Wait while I take a picture, I cant eat any more, NO KIDS! Sept 2012 Trip Report

If you need a little background on me any my wife please visit my Pre Trip Report HERE.

So with no more delay here it goes.....

We had counted down from 344 days for our arrival day. Finally it was here and all was set. So we hit the road around 8am EST and headed I-75 Sound Bound!!

Not too eventful during our trip. However I must point out while needing to fuel up before leaving Georgia we decided to visit what we felt was a pretty good deal on fuel. $3.69 per gallon.

After I swiped my card and started fueling I noticed the price was a lot different from what was on the sign. I told my wife. Wow this gas is $3.74 a gallon. Confused I kept pumping and started looking around. Then my eyes were finally able to focus on the VERY tiny notice on the right side of the HUGE Citgo sign. Notice picture zoomed in below...

Needless to say when you first get into Valdosta, GA and see a Citgo gas station, just drive a few mile further down and you will find plenty of gas stations with the same pricing and no need to pay with cash or a special gas card. Stay away from Citgo!!

Anyway nothing was going to get me upset so off we go with a tank full of gas and before we knew it....

The Florida State line and Ron Jon Surf shop signs!!! Ahead of schedule and making great time!

Of course my first stop when entering Florida is...

Thats right!! The I-75 Florida Welcome Center!!

Nothing like finally being back in Florida! This is by far my most favorite State Welcome Center!

Pat was kind enough to offer me a free cup of Orange Juice and Grapefruit Juice.

After that its always fun browsing the brochures.

So we are back on our way and once we get on the Florida Turnpike the signs point the way!

But before you can get there you have to pay the toll!!

And once you go through a lengthy countdown and make all your ADR's and travel all that way...

You arrive here........

 

[BamaDisneyFan]

Your pictures are Spectacular!!! Great TR!!!

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

Awesome World Showcase photos and MK fall decor!!!

 

[tehSAC]

Great photos, and great report! Lovin it!

 

[CinderALLIE]

Awesome pics. Makes me want to buy a big fancy camera, I just have a 3 year old point and shoot

 

[MagicMegan]

Couldn't leave the original one alone.

HDR Tone Mapping with Photomatix.

I just set this as my desktop

 

[nngrendel]

Awesome World Showcase photos and MK fall decor!!!

Thanks. We didnt get MNSSHP tickets this year because we went to Night of Joy. But seeing the fall decor really made me want to go.

 

[nngrendel]

Awesome pics. Makes me want to buy a big fancy camera, I just have a 3 year old point and shoot

The camera doesn't take the picture. I do. The biggest, baddest camera in the world will not allow you to take great pictures. You have to know how to use that camera. I tell everyone unless you want to learn how to use the camera in manual mode and other manual settings and also learn and purchase better post processing software then just stick to the point and shoots. Using DSLR's in Automatic Mode will give you similar results as point and shoots.

There are many other great photographers here on these boards that are better than me. All of them have their own style and process for getting great shots. That style and their own personal perspective doesn't come from a box. Its practice, practice, practice and a love for photography.

Thanks for the compliments!

I just set this as my desktop

Enjoy!

 

[ctosh]

I'm saying it again.. I love your pictures. I am booking the party as soon as possible...lol

 

[nngrendel]

Okay so lets move on to Day 4. Maybe I can finish this one in a reasonable amount of time. hahah.

So I was planning on making rope drop for our morning visit to the MK. That didnt pan out. Its hard to get up early when you dont have kids. hahah. Anyway we get up and head out on our way to the MK.

I was standing behind the bus driver on these shots. Finally the driver looked back at me after this shot and said "I been wondering what that sound was behind me." I apologized and he said no worries. Take all the pictures you want. He thought something was falling apart on the bus I guess. hahah. I happen to really love the sound of the shutter!

Today is Sept 11th and here we are at the MK and the flags are half staff. Just another reminder of the tragedy 11 years ago. Was nice to see Disney remembering this day.

I really love this shot. Sept 11th remembrance and if you zoom in on this shot you see all the characters out on the stage in front of the castle for the Dream along with Mickey stage show in the background. This is a HDR shot and also a little Photoshop magic to remove the crane from the background from the Fantasyland expansion. Same for below...

After this we make our way onto Main Street and its just in time for the Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Street Party entrance.

This cast member had so much energy and has some mean robot dance moves!

Chip.

and Dale...

And my wife is in love with Goofy!

We decided to take a quick visit to Adventureland as our ADR's for the Crystal Palace was still just under a hour away.

I figured what a better way to burn up some time would be to stand in the Jungle Cruise queue line. I love the background music there is always a cool picture to take in the queue.

Its its always a good time watching kids stare at this spider. hahaha. Saw two kids crap their pants. Then get mad at their parents for laughing at them.

So after grabbing this shot..

I was ready to go. Our skipper was horrible in my opinion. No one laughed. No new jokes and no one readied their camera for the back side of water. As my kids would say.. Fail. Or Epic Fail. The skipper makes or breaks this ride.

So were on our way to the Crystal Palace. Good. Im hungry and we skipped breakfast.....

To be continued......

 

[nngrendel]

So we check in at the Crystal Palace and sit on the porch waiting to be called. Such a beautiful view from here...

I will go ahead and admit I really loved this lunch. I am such a huge fan of Flank Steak if it is cooked right and man on man this was so tasty!!

Not to mention the Salmon hiding behind the Flank Steak was awesome as well and the pasta was great too and how can you go wrong with ham and Swiss on bread??? NOT!

I will also take this time to admit I am a Pooh fan.

