PRINCESS Palooza 2011! 9/9 Update: Departure Day

[jenseib]

When I saw those camera girls in the picture...I thought what the heck. The one girl just was sitting there staring. LOL! I almost never use a flahs, and even though I have an external, I don't use that much either, mostly because I haven't gotten it down to a science yet. At home, I can take great pictures when I am play around...try to use it for real and they are awful!

 

[jenseib]

Did you see this...on Saturday night live, the real housewives of Disney

http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/disney-housewives/1388796

 

[mom2rtk]

They do that on purpose ya know...


You have to keep bugging them unfortunately. I found that out when Lucy's ears went missing last May. I called everyday for a week and had no luck. Called back two weeks later and ta-da! They had them...

P.S. - I'm going to have to get you up to speed on EP... Have you not stopped for the street performers??? Those are fun to shoot!

They do what on purpose? Pick people who don't look like they know how to use their camera? Maybe I need to put my kit lens on and put the flash up if I want them to pick me? I still think it would be a cool shot to try and get.

I took ride video from Row 2 with DW and DD in the front row this last visit. You're absolutely right, those seat backs are high and you'd never know it was my family in front of me other than a few strands of hair here and there.

Yeah..... I tried to take some from a different row on another trip and couldn't even tell it was them. But the shots out the side of the car as you're leaning into a curve turn out pretty cool, even if the people you see aren't anybody you know! Definitely no turning around to take photos like on BTMRR. Or maybe.... with a wide angle..... facing back between the seats??????

Yeah, I have noticed the lack of a castle! Can't argue with you there!

And see, your explaination makes perfect sense to me. I feel the same way about HS. It's not that I don't like it, I just hate to take time from MK or Epcot to go there because it doesn't have as many things that I enjoy as the other parks. And I also understand about kids not being crazy about WS too (if that's what you meant about 'when Katie is older'). I think most kids probably don't like it much. DD only likes it because she gets to shop the whole day! I used to feel that way about AK too, but it has really grown on me and I very much enjoy going there now. It has so much pretty scenery and I love the animals.

I can see myself growing to love Epcot in the near future, for all the reasons you list. Maybe a trip during the flower and garden festival?

No we met in the line for the 7 dwarfs at MVMCP on the Tues. night. I was the one with the little girl in the glittery dress. (The ones drooling over Katie's Snow White gown)

OK, now I remember! Thanks!

And what a pretty glitter dress it was too!

When I saw those camera girls in the picture...I thought what the heck. The one girl just was sitting there staring. LOL! I almost never use a flahs, and even though I have an external, I don't use that much either, mostly because I haven't gotten it down to a science yet. At home, I can take great pictures when I am play around...try to use it for real and they are awful!

Jen, we need to go together and BOTH go up there to take that dang bird's photo!

I know what you mean about doing well when you're playing around. But when you're at Disney with a "to do" list a mile long, it's hard to recall all the details of what setting to use. I'm getting better, but honestly sometimes really just mess it up. I forget to change the setting back when I'm done and end up taking shots at 1600 ISO in bright daylight. It's one of the reasons I shoot in RAW at Disney especially since I have more latitude to fix my mistakes later. I've tried to remember to swap my camera into "Program" mode between sets of photos so it can think for me if I forget.

Did you see this...on Saturday night live, the real housewives of Disney

http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/disney-housewives/1388796

I loved the little dwarf hands high-5ing Snow White!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Maybe they've taught the bird to hate cameras???

 

[mom2rtk]

Maybe they've taught the bird to hate cameras???

LOL! But wouldn't that just make the photo op even BETTER?

You wanna come with me and Jenseib when we do this? 2 of us could be on stage, and one in the audience to immortalize it from afar????

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

LOL! But wouldn't that just make the photo op even BETTER?

You wanna come with me and Jenseib when we do this? 2 of us could be on stage, and one in the audience to immortalize it from afar????

That would be awesome!!!!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

You'll have to wait until 2014 though...

DH and I decided yesterday that we're going to take the kids to the 2014 Pin Trading Convention.

I'm hoping it's late enough in September so we can hit up MNSSHP again.

 

[DISNEYaddict4evr]

pin trading convention?

 

[mom2rtk]

That would be awesome!!!!

OK.... I have you pencilled in. We're also doing MNSSHP. Do you want to be Drizella or Anastasia?



*** Sadly enough, this is a pretend trip. But work with me, ok?????

You'll have to wait until 2014 though...

DH and I decided yesterday that we're going to take the kids to the 2014 Pin Trading Convention.

