PRINCESS Palooza 2011! 9/9 Update: Departure Day

[scrapbookersdis]

Looking forward to an update!

You are a dab hand at photography and post-processing.

 

[francis6306]

I don't think that I have seen the stunt show. I'm not much into Indiana Jones, so it never really interested me. I suppose I should take the girls- and I'm sure that Corey would like it though.

Seeing you dressed in shorts cracks me up! Weren't we bundled oh-so-tight last year?!?!?! I'm hoping for nice weather for our next trip!

 

[mom2rtk]

Glad to hear all clear on "The Girls" Sam is doing very well! She itching to get driving again (Sat) and Sunday will be going back to school. Her pain is almost gone, no Tylenol today! She just hates that she is too sore to sleep on her stomach. I hope her teachers will be decent, so far her advisor seems to think so.




I tired to get Sam to volunteer on time, she almost tried to get under the bench!

Even though we haven't had much snow at all, it's just enough (as it melts the same day!)so make the driveway wet and muddy I swear if I find one more mud track through the kitchen, heads are gonna roll!

Thanks Carey! I get a little freaky when it's time to go for my mammogram. Not for the test itself. I don't care one whit about that. But twice I've gone in for a routine one only to be told I had something they were concerned about that had to be biopsied. Talk about stopping life in its tracks. The first time Katie wasn't even 2. I was a mess. So I tend to delay (when I know I shouldn't) then get pretty worked up until I get an "all clear" again.

So what's the latest on Sam? When will she get out from under foot.....errr..... back to her studies? Just kidding. I know you are SO grateful that she's on the mend. But I also know she's a teenager used to having her own space now.

Looking forward to an update!

You are a dab hand at photography and post-processing.

I know just enough to be dangerous. But it's still more than I knew a couple years ago. So thank you for the kind words!

I don't think that I have seen the stunt show. I'm not much into Indiana Jones, so it never really interested me. I suppose I should take the girls- and I'm sure that Corey would like it though.

Seeing you dressed in shorts cracks me up! Weren't we bundled oh-so-tight last year?!?!?! I'm hoping for nice weather for our next trip!

LOL! You're not the first person to laugh at my pale legs. Heck, they even warrented comment from one of the street performers at DHS later in the week! OK, OK.... so you were only remarking on the difference in attire from last year's trip report. Right? I hope? I gave up on tanning years ago. I don't tan anyway, just turn an odd shade of orange. but boy can I burn. And now you know one of the reasons I just can't do Disney in the summer. I'm a 3d degree burn just waiting to happen!

 

[francis6306]

LOL! You're not the first person to laugh at my pale legs. Heck, they even warrented comment from one of the street performers at DHS later in the week! OK, OK.... so you were only remarking on the difference in attire from last year's trip report. Right? I hope? I gave up on tanning years ago. I don't tan anyway, just turn an odd shade of orange. but boy can I burn. And now you know one of the reasons I just can't do Disney in the summer. I'm a 3d degree burn just waiting to happen!

Haha!! No- not laughing at your legs! Although, if you want to compare, I can take a picture of my own paler shade of… whatever you could call this color on my legs! Last year, I was buying hoodies and wearing gloves and we were there about the same time, right?

I don't tan either- Cortlyn on the other hand still has tan lines from this summer!

 

[mom2rtk]

Haha!! No- not laughing at your legs! Although, if you want to compare, I can take a picture of my own paler shade of… whatever you could call this color on my legs! Last year, I was buying hoodies and wearing gloves and we were there about the same time, right?

I don't tan either- Cortlyn on the other hand still has tan lines from this summer!

If I'm not mistaken, we might have overlapped a bit in 2010. We were there the 11th to the 19th.

I think the layers of 2010 suited my pale leges more than the comfy weather of 2011. But I'm willing to put the other guests through the experience of being exposed to my pale legs if it means a warm December! Oddly enough, there were a couple days where it was downright hot in the afternoon sun. Thankfully it didn't last long.

 

[mom2rtk]

12/10 Continued:

We I left off, we had just finished watching the Indy Stunt Show. Over the course of the show, I knew I had to make it back to the room to get an extra battery. Since we were staying for Osborne lights, I didn't want to risk running out of power. After the show, used our Star Tours and Toy Story fastpasses before splitting up. I enjoyed the view of the young padwans on our way into Star Tours.


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On the way out of Toy Story, we ran across the Green Army Man out front. Katie didn't want to stop, but since it was a new character for us, I made her!


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From there Katie and Drew would go do the Great Movie Ride and Backlot Tour, and I'd make a quick run back to the room. That went really well and I was back in the park in under an hour. My travel angel was still looking over my shoulder. I even had time to grab a few photos on the way out of the park, then on the way back in:


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I caught back up with Drew and Katie after their Backlot Tour. They were still on the ride when I got there, so I got to see the Villains display and sit down for a bit.


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Once they got off the ride, we headed for Muppetvision 3-D. After seeing the Muppets at Thanksgiving, I really wanted to see the 3-D attraction again. As much as I liked the movie, I really just can't get excited about the attraction. Philharmagic it's not.


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And because the flick wasn't that compelling, I played with my camera.....


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It's certainly a beautiful theater though.


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[mom2rtk]

12/10 Continued:



Next we were on our way to something else we had never done before......... the Lights, Motors, Action stunt show. I really loved photographing it and found the show to be enjoyable.


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Once the show was over, we fought the crowds leaving to get over to Sci-Fi for dinner. I guess I've been there too many times. I'm glad Drew and Katie really enjoyed it, but I never seem to find anything I really like on the menu. The atmosphere is great, but the food....ehhh.

On the way in to be seated Drew sneezed. The hostess commented on how she wished she could sneeze since her head was so stopped up. Then she commented on how bad it is to have allergies in Florida where it stays warm all year. Then all of a sudden my sore throat started making sense. I had celebrated the first hard freeze at home as it brought some relief to my allergies. They hadn't HAD a hard freeze in Florida. And sure enough, each day after that it got a little better and was soon completely gone. My fears of a serious illness at Disney were gone. My travel angel was still looking out for me.


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[mom2rtk]

12/10 Continued:

Once dinner was over, all we had to do was go around the corner to see the Osborne lights. I know it wasn't a super busy day at DHS, but it wasn't super slow either. It was a challenge as always to work our way through the lights. I had brought my tripod that day to get some good shots. In fact, Katie had volunteered to carry it for me most of the day. I was hesitant to let it out of my sight, but she has really stepped up to the plate lately and been a huge help to me, so I let my fears go. I did end up taking the tripod out for a bit, but never really found my groove shooting Osborne this year. I ended up taking more handheld high ISO shots than anything else. I still feel like I have great progress to make with this attraction. Besides, after 2 very full days and one sore throat, I was ready to pack it in. We left the park around 8.


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Today was my day to take Katie to the pool for a bit when we got back to the room. Thankfully it was far warmer sitting out there watching her swim that it was last year!

 

[dara00]

great photos, as always. I esp. love the empty muppet theatre. it looks just like on the muppet show!

 

[mom2rtk]

great photos, as always. I esp. love the empty muppet theatre. it looks just like on the muppet show!

It's time to cue the music.........

Thanks Dara! I never watched much of The Muppets growing up. But we saw the new movie around Thanksgiving and thought it was really cute.

 

[dara00]

It's time to cue the music.........

Thanks Dara! I never watched much of The Muppets growing up. But we saw the new movie around Thanksgiving and thought it was really cute.

I love the Muppet Show and all the movies! I saw the new one and thought it was very cute too. I have my very own stuffed Walter too - well I really bought it for Simon...kinda.

 

[francis6306]

Awe! I LOVE the lights! I can't wait to see the lights again next year!

And YES! We did overlap! We were there the 10-15.

 

[mom2rtk]

I love the Muppet Show and all the movies! I saw the new one and thought it was very cute too. I have my very own stuffed Walter too - well I really bought it for Simon...kinda.

Man, I need a little one to "buy" things for. Not bad enough to have one. But it's fun to think about. I'm just afraid that by the time I have grandkids I'll be too old to do Disney.... even on a scooter!

Awe! I LOVE the lights! I can't wait to see the lights again next year!

And YES! We did overlap! We were there the 10-15.

I'm glad you'll get to see them again this year. I'm thinking we'll see them again this year too. Just not sure yet. If I knew Timmy wasn't going to run, I'd be planning for late October. But I figure as soon as I plan something, he'll be back in cross country.

Another factor is wanting to hold out as late as possible in hopes of seeing more of Fantasyland. And yes, I'm dying to eat at Be Our Guest.

 

[francis6306]

I'm glad you'll get to see them again this year. I'm thinking we'll see them again this year too. Just not sure yet. If I knew Timmy wasn't going to run, I'd be planning for late October. But I figure as soon as I plan something, he'll be back in cross country.

Another factor is wanting to hold out as late as possible in hopes of seeing more of Fantasyland. And yes, I'm dying to eat at Be Our Guest.

Me too!! Although, I would LOVE for it to be a Character meal… or at least "hosted" by a character. I've been reading about animatronics, but I think they could do a little more… I dunno. We'll see. Of course, I have ideas for plenty of other character meals- Oh if Disney would only listen to me!

 

[dara00]

be our guest is not going to be a character meal? I was sure it would be with belle and the beast and some other characters like maybe mrs potts!

 

[francis6306]

be our guest is not going to be a character meal? I was sure it would be with belle and the beast and some other characters like maybe mrs potts!

I would have thought so too, however, all the rumors and gossip is that no, it will NOT be a character meal. Apparently they are considering the idea of a Lumiere animatronic, similar to Remy.

 

[mom2rtk]

Me too!! Although, I would LOVE for it to be a Character meal… or at least "hosted" by a character. I've been reading about animatronics, but I think they could do a little more… I dunno. We'll see. Of course, I have ideas for plenty of other character meals- Oh if Disney would only listen to me!

be our guest is not going to be a character meal? I was sure it would be with belle and the beast and some other characters like maybe mrs potts!

I was thinking it would be a character meal with Beauty and the Beast characters, but now I don't. I guess with the princesses over at CRT they probably won't do that. I get the impression there will be enchanting elements of some sort, but not actual characters. I'm very curious to see just what it will be. Maybe something like Jen described at Animator's Palate on the Dream?

I did just see a post on the Fantasyland Expansion thread where someone says they have a reliable source who says the BatB and LM stuff might be open in October.

They say the ADR's for Be Our Guest probably won't open up until it hits soft opening. Which makes sense since they don't want to take a chance on missing a promised ADR date. And it's not like they'll have trouble filling them even at the last minute. I just hope it's not a signature place requiring 2 credits. Regardless, we'll still try it if we can get in.

I AM concerned that if the new stuff is open, they might not be as prone to offering free dining like they have done the last few years in Oct, Nov and Dec.

 

[Caretames1]

We really enjoyed LMA in Jan, Lightning McQueen wasn't part of the show then, Herbie was. It's kinda funny when your kid doesn't know who Herbie is. Awesome pictures of course!


We liked Sci Fi, food was good, but it's more the atmosphere that really made it fun.

BEAUTIFUL photos of the lights! They just look so massive! I can't wait until the day we get to see them.


Sam is now back at school. She left this afternoon to get settled back in and catch up a bit with classmates for notes and such. I was wary about letting her leave a day earlier, but she thinks she's better then fine. Honestly, when she left today....it was harder than the day she first left!

 

[jc040404]

As always, nice pictures! You just had my three year old jumping up and down over the stunt show pics. I had completely forgotten about McQueen joining that one. As much as I don't like Cars, he seems to be a fan.

I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't walk right by each other this evening. We had about the same plans with a Sci-Fi dinner(ADR @ 6:30), some time viewing the lights, and then a somewhat early ending back at Pop.

 

[mom2rtk]

We really enjoyed LMA in Jan, Lightning McQueen wasn't part of the show then, Herbie was. It's kinda funny when your kid doesn't know who Herbie is. Awesome pictures of course!


We liked Sci Fi, food was good, but it's more the atmosphere that really made it fun.

BEAUTIFUL photos of the lights! They just look so massive! I can't wait until the day we get to see them.


Sam is now back at school. She left this afternoon to get settled back in and catch up a bit with classmates for notes and such. I was wary about letting her leave a day earlier, but she thinks she's better then fine. Honestly, when she left today....it was harder than the day she first left!

I had never seen LMA before, so didn't even know Herbie used to be in it. I would have enjoyed that!

The lights really are massive. And so are the crowds. That's part of why it's so hard for me to figure out how to photograph them. I tried to take some photos of some details this time. But honestly, I didn't like photographing them with my husband along. He doesn't like to hang out while I set up the tripod and try a variety of settings. So I mostly went hand held with high ISO (except the one shot with the spinning element). I knew Katie and I would be back at DHS later in the week and thought I might give it another try then.

I'm glad Sam is well enough to head back today. But I'm sad for you that it was so hard to let her go. I totally get it though. She doesn't seem quite as invincible this time.

As always, nice pictures! You just had my three year old jumping up and down over the stunt show pics. I had completely forgotten about McQueen joining that one. As much as I don't like Cars, he seems to be a fan.

I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't walk right by each other this evening. We had about the same plans with a Sci-Fi dinner(ADR @ 6:30), some time viewing the lights, and then a somewhat early ending back at Pop.

I enjoyed seeing Lightning McQueen even though I'm not a huge Cars fan either.

Sounds like we could have walked right past you that night. I think our Sci-Fi ADR was around 5:30.

Katie and I were kicking around ideas this morning for what we'd like to do this year. First, she really wants to go to DL instead of WDW. I told her I too want to get back to DL, but that probably won't happen. I want to see the first phase of the Fantasyland Expansion and eat at Be Our Guest. A lot of it depends on the discount situation at WDW. Free dining at a value resort gets us many more days than trying to put something together at DL. And we'd probably be at an off-site hotel there which isn't as appealing to me.