Trip Report Yia-Yia, Yetis and Epcotonians. A sweltering Summer of '22 adventure!

It was the night before our Disney trip and I found myself scrambling. So much to do besides "Disney but "Disney" needed to get done. Where are my SD cards? Where are all my Star Wars shirts? Where is my camera bag? We had just moved after-all and things were not where they should be because well we were in a different house. Toni was scrambling too. She is spending the Summer waitressing in Bethany Beach Delaware and came home THAT DAY to get everything ready for Disney. Her Mom however also wanted her to help get her "crap" ready for college (leaving in a few weeks). Tensions were running high and the early morning flight out of Baltimore was like lighting a fuse to a stick of dynamite. Time was ticking away!

This was going to be a different trip for us. Just three of the five in the family as my wife Val decided to sit this one out and my daughter Alex couldn't get her schedule to work. So Val will be going to New Mexico to visit Alex in a month as the final three, the triumvirate headed to Walt Disney World to meet up with my sister Marina's family and my mom (Yia-Yia).

The Triumvirate -

Toni (center), Sterg and yours truly.

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As you may or may not know, one of the things I love about going to Disney is honing my photography skills. For this trip I decided to rent two fantastic (and expensive) lenses. The Sony GM 50mm f/ 1.2 and the Sony GM 14mm f/1.8 lenses to be exact. The cost to buy both of those lenses would be as much as the cost of the entire trip. Additionally I rented a lens adaptor to pair with my old Minolta 70-210 "beercan" lens that I wanted to try out on the Safari.

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I've been crazy after the 14mm lens due to it's wide angle nature. It's actually so wide it's referred to as an "ultra-wide angle" lens. Wide angle lenses have wonderful applications at WDW and I was going to see how this baby was going to work for me. The 50mm 1.2 is a lens with a great reputation. Very fast, very sharp and producing beautiful bokeh as your sharp subject stands in front of a background that literally melts into a dreamy blur of photographic delight.

By 11pm all that was packed, what was left of my Star Wars shirts was packed - "Chris, aren't we just getting a bit too old for Star Wars shirts?" Val quipped - and everything else on my list was packed.



Toni was also packed and had full-filled her "getting ready for college" obligations.

Val said her goodbyes and goodnights..
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and went to bed.


It was soon time for me to lay down for 3 hours of sleep. The hardest thing left for me to do was wake up with my alarm. I think I'll have a glass on wine (or two?). After-all, what could go wrong?
 
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fractal

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Fantastic pictures of SM and Buzz!!!!


Thanks @lindawdw !

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All of these pictures have a psychedelic/surreal look to them!! I love them!

Thank you @MickeyCB !

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Agree! Love the photos.

Much appreciated @erstwo !

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@fractal , I love the angle of the photo that you took inside the American Pavilion. Very cool. :cool:

Thanks @MinnieM123 ! It's actually the Hall of Presidents but the 14mm was perfect for it's lobby!

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fractal

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Hall of Presidents Lobby

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Once again I played the role of teacher and explained the history of Walt Disney and his admiration of Abe Lincoln which led to building an animatronic of him for the World's Fair, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln at Disneyland and ultimately the Hall of Presidents at Walt Disney World. Toni, who is majoring in Political Science was especially intrigued and Sterg was not far behind. So many times as my children were younger I would try to imagine them as adults and I was seeing it then in front of my eyes and over the course of this trip. 10 years ago there would have been much protest, whining, and gnashing of teeth about spending valuable time at MK in a "boring" ride like this when the "Mountain Range" beckoned.

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It wasn't long before we were let into the theater. All of us were immediately impressed.

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The movie (there's a movie?) started to play on the beautiful and wide screen. I was simply expecting the stage show with the Presidents.

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The film was stunning and extremely well done.

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fractal

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Then President Lincoln appeared, right in the middle of the screen. It was a "wow" moment.

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The big reveal. It wasn't hard to understand why some viewers would think these were real people. Their motions were smooth and natural. Sterg and Toni were flabbergasted.

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The narration was perfect, especially in these times of such political division. It was moving, patriotic and devoid of any rhetoric or messaging. It was classic Disney and demonstrated what Disney has done and still does best. The 2/3 thanked me for taking them there and we talked about the show for a good half hour off and on afterwards.

