Will You Chill Out if I Sprinkle You With Pixie Dust? The End p136 *New TR Link* p138

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

Did you do a behind the scenes tour to learn all this stuff or did you just research it on your own? I do think that learning about the inner workings of Illuminations definitely increases the viewing experience. Appreciating everything that goes on behind the scenes really enhances the whole show.

Some of the info I got from the CM that was opening the bridge when I took the picture, and the other stuff about the pyro exploding on it was in the news sections of a few Disney message boards. The only backstage tours I've done are Keys to the kingdom and he magic of our steam trains.

 

[MEK]

I think that many of your Illuminations pictures turned out great. I especially like the "lamp" ones and the one you pointed out.

Thanks Glenn. I like the lamp one, too. On the next night I was there I took Illumination pictures from a completely different vantage point, so stay tuned for that.

IIt's a good thing you took a picture of the pasta on a plate, because in the first picture it looks like a carton-full of cheese.

Well, what better topping is there for a pound of spaghetti (or whatever pasta it was) then 12 ounces of cheese. There were some crazy calories going on there.

II'm glad you caught some of Bob's show, even if you were pretty tired.

I love Bob. He's the best. Seriously one of the most unique things to do on property!

Some of the info I got from the CM that was opening the bridge when I took the picture, and the other stuff about the pyro exploding on it was in the news sections of a few Disney message boards. The only backstage tours I've done are Keys to the kingdom and he magic of our steam trains.

Well, where ever you got the information I think its some pretty cool stuff. I've also taken KTTK tour and loved it. I really want to take the steam train tour and need to talk Denny into it. I know I will want to take it even more after staying at VWL because of the whole roundhouse theme.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Can I just ask you how in the world you ever thought of that? Good point, but still that is something that never would have crossed my mind in a million years.

I can't claim credit for that one. I think it was part of a Steven Wright routine.

 

[MEK]

I can't claim credit for that one. I think it was part of a Steven Wright routine.

You mean you are not as witty as I thought? I'm crushed.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

You mean you are not as witty as I thought? I'm crushed.

You've seen my TR. As Glenn likes to say, all of my best lines are written by somebody else.

 

[glennbo123]

You've seen my TR. As Glenn likes to say, all of my best lines are written by somebody else.

That's my secret to quote spottin'.

 

[Queenofallthings]

Hello my dear friend

I am embarrassed about how far behind I am on all my subscribed threads but I am on vacation this week and this was at the top of my list!

Love this last post....I could just hear the music of Illuminations playing as I was looking at your pictures!

 

[amandaw]

WOO HOO!! I can't believe you're trip is already almost here! Just in case I don't get back here before you leave - I hope you have a great trip!!!

 

[jenseib]

I am slowly but surely catching up. I just read your AoA update. LOVE it. You got some great pictures of the pool area....I can't wait...we have 3 nights there in Nov. It's all getting so real now!!!!

 

[KatMark]

Spectacular picture sof Illuminations, MEK. I don't know why you think they are not good...they are 100 times better than any I have ever taken.

Although it is not my favorite nighttime show at DW, we really ought to stop and watch it one of these times as it has been years.

I can't remember the name of the POR food court either at the moment, but I've heard great things about their all you can eat pasta.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Wow, 25 miles on the bike! That's impressive!!

I think your Illuminations pictures are really good, they are much better than any I've ever gotten!

 

[jenseib]

Still catching up....Just read the Daytona update. Wow, those are some fabulous beach pictures. I am in awe at the beautiful houses on the beach too.

I love your filter. What kind is it...? Not that I need to buy anything...but I just need to know!

Ok...time for another break and then on to more reading.

 

[jenseib]

My computer is a mess right now. I am getting so many pop-up security alert messages that I want to scream. I am going to keep trying to reply one message at a time, but may have to give up.

I think it is something with Dis...because I keep getting them and I do virus scans and spyware scans all the time. It only happens to me on dis...Very annoying. It's either got a virus or someone has put something with that pop on here.

