The Empty Nesters Magical Mystery Tour *1/28* Link to New Girl's TR p141

[Poolrat]

I have tried to " lighten" my load and forgotten critical items. I do you think you did get some great shots. I like that picture of you and Denny by the tree, a really nice couple shot.

I do the trail every few trips and the weather has to be right for the tigers. I will see the gorillas every trip just to see Lily the baby and how much she has grown.

I knew there would be EE pictures and you did not disappoint.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Mary Ellen, you got some really really great pictures while on Expedition Everest. As I have said before, it surprises me that people get some wonderful shots while on a roller coaster. Usually, I'm hanging on for dear life.

I'm trying to go bagless for next trip too. Well, partially bagless. I'm making myself a different backsack for each day. The guys have been instructed to wear their cargo shorts on park days so we can put everything in the pockets and I'll have the folder backsack in mine. Once we are through the turnstiles, I'll whip out the backsack and we'll be good to go. (Thanks to Dee for this tip.)

Anyway, despite the fact that you didn't have the correct lens, your pictures are good (as always). Did you notice that you have a hidden Mickey in one of your pictures. It's in one of the murals on the Jungle Trek.

 

[afwdwfan]

If you're going to wait for the front row of EE, then you'd better take some pictures. What's the point of waiting for the view if you aren't going to take full advantage of it????

I'm sorry you took the wrong lens in your effort to cut back on things to carry around, but it looks like a fun day anyway. Your pictures look great to the guy who's photography skills include taking the phone out of his pocket and pushing a button.

And if you did have the right lens, then chances are that you wouldn't have gotten to see the lions out anyway!

 

[glennbo123]

Yes, I've noticed that the flags on EE have basically disintegrated. I mean, I realize that's the ambiance and all, but they're like really disintegrated. Time to replace some.

Is your 55mm lens capable of zooming at all, up to 50mm? Mine's the cheap (inexpensive) "nifty" fifty so it doesn't zoom -- I have to walk forward or walk back to zoom/unzoom. You got some decent shots though. But yeah, I would've been bummed without a zoom lens when the lions were out.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

One of the things I most excited for is our Star Wars breakfast. Yup - that's right - we booked a Star War's breakfast and we are meeting up with Princess Caitlin, Dawn Bu and Dale (Dawn's DH and Caitlin's dad). Caitlin is a HUGE Star Wars fan so its going to be so fun to see her get so excited.

I'm sure that'll be a very cool experience.

And I posed the question - Could I put the camera away and not take pictures.

HECK NO!

Called it! But that was an easy one.

BTW - has anyone noticed how all the flags that used to be on the top of EE have sort of disintegrated? I hope they eventually replace them. They are completely shredded and there really isn’t much left.

I've definitely seen that in pictures of the park. They've either disintegrated or faded. I hope they do get replaced because it's a great effect to see all of those colors.

I decided to avoid bag check by just bringing my wristlet and camera with one lens and no bag. But guess which lens I brought? If you guessed the 50mm lens you are correct. Crap. No distance shots for me.

D'oh! I hear ya on changing lenses, though. Such a pain. I remember searching high and low for a good walk-around zoom lens.

There’s some great scenery here.

I love your trail shots! Gorgeous!

So were either of the lions out? Let see.

And there he is again …. behind the brush. Are you kidding? UGHHH!


And here is the dynamic duo in quite possibly the most blurred cropped picture ever. So disappointing because it could have been a good picture, but wasn’t.

I'm sorry, but I have to here. You and I have the same luck with that dumb lion!

Oh well, they’re animatronic after all!

Exactly.

 

[MEK]

Hi Mary Ellen

I'm back from the cruise and from a totally selfish viewpoint I'm super glad you didn't do more updates while I was gone

Welcome back Pam!!!! Please let me know when you start your TR! I can't wait to hear all about it!

Beautiful pictures even without the 'right' lens. And of course those lions were out

Thanks Pam! And, yes, of course they were. But I redeemed myself and finally got a picture of the lions. A good picture!

