What's in a title anyway? How about 1300 pictures? 4/15/11-> Bonus Section pt1 & 2

[eeyore7360nc]

Joining in for all the great pictures. Some of us are still awake down in North Carolina, so I'll be waiting patiently for the next installment.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Welcome back everyone. If you’ve been with us from the beginning, please return to your chosen seats as the show is about to begin. If you are just joining in, we ask that you move as far over to the right as you can to make room for others. We do not expect this to be a sold out show but others may want to enjoy the show at a later time. Thank you, and enjoy the show.


So to recap…. mentally I’m 5, Nate is now feeling heavier than me since he’s been on my shoulders for the last half hour, and the Electrical Parade is now over, and I split up from the rest of the family by accident leaving them near the gates and I’m on the steps at Exposition hall.

It took a few minutes but somehow I found Tina and everyone amongst around 10,000 other people….right where I left them…..woops. Now regrouped we decide to head towards the castle to catch Wishes. We still have a good half hr till the show starts. No problem right?

Piece of cake. We pushed kicked and shoved out way down the street as fast as we could. There’s a good chance that old lady is still trying to upright her wheelchair!

Oh c’mon, you know we wouldn't be like that! This is our happy place! Somehow the CM’s keep everything pretty organized and we made it down past Casey’s in pretty decent time. We set up camp with the two strollers (ours and Austin’s) and I whipped out ol’ Betsy my ginormous tripod. I wanted to be able to watch the show in person and not through a lens so I set the camera to take a picture every other second with a 3 second shutter speed. These are un-edited but I may tweak touch them up in Photoshop later on, we’ll see.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

I LOVE WISHES! There is no other fireworks show in the world that will ever top it in my eyes. I know I can do better and I’m looking forward to combining some of them later on to make one really good one. There are two shots I am really proud of. A few people asked me if I got that one firework shot that really made me smile when I saw it. I tell them I nailed it. TWICE.

Here’s my two.

The show ended with a finale that made my camera question it’s existence. There is just no way I could ever get a shot of that to come out good. It’s just too bright. I wish I could see what was going through Austin’s mind after watching this for the first time on his old man’s shoulders.

Without a real game plan, we headed over towards the Crystal Palace to use the bathrooms just past it. I stayed outside with the boys and Mommom Ginny and grabbed a few shots.

Maybe I should work for Disney because while I was there playing around, a photopass photographer set up right behind me and started taking people’s pictures in the same spot. I moved over while I changed a few settings and gave him a full unobstructed view and when I went to take another picture, he did the same by making the people wait. They didn’t seem to mind after he told them I was there first which was really very nice. I was gone in 10 seconds and life for the photographer was business as usual.

Brandon Tracey and my mom were getting pretty tired by that point so we figured they only had one ride left in them so we made it……

Yea, I know I used my flash but we were on the move since there was only a 10 minute wait. I did get one without but I think the first one looks better. What do you think?

I wish I had time to myself with a tripod just in the queue. There’s so much you could get there at night, I love it! Ah, maybe one day I guess.

The view of the ferry is beautiful at night from the queue line. Again, I’d love to get back there with at least a least a monopod some day but for now, here’s my handhelds.

We stepped inside the holding area, which even though I’m sure to be labeled a cornball, I’ll admit it to be so cool.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

After that was a fast walk onto our doom buggy’s
Someone really overlooked this place when they set up the cleaning schedule!

Ever look down on the conveyor belts? Even they are decorated with bats. I love Disney’s attention to detail!

Without further ado, I give you Madame Leota.

Real quick, have you ever heard how she was picked to be in the haunted mansion? This is how I remember it……She was a Cast Member back in Disneyland when walt was around. Walt loved the way she looked and told her that her face belongs in the haunted mansion It was never meant as an insult it just came out wrong. She accepted and has since made her way through the spirit world over to Disney World to entertain us here on the East Coast.

And for some of the others, I give you…..the ghosts.

In the middle of the ride there is also a hidden Mickey on the dinning room table. Sorry about the quality, there will be a better one later on……

I don’t know how much truth there is to this, but rumor has it that the hidden Mickey it not supposed to be part of that scene. A compliance crew used to come in and arrange the table the way it’s supposed to look and the very next morning Mickey would be back. Eventually they gave up and now it is a permanent fixture. Like I said, take that one with a grain of salt.

