Photos from my trip - NOW COMPLETE!

[Amy]

I'll start with the whole reason we went to WDW for the 2nd time this year: BAND TRIP! Both of our DS's are in marching band - DS17 (senior) plays trumpet and DS15 (soph) plays bari sax. The band went via bus and DH and I flew down the next day (we don't chaperone - 20 hr bus trip with all those teenagers.....not for us!). Here are a couple of shots of their performances.

The marching band was hoping to be in the Christmas parade they filmed at the MK, but it was not to be. Instead, on Sat., Dec. 1, they marched in Epcot. They started around England/Canada, came to Future World and did a standing performance in front of the fountain, then marched around Spaceship Earth and out near Honey I Shrunk the Audience.

And here's my DS17 - silver trumpet in the center of the photo. Couldn't get a good shot of DS15 - he was in the back behind other band members.

Then on Sun., Dec. 2, our Wind Ensemble performed on the Dock Stage at Downtown Disney. Only 2 shots:

Still working on my other photos; will post them when I can!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Looks like a lot of fun, Amy! Nice pictures, looking forward to seeing more!

 

[boBQuincy]

It *is* a small world after all! Suzie and I saw the band marching through Epcot and ran out of Mousegear to watch.

Suzie took some photos from a different angle, I will get her to resize them and post them. If you want larger versions just pm me.

 

[Amy]

DAY 1: The band arrived early morning on Thurs; DH and I got there around 1 pm. We immediately went to Animal Kingdom so I could put my "Mom" worries to rest. DS15 had been sick the days before the trip and the band director had called en route with a not-so-good update, so I had to see him with my own eyes before I could relax and enjoy myself. We found him sitting near Exp. Everest, not looking well, said that in addition to his other problems, now his stomach was upset. So I went in the gift shop and bought some Tums; only after I gave them to him did DS15 decide to tell us that he rode Everest FIVE times! Well, DUH! He's sick, is taking albuterol, steroids and an antibiotic, not eating much, and the idiot rides Everest five times!!!! That was the end of any sympathy from me!

So, here are some miscellaneous shots from AK:

From the Jingle Jungle Parade - I was going to trash this one, but DH said it was kind of interesting and I should keep it:

 

[Amy]

It *is* a small world after all! Suzie and I saw the band marching through Epcot and ran out of Mousegear to watch.

Suzie took some photos from a different angle, I will get her to resize them and post them. If you want larger versions just pm me.

This is so cool, Bob! I'll send you a pm with my e-mail so you can send me whatever photos you've got. After band performances I usually burn a CD with tons of photos for the band director. I need to get some photos that DS17 took with his camera, and I'd love to add yours!

Now, if you'll look at this photo of yours, in the right 1/3 of the shot you'll see a man standing on the wall wearing tan shorts, a black t-shirt and red Santa hat holding a video camera (sort of above the left bass drum). That's my DH! I was in front taking still pictures, but he figured the only way to get decent video was from above.

 

[Amy]

More photos from Day 1:

From Festival of the Lion King:

And I got some good shots of the fire-twirling guy!

 

[Amy]

DAY 2: This is the first time we've ever hopped 3 parks in one day. Since we got to AK so late on Day 1, we went back first thing in the a.m. so we could do the Safari and Nemo Musical.

We were in the front seat for the safari and had to wait for a giraffe to get out of the way.

I actually got a good shot of the lions! First time ever!

A face only a mother could love:

From the Nemo Musical. I still like Tarzan better, but this show was better than I thought it would be.

Then we hopped over to MK. The band spent the entire day at MK, even though they were filming for the Christmas parade. We caught a bus to the Trans. and Ticket Center and then took the monorail to the MK. There was room for 2 more people in the front seat of the monorail, so I jumped at the chance. The photo isn't that great since the monorail windows were so dirty:

I have absolutely no idea who this singer is (I don't know many of the younger ones), but she had a beautiful voice and was singing "When You Wish Upon a Star" with all the Disney princesses:

DH's favorite is Donald:

After the MK, we caught the boat to the WL for dinner at Artist Point. The WL lobby:

Then DH and I went over to Epcot to catch Illuminations; we didn't arrive until 8:30 and most of the good spots were already taken, hence the tree in the way. But these shots were hand-held, bracing the camera on the railing (DH was using the video camera and commandeered my gorilla pod for the video camera).

The Canada pavilion:

I am soooo amazed that I got such good shots with my Canon S3IS!! I know a digital SLR will get much better shots consistently, but that's not in my budget for the near future.

 

[BrookeMQ]

Great photos. Looks fun. I smiled when I saw Gateway high school. We are on the other side of Pittsburgh.

 

[hjd0411]

Amy, those photos are great! I didn't get half as good shots with y s3, but I did wimp out and used Auto a lot of the time!! I was in hurried a bit by my travelling companions, who I didn't want to hold up! (Of course, most has to do with who is actually behind the lens!!!!) Great band shots too. I love their uniforms - very smart!
Thanks for sharing.

