Snap-happy pre-trippie (August '15 - yes, really ...)

[Alison]

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

Us 2009 by limegreenlife, on Flickr

and this is a more recent shot from our Alaskan cruise in 2013.

Alaska 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!

Kit 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.

Indian 2007 by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Indian 2009 by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Indian 2011 by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Indian 2012 by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Or drinking frozen lemonade.

Hot! by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Two straws by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Triple whammy by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Or meeting as many characters as possible.

Aladdin by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Up by limegreenlife, on Flickr

We won’t do that anymore – Stephen is too old. 

Unless they are new characters he hasn’t met! 

Hoppy Easter! by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Cat in the Hat by limegreenlife, on Flickr

All aboard! by limegreenlife, on Flickr

First morning in Magic Kingdom always involves breakfast at Crystal Palace.

Crystal Palace 07 by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Crystal Palace 09 by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Crystal Palace 11 by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Cont ...

[Alison]

We love taking random shots around the parks.

Random by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Random by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Random by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Random by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Random by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Random by limegreenlife, on Flickr

We enjoy spending time in the park once everyone has left – our photography has come on so much in the last few years so really looking forward to improved night photography.

Epcot at night by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Japan by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Fountain in France by limegreenlife, on Flickr

France by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Morocco by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Moroccan bazaar by limegreenlife, on Flickr

China by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Italy by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Germany by limegreenlife, on Flickr

No doubt we will encounter tropical rainstorms.

Rain by limegreenlife, on Flickr

And we will spend ages trying to get decent shots on dark rides – no flash, of course …

Pirates of the Caribbean by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Hitch hiking ghosts by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Winnie the Pooh by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Buzz by limegreenlife, on Flickr

This is one thing I know we will be really trying to improve – but it’s not easy, as you will know. Need to experiment with different lenses and manual focus a bit more.

[Alison]

We will eat many Mickey bars and other mouse-shaped food items.

Mickey food by limegreenlife, on Flickr

More Mickey bars by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Mickey ketchup by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Another Mickey bar by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Meeting Smokey Miller each time has been a real treat – hopefully, we will see him again.

Smokey Miller 07 by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Smokey Miller 09 by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Smokey Miller 11 by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Smokey 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 (!)

Figment by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Spaceship Earth by limegreenlife, on Flickr

We are definitely rope-drop type of people.

Early by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Rope drop by limegreenlife, on Flickr

And stand-and-wait-ages-for-the-perfect-photo type of people.

Monorail by limegreenlife, on Flickr

And take-photos-of-Ariel-at-every-opportunity type of people.

Ariel by limegreenlife, on Flickr

More Ariel by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Ariel 2007 by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Fantasmic Ariel by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Ariel on the Wonder (DCL) by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Balloon photography is essential.

Balloons by limegreenlife, on Flickr

One red balloon by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Cont ...

[Alison]

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.

Cookies by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Or discussing Disney video games with Push.

Push! by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Or riding Snow White’s Scary Adventures.

Farewell by limegreenlife, on Flickr

But there will still be a few Disney touches to look out for, such as pin trading.

Pins by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Towel animals – and even learning to make them!

Towel animal by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Towel chickens! by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Spotting DiVine at Animal Kingdom.

DiVine by limegreenlife, on Flickr

And, of course, finding Hidden Mickeys!

Hidden Mickeys by limegreenlife, on Flickr

On the cruise, Stephen will no doubt make full use of the soft-serve ice cream machine.

self serve by limegreenlife, on Flickr

More self serve by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Self serve - at a glacier?! by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Canadian self serve by limegreenlife, on Flickr

While we will make equally good use of the odd cocktail or two!

Drink of the Day by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Beer! by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Cocktail by limegreenlife, on Flickr

More 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.

Hidden Mickey? by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Wishes by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Fantasmic by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Illuminations by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Cont ...

[Alison]

And so, the big questions for this trip!

Will we ever manage to get a decent shot on Peter Pan? (Remember, folks – no flash!)

Peter Pan by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Will Pluto remember the special moment we shared in Alaska?

Admiring the view by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Will Nigel meet his namesake again?

Nigel x 2 by limegreenlife, on Flickr

How many hours will we spend in here?

Art of Disney by limegreenlife, on Flickr

How many ‘arty’ shots will we take on the teacups?

Spinning teacups by limegreenlife, on Flickr

More teacups by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Tea party by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Will we manage to see both sunrises and sunsets?

Sunrise by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Epcot sunset by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Will we make it here or will a hurricane get in our way again?

Mount Rustmore, Castaway Cay by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Will Stephen eat his own body weight in orange chicken?

Orange chicken by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Does Nigel actually have more than one eye?

Camera by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Which character will we draw in the animation class?

Animation class by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Will we catch Madame Leota with her eyes open?

Madame Leota by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Will I go on either of these rides or will I just ‘hold the bags – it’s easier’ again?

Double whammy by limegreenlife, on Flickr

How many times will we see our favourite show?

Es-ka-pay by limegreenlife, on Flickr

We'll fill this tank with poop! by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Will we actually make it any further than the entrance of Hall of Presidents?

Hall of Presidents by limegreenlife, on Flickr

Do we need yet another photo of this statue?

Fountain 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!

scrub up by limegreenlife, on Flickr

[JoJo88]

Great pre-trippy and absolutely stunning photographs. My favourite photo is probably the monorail at Epcot, but they are all beautiful.

Happy planning!

[Jedi Princess]

Your pictures are great. Looking forward to your updates. 😃

[LadyDebs86]

Your night time pics of World Showcase are absolute stunning!

[Crazy4Disney]

Your photos are amazing! We are also going August 2015 eeek

[rens]

Your pictures are amazing, especially the early morning MK pics and the firework shots