Trip Report Thank Heaven for Little Girls.

A few years back my son and I took a trip out West and along the way spent a few estrogen free days in Disneyland. This year was the girl's turn, even if that wasn't part of our original plans.

Planning vacations as your children get older can be a difficult task. Demands from college, high-school, camps, activities, and even part time jobs end up leaving very few open spaces on the calendar. Lately it seems that mid July to mid August is our sweet spot for getting away and so it was again this year. Based on a great deal on a condo found by my wife Val, we came up with a somewhat last minute plan to visit Clearwater Beach Florida...and oh yeah, we decided to drive down from Pennsylvania. I also had an eye to sneak away to WDW for at least a day during our week stay.

My son Sterg had to bow out of the trip. He's starting college at Penn State this year and since he's on their swim team he needed to stay behind and train. See what I mean about other demand? Don't feel too bad for him however, he has had a few nice trips of his own over the last six months. It may have also saved his life as I'm sure having to deal with him for 18 hours in a car would have stirred some primal blood anger in me.

Without Sterg it would leave myself, my wife Val, my 21 year old daughter Alex (about to become a college senior) and my 13 year old daughter Toni. Not quite "little girls" anymore but as most Dads will attest to; they are always little girls. Anyone who has read my previous reports knows that Val is not the biggest Disney fan - but how could we be so close to WDW and not go? After much deliberations on the scale of the Yalta conference we hammered out an arrangement to make one day on our trip "Chris, Alex and Toni get to go to Walt Disney World" Day. Where there is a will...

The big day came - we departed on a Saturday at 3pm in the afternoon after loading up our trusty stead/Ford Explorer. Leaving Sterg home by himself for a week brought it's own set of issues but he was all smiles and willing to play photographer as we said our goodbyes...

At this point we had no idea what we were getting into...

Sterg's long arms came in handy here...

Alex and Toni settling in for a long voyage and adventure while Sterg makes sure we say our goodbyes to Prince our dog.

We were on our way to Florida!

 

[Mrhappyplace]

Great trip report! Your photos are awesome and the way you include snippets of conversations makes me feel like I was on this trip with you and your family.

 

[MotherofaPrincessLover]

Loved your trip report!

 

[Cetta]

Just spent most of my afternoon at work reading your trip report. I realized after the first page that I remember reading your 2011 trip report when I was planning my 2012 Disneymoon. I enjoyed reading and seeing your adventures at the 3 parks. You take amazing photos! You have some real talent!

 

[fractal]

Great trip report! Your photos are awesome and the way you include snippets of conversations makes me feel like I was on this trip with you and your family.

Thanks! Enjoying your and @myhappyplace report as well!

Loved your trip report!

Thank you!

Just spent most of my afternoon at work reading your trip report. I realized after the first page that I remember reading your 2011 trip report when I was planning my 2012 Disneymoon. I enjoyed reading and seeing your adventures at the 3 parks. You take amazing photos! You have some real talent!

Thanks so much @Cetta !

 

[Dizdutch]

Cool pics! I've never been on Soarin' and most likely never will, as I don't do well in motion simulator rides, so it's nice to get a glimpse of what you see.

I love this pic best - reminds me of an angel.

I cannot do motion simulator rides but have no issue with Soarin'.

 

[Dizdutch]

Thanks for a fantastic trip report. Your photos were breathtaking.

 

[fractal]

Thanks for a fantastic trip report. Your photos were breathtaking.

Thanks for reading!

 

[P_Radden]

Thanks for the awesome trip report as always! I love your pics and have saved many of them from your various reports. I also really enjoyed the pictures of Clear Water as I've never been there, but would love to go sometime.

So I guess the big question now is, when if your next WDW trip? You mentioned making a list of things you haven't done yet, we also try to do new and different attractions each trip, and have gotten into resort hopping as well.

As for the drive.... I made it from WDW to Lexington KY in 12 hours on our trip home back in February, but it was tiring and stressful. When we head down in December I am going to try to make it in one drive again although I am not really looking forward to it. It is nice when you can hop on a plane and be there or home in less than 3 hours, but because we will be staying off property this next trip, we decided to drive again and have our F-150 with us for errands. Last time we stayed off property, we spent over $200 in taxis shesh! So for us its simple, staying on property = fly and use MDE, staying off property = make the drive down and have our truck for all the small trips.

