Pandamonium, Pixie Dust, and Paraphenalia!... What was I thinking! updated 2/1!!

[ILuvCrush]

Now you have me curious....
What sort of photography classes are you taking?

I'm doing a 'learn at home' course through New York Institue of Photography. I'mnot as far thru it as I should be but even in the early lessons, I've learned a good bit

They have a couple different programs available... you can checkitout at www.nyip.com if you're (or DH) is interested. It would make a nice Christmas gift..... just saying.....

WOW! your pictures of wishes are AMAZING!!!!!!

Neat...OK...boring

Generally I would say to each his own, not everyone is going to "get it" but for your sake I sure hope this gets better!

Thanks Katie!!
hope you had a great Turkey day!!
I did all my shopping online today.... spent a small bundle but I have DH and both DDs DONE!! Yay! But now for the BOY

Paula

 

[meeko_33785]

Great update. Those fireworks photos are gorgeous! Well done.

Wow, I'm a little surprised at Wyatt's reactions. I wasn't expecting the 10-year-old to find it boring. I would more expect that sort of a response from a teenage in that too-cool-for-Disney phase, but it sounds like Warren is having a fantastic time.

 

[ILuvCrush]

I have no Idea why the title of this update was inspired by Meatloaf.... really

Day 2!!

I woke up crazy early.... well before the 715am wake-up call. I felt great! The sun was shining, it was warm, and I couldn't wait to embark on our 1st full Disney day!!

Before everyone else woke up... I showered and got some lovely pics of the Savanna from our balcony.....

And apparently, I got one AFTER the girls were up and ready too

I was sad that there were no animals out this morning.... but we were on our way to Animal kingdom today...so I was sure I'd get my critter-fix

We caught the bus and made it to AK about 10 min after rope drop

We headed inthe direction of the Safari....my plan was safari FPs then go to EE and ride via the regular queue. I figured the wait wouldn't be too bad, and I find all the Yeti artifacts facinating!! Our progress was slowed significantly, because the kids were all excited to see all the animals in the Oasis! Pretty cool that they did....since that IS the whole point of the Oasis anyway!

we easily spent 1/2an hour or more, exploring the area...and of course taking pics

Eventaully we managed to workour way toward Africa...

When we finally got back to the safari to get our FPs.... the wait time was only listed as 10 minutes!! That would just be a waste of a FP...so we hopped in line instead. We waited pretty close to the 10minutes then we were on our way for our 2 week safari!! I was excited at first that the girls and I were in the very back seat! I was thinking hey...I can get unobstructed pics out the back!

Holy bumpy ride Batman!!!

I thought Allison was gonna be savanna food! She nearly flew right out it was so wild and rough!! I've done the safari lots of times before... but let me tell you... if you wantto take pics... avoid the backrow! If you want a thrill ride on par with Dinosaur.... by all means, hop in the back!

Here are my rather poor safari pics

look...a mandrill! I didn't even know they were on the safari before September when I noticed their picture on the overhead game spotting guide!

Our trip was cut short... by about 2 weeks.... but we did helpsave lil' Red!!Yay us!!

On the way back to Harambe...we found a photopass photographer!

Continued....HERE!!!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I'll tell ya what, Miss Paula... I think your "rather poor" safari pics are rather awesome!!!! Looks like it was a fun ride minus the bumpiness. Good for you guys for slowing down in the oasis and exploring. You're right - that is what it's for and most of us just rush on through!

So what were the reviews on this ride??? I'm hoping that "boring," "neat," and "ok" weren't among the adjectives utilized.

Looking forward to more. Your TR is terrific!

 

[ILuvCrush]

We wandered thru Africa and headed toward Asia...The kids needed to give in to their musical natures first....

After a quick bio-break....we entered Asia. There was only a 15 min standby wait for EE! Really???? It was almost 11am! Where WAS everyone?? I could taste it... we were gonna get a TON done today!

I got some new EE queue pics, to add to my collection....

Yahoo!!! What a Great Ride!!!

Well.... for most of us.....

Wyatt liked going backwards.... but otherwise HATED it!
The girls and Warren were wanting to go back on, Jen didn't (bit too rough).

So we went over to get FPs to ride again later. We got 6, figuring that way Warren and Ellie could do a 3rd turn, or if Wyatt changed his mind, we'd have the extras.

Well Wyatt FLIPPED OUT!!!! Big Time!

We told him over and over that he didn't have to ride again...but then he and Warren got into it a bit. I have girls (and 1 boy)....I don't do well with the pushing and hitting that brothers are prone to. Fortunately, I wasn't witness to the scuffle that ensued.... I was trying to get Allison's park tix back that the FP machine had eaten

After the Melt-down... Wyatt had a major pout going on. Looking back now, I doubt ANYTHING would have made him happy at this point. He mentioned YET AGAIN (for probably the 10th time since we arrived last night) that he was too hot and bored and wanted to go swimming.

