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...

 

[Mollie_Minnie]

Love your trip report! My parents brought us (sister and I) two times as kids. I'm so glad I had this chance. I went back 3 times as an adult. If everything goes well, we will be going back the 4 of us this fall. This time around I did all the organizing. My parents last trip was in 1996. I get emotionnal thinking about this trip, that we will be all back to the world together. Your kids will be remembering those magical moments forever just like I do.

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

WOW Chris those pics are outstanding!! I felt like was on EE with you!!!! Keep them coming!!

 

[disneyny]

Just had to comment and let you know I love your trip reports. I so enjoyed your others and was very excited to see another. Your family cracks me up! Also, I agree with you that the "other" thread has gone off the deep end. The doom and gloom is out of control and makes me sad.

 

[ksr99]

I love the Animal Kingdom pics! Makes me feel like Im back at my stomping grounds! No safari tour????

I always thought what would be great is if Disney Execs would get a number of people together and see what they would come up with when it comes to designing a hotel or redesigning one, aka the poly. Its unfortunate the bean counters ultimately control the designs implementation. We should talk to some execs see if we can get on the design team, maybe get some free trips to hawaii and the pacific island for "research"!

 

[Ella's Mommy]

I think he has a Sony Nex5? But I'm not sure. I really don't know much about cameras :0) LOL!!

 

[fractal]

Before long we were back at the Polynesian.

We went over to watch Auntie Kau'i make leis out of real flowers for weddings and other special occasions. She is 81 years old and has worked at the Poly since it opened!
The woman looks better than me. She also teaches people how to dance the hula. Here she is with Toni giving me the "hang ten" sign.

We then went back to the room to discuss our plans. Val and Yia-Yia decided to stay at the Poly for some sun and pool time and the kids and I were off to Typhoon Lagoon. After grabbing lunch at Capt Cook's ( I really liked the Polynesian salad with grilled chicken ) we made our way to the bus stop.

Sterg slurping on some noodles;

Here comes the Iron Man monorail. Have they completed the monorail expansion to the water parks yet?

Two monorails before our bus...

But it gave us a chance to finish our lunch.

The bus rides to the waterparks are always the worst. Especially to TL because you have to go to Downtown Disney first, and make two stops there. It had me wishing I had either rented a car or called for a taxi. During the last half of the ride, the skies opened up to a downpour. As we were dropped off, the rain had stopped but the park had temporarily closed. As people left TL we entered it.

Before long, the park was open again! It turned out to be a great day for TL.
We love the wave pool!

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

OK, so I had been debating it, but this TR has sealed it for me. Your fisheye photos have convinced me to rent a fisheye lens for my trip next month. I'm not sure how i'll like it or even how good my photos will come out, but renting it will give me a chance to see if I like it before purchasing it

 

[DznyRktekt]

Before long we were back at the Polynesian.

We went over to watch Auntie Kau'i make leis out of real flowers for weddings and other special occasions. She is 81 years old and has worked at the Poly since it opened!
The woman looks better than me. She also teaches people how to dance the hula. Here she is with Toni giving me the "hang ten" sign.

This kind of stuff is what adds to the layers of Magic at WDW.

 

[tare]

Loving this tr so far!!!!

 

[Uncle Lupe]

First.... I said "yes" out loud when I read EE overload.

WOW! I love you EE pics! You caught the track switch on your fisheye inside shot. Your broken track shot outside gives a great feel for what the lens is doing to your pics. As the horizon shows the bend of the lens. In your bus trip to poly shot. When you can get a teenage girl from another family to give you weird looks your doing your job as a fun father.

 

[worldtraveler]

I was curious on how the fisheye pics would look on EE. But they turned out great, just like all of your other pictures. I'm feeling a bit inspiration, thinking of picking up a camera for my trip. Give me something to do while I wander the parks.

 

[PineapplePrincess]

I'm enjoying your TR waaay too much! Good thing I'm a teacher who has not had to go back to work yet. Here's a funny coincidence that you may not believe.
I started doing Hawaiian dance at a studio here in Michigan, back when I was 14 (a looong time ago!) My teacher insisted that we do authentic Hawaiian dancing, so she used to bring Auntie Kau'i in every summer to teach us our dances! She looks almost exactly the same as I remember her!

