NateNLogansDad + party of 25 + AKL + MNSSHP = a few thousand pictures (Bonus Video!!)

[Ambersgram]

Your pictures are awesome.

 

[ajf1007]

Saw your update about your upcoming update...looking forward to it!

We are heading down to WDW in about a month. We are doing one night at the Beach Club in large part because of the first TR of yours that I read! Plus DD4 keeps saying 'i want to go to the beach' so that's our beach fix. Got any good suggestions for where to do QS around there besides BCMarketplace? Also how is the walk to HS or did you usually do the boat?

Trying to decide if I want to do a PTR. not sure anyone would read it? lol. looking forward to hearing more from you!

Oh and I saw a pp say somethingabout a disney cruise and you mentioned you have not been on one. DUDE. you have got to hit a DCL. FAb.U.Lous.

Hi Angie! I'll read your PTR, don't you worry about that! Everyone loves a PTR so I am sure I won't be alone!!! I have family in Kansas!!

 

[ajf1007]

HAHAHA!!! You boys and Pocahontas! I told Jay that she was going to get a restraining order soon! Its hysterical! When he sees her he hears "Have you heard the wolf cry...." i have to grab his arm to get his attention!

No Mack and Mancos? Thats BLASPHEMY!! I have to say, we have great pizza here too, but I just can't resist the Mack and Manco's - well now I believe it's just Mancos! Jay doesn't get it either, he refuses to wait in the line, but I don't care, I just love it!!

Goooo Phils! It's a shame your work is cutting into bball! That's just wrong! You'll have to do what Jay does on Saturday 1:00 games - he DVR's them and then refuses to listen to the radio or anything till he watches them. Sometimes, he'll even DVR them when we're AT the game, you know, just in case he missed something. I have to say - pizza, beer and any sporting event makes me happy. There's nothing like it I say!

I did a short 3 day cruise with my BFF last year (we take one short girls only trip every year) to the Bahamas and it was my first cruise, I freaking LOVED it!!! I've finally convinced Jay to give it a try - he was always anti cruise to anywhere - but his stipulation is Disney cruise or no cruise. Yeah, like I'd argue with that! Anyway, it looks like that's what we're gonna do!

Ok - I'll wrap it up here, word on the street is that there's this awesome TR update from some guy in Pennsylvania and I want to go get caught up!

 

[ajf1007]

WOOOOWWWW!!!!! What a great update and totally worth the wait! The pictures were amazing, just when I thought one was my favorite, I'd see another and another...needless to say, I love them all!!

Dinner for 25! YIKES! I am calling tomorrow to make our ADR's and was worried about 10 people, you calmed me down that's for sure! The boys looked so great in the pirate gear and Tina was adorable in her headband too. What a beautiful family is all I can say! I've heard stories about the Lapu Lapu's but not I think I must add them to the bucket list. I'm a sucker for anything pineapple and when you throw some "spirits" in there, I'm all over that!

I did see your comment in a previous post about moving to Florida and almost fell off my chair with the similarities! Jay and I have that plan as well. My Mom and Dad actually have their house up for sale now and are moving to Florida as soon as it sells. Jay and I have dreamt of it for so long and have decided to put the plans in place to start preparing. So....I'm figuring in approx 3-5 years we'll be there! I have a realtor that sends me the listings each week and I don't know where to cry when I see them or just slap the "FOR SALE" sign on the front lawn and see what happens.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Worth the wait!!!

Man, you take a lot of pictures

the update and the Halloween Parade pictures! We haven't made it to a night parade of any kind yet and it is on the short list of our 'must do's' this next trip. We're trying to not worry about hitting everything and enjoy the ride this time, so to speak! I loved the Goofy's Candy company float and things that went with it!


Enjoy what's left of your Sunday!

Yeah for the update!!

Yea, I do love taking pictures. There is a teacher Nate's school that calls us the family historians The best part is, you only take pictures about the good memories, not the stressful or worrisome stuff you go through on a vacation. 10 years from now, we can look back and remember this as one of the best vacations we ever had.

