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Snap-happy pre-trippie (August '15 - yes, really ...)
This is a mixture of a pre-trippie, a reminisce and a photography planner! We are hoping to go back to Florida in Aug 15 (well, we will be going as we have booked a cruise!) but that seems such a long way off – so we have started thinking in detail about all sorts of things, as you do; and here seemed a good way to record it all!
Because it seems such a long time away, it has been a good excuse to go through all the photos – and there are a LOT of them. I am being quite self-indulgent and posting lots of my favourites as I remember great things that we did and are looking forward to. So bearing that in mind … Warning – VERY photo heavy! So who are we? Alison and Nigel – Disney planning and photography freaks and our teenage son, Stephen (will be 15 when we go) who secretly loves Disney as much as us and isn’t always too cool to admit it! Here we are back in 2009, waiting to go to Hoop de Doo https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7250/...c345881ec2.jpgUs 2009 by limegreenlife, on Flickr and this is a more recent shot from our Alaskan cruise in 2013. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7230/...ebc2f277aa.jpgAlaska 13 by limegreenlife, on Flickr Both being teachers, we are limited to school holidays and tend to go mainly in August. Our first family trip was in 2007 and we went back in 2009. In 2011, we took the plunge and added on a 3 day Disney cruise – unfortunately, we were hit by Hurricane Irene and our schedule was totally thrown off. Undeterred, we went straight back on a bargain last-minute double dip deal at Easter 2012 and we were just as hooked on cruising! We squirreled away all our pennies to do an Alaskan cruise last summer and it was absolutely amazing. (Nigel wanted to do the trip report for that one – hence the reason it doesn’t exist yet …) We really want to go back in 2015 for many reasons – Stephen is a huge Harry Potter fan and wants to see the new part of WWOHP, we wanted to be able to take advantage of our cruise on-board booking discount as they have changed the rules, we haven’t seen the new Fantasyland yet, Nigel is going to be 50 (any excuse!) … basically, we have just talked ourselves into it! We wanted to do a 4 day cruise so booked that first and need to book everything else around that. We have always stayed off-site in villas before with odd nights in Disney hotels but, this time, are thinking about staying in a hotel for a bit to take advantage of free DDP, if it is offered. We are torn between possibly OKW if they offer the discount but really like the look of POFQ – and if we move to a villa afterwards, we have the advantage of space then. Also considering one night in a Universal hotel for all the normal perks. So much to think about! We tend to be die-hard rope drop fanatics, returning in the evenings to see the shows. It will be interesting to see how the Fastpass+ system continues to pan out – we are watching that with interest. Also thinking already about possible ADRs! We do love our photography and tend to carry rather a large amount of kit – we don’t take it all to the park every day, however but it is good to have with us. This is what we took in 2011 – eek! https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7091/...3af590da6c.jpgKit by limegreenlife, on Flickr However, a big feature of our holiday is the photography aspect – fortunately, Stephen is very patient and is quite happy to do his own thing or hang around waiting for us. So down to the details and what we hope to do! There are some things we love doing over and over – isn’t that why we all go back?! Such as having your photo taken with the cigar-store Indian and seeing how much it has shrunk over the years. https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2908/...6586007b09.jpgIndian 2007 by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7183/...8de240d861.jpgIndian 2009 by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7153/...fd6287869b.jpgIndian 2011 by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5206/...4186a43b34.jpgIndian 2012 by limegreenlife, on Flickr Or drinking frozen lemonade. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7160/...a928c0732c.jpgHot! by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7218/...3c10f13dda.jpgTwo straws by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2855/...168eb7bf73.jpgTriple whammy by limegreenlife, on Flickr Or meeting as many characters as possible. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7006/...c340940d4c.jpgAladdin by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7078/...1bc8c2aa74.jpgUp by limegreenlife, on Flickr We won’t do that anymore – Stephen is too old. :( Unless they are new characters he hasn’t met! :) https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3747/...7d078af893.jpgHoppy Easter! by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3690/...8b3f0af06f.jpgCat in the Hat by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7309/...a31fd3108d.jpgAll aboard! by limegreenlife, on Flickr First morning in Magic Kingdom always involves breakfast at Crystal Palace. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3747/...54c12e6867.jpgCrystal Palace 07 by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7219/...a4480a6fc5.jpgCrystal Palace 09 by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2885/...7f8697d030.jpgCrystal Palace 11 by limegreenlife, on Flickr Cont ... |
We will eat many Mickey bars and other mouse-shaped food items.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3707/...d3b931e716.jpgMickey food by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7421/...39a15c7f9f.jpgMore Mickey bars by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7014/...bea35f51a8.jpgMickey ketchup by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3751/...d0bff9595e.jpgAnother Mickey bar by limegreenlife, on Flickr Meeting Smokey Miller each time has been a real treat – hopefully, we will see him again. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7243/...d33d298864.jpgSmokey Miller 07 by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7220/...a4528f0e3e.jpgSmokey Miller 09 by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7460/...2b10f7bf82.jpgSmokey Miller 11 by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7342/...5ca379c93b.jpgSmokey Miller 12 by limegreenlife, on Flickr We always end up with one ride that we seem to go on over and over – really cool ones, such as Journey into Imagination (?) or Spaceship Earth (!) https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7343/...26d68ede85.jpgFigment by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7082/...a1866f0a04.jpgSpaceship Earth by limegreenlife, on Flickr We are definitely rope-drop type of people. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7338/...00f47716cd.jpgEarly by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3743/...48bae452f4.jpgRope drop by limegreenlife, on Flickr And stand-and-wait-ages-for-the-perfect-photo type of people. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7319/...7281d2fdb1.jpgMonorail by limegreenlife, on Flickr And take-photos-of-Ariel-at-every-opportunity type of people. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7355/...a75f97f69d.jpgAriel by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7243/...3e5445146e.jpgMore Ariel by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3669/...9a8af2b681.jpgAriel 2007 by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7230/...85f263af89.jpgFantasmic Ariel by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3808/...a1b5943ebf.jpgAriel on the Wonder (DCL) by limegreenlife, on Flickr Balloon photography is essential. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7147/...881317bc0a.jpgBalloons by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3727/...ce867462d2.jpgOne red balloon by limegreenlife, on Flickr Cont ... |