My Day 1 stubbles and fumbles were definitely behind me.
 
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cgersic

Well-Known Member
Soooo cool to hear about you giving the kids history lessons, and them being old enough to enjoy them!! My mom was a huge history buff so anything "Americana" was always a must do for us. The photos of all of the presidents together are amazing and make me feel like I'm right there :jawdrop: Good job Fractals! Speaking of, can't wait to see when those shirts make their grand entrance.
 

Billy6

Well-Known Member
History lessons are awesome! Right up my alley...

On a family trip to WDW, the old man proceeded to tell me(after years of visiting DW) his grandfather went to McKinley High School along with one, Walter Elias Disney...I was reading a book at World of Disney and read to him that factoid.

Mind blown

No wonder I have a love for WED....
 

ajrwdwgirl

Premium Member
One thing I really like about the Hall of Presidents are the artifacts that are on display in the lobby area. I like that they are true artifacts from different presidents and First Ladies. Real treasures from historical figures isn't something one would expect in a theme park and that is what makes Disney special. I also like the Native American display at the American Adventure. The Jazz one is good too but it is a little too small and short on artifacts, and it covered up my favorite painting in the lobby of American Adventure.
 

amjt660

Well-Known Member
@fractal - I have visited the HOP only once and it was with my girls when they were much younger than they are now
I think I got the "we could be doing something better" feel - from both the girls and honestly from me as well
Not being from the USA I think I did not fully get it like you do

But your post and pictures have made me reconsider - this may be on the agenda during my next trip

Thanks for this

And I hope someday to experience the parks with you - that would be quite a ride

Excited Jason Sudeikis GIF by Apple TV+


Max
 

joshsprincess921

Well-Known Member
Awesome pics of HOP. I haven't seen it in ages. I'm going to make a point to see it next trip. My husband will absolutely love it. He's a history nerd and I can't wait to drag my kid in to see it while he whines and groans about it being boring and whispers to me 10 times throughout the show about how he needs to use the bathroom. 😆
 

fractal

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I don’t think I could ever work maintenance for HoP. It would be way too easy to freak me out with one of those animatronics. I always assume the folks that work/ clean/ take care of the stage don’t spook easily. They really are so life-like!

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Soooo cool to hear about you giving the kids history lessons, and them being old enough to enjoy them!! My mom was a huge history buff so anything "Americana" was always a must do for us. The photos of all of the presidents together are amazing and make me feel like I'm right there :jawdrop: Good job Fractals! Speaking of, can't wait to see when those shirts make their grand entrance.

Thanks @cgersic ! Shirts are coming up!


History lessons are awesome! Right up my alley...

On a family trip to WDW, the old man proceeded to tell me(after years of visiting DW) his grandfather went to McKinley High School along with one, Walter Elias Disney...I was reading a book at World of Disney and read to him that factoid.

Mind blown

No wonder I have a love for WED....

That is awesome! Walt was the man!


One thing I really like about the Hall of Presidents are the artifacts that are on display in the lobby area. I like that they are true artifacts from different presidents and First Ladies. Real treasures from historical figures isn't something one would expect in a theme park and that is what makes Disney special. I also like the Native American display at the American Adventure. The Jazz one is good too but it is a little too small and short on artifacts, and it covered up my favorite painting in the lobby of American Adventure.

Totally agree!

The star tunnel music and com chat are true classic WDW for me. Love space mountain and all of the aspects you mentioned. :)

Yes!


@fractal - I have visited the HOP only once and it was with my girls when they were much younger than they are now
I think I got the "we could be doing something better" feel - from both the girls and honestly from me as well
Not being from the USA I think I did not fully get it like you do

But your post and pictures have made me reconsider - this may be on the agenda during my next trip

Thanks for this

And I hope someday to experience the parks with you - that would be quite a ride

Excited Jason Sudeikis GIF by Apple TV+


Max

I highly recommend it!

I'm in on a joint Park adventure!

I see two photobombers in this picture or are they two long lost cousins?

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Lol! I noticed them as well when editing the photo.

Awesome pics of HOP. I haven't seen it in ages. I'm going to make a point to see it next trip. My husband will absolutely love it. He's a history nerd and I can't wait to drag my kid in to see it while he whines and groans about it being boring and whispers to me 10 times throughout the show about how he needs to use the bathroom. 😆

If your husband is a history nerd it's a must see for him! Just make sure he goes before going in the theater, LOL!
 

fractal

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Back out in the heat and heading for our next adventure. This huddle of CMs was getting ready.