The parade was great and I would love to see it again. I wish they had more night parades! Why not do something like that for Epcot or Hollywood Studios? Should we write a letter? Oh well, just a pipe dream I guess.
Sitting back and enjoying the ride is so easy to talk about before you go isn't it? I always feel like we need to do it all when we get down there but I try to tell everybody to relax when they go I'm my worst enemy I guess

It was worth the wait! I enjoy reading your TRs, and you have some wonderful shots.

I am trying to figure out what night you were at MNSSHP. We went on 10/25. I had hopes of watching the parade & fireworks and trying to get some shots, but it was not happening!

And, so far, I have not seen my family in any of your pictures! I will keep watching & reading though.

Oh, and thanks for taking care of the popcorn!

Hey thanks for sticking around! I had gotten 1/2 way through it and needed to take a break. I had thought about posting what I had but said to myself "Self, you need to make it up to the people following along and do a real good update" and there ya go

By the way...we were there on the 25th! Feel free to steal whatever you want of the parades or fireworks for your collection. As long as my kids aren't in them and nobody's selling them, I'm good with that. Also, if you ever want the originals to print big for anything, I can always email them over or send a CD. Just let me know!

As for the popcorn, I will try to keep a closer eye on what's going on at the front desk. The popcorn shall not run dry!

Yes, an update. Great pictures as usual. I love seeing pictures of an empty Disney. With all the craziness going on during the day it's so nice to sometimes see pictures without the people so you can really appreciate what's in the photo.

Thank you If you like the empty Disney pictures, I have some ideas for the next trip that you might really like. I'm hoping to have another lens by then too, so hopefully they might come out even sharper After this report is over, I'll log back on to here after the next trip and post a link to the next trip report for ya. I always say Disney is in the details...and there are SO many details to capture!!!

Great update(s)..!!!
Loving your photos - the 2nd parade turned out great! Was that with your 50mm or zoom? And I love the AK long exposures! Very good - giving me food for thought!
I think you might need a Lapu Lapu after that massive update!!

Thank you!!! I have to admit, they were the one set of pictures that I really liked. The whole parade was done with the Nikon 50mm 1.8. I love that lens! I have the 35mm 1.8 also and both are an EXCELLENT value at $200 each. The AK pictures were all with the Sigma 18-250. If you ever want to check any details on any of my pictures for some ideas, I'll give you a little tip. Right click on the picture and select "Copy Image Location" than go to the web page.... http://regex.info/exif.cgi Right click in the top box and select "paste" than hit the button to the right that says "View image at url" on it. That gives you all the info on the picture. Camera, Lens, Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO....it's all there! Good stuff I use it often to check out what the real photographers do to get the effects they have.

Your pictures are awesome.

See, now I'm going to start getting a big head!

No, seriously though, thank you very much! I still have a ways to go but I'm slowly getting there. Hopefully, with the Spring rolling in a little early, I'll get to go out and actually play with the camera again soon! I really need some more practice

Hi Angie! I'll read your PTR, don't you worry about that! Everyone loves a PTR so I am sure I won't be alone!!! I have family in Kansas!!

I think she should post the address right here for everybody to see don't you???

We're waiting Angie

HAHAHA!!! You boys and Pocahontas! I told Jay that she was going to get a restraining order soon! Its hysterical! When he sees her he hears "Have you heard the wolf cry...." i have to grab his arm to get his attention!

No Mack and Mancos? Thats BLASPHEMY!! I have to say, we have great pizza here too, but I just can't resist the Mack and Manco's - well now I believe it's just Mancos! Jay doesn't get it either, he refuses to wait in the line, but I don't care, I just love it!!

Goooo Phils! It's a shame your work is cutting into bball! That's just wrong! You'll have to do what Jay does on Saturday 1:00 games - he DVR's them and then refuses to listen to the radio or anything till he watches them. Sometimes, he'll even DVR them when we're AT the game, you know, just in case he missed something. I have to say - pizza, beer and any sporting event makes me happy. There's nothing like it I say!

I did a short 3 day cruise with my BFF last year (we take one short girls only trip every year) to the Bahamas and it was my first cruise, I freaking LOVED it!!! I've finally convinced Jay to give it a try - he was always anti cruise to anywhere - but his stipulation is Disney cruise or no cruise. Yeah, like I'd argue with that! Anyway, it looks like that's what we're gonna do!