I'm hoping it's late enough in September so we can hit up MNSSHP again.

That sounds freakin awesome. Don't have a clue what it is, but it still sounds freakin' awesome!

pin trading convention?

Yes, details please?????

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

OK.... I have you pencilled in. We're also doing MNSSHP. Do you want to be Drizella or Anastasia?

Uh... Drizella... SHE'S THE PRETTY ONE!!!!

Just ask her!

pin trading convention?

That sounds freakin awesome. Don't have a clue what it is, but it still sounds freakin' awesome!



Yes, details please?????

I just know they happen in September for 3 days. Still trying to find out more info. Lots of serious traders and opportunities to get super cool pins.

I'm trying to find out more info myself but it seems like the people who attend the convention are as underground as Ducky Momo fans.

 

[mom2rtk]

Uh... Drizella... SHE'S THE PRETTY ONE!!!!

Just ask her!:

LOL! So true. At least that's what she told us...... at least one of the SIX times we saw her on this last trip!

I just know they happen in September for 3 days. Still trying to find out more info. Lots of serious traders and opportunities to get super cool pins.

I'm trying to find out more info myself but it seems like the people who attend the convention are as underground as Ducky Momo fans. :headache

Cool! You'll have to let us know when you get more details. Are you already scoping out traders to buy?

And more importantly...... did you book free dining yet?

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

No, I didn't. ::sobs uncontrollably::

We can't swing a trip this year with the three fall weddings we have. We are thinking about vacationing in the Smokies for a week in July then we're taking a half week for Erica's wedding in August.

Chris and I are trying to find a time for just the two of us then have the family trip in 2014.

 

[francis6306]

I'm all caught up! FINALLY! These kids and their "needs!"

I can't wait to spend some more time in AK. I hate that it closes earlier than everything else. That really messes us up with napping children!

 

[petals]

Catching up. Luvin all your updates! Your pictures are amazing

 

[mom2rtk]

No, I didn't. ::sobs uncontrollably::

We can't swing a trip this year with the three fall weddings we have. We are thinking about vacationing in the Smokies for a week in July then we're taking a half week for Erica's wedding in August.

Chris and I are trying to find a time for just the two of us then have the family trip in 2014.

Sorry. I mis-read. And I guess it's too late to hope for winning one of the OMDD trips.........

The Smokies sounds lovely though. Maybe some good photo ops????

I'm all caught up! FINALLY! These kids and their "needs!"

I can't wait to spend some more time in AK. I hate that it closes earlier than everything else. That really messes us up with napping children!

I didn't even think of how the short park hours would mess with nap schedules.

Catching up. Luvin all your updates! Your pictures are amazing

Thank you! Hopefully more coming up soon.....

 

[francis6306]

I didn't even think of how the short park hours would mess with nap schedules.

Yeah, if you leave at 12:30, then take a 2 hour nap (which is what Cortlyn did last year) and with wait times at the buses, it wasn't really worth the time to rush back at the park. It was fine for the other parks.

 

[mom2rtk]

12/11 Continued:

We left Animal Kingdom around 1:00, but had eaten and just needed some down time before heading for dinner at the castle and MVMCP.

For Katie, returning to the room mid-day meant ONE THING! Time to hit the Hippy Dippy pool! Drew took her out while I organized my things for the party that night. I was REALLY hoping there would be a message on our room phone from the front desk saying they had my tripod. I really had wanted to stake out Holiday Wishes and the Magic, Memories and You show that night with my tripod. When we got to the room, the light WAS indeed flashing! But alas..... it was just a message telling us how to set up voice mail.

I was really disappointed since I figured Disney is so good at follow-up that I would have gotten a call if they found it. Regardless, being the OCD sort that I am about these things, I decided to head to the Concierge Desk and ask again about my tripod. I REALLY didn't expect anything to turn up since I told that morning's CM how badly I wanted it for the party that night. Regardless, I still just had to ask.

I explained the entire story to the CM at the Concierge Desk and she said she'd go in back to look. Boy was I SHOCKED and RELIEVED when she walked back out with ................ my TRIPOD! I'm not sure what happened with their communication, but they definitely had it! My travel angel was apparently still looking out for me!

After 2 1/2 days in the parks, Drew's feet were starting to hurt. He actually had blisters already. My feet hurt, but at least I wasn't fighting blisters. He was looking forward to getting back to the room and off his feet for a bit. He wasn't even sure he wanted to go to dinner at CRT or to the party. He ended up deciding to stay in the room off his feet while Katie and I went to dinner and he would meet us for the party.