 

[fractal]

The wave pool at Typhoon Lagoon is the best I've been in. It's not like your normal wave pool that starts and you get a series of small gentle waves that sloosh you around. TL sets off one massive wave every few minutes. It's got to be close to 15 feet high. You know it coming because you hear a loud "FROOMP" from the deep part of the pool - to be followed by screams by all those around. We were in the pool for a good 20 minutes or more. Sterg, being a swimmer and water polo player, was way out in the deep. Toni, being my adventurous child would occasionally go out with him but more or less wanted to stick by me. This meant that I had to stay at between 5 and 6 feet deep as I'm not nearly the swimmer I used to be, and having Toni grabbing and hanging on to me didn't help. Alex is my fraidy cat. She loved the pool but had to have her foot on the pool bottom.
We were missing Val and Yia-Yia, but being in this great wave pool with the thrill of giant waves crashing down on you on a hot Florida summer day with your kids was a special time.

After we got enough of the waves we went down a few slides ( Alex chickened out on Humunga Cowabunga ) then made our way to Slush & Gusher. After some arguing back and forth it was decided that Toni would go down with Sterg and Alex would go with me. This slide is awesome - the extra boost you get from those launchers makes it a hoot! We were screaming and laughing the entire way down. Once again, Photopass+ comes in handy;

Soon it was time to leave TL, but we would be back!

We made it back to the resort in plenty of time to get ready for our dinner at Citricos. First, a few pictures;

Our longhouse...

we were near the luau area...

View of the Grand Floridian.

 

[Tiggerish]

Loved the TL photopass shots. I'm a fraidy cat like Alex.

Oooooh, Citricos--our new favorite since we first tried it two years ago. Waiting anxiously for your dinner report.

 

[Ariel484]

Great report Chris! As everyone else has said, your photos are really great. I don't normally like fish-eye photos but I like yours a lot.

Also, I hope Alex liked T-Swift. I saw her in Cleveland in April and she was fantastic!

 

[ksr99]

I need to go to Disney!

 

[disneypearl]

Loving your pictures and report. Your pictures are so real and crisp that it's like being there

 

[fractal]

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.

Thanks! Tripods are a pain - but usually worth it. Toni and I were early morning troopers. At one point I asked her if she was going to sleep in @ when she's a teenager. "No way!" she said.

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.

Good idea!

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!)

Thanks Nemo14! This is pretty doom and gloom!

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 !

I still like the idea. My kids would love that Stretched Hummer! Stopping at the store is a good idea, although we used Garden Grocer this year to deliver our snacks, water, wine and beer. Thanks for the pics. Yasou!

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.

Kelly, If you look at the photopass picture above with Toni and I @ AK, you can see my camera. It's about 1/6 the size of a big DSLR and also weighs a fraction of one. As I was walking around looking at other photographers and their big cameras I was getting a big jealous of their thick fancy camera straps - then I thought, "heck, with the size of that camera I guess they need all that support and cushion". My NEX was so easy to carry around - even a whole day running through the parks. I like the NEX series but Fuji and Olympus also make fine mirrorless cameras. If you had an NEX-3 and just kept it in auto the entire time, treating it like a point & shoot, I think you would love the results. I've seen your photos - you do a good job of composing them but a phone camera can only do so much. Good luck and thanks for reading along!

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

Thanks Sharkreef! I'm having some PC issues which is causing some delays. I think all the photos I took blew up my computer! We had a great time!

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".

Lol! I know - that guy kept dozing off and one time almost fell out of his seat.

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?

Thanks for the comments! As happy as I am with the pictures, I don't think I'm at the level yet - but it would be great to have Disney help pay for my next trip!

 

[fractal]

Love your trip report! My parents brought us (sister and I) two times as kids. I'm so glad I had this chance. I went back 3 times as an adult. If everything goes well, we will be going back the 4 of us this fall. This time around I did all the organizing. My parents last trip was in 1996. I get emotionnal thinking about this trip, that we will be all back to the world together. Your kids will be remembering those magical moments forever just like I did.

Thanks and I hope you make it back soon! I have some very found memories of when my parents took us to WDW in 1976. We had a family business and we all worked hard to keep it going. That was really our only vacation we ever took. Thanks for the comments - I hope they do; I know I will.

WOW Chris those pics are outstanding!! I felt like was on EE with you!!!! Keep them coming!!

Thanks Deb and will do!

Just had to comment and let you know I love your trip reports. I so enjoyed your others and was very excited to see another. Your family cracks me up! Also, I agree with you that the "other" thread has gone off the deep end. The doom and gloom is out of control and makes me sad.

Thanks disneyny! Yes - too much negativity for a Disney forum. Some people can't help extrapulating every issue and turning it into the end of the world. Thanks for following long this report and the others!

I love the Animal Kingdom pics! Makes me feel like Im back at my stomping grounds! No safari tour????

I always thought what would be great is if Disney Execs would get a number of people together and see what they would come up with when it comes to designing a hotel or redesigning one, aka the poly. Its unfortunate the bean counters ultimately control the designs implementation. We should talk to some execs see if we can get on the design team, maybe get some free trips to hawaii and the pacific island for "research"!

We also love AK! It gets a bad rap, but I won't complain when they add new attractions. Did the safari twice, coming up!
I can certainly give them plenty of my opinions! But you are right, I would need to do some travel "research".

I think he has a Sony Nex5? But I'm not sure. I really don't know much about cameras :0) LOL!!

Great camera! He should enjoy putting it through its paces. WDW is an awesome place for it! Hopefully this gets him closer to Disney fandom.

OK, so I had been debating it, but this TR has sealed it for me. Your fisheye photos have convinced me to rent a fisheye lens for my trip next month. I'm not sure how i'll like it or even how good my photos will come out, but renting it will give me a chance to see if I like it before purchasing it

Great idea! I would get it a day or two before the trip to get used to it.

This kind of stuff is what adds to the layers of Magic at WDW.

Absolutely!

Loving this tr so far!!!!

Thanks tare!

First.... I said "yes" out loud when I read EE overload.

WOW! I love you EE pics! You caught the track switch on your fisheye inside shot. Your broken track shot outside gives a great feel for what the lens is doing to your pics. As the horizon shows the bend of the lens. In your bus trip to poly shot. When you can get a teenage girl from another family to give you weird looks your doing your job as a fun father.

We ended up riding EE more than any other ride ( RRRC was second ). Thanks Lupe! Lol! Yeah, she was filling in for Alex and Sterg.

I was curious on how the fisheye pics would look on EE. But they turned out great, just like all of your other pictures. I'm feeling a bit inspiration, thinking of picking up a camera for my trip. Give me something to do while I wander the parks.

Thanks worldtraveler! Capturing memories is always a good thing!

I'm enjoying your TR waaay too much! Good thing I'm a teacher who has not had to go back to work yet. Here's a funny coincidence that you may not believe.
I started doing Hawaiian dance at a studio here in Michigan, back when I was 14 (a looong time ago!) My teacher insisted that we do authentic Hawaiian dancing, so she used to bring Auntie Kau'i in every summer to teach us our dances! She looks almost exactly the same as I remember her!

Wow! That is something. She does look amazing and the work she does with the leis takes so much patience and skill. Maybe that's part of her secret. Thanks for reading along!

Loved the TL photopass shots. I'm a fraidy cat like Alex.

Oooooh, Citricos--our new favorite since we first tried it two years ago. Waiting anxiously for your dinner report.

Thanks Tiggerish! Citricos report coming up!

I need to go to Disney!

Lol! I'm feeling the same way already.

Loving your pictures and report. Your pictures are so real and crisp that it's like being there

thank you disneypearl! That's not how they looked two years ago. Thanks for reading along!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Chris! Isn't TL the best?! The waves are awesome! Love love love it! Did you get to take in some of the details around the park? If you just wander around and look there's so much to discover. Plus, TL reminds me a lot of being on Castaway Cay. The level of detail is there only Castaway takes it to a whole new realm. It's incredible. I would love to be on CC when you get there for the first time. You'll be like a kid in a candy store, full-on geek-out mode. It's mind boggling!

You've seriously got me thinking on the camera thing. Didn't you say you had an earlier model then bought the newer version??? Thanks for the kind words on the composition. I have no doubt that my mind's eye can find the right things. My problem is all the minute details in manual settings. I'm overwhelmed by the technicality of it. Then there's learning to use software for editing. That also is a bit intimidating to me. But, I truly do wish I could take my average pics to a level where they reflect more vibrance the way I see the world.