Oh Man, I'm so excited for you guys for the Star Wars breakfast! I want to do that so bad, so I'll have to do it vicariously through you.

I am REALLY excited about it. I think its going to be a ton of fun! I am watching Star Wars movies every day for the week leading up to our trip!!!

Great update, and great pictures! Johnny used my 50mm almost exclusively this past trip, for the first time, and he fell in love with it. I can definitely understand wanting a tele for the safari of all things though! But think of it this way, you got some really different shots than you normally would have! And they're great too!

I really like the 50mm lens too. I use it most of the time. It's great for on ride pictures and for a lot of scenery stuff, but it is NOT good for the safari and I can't believe I forgot it. It was one of those head smacking moments like "What Was I Thinking?"

Looks like you had a great time through the trail and on the safari, lots of active animals!

Tons of active animals. I love going to AK when the weather is nice. It's such a great park and not sweating to death in the summer heat!

Love the pics on EE too, I am usually too nervous to take pictures on the ride.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

That's because you are in the back row taking all those G's that you miss in the front row!

So jealous of your upcoming visit during Star Wars Weekend time and especially the SW character dining! Take lots and lots of pictures please! Would love to see how those characters look in their new dining environment.

Oh you KNOW I will take lots and lots of pictures, although I know how dark it is in Sci-Fi. I just downloaded the pictures I took in Feb. I've got to lighten them up now. I need that cool lens that you always rent.

Great pictures at AK! Such a fun park to photograph! I too have lots and lots of pictures of the prayer flags and abandoned vehicles along the trails of Asia and Africa.

Thanks and it IS my absolute favorite park to photograph. In fact, I think it was the park that started my passion for photography. I was astounded that there were so many details around each and every corner.

 

[MEK]

I started my Disneyland one. the link is in my signature

Thanks for the heads-up Jen! I subbed as soon as I saw this!

Great updates MEK! Glad you waited until I had a break between trips!

Jill in CO

I did that just for you Jill!

For only taking your 50mm lens, you got some amazing pictures! It always happens when I try to cut down on what I take in the parks. Even after thinking it out thoroughly........I always miss having something I left behind.

Yup - that's pretty much what happened. Rookie mistake for sure, but I finally got a picture of that lion in February. I was NOT going to make that mistake again!

It was great seeing all of your EE pictures from the front seat. Actually I went back and scrolled through them all quickly and guess what??? It was like watching a video!

Hahahaha! Not! But I always do wonder how people get such great video on rides. I never see anyone with a camera, but I have seen lots of cool videos on youtube. It's great for someone who really wants to preview the ride.

Love your animal pics, but how dare that tiger showing you his butt!!! At least you were patient enough to wait him out and get him on the return trip.

Exactly. I wasn't going to settle for that picture. Plus I know how cats are. They are all pretty much the same in their complete randomness at times. My housecoats do that all the time.

Such pretty birds, and in spite of the short lens, I can still find that monkey. I have gotten pretty good at locating the monkeys at AK with practice!

tumble monkeys or real monkeys?

Animatronic lions.............

Well they are, aren't they?

And congratulations on finally mastering that "suck it in and still smile" pose!

I'm not 100% consistent on that, but I keep trying.

 

[tazdev3225]

OK caught up again but I took notes this time.

Nice shots on Everest. I will NOT be doing that ride ever again. I shouldn't anyway with my back issues but I will be getting to that on my TR soon but it was not a good ride.

I took a lot of pictures of the murals in December too but will probably get more next month. I can never remember what I already have.

Boo on the lens. I did the same thing. Forgot to take my 100-300 lens to the park and hated many of my AK pictures.

Great shot of that striped animal on the safari. The name escapes me at the moment.

I had a Star Wars breakfast booked but canceled it. The friend I am traveling with didn't really want to do it. I also booked the dinner and we will do that. I can't wait.

Great updates even if I was a little behind again.

