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

[NateNLogansDad]

Lol no no, not going back until September honeymoon but we can dream right?


I hop online everyday to see if I can find the deal that we "can't" pass up I guess if we can't get there soon enough and you want to dream about it, the Trip Report section is the place to be!

Stef is out with friends and I am going to London Zoo on my own to try and get some shots. I usually go with a point and shoot and do reasonably wellb ut I want to see what this Sony A390 can do, though I only have the starter lens kit, 18-55mm I believe so no zoom shots but will see how it goes
Take the P&S with you also if it has a decent zoom. The 18-55 has the same zoom factor as a 3x on a P&S. Use the DSLR to go wide and the P&S for some animal close ups. I don't know if you have many flea markets over there like we do, but keep an eye out for some older Minolta lenses. They should work on the Sony just fine

Yeah Stef hasn't really been on the Dis very much, the next update is a pretty short one as there aren't really many pictures but it was a special day that I will stop talking about now as this isn't my trip report lol! That sword, darn it I didn't even get a picture of it, there must be one online somewhere, if I find it i'll let you know.
Oh please, feel free to post as much as you want! You guys are always welcome As for the sword, please do let me know if you find one! Do you still have it? I can't wait for the next update! Tell her we are being very patient! Well, not really patient, but at least we're being good

Didn't finish reading yours yet but you explored more of Carribean Beach than we did, how did you find the buses in the end? We weren't very keen on them when we stayed but we were in Barbados, right in the middle of the bus loop. Next time preferred room is a must I think. Will finish reading later today
I have to check to see what building we were in but I think it was more near the end. I'd have to say that unless it was raining, I'd skip the buses altogether. The walk is so nice and the bus is so crowded I can't see why not unless the weather got bad outside. Even if you don't book a preferred room, you can always ask for one at check-in. Just don't ask for a "preferred room" specify where you want to be. At ASMu we asked for a Buzz Lightyear room, and it wasn't a problem

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[NateNLogansDad]

Your pictures are absolutely beautiful. You captured the very essence of the DisneyWorld experience. We cannot wait to go back

Right now it's 18 degrees outside here and 73 in Orlando!!! Trust me, I know what you're going through!!!

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Hey! Just caught up and loving this thread Your pictures take me right back to Disney Looking forward to seeing whats next!

If things go right tonight, Day 4 will be started before I go to bed tonight

 

[Soopafly]

I wish we could get a pin code or something some day, but I don't really hear about those being offered to international guests, the only deals we ever get are free dining & 14 day ticket for the price of 7. Still pay full rate for the rooms unfortunately.

Don't tell me to look for new lenses lol! I have been looking at old Minolta ones and trying to find a good all rounder for our trip to WDW in September, something like a 75-200mm but we have a wedding to be saving up for so no lens buying for a while

I once had to go get breakfast in the pouring rain one morning at CBR, the bus was a godsend but I would never have walked round it, im too lazy

I sadly didnt get to keep the sword, no room in my suitcase due to all the clothes I buy every year so it was left behind. It wasnt anything special, just a plastic sword but I did want to keep it

Oh and I have told her you are waiting patiently for an update, perhaps she might do one tonight or tomorrow. See how she feels. The next day we didnt take many pictures but its good

 

[NateNLogansDad]

I wish we could get a pin code or something some day, but I don't really hear about those being offered to international guests, the only deals we ever get are free dining & 14 day ticket for the price of 7. Still pay full rate for the rooms unfortunately.
Better than nothing though right? We've never had any real deals yet. We bought annual passes in November and used DVC before that, so the free dinning is out of the question because you need to buy park tickets and pay rack rate on the room to qualify. If only these room prices would drop for a few minutes, I'd book today!

Don't tell me to look for new lenses lol! I have been looking at old Minolta ones and trying to find a good all rounder for our trip to WDW in September, something like a 75-200mm but we have a wedding to be saving up for so no lens buying for a while
I'll be good and won't push it because the Mrs may stop by and read this.....but maybe when the honeymoon gets closer

I once had to go get breakfast in the pouring rain one morning at CBR, the bus was a godsend but I would never have walked round it, im too lazy
Maybe after you get some new lenses........nevermind

I sadly didnt get to keep the sword, no room in my suitcase due to all the clothes I buy every year so it was left behind. It wasnt anything special, just a plastic sword but I did want to keep it
At least you have the pictures to remember it by. That was an awesome day you guys had!