Your thoughts and pictures of Epcot really hit home with me. It is and always has been my favorite park, but I agree it does need a shot in the arm. I would love to see Future World revamped to make good use of the Wonders of Life Pavilion as well as both Innoventions and the 2nd floor of Imagination. And although I enjoy Mission Space, I loved Horizions and miss it dearly! Have you ever done Universe of Energy? That is one attraction we have always skipped but are gonna give it a go next trip

Chris, your trip reports are so much fun and really help all of us suffering from WDW withdraw LOL. I want to thank you for all your hard work and love you put into these reports and hope you guys make it back to the world (or at least on another great vacation *cough cough* Aulani *cough* ) sooner than later! Best wishes to you and your family from us down in KY!

 

[samantha788]

LOVE the Penn State pics. Graduated from there in 2010
Second happiest place on earth
I also happened to be at that same game!

We Are!

 

[fractal]

LOVE the Penn State pics. Graduated from there in 2010
Second happiest place on earth
I also happened to be at that same game!

We Are!

Thanks @samantha788 ! This time of year it's especially beautiful in Happy Valley (as I'm sure you know). Sterg is working hard but loves it there!

 

[Uncle Lupe]

It took a long time for me to finish reading this TR so my thoughts are sort of random. To start looks like you "guys" had a great time.

Great trip report as always. Though I did miss the antics of Sterg, the Teppan Edo prank call was a classic. The pics are amazing and can't believe you took 700! Wow! I think I see some new wallpapers to add to my collection. The lengths you go to do visit Disney shows your passion and enthusiasm for the place. You accomplished so much in one day, you got your moneys/memories worth out of those tickets.

Wish you had made it to MK but knowing when to thrown in the towel is a smart choice. Just means the Dwarf Train will be a new experience for next time. If your kids don't want to go next time I'll step in, take one for the team and tag along.

For shame putting personal health above Mission: Space Orange. Would have given your doctor a good story to tell his friends. "So this guy goes on this ride after I told him to avoid pressure. Gets wrecked. He says, "You said nothing about G Forces doc.""

As far as Grumpy Lady, a good hip toss over the rail into the exit line would have set her straight. Maybe just the Cobra Clutch so gramps could find her in line.

If you are ever in the Savannah area for a trip again take a day trip to St. Simons, Island. Was poking around your other sites and your Take me to Church section reminded me of a beautiful setting we explored 10 years ago, Christ Church, Frederica St Simons. An amazing place and could just imagine so of the shots you could find.

So until some other thoughts cross my brain.
Hi, end of post.

 

[WildcatDen]

I LOVE it when a trip report can make me smile with both the pictures and the narrative. Thanks for allowing us to tag along.

 

[fractal]

I LOVE it when a trip report can make me smile with both the pictures and the narrative. Thanks for allowing us to tag along.

Thanks @WildcatDen !

 

[rkelly42]

Just finished reading your trip report, fantastic! Your photos are amazing, I wish I could get into photography like you have, just seems overwhelming to me with all the different options. Best wishes to you and your family on all your feature endeavors, and will be waiting for your next trip report.

 

[DisneyBergh]

As amazing as your photos are (and they are truly awesome!), your ability to tell a story is what draws me to your trip reports! Your can draw me into the story the way a really good book does. The pictures are just the icing on the cake! You are an exceptionally talented man. Thank you for sharing your gifts with us!!!

 

[osucbsb]

Great report and awesome pictures!

 

[fractal]

Thanks for the awesome trip report as always! I love your pics and have saved many of them from your various reports. I also really enjoyed the pictures of Clear Water as I've never been there, but would love to go sometime.

So I guess the big question now is, when if your next WDW trip? You mentioned making a list of things you haven't done yet, we also try to do new and different attractions each trip, and have gotten into resort hopping as well.

As for the drive.... I made it from WDW to Lexington KY in 12 hours on our trip home back in February, but it was tiring and stressful. When we head down in December I am going to try to make it in one drive again although I am not really looking forward to it. It is nice when you can hop on a plane and be there or home in less than 3 hours, but because we will be staying off property this next trip, we decided to drive again and have our F-150 with us for errands. Last time we stayed off property, we spent over $200 in taxis shesh! So for us its simple, staying on property = fly and use MDE, staying off property = make the drive down and have our truck for all the small trips.

Your thoughts and pictures of Epcot really hit home with me. It is and always has been my favorite park, but I agree it does need a shot in the arm. I would love to see Future World revamped to make good use of the Wonders of Life Pavilion as well as both Innoventions and the 2nd floor of Imagination. And although I enjoy Mission Space, I loved Horizions and miss it dearly! Have you ever done Universe of Energy? That is one attraction we have always skipped but are gonna give it a go next trip

Chris, your trip reports are so much fun and really help all of us suffering from WDW withdraw LOL. I want to thank you for all your hard work and love you put into these reports and hope you guys make it back to the world (or at least on another great vacation *cough cough* Aulani *cough* ) sooner than later! Best wishes to you and your family from us down in KY!

