say that now, when we don't yet have definite plans to go. )

This is just not right!!! In Disney??? C'mon!

I know!

I want to try one of these on our next trip...I heard they are delish!

Oh, they are! I can't wait to have another...of my own! (All I did was sip DH's.)

Your Illuminations photos are WONDERFUL!!! DH & I love that show......we're planning to see it once again on NYE this year!

I can't wait for the next installment.....

Off topic...Another Cedar Point fan here! I saw it mentioned earlier in a post.

OK, so this is one of the things I can't wait for. Whenever we get moved down to Florida, we WILL be spending NYE at the parks! Our friend Jill did MK this year, I believe. She said the fireworks were amazing!

Cedar Point rocks!

The Rose & Crown was wonderful, as always! It's a "must eat at" place for us when we go. We had reservations for 7:30, so it worked out really well. The waitress asked us if we wanted to wait and order dessert after Illuminations, which was really nice. I would definitely recommend watching Illuminations from the deck or the patio.

Thanks for the info on the fireworks pics. I was really wishing at different times throughout the week that I had my SLR with me! (Although, the FOUR pictures I had my DH take with the point and shoot at my birthday breakfast with Pooh and Friends ALL turned out blurry - LOL! That's why he's the golfer and I'm the photographer ) Guess I know what I'll be packing next time, though . . .

Rose and Crown is one of the few table service places we have left to try. I am hoping we can hit it on the next trip, but not sure yet. It's not quite ADR time yet.

Yeah, I got my first dSLR just before our May 2005 trip, and I can't imagine being without it now! I did just take the new compact point and shoot to Pleasure Island one night, and to the Boardwalk another night, but besides that, I almost always have the big camera around my neck (unless it's raining ). I did forget to mention in that last installment that while we were waiting for our pizza to arrive that first night, I was cleaning the sensor on my 30D because it had a few specs of something on it (happened sometime over the summer). Talk about nerve-racking, but I'm getting better at it...or at least more used to doing it.

 

[monymony3471]

Off topic...Another Cedar Point fan here! I saw it mentioned earlier in a post.

Ok! Sounds to me that there must be a Cedar Point Trip mini meet next year.

 

[Minnie_Moo]

Another Peep checking in, Lynda! I am LOVING your trip report and your lovely photos!!!

Count me in if there's a Cedar Point mini-meet . . . I haven't been for years! I'm not that big of a coaster fan, but there are a few things there that I would ride. It's about a four hour drive for me.

I got to spend some time with Melinda and her kids and really enjoyed meeting them too. Melinda dropped off a care package of Cold-eez lozenges for me (THANKS AGAIN )! It helped stave off the bronchitis for a few days so I could mostly enjoy our trip.

Now you're really making me kick myself that I didn't try those frozen drinks at Epcot I will definitely try them on the next trip. I did visit the frozen margarita kiosk this trip though . . . YUM! And I had a couple glow drinks.

And I thought I'd put in my two cents worth on Soarin'. I think Josh would do better if he sat in the middle where you can't see how high you are instead of near the end. I never realized the height until I sat in an end seat. Fortunately, nothing about that ride makes me uncomfortable. I even got the nerve to try the spinny version of Mission Space this trip

It's cool that you are going to stay at the Grand Californian on your next trip. We stayed at Paradise Pier, which is pretty nice (we got a free upgrade in honor of our anniversary), but we walked through the GC to get early access to California Adventure back in 2004 and it was gorgeous!

 

[snowbell]

wow!!!! Those are some really amazing pictures. You are going to have a very successful career ahead of you

 

[lexmelinda]

 

[MA pigletfan]

thanks for the fireworks advice! I will have to investigate my cameras settings this weekend...I know the book that came with it is about 3" thick, so there must be something in there on taking fireworks pics!
can't wait for the next installment!

 

[BriarRosie]

Wow, I caught up with the report, since you updated while I was at WDW.

The Japanese hand massager made me giggle. I actually never found the time
to go into most of the shops in World Showcase. I never found time to do
the MK Mountain Range, believe it or not! And I also had timing issues with
Jill, as well as Coriander and Out.

But I took the Epcot Segway Tour for the second time, now. I really ought
to have tried the Ft. Wilderness one. Maybe in the future.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Hello,

When I was at Epcot recently, waiting to watch Illuminations, I noticed that someone had set up a tripod, right by the walkway between England and Canada. I thought to myself, "Huh? That must take a lot of effort. The only person I can think of who would drag all that photo equipment around the parks is Disneyfreak92." Then I realized that the young lady working the camera looked suspiciously like how I remembered Disneyfreak92 appearing in her previous trip report. Then I noticed she was wearing a lime green mickey head.