 

[MEK]

I have tried to " lighten" my load and forgotten critical items. I do you think you did get some great shots. I like that picture of you and Denny by the tree, a really nice couple shot.

Yup - Never good to forget a critical item!

Thanks! I am glad Denny and I stopped and got the shots near the tree. I'll have to post the real PP ones.

I do the trail every few trips and the weather has to be right for the tigers. I will see the gorillas every trip just to see Lily the baby and how much she has grown.

I haven't seen Lily in quite awhile. Spoiler alert - I'm pretty sure we went down the trail on our second visit to the AK but she was no where to be found. Such a bummer!

I knew there would be EE pictures and you did not disappoint.

Yeah - there was no way I could resist EE pictures. Glad you like!

Mary Ellen, you got some really really great pictures while on Expedition Everest. As I have said before, it surprises me that people get some wonderful shots while on a roller coaster. Usually, I'm hanging on for dear life.

Thanks and That's me on ToT. There is no way I can get those outside shots that some people get. I, too, am hanging on for dear life.

I'm trying to go bagless for next trip too. Well, partially bagless. I'm making myself a different backsack for each day. The guys have been instructed to wear their cargo shorts on park days so we can put everything in the pockets and I'll have the folder backsack in mine. Once we are through the turnstiles, I'll whip out the backsack and we'll be good to go. (Thanks to Dee for this tip.)

I LOVE that idea! That's what I need to do the next time I travel with Denny. Just put a backsack in his cargo pocket. Perfect. Brilliant idea!

Anyway, despite the fact that you didn't have the correct lens, your pictures are good (as always). Did you notice that you have a hidden Mickey in one of your pictures. It's in one of the murals on the Jungle Trek.

Thank you and no, I didn't notice the Hidden Mickey. I'll have to go back and look again. I am SO bad at Hidden Mickeys. I should not even be a DISer. Thanks for pointing that out!

If you're going to wait for the front row of EE, then you'd better take some pictures. What's the point of waiting for the view if you aren't going to take full advantage of it????

I have to agree. The best part is the wait is never that long. I am still convinced that a lot of people don't know its there. If it was long I probably would never wait for it.

I'm sorry you took the wrong lens in your effort to cut back on things to carry around, but it looks like a fun day anyway. Your pictures look great to the guy who's photography skills include taking the phone out of his pocket and pushing a button.

hahahaha I've been know to do that as well. I made up forgetting the lens by brining the right one last month and I finally got a good picture of that animatronic lion!

And if you did have the right lens, then chances are that you wouldn't have gotten to see the lions out anyway!

My point exactly! I knew when I got on that Safari that the lion was going to be out of ready for a photo-op. My instinct proved exactly right.

 

[MEK]

Yes, I've noticed that the flags on EE have basically disintegrated. I mean, I realize that's the ambiance and all, but they're like really disintegrated. Time to replace some.

Exactly. I swear when we were there in March they were gone. There were just shards of fabric up there. I want to see the flags back. It looked so cool when the ride first opened.

Is your 55mm lens capable of zooming at all, up to 50mm? Mine's the cheap (inexpensive) "nifty" fifty so it doesn't zoom -- I have to walk forward or walk back to zoom/unzoom. You got some decent shots though. But yeah, I would've been bummed without a zoom lens when the lions were out.

Very little zoom. Nothing really to speak of. I do like the lens for general scenery pictures, but its not good for anything that is at all distant. I did remember to bring the long lens in March and I finally, FINALLY got a decent picture of that elusive male lion.

I'm sure that'll be a very cool experience.

I can't wait. I'm really looking forward to it and to hanging out with all the die-hard Star Wars fans! My kids watched those videos OVER and OVER when they were growing up, so its a bit nostalgic for me.

Called it! But that was an easy one.

Yeah, you're right. That was WAY too easy.

I've definitely seen that in pictures of the park. They've either disintegrated or faded. I hope they do get replaced because it's a great effect to see all of those colors.

