We Got No Troubles; Life Is The Bubbles! 04/18 - Complete!

[PracPerfPatricia]

Congrats on getting your new JOB! It's great to be able to work doing something you really love... ummm... you're current boss really sounds like lots of fun...

Oscar looks like he's having a good time in the wrapping paper and ribbons... cats are so much fun during the holidays... they have to check out EVERYTHING that comes into the house or that your doing and during the holidays... there are so many new and different things going on... My cats (who are 2 1/2 year old siblings-Teddy and Alice) are discombobulated every time we bring any thing... shopping bags, decorations, etc. into the house. I love it...

 

[teekathepony]

CONGRATS on the new job!!! It's a great feeling when you can go to a job you enjoy every day. No more underwear made me laugh though. Having a Disney loving boss again is great! I have no idea where mine stand on Disney, they didn't remember I was there so I'm going to say they aren't big lovers.

I can't wait to hear about the Behind the Seeds tour!

I have an idea what's next...

Thank you! No more underwear, I swear I say that once a day. Just two shifts to go with the panty monster and then I'm DONE!

Congrats on getting your new JOB! It's great to be able to work doing something you really love... ummm... you're current boss really sounds like lots of fun...

Oscar looks like he's having a good time in the wrapping paper and ribbons... cats are so much fun during the holidays... they have to check out EVERYTHING that comes into the house or that your doing and during the holidays... there are so many new and different things going on... My cats (who are 2 1/2 year old siblings-Teddy and Alice) are discombobulated every time we bring any thing... shopping bags, decorations, etc. into the house. I love it...

Thanks! I'm very excited to go back to cameras. And a great boss too!
This will be my first time with an indoor cat for Christmas. It's going to be an adventure!

 

[teekathepony]

Hey all!

Well I have just two shifts left at La Senza and it can't go by fast enough. Tomorrow and Monday and then I'm done! I start back at the camera store on Tuesday.

Johnny and I decorated last weekend! Of course Oscar was into everything.

We had a frosty morning earlier in the week and I got some shots of the dogs too, so as not to leave them out!

Holly:

Sheeka:

And last night and today we had some snow! I'm getting so excited for Christmas! Most of my shopping is done and it's one of those years where I feel so excited that I got everyone something they'll really like! Also I may know a few things Santa might be bringing me and I'm a little excited for myself too.

Anyhoo, on with the report, shall we?

"Wishes!"

So I had just arrived at Magic Kingdom and rode the People Mover. We were getting ready for an exciting night! We were running a little late so I didn't stop to take any pictures, but we were headed to the Tomorrowland Terrace for the Fireworks Dessert Party! We were very nervous checking in. Why? Well I'll tell you.

If you read my PTR you may remember that we were unable to book a dessert party for two, so we booked it for two adults and a free baby. Well we were both freaking out a little about how to explain away the baby. The line was moving fast and when it was our turn we gave our last name and said "Party of three... um but um... the um... one couldn't make it and um... it's just us two - "

"Here are your bracelets, go on in."

Oh. That was easy. No need to worry then.

We found my family! Cousin, eeyore04 (Amy), her brother and mother.

We said hello, promised to watch the fireworks together and then went to get the goods!

YUM! The selection was great, there was lots and lots of everything and it was all very yummy. Our seat was unfortunately farther away from the terrace than we would have liked, but there was lots of room to move around. We ate and then gathered with my family by the terrace. We went over to the far side in front of the buffet tables so that we wouldn't be in anyone's way. I set up my tiny travel tripod and started taking some long shutter test shots.

David thought the long shutter thing was funny.

By going over to the far side, not only were we not in anyone's way, but everyone was gathering to the far right. Also, we were closer to a front view of the castle than anyone else.

Oops! I still had my fireworks settings on,

The Main St. Electrical Parade went by a little late, they were delayed by the rain a bit. We watched it as best as we could but didn't have a great view. Still we enjoyed the music. There was an announcement that Wishes would also be late. We didn't care, we were enjoying ourselves immensely. (And still picking at the sweets!)

There was a lonely Photopass photographer who no one was taking advantage of so we kept her company a little. Or annoyed the heck out of her... one or the other.

Amy and I went first. Amy never has her eyes open in pictures.

Then Johnny and I:

Then all of us!

Then Johnny and I again, without our cameras.

Then Amy got some by herself and then I photobombed her:

Soon enough there was an announcement that the lights would be dimming and keep children by the hand, etc. etc. I went back to my camera and got ready for some fireworks!

