PRINCESS Palooza 2011! 9/9 Update: Departure Day

[mom2rtk]

HEY! Where are the Potato Head Butts?? Mind you, Kadence asked that!


Thanks for the tour and beautiful pictures, it makes us miss POP. We really did enjoy our stay there. I'd stay there again for sure.

I hear you on early wake up even though you had a late night. Why can't I ever sleep past 6 am!

Can't wait to see some tennis pictures! Lots more action than running huh?

LOL! Tell Kadence I'll do better next time. I didn't get the benefit of her eye for "photographic composition" until after I got back from this trip!

I usually regret any time I stay up late. I just have this dang internal alarm clock that won't let me sleep late, no matter how hard I try. At home I just get up and get going. In a small hotel room it's a little trickier.

I'll post my first few tennis photos in a moment!

You missed my building with the 8 track!!!

I'm gonna miss Pop this time! Its the only On-Site resort I've stayed at and I really do love it!

Yep, completely missed the 8 track player. I'm so old I even know that those look like. I think we migt have had one when I was a kid.

I'd like to stay at the AoA with you, but just think we'll be back at the Pop. If they do any discounts at AoA I'll move in a heartbeat. But barring that, we'll be Pop bound. I want to stretch the budget as far as we can, and love the bus service at the Pop enough not to want to take chances on any of the All-Stars.

 

[mom2rtk]

OK, we interrupt this trip report for........ a new sport! And I have to say this one has far more promise than running ever did! I say that purely from a photographic standpoint. Timmy sems determined to make a go of tennis, but he is brand new to the sport. Hopefully he'll make progress over the course of the year and like it enough to keep playing.


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[francis6306]

I'd like to stay at the AoA with you, but just think we'll be back at the Pop. If they do any discounts at AoA I'll move in a heartbeat. But barring that, we'll be Pop bound. I want to stretch the budget as far as we can, and love the bus service at the Pop enough not to want to take chances on any of the All-Stars.

Me thinks SOMEONE hasn't read the update on MY pretrip report….

 

[mom2rtk]

Me thinks SOMEONE hasn't read the update on MY pretrip report….

Oops! I'm way behind on everyone's TR's..... can't wait to catch up!

 

[DISNEYaddict4evr]

wait a minute?! An update with pictures? Have you been updating since 3/15 because the TITLE lists that as the last update

 

[Caretames1]

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AWESOME-EST!

Looks like he knows what he's doing. I'd mostly likely hit myself with the racket, hit someone close by with the racket, or accidentally hit the ball, only to hit someone with said ball!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Loved the early morning walk around Pop! Great pictures of the icons. I took several of those early walks on our last trip (right by myself) and thoroughly enjoyed myself just strolling along and taking pictures. It was one of the highlights of the trip for me. I just don't get to do that in my every day life.

You got some great tennis shots of your son too. I bet that is lots of fun having so many different things to photograph with 3 kids who I'm sure are all involved in a variety of things. I've always thought tennis would be fun. I took it in college and really enjoyed it. I hope your son catches on quickly and finds that he loves his new sport. He looks like he is doing great so far!

 

[mom2rtk]

wait a minute?! An update with pictures? Have you been updating since 3/15 because the TITLE lists that as the last update

Sorry about that. It's a miracle I've posted anything recently. In the past month I've been to 10 doctor or dental appts and started running Timmy to and from school for tennis and attended 2 matches this week. Next week he has 3.

I'll update the title and links and try to get to another update in the next couple days.

AWESOME-EST!

Looks like he knows what he's doing. I'd mostly likely hit myself with the racket, hit someone close by with the racket, or accidentally hit the ball, only to hit someone with said ball!

Thanks Carey!

I have to say I'm LOVING seeing the determination in this kid. Earlier in the week when he got home from his match he made Drew go play with him. Then yesterday when he got home from his match he met a friend at the park to practice some more. The wheels are turning in his head and he is driven to make some progress. It's awesome to watch this unfold.

Loved the early morning walk around Pop! Great pictures of the icons. I took several of those early walks on our last trip (right by myself) and thoroughly enjoyed myself just strolling along and taking pictures. It was one of the highlights of the trip for me. I just don't get to do that in my every day life.