I made an attempt to salvage things, by suggesting Dinosaur! There was no high spots or drops....maybe that will work for him....

So off to Dinoland we went. Dinosaur was about a 20min wait... which suprised me, since I don't think I've ever waited that long for this ride.... but the queue was air conditioned ...so in we went.

Warren and Jen really enjoyed this ride...but the question was...did Wyatt??

He thought it was boring and stupid. Disney world was stupid...theres nothing fun to do. Its too hot and we were all mean because Nanna told him he would get to swim all the time and he's not allowed.

Oy vey!

I knew right now...I needed to write off the afternoon and go back to Kidani. He was making everyone irritated. His Mom was snapping at him, his brother, even my girls were fed up.

Ellie, Allison, and Warren wanted to take a spin on Primeval Hurl... and Wyatt needed ANOTHER bio-break (I think we rode ALL the porcelain rides in the parks at some point this week....it was like coming with Nanna after all)

When they got off, I was going to suggest lunch then a break.... but Ellie and Allison thought MAYBE (since he wanted to swim) Wyatt would like Kali River Rapids! I thought that was pretty brilliant! Let's give it a whirl....

I think I'll just let the pictures say it all this time.....

SUCCESS!!!

Wyatt and Allison came off wetter than Trout! AND with big grins on their faces!

Time to feed the beasts! After a quick opinion poll.... Pizzafari was decided on for lunch

A Couple of silly pics later....

Then we were on our way back to Kidani... having gotten very little actually done that I had planned... but if I learned one thing on my past trips....One miserable person can muss up the whole day... so cater to the 'weakest link'


Up next.... how did we spend the afternoon??? Was the pool all Wyatt was hoping for??? how much alcohol will I need to cope??? Did we make it to another park later??? And Chef Mickey's.....

Stay tuned..and thanks for reading!!
Paula

 

[wigdoutdismom]

I really hope Wyatt changed his tune....
Can't wait to read more!

 

[KatMark]

I really hope Wyatt changed his tune....
Can't wait to read more!

Ditto...and looking forward to the next segment (great pics on the safari ride too).

 

[ILuvCrush]

Great update. Those fireworks photos are gorgeous! Well done.

Wow, I'm a little surprised at Wyatt's reactions. I wasn't expecting the 10-year-old to find it boring. I would more expect that sort of a response from a teenage in that too-cool-for-Disney phase, but it sounds like Warren is having a fantastic time.

Thanks Meeko!! I think Warren had a fab time I know that all I'd have to do is say the word...and he'd come along with me again

Teen boys especially have a hard time having 'fun' But even though he rarely smiles in any pictures (he had some excuse that his lips are too small and he looks funny when he smiles) he had a great time.

I'll tell ya what, Miss Paula... I think your "rather poor" safari pics are rather awesome!!!! Looks like it was a fun ride minus the bumpiness. Good for you guys for slowing down in the oasis and exploring. You're right - that is what it's for and most of us just rush on through!

So what were the reviews on this ride??? I'm hoping that "boring," "neat," and "ok" weren't among the adjectives utilized.

Looking forward to more. Your TR is terrific!

Thanks C!! The pics I posted were the best of the lot....I have some much better ones from other trips. I do like the eating elephant one and the giraffe

The Oasis is really cool...I usually wander thru more on my way out rather than on the way in.... but I'm glad the kids spent sometime exploring it. Allison was convinced that the little mujac(sp?) deer was REALLY Bambi And who was I to say otherwise

They did all like the Safari. We did see alot of animals really close up. i think the Safari is what sets the animal exhibits far apart from that of a regular zoo....

I really hope Wyatt changed his tune....
Can't wait to read more!

Well....there is always hope....

Ditto...and looking forward to the next segment (great pics on the safari ride too).

Thanks Kat!! I'm looking forward to the next segment too

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Wyatt thought Disney World was stupid?? They'd have to start injecting the alcohol directly in my veins to cope. Or maybe we should give him some. What? Is 10 too young? Just kidding. Ugh. Sorry - sounds like a lot to deal with. Glad your girls thought of Kali and that it turned things around -- at least temporarily!

 

[ILuvCrush]

Wyatt thought Disney World was stupid?? They'd have to start injecting the alcohol directly in my veins to cope. Or maybe we should give him some. What? Is 10 too young? Just kidding. Ugh. Sorry - sounds like a lot to deal with. Glad your girls thought of Kali and that it turned things around -- at least temporarily!

Have I mentioned how GLAD I am that his MOM came along??? I was very patient... way more than i would have been if it was my kid.

