The Moist Exhausting Free Trip Ever - Link to Part II Thread pg. 244

[glennbo123]

Day 4 - Part 5

After PChef Idol ended, we walked outside and found a spot to watch the fireworks, which were schedule to begin in just a couple of minutes. As I mentioned at the end of the last chapter, the guy we were rooting for during PChef Idol came out and I showed him some of the pictures I had taken. Then I looked around for something solid to help me hold my camera still for some fireworks pictures – I hadn’t brought my tripod along this trip since it is so cumbersome. We were right near a palm tree, so that’s what I used. I leaned on it and held the camera and my hands right against it to keep the camera still. (And you thought "Leaning Palms" was only at Typhoon Lagoon! )

Before the fireworks started I took this picture of the Sorcerer’s hat, and I really like how it turned out.

At 11:00 pm the lights illuminating the hat dimmed and the fireworks began. I used my “hold camera against a palm tree” technique for the following pictures.

They lasted only about 5 minutes, but were very good, in true Disney fashion.

The fireworks signaled the end of our PChef night at Disney Hollywood Studios and it was time to leave the park. It wasn’t until that moment that we wondered, “Do we leave from the front of the park, or back by Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster where we came in?” We just followed the crowd, which was inching its way down Hollywood Boulevard to the front of the park.

I don’t know why, but I always like to take a picture of this “Crossroads” sign at night. It seemed appropriate that the last picture of the evening would be a Stiltmosphere guy waving goodbye.

We walked out into the parking lot and were quickly directed to a bus. This one was a cruise line bus and much nicer than the one we had on the way in. Right after we boarded, the bus pulled out and we were back at Coronado Springs by 11:30 pm. It was kind of a whirlwind after PChef Idol ended a couple of minutes before 11 and we were back at the resort a half an hour later. I couldn’t believe that we had watched fireworks, exited the park, and made it back already.

Another moist, exhausting day was done!


Up next: It feels like I took a shower inside myself, and a Magic Kingdom morning
Link to next chapter

 

[Flossbolna]

I see zero Judys.

ETA: I really like the hat with fireworks, it is a shame that they don't have any regular fireworks there... This is my favourite picture:

But you really managed to get quite a few good ones with your low-tech leaning palms technique!

I am really amazed at all the aspects of the PChef trip, it can't have been cheap. I was wondering wether PChef people might not think that all this is really nice, but it would also be nice to get paid more? I think in Germany employees would rather have a higher paycheck than a free trip...

 

[brookelizabeth]

I see zero Judys.

YOU ARE TOO FAST! I've been watching for this update and you still beat me!

But, I think I might have spied one....a dark outline of her hair....

 

[Flossbolna]

YOU ARE TOO FAST! I've been watching for this update and you still beat me!

But, I think I might have spied one....a dark outline of her hair....

Just plain luck, I was actually going to post on your thread (will do in a minute, I have something to report) and opened my User CP where I saw a new title on Glenn's report.

I am not sure what the committee is saying about this, but I would think that there must be a way to identify Judy in order for her to count. A dark hair outline could be from anyone??

And I did scan the crowd picture for her, but could not find her there either...

 

[PrincessV]

We were right near a palm tree, so that’s what I used. I leaned on it and held the camera and my hands right against it to keep the camera still.

Ah, the Human Tripod - always there when you need it! And it worked, too - GREAT pics!

Up next: It feels like I took a shower inside myself...

This is the most accurate description of summer in FL I've ever seen!

 

[marvali]

One Judy, in the crowd ahead of the kids.......

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

nice update glenn, to bad they dont have those fireworks much anymore since they started the night show, i used to always enjoy them.

I enjoy a little background in my pictures every now and then. As long as you send them to both of us, I don't care what Glenn does with his copies!

Do you explain your "background" pictures by saying that you were taking a picture of your child(ren) and the must have ducked their head under the water at "just that moment" Or that the only reason you got the picture of the girls in the bikinis .......oops sorry, background......was because they walked in front of you just as you snapped the picture? I get those "explanations" a lot when going through our pictures. I get a little confused on how fast some of that "background" can move because apparently even though they walked in front of the camera as he was taking a picture - a lot of them are laying in lounge chairs

actually most of them usually are mistake ones, or huh, didnt even realize it till we got home pictures.

It can happen!

Since I don't have a very strong zoom lens on my camera I have two choices. Try to quickly move closer to my subject and risk missing the shot, or just shooting the picture and cropping out any unwanted background after I get home. A lot of times you don't even realize what else may be in the picture until you upload to your computer, like Dan was saying earlier....

Sometimes you get to that point and go and sometimes it's Right guys?........ Guys??........

GUYS???

on your own marv

Hmmm, should I leave you to hang yourself?

Oh all right, yes it's like that sometimes....you just "happen" to capture unintended subject matter. It can happen to anybody.

i agree with glenn, its not like you tell the family hey, go over that way just a little bit okay right there.

and then take it, things just walk behind while you are taking a picture.