Oh and I have told her you are waiting patiently for an update, perhaps she might do one tonight or tomorrow. See how she feels. The next day we didnt take many pictures but its good
You're just going to leave me in suspense??? NOOOO!!!!

No, don't spoil it......I'll be patient.

 

[Soopafly]

Haha yeah best not to mention it, though she will check your TR out soon she said. I did buy a spare battery earlier and a photography book to mull over before the weekend. I dont think i am going to get any fantastic shots as I havent actually taken it out the house yet, im expecting shaky hands syndrome until i get used to it

It was a great day and a great score for that table. Though there are plenty more meals to come though and a birthday

I can take some time at work to look through your report now Really enjoying the photos and when I can afford one, I am picking your brains for lens advice

Edit:

Just been through and loving it so far, though it is really busy everywhere you went! Stef and I wouldn't be able to handle it lol.

This is the best picture ever! I actually laughed out loud when I saw it Love the cheesy grin and the lowered inhibitions the alcohol brought you!

 

[cyndiloveswalt]

The boys must have loved that you were picked for Indy. My DH was chosen for the Backlot Tour once (he was the guy inside the boat that all the water comes down on) it was very cool!
We are going on the Dream this year and are super excited! Haven't attempted a TR yet, but we'll see.
I also just bought a Sony DSLR A550 and would also love some lense advice. I had a really good Minolta 35 mm, so I have some lenses, but I hear talk of a 18-250 and it sounds so much easier. I'm not sure I'll be wanting to change lenses at the park, I can so see myself dropping my camera.
Great day 3, keep it coming!

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Haha yeah best not to mention it, though she will check your TR out soon she said. I did buy a spare battery earlier and a photography book to mull over before the weekend. I dont think i am going to get any fantastic shots as I havent actually taken it out the house yet, im expecting shaky hands syndrome until i get used to it

I'm sure you will be just fine. The only way to learn it is to go out and use it right? I have to start changing my way of thinking when it comes to my gear. I focus a lot on what I can't do with it more than what I can do. I need to start looking at certain thing as more of an advantage rather than a handicap. Once you can get into that mindset, there's a whole new level you can go to with your pictures. You've seen what those do over on the photography boards! Sometimes I'm SHOCKED when I find out that they were using the kit lens to get certain pictures. I feel like a pup still with SOOOO much to learn.

It was a great day and a great score for that table. Though there are plenty more meals to come though and a birthday
You guys had a birthday too? Opps, I've said too much!

I can take some time at work to look through your report now Really enjoying the photos and when I can afford one, I am picking your brains for lens advice

I'll try my best but I can't promise anything
Edit:

Just been through and loving it so far, though it is really busy everywhere you went! Stef and I wouldn't be able to handle it lol.
Na, it wasn't bad at all it just seems that way. We didn't really wait for anything all week except for one or two of the really popular ones.
This is the best picture ever! I actually laughed out loud when I saw it Love the cheesy grin and the lowered inhibitions the alcohol brought you!


I hadn't really given it to much thought till you pointed it out.....now I can't stop laughing!!!

 

[NateNLogansDad]

The boys must have loved that you were picked for Indy. My DH was chosen for the Backlot Tour once (he was the guy inside the boat that all the water comes down on) it was very cool!
We are going on the Dream this year and are super excited! Haven't attempted a TR yet, but we'll see.
I also just bought a Sony DSLR A550 and would also love some lense advice. I had a really good Minolta 35 mm, so I have some lenses, but I hear talk of a 18-250 and it sounds so much easier. I'm not sure I'll be wanting to change lenses at the park, I can so see myself dropping my camera.
Great day 3, keep it coming!

That's my next move! I want to be in the backlot show!!!! Let me know if you do a TR!