Unfortunately I didn't get a shot of Tinkerbell. Although I was ready for it, I more enjoyed watching my aunt and cousin who had never seen it.

And then...

Wishes!

And whoops! I over exposed the finale a bit.

It was a fantastic show and I really loved watching it from the Terrace. It was a great view, not crowded at all. It was so relaxing watching without being elbowed out of your spot, and having lots of room to set up my tripod. I would absolutely 100% do it again. Well worth the money, in my opinion!

So we took our time leaving, relaxed, took some pictures of the castle and then gradually made our way out. We headed back to bed, exhausted and fell asleep right away.

Up next; A day in Hollywood!

 

[natebenma]

I was a few updates behind, but I had a lot of fun catching up.

The pictures of Oscar with all of the Christmas stuff are precious! Last year was the first Christmas with our kittens and we learned that the tree is the Best.Cat Toy. EVER!

The whole meal at Yak & Yeti looked fantastic. But your pictures and description of the Wontons = YUM!!!

Sorry to hear about your trouble with the people on Kali. You certainly had some rude people to deal with on this AK visit!

I'm glad you missed the major rainstorm and it didn't impact the Dessert Party. Great fireworks pictures. Of course!

And finally, congratulations on your return to the job at the camera store. Sounds like a great fit for so many reasons!

 

[MEK]

Please tell me what settings to use to get firework pictures like that. They are gorgeous.

You photobomber you! Glad you kept the PP girl busy.

Oh those desserts - YUM!

What do you mean you left the baby home alone???????? What kind of parent are you????

Oh - Oscar - I want you. Do you have a brother?

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

The fireworks dessert party sounds like so much fun!! I love your photobomb! Great pictures!!

 

[MomToPrincePhillip]

Oh, your kitty's 1st Christmas! Those pictures of him are so sweet! Thanks for reporting on the desert party, we hope to book it for May!

 

[amazingact21]

Yay, I remember all your troubles with the dessert party from your PTR, so I was glad to see it all worked out in the end with no problems.

Great, great, great firework shots! Oh wow, those are amazing. And that view, totally worth not having to deal with pushing and shoving on Main Street.

 

[teekathepony]

I was a few updates behind, but I had a lot of fun catching up.

The pictures of Oscar with all of the Christmas stuff are precious! Last year was the first Christmas with our kittens and we learned that the tree is the Best.Cat Toy. EVER!
Awwww! I'm so excited to see Oscar's reaction to the tree!

The whole meal at Yak & Yeti looked fantastic. But your pictures and description of the Wontons = YUM!!!
Oh those wontons. Oh oh oh, I wish I had some now. I have to find a recipe for those and try to make them. I won't stop until I master it!

Sorry to hear about your trouble with the people on Kali. You certainly had some rude people to deal with on this AK visit!
We did run into a couple but thankfully we were in a good mood ourselves which allowed us to brush it off!

I'm glad you missed the major rainstorm and it didn't impact the Dessert Party. Great fireworks pictures. Of course!
Thank you!

And finally, congratulations on your return to the job at the camera store. Sounds like a great fit for so many reasons!
Thank you again, as much as I like the other girls I work with, I definitely fit in better with the cameras and the guys!

Please tell me what settings to use to get firework pictures like that. They are gorgeous.
Ok! It looks like my settings were as follows:
Exposure 30 seconds
Aperture f/14.0
Focal Length 22 mm
ISO Speed 100
Flash Off, Did not fire
Exposure Mode Manual
White Balance Auto
Lens 18-200mm

So let's see. I used an old technique my camera store guys told me about. Long shutter speed (30 seconds is as long as most go without using bulb which I don't want to use because it means I have to hold the button in which makes it blurry from camera shake.) and then I used a map as a black card to cover my lens between fireworks so as not to over expose the castle, but still get in as many bursts as possible. A nice small aperture (f14) to make sure that everything was in sharp focus (and also to avoid over exposure). For focusing, since it's hard for a camera in the dark, I focus on the castle and then switch to manual focus so the camera doesn't ever have to search. As well I use a tripod to keep the camera steady during the long shutter speed, and I use my two second timer so that when I hit my shutter button (since I don't have a remote for my new camera yet) it gives it two seconds to shake and then settle, again for no blur. Then I use the map as a black card, just put it in front of my lens until I see a burst starting, then remove it for a bit until the burst is finished and then cover it again, and wait for the next burst. Lather, rinse, repeat. I hope that helps! If I wasn't clear enough or if you have more questions let me know, you know how I love to talk cameras!!

