Our 3rd Annual Holiday Trip to DL in November - November 22nd - 25th, 2013 Post #3416

[kmedina]

The thing I remember the most from MJJ was singing Mater's song all day. I did not notice it changing (like you told me it did a while back). This trip, I am going to pay attention. It was really nice of Fran and Alison to arrange the VIP tour. Why does RSR always break in the morning? It is really odd.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Another great update, Bret.

You're welcomed, Bret. But you already knew most of what I was telling you; I was only just reinforcing it. You're a great photographer....just remember to use it to tell your perspective.

Thank you PiO. I'll do the best I can when I take pictures.

Last night, I just bought the MeFoto RoadTrip tripod so I can use it a lot where it is portable where the one's that I have used in the past are a normal tripod without the head. I can't wait to get the MeFoto tripod in so I can test it out before I use it during the DL tirp in November. Thank you PiO for the link about the tripod and you convinced me after reading Tom Bricker blog.

The thing I remember the most from MJJ was singing Mater's song all day. I did not notice it changing (like you told me it did a while back). This trip, I am going to pay attention. It was really nice of Fran and Alison to arrange the VIP tour. Why does RSR always break in the morning? It is really odd.

I forgot to mentioned on my previous trip report when my DA and I rode MJJ during the AP preview which was the last time I rode MJJ. The MJJ songs are not the same and are different during each ride experience. Hope you are able to pay close attention to the songs. It was really nice of Fran and Alison to set up the VIP tour. Almost every time I go to the DLR, RSR is not running in the morning. It has happened to me a lot when I get a FP or get on it first thing in the morning. I just don't know why it breaks down.


The next update will be up shortly.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 3 – September 16, 2013 – Part 2​

On our last update, PiO, her DH, DS, Alison, Fran and I are at DCA that Monday morning enjoying the parks. We rode Monsters Inc. that morning and later on that morning we met up with the CM tour guide that Alison and Fran arranged. We tried to go on RSR that morning when we were at CL but it was down so we are now about to ride Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree.

When it was our time to go on MJJ, Alison and I rode together while DH rode by himself and PiO and her DS rode together.

DH and you can barely see PiO on the left hand side and we were waiting for the ride to begin.

Nice picture PiO.

When we got off MJJ, we checked at RSR to see if it is up that morning where the first time we try to go on the ride since it was down. Unfortunately, RSR was still not running that morning.

So our next ride that we decided to go on was to head on over to Paradise Pier to ride “The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure”. We walked on over to the Little Mermaid ride and as always in the morning, it was a walk-on. We all went on the ride.

Alison and Fran rode together while PiO and I rode together and DH and DS wen together on the ride. For the settings, I used the 18-105mm lens and set the aperture at f/4.2 and the ISO speed at 3200. When we rode it on Sunday, I set the ISO at 1600. This time PiO suggested that we should set the ISO at 3200. The pictures during the 2nd time at 3200 were a little better than the 1600.

Scuttle at the beginning of the ride

Going under the sea

Ariel and Flounder

Sebastian (it is so hard to get a clear picture of him)

Flotsam and Jetsam

Ursula

Ariel and Eric and Flounder at the bottom

Sebastian and King Triton

Eric and Ariel got married

Scuttle at the end of the ride

The pictures turned out really nice while some of them were still in a work of progress. I thought about using the 35mm f/1.8 Nikkor lens but I wanted to get more up close and wider shots during the ride.

We got off the Little Mermaid ride and now we are on our way to our next ride.

That’s it for this post and we will find out what happens next time at DCA.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Excellent shots, Bret. I think you'll be happy hitting ISO 3200.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Excellent shots, Bret. I think you'll be happy hitting ISO 3200.

Thank you PiO. For the darker rides I will go with ISO 3200. I will definitely set the ISO at 3200 for HMH where I didn't set the ISO from my last time I rode when I ride But for rides like IASW I might still use the 1600 unless you think I should try something different.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Thank you PiO. For the darker rides I will go with ISO 3200. I will definitely set the ISO at 3200 for HMH where I didn't set the ISO from my last time I rode when I ride But for rides like IASW I might still use the 1600 unless you think I should try something different.

I've used both 1600 and 3200 in IaSW. There is no right nor wrong. It may depend on what lens you use and what the exposure meter says; and how you want your shots to look.

 

[tksbaskets]

Hi,
I love your pictures of MJJ. Is it a ride my DH won't be able to go on? He doesn't do rides like Star Tours as he gets motion sick although Indiana Jones is fine.