Heather

 

[KarenB]

Oh, don't you just get goosebumps thinking about your DSs marching in WDW?!?!?? Both of ours did (at the same time playing low brass) over Thanksgiving 2 years ago. They led the Spectromagic parade in MK either Thanksgiving night or the night after (poor mom here-I just can't remember). We watched them just a little ways towards the castle from the cinema. We met up with about 20 people in our area, central PA, which was really cool. The best part was when they announced their school over the loudspeaker and then the band came around the hub into view. I find it so hard to describe the feeling DH and I had. YOU know the feeling. DHs parents met us there and FIL actually had tears in his eyes.

Karen

oh-great pictures too!

 

[Amy]

Great photos. Looks fun. I smiled when I saw Gateway high school. We are on the other side of Pittsburgh.

Well, howdy neighbor and welcome to the DIS! Hope to see you around here often!

Oh, don't you just get goosebumps thinking about your DSs marching in WDW?!?!?? Both of ours did (at the same time playing low brass) over Thanksgiving 2 years ago. They led the Spectromagic parade in MK either Thanksgiving night or the night after (poor mom here-I just can't remember). We watched them just a little ways towards the castle from the cinema. We met up with about 20 people in our area, central PA, which was really cool. The best part was when they announced their school over the loudspeaker and then the band came around the hub into view. I find it so hard to describe the feeling DH and I had. YOU know the feeling. DHs parents met us there and FIL actually had tears in his eyes.

Yep! DS17 marched at WDW 2 years ago (DS15 wasn't in band then) and I got all teary-eyed when I saw the band in front of the castle. DH and I really couldn't afford another trip to WDW since we just did a family vacation there in June, but since DS17 will be off to college next year, this was my only chance to see BOTH of them marching together at WDW and I wasn't about to miss it! And I know what you mean about "the voice of Disney" announcing them.....goosebumps!

 

[AndrewWG]

I am guessing here that the singer is either Monique Coleman (from High School Musical) or Miley Cyrus (from Disney Channel). Those are the only two that fit the bill that came up when I googled the parade performers.

 

[handicap18]

Great job Amy. Love the AK photos. Keep em comin!

 

[AndrewWG]

Amy,

I love the illuminations and Safari shots! Great job! When do they put the "Goodnight" on the Epcot ball? I didn't see that even though we closed the park one night. Bummer. Cool shot though. I love it.

 

[Amy]

Amy,

I love the illuminations and Safari shots! Great job! When do they put the "Goodnight" on the Epcot ball? I didn't see that even though we closed the park one night. Bummer. Cool shot though. I love it.

They do the "Goodnight" on the back of the ball - we saw it as we were leaving after Illuminations. They do it in all different languages. Pretty neat!

Have you ever seen the fiber-optic sidewalks outside Innovations when you're leaving? We discovered them for the first time this trip. I'll try to remember to post some photos tomorrow.....right now I'm beat and need to get in the right mind-set to head back to work tomorrow.

 

[CiaoBelle]

The singer in the photo was Katherine McPhee(might be spelled wrong). She was the runner up on American Idol two seasons ago.

 

[AndrewWG]

The singer in the photo was Katherine McPhee(might be spelled wrong). She was the runner up on American Idol two seasons ago.

Cool! Where did you find that out? I was just looking on some pages that had some of the performers listed, then googled their pictures to see if they kind of look like Amy's pic. Where these tv personalities and performers change their looks every two days, I was just guessing on the two I came up with. The only thing I KNEW was that it wasn't Ashley Tisdale as DD has her posters all over her room!

 

[DebºoºS]

The singer in the photo was Katherine McPhee(might be spelled wrong). She was the runner up on American Idol two seasons ago.

Dittos. She has such a beautiful voice.
Amy, to have both sons perform @ WDW must've been a very proud momentThat would definately be a trip not to miss.
Hope your DS15 has fully recovered from his expedition episode. My 1stDS fell ill on the band bus to Dorney Park. He managed to survive the day w/o missing a beat or a ride.Kids
Your pics are great please keep em coming!

 

[Amy]

The singer in the photo was Katherine McPhee(might be spelled wrong). She was the runner up on American Idol two seasons ago.

Thank you! Now that you mention her name, I do recall hearing them say her name over the sound system when they were doing take after take.....

I'll try to post more photos soon. Unfortunately, it's back to work today, and Survivor tonight, so might not be until tomorrow night.

 

[Amy]

DAY 3: This was Sat., Dec. 1, when the band marched in Epcot. I already posted those photos, but here's one more. I've been trying to work on my composition, and I think this turned out pretty well.

Unfortunately, I didn't take many other photos at Epcot this day. My sinus thing moved into my ears and I wasn't feeling too great. I remember napping thru the American Adventure (and I missed seeing Ben Franklin walk up the stairs). We saw the Kwanza and Germany storytellers. Went to Boma for dinner, so I finally got to see Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Then it was off to MK for the rest of the evening. I couldn't get enough of how gorgeous the castle was! I'll try not to bore you with too many.

First, a crowded Main Street:

A nighttime reflection shot:

Toward the end of Wishes, they turned on the icicles again:

And one last castle shot: