Trip Report I'll stop the World and Melt with you.

It's been two years since my family and I visited WDW. Two long years. Thankfully, my son Sterg and I got a three day Disney fix last summer at Disneyland.

Curiously, this trip report is being written at a time when a lot of negative Disney vibe is emanating from other regions of WDWMagic - as it was two years ago. The Doom & Gloom is running free and wild. I'm just thankful I stayed clear of most of it before our trip because I may have cancelled what turned out to be an amazing time. It is also fortunate that we got this trip in because from the sound of things there may not be a WDW to go to in a few years.

To be truthful, some things that Disney has done has me scratching my head; but this is neither the time nor place to discuss it. Putting that aside - let's get on with the trip report!

We left on Sunday July 21st. Maybe the longest day of my life. The night before, my oldest daughter Alex went to see Taylor Swift in Philadelphia ( about 50 miles away ) and due to a long rain delay she didn't make it home until 2 am. This meant that she would not go to sleep since we were being picked up at 3 am for the drive to Philly airport for our 6 am flight. At least we were supposed to be picked up at 3am.

Here is my Mom ( Yia-Yia )and my youngest daughter Antonia ( Toni ) up and ready at 3 in the morning waiting for our ride. Yia-Yia ( grandmother in Greek ) is 77 years old and joining us for the first time on a Disney adventure. Toni is now almost 12 and the little Yorki-poo in the front is Prince. Prince is short for Prince Charming ( named by Toni ).

When the driver didn't show up by 3:15 I started to worry. I called the limo company at the same time he called me to tell me he was lost. I reeled him in and we were on our way by 3:30. The drive down was nerve wracking as I kept watching the clock and praying for no delays. That is until our driver eased my tension by telling us his son works for Disney and he goes down to the World 4 or 5 times a year. The resulting Disney conversation lasted until we hit the airport around 4:30.

More tension as we went through security. My carry on was stopped in the machine and I was pulled aside. I had put a container of Vitamin C powder in my bag that garnered some attention. Of course, my Mom came over as I was being held and my bag inspected.

"Why didn't you put that in your suitcase, Christo?" she said to me in her Greek accented voice.

"Mom, please go wait over there" I responded.

"No, I want to see what they are doing" Then she followed with this one for the TSA officer.

"It's not drugs, my son doesn't do cocaine!"

OK, I thought. I'm definitely going to be held in some prison cell for the next week.

After the chemical test proved my Mother correct, I was allowed to go on my way. We had time to grab coffee and some food and make it on the Southwest plane to Orlando. A plane full of smiling happy faces! Including these;

This is my wife Val ( not the biggest of Disney fans ), with Yia-Yia in the middle and Alex by the window.

On the other side was yours truly sporting a Hawaiian shirt ( since we were staying at the Poly ), Toni and Sterg.

Before we knew it we were up in the clouds...

 

[Mr Ferret 75]

Loving the photo's and Trip report.Might have to investigate said camera as i find my canon dslr very bulky especially with tele/fisheye lenses

 

[Pooh'sBuddy]

A bit after 11 as I left the park - 21 hours after I woke up that day. What a great first day in WDW! I headed out of MK with my feet hurting, back a bit tight, eyes heavy, and a content smile on my face.

Minus the physical pain, isn't that the best kind of day?

Seriously fantastic pics!

 

[pumpkin7]

Nnnoooo you can't say here we go and then stop! More more!

 

[fractal]

Your pics are great! (oh and the trip report too! LOL)

Cannot wait for the next installment!

Thanks much!

Loving your TR so far! Your camera takes some awesome pictures!!!

Thanks! I was very happy with the results. I was also pleased with carrying it around all day. I was able to carry it around my neck all day comfortably, and have up to two other lenses with me in my simple, light nike shoulder bag.

Great report, thoroughly enjoying it. Your photos are gorgeous and your mother is cracking me up!

Thanks Tiggerish! She's definitely old school.

Haha! My daughter was "Boo" the first time we took her to see Monster's Inc Laugh Floor! After that we only have gotten the head shots like that^^^

Classic!

lol! That's great!

Thanks!

Two of the three times I've been on the Laugh Floor, my dad was "That Guy"! It's so funny when the face appears on the screen.

Laugh Floor has quickly become one of our favorites. I agree with others that it doesn't really belong in Tomorrowland, but we enjoy it. Thanks for reading along PUSH! By the way, we kept looking for PUSH in TL but we were either too early or had bad timing.

