Catching up on your updates! Finally getting interested in DIS all over again
I think right after our last trip in January, I just didn't want to spend time here because I knew we didn't have a trip planned soon. We STILL don't, but here's hoping it might happen within a year? Anyway, I'm going back to the end of March!
This is one amazingly long response, Rachel!!!
Hopefully you can get back soon. I know how you feel, as we don't have one planned at the moment right now. We are tentatively planning on October next year, but that depends on a lot of factors.
Haha, that iPad photographer on IASW made me laugh. We think they're hilariously funny that they hold up this HUGE screen, and they also have the case too. Like, first of all, isn't it uncomfortable for the person using it? Secondly, do they not even realize just how much they're blocking people behind them?! Haha, my uncle does that when taking family photos, and all the cousins crack up at him because it looks ridiculous!
iPad photographers are the worst!! And maybe I don't have the latest version they have, but I tried taking a photo and a video with my iPad when I first got it, and the quality is downright awful. I can't imagine how it makes for a useful and practical camera to use on your entire vacation?
Plus, once you put those things in a case, they are HEAVY! At least, I know mine is.
Though I don't think I'll ever do
MNSSHP, I love reading about people's character interactions! How adorable that DS got to sword fight with Donald! I think that's something I would remember forever if I were a kid. I also have to say it was the cutest thing that he pointed to you when Snow asked where Tinkerbell was!
I STILL get amazed each time Flynn takes out the crown from his satchel. I just adore the fact that Disney included that detail in the meet and greet. It would be so cute if they did more things like that where things are immediately apparent unless someone mentions it or asks.
I have to say, I never thought I'd do a MNSSHP either, but once you do one, you are hooked! I can't wait to go to my next one. It was one of the most fun nights I have ever had in Disney World. Paxton had the best time too, and still talks about that sword fight with Donald and seeing what was in Flynn Rider's satchel.
GORGEOUS fireworks pictures! Sometimes I think the pictures are better than seeing them in person, haha. Last time we went, it was really windy, and it was blowing the smoke in a bad direction, so it came out horribly in Howard's pictures. I can't wait for him to try again in better weather!
Yes, the wind can really screw up fireworks viewing and photos! We have had that happen to us a couple of times. But luckily this night was just absolutely perfect!
I'm so intrigued by Via Napoli's pizzas because of the rave reviews that it gets. In all honesty, it doesn't actually LOOK that delicious since it looks like a plain ol' pizza, but when I hear what people say about it, I want to have some myself!
I really don't know what it is about that pizza, but it is honestly my favorite pizza I have ever eaten in my life. It's definitely worth a try, even if it's just to see what all the buzz is about.
I LOVEEEEEEEE the shots from Maelstrom where the troll comes out because of the ride "track" included in the pictures! Normally the pictures are always zoomed in on the troll, but I love that larger shot!
I now think of you every time I see a photo of a ride vehicle or track!!
I wonder if Be Our Guest will ever get to that point where it's easier to get an ADR. I don't typically like planning meals so far in advance since we don't know what park we'll be in on that day since we no longer have APs and don't have park hoppers. There are some things I really would like to try there! And a cupcake is definitely one of them! We don't normally do dessert, but mmm, every time I see that chocolate cupcake, I drool.
I'm sure it will, but those days are probably very VERY far into the future! It's hard for me to plan meals so far in advance too, which is probably why we do so few ADRs. Our plans always seem to be changing up until a couple months before the trip, give or take some changes in park hours or something. It seems like it's easier to get in for lunch nowadays anyway, so at least you can still get that cupcake! They are all delicious!
During one of our recent trips, the girls at the end of the MSEP had to march in place and smile in Frontierland for AGES because there was a problem with a float in front of them! They had to get that little cart thing to tug the float the rest of the way, so they were just in that position for such a long time. I agree wtih you that they are an impressive group!
I'm sure the other walking and dancing performers have a tough job too, especially in the heat, but those patriotic girls on their toes the whole time...MAN, just amazing! That had to be so miserable for them waiting for the parade to continue moving! It's so different from Mardi Gras, because if there is a problem up ahead causing everything to stop, the marching groups will just start sitting on the ground or milling around and talking until it's time to keep moving again.
Disney Difference!
Part of me feels bad when I "intruding" on someone else's "family" photo on Test Track or something like that, and I too have had experiences where the family didn't realize that I was going to be sitting with them. When that happens, I also think that they really must not have been paying attention the entire time that they were on the line because they're clearly filling up other cars with single riders. You can see it happening as you approach the front! Oh well. If anything, I feel that having a conversation or commenting on something makes it "okay" because then it's like, yeah, it's a picture with your family but also with that nice girl that you met for a few minutes while on the ride!
I'm sure this woman I was sitting with is one of those people on the Theme Parks boards who sounds horrified at the idea of sitting beside a stranger for a 5 minute thrill ride, as if they are going to catch our single rider cooties! Every other time I have used SR has either been a pleasant or neutral experience because I have never taken the time to write about it in my notes before this time. That's a good approach that you have!
Okay, I'm glad it's not just me being cynical!
I'm really glad to see he's so excited to run up to such a big character like that. DS loves the Jungle Book and Baloo, but I don't think there's anyway he would get that close to him for a M&G without some coaxing.
The first time we met Baloo, I don't know if Paxton had even seen the Jungle Book yet, he just ran in for the hug. Baloo seems to be about as big as he'll go as far as meeting characters because Wreck-It Ralph and the Beast didn't get the same friendly reception.
All those good photo ops captured and this is all they got???
I know, right?! This was not the only Photopass photographer we had that left something to be desired. I love the ones that just snap away like crazy during the candid moments and the posed ones. I started to wonder if maybe we were missing some photos from this meet, but I had to send it so many forms for missing photos, I just didn't bother with this meet. DH did a great job anyway!
Well, it is certainly a good thing you didn't waste any more time waiting around for just Dale then. I'm glad he got to see them!
Tell me about it! I would have been even more annoyed if we had waited to see just Dale and then found them both at the next park with no wait!
The biggest down side to going through the single rider line...dealing with folks who don't realize Disney fills all empty seats! It's surprising how often people give those reactions. Sorry it had to happen, though. And I agree, the old Test Track was much better!
I'm glad AK have you plenty of character meets, especially Chip and Dale! Those pictures of Paxton with Baloo are just adorable. Here's to hoping you were able to get that interaction with Russell and Dug!
I don't get the dislike of single riders! It's practically keeping the line moving faster for everyone if they don't send out empty seats!
It was definitely a character jackpot over there, which was great since we hadn't met any on our first AK day and it was supposed to be our only time in that park originally. I was so glad we were able to get back over there later in the week!
But we did ok with still meeting characters this past trip in AK. Yay for being able to find Chip and Dale there! My nephews always have a great time with them. 
