PRINCESS Palooza 2011! 9/9 Update: Departure Day

[mesaboy2]

Bottom line, the University never told him it ended, but the tow was called by the Catholic School so they are both blaming the other. And we're left holding the $150 bag. Mostly though I'm just fuming MAD.

Sorry to hear about that. That's like two tickets to a hard-ticket party!

I'm going second Jen's question about Castle lightning on party nights?

See my post #335 above.

 

[mom2rtk]

Sorry to hear that, I guess you were just supposed to know! You will probably have to pay it just so Robby doesn't get any trouble out of it. Can you fight it? Will it do any good...

Nope. Not a darn thing we can do. But I am gonna send a letter to the higher ups in the security dept and thank them for setting my son up to fail. I'll probably send a letter to the local Diocese and let them know how "helpful" their employee was.

The only down side is the $150 loss, that the great angst and loss of a perfectly good afternoon. Robbie was pretty upset about it. He was also pretty upset when I told him he had to pay for it. Now that I have more of the story we'll back down on that part.

The worst part is that I don't think another person was even parked in that lot that day. It's not like he was in someone's badly needed spot. There's just a witch working at the Catholic school with a tiny bit of power in her life, and she was determined to use it. That's a hard lesson to teach kids. I'm sure she thinks all the kids going to an expensive private University are all spoiled little brats that need to be taught a lesson. Did I say I'm shocked that this came from an employee at the Catholic school?

 

[mom2rtk]

That looks SO beautiful ! I'm thinking about going next December .. hopefully. Pics like this really make me want to go !

It really is an awesome time to go. I think we'll try to go again during MNSSHP, but I really do think I'll miss all the decorations. They just don't do as much for Halloween. And the castle lights....... I'd really miss those.

Your pics of the castle put anything I've ever taken to shame. But then I just use a P&S.

Enjoying your updates as always.

Thanks! Some point & shoots can do ok in low light, but the bottom line is that the sensor on a DSLR is just a lot bigger and will always perform better. After schlepping around with that heavy camera bag all week, I'm usually jealous of the folks pulling a camera out of their pants pocket.... but then I get home and forget how heavy that bag was.

Besides, the doctor says weight bearing exercise is good for me!

I am still on cloud nine with your shots.
I am taking a photography class right now I only can hope for a little pixi dust to get the shots you do!

Thank you so much! I hope the photos inspire you to carry on with your classes and photography education. What camer are you using?

I get so excited whenever I log on and see you have posted your next installment! Great picures Janet.

What a sweet thing to say. Thank you!

Loved all the pictures as usual! I'm still amazed at how clear your SM pics are since the ride is moving.

I totally agree with you on the cell phone thing, but I think that everywhere I go. I'm amazed at how sucked into those things people are and how they are just missing the world pass by. But you are right, at Disney it is even more mind boggling.

The castle is gorgeous! I love Main Street at Christmas! That is my favorite time to go!

The key is to get your shutter speed fast enough that a tiny bit of movement won't matter. To do that you'll need a fairly high ISO.

We were at dinner last night and there was a family of 4 sitting at the table next to us. 3 of them had smart phones and they were all sitting there engrossed in their phones. The 4th one might have been too, but I didn't want to stare any longer..... cuz I suppose staring at the table next to us really isn't that much better than staring at a phone!

Love the pictures of the castle! I miss it!!!!!!!!

You know, I'm not sure that I have ever been on Tom Sawyer Island either! Although, I have some vague memories I think of River Country.

Thanks! Are you any closer to getting a trip booked?

Enjoining all the pictures and updates. Sounds like you were able to have a relaxing day touring MK. The castle pictures are beautiful.

Thank you! It was a great first day. It was nice to get so much done with so little waiting or effort. I actually love visiting during hard ticket party times. Those non-party days were a slam-dunk good choice.

For the same reason, I was sorry they added Fantasmic back to the schedule every night. It used to be SO easy to pick a DHS day yo knew would be low-crowd. Now you have to do your homework, and you still never know.

 

[Caretames1]

The worst part is that I don't think another person was even parked in that lot that day. It's not like he was in someone's badly needed spot. There's just a witch working at the Catholic school with a tiny bit of power in her life, and she was determined to use it. That's a hard lesson to teach kids. I'm sure she thinks all the kids going to an expensive private University are all spoiled little brats that need to be taught a lesson. Did I say I'm shocked that this came from an employee at the Catholic school?

That's a pretty harsh lesson in life, especially since it not his fault. I know a "power trip" type person, and it's hard to have to deal with her everyday.

I hope this can be resolved for you!

 

[mom2rtk]

I think I met your Fairy Godmother!

You sure did!

I can't wait to hear how your MK days went. I bet you're glad you added that second day.

Yay, an update! Beautiful shots on this one. Love the Space Mountain / moon one especially.

Oh I think you're gone to Disney already! Hope you have a magical time!

Thanks for the nice comment on "Moon Over Space". I really wish I had my tripod. It was a really lovely sight.