Loving the trip report so far, awesome pics!

Thanks afarese!

I'm totally in on the Ohana fan club!! I also have a spouse that is less than thrilled with our trips to Dis. He recently bought a mirror less camera and actually said "I can't wait to go to Disney!!" So judging by your awesome pics he gonna have a great time when we go n April :0)

Another member of the OFC! .
I hope the new camera helps turn him more into a Disney fan. WDW is really a great place for photographers. Landscapes, people shots, family shots, a million macro shots, fireworks, and the dark rides test your low light skills. What kind of mirrorless did he buy?

Great TR so far, beautiful pictures and amazing shots!

Thanks SDisney90!

 

[fractal]

The Tangled picture is amazing.....!

WOW!

Thanks! The details really came out in Lightroom. It's amazing what you can do with a good camera shooting RAW and then post processing the shot.
Thanks for reading along!

Chris that pictures of Gaston's Tavern and the carousel and the one shot of the fireworks over the castle are GREAT!! Nice work! And yes, tripods are a PAIN!!! lol

Thanks Darolyn! I wish I had more time for shots like that but it was tough when you are traveling in a group. I did get the tripod again out one night at Epcot. Thanks for the kind words!

I have to second what Darolyn said, the Gaston's, carousel and fireworks photos are spectacular. And the Tangled shot (wow, just wow), and the Tiki Room. I like the fireworks shots over Beast's castle, too.

And it's like I can hear your wife and your mother in my head when you quote them. Too funny.

Thanks! It feels great to hear that!

You know, sometimes I can hear them in my head as well - even when they are not around.

You're getting quite the verbal abuse from the family.

Awesome picture of the carousel and fountain outside Gastons Tavern. Keep it coming.

Yes Dennis - they know I can take it.
Thanks! and thanks for reading along!

Great pictures! I really like the one of the fireworks with Fantasyland and Cinderella Castle (the one with the smoke)!

Oh Thanks disneyfan! I appreciate the comments!

I like your night shots pretty cool, give yourself credit. Don't drive yourself crazy trying to find the perfect shot, just let it happen. 21 hours is a very long day no matter what you are doing.

Thanks Lupe! Yeah I'm a bit too tough on myself. Thanks for the sound advice - I'm always up for any and all!
It was a very long day - but a good day. I've had plenty of long bad days.

Loving the special time you get to spend with Toni.

Thanks Gabe! It is a special bond we have. The early morning WDW crew.

I have to agree with Val, the Poly would be perfect in the middle of an island, preferably in the Caribbean!!! LOL Ahhhhh Roz, cracks me up (wonder if she visits NJ often!?!?) Special time with kids at Disney, is the BEST!!! Again, great pics!!!!!

No, No, please don't agree with Val! I'm all for beach vacations, but I sit all day at work. WDW gets me outside moving and doing stuff!
Roz does have the Jersey attitude. Thanks much for the comments. It really was special times. I appreciate you following along!

Loving the photo's and Trip report.Might have to investigate said camera as i find my canon dslr very bulky especially with tele/fisheye lenses

Thanks MR FERRET! I highly recommed it for someone looking to keep the dslr quality but ditch the weight!

Minus the physical pain, isn't that the best kind of day?

Seriously fantastic pics!

Yes it was! Thanks Pooh'sBuddy!

Nnnoooo you can't say here we go and then stop! More more!

You know, this darned thing called a "job" just keeps interfering with my life. Actually, catching up on the comments during lunch break. Shhh...

 

[SweetEvangeline]

Your photos are amazing!!!

 

[38053WDW]

By the way, the book I was reading was "Walt Disney The Triumph of American Imagination" which is about 700 pages long. Very good, very detailed and still not through it.

Can you tell some of us were happy to be going back to WDW?

Sterg then confiscated my camera and started taking a bunch of "selfies". Sterg has become the family comedian and overall pain in my backside. I'm either cracking up at his antics or wanting to treat him like a punching bag. Although he's getting bigger, I can still get him in a Cobra Clutch, as long I do so before the air in my lungs wears out.

Now there happened to be a young couple sitting in front of us with their adorable little girl. She kept peeking over her seat at Sterg and before long they became good friends.

I found it fascinating to watch him interact with her in such a positive and playful way.