You got some great tennis shots of your son too. I bet that is lots of fun having so many different things to photograph with 3 kids who I'm sure are all involved in a variety of things. I've always thought tennis would be fun. I took it in college and really enjoyed it. I hope your son catches on quickly and finds that he loves his new sport. He looks like he is doing great so far!

Thanks Rinky! I enjoyed those mornings too. I've never gotten to do that before because I didn't want to leave Katie alone when it was just the 2 of us. This time Drew was a long for part of the trip, and she's old enough now to stay in the room for a bit if needed.

I'm not sure if Timmy finds tennis fun, or if he's just trying to defeat the next level like a video game, but he's very driven. He won his challenge match the other day and is in the top spot on JV. He thinks he can just eek into varsity this year. But I'd really rather watch him play JV where he can be competitive.

 

[jenseib]

I am so glad I wasn't too far behind.
Great Tennis shots. I guess i didn't realize he was doing Tennis this year. What made him decide to try it? he sure sounds like he is doing good for being so new to the game.

I love your walk around Pop. It's one of my favorite things to do as well. Though I won't get to do it in Nov, since it will be just Claire and I. And she does love her sleep.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Tennis shots look good for a ROOKIE!

It is really weird getting used to shooting tennis - through the fence, out of the way, etc.

You done good!

 

[mom2rtk]

I am so glad I wasn't too far behind.
Great Tennis shots. I guess i didn't realize he was doing Tennis this year. What made him decide to try it? he sure sounds like he is doing good for being so new to the game.

I love your walk around Pop. It's one of my favorite things to do as well. Though I won't get to do it in Nov, since it will be just Claire and I. And she does love her sleep.

Tennis was sort of a last minute choice for a spring sport. I wasn't sure he was doing anything so was really happy to see him take on something new. I think he's mostly done with running. I think he burned himself out.

I have to say it was immensely freeing to have Katie hit an age where I could leave her in the room for a bit. I wish we could talk our girlfriends into going back to Disney this year again. Katie is finally old enough I'd let her and her friend go off for a bit in the parks on their own. And I KNOW Katie would love that.

Tennis shots look good for a ROOKIE!

It is really weird getting used to shooting tennis - through the fence, out of the way, etc.

You done good!

Who you calling a rookie? Me.... or my son? LOL! Guilty on both counts. Tennis really is a different beast to shoot. That first match I felt so conspicuous sitting right up by the fence. It was very uncomfortable especially since Timmy's so new. I didn't want to make him nervous. But he was great about it and assured me later it's fine.

It really is annoying dealing with that fence though. And every time they change sides or the net is in the way. I DO need to dig out my lens hoods though. I really hate using them even though I should. But getting that close to the fence with no hood is a great way to scratch an expensive lens too. Although I'm a little concerned the hood might put me too FAR from the fence and it might just come down to me being really careful.

I'm WOEFULLY behind on your TR already....... but have it up on my desktop so I can catch up soon!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Who you calling a rookie? Me.... or my son? LOL! Guilty on both counts.

It really is annoying dealing with that fence though. And every time they change sides or the net is in the way. I DO need to dig out my lens hoods though. I really hate using them even though I should. But getting that close to the fence with no hood is a great way to scratch an expensive lens too. Although I'm a little concerned the hood might put me too FAR from the fence and it might just come down to me being really careful.

Two words... UV filter.

Cheaper to replace when scratched...

I'm WOEFULLY behind on your TR already....... but have it up on my desktop so I can catch up soon!

Don't worry... not much exciting has happened except an MMA fighter being escorted off the plane and me being ridiculously late to my meeting with the Mouse...

(oh... and I just posted pics of our decorated room! )

 

[mom2rtk]

Two words... UV filter.

Cheaper to replace when scratched...


Don't worry... not much exciting has happened except an MMA fighter being escorted off the plane and me being ridiculously late to my meeting with the Mouse...

(oh... and I just posted pics of our decorated room! )

Yeah, I need to dig back out my U/V filters. I have them. I just took them off after I started having some issues with flare and pinned it down to those. But for tennis up by the fence...... that sounds like the perfect answer.