The 18-250 I have is made by sigma. I wish I had swapped it out with my little 35mm 1.8 for on the dark rides BUT it was sooooo nice walking around with just the one lens. I ended up not even taking my camera bag into the parks which was AWESOME not having that thing around my neck all day. The only thing is, the 18-250 is heavy at almost 2 lbs so make sure you have a decent strap that is really comfortable. I carried it across my body all day instead of around my neck which made all the difference in the world. At the end of the day, I didn't even notice it anymore.

 

[Soopafly]

Haha yeah best not to mention it, though she will check your TR out soon she said. I did buy a spare battery earlier and a photography book to mull over before the weekend. I dont think i am going to get any fantastic shots as I havent actually taken it out the house yet, im expecting shaky hands syndrome until i get used to it

I'm sure you will be just fine. The only way to learn it is to go out and use it right? I have to start changing my way of thinking when it comes to my gear. I focus a lot on what I can't do with it more than what I can do. I need to start looking at certain thing as more of an advantage rather than a handicap. Once you can get into that mindset, there's a whole new level you can go to with your pictures. You've seen what those do over on the photography boards! Sometimes I'm SHOCKED when I find out that they were using the kit lens to get certain pictures. I feel like a pup still with SOOOO much to learn.

It was a great day and a great score for that table. Though there are plenty more meals to come though and a birthday
You guys had a birthday too? Opps, I've said too much!

I can take some time at work to look through your report now Really enjoying the photos and when I can afford one, I am picking your brains for lens advice

I'll try my best but I can't promise anything
Edit:

Just been through and loving it so far, though it is really busy everywhere you went! Stef and I wouldn't be able to handle it lol.
Na, it wasn't bad at all it just seems that way. We didn't really wait for anything all week except for one or two of the really popular ones.
This is the best picture ever! I actually laughed out loud when I saw it Love the cheesy grin and the lowered inhibitions the alcohol brought you!


I hadn't really given it to much thought till you pointed it out.....now I can't stop laughing!!!

It's a great picture, and did I detect a hint of 'hamming' it up for the audience during your 'death' scene?

The photography board is INSANE! I spent hours just going through threads looking at all those pictures, im amazed they get such great shots at night. From what I can gather from it, you need a tripod, remote shutter control and a long exposure, around 10 seconds in some cases. That's crazy because how often in WDW can you stand and take a picture without someone walking in front of your camera!

My 25th birthday is the next update

Speaking of updates.......waiting patiently for yours

 

[NateNLogansDad]

It's a great picture, and did I detect a hint of 'hamming' it up for the audience during your 'death' scene?

Me? No....never


The photography board is INSANE! I spent hours just going through threads looking at all those pictures, im amazed they get such great shots at night. From what I can gather from it, you need a tripod, remote shutter control and a long exposure, around 10 seconds in some cases. That's crazy because how often in WDW can you stand and take a picture without someone walking in front of your camera!

That's the best part about having the tripod at night. If it's dark enough or you set the aperture number up high enough you can get a proper exposure with a long shutter speed. When you have a long shutter with a few seconds or more, people can walk right on by and it won't show up in your picture!

Also keep in mind, many of those pictures are edited by taking multiple pictures and merging them together. Photoshop makes it very easy to clone people out that way
My 25th birthday is the next update

Speaking of updates.......waiting patiently for yours
I know....I'm totally falling behind. Work was busy last night and I'm struggling to keep my eyes open. Nate almost missed school this morning because I never really woke up. Soon, very soon.

 

[Soopafly]

"That's the best part about having the tripod at night. If it's dark enough or you set the aperture number up high enough you can get a proper exposure with a long shutter speed. When you have a long shutter with a few seconds or more, people can walk right on by and it won't show up in your picture!"

Ah right, I wasn't too sure but glad to have that cleared up. Still don't understand how that's possible, i guess the camera keeps taking 'pictures' internally and overlaps them all until it creates the final shot?

Also keep in mind, many of those pictures are edited by taking multiple pictures and merging them together. Photoshop makes it very easy to clone people out that way

I haven't used photoshop for a long time but I can understand what you mean by that. Is that also the case for those fireworks shots? I dont know how people get those so perfectly, they obviously use a shutter release but what else? Is it long exposure or shutter speed priority?