The other flags are OK, but it really bums me out that they are not at the top of EE anymore. There are a few shards up there, but that's it. So sad.

D'oh! I hear ya on changing lenses, though. Such a pain. I remember searching high and low for a good walk-around zoom lens.

It would be great to have it all built into one lens, wouldn't it? It's kind of fun to just choose one and only use that one on each visit. But come - on - How could I mix them up on Safari day???

I love your trail shots! Gorgeous!

Thank you!

I'm sorry, but I have to here. You and I have the same luck with that dumb lion!

Well, spoiler alert - my luck is about to change and you are going to see photographic proof. But you must be patient!

Exactly.

You're the one who told me that, right? Thank goodness I am now enlightened!

 

[Moira222]

MaryEllen, I'm sure MEK got them as we did before they started doing the Tiers (same as we got ours before they started "tiering" rides).

aaah that makes sense!

It was before the tiering system. It worked out SO well. Unfortunately that didn't last long.

I read that they are planning to allow for additional fast passes in the park once you use your first 3, and that they were working on a park hopping option.

Me too! And every time I think it might be getting a little nice outside the weather turns so dreary again. It stinks!

i know what you mean!

They sure did. And I was thrilled to get a chance to see them.



Exactly. I wish the non-tiered system had last longer. It was great to be able to ride both TT and Soarin!

there are definitely still some bugs in the system, but Disney is trying to work on it.

This makes me want to do the African Trek again.

I read a review of a different animal kingdom tour - not behind the scenes but one that takes you through the park and points out things you might not have otherwise known. Looks pretty interesting!

but yeah, the African trek was good enough to do twice!

Do you recognize this scene?



No? Well its the scene where the leopards hang out. Only i had no chance of finding them today because I lacked a distance lens. Boo!

I do see the leopard. actually, I see two!



Let me just say Mary Ellen that your Animal Kingdom photos are just what I needed to see today. Snuck them in between work and they took me out of my witchy place and into a happy one. Thanks! They are gorgeous as usual!

Enjoy your SWW breakfast- I called Joe about it as soon as I saw the article, but he was not so interested. it would have been funny if you were there at the same time as him. maybe you will cross paths at OKW. 37 days (for Joe anyway, not sure if you arrive the same day)

 

[glaserjm]

Officially out of PDD (post-Disney depression) so I'm catching up on my TRs now. I like that Car Denny thought you were trying to pull one over on him with Denny's name!

Good for you for getting your runs in during your trip, I only managed one during our March trip but I really loved the path around FW that went over to WL...definitely one I'll be running again.

It's hard to pare down the stuff you bring to the park, I feel like there's always just "one more thing" that I should have brought, but then again, only for like one minute and the rest of the time you just have to schlep it around without using it. Your pics are still fab, even w/o the long lens!

 

[Poolrat]

I read that they are planning to allow for additional fast passes in the park once you use your first 3, and that they were working on a park hopping option.

:
there are definitely still some bugs in the system, but Disney is trying to work on it.

If they can implement that then we will essentially be back where we were with FP but a bit better with being able to pick the times. I know at US years ago they were trying out a FREE front of the line system and it was just like FP+ in that you could pick a time to return.

 

[emmysmommy]

Great photos on EE Mary Ellen. I love the view looking down at the tracks from the top. I don't think I've ever looked down before since I'm so focused on what's in front of me. Your Yeti shadow photos are so perfectly clear!

I'm fascinated with the bats. I would be creeped out if they were flying around but I love their little rodent faces.

Every time I see someone's photos of the safari I do a quick check to see if the elephants were out and sure enough... I think I was on the only safari earlier last year where there were no elephants to be found. So you recommend the Wild Trek Africa tour? I'll have to check that out.

Great photo of you and Denny!

 

[MEK]

OK caught up again but I took notes this time.

Wow - You're good. I always try to rely on my memory and we know that never works!

Nice shots on Everest. I will NOT be doing that ride ever again. I shouldn't anyway with my back issues but I will be getting to that on my TR soon but it was not a good ride.