Ok - I'll wrap it up here, word on the street is that there's this awesome TR update from some guy in Pennsylvania and I want to go get caught up!

I've tried to respond to this comment about 5 times now and every time Logan keeps interrupting me. Than I go back to read it again and I hear "Have you ever heard the wolf cry....."

It's not our fault I tell you!!! Umm...it's Disney's advertizing team! It's like you know how whenever the song "Oh this has got to be a good life" or "Life is a highway" comes on the radio, you smile and want to go to WDW right then and there? Same thing....somehow......I think.

Look, all I'm saying is us guys are innocent. INNOCENT I TELL YOU!

Sorry, I'm better now.

What happened to Mack? Did they split up? I want to make a trip before the crowds get crazy down there. Maybe we'll stop in if the lines aren't nuts just yet. I have a friend who went to Wildwood today but nothing was really open just yet. Next month should be better.

I can't DVR a Phills game. I have the MLB app so there's no way I can go without knowing the score all day. Spring trainging games aren't a huge thing for me, it's just nice to watch the ball get thrown around again. When the regular season starts, it's GAME ON and I'll do whatever I can to watch or at least listen to the radio! I heard we have an FM station this year....I think I'm going to stick to AM though.

The cruise thing sounds phenomenal. It's on the list...we have a long list We've really wanted to go on another on ever since the honeymoon but it's just never happened. In a few years, I can see a Disney cruise happening

 

[NateNLogansDad]

WOOOOWWWW!!!!! What a great update and totally worth the wait! The pictures were amazing, just when I thought one was my favorite, I'd see another and another...needless to say, I love them all!!

Dinner for 25! YIKES! I am calling tomorrow to make our ADR's and was worried about 10 people, you calmed me down that's for sure! The boys looked so great in the pirate gear and Tina was adorable in her headband too. What a beautiful family is all I can say! I've heard stories about the Lapu Lapu's but not I think I must add them to the bucket list. I'm a sucker for anything pineapple and when you throw some "spirits" in there, I'm all over that!

I did see your comment in a previous post about moving to Florida and almost fell off my chair with the similarities! Jay and I have that plan as well. My Mom and Dad actually have their house up for sale now and are moving to Florida as soon as it sells. Jay and I have dreamt of it for so long and have decided to put the plans in place to start preparing. So....I'm figuring in approx 3-5 years we'll be there! I have a realtor that sends me the listings each week and I don't know where to cry when I see them or just slap the "FOR SALE" sign on the front lawn and see what happens.

Thanks! I really did like going through those pictures. I'm thinking i need to start using that lens more and more. It really comes out nice and sharp

YES you need to try the Lapu Lapu!!! They are so stinken good!!! But, keep in mind they make them with 151 proof rum so it's easy to get a strong one. Usually the first is OK and the second one get's bumped up a notch. After that, they all taste perfect

10 people is pretty easy. We had 8 last year and it was a piece of cake. When you are on the phone making reservations, try the website at the same time if you get put on hold. Who knows, by the time you get a live person on the phone, you might already have it all done yourself

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/reservations/dining/

I can't wait to move to Florida!!!! Everybody thinks we're nuts! All I ever here is "But it's so hot down there." Idiots. The sun brings life!!! Winter here make everything dead! I can't wait to come home from work and relax at the beach!!! We keep hitting up the realtor web pages and look at the houses down there. All I need it one lucky lottery ticket!!!

 

[merbobear]

I love your fireworks pictures! But wow, I REALLY love your AKL @ night pictures. I truly loathe the idea of carrying my tripod around, but your pictures might have just changed my mind, I would love to take a late walk around and slowwwww down my shutter to capture the beauty of late night Disney!

 

[NateNLogansDad]

I love your fireworks pictures! But wow, I REALLY love your AKL @ night pictures. I truly loathe the idea of carrying my tripod around, but your pictures might have just changed my mind, I would love to take a late walk around and slowwwww down my shutter to capture the beauty of late night Disney!