So, I just wanted to give you a virtual wave, say that I and my husband were the couple standing behind the excitable Asian woman in the ECV next to you during Illuminations, that we didn't want to bother you by walking up and introducing ourselves while you were photographing, and that your photos of the event are 100% better than any I took.

Hoping the rest of your trip was as nice as the opening.

 

[Disneyfreak92]

Ok! Sounds to me that there must be a Cedar Point Trip mini meet next year.

Woo Hooty! You know I'm all for it!

Another Peep checking in, Lynda! I am LOVING your trip report and your lovely photos!!!

Count me in if there's a Cedar Point mini-meet . . . I haven't been for years! I'm not that big of a coaster fan, but there are a few things there that I would ride. It's about a four hour drive for me.

I got to spend some time with Melinda and her kids and really enjoyed meeting them too. Melinda dropped off a care package of Cold-eez lozenges for me (THANKS AGAIN )! It helped stave off the bronchitis for a few days so I could mostly enjoy our trip.

Now you're really making me kick myself that I didn't try those frozen drinks at Epcot I will definitely try them on the next trip. I did visit the frozen margarita kiosk this trip though . . . YUM! And I had a couple glow drinks.

And I thought I'd put in my two cents worth on Soarin'. I think Josh would do better if he sat in the middle where you can't see how high you are instead of near the end. I never realized the height until I sat in an end seat. Fortunately, nothing about that ride makes me uncomfortable. I even got the nerve to try the spinny version of Mission Space this trip

It's cool that you are going to stay at the Grand Californian on your next trip. We stayed at Paradise Pier, which is pretty nice (we got a free upgrade in honor of our anniversary), but we walked through the GC to get early access to California Adventure back in 2004 and it was gorgeous!

Thank you, thank you! And yay! Another Cedar Point person!

I heard about the Cold-Eeze! Isn't that sweet of them?

That drink is super yummy!

I agree about the middle of Soarin'. I think it's harder to tell how high you are there.

Oh, I can't wait for Grand Californian! I think I may just shed some happy tears on that trip!

wow!!!! Those are some really amazing pictures. You are going to have a very successful career ahead of you

Thank you so much!

Thanks for the bump!

thanks for the fireworks advice! I will have to investigate my cameras settings this weekend...I know the book that came with it is about 3" thick, so there must be something in there on taking fireworks pics!
can't wait for the next installment!

Yeah, I know it's dry, but I always recommend reading the manual. It ALWAYS helps take better pictures, I think.

Wow, I caught up with the report, since you updated while I was at WDW.

The Japanese hand massager made me giggle. I actually never found the time
to go into most of the shops in World Showcase. I never found time to do
the MK Mountain Range, believe it or not! And I also had timing issues with
Jill, as well as Coriander and Out.

But I took the Epcot Segway Tour for the second time, now. I really ought
to have tried the Ft. Wilderness one. Maybe in the future.

Yay! Glad to see you're here! I forgot to leave pins with Jill for you, so I'll just have to come see ya sometime!

Sorry your timing didn't work out, but I hope you had a blast! Yeah, we have to try the Epcot Segway tour now that we've done the Ft. Wilderness version.

Hello,

When I was at Epcot recently, waiting to watch Illuminations, I noticed that someone had set up a tripod, right by the walkway between England and Canada. I thought to myself, "Huh? That must take a lot of effort. The only person I can think of who would drag all that photo equipment around the parks is Disneyfreak92." Then I realized that the young lady working the camera looked suspiciously like how I remembered Disneyfreak92 appearing in her previous trip report. Then I noticed she was wearing a lime green mickey head.

So, I just wanted to give you a virtual wave, say that I and my husband were the couple standing behind the excitable Asian woman in the ECV next to you during Illuminations, that we didn't want to bother you by walking up and introducing ourselves while you were photographing, and that your photos of the event are 100% better than any I took.

Hoping the rest of your trip was as nice as the opening.

OMG! Are you serious? I got recognized?!? I can't believe it! Well, I do wish you would have said hello. But it's still quite cool to be recognized. And I'm waving back now. Too cool! I'll have to share that with UtahMama. She got recognized at WDW more than once! And thanks for the compliment. Hope you stick around for the rest, and that you enjoy it.

 

[TheDISneyFamily]

Hi Lynda! I'm finally checking in at your TR, and no surprise, I see some FABULOUS pictures! Wow! Those Illuminations shots are wonderful!

It sounds like you had a great day with Melinda and her daughters! It's nice that you also got to meet the rest of her family that night. You're off to a great start with your Peep meets.

Aren't longer trips great?! I can't wait to read more!
Take care,
Michelle

P.S. Tell Josh he's not alone with the 'height' thing on Soarin'.