Uh oh! Sounds like a bad run on EE. I really think it depends where you sit. The further back the more intense for that backward part of the trek. That can be disorienting so I always keeps my eyes closed. I hear you on the back. I sometimes have neck issues and when my neck is acting up I really can't ride.

I took a lot of pictures of the murals in December too but will probably get more next month. I can never remember what I already have.

You sound like me. Nothing wrong with multiples of multiples!

Boo on the lens. I did the same thing. Forgot to take my 100-300 lens to the park and hated many of my AK pictures.

It's really the one park where you need your distance lens. The good thing is I doubt I will make the mistake again!

Great shot of that striped animal on the safari. The name escapes me at the moment.

Thanks! I'm glad that some of my shots turned out even though I couldn't see the big cats very well.

I had a Star Wars breakfast booked but canceled it. The friend I am traveling with didn't really want to do it. I also booked the dinner and we will do that. I can't wait.

I am curious to see how the dinner is. Cynthia thought the breakfast would be fun because its in Sci Fi and that's never open for breakfast. Plus they will be playing clips of the movies on the screen. I, like you, can't wait!

Great updates even if I was a little behind again.

Thanks! No worries on getting behind. I am always behind.

aaah that makes sense!

Yeah - they were the Good Old Days!

I read that they are planning to allow for additional fast passes in the park once you use your first 3, and that they were working on a park hopping option.

I would really appreciate the park hopping option. That would be awesome! To me it would be more fun to be able to pick a favorite in each of two parks and schedule them that way!

i know what you mean!

But wasn't this weekend wonderful! Sunday was so awesome and after our crappy winter I really appreciated every ray of sunshine!

there are definitely still some bugs in the system, but Disney is trying to work on it.

And that's really what counts. I honestly don't hate the system. For example, I liked that I could go right from EE to Safari and still ride it in the morning. When I was grabbing my own FP's I usually didn't ride it until lunch and morning is so much better!

I read a review of a different animal kingdom tour - not behind the scenes but one that takes you through the park and points out things you might not have otherwise known. Looks pretty interesting!

but yeah, the African trek was good enough to do twice!

That does sound cool because the details in the park are so amazing and I don't think people can appreciate what forethought when into those details and how they had to acquire certain items. Sounds like its similar to the KTTK tour at MK.

And, yes, the African Trek is good enough to do twice.

I do see the leopard. actually, I see two!

Well then you have really good eyes girlfriend!

Let me just say Mary Ellen that your Animal Kingdom photos are just what I needed to see today. Snuck them in between work and they took me out of my witchy place and into a happy one. Thanks! They are gorgeous as usual!

I am glad my pictures helped improve the quality of your day. I know the same thing happens to me when I see pics that take me to my happy place.

Enjoy your SWW breakfast- I called Joe about it as soon as I saw the article, but he was not so interested. it would have been funny if you were there at the same time as him. maybe you will cross paths at OKW. 37 days (for Joe anyway, not sure if you arrive the same day)

It does sound sound we WILL be there the same time. I arrive May 11th and leave the 17th. How about you? Are you staying at OKW, too?

 

[MEK]

Officially out of PDD (post-Disney depression) so I'm catching up on my TRs now. I like that Car Denny thought you were trying to pull one over on him with Denny's name!

Welcome back! How was your trip? I know all about PDD. I get it at least briefly every trip. I always think back "last week this time I was here. Last week this time I was doing this". It's tough and definitely takes awhile to shake it off.

Yeah - that Kardenni was a little paranoid.

Good for you for getting your runs in during your trip, I only managed one during our March trip but I really loved the path around FW that went over to WL...definitely one I'll be running again.

I LOVE that path. I have stayed at WL a few times and run over to FW. It's probably one of my favorite places to run. It's so relaxing and enjoyable and you feel like you have the entire place to yourself.