She was clearly excited to be going to Disney and her parents kept trying to distract her by playing Disney films - but she was having more fun with Sterg.
It certainly made the flight go quicker.

Before too long we were on the ground and stepping up to Magical Express!

Try the limo pickup in Orlando .. Yes you get the magical express included but for a little bit of $$ you get a limo waiting on you.. one stop (groceries/drinks) and straight to your room. No stops in between... Then you call him the day before you leave for pick-up time and straight back to the airport. No early pickup for the ME bus to make 3 other stops on the way out Just a thought ... oh yea .. Disney McDonald's drive thru on the way to the airport .. kids love that part !

 

[ShookieJones]

I can't believe I'm saying this but I'm late to the party AGAIN!!!
Shh...don't tell anyone it will ruin my reputation in the party animal circles that I run in.
I'm caught up now and following along all I can say so far is..

Wow! Chris, another great TR you got going and I believe you've outdone yourself with the photos.
Very, very, very nice!

 

[38053WDW]

more Main Street...

A Disney duck!

and a castle shot...

By this time Val's and Yia-yia's patience with my photography was running thin, and I have no defense when those two gang up on me.

"Christo, you are taking too many pictures! Why do you want a picture of a duck? C'mon, let's find the kids" Yia-Yia protested.

Time to leave the hub and try to find those "pesky kids".

I love how they put the names of special people in their windows (yellow building four pics up from bottom) - Ron Miller - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_W._Miller

 

[fractal]

Your photos are amazing!!!

Thanks!

Try the limo pickup in Orlando .. Yes you get the magical express included but for a little bit of $$ you get a limo waiting on you.. one stop (groceries/drinks) and straight to your room. No stops in between... Then you call him the day before you leave for pick-up time and straight back to the airport. No early pickup for the ME bus to make 3 other stops on the way out Just a thought ... oh yea .. Disney McDonald's drive thru on the way to the airport .. kids love that part !

Thanks for the tip! I'm now thinking about forgoing the Limo from my house to the airport and back for this idea. Hmmm...
Will Magical Express still take care of my bags?

I can't believe I'm saying this but I'm late to the party AGAIN!!!
Shh...don't tell anyone it will ruin my reputation in the party animal circles that I run in.
I'm caught up now and following along all I can say so far is..

Wow! Chris, another great TR you got going and I believe you've outdone yourself with the photos.
Very, very, very nice!

ShookieJones! You've been spending too much time in the doom & gloom area ( I know because I was also swimming in those dark waters).
I'm just glad I didn't read all those sinister threads until I got back from my trip. As I was having such a great time, little did I know I should have been
hiding in my room waiting for the demise of Disney. I know you have a trip coming up; my advise is to leave the shadowy area for the hyenas - at least until you get back. Plenty of time to fret over the future of WDW during the cold winter months. For now, join us here in the sunshine as I and others talk about our latest wonderful Disney memories!

Thanks for the comments, and I am glad you are following along!

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I'm glad everyone enjoyed Laugh Floor. The pictures are seriously outstanding! I also feel your pain with the tripod. I have a fairly lightweight one that folds down, yet I still recall the annoyance factors with it in a crowd. Come to think of it...I was even annoyed with it when setting up in peace on the Poly beach. I agree that behind the castle and in FLE are not the best spots for fireworks pics...but I do think it's pretty cool to be back in FLE for it. To me, it almost felt like we were caught in the middle of Wishes and not just watching it. Great that you guys were also able to take in AK while everyone else got some rest.

 

[ShookieJones]

ShookieJones! You've been spending too much time in the doom & gloom area ( I know because I was also swimming in those dark waters).
I'm just glad I didn't read all those sinister threads until I got back from my trip. As I was having such a great time, little did I know I should have been
hiding in my room waiting for the demise of Disney. I know you have a trip coming up; my advise is to leave the shadowy area for the hyenas at least until you get back. Plenty of time to fret over the future of WDW during the cold winter months. For now, join us here in the sunshine as I and others talk about our latest wonderful Disney memories!

Thanks for the comments, and I am glad you are following along!

You ain't kidding brother. Although those threads are filled with tons of insightful comments and information they do tend to be a vortex of dark dark thoughts and ideas that is hard to escape!

Speaking of insightful comments and ideas you just made a pretty a solid one right there, so I'm going to take your advice and hang around here for a while.