You photobomber you! Glad you kept the PP girl busy.
She looked so bored! Also we like pictures.

Oh those desserts - YUM!
YUM is right!! I'm not usually much of a sweets person, but once and a while it is nice to pig out a little!

What do you mean you left the baby home alone???????? What kind of parent are you????
Terrible aren't we? Poor baby home alone because her parents wanted sweets and fireworks!

Oh - Oscar - I want you. Do you have a brother?
Well actually, funny you should say that! Just a week after we got him home, a local rescue group of volunteers who work with the SPCA posted a picture to their facebook page of these kittens who were just found and available for adoption. Do they look familiar?

I had a double take when I saw them. Oscar looks exactly right with them, he fits right between the middle girl and the one on the right!

The fireworks dessert party sounds like so much fun!! I love your photobomb! Great pictures!!

It was, we had a great time!

Oh, your kitty's 1st Christmas! Those pictures of him are so sweet! Thanks for reporting on the desert party, we hope to book it for May!

I recommend it for sure, we had a very enjoyable time!!

Yay, I remember all your troubles with the dessert party from your PTR, so I was glad to see it all worked out in the end with no problems.
Me too, hahaha. I'm such a worrier, but it looked like it was nothing new for them!

Great, great, great firework shots! Oh wow, those are amazing. And that view, totally worth not having to deal with pushing and shoving on Main Street.
Thank you! It was definitely worth it for a beautiful view and lots of elbow room!

 

[MEK]

Thank you so much for the explanation. So - you took your pictures from the dessert party. Where exactly were you standing? I can see doing the dessert party and bringing a tripod. That makes sense because you are not surrounded by a million people. Since we are driving in June (yuck) I might as well take advantage of the space and bring my tripod. I want to experiment a bit. I wonder if its worth booking the party just to have the space to take pictures.

Those kittens are ADORABLE! Isn't it wonderful when animals are rescued? I would just love to have one of those cute little babies.

 

[MissSabrinaLee]

Just joining! I'm all caught up though. Loving everything so far! I am planning our first trip (DBF and me) for next year around the same time as you went this year and we are also staying in TLM wing of AoA. You're pictures are great! Love the kitty. We have 3 and they love Christmas stuff too lol. Can't wait to read more!

 

[teekathepony]

Thank you so much for the explanation. So - you took your pictures from the dessert party. Where exactly were you standing? [If you're in the terrace facing the castle, I was to the far left. At the party it was right in front of the dessert tables and as far from the entrance as you can get. It gave me a slightly more central view of the castle and so the fireworks were closer to it.] I can see doing the dessert party and bringing a tripod. That makes sense because you are not surrounded by a million people. Since we are driving in June (yuck) I might as well take advantage of the space and bring my tripod. I want to experiment a bit. I wonder if its worth booking the party just to have the space to take pictures.
[If you're driving, I would definitely take advantage and bring a tripod! It can't hurt to bring it along. We measured our tripod to make sure it would fit in the lockers, but you could always leave it in your car in the parking lot if you don't want to carry it. In my opinion, the dessert party is well worth it to experiment with pictures. Lots of space to set up a tripod, no one crowding you, you can stand there and relax and watch too. I would do it again! Also, I know you have some filters, do you have a neutral density filter? That could be good too. It lets you have longer shutter speeds and cuts down on the over exposure. ]

Those kittens are ADORABLE! Isn't it wonderful when animals are rescued? I would just love to have one of those cute little babies.

Aren't they gorgeous? I know at least one of them has found a home (the little grey one I think) and I'm sure the other two won't have any problems finding one too.

Just joining! I'm all caught up though. Loving everything so far! I am planning our first trip (DBF and me) for next year around the same time as you went this year and we are also staying in TLM wing of AoA. You're pictures are great! Love the kitty. We have 3 and they love Christmas stuff too lol. Can't wait to read more!

Very happy to have you! First trip, so exciting! September is a great time to go, low crowds and great value. I hope you love AoA as much as I did!

 

[Nermel9]

Yay, the dessert party is so much fun! I'm glad you guys got in with no problem, since you didn't bring the imaginary baby with you!

Great pics in front of the castle, love the photobomb! And your pictures of the fireworks are amazing, I wish I knew how to take pictures like that!