It's hard to pare down the stuff you bring to the park, I feel like there's always just "one more thing" that I should have brought, but then again, only for like one minute and the rest of the time you just have to schlep it around without using it. Your pics are still fab, even w/o the long lens!

Thanks and yeah - that's how I feel with my camera bag. It's definitely heavy and annoying. In Feb/march I put my camera in a completely different backpack and that helped a lot with the "schlepping".

If they can implement that then we will essentially be back where we were with FP but a bit better with being able to pick the times. I know at US years ago they were trying out a FREE front of the line system and it was just like FP+ in that you could pick a time to return.

It would be SO much better. It would give enough flexibility that you didn't feel totally over scheduled . I think a lot of people would appreciate that. I don't keep up on all the FP developments well enough so I appreciate you guys getting me up to speed!

Great photos on EE Mary Ellen. I love the view looking down at the tracks from the top. I don't think I've ever looked down before since I'm so focused on what's in front of me. Your Yeti shadow photos are so perfectly clear!

Glad you like the photos and I think I lucked out on the Yeti shadows. For some reason I think we stayed at the spot extra long so I was able to get a ton of pictures. Too many pictures actually! I remember being a little freaked that we weren't moving yet!

I'm fascinated with the bats. I would be creeped out if they were flying around but I love their little rodent faces.

I think the bats are pretty cool. We had one in our house once and that was NOT cool, but at the park I find them very interesting to watch. I have better pics somewhere from when I had the right lens. *sigh* Next time!

Every time I see someone's photos of the safari I do a quick check to see if the elephants were out and sure enough... I think I was on the only safari earlier last year where there were no elephants to be found. So you recommend the Wild Trek Africa tour? I'll have to check that out.

Really? No elephants? I have always seen elephants. That's crazy. Did the safari driver make any comments? Hmmmmm. Maybe they were all herded up for some reason.

Yes - I would definitely recommend it. It's very well done. My favorite part was seeing the hippos get fed. Absolutely fascinating. They can open their jaws completely apart. It's CRAZY. The tour guides gave SOOOOO many interesting factoids. The only thing I wish was you could purchase a CD of their talk because I could never begin to remember all the interesting things they said. Walking across the bridges was fun even though you knew they were totally safe. They guides took lots of great pictures. The little snack they gave you was delicious. It was very VIPish. I'm very glad I did it.

Great photo of you and Denny!

Thanks!

 

[amazingact21]

Isn't that how it always is. The one time you don't bring the lens you need is the one time the lions are in (mostly) full view. Ahhhh. It's like they were teasing you.


I still thought all your animal pictures were good. You can't go wrong with seeing giraffes and tigers, no matter what type of photograph it is!



You know, I never look much to the side while on EE. So it was cool seeing some of your ride shots.

 

[englishrose47]

Great Safari pix !!!Mine are always blurry or have some body part of someone in themAlthough in December Janet did get the perfect BUTT shot

 

[khertz]

Lovely AK pictures, Mary Ellen! I kind of felt like I went through EE myself, but without the disorientation of the backwards part. Those kids behind you in the ride photo look like they are having the time of their lives!

For some reason, we always seem to miss the Maharajah trek lately. It's been too long since I've seen those tigers! Definitely my favorite of the big cats. We simply must make time for it on our next long trip.

Great Safari pictures, even without the zoom! I know a lot of people say it's boring posting/looking at photos from the Safari because they're always the same, but I never get tired of looking at them. I love seeing the animals up close & personal!

 

[saintstickets]

Fantastic update MEK!!! I don't know how you take those pics on EE. I'm holding on for dear life so I can't imagine taking pictures! Isn't it always the case where you leave the zoom at home and you finally get a chance for a pic that needs the zoom? Sighhhhh. I'm going to try taking better low light pics on our next trip so the zoom will be in a locker or back at the room.

Speaking of our next trip, your girls trip is just before ours so y'all try and leave us an adult beverage or two to drink - not that I'm insinuating the ladies might imbibe - not that there's anything wrong with that!!!