Your pictures were great at 3200. Makes me want to go and watch my new edition of TLM.

When do you leave for DL next?

TK

 

[kmedina]

Bummer that RSR was still down. Looks like MJJ was fun for y'all. Connor finally gets to ride in 7 (if we buy APs) or 8 days (if we use the one day pass we have leftover from WDW in 2003. I am so excited. More great photos on LM.

 

[mvf-m11c]

I've used both 1600 and 3200 in IaSW. There is no right nor wrong. It may depend on what lens you use and what the exposure meter says; and how you want your shots to look.

I'll go with 3200 since I have used 1600 during the January trip. Or I can just change it while riding IASWH.

Hi,
I love your pictures of MJJ. Is it a ride my DH won't be able to go on? He doesn't do rides like Star Tours as he gets motion sick although Indiana Jones is fine.

Your pictures were great at 3200. Makes me want to go and watch my new edition of TLM.

When do you leave for DL next?

TK

Hi TK,

MJJ is a fun ride to go on.

The pictures on the dark rides at ISO 3200 turned out really well. TLM Blu-Ray is nice to watch.

My next DL trip is on Nov. 22nd to 25th. Later on in December it will be during the 26th to 29th. We will just miss you by a few days during your trip in December. I hope you and your family have a great time.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Bummer that RSR was still down. Looks like MJJ was fun for y'all. Connor finally gets to ride in 7 (if we buy APs) or 8 days (if we use the one day pass we have leftover from WDW in 2003. I am so excited. More great photos on LM.

It was a bummer that RSR was down that morning. But we did eventually got to ride it later that day. MJJ is a fun ride to go on. Hope you and your family have a great time during your DL trip.


The next post will be up shortly.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 3 – September 16, 2013 – Part 3​

On our last update, we all got to ride Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree and the Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure. The day was very nice where it was clear and not that hot. It was fun to go on those rides with Alison, Fran, PiO, her DH and DS at DCA.

We have just got off the Little Mermaid ride and since we are in Paradise Pier, we head on over to ride Goofy’s Sky School which is not that far.

A look at Paradise Pier viewing area for WoC which looks empty during the day but will be very busy at night.

It is fun to ride GSS ever since it was converted. The theme was way better over Mulholland Madness which was one of the original rides at DCA when it opened in 2001. The GSS theme made it more interesting. It is still the same ride experience where it is better theme. Fran decided to stay behind and she watched all of our bags since riding the cars on GSS are so tight that it is tough to have a bag on the ride just like Matterhorn.

Just when we were about to board, Alison, PiO, DH and DS went together and I was fortunate to have the whole car by myself which was interesting.

There they are on GSS

A nice view of Paradise Pier

They were already at the bottom before me

Just when we finished riding GSS, we met up with Fran and head on over around Paradise Pier to go on TSMM.

When we approached TSMM, the ride was closed since it was down for refurbishment. PiO, DH, DS and I were able to ride it on Sunday but on Monday it was down. So while we were right by TSMM, we head on over to ride California Screamin.

PiO and Fran did not ride CS so it was Alison, DH, DS, our guide and me. We were lucky to get to ride in the front of the car. Alison got to ride in front on the first train while the boys waited for the next one to pull in the station.

When we finished riding CS, Alison checked with the guide to see if RSR was up and running. Unfortunately it was still down and it will be for awhile until it is up and running. DS wanted to go on Grizzly River Run and get wet since he kept talking about GRR and Splash Mountain during the whole trip. We didn’t get to ride Splash on Sunday but we did get to ride GRR and that was our next ride.

When we got to Grizzly River Run, I decided to skip it this time and stay with Fran until we met up with everyone. I have never been a big fan of GRR and was able to ride it with PiO, DH and DS on Sunday that I was not willing to ride it again that day. While PiO, DH, DS, Alison and the guide are on the ride I talked to Fran while we were waiting. We also went in the Rushin’ River Outfitters store while it was right next to GRR and check out the merchandise.

Everyone just got off the ride and everyone was soaked. DS was excited that he was soaked. We were now feeling hungry that afternoon so we decided to have lunch. We debated on which place to have lunch at DCA and Alison suggested that we should eat at Paradise Garden Grill.

Out of all the quick counter restaurants that I have ate at DCA, I have never eaten at this place. It was kind of shocking that I have not ate at this restaurant ever since it opened in 2011 along with the Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta restaurant. It was nice to try something different instead of eating at the same places I have ate at DCA.