A friend of mine in in Jamaica right now, but if you send me a reminder in a PM next week, I'll be glad to ask him about his travel tripod if you's like. It's less than 12" when collapsed but it extends out to about 4' or so. He has the same camera and Sigma lens that I have and uses it a lot. I'm pretty sure he got it on Amazon with the carrying bag pretty cheap. Small, light, and cheap also makes it not the most sturdy....but it works. I just wouldn't use it during wishes in fear someone would kick out a leg or something. It's just a thought.

I can't wait to go back again for some more night shots. Believe it or not, there were plenty of times during this trip where I wanted to forget about the camera all together. I just wasn't happy with anything I did with it. But for the next trip, I keep thinking of different things I want to try and it's getting me so excited....

You really should take a tripod out with you!!! Worst case, carry it out to the parks and throw it in a locker till later in the evening. It REALLY makes such a difference in what you can do!!!

*Chanting*

Do it !

Do it!

Do it!

 

[GiGiJoeysMom]

Awesome update, the pictures from the parade were great. I can't wait to show them to the rest of my family.

 

[Susan121302]

OMG, if ever an update was worth the wait, it's this one! SOOOO good. although, I did get the sense that you were cheating on our treasured Beach Club a bit. But, you sure did post some great shots for AKL. My goodness I didn't realize how beautiful it is there! (sorry BC )

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Awesome update, the pictures from the parade were great. I can't wait to show them to the rest of my family.

Now that's a compliment! I don't think I've heard anyone look forward to show MY pictures to the rest of their family! Thank you!!! I really needed that! The car's been giving me grief lately and I've been putting a lot of work into it which is driving me nuts. That really made my night

OMG, if ever an update was worth the wait, it's this one! SOOOO good. although, I did get the sense that you were cheating on our treasured Beach Club a bit. But, you sure did post some great shots for AKL. My goodness I didn't realize how beautiful it is there! (sorry BC )

You're way to sweet! Thank you! Trust me, if I planned this trip, we would have been at the Beach Club hands down. I didn't want to try to have my in laws stay away from the rest of the family though so I kept my mouth shut. I guess maybe I'll have to make it up to the Beach Club sometime at the end of the year

Yes, AKL is a beautiful resort, it's just the location I wasn't thrilled with. If it were closer to anything, I'd go back in a heartbeat. I guess the BC just spoiled the crap out us.

Trust me....our Home Away From Home will ALWAYS be the Beach Club

 

[Susan121302]

Now that's a compliment! I don't think I've heard anyone look forward to show MY pictures to the rest of their family! Thank you!!! I really needed that! The car's been giving me grief lately and I've been putting a lot of work into it which is driving me nuts. That really made my night



You're way to sweet! Thank you! Trust me, if I planned this trip, we would have been at the Beach Club hands down. I didn't want to try to have my in laws stay away from the rest of the family though so I kept my mouth shut. I guess maybe I'll have to make it up to the Beach Club sometime at the end of the year

Yes, AKL is a beautiful resort, it's just the location I wasn't thrilled with. If it were closer to anything, I'd go back in a heartbeat. I guess the BC just spoiled the crap out us.

Trust me....our Home Away From Home will ALWAYS be the Beach Club

Agreed. I have always wanted to stay there but whenever I think about pulling the trigger I get that same nagging thought. It is so FAR AWAY from everything. I mean, heck is it even walking distance to Animal kingdom's entrance??

 

[abcangie87]

Alright, friend, i've started a trip report/pre trip report.

AND there is a shout-out to you in it

Come by for a visit when you get a chance!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44377890&posted=1#post44377890

When do you think you'll make these 'move to florida' dreams come true? One of my BFFs (that I actually met here on the DIS) is actually getting ready to put their house on the market to move down there! Wow.

 

[DerangedChipmunk]

Wow! it's been a while since I've been on the DIS (midterms, you are the bane of my existence) but I'm so glad I got to catch up on your TR. All of your pictures are fantastic!

I never knew they brought the HM ballroom scene into the Halloween parade. It's so well done. Are the men with the shovels supposed to be the grave diggers? So cool!

Can't wait to read the next update

 

[TinyDancer]

SO late to the game... but I'm here & reading along! Your TR has been amazing as usual! My children & I have loved looking at your photos.. we are going in October this year so this has been very informative to me also!