IMG_5381B by mom2rtk, on Flickr

Katie and I got to the gates of the MK around 3:30. We didn't have park hoppers and had been to AK already that day. So we needed our party tickets to enter the park. With 4:10 reservations at the castle, we needed to be among the first into the park with party tickets so we could quickly make our way up Main Street. I wasn't sure where the line would form for party entrance, so I asked and was directed down to one end. The very MOMENT we got across the concourse and stepped under the cover......... the skies let loose.


IMG_5382B by mom2rtk, on Flickr

One minute........ nothing. The next minute....... it was pouring! We had to wait anyway, so no big loss. But I did dig through my bag to find an umbrella in case it was a wet walk up Main Street!

My travel angel was hard at work though........... and the rain stopped just in time for us to enter the park. (Is it just me or does this lady not look very excited about being there?????)


IMG_5386B by mom2rtk, on Flickr

I couldn't believe I was actually able to take some photos on the way in. I thought for SURE we'd be in the midst of a wash-out!


IMG_5390B by mom2rtk, on Flickr


IMG_5391B by mom2rtk, on Flickr


IMG_5394B by mom2rtk, on Flickr


castleparty by mom2rtk, on Flickr

We headed to the left up the ramp to the castle on the Liberty Square side....... and caught some glorious afternoon sun hitting the castle:


IMG_5402B by mom2rtk, on Flickr


IMG_5406B by mom2rtk, on Flickr


IMG_5408B by mom2rtk, on Flickr

Katie had opted to wear her shorts into the park, so I had tucked away into our bag........ the first princess gown of the entire trip!

We have photos through the years of her comparing shoes with Cinderella. She did the same again this time. I love this shot!


castleflipflops by mom2rtk, on Flickr


IMG_5414B by mom2rtk, on Flickr


IMG_5417B by mom2rtk, on Flickr

And the shot from behind to show the big butt-bow:


IMG_5419B by mom2rtk, on Flickr

And finally........ we were there:


IMG_5420B by mom2rtk, on Flickr

Our server was understanding about Drew staying back at the room and thankfully didn't charge us for his dinner. Of course, I think she felt bad already that we were paying $60 for Katie's chicken nuggets..... and took pity on us! LOL! Katie is not a very adventurous eater, but was 11 years old, so needed to order off the adult menu. Instead, the ended up making an adult plate with the chicken nuggets, some corn and I think mashed potatos. I kid around a lot about this...... but I do know we were there for the ambience. But man.... it really does stop you in your tracks to pay $60 for chicken nuggets. I now have decided to look at it as paying $30 for chicken nuggets and $30 for the photo package!

Does it get any better? I know I have arrived at Disney when I'm sitting in the castle holding a blue goblet.


IMG_5422B by mom2rtk, on Flickr

Soon the princesses came in and started making the rounds. I had made Katie a pillow case for autographs. We hadn't done much with it yet, but took this chance to get it started:


IMG_5423B by mom2rtk, on Flickr


IMG_5425B by mom2rtk, on Flickr


IMG_5427B by mom2rtk, on Flickr

OK, let's face it. Katie is 11 and while we enjoy the characters, we enjoy them in a different way than we did when she was ..... say...... 4. So MAYBE we rate the princesses when they come by the table. And MAYBE we chat about their makeup and how realistic they were....... We decided maybe Snow White played Drizella in a former life......


IMG_5431B by mom2rtk, on Flickr


IMG_5433B by mom2rtk, on Flickr

Last but not least was Belle:


IMG_5436B by mom2rtk, on Flickr

Somewhere along the line the phone rang and Drew wanted to know if it was raining there. Uh, nope. In fact, the sun was out. He said it was POURING at the Pop Century, but he was going to make his way out and meet us. Maybe my travel angel (or fairy godmother????) was looking out for us after all.


IMG_5435B by mom2rtk, on Flickr

And on the way out, yes, we held up traffic for a moment for another traditional shot for us:


IMG_5445B by mom2rtk, on Flickr

 

[Glennie5]

I was so excited to see you were posting your party pictures
I Love Katie's dress, so pretty with the snow flake sheer material.

 

[mom2rtk]

I was so excited to see you were posting your party pictures
I Love Katie's dress, so pretty with the snow flake sheer material.

Thanks Glennie! It's about time isn't it???

I picked up that fabric last summer the minute I saw it in the store. I have something more "funky" in mind for this year...... Gotta keep my pre-teen interested you know!

 

[KCmike]

Loved the updates. Great photos once again. Fun to read along with your trip report. It was fun to see the now and then photo too!

Why do our kids have to grow up so quick?