Don't worry about updating, I know what you mean, Stef is pretty much the same

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Ah right, I wasn't too sure but glad to have that cleared up. Still don't understand how that's possible, i guess the camera keeps taking 'pictures' internally and overlaps them all until it creates the final shot?

I'm not good on the technical side but I might be able to dumb it down enough to where I can understand it It's not that that camera keeps taking picture, it's only one. If you have your camera set to shutter priority for 10 seconds, that shutter opens once and stays open for exactly 10 seconds letting light in the whole time. Picture one of the old like this one....

The photographer would put a special plate in the back which would act like film. He took the lens cap off which would let light in and burn an image onto that plate. The darker it was outside, the longer he needed to keep the cap off to let the light burn in more. The downside was that if he were trying to photograph a person, they needed to stay PERFECTLY still the whole time, or the picture was blurry so the photographer wanted to use hoot outside on a bright day because he wouldn't need to leave the cap off very long which reduced the chance of the person moving because it was only a second or so.

Now skip ahead to present day. When he took the cap off, that is exactly what your shutter does. It lets light in to be captured by your cameras sensor(acting like the plate in the back.) For a 10 second shot, it's usually letting light in at a slow rate for both what you are trying to capture, and also that guy who doesn't see you with the tripod set up and walks right past.
When someone walks by they might appear as a ghost in the picture or if they weren't in the frame long enough, the light from your background will eventually overwrite it.


I haven't used photoshop for a long time but I can understand what you mean by that. Is that also the case for those fireworks shots? I dont know how people get those so perfectly, they obviously use a shutter release but what else? Is it long exposure or shutter speed priority?
Sometimes yes sometimes no. There are a good amount of guys and gals over there that have tricks to do everything in camera like filters for example. Strap on a 4 stop filter, and now you can take a picture with a 10 second exposure and it won't be too bright even with fireworks. It's crazy I know that's oversimplifying it, but I'm just making a point that it is possible, and yes, a lot of them are THAT good.

I've done fireworks merges in photoshop before and made a 1/2 decent picture look pretty darn good in about 30 seconds or so.

Don't worry about updating, I know what you mean, Stef is pretty much the same
It will be soon. I want to get this thing over with before our next trip. We've been planning one with Tina's mom's family in October, but we've decided we can't wait that long......so...... Looks like a May trip is in order!

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Day 4 Monday November 15

So, I’m thinking it’s time for another update, no matter how small. We need to get this ball rolling!

Today we woke up a little early but not quite as early as I had hoped. We didn’t get back to the beach house till 11PM the night before and since the kids had Kyle to play with till 10:30, they had taken a while to finally calm down and fall asleep. So we slept in compare to all the other Disney lunatics, but by 8:50 we had arrived here……

No, sorry. I meant we were HERE!

Now just to get you to where are heads are at. Animal Kingdom was not a place I ever thought I’d want to go back to. 2 years prior, we went in with Brandon and my mom and the place was packed. It was end of May beginning of June and IT WAS HOT. The streets were small and I was cranky. We went in, saw the petting zoo, did the bugs life and left. I was NOT impressed. In fact, whenever anyone asked me about it I said to just skip it and go to the zoo when you get home.

Since then, the good people on the photography boards have posted pictures that were so amazing that they dared me to go back and try it out for real.

So, here we are. With 10 minutes before the morning Extra Magic Hours ran out, we headed in. Remember, we gave up on this park in about 1 hour last time so EVERYTHING we do today will be a first for ALL four of us.

I know it’s hard to see, but the wait posted for Kali River Rapids was 35 minutes but oddly enough, they were not issuing fast passes.

So, being the good Diser that I am, I tell Tina to stay with the boys near the monkeys (her FAVORITE) and I’ll go grab fastpasses for Expedition Everest.

I know it’s around here somewhere……

Oh yea…..there it is!

I took a minute to grab a few pics but didn’t want to keep Tina and the boys waiting

5 minutes later I was back with the family and they had found some ancestors just hanging around

Those monkeys were LOUD that morning. They were yelling back and forth to each other and we were cracking up the whole time.

Donning our ponchos, we headed down to wait in line still posting a 35 minute wait. I think the CM’s were having some fun with us because it was another WALK ON!

Logan was still not sure he wanted to do this.

Nate on the other hand was all about this one!