It's awesome that you had so many people that went to WDW with you! I want to do that with my entire family some time..

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Agreed. I have always wanted to stay there but whenever I think about pulling the trigger I get that same nagging thought. It is so FAR AWAY from everything. I mean, heck is it even walking distance to Animal kingdom's entrance??

Nope. Not even close. I thought it would be but no. Guess they dropped the ball when they thought about location

I've actually thought about it a lot lately. What may have really messed us up was how the buses would go to both buildings. Jambo first than Kidani. I'm wondering if some of the buses we were waiting for skipped us because they were so full. We did have a few pull up that were so full they wouldn't let anybody on from our stop I think both buildings need their own buses and things would run so much better.

Alright, friend, i've started a trip report/pre trip report.

AND there is a shout-out to you in it

Come by for a visit when you get a chance!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=44377890&posted=1#post44377890

When do you think you'll make these 'move to florida' dreams come true? One of my BFFs (that I actually met here on the DIS) is actually getting ready to put their house on the market to move down there! Wow.

The first time I read your PTR, I was on my phone and I think I missed some parts. I just read it all again and I have to say THANK YOU for the shout outs!!!!

I'd love to move down to Florida next year but we need to get some things caught up on first, so I guess I'll have to go with ASAP. Trust me, as soon as a date gets put in stone EVERYBODY will know it

Wow! it's been a while since I've been on the DIS (midterms, you are the bane of my existence) but I'm so glad I got to catch up on your TR. All of your pictures are fantastic!

I never knew they brought the HM ballroom scene into the Halloween parade. It's so well done. Are the men with the shovels supposed to be the grave diggers? So cool!

Can't wait to read the next update

CHIPMUNK!!! Or should I call you Cindy? Been a long time! Has any other children come up to you lately thinking you were Cinderella?

The HM ballroom scene was great! I really would love to go back to see the parade someday. Everything else is OK but the parade was by far the best The grave diggers would run the shovels across the pavement and make sparks while dancing! Very very cool

SO late to the game... but I'm here & reading along! Your TR has been amazing as usual! My children & I have loved looking at your photos.. we are going in October this year so this has been very informative to me also!

It's awesome that you had so many people that went to WDW with you! I want to do that with my entire family some time..

It's never too late!!! That really is so sweet that you were reading it with the kids!!! That really gave me such a big smile!!! Thank you! When in October are you guys going down? Where are you looking to stay at???

 

[ajf1007]

Ithink she should post the address right here for everybody to see don't you???

We're waiting Angie
Yeah!! I'm gonna go check it out after I finish this up!


I've tried to respond to this comment about 5 times now and every time Logan keeps interrupting me. Than I go back to read it again and I hear "Have you ever heard the wolf cry....."

It's not our fault I tell you!!! Umm...it's Disney's advertizing team! It's like you know how whenever the song "Oh this has got to be a good life" or "Life is a highway" comes on the radio, you smile and want to go to WDW right then and there? Same thing....somehow......I think.

Look, all I'm saying is us guys are innocent. INNOCENT I TELL YOU!
Hahaha innocent isn't the word I was looking for .
Sorry, I'm better now.

What happened to Mack? Did they split up? I want to make a trip before the crowds get crazy down there. Maybe we'll stop in if the lines aren't nuts just yet. I have a friend who went to Wildwood today but nothing was really open just yet. Next month should be better.
evidently they had some falling out but supposedly nothing is changing in regard to recipes, etc. I think I will have to be the judge of that! Funny thing though, when each of my nieces was born, I gave them each a Mack and Mancos onsie. They have a part of history now

I can't DVR a Phills game. I have the MLB app so there's no way I can go without knowing the score all day. Spring trainging games aren't a huge thing for me, it's just nice to watch the ball get thrown around again. When the regular season starts, it's GAME ON and I'll do whatever I can to watch or at least listen to the radio! I heard we have an FM station this year....I think I'm going to stick to AM though.

The cruise thing sounds phenomenal. It's on the list...we have a long list We've really wanted to go on another on ever since the honeymoon but it's just never happened. In a few years, I can see a Disney cruise happening

I'm very excited! '2014 baby!!!