 

[brookelizabeth]

J
I am not sure what the committee is saying about this, but I would think that there must be a way to identify Judy in order for her to count. A dark hair outline could be from anyone??

And I did scan the crowd picture for her, but could not find her there either...

I do believe I stand corrected. At first I thought the woman in blue, looking down, in the bottom left of this picture was Judy; however, Judy was wearing PINK that day, not blue!

I think you've smoked us Magdalene!

I hope to get over to my TR today, also attempting to clean the house since Henry is at a friends for a playdate I actually have some time to myself. I'd much rather DIS, but the dust bunnies are getting a little too large.... Anyway, I have a feeling I know what you posted on my TR!


Wonderful update Glenn! I loved the fireworks pictures - I sure wish they would do them there more often, they are beautiful with the hat. Nice job on the "leaning palm" as well. Like you, I often feel compelled to take a pic of the Crossroads sign at night, it's just too cool looking not to!

 

[thecapells]

1/2 Hour and back at the resort after watching fireworks?
That alone is cause for celebration.

What did you think of the fireworks BTW?
They looked pretty nice from your pics...

 

[glennbo123]

I see zero Judys.

We have a winner!

I don't see her in any of the crowd photos either, so zero it is. Good job Magdalene!

ETA: I really like the hat with fireworks, it is a shame that they don't have any regular fireworks there... This is my favourite picture:

That's a nice one. I really like some of the earlier ones, before it got too smoky.

But you really managed to get quite a few good ones with your low-tech leaning palms technique!

Thank you. It worked pretty well, surprisingly. And the best part was that I didn't have to lug a tripod around in a backpack all night.

I am really amazed at all the aspects of the PChef trip, it can't have been cheap. I was wondering wether PChef people might not think that all this is really nice, but it would also be nice to get paid more? I think in Germany employees would rather have a higher paycheck than a free trip...

Oh, good question. It is something we've wrestled with as we've considered this versus other options, because you're right -- it isn't "free". In fact, it's taxable income. After the year ends, we'll get a tax statement listing Judy's commission, the value of this trip, and the PChef products that Judy earned for being a director. (Maybe that Stiltmosphere guy was Uncle Sam...no wonder he looked so happy.)

Also, in regards to prefering pay instead of a free trip, we did have the option to take cash instead of the trip, but it's hardly a one-for-one. The travel allowance that they gave to us in cash was almost as much. So, it's not as much, but at least it's something for those people who can't make the trip for whatever reason.

YOU ARE TOO FAST! I've been watching for this update and you still beat me!

She was lightning fast! Everyone should just stay on my thread hitting the "refresh" button, 24/7. That's what I think.

But, I think I might have spied one....a dark outline of her hair....

I'll give you some time to find your microscope and give it a closer look.

Just plain luck, I was actually going to post on your thread (will do in a minute, I have something to report) and opened my User CP where I saw a new title on Glenn's report.

It must have been perfect timing because you posted 5 minutes after I put up the update, and it probably took me a minute or two to change the thread title.

I am not sure what the committee is saying about this, but I would think that there must be a way to identify Judy in order for her to count. A dark hair outline could be from anyone??

I think you're absolutely right...there must be something else to indicate that it is at least probably her, like being next to one of the kids, or something in another picture that shows she was in the area or something.

And I did scan the crowd picture for her, but could not find her there either...

I didn't see her either. But you know what, I have another "Crossroads" picture that has a head outline that could be her, but it's so hard to tell that I decided to avoid the controversy and left it out of the chapter! I'll post it later.

Ah, the Human Tripod - always there when you need it! And it worked, too - GREAT pics!

Thanks V! The tree helped too.

I looked at your update today, but didn't have time to post comments since I was trying to get this chapter loaded. But soon!

This is the most accurate description of summer in FL I've ever seen!

I wish it was my quote, but no.

One Judy, in the crowd ahead of the kids.......

Nice strategy, but nope.

nice update glenn, to bad they dont have those fireworks much anymore since they started the night show, i used to always enjoy them.

Thank you. Since they had the PChef thing at DHS back in '05, I've probably seen the fireworks there as much as I've seen them at MK. Maybe more.

i agree with glenn, its not like you tell the family hey, go over that way just a little bit okay right there.

and then take it, things just walk behind while you are taking a picture.

At least I don't do that! Honest!

Google "photobomb" sometime.

Speaking of photobomb, did you see that picture of Tiger Woods' golf shot from the Ryder Cup where the shot went awry and hit the lens of the camera. It's a great picture, but there's a guy in the crowd wearing a turban and with a cigar in his mouth, and he looks so funny you'd think he was photoshopped in. Now I see that internet searches on "cigar guy" are way up, and people are photoshopping him into other pictures....but he really was in the Tiger Woods picture originally. I'll find a link to the original picture and edit this to link it here. Link to Tiger Woods picture

I do believe I stand corrected. At first I thought the woman in blue, looking down, in the bottom left of this picture was Judy; however, Judy was wearing PINK that day, not blue!