And on the TR...... sounds like I need to get caught up POST HASTE! I had an odd experience on our flight too, but at least it didn't happen until the flight home.

 

[katt789]

Those parade photos are just amazing!! Love them!! Ahh the tour of pop century, how I miss my home!!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Yeah, I need to dig back out my U/V filters. I have them. I just took them off after I started having some issues with flare and pinned it down to those. But for tennis up by the fence...... that sounds like the perfect answer.

It could affect you slightly, depending on which direction you are facing, but for the most part you shouldn't have any flare issues on the fence.

 

[mom2rtk]

Those parade photos are just amazing!! Love them!! Ahh the tour of pop century, how I miss my home!!

Thanks! I really loved sitting there shooting the parade. I need to see more parades on our next trip. I hear they're bringing Spectro back this summer, so I'll definitely have to see that one. And we completely missed the afternoon parade in the MK this time. I'd love to see them switch that one up sometime soon.

And I hear you on Pop Century. I know it's just a value resort, but I'm certainly at home there and love the feeling of walking back in!

It could affect you slightly, depending on which direction you are facing, but for the most part you shouldn't have any flare issues on the fence.

I think this is one case where it will be worth dealing with the flare issue. I'm digging the U/V filters back out. Thanks for the reminder!

 

[mom2rtk]

12/12 Continued:


After my nice tour of the Pop Century grounds, I headed back to the room to get the troops up and moving.

We had an ADR at Akershus for 11AM. I'm not sure what time we left or arrived at the park. You can tell I'm tired when I don't take a picture SOMEWHERE along the way, if for no other reason than to record the time for later. I usually take a photo of Katie putting her keycard into the turnstile every day. Not because I intend to frame it on the wall, or even include in my trip report.... but to record the time we got there. I don't take notes, but take pictures instead to remind me of many of the details along the way complete with time stamp.

Part of the reason for my lax picture-taking was the revolting development in the weather department. Somewhere along the way there...... it started to rain. Yep, after the prior night's drenching......... we were facing more rain. Yuck. When we got off the bus we stopped and pulled out the ponchos. No photos on the way in. No photos in front of SSE. No photos with characters on the way in. Not that we had time for all of that stuff anyway. We barely had enough time to get our Soarin' fastpasses and get to breakfast. Drew's feet were still hurting, so I sent him and Katie on to Akershus at a slower pace while I went to get our fastpasses.

We met up at Akershus right at 11. I checked in and told them I had to take Katie into the restroom to change her into her Belle gown for photos with Belle. It took a few minutes, which has never been a problem before, but apparently it was today. When we came out Drew said they were giving him all sorts of grief about where we were. And I had just told them where we'd be. Regardless, we had our photos and were quickly seated off in the back room. Oddly enough, we were one of only 2 parties seated back there. Katie didn't want to eat in her Belle gown, so she took it off (she had shorts and a camisole underneath) and greeted the other princesses in her other clothes.



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Our first priority after lunch was to get fastpasses for Test Track. So we headed back out of the World Showcase again. We stopped for a quick ride on Maelstrom, which never fails to underwhelm! But hey, it's right there and the line is never long, so why not? My rule of thumb is that if you're ever in the park where there's a long wait for Maelstrom, you're in the park on the wrong day!


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Next we wandered into Mexico to look around. We hadn't planned on doing any Christmas shopping for Robbie and Timmy, but then we saw a kiosk selling hot sauces. Since most of Robbie's meals involve a good dose of tabasco, we thought he might like to try something new. We didn't want to carry anything around the park, and they don't deliver food items, so we decided to stop by on our way out to get some. Since we were there, we decided to take the Grand Fiesta tour. Small World goes Mexican. But I do like the ceiling fireworks at the end.


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This dislplay was in the gift shop in Mexico. I am actually considering buying one on our next trip! Not that I'd wear it..... but I'd totally keep it in my china cabinet at home!


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[mom2rtk]

12/12 Continued:

We took the shortcut back to Test Track and picked up fastpasses before entering the standby line. The wait was pretty short for mid-day, so we must have been there on a good day (rain and all).