Thanks! I really did like going through those pictures. I'm thinking i need to start using that lens more and more. It really comes out nice and sharp

YES you need to try the Lapu Lapu!!! They are so stinken good!!! But, keep in mind they make them with 151 proof rum so it's easy to get a strong one. Usually the first is OK and the second one get's bumped up a notch. After that, they all taste perfect
I usually refer to that period of time as the "I can't feel my face.". Im so excited to try it. I got all my reservations made and got everything, which includes our last night dinner at 'Ohana!! Plus BBB for the girls, lunch in the Castle, a couple breakfasts at Boma, lunch at San Angel Inn and Mickeys Backyard BBQ. Oh yeah, and Momma Melrose with the Fantasmic show package. That should keep them all busy somewhat but still a bit laid back. Do you agree? Did I miss anything?

10 people is pretty easy. We had 8 last year and it was a piece of cake. When you are on the phone making reservations, try the website at the same time if you get put on hold. Who knows, by the time you get a live person on the phone, you might already have it all done yourself

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/reservations/dining/

I can't wait to move to Florida!!!! Everybody thinks we're nuts! All I ever here is "But it's so hot down there." Idiots. The sun brings life!!! Winter here make everything dead! I can't wait to come home from work and relax at the beach!!! We keep hitting up the realtor web pages and look at the houses down there. All I need it one lucky lottery ticket!!!

OMG, I am so ready. Everyday that I drive into work I wish it was my last drive there. I don't hate my job, but I am totally over these winters and cold weather. I'm ready for quality of life and warm sun on my face. Maybe we could go in and buy a compound, we could still fly our phillies and flyers flags !!

 

[TinyDancer]

It's never too late!!! That really is so sweet that you were reading it with the kids!!! That really gave me such a big smile!!! Thank you! When in October are you guys going down? Where are you looking to stay at???

We are going October 20 - 27, and staying in a preferred room at POR! This will be our first fall trip and first time at POR.. I've been planning & planning... most importantly, the kids' outfits .. For some reason I was under the impression that late October is high 80s.. 90 degrees! Imagine my surprise when I started reading your TR and noticed.. jeans! hoodies! long sleeve shirts! I'm sure you think I'm nuts but I coordinate my entire family (6 of us) and all of my wardrobe planning had to be scrapped. SO, I AM glad that I found your TR when I did, to save me from purchasing any more SUMMER items for FALL at Disney..

 

[Snappy in OK]

We are going October 20 - 27, and staying in a preferred room at POR! This will be our first fall trip and first time at POR.. I've been planning & planning... most importantly, the kids' outfits .. For some reason I was under the impression that late October is high 80s.. 90 degrees! Imagine my surprise when I started reading your TR and noticed.. jeans! hoodies! long sleeve shirts! I'm sure you think I'm nuts but I coordinate my entire family (6 of us) and all of my wardrobe planning had to be scrapped. SO, I AM glad that I found your TR when I did, to save me from purchasing any more SUMMER items for FALL at Disney..

Our family was there at the same time as Rob & his family. I was a bit surprised to find the cooler temps there when we first arrived. We found jeans & tshirts to be fine the first day, but after that we were comfortable in shorts & tshirts.

Like you, I coordinate my families outfits (for some of the days). We were still able to wear our tshirts. There were some days that we took our jackets along, but we didn't keep them on very long.

I would not necessarily scrap your entire thoughts for outfits. Just realize that you may need jackets in the mornings or later in the evenings.

We thought the weather was great - not too hot & not too cold. We were quite amused to find the lifeguards at BC in what appeared to be lined or insulated pants & jackets. We live in OK, and we did use the pool. Once earlier in the trip - and it was a short "outing", and then several times as it got warmer. And it still was not enough pool time for DS6!!

We would definitely go back again in late October. Have a great trip!!

 

[jennyjinx3]

Wow , thank you for reminding me how great the boo to you parade was! We were there this past Sept and although our youngest melted down after the parade and we had to leave, it was totally worth it just to see the parade and the atmosphere and pumpkins everywhere on Main st. You take great pictures and I loved your update! More please!!