Looking back, it is sad in a way to think of things we won’t be able to do again – such as making cookies in The Land.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3738/...a23ba239fa.jpgCookies by limegreenlife, on Flickr Or discussing Disney video games with Push. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3757/...3cefcd37da.jpgPush! by limegreenlife, on Flickr Or riding Snow White’s Scary Adventures. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7129/...1fdb06f739.jpgFarewell by limegreenlife, on Flickr But there will still be a few Disney touches to look out for, such as pin trading. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7231/...45385464e9.jpgPins by limegreenlife, on Flickr Towel animals – and even learning to make them! https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3669/...555756f5f0.jpgTowel animal by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3669/...9bb550c45c.jpgTowel chickens! by limegreenlife, on Flickr Spotting DiVine at Animal Kingdom. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7018/...a014b2bf9c.jpgDiVine by limegreenlife, on Flickr And, of course, finding Hidden Mickeys! https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3761/...ffddb49a5d.jpgHidden Mickeys by limegreenlife, on Flickr On the cruise, Stephen will no doubt make full use of the soft-serve ice cream machine. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5240/...31e7e38011.jpgself serve by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2869/...6d9a45fbd2.jpgMore self serve by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7351/...910b536ecb.jpgSelf serve - at a glacier?! by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7379/...44a0b66e0e.jpgCanadian self serve by limegreenlife, on Flickr While we will make equally good use of the odd cocktail or two! https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7387/...e00dd8222e.jpgDrink of the Day by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2913/...daf6d78c73.jpgBeer! by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2928/...5e1a1bcee8.jpgCocktail by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3694/...14003950bb.jpgMore cocktails by limegreenlife, on Flickr No doubt we will be seeing the night time shows again and, of course, attempting the ever-tricky firework photography. https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7257/...be3d2901be.jpgHidden Mickey? by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3790/...db2276ef67.jpgWishes by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3678/...2429949164.jpgFantasmic by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7367/...de15ec3f78.jpgIlluminations by limegreenlife, on Flickr Cont ... |
And so, the big questions for this trip!
Will we ever manage to get a decent shot on Peter Pan? (Remember, folks – no flash!) https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7304/...4a5a452e3e.jpgPeter Pan by limegreenlife, on Flickr Will Pluto remember the special moment we shared in Alaska? https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7241/...51b47e4677.jpgAdmiring the view by limegreenlife, on Flickr Will Nigel meet his namesake again? https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3759/...f2b2b1da9b.jpgNigel x 2 by limegreenlife, on Flickr How many hours will we spend in here? https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3830/...c41b4fb1aa.jpgArt of Disney by limegreenlife, on Flickr How many ‘arty’ shots will we take on the teacups? https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7370/...b1fa85e62b.jpgSpinning teacups by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7227/...cc1cd2c763.jpgMore teacups by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7232/...cb6c1c05bf.jpgTea party by limegreenlife, on Flickr Will we manage to see both sunrises and sunsets? https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2899/...2138dbc79c.jpgSunrise by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2850/...0c0b568b1f.jpgEpcot sunset by limegreenlife, on Flickr Will we make it here or will a hurricane get in our way again? https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7041/...275794c4b7.jpgMount Rustmore, Castaway Cay by limegreenlife, on Flickr Will Stephen eat his own body weight in orange chicken? https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7434/...37c1acf070.jpgOrange chicken by limegreenlife, on Flickr Does Nigel actually have more than one eye? https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7095/...6262c042ba.jpgCamera by limegreenlife, on Flickr Which character will we draw in the animation class? https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7443/...73dc346a93.jpgAnimation class by limegreenlife, on Flickr Will we catch Madame Leota with her eyes open? https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2895/...5024f0931c.jpgMadame Leota by limegreenlife, on Flickr Will I go on either of these rides or will I just ‘hold the bags – it’s easier’ again? https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7252/...5501dc2441.jpgDouble whammy by limegreenlife, on Flickr How many times will we see our favourite show? https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6146/...419a84a28b.jpgEs-ka-pay by limegreenlife, on Flickr https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6065/...6532d11cfd.jpgWe'll fill this tank with poop! by limegreenlife, on Flickr Will we actually make it any further than the entrance of Hall of Presidents? https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3786/...ff978d9624.jpgHall of Presidents by limegreenlife, on Flickr Do we need yet another photo of this statue? https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3745/...676d1ae2ed.jpgFountain by limegreenlife, on Flickr So, thanks all who’ve stuck with us – remember, this is only the beginning! Plenty more to come, especially when Free Dining is announced next week! (Fingers crossed, pretty please!) Until then, we wish you a very happy Easter – hope you have a great time! https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7449/...c3f5d905ff.jpgscrub up by limegreenlife, on Flickr |
Great pre-trippy and absolutely stunning photographs. My favourite photo is probably the monorail at Epcot, but they are all beautiful.
Happy planning! |
Your pictures are great. Looking forward to your updates. 😃
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Your night time pics of World Showcase are absolute stunning!
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Your photos are amazing! We are also going August 2015 eeek :)
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Your pictures are amazing, especially the early morning MK pics and the firework shots :)
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