Moving right along (we have to wrap this day up!) Brandon, Tracey and Mommom Ginny were dozing off and decided to throw in the towel. We bid them a good night and made our way around to Logan’s most favorite attraction.

If you don’t know where this is, I hope you are excited for your first trip coming up! LOL
Here’s another one of my little confessions….. I like It’s A Small World! Yes, even the music! Yep, that’s me. A 32 year old truck driver, addicted to Disney, and loves IASM. Nothing wrong with that right??? Just do me a favor and keep it between us!

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Now maybe not everybody, but I know that there was some of you were hearing the music while looking at those pictures. C’mon, admit it. We’re all friends here….

It’s a world of laughter, a world of tears
It’s a world of hope, it’s a world of fear
There’s so much that we share
That it’s time we’re aware
It’s a small world after all.

See, you should have admitted it. Now that song is going to be stuck in your head the rest of the day
So, by now it’s just after midnight in the Magic Kingdom and you know the boys are exhausted by now right? Wrong!

There’s no wait times for anything and we can’t waste extra magic hours right???

PONY TIME!

He’s such a ham isn’t he?

All week, there was a line for the carousel during the day. After midnight, there’s no one to ride it.

My one complaint would have been just how short the ride was. There literally was no one waiting to get on and yet we only went around 4 times. Maybe there was a shift change or something, I don’t know. What I do know is that I’m glad we didn’t wait 20 minutes in line for that!

Now ladies and gentlemen, just so you get the full idea of just how empty the park was…..

That was the wait time posted for Dumbo! To make it even more shocking, the real wait time was more like 3 minutes! I know!

I love Dumbo the cartoon. I still remember watching it on VHS when we were very young. I also remember the ride from when I was about Nathan’s age during my first ever trip. I hope they can say the same thing in 26 years…….

So nostalgically cool.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Next stop…..

Now, for anyone that remembers anything about my last TR, I’m not going to try to hold my 3-d glasses up to the camera this time. I don’t think those pictures do it any justice. I did take some inside before the movie started…….

Love the posters when you first go in. Of course, since there was no lines I had to keep moving so I only got this one.

The holding area

(B/T/W as I’m typing, I can’t get the small world song out of my head either)

Magical Doors

And the theater…..

After the show was over Mickey waved goodbye

And we made our way towards main street

Tina was totally exhausted but bless her heart still gave me a few minutes to hang around the castle before we made our exit.

Just like the giant ball at Epcot, the castle can look as different as you’d like it to be. Whether you take a few steps off to the side, or just wait for the colors to change, there’s so many things you can easily do with it!

We headed down Main Street USA one last time

And I should say I was surprised at just how many people were still there.

After all, it was

With one last look back

It was time to head for the buses.

It’s funny just how quiet the ride is back to the hotel. Kids sound asleep still replaying in their minds everything they did and saw that day. The adults so relived to finally be sitting and already dreaming about just how good it’s going to feel once they finally lay down. And the soothing music played quietly throughout the bus making it just the perfect ending to a perfect day.

I ask you, if this doesn’t tell you how perfect a day at Disney is, than what possibly could?

Thanks for sticking with me everybody.

We still have so much more to see and do……Days 3-9….. we get another guest with us for a few days….. and I’d like to think the pictures will get better. I hope you all don’t get too bored too soon. It’s going to be a fun ride, I promise!!!!

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Joining in for all the great pictures. Some of us are still awake down in North Carolina, so I'll be waiting patiently for the next installment.

GO TO BED I seriously didn't think I'd get anyone from the East Coast up this late!!!!

Welcome aboard and thanks for joining in!!!

 

[NateNLogansDad]

At this time, I'd like to open up the board for any constructive criticism anybody might have. Any ideas on how to make this any better please feel free to let me know!!!



Also keep in mind that most of the time I'm writing this, I'm usually running on around 3 hrs of sleep so if I messed anything up please feel free to speak up or send me a PM. This is your nostalgic trip after all! (I already went and mentally never came back )

 

[TeaForTulips]

joining the show! thanks for making room!

your family is adorable and i love your pictures!

started your last trip report last night, but didn't get all the way through just yet.