Love the shot of the moon over space mountain!

The shots of the castle lighting are just gorgeous. Someday I hope to make it there to see it.

Thanks Vanessa! Everyone should see Disney decked out for the holidays at least once. (maybe more...... )

Those castle shots are amazing.....WOW!!
Now do they do a castle lighting on party nights as well? This is something I want to see!

Thanks Jen! I see Mesaboy answered your question. Let me know if you have others. It's a short show, but one of the best bits of Disney magic out there.

Castle lights are lit every night, around 6:15p IIRC. Since party starts at 7p, the two aren't really related.

Thanks for helping out while I was putting out life's little fires........ Ugh.

beautiful castle shots!!!

Thank you! I really could just sit and look at that castle for hours.

Gorgeous! You've just made me wish we didn't skip the castle lighting this Christmas. Loving the pictures.

Sounds like a great excuse for a return trip!

AMAZING castle shots! I've decided to start looking into a faster lens, it may help my dark shots.


I find it hard to put my camera down too, the only ride that I must conqueror is TSM! lol

I'm going second Jen's question about Castle lightning on party nights?




(BTW, I'm so sick of the server issues! I can barely get on the DIS lately. I'm surprised I'm on now!)

Yep, the server issues are driving me nuts! I had my replies all typed out already and lot them in the black hole of server slowness...... Grrrr.......

If you have any other questions on the castle lighting, let me know.

I really am spoiled by my fast lenses. An inexpensive and popular first choice is the 50mm f/2.8. But I honestly never bonded with that lens. It's sharp, and it's fast, but I hate that focal length. It's too long to be a short lens and too short to be a long lens. The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 gives even more light and is a better focal length IMHO. Of course, it comes with a higher price tag too. If you want a faster zoom, there are 2.8 options for that. Lenses are really worthy of a bigger investment than a camera body since you'll typically have them far longer.

 

[KCmike]

Great update Janet! Lovely shots as always.

 

[mom2rtk]

Great update Janet! Lovely shots as always.

Thanks Mike! Not surprisingly, the castle is one of my favorite subjects to photograph.

 

[petals]

Isn't that castle just the most gorgeous thing you've ever seen in your life with all those fairy lights

 

[francis6306]

Thanks! Are you any closer to getting a trip booked?

Just waitin' on the Fedex truck to drop off one of those packets about winning a trip! A girl can dream, right? I think we are pretty set on going over Thanksgiving. It works for Corey's school schedule next year IF he gets an extended contract here. He hasn't been offered an extended contract yet (it's still early though) so I don't want to book anything until I know for sure that the dates will work. I told him that week will be WAY more expensive than our first trip and there would be NO chance of getting free dining, but its the best full week that works for us. I'm considering renting some DVC points… I suppose I should go research that at some point.

 

[Yzerbear19]

Love the newest update! The castle pics are stunning. I hate when people get in the way of others view. We had that happen to us. We had found a spot for the fireworks at DL over an hour early and right before they were going to start this family came in front with a large balloon that blocked our view of the castle. I politely asked the Mom if she could lower it which she did. Luckily she wasn't too witchy about it and seemed to understand.

Welcome back! How many days were you there?

What an awesome character-fest you had! And I think it's cool that just about anybody could show up. I'm GASP growing a little weary of the character options at WDW, especially the meals. Predictability is one thing, but things are a little TOO predictable any more. I'd love to have them add a meal like the Plaza where just anybody could show up. Heck, I'd probably eat there several times in a given trip! The could GASP ditch Pooh and friends and put it in the Crystal Palace.

Do they do early park entry with the Plaza Inn?

We were at Disneyland from January 11-18. We had 6 day park hoppers and used every single one of those days. LOL Though the one day we devoted to meeting the princesses and Rapunzel. As well as any other characters we happened to find.

Our priority seating reservation for the Plaza Inn was for 7:10 which was the earliest they had that day. The park was to open at 8:00 that morning, but it also happened to be a morning with magic morning hours. So there were some people in the parks at 7:00. Not sure how it works for days that they don't do the magic morning hours.

We were actually the first people in, which was cool. This is where we found Eeyore:

Pooh then escorted us to the table. The interaction was awesome since there weren't a lot of people there yet. Minnie, Pooh, and Tigger kept coming to visit.

Here was our Fairy Godmother:

I really need to write a trip report.

 

[jenseib]

Oh man. I would be so mad too. I might have to make a visit to the school and do some witching. LOL

 

[mom2rtk]

Isn't that castle just the most gorgeous thing you've ever seen in your life with all those fairy lights

Yes, it is. I really never got another chance on this trip to just sit and castle gaze. That will definitely be a priority next time. I love when they change the colors, but they didn't seem to change a lot this time. I probably just wasn't there at the right time. I want the shot with the castle done up in 4 or 5 different colors at once, but that seems to be pretty rare.