Patrick,

Thanks again for reading and your comments! We are hoping 2017 for our next trip (and I would love to go to Aulani!). Yes, having a car in WDW can be very advantageous even if it does mean you leave the "bubble" temporarily, but especially if staying off sight. I hope you have a great trip in December and would love to see a TR!

It took a long time for me to finish reading this TR so my thoughts are sort of random. To start looks like you "guys" had a great time.

Great trip report as always. Though I did miss the antics of Sterg, the Teppan Edo prank call was a classic. The pics are amazing and can't believe you took 700! Wow! I think I see some new wallpapers to add to my collection. The lengths you go to do visit Disney shows your passion and enthusiasm for the place. You accomplished so much in one day, you got your moneys/memories worth out of those tickets.

Wish you had made it to MK but knowing when to thrown in the towel is a smart choice. Just means the Dwarf Train will be a new experience for next time. If your kids don't want to go next time I'll step in, take one for the team and tag along.

For shame putting personal health above Mission: Space Orange. Would have given your doctor a good story to tell his friends. "So this guy goes on this ride after I told him to avoid pressure. Gets wrecked. He says, "You said nothing about G Forces doc.""

As far as Grumpy Lady, a good hip toss over the rail into the exit line would have set her straight. Maybe just the Cobra Clutch so gramps could find her in line.

If you are ever in the Savannah area for a trip again take a day trip to St. Simons, Island. Was poking around your other sites and your Take me to Church section reminded me of a beautiful setting we explored 10 years ago, Christ Church, Frederica St Simons. An amazing place and could just imagine so of the shots you could find.

So until some other thoughts cross my brain.
Hi, end of post.

@Uncle Lupe Thanks for reading my friend! I missed having Sterg along as well; in fact we just got home from a family wedding in New
Jersey that Sterg had to miss because of a swim meet.

I was very happy with what we accomplished without any FastPasses and during "peak" season. Much more than I anticipated.

Ha,ha. Yes - getting my ear blown out would have made a great story, only I would have had much difficulty hearing it!

Thinking of that Lady still ticks me off! Thanks for the tip on Savannah - I would love to spend more time there someday!

Just finished reading your trip report, fantastic! Your photos are amazing, I wish I could get into photography like you have, just seems overwhelming to me with all the different options. Best wishes to you and your family on all your feature endeavors, and will be waiting for your next trip report.

Thanks @rkelly42 ! Photography is like anything - start with the basics and slowly add to that. It's been a great (but sometimes expensive) hobby.

As amazing as your photos are (and they are truly awesome!), your ability to tell a story is what draws me to your trip reports! Your can draw me into the story the way a really good book does. The pictures are just the icing on the cake! You are an exceptionally talented man. Thank you for sharing your gifts with us!!!

Thanks so much @DisneyBergh ! I greatly appreciate the kind words!

Great report and awesome pictures!

Thank you @osucbsb !

 

[Juneau Biscuits]

Wow! Just found your trip report now...LOL! Love those beach portraits with the 50mm f/1.8. Are you a Canon or Nikon shooter? Going to check out the rest of the report now!

 

[skyphotographer]

Loved reading your trip report even if I'm a little late. Your pictures are incredible! Did you ever get your A7? I've made the procession from a Canon Rebel to a Nex-5, then an A6000, an A77ii, and now finally an A7Rii. Can't wait to get back to Disney and start shooting.

 

[fractal]

Wow! Just found your trip report now...LOL! Love those beach portraits with the 50mm f/1.8. Are you a Canon or Nikon shooter? Going to check out the rest of the report now!

@Juneau Biscuits thanks for reading! I shoot Sony mirrorless (NEX-7).

Loved reading your trip report even if I'm a little late. Your pictures are incredible! Did you ever get your A7? I've made the procession from a Canon Rebel to a Nex-5, then an A6000, an A77ii, and now finally an A7Rii. Can't wait to get back to Disney and start shooting.

Thanks @skyphotographer ! No - still shooting my NEX-7. I'm somewhere around 150,000 shots on it, Lol. It's going to be replaced soon however. It's started to give me some troubles this weekend at my daughter's College graduation.
How do you like the A7Rii? That's the camera I'm targeting and also targeting to take that to WDW next year.

BTW - Here's a pic of the family on Saturday at Alex's graduation.