 

[jenseib]

I am officially caught up...that only took like 2 days!

I love your illumination photos. Gorgeous. I like the Norway light fixture in them too. Very clever. I might have to steal that idea.

 

[MEK]

You've seen my TR. As Glenn likes to say, all of my best lines are written by somebody else.

That's my secret to quote spottin'.

It's all about quote spotting with Mark. He IS quite the master of quotes.

Hello my dear friend

How are you girlfriend? Good to see you!

I am embarrassed about how far behind I am on all my subscribed threads but I am on vacation this week and this was at the top of my list!

I hope you are having a great vacation this week. I love when I get some free time to catch up on the DIS!

Love this last post....I could just hear the music of Illuminations playing as I was looking at your pictures!

It really has a great soundtrack, doesn't it? So glad you enjoyed the pictures.

WOO HOO!! I can't believe you're trip is already almost here! Just in case I don't get back here before you leave - I hope you have a great trip!!!

It IS almost here. I'm leaving on Tuesday! Thanks for stopping by with the good wishes. I feel like I'm down to the home stretch now.

I am slowly but surely catching up. I just read your AoA update. LOVE it. You got some great pictures of the pool area....I can't wait...we have 3 nights there in Nov. It's all getting so real now!!!!

The resort is amazing. You are going to LOVE it! Seriously. It's great! The pool is really cool.

Spectacular picture sof Illuminations, MEK. I don't know why you think they are not good...they are 100 times better than any I have ever taken.

When I first looked at the pictures I was in bad light and there was a lot of streaking across my computer screen. It made everything look terrible. I liked them much better when I got into better light. What a difference!

Although it is not my favorite nighttime show at DW, we really ought to stop and watch it one of these times as it has been years.

I think Illuminations is one of those shows that grows on you. The more I see it, the more I like it. You should definitely try it.

I can't remember the name of the POR food court either at the moment, but I've heard great things about their all you can eat pasta.

That pasta was SO good. It was a welcomed surprise.

Wow, 25 miles on the bike! That's impressive!!

Back in the day I was a pretty solid cyclist and I have a pretty decent bike, so that helps. I was glad I got the last nice day to go for a ride because its been chilly ever since.

I think your Illuminations pictures are really good, they are much better than any I've ever gotten!

Thank you! When I first viewed them I was in some pretty bad light and they didn't look that great to me. I realized I underestimated them once I moved to a better spot.

Still catching up....Just read the Daytona update. Wow, those are some fabulous beach pictures. I am in awe at the beautiful houses on the beach too.

Thanks! We had a perfect beach day and the evening before was just filled with beautiful, big, puffy clouds.

I love your filter. What kind is it...? Not that I need to buy anything...but I just need to know!

I need to find the case for the filters and then I'll let you know. They came in a three pack and they were bundled with a lens cap holder that I bought. One was grey, one with a purple tinge, and one was clear.

Ok...time for another break and then on to more reading.

I think it is something with Dis...because I keep getting them and I do virus scans and spyware scans all the time. It only happens to me on dis...Very annoying. It's either got a virus or someone has put something with that pop on here.

I think you are right because sometimes my safari just closes on its own. But at work the problem is I have an old internet explorer and it just makes it so hard to do everything. Yeah - I shouldn't be DISing at work, but there are so many things I can't do quickly because of the old explorer. So frustrating.

I am officially caught up...that only took like 2 days!

I love your illumination photos. Gorgeous. I like the Norway light fixture in them too. Very clever. I might have to steal that idea.

2 Days? Were you really that far behind? I'm impressed that you took the time to catch up. thanks!

Steal away. You know I love your pictures!

 

[MEK]

Rope Drop Maybe?

I really wanted to do two updates before I leave on Tuesday. But it's not looking good. That's why I want to try to get a short update in tonight.

In my last update Denny and I had just gotten back from watching Yee Haw Bob and we settled into our "subterranean villa". It was after midnight when our heads hit the pillow.

So would it be any surprise that I had to struggle to get out of bed in the morning? When I checked the time I saw it was after 7am. I literally had to force myself up. It was dark and I struggled to make the coffee.