 

[Nemo14]

Loving this report, and your photos are amazing! I chuckled when I read the title - the first time I heard that song I thought they said "I'll stop the world and melt it too." ( a true doom and gloomer!)

 

[38053WDW]

Thanks!



Thanks for the tip! I'm now thinking about forgoing the Limo from my house to the airport and back for this idea. Hmmm...
Will Magical Express still take care of my bags?



ShookieJones! You've been spending too much time in the doom & gloom area ( I know because I was also swimming in those dark waters).
I'm just glad I didn't read all those sinister threads until I got back from my trip. As I was having such a great time, little did I know I should have been
hiding in my room waiting for the demise of Disney. I know you have a trip coming up; my advise is to leave the shadowy area for the hyenas - at least until you get back. Plenty of time to fret over the future of WDW during the cold winter months. For now, join us here in the sunshine as I and others talk about our latest wonderful Disney memories!

Thanks for the comments, and I am glad you are following along!

No on the ME taking care of your bags, but again this is why you got the limo .. they take care of your bags (yes they take tips) we use happy limo (not pushing them but just who we use) - Last time we actually got their Black Stretched Hummer to pick us up both ways !! They said today is your lucky day .. we just had a drop off at airport so you get this for the ride to Disney !!! Then the same thing happened on the way back tot he airport! We did the limo ride the first time just for fun for the kids and now this next trip will be limo trip #4 !! You really can't beat the stop at the store for room snacks/water/and adult beverages (if necessary) $6 beers on property add up quick ! They stop at a grocery store w a liquor store next to it. We usually stay at Contemp .. MK view of course ! Side note : My name is Alex and I'm Greek too ! Pics are of last trip and grocery stop. Not going back until 2014 (waiting on Mine Train to finish) - Living and surviving through Trip Reports !! Great pictures !

 

[fractal]

Front row, fish-eye EE photos. You either love them or hate them. I enjoy the different perspective. The lens I used was a Rokinon 8mm fish-eye.
Pretty dramatic angle. In fact in more than a few shots I had to crop out part of my hairy arm that showed up at the edges. You may also notice that the edges of my fish-eye pics have some discoloration. Purple begins to show up. This is one issue with the NEX-7. The NEX-3,5 and 6 have 16mp sensors vs. the 24mp same sized sensor on the NEX-7. The overall resolution is superior on the 7, but in this case higher resolution sensor creates more purple fringing. I was able to clean most of it up in Lightroom but some of it's is still visible. The sharpness at the corners, however, was very good - at least I thought. Enough of the camera geek talk and on with the pics...

I like how you can see the track and tunnel here. The way out!

In the gift shop;

 

[fractal]

It was now approaching mid-day and the temperture and humidity were climbing as fast as the park was filling up. Toni had the great idea of going to a waterpark. If we had planned it better we could have brought our swimsuits with us and grabbed a bus directly to Blizzard Beach. I picked up that tip from @sweetpee_1993 but never actually implemented it.

The plan was to go back to the Poly, change, grab the rest of the crew,some lunch and then head to Typhoon Lagoon. With our dinner being later we would have plenty of time. Toni & I started to make our way out of Animal Kingdom.

Leaving Asia...

Oh yeah! I have a Photopass+ card. Time to start using it!

Animal Kingdom canopy;

See you later Animal Kingdom -

Maybe someday there will be a Beastly Kingdom and a dragon...

Bussing it back to the Poly after a very productive morning!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Wow, Chris! Your pics are gorgeous! Do tell about the mirror less cameras. I've considered them but quickly changed my mind. I think even those would be a bit over my head and lost on me. I'm rather intimidated by all the technical jargon. When numbers get involved my brain says, "Ruuuuuun!!!!" It's not good. But I WISH I could take such gorgeous pics. Maybe I'll stick to admiring others' work.

 

[Sharkreef11]

Absolutely love the all the photos! Nicely done. Can't wait to read more. Looks like you guys were having a lot of fun!

 

[mousefreak]

In the picture with Toni on the bus...check out the guy on the far right ! You outta caption that guy. My caption suggestion:
"They still haven't fixed the Yeti".

 

[MinnieM123]

Your pictures of the various park attractions are outstanding. Just curious--have you ever thought of working with Disney to maybe sell them some of these excellent photos for their PR/Marketing purposes?