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We were all pointing out and appreciating the details in the Park.

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The Tikis were spouting their refreshing mist...

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and drawing in a crowd. Love that little boy's shirt!

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The Jungle Cruise had a ridiculous wait.

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So we opted for another boat ride.

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Surprisingly, over the years Pirates has not been a favorite of my kids. Toni admitted in the queue that it used to scare her.

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Making sure I had a good hold of my camera and lenses we started our tour of the Caribbean.

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No tales from this guy.

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Or him.

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The battle is still raging. I never knew the ship was named "Wicked Wench".

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Fire!

I also never noticed other sailors on board.

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fractal

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
@fractal, love the pictures of the TMRR signs. I never stopped to appreciate them, had a good laugh reading your pictures.



Also, the Pirates pictures of skeletons are sooo good. Oh and the Buzz ones were too!!

Maybe it would be easier if I just said all your pictures are fantastic 😁


Thanks @Zipadeelady ! I hope everything went well with moving in C!

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fractal

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Carlos was having a bad day again.

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Hello Jack!

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In my mind I was comparing the 50mm 1.2 to the Sony Zeiss 55mm 1.8 (that I dropped into the water in POTC back in 2017). Both lenses are very sharp, the 50mm has better rendering and other technical advantages and of course it's faster (f/1.2 vs f/1.8) it's also weather sealed, has a great focusing ring and a Focus control and programable switch on the lens. It is one of the best if not best 50mm lens on the market today. The 55mm is more compact and lighter and costs about 1/3 of the price of the 50mm. I really enjoyed shooting the 50mm and was glad I rented but for the money and the smaller, lighter body I would definitely purchase the 55mm over it.

Auction scene.

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I always get a pic of the "bridge guy".

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Jack's back...

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Here kitty,kitty

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you could smell the town burning.

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Sleeping with pigs.

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fractal

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Stubborn pup.

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See you guys next time!

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You too Jack!

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Sterg and Toni enjoyed POTC more than ever! I was happy about that as my Day 2 momentum was building.

We decided it was a good time to take a break for lunch. I also got a call from Marina. They arrived at Coronado Springs but were having issues with their rooms. :oops: I told her to keep us posted.

Despite feeling more like pirates, we passed on Tortuga Tavern.

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and decided on Pecos Bills. I thought of @Tuvalu immediately when I turned around a saw the empty fixins bar. Bummer. Not sure if it's still a covid thing or to prevent guests from making their own free salad. All the fixins came in little plastic cups or individual servings (sour cream).

Big thumbs up from the two thirds!

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We finished just in time for the arrival of our Florida afternoon storm of the day.

Our cheap disposable ponchos were no match for this downpour (but I did remember them) so like 99% of the park guests we seeked shelter.

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Heavy rain, thunder and lighting was the entertainment for a good 15-20 minutes...

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Time to update Social Media...

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Then some flooding...

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But before too much longer the rain started to slow.

Sterg made a @senor_jorge call out. :D




UP NEXT - Pool time, Yia-Yia arrives and needs a drink (or two) and the adventure getting to Ohana
 
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Zipadeelady

Well-Known Member
Thanks @Zipadeelady ! I hope everything went well with moving in C!

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Again your Pirates pictures are FANTASTIC!

Speaking of Pirates.... while unpacking C's kitchen supplies and doing dishes, and using water in general, I had the pleasure of realizing her water smelled like Pirates!! Is this a good thing? Meh. I'm not to sure if it's good for C but I sure enjoyed it! C will have to invest in a water filter.
 

cgersic

Well-Known Member
Again your Pirates pictures are FANTASTIC!

Speaking of Pirates.... while unpacking C's kitchen supplies and doing dishes, and using water in general, I had the pleasure of realizing her water smelled like Pirates!! Is this a good thing? Meh. I'm not to sure if it's good for C but I sure enjoyed it! C will have to invest in a water filter.
Hey there! I just had the same issue with the condo I moved into. It can be the water heater, but after I ran the dishwasher, the washer and both showers through cycles, it's improving. Let me know if you have more questions, I'm becoming an expert!
 

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