Just waitin' on the Fedex truck to drop off one of those packets about winning a trip! A girl can dream, right? I think we are pretty set on going over Thanksgiving. It works for Corey's school schedule next year IF he gets an extended contract here. He hasn't been offered an extended contract yet (it's still early though) so I don't want to book anything until I know for sure that the dates will work. I told him that week will be WAY more expensive than our first trip and there would be NO chance of getting free dining, but its the best full week that works for us. I'm considering renting some DVC points… I suppose I should go research that at some point.

LOL! Don't you distract my FedEx truck driver! He has to get to Kansas City!

Thanksgiving is busy, but if that's the only time you can go, I'm sure you can make the most of it. I bet you're really anxious to have some firm dates. I'm considering going right before Thanksgiving. Not sure though.

Love the newest update! The castle pics are stunning. I hate when people get in the way of others view. We had that happen to us. We had found a spot for the fireworks at DL over an hour early and right before they were going to start this family came in front with a large balloon that blocked our view of the castle. I politely asked the Mom if she could lower it which she did. Luckily she wasn't too witchy about it and seemed to understand.



We were at Disneyland from January 11-18. We had 6 day park hoppers and used every single one of those days. LOL Though the one day we devoted to meeting the princesses and Rapunzel. As well as any other characters we happened to find.

Our priority seating reservation for the Plaza Inn was for 7:10 which was the earliest they had that day. The park was to open at 8:00 that morning, but it also happened to be a morning with magic morning hours. So there were some people in the parks at 7:00. Not sure how it works for days that they don't do the magic morning hours.

We were actually the first people in, which was cool. This is where we found Eeyore:

Pooh then escorted us to the table. The interaction was awesome since there weren't a lot of people there yet. Minnie, Pooh, and Tigger kept coming to visit.

Here was our Fairy Godmother:

I really need to write a trip report.

I would LOVE to see the icicle lights on Sleeping Beauty castle. But I have to do WDW this year to see the Fantasyland Expansion. So either I have to win an extra trip...... or find some patience!

We had a devil of a time this trip with people hoisting their kids up on their shoulders at the last minute right in front of us. I can sure understand wanting to give the kids a better view, but to do it at the expense of the people behind you just seems nutty.

I really have to get back to the Plaza Inn. I love being a little surprised by who shows up at a character meals. The ones at WDW are too static and predictable. They need to ditch Pooh at Crystal Palace and do that there. Anyone want to sign my petition?

And how cute are you with the Fairy Godmother? I'm pretty sure we've seen her before. She's been there a while. I'm terribly sorry to break it to you though........ she's not the real one. You do understand, right?

Oh man. I would be so mad too. I might have to make a visit to the school and do some witching. LOL

Yeah, I'm awful tempted. Wanna drive to town tomorrow and go tag team them with me? We'd make quite a pair!

I have absolutely no hopes of anything happening with it all, but I still plan to do some more fussing at them. If nothing else, I want to make life a little difficult for a couple people.

 

[francis6306]

Oh… hi… just dropping by… been a little busy tonight… writing a little something…

 

[mom2rtk]

Oh… hi… just dropping by… been a little busy tonight… writing a little something…

Well, I guess you took my advice to heart and booked a trip right away!

Disney with 2 little princesses........ How fun is that!

 

[Chicago Mo]

Thank you so much! I hope the photos inspire you to carry on with your classes and photography education. What camer are you using?

I have a Cannon 30D YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION!!!
Thank you!!

Sorry to hear about the car!!!

 

[katt789]

I thought I'd already replied to the update! Apparently I have some catching up to do!! Well, really just this, I love the shots of the castle, the castle's gorgeous enough as is, but at Christmas with all the lights on it *sigh* I could look at it forever!

 

[nannye]

Gorgeous Photos!!!

 

[Belle83]

Just joining in and catching up. I love the BTMRR pictures!

 

[mom2rtk]

OK, I got on the DIS for a bit and found......... it was loading pages quickly. YEAH! So my first thought was to get on here and catch up a bit. I promise, not too much longer for the next update.... as long as the site continues to cooperate!

I have a Cannon 30D YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION!!!
Thank you!!

Sorry to hear about the car!!!

Thanks so much for the kind comments and the commiseration on the car. And nobody has told me lately that I'm an inspiration (remember we have 2 teens and a tween here), so MANY thanks for that!

I thought I'd already replied to the update! Apparently I have some catching up to do!! Well, really just this, I love the shots of the castle, the castle's gorgeous enough as is, but at Christmas with all the lights on it *sigh* I could look at it forever!

I know. Isn't it just the most amazing sight? It's right up there as one of the top reasons to visit at Christmas time.

Gorgeous Photos!!!

Thanks!

Just joining in and catching up. I love the BTMRR pictures!

Thanks! I have a few more BTMRR pics to come much later in the TR. I just can't help myself. Some people get on a ride and just enjoy the moment. I get on a ride and wonder what I can do differently with a camera. It's just too fun to play with all that motion.

 

[francis6306]

Does that mean we're gonna get an update?!?!?