A donkey named Eeyore is his friend.. Always a cloud over Eeyore's head but think I cheered him up a little.

and Piglet! I will have to say that Piglet was very excited to see that I was not eating any pork for my lunch that day. Of course out of respect to Piglet.

Tigger passed us by!!! Its over! Bouncing too much he missed us. Maybe next time.....

So after two trips for Flank Steak and Salmon I figured it would be best to save room for Dessert....

Wait a minute!! This looks like a picture from our dessert party! Dessert Party number 2!! Win! Yes I had seconds of this too.

So after the Friendship Celebration and dessert Pooh came by to see us.

Notice my stomach sticks out further than Pooh's now. Were both in the process of getting ready for winter. Thanks Crystal Palace for an awesome lunch!!

After lunch my wife and I had our picture taken by the castle and were off to burn off some of that lunch.

To be continued.....

 

[ExtinctJenn]

This cast member had so much energy and has some mean robot dance moves!

There was a video that Disney Parks put out on their blog and YouTube channel about this woman not long ago. She's been there forever and used to be absolutely huge (heavy weight wise). She contributes her weight loss to doing exactly what you saw... dancing her butt off and having a great time at her job!

 

[6laurac]

Sorry to be a late crasher but I have to say, as my Dad's a pro photographer, your pictures are top notch. They really should be in the next Unofficial color companion guide.

Also-at the desert party, do they bring out seconds?

 

[everestnut]

Great pics. Enjoying the trip report!!!!

 

[nngrendel]

Sorry to be a late crasher but I have to say, as my Dad's a pro photographer, your pictures are top notch. They really should be in the next Unofficial color companion guide.

Also-at the desert party, do they bring out seconds?

You cant eat desserts at the Dessert Party until it runs out your nose. If you so desire. I would caution against that.

 

[nngrendel]

Lets see. Where was I.

Its Sept the 11th and this will be my first ever visit to the Hall of Presidents. I can imagine that a few of you are like really?!?!?! Yes. First visit. During the movie played they recounted moments when past presidents spoke to the nation during times of tragedy. Lyndon Johnson's speech after Kennedy's assassination, Ronald Reagan's speech after the Challenger Disaster, Bill Clinton's speech after the Oklahoma bombing, and George Bush's speech after the September 11th attacks. I have to say I had tears building after watching this. Being it was Sept 11th when we saw this brought back a lot of the memories of that day.

After this my wife shopped around for awhile and we made our way back to PoTC.

Love this ride. We were allowed to ride in a boat on our own the visit when I proposed. Pretty nice what some of the cast members will do for you when your wearing a Engagement or Wedding Button.

I wasnt as happy with these dark ride shots but here are a few that turned out okay.

Oh. Then we had someone using flash on our boat as well.... Just so happened to catch it on one of my shots.

Sigh....

So I had to take another one. This is what it should look like...

After that its time for my wife to see her boy friend Goofy.

I will have to continue this TR later. I have more pictures I need to work though. This is all that have been uploaded do far.

To be continued.....

 

[CinderALLIE]

The camera doesn't take the picture. I do. The biggest, baddest camera in the world will not allow you to take great pictures. You have to know how to use that camera. I tell everyone unless you want to learn how to use the camera in manual mode and other manual settings and also learn and purchase better post processing software then just stick to the point and shoots. Using DSLR's in Automatic Mode will give you similar results as point and shoots.

There are many other great photographers here on these boards that are better than me. All of them have their own style and process for getting great shots. That style and their own personal perspective doesn't come from a box. Its practice, practice, practice and a love for photography.

Thanks for the compliments!

Thanks for the advice, maybe I should see what other modes my camera does have LOL. Now I won't feel cheap for not having a big fancy camera

Eek!! I am glad I have not noticed the spider before otherwise everybody would be laughing at me...unless it was so traumatising I blocked it out LOL

 

[myhappyplace]

Admission time: I've never done Hall of Presidents either in 9 trips. I'm making it a point to do it next time, though!

 

[nngrendel]

Thanks for the advice, maybe I should see what other modes my camera does have LOL. Now I won't feel cheap for not having a big fancy camera

Eek!! I am glad I have not noticed the spider before otherwise everybody would be laughing at me...unless it was so traumatising I blocked it out LOL

The spider at the Jungle Cruise queue is right at the end of the line. Just before they call you up to the boat. Just sit back and watch kids staring at this. Its a good laugh.

Admission time: I've never done Hall of Presidents either in 9 trips. I'm making it a point to do it next time, though!

I enjoyed it a lot. Reason I haven't been to see this is none of the kids wanted to go so of course I was out voted on seeing this attraction. However taking an adult trip gave me the opportunity to see it.

 

[ExtinctJenn]

The shot of Lincoln in the HoP is great... we've yet to make it in there since the refurb and adding him. It's definitely "on the list" for next trip!

 

[nngrendel]

okay. Where were we.....

Oh. We left PoTC and were back on our leisure stroll of the MK.

So I know I may have some gasp at this but we passed by Splash and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and didn't ride them. I know I know!!! But anyway got some fun pictures...

I dont know. Maybe were getting boring at our old age.
Wait times were not an issue...

Think without kids we were not pressured to ride them right then so we just passed them by.
However we did get on the Liberty Belle.

Loved the views from up from the top deck.

After that we on our way to the Haunted Mansion.

Just love the wait times!

This is the first time we have seen the new queue line so we tried it out.

I attempted to get some shots during our ride. However I have to say taking pictures from a Doom Buggy that constantly moves is not an easy task. Anyway here are a few I took that came out.