I'mnot really sure....I don;t know if it just wasn't what he had expected?? or if he really didn't care for the stuff we were doing??? or if he WAS just hot, tired and cranky

WDW is alot of walking and it can wear you out fast.

Paula

 

[Lady Lallie]

I wonder how he would have been if his Mom hadn't come along. Hmmm.

I'm glad that Warren is having a good time!

I love your Hippo picture, it makes me smile.

I think the safari is bumpy anyways so I can't even imagine being in the back row!

 

[kschafer]

Oh no Paula!!! I am SO hoping Wyatt changes his tune How clever to get him wet on Kali, looks like you bought a few smilies with that one!

I had to laugh at your comments about the back of the Safari. the rest of the family did AK without me the first day because I had a stomach bug and when they returned, I asked them what they thought. My Dad (who ended up in the back) said the safari was bumpier than the safari's he went on in the real Africa

 

[meeko_33785]

So he likes Splash Mountain, Kali River Rapids and keeps wanting to go to the pool. I think I'm seeing a trend here.

Nice safari photos. They look a lot nicer than what I call me "rather poor" ones.

 

[jenjolt]

Okay I have to mimic C..."rather poor" safari pictures...ummm yeah...those are mighty amazing safari pictures if you ask me!! THE MANDRILL...I remember being so excited when we found him in September LOL!!!!!

Okay melt-down #1...I hope you don't have to many of those to follow...but you are right when one person is miserable it will make the rest miserable too!!!!

Can't wait for more!! The company is all gone and I can focus on my "baby" now LOL!!!

 

[praisehisname]

If those are "poor" safari pics, I'm afraid to ever show mine! Your pictures are awesome!!!

Your girls were so sweet to try and suggest things that would interest Wyatt!

 

[MEK]

Oh Paula -

Such great anticipation for the first day and then......the Wyatt....... I love your philosophy - to cater to the weakest link. Such a bummer that he is not loving the parks. I'm glad he enjoyed Kali RR. I hope he lightens up as the trip progresses, but somehow I doubt it.

I love the pictures of the Oasis - so pretty. Heck - I love all the pictures. They are great. Even your safari pictures taken from the back seat. I have had that experience before and it is NOT FUN! Still, you managed to get some great close ups.

I hope the afternoon and evening go smoother.

 

[brookelizabeth]

OK..I don't remember my exact settings... because I will change them while shooting based on what result I'm getting. But the rule of thumb is that you want to see the light.... and keep the dark background. So even though it's dark outside, you use bright daytime settings!! I have full manual control with my camera. So, I start with a tripod...with a remote shutter release. I usually set my camera at f/12 and shutter speed at about 3 seconds. I also use ISO of 200. The idea is you want to keep the shutter open long enough to get the 'trails' of the fireworks. I've had decent handheld results with f/11 shutter at 5/100sec, the trails aren't as pretty... but the pics are not bad.

The same concept applies to shooting pics of the moon. The moon is reflecting sunlight, so you figure your settings for daylight, even though it seems opposite of what you would think you'd do.

Mind you...this was not taken with a tripod, cause I was practicing..so it's not nearly as sharp as it should be

I have learned TONS just by reading the photography boards here onthe DIS.... thats where I learned about the moon shotsand I got some GREAT advice about the FW photos there too! Check them out if you get a chance

Paula

Ah! Thank you for the info on the fireworks pics. We have a Canon XSI, so we have the fully manual options as well. I believe I usually have the ISO quite high, around 1200, then a quicker shutter of 1/60th or so - and the aperture all the way open---no tripod. Like you said, we get decent results, but nothing like yours, love those trails. Here is an example of ours:

Those settings do work quite nice for Spectro though.

I haven't braved a tripod on the parks yet, got enough baby gear to carry still!


So glad you finally found something Wyatt liked in the parks! I still can't believe he thinks Disney is BORING AND STUPID. I sure hope he likes the pool and the slide at Kidani...

Great EE queue pictures! I love AK with all it's detail and you captured the essence and emotions of the park so well!!

 

[ILuvCrush]

OT!! I wanted to share my videos of Allisons floor and beam routines from her meet 2 weeks ago.... since I FINALLY got them up on youtube

Floor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qANn-e7HG1A


Beam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7AZKSIxh40

Enjoy!
Paula

 

[jenjolt]

WOOT!! Off to go watch them!! Thanks P!!

 

[Lady Lallie]

OT!! I wanted to share my videos of Allisons floor and beam routines from her meet 2 weeks ago.... since I FINALLY got them up on youtube

Floor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qANn-e7HG1A


Beam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7AZKSIxh40

Enjoy!
Paula

I watched them on Facebook. She is looking great! Not that I'm an expert or anything.... but she looks awesome!