I really wanted to get a run in and then hit rope drop. It was an ambitious goal, but I have to say that I love running in new places and the BWV's were a new place.

So out the door I went and here's what greeted me.


Untitled by dvcmek1, on Flickr

Even though I didn't love being on the bottom floor, the location was pretty darn good.


Untitled by dvcmek1, on Flickr

I passed this during my run


Untitled by dvcmek1, on Flickr

And this


Untitled by dvcmek1, on Flickr

I decided to run down to HS.

Here's HS as I was nearing the end of the path. I had a great view of the park entrance


Untitled by dvcmek1, on Flickr

Perfect view of ToT


Untitled by dvcmek1, on Flickr

And that's all the pictures I took. I ran back to the Boardwalk and then ran around towards the Beach Club. Finally. Finally. I was starting to wake up.

Denny was still sleeping when I got back. I got showered and dressed and then went to wake him up. He said to go without him. He still wanted to sleep.

OK then. I wanted rope drop.

Me, "Text me when you are coming. See Ya"

I tried to grab a few pictures on the way to rope drop

The last time I did rope drop from the international gateway we were funneled down the center toward spaceship earth. Not this time.

Had I missed rope drop? It was still a few minutes before 9am. Then it dawned on me...soft opening.

Well, OK then. I was on a mission to get a Soarin FP.

I passed this

During this stretch of the walk my competitiveness came out. I was walking near a family of 4 and I just couldn't seem to find a way around them. So I put the camera away and got down to business. Finally I found a break in their path and I zoomed by them.

Next stop....to pick up one of these.......


Untitled by dvcmek1, on Flickr

Despite the early hour it was still pretty congested in the Soarin area. I decided to go to Living with the Land.

I wasn't even sure if the boats had started running yet. Apparently they had and I ended up getting an entire boat to myself.

Continued in Next Post........

 

[MEK]

Continued........

Here's the back of my boat - proof that I had the VIP transportation

Every body loves this Mickey

I still had plenty of time before my chance to Soar, so I decided to get breakfast. One thing you have probably noticed about me is that I am normally not a huge breakfast person. But after all that pasta last night I felt really hungry.

What did I choose?


Untitled by dvcmek1, on Flickr

Yum. I ate a little bit of everything. I think at this point Denny may have joined me, so we might have shared. Breakfast really hit the spot this morning.

After breakfast I decided to just wait for my FP time to be due. While waiting, I remembered that I had these in my camera bag

I got these cards from a CM when I got on the ferry the first night.

Continued in Next Post.......

 

[MEK]

Continued.......

Then I took some pictures of my surroundings

Finally it was time for my Soarin FP.

Denny waited for me.

Hey - Look - Here's the Soaring T-shirt my brother bought. It's pretty cute

After Soarin I didn't really have a plan. Denny and I went outside and I decided to call my mom to see how she was doing.

While I was sitting there I got an idea....Why not just wait until we can get a FP for much later in the afternoon? I wanted one with a return time of 5pm. So we waited. And I took pictures.....

Filter on

I would estimate that we probably waited about 1/2 hour and we were able to get FPs with a 4-5pm return time.

Bottom line - It was 11am and I had done two rides and eaten breakfast. I was pretty much off pace for hitting attractions, but I honestly didn't care. At the time there really wasn't anything I was dying to do. Stick around to find out our next destination.

Up next "I ain't going to no d@*n Gaitlinsburg".

 

[amandaw]

I really have to commend you for waking up & running while on vacation. I could never do that!

Sounds like you were off to a good start that day! And how nice that you had an entire boat to yourself on the Land.

That breakfast looks yummy! Glad you were able to get FPs for later in the day.

 

[KatMark]

Beautiful pictures with your phone while on your run, MEK. I really like the one of the Studios entrance.

And how cool you had your own boat during your visit to The Land (we had that once while on It's a Small World).

The pictures with the filter on your camera of the flowers at Epcot are very pretty.