Can't wait for more!

 

[blessedby3]

Oh my goodness!!!! I LOVE ALL those pictures of the Castle during Wishes They are absolutely AMAZING...you did a great job! I wish I could get pictures like that, but I only have a little sony!!
Sounds like you had a great evening at the MK during those EMH's. My dd3 (Alexa) loved looking at the Small World pictures...its her favorite ride The low wait times are amazing. We have done late EMH before and that is what we experienced.
You keep getting me more and more excited for our May trip with each of your posts
Cant wait to read and SEE more

 

[cyndiloveswalt]

You're doing a gret job! It's great to hear it form a dads perspective. My DH loves Disney, but I can never see him doing this (plus I'm the one who takes all the pics).
Loved your pics of Wishes! How many people were cussing at you for the giant tripod?!

 

[NateNLogansDad]

joining the show! thanks for making room!

your family is adorable and i love your pictures!

started your last trip report last night, but didn't get all the way through just yet.

Can't wait for more!

Absolutely! There's always room for at least one more!
Don't start feeling rushed, I don't want to drag this out too long, but there's plenty of time to catch up. Management has made sure that there is more than enough popcorn for every one )

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Oh my goodness!!!! I LOVE ALL those pictures of the Castle during Wishes They are absolutely AMAZING...you did a great job! I wish I could get pictures like that, but I only have a little sony!!
Sounds like you had a great evening at the MK during those EMH's. My dd3 (Alexa) loved looking at the Small World pictures...its her favorite ride The low wait times are amazing. We have done late EMH before and that is what we experienced.
You keep getting me more and more excited for our May trip with each of your posts
Cant wait to read and SEE more

I may have day three started later on tonight depending on how busy the day is. Right now I've been at the mall all morning with the boy scouts doing the pine wood derby... Fun fun fun!

 

[lovegrumpy]

LOVE the castle shots with the fireworks.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

You're doing a gret job! It's great to hear it form a dads perspective. My DH loves Disney, but I can never see him doing this (plus I'm the one who takes all the pics).
Loved your pics of Wishes! How many people were cussing at you for the giant tripod?!

Sorry I didn't leave you out, my phone battery dies while I was responding you you.


I love being the family historian! It really is so much fun. Sometimes I wish I were in more pictures but I know that there is no way Tina would ever be caught lugging around a tripod for ANYTHING

As far as setting one up on Main Street, it's no too bad really. I try to keep it between myself and a stroller for protection. I keep the legs narrow so it doesn't use up too much room. It gets set up before the show starts so anyone coming in after me knows ahead of time if it will block their view. And I'll try to keep my head near the camera so it seems like just one area that would have been mostly been blocked by my big dome anyways.

As long as I'm respectful to others I'll usually get the same in return. Of course there's always one person in a crowd that large that just wants to be mean....I'll be nice and not get into details this is a Disney Trip Report after all

 

[NateNLogansDad]

LOVE the castle shots with the fireworks.

Thank you! I know really I should have only posted one or two of the better ones but I figured what the heck. We're all on vacation! Let's be there as much as we can!

 

[Purpleblanket]

THANKS FOR POSTING!!!
You've taken some amazing photos! What kind of camera do you have?
We were there the week during Christmas and New Years Day!
and I'll be honest... I've hijacked some of your photos and copied/pasted for myself. It looks exactly the same as when we were there with all the beautiful christmas decorations. I especially love your shots of soarin and it's a small world.
Thanks again...
I'll stay tuned for more!!

Debbie

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

Don't go doubting yourself! You are a great narrator with the right dose of humor and inclusion (I might second guess that second word for something else... but alas, my brain decided that inclusion was the key term...). You have great pictures to go along with your report and an adorable family. Keep em coming!

P.S. - thanks for today's theme song that will play on a continuous loop in my head...

 

[DisneyRed95]

Joining In!

Your pictures are great! Can't wait to read more!

 

[blessedby3]

Thank you! I know really I should have only posted one or two of the better ones but I figured what the heck. We're all on vacation! Let's be there as much as we can!

NO NO NO....post tons and tons....not one or two!!