When we got to the Garden Grill, DS didn’t want any of the food at this place. Since we were right next to the Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta restaurant, he wanted to eat over there. DH took him over to the Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta restaurant to have lunch. All of us decided to have lunch at PGG.

We all ordered different food at the two restaurants. Just when we were seated, we all got our cameras and started to take pictures of the food porn.

PiO got the Mediterranean Skewer Lemon-Oregano Chicken with the Chimichurri sauce which comes with Rice Pilaf, Cucumber Salad and Pita Bread

I ordered the Grilled Steak with Chimichurri and the sides are the same.

Alison and Fran shared two plates together.

Lemon-Oregano Chicken with the Tzatziki sauce

Beef Gyro with a cucumber salad and tzatziki sauce, rolled in a warm pita bread.

DH got the Greek Salad

DS got the Spaghetti with Meatballs at the Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta restaurant.

Just when we finished lunch, our guide told us that RSR was up and running. So we all walked our way towards RSR at Cars Land. It was later that day after we finished lunch and I had to watch my time carefully since I will be leaving SoCal to pick up my DB and his GF at Irvine. But I did have some time to go on a few rides until I had to leave. Originally I was supposed to leave around 2pm from Anaheim and pick up my DB and his GF but I texted them to see if it was okay for me to stay a little longer at the park and they had no problem with it. I was happy that they are willing to wait a little longer. I told them around 3pm when I left so we can be home in Sacramento around 11pm.

We went through the backside of Cars Land from Pacific Wharf and it is nice to see Ornament Valley from this side.

When we got to the entrance to RSR the wait time was an hour around 1:25pm that afternoon. It seems that RSR was down for most of the day when the park opened at 10am till 1pm. We were all hoping to ride RSR when we were in the park. It was a long time for RSR to be down that morning but we are able to ride it that afternoon.

It is so neat to see the original “Radiator Spring”

When we went through the queue, we went through the handicapped area since Fran was using the ECV.

That’s it for this post and I will have pictures from RSR later on.

 

[ACDSNY]

Nice update. I always see something new in your pics that I didn't see when I've visited DL.

 

[kmedina]

It is always fun to try new places to dine inside the park. We always seem to frequent the same ones, so I am trying to expand our horizons. We have never tried that one either. Maybe, we'll try it next year. I am glad you got to ride TSMM before the refurb and that RSR came back up before you had to leave for Sacramento. I like GSS better than the old ride too. Overall, I like the improvements, but I hate that they removed the ride that shoots you straight up and drops you down fast. That was fun! There is nothing worse than walking in wet shoes. Like PiO's DS, Xander loves to get wet. When he discovers all of the wet rides, I will be I for it.

 

[PrincessInOz]

That food looks great! Nice to see the day from your perspective.

 

[franandaj]

OK, finally all caught up!

Nice to hear about the day from your perspective. I got my items out of order, when you said we were going to CA Screamin' I was like "no we ate at the Garden Grill" I had already forgot that we walked around there twice, and did lunch after GRR!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Nice update. I always see something new in your pics that I didn't see when I've visited DL.

Thank you Angela.

It is always fun to try new places to dine inside the park. We always seem to frequent the same ones, so I am trying to expand our horizons. We have never tried that one either. Maybe, we'll try it next year. I am glad you got to ride TSMM before the refurb and that RSR came back up before you had to leave for Sacramento. I like GSS better than the old ride too. Overall, I like the improvements, but I hate that they removed the ride that shoots you straight up and drops you down fast. That was fun! There is nothing worse than walking in wet shoes. Like PiO's DS, Xander loves to get wet. When he discovers all of the wet rides, I will be I for it.

I have been trying a lot of different restaurants at the DLR these last few years. But there are a lot of restaurants that I like to eat there all the time like the ESPN Zone which is my DA and my favorite sit down restaurant. You you try to eat at Paradise Garden Grill during your next trip. I might do it later on in the future along with the UVA Bar and Cafe that Alison and PiO mentioned. We didn't look carefully at the refurbishment list that TSMM was one of them on Monday. Luckily we got to ride it on Sunday. GSS is a fun ride but don't bring your backpack on it since there is little room in the car. Xander will love GRR when he gets the chance to ride it one day.

That food looks great! Nice to see the day from your perspective.

Thank you PiO.

OK, finally all caught up!

Nice to hear about the day from your perspective. I got my items out of order, when you said we were going to CA Screamin' I was like "no we ate at the Garden Grill" I had already forgot that we walked around there twice, and did lunch after GRR!

Thank you Alison. We did walk around Paradise Pier that day where we got to ride CA Screamin' before we ate at Paradise Garden Grill.