I think you've smoked us Magdalene!

I knew that people would have fun looking in that crowd! Wait, is there a reflection of her in a store window?

I hope to get over to my TR today, also attempting to clean the house since Henry is at a friends for a playdate I actually have some time to myself. I'd much rather DIS, but the dust bunnies are getting a little too large.... Anyway, I have a feeling I know what you posted on my TR!

Pixie dust bunnies?

Wonderful update Glenn! I loved the fireworks pictures - I sure wish they would do them there more often, they are beautiful with the hat. Nice job on the "leaning palm" as well. Like you, I often feel compelled to take a pic of the Crossroads sign at night, it's just too cool looking not to!

Thanks Brook! I think fireworks look good over the hat too.

Glad I'm not the only one who likes that Crossroads sign at night.

1/2 Hour and back at the resort after watching fireworks?
That alone is cause for celebration.

I suppose it helps not having any extra stops. But it was almost too quick...like "wasn't I just sitting in American Idol a minute ago?"

What did you think of the fireworks BTW?
They looked pretty nice from your pics...

They were great! Disney knows how to do up some fireworks.

 

[Flossbolna]

I do believe I stand corrected. At first I thought the woman in blue, looking down, in the bottom left of this picture was Judy; however, Judy was wearing PINK that day, not blue!

I think you've smoked us Magdalene!

(I was looking for a smoke smiley, but I did not want to post one of a smoking smiley, so I substituted pixie dust for smoke...)

I'd much rather DIS, but the dust bunnies are getting a little too large....

I did not know they were called "dust bunnies", how cute!! We call them Wollmäuse which means "wool mice" - same idea!

We have a winner!

I don't see her in any of the crowd photos either, so zero it is. Good job Magdalene!

Thank you!!

Oh, good question. It is something we've wrestled with as we've considered this versus other options, because you're right -- it isn't "free". In fact, it's taxable income. After the year ends, we'll get a tax statement listing Judy's commission, the value of this trip, and the PChef products that Judy earned for being a director. (Maybe that Stiltmosphere guy was Uncle Sam...no wonder he looked so happy.)

Also, in regards to prefering pay instead of a free trip, we did have the option to take cash instead of the trip, but it's hardly a one-for-one. The travel allowance that they gave to us in cash was almost as much. So, it's not as much, but at least it's something for those people who can't make the trip for whatever reason.

Actually, that would be the same here as well with regard to tax. I guess in a company where people work rather independently, these events make sense to built up a sense of togetherness which you normally get from meeting your colleagues every day.

Also, I forgot that you had mentioned the travel allowance. One thing I was thinking that in order to take part in this trip people would have to actually pay on top of that for transport and food.

 

[marvali]

Nice strategy, but nope.

Hey, zero was already taken so I took a chance! Actually when I first posted it, I thought it might be correct. There is a lady sorta in the middle wearing pink, with what looks like two girls and a boy trailing just behind, but when I went back to your earlier posts I noticed the color of the girls clothes and didn't figure they had changed in that short period of time! Of course, it was very "moist" during your trip.........

At least I don't do that! Honest!

Who needs lame excuses, right? After all, you have that built in "Well, I needed that shot in case I can use it in the trip report for the Judy-do contest! See, your reflection IS in that window......"

BTW, love the fireworks at DHS. Pretty good show, lower crowds, quicker escape when all is done. Did the one's for July 4th, plan to hit them there again on New Year's Eve! And you got some nice pics there too!

 

[KatMark]

Glen, great picture of the Sorcerer's hat and the fireworks. I wish I could get firework pictures like that (and no comments from MARV).

 

[nodnol]

Great update! I love the pictures. It seems like a great ending for the day.

The crossroads sign had some kind of fascination for me as well, when leaving the park - even in broad daylight.

(And memo to myself: take notes of of what all the Glennbos are wearing during the first part of each day's report!)

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Hey Glenn,

I saw your TR was 144 pages already and got intimidated about reading the whole thing, but I'll try and work my way through it. Your fireworks pictures are pretty cool! Especially handheld!

 

[rentayenta]

Once again great photos! The crowds though, yikes!

 

[YukiPhnx]

Wha-? I didn't even know we were playing spot the Judy!

I love that photo you took right before the fireworks, with the lights coming from the Graumann theatre. Simple gorgeous.

"Leaning palm" Good one!

I was actually wondering the same thing about which exit to take when I saw that photo of everyone heading to the main entrance.....Good to know it worked out!

 

[Tribilín]

WOW!!! Wonderful pictures glennbo123!

I too vote for Disney to add fireworks like these every day!

And another vote too for Disney to get you back to your hotel in less than 30 minutes

 

[alabamagirl]

Really enjoying your trip report so far! You're pretty funny.

 

[All7OfUs]

Agian, my super-fast DISCollegues beat me to it. DANG!

Well, the installment was worthy of a good "WOW" anyway. I love Disney fireworks!!