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Next we headed to the other side of Future World to use our Soarin' fastpasses. I love that ride, but it would be nice if they'd fix the floating black specks on the screen.


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Next stop was Nemo & Friends where there was no wait. We stopped on the way out to see a dive demonstration.


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By then it was nearly 3 PM and we had to be in Japan for dinner at 5:20. So it was time to get back out to the World Showcase. We definitely needed to get to France to find our favorite character Marie. We looked around her normal meet & greet area. Not only was there no sign of her, but there were no character handlers around either. I wasn't leaving without asking, and I'm glad I did. Turns out she was just about to come out inside the gift shop. We were right there first in line when she did.


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Once again, we didn't even scratch the surface of the World Showcase, but scooted right on past most of it on our way to Japan. I had let Katie pick a new pearl cage for this trip, and she chose one with dolphins. It just needed a pearl inside! She got a beautiful 7 1/4mm pearl and was happy to add it to the cage.


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[mom2rtk]

12/12 Continued:

Since we were in Japan and it was 4:30, we decided to check in at Teppan Edo and see if they could seat us early. Katie watched part of Miyuki's candy demonstration with Drew while I checked in. She definitely wants to see the entire thing next time. We were seated almost right away. We were all pretty tired, so welcomed the chance to get off our feet. The food isn't as good as Hibachi, but they sure put on a good show. Our chef was entertaining and full of many jokes.

I never want to choose this as one of our eating locations in Epcot since we eat at a great Japanese steak house a couple times a year at home already. It's our standing New Year's Eve destination, and Robbie usually picks it for his birthday. Which means we might be eating there soon!


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I am SO sad this photo is out of focus because it's one of my favorites from the day. Our chef saw me snapping a few photos, and the minute I lifted the camera to him, he struck this pose for me. I just died laughing becuase it was so unexpected!


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And of course the steaming hidden Mickey.....


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We had a ball trying to figure out where he was headed with the zucchini until we finally read his message......


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It was really chilly as the sun went down and we finished our circle around the World Showcase. I snapped a few handheld shots along the way, but I still look forward to spending some quality time there with a tripod one day.


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Katie talked us into a marionette cat in China, which who she named Bubbles.


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Donald wasn't out when we went through Mexico earlier in the day, but he was now, and they graciously let us enter the line right before he left.


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We stopped back into the gift shop in Mexico to buy the hot sauce set for Robbie. They wrapped it in a million layers of padding so I could ATTEMPT to get it safely home on the plane. I snapped this photo so I could remember just how BIG that dang thing was!


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We stopped for pictures in front of the Christmas tree on our way out of the World Showcase but they didn't really turn out. Even the photopass ones were bad. I think I deleted them all off my photopass account.

Then it was on to Test Track to use our other set of fastpasses. I liked the wreath they had up in the gift shop:


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We left the park shortly after 7. Having fought the rain for the second day in a row, I was ready for an early night. And Drew had to be up early to catch the Magical Express the next morning, so we all needed an early night. Back at the room, Katie enjoyed playing with Bubbles the cat on her ironing board stage.

Yes, I know we raced through Epcot again. But hey.... we'll eventually get the job done right. Epcot's not going anywhere, right?

I DO think Epcot is the one park that will be a lot harder to do under the new fastpass return time enforcement. We had a short day but still rode Test Track twice and Soarin once. If we had been in the WS when our window opened, I'm not sure I would have had it in me to hoof it back to FW and back. I just really liked it the way it was and will definitely miss that flexibility.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Look at you go this morning!!!

As always the photos are fab! Especially the ones in Mexico and China!

Concerning the Soarin' specs - this is where I give the ride a lot of leeway about the "dirt"... Shooting at the type of large format that they used for the IMAX-sized screens, you cannot avoid dust. Period. You can try but it cannot be even 85% dust free. Trust me. I got dust all the time with my 4x5 no matter how hard I tried.

I think it's easier to see because of all of the sky.

And as for Teppan... I thought our guy was cool but to see your chef... I'M SO JEALOUS!!! I was a hidden Mickey onion volcano!