The next up date will be up shortly.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 3 – September 16, 2013 – Part 4​

On our last update, we got to ride a few more rides that afternoon going on Goofy’s Sky School, California Screamin, & Grizzly River Run (which I didn’t go on). We also had lunch at Paradise Garden Grill which was good and now we are about to go on the all popular Radiator Springs Racers. We didn’t get to ride it that morning till 1:25pm since it was mostly down in the morning to the afternoon.

We boarded from the HA area which is on the backside of the loading area which the loading area is almost similar to Toy Story Midway Mania. There is a side loading area for the handicapped area while the main track goes towards the main loading area. We were all looking forward to riding RSR that day.

The ladies were up front while the boys were in the backside.

DH and DS all ready to go for a drive

We’re on the wrong side of the road and about to hit Mack

Passing by Minny

There is Sherriff

Mater

Who doesn’t love tractor tipping

Their’s Frank

In the town of Radiator Springs

Fillmore and Sarge

We got Ramone’s House of Body Art side which we got on Sunday. I was hoping that we got Luigi’s side so PiO and her family can compare both sides of the ride.

It’s the Fabulous Hudson Hornet

We won our race and we head on back to the HA loading area.

When we got back to the loading area, we got a big surprise when we approached the HA loading area (except if you already have read Alison (franandaj) trip report of what happened after RSR that Monday). Then you will find out on the next update.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 3 – September 16, 2013 – Part 5​

On our last update, we got to ride Radiator Springs Racers that afternoon while it was down for most of the morning to the afternoon. We were all excited to ride RSR.

When we got back to the loading area at the HA area and about to exit the ride, one of the CM’s asked us if we wanted to go on the ride again. We were all surprised to hear to be offered a second time in a row to ride RSR. We all said “Yes!” and got to ride it again which is very neat.

When we are ready to ride RSR again, DS wanted to be in the front so he changed spots with PiO. So PiO, DH and I were in the back while Alison, Fran and DS are in the front. It was really exciting to ride RSR for a second time in a row without getting out of the car.

Let’s go for a drive

Passing by Minny on the road

Hi Sherriff

Time for more tractor tipping

Then all of a sudden Frank came out of nowhere.

Now here is the real interesting part of the ride. Just when we saw Frank and about to pass him, then all of a sudden the vehicle stopped and it was announced that the ride was broken. So this was my first time riding RSR while it broke down during the ride. It was neat that the ride broke down where some people on the ride are not happy. But it was neat to be in this area to look at the details of the tractor tipping area with Frank. We were stuck for a while in the tractor tipping area and I thought that we had to wait until a CM arrived and exited the vehicle. It was also nice that the ride broke down inside the building where it was getting warmer that afternoon and didn’t have to wait outside.

The tractor is sleeping

We waited awhile in the car to find out if we are exiting or just waiting until the ride starts back up. It was around 15 minutes while we were waiting in the area and all of a sudden the announcement was made that the ride is restarting. We were all excited that it was about to restart. It was neat that the ride broke down and so we can see the details of the tractor tipping area. It would have been nice to brake down in the town of Radiator Springs which we were just a few scenes away.

Now back to the drive and entering the town of Radiator Springs

I wonder what side we got this time

Unfortunately we got Ramone’s House of Body Art side again which was the third time during the trip.

We won the race again which is nice. Just when we pulled up to the HA loading area, we all thought it was time to get off the ride. The CM told us since the ride broke down and we waited for a while we had the option of going on it again. We all chose to ride it again which was kind of shocking that we are about to ride RSR for a third time in a row. I never imagine that would ever happen of riding RSR three times in a row. So we all are going on one more drive.

Here are some more different random pictures from the third time on RSR.

This time we got Luigi’s Casa Della Tires which I was excited as well as everyone where we got Ramone’s side three times and during this time we got Luigi’s. During the scene, Guido didn’t make an appearance when we were in Luigi’s.

Nice picture everyone.

Their’s Guido

For the fourth time during the trip, we won again which is always neat. When we got back to the HA loading area, it was time to get off the ride and it was a lot of fun to ride RSR three times in a row.

Here is our picture on the third time since we couldn’t get the first two pictures while we were in the vehicle ride.

Now we are all walking on out of RSR and back into the town of Radiator Springs. That’s it for this post and I will have the last update from the September DISMeet trip report.

 

[wiigirl]

Great pics!

 

[MarbleBob]

Great updates! Makes me want to hop on a plane and head back to California right now!!!!