Tina faked a smile for me. She knew I’d keep the camera out till I got one 

Do you not just love the décor here? Have I mentioned the details? I love Disney Details!

We waited for a second to see if anyone else wanted to ride with us but I guess that 35 minute wait that was posted scared everybody off because we had the whole thing to ourselves!
And we were off….

A few minutes ago, Logan wasn’t sure about this. Now he was positive. He did not want this AT ALL.

Nate was still loving this!

This is where I got nervous and put the camera away. Sorry, this was my first time on the Rapids and I was not about to ruin the camera for a few more shots. I did pay attention though and the next time I would keep it out longer.

I had gotten a text from Brandon saying they were almost here so we waited by the monkey’s….can’t get enough of those monkey’s!!!!!

If anyone has any info on this tower, please speak up! It was so LOUD. The monkey’s would scream into it and it would reverberate strait across the park!

 

[NateNLogansDad]

We had gotten there at a good time. The monkey’s were having breakfast. They really are very smart. See that canteen? They know that breakfast is hiding inside. Each canteen dispenses one carrot stick when flipped over.

This guy was just waiting his turn

Mommom Ginny, Brandon, Tracy, and Austin showed up a few minutes later and we headed off to catch our breakfast reservation……Is it me or are does it seem like ½ of a Disney vacation is eating????

I couldn’t resist another picture……especially with the water this calm

Finally we reached our breakfast destination. I’ll give you a hint on where it was. There was this guy here to greet us

and a not to distant cousin!

Give up?

Guess you’ll have to stick around to find out!

 

[dismagiclover]

Great pictures, as always. I know how you felt about AK on the first vist. For some reason that park just gets so hot and it doesn't hold crowds as well. We've pretty much vowed to avoid it in the summer too. However, as you've discovered, if you go there when it isn't hot and crowded it is amazing. So many awesome details and suprises to find. At the right time of year it is one of our favorite parks.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Great pictures, as always. I know how you felt about AK on the first vist. For some reason that park just gets so hot and it doesn't hold crowds as well. We've pretty much vowed to avoid it in the summer too. However, as you've discovered, if you go there when it isn't hot and crowded it is amazing. So many awesome details and suprises to find. At the right time of year it is one of our favorite parks.

Crazy isn't it? Last time , I felt like I was in a sea of people and had no control over anything. It actually made me nauseous.
This time was AWESOME and I can't wait to go back in a few months!

When we first got to the park that morning, I was nervous because there was a pretty big crowd at the gate waiting for the gates to open but throughout the day everything was walk on

 

[Purpleblanket]

Crazy isn't it? Last time , I felt like I was in a sea of people and had no control over anything. It actually made me nauseous.
This time was AWESOME and I can't wait to go back in a few months!

When we first got to the park that morning, I was nervous because there was a pretty big crowd at the gate waiting for the gates to open but throughout the day everything was walk on

We loved Animal Kingdom. We were there on Dec. 29th for early hours at 7 am and it was so cold they had big heaters blowing on the folliage.
We also felt like we were in the park alone and we rode everything we wanted and the lion king show by 11 am. By then, the crowds were coming and we decided to leave!! We didn't do the River Rapids though, as way too cold!!

Loved your photos!

Debbie

 

[NateNLogansDad]

We loved Animal Kingdom. We were there on Dec. 29th for early hours at 7 am and it was so cold they had big heaters blowing on the folliage.
We also felt like we were in the park alone and we rode everything we wanted and the lion king show by 11 am. By then, the crowds were coming and we decided to leave!! We didn't do the River Rapids though, as way too cold!!

Loved your photos!

Debbie

Living right in the middle, I never thought I would here someone from canada call florida cold
But I do know what ya mean, we were there last january and it was freezing cold all week. We had 3 or 4 layers of clothes on all night at the parks. That is not what you'd expect on vacation in florida!!!

I almost think i,d rather have the crowds.....almost.

 

[tigerdragon]

I'm glad you gave AK another try. It's my favorite park! Love your pictures of EE (of course).

I have to say that I agree with Logan about Kali. That and Primeval Whirl, or Primeval Hurl as I call it, are the only two things I never want to do again at AK.