 

[merbobear]

I LOVE your Wishes pictures! Some of the better photos of that show that I have seen, for sure! We are not set in stone yet, but leaning toward doing the Wishes dessert party for our next trip, and if we do, then I will have to get a smaller tripod to bring in with me. I have 2 full size tripods, but they are just too heavy/cumbersome to tote around a theme park. Have you ever tried a gorillapod?

 

[teekathepony]

Yay, the dessert party is so much fun! I'm glad you guys got in with no problem, since you didn't bring the imaginary baby with you!

Great pics in front of the castle, love the photobomb! And your pictures of the fireworks are amazing, I wish I knew how to take pictures like that!

Thanks! Fireworks pictures are fun. There's lots of good tutorials online, you should look them up! The main tricks are a steady camera and a long shutter speed!

I LOVE your Wishes pictures! Some of the better photos of that show that I have seen, for sure! We are not set in stone yet, but leaning toward doing the Wishes dessert party for our next trip, and if we do, then I will have to get a smaller tripod to bring in with me. I have 2 full size tripods, but they are just too heavy/cumbersome to tote around a theme park. Have you ever tried a gorillapod?

Thank you!
I do have a gorillapod but it won't easily hold up my camera with my 18-200 lens on it. Might handle it with my 50mm. I find the legs start to move a little and the camera tips forward with my heavy lens on though. I have a tiny little 15" travel tripod. It's light as a feather but still fairly sturdy.

 

[teekathepony]

Hi everyone! I'm at work. And on the Dis. I'm so happy to have my old job back! It's my second day back here and I couldn't be happier.

It's really slow this afternoon so I thought I'd get a quick update in while I can. Things at home are really busy trying to get all ready for Christmas!

We last left off after a wonderful evening at the fireworks party and a good night's sleep.

Tuesday, September 18

"Hooray for Hollywood!"

We were up early and determined to make it to Hollywood Studios for rope drop. After a quick breakfast of granola bars we made it to the bus stop. There was no one else in line yet, it was pretty early, about 8:25.

We didn't wait long before the bus came and took us away! We only waited about 10 minutes. We were first in line and there weren't many others in the line. It was a point and shoot day so my pictures from today are crappy and plentiful.

Soon we were seeing this sight:

This building is so ominous. I mean, it does its job well. Not to mention the ride scares the bejeebuz out of me. If you're waiting around to hear about my ride on the ToT, you my friend are in the wrong trip report!

But despite my strong dislike of the ride, I do enjoy the building (as evidenced by the many pictures I took)

We joined the line to the turnstiles. They weren't too long yet.

The time?

We had a bit of a wait and just as it was getting a little too hot for standing still, they let us gradually trickle in early with no ceremony. Oh well!

I do love the decor around this park, it's pretty interesting.

So where did we head? Would we do the TSM dash with everyone else?

Nope.

We stopped for a photopass pic (this one was with my camera, I don't have my PP pics here with me at work)

Check out the little Hollywood flair my hair was into.

Maybe it's some type of sick, masochistic fascination I have with this tower. It scares the crap out of me, but I can't stop taking its picture.

aaaand again...

Will we? Won't we? You'll see later on.

(whispers It's getting closer!

Take a left at the giant terrifying tower and what do you get?

ROCK ON!!!

Now THIS is the way to start your day!!

Hi Johnny!

But soft... what sound through yonder queue line breaks? It is the cms telling everyone that RnR is down temporarily. Oh boo. That's no pixie dust! Where's our magic fairy who followed us around so far!?

We grabbed a fastpass anyway.

And turned tail and headed back out.

Where to now?

Might as well join the crowd!

I have to end it there because my shift is nearing the end and I should really get something done around here. Hope to make this a more frequent thing!

Stay tuned next time for lots more pictures and some spins and meetings.

 

[WDWaddictt]

Great update!

Glad you are loving your new/old job!!

I love tower of terror. RnRC scares me more then ToT. Lol

 

[SoNotAPrincess]

Yay for an update! In fact, yay for all the updates I haven't commented on due to my absence from the Dis (but I'm all caught up and enjoying it immensely)!

It's so funny...I LOVE ToT but barely tolerate RnR...I guess it takes all kinds to make a world!

I have WAY more photos of ToT than the Sorcerer's Hat...to me it's the REAL icon of DHS!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Yay for being back at your old job!!! I'm glad to hear you're so much happier there!!

Hahaha you won't hear any details about TOT on my report either!! Hopefully RNR was back up and running soon!

 

[MomToPrincePhillip]

Glad you're back at your old job and are happy! I'm wondering what you use for a point and shoot camera? We are in the market for a new one and would love your advice.