Chunkymonkey & Chunky Sisters B-day Celebration 2011!! Completed TR!

[onejellyshelly]

Love, Love, Love your pictures. Cant wait to see more.

 

[jenbear123]

Hey I'm joining in (again) Reason I say that is I followed along on your last TR but got so far behind I just couldn't keep up. This time I think I've come in early enough to keep up this time! I love your pictures. Even the ones in Coral Reef in low light turned out great! Sounds like a great trip and I'm excited to follow along on the fun.

I'm actually in the market for a new point and shoot. Since you are a photographer, I'd love your input! Not to put you on the spot or anything I'm a stickler for getting good photos in low light situations and close ups but also being able to take quick photos. I've already found a couple cameras that sound like they'd be good for what I'm looking for at the right price (max $300). I don't know how well you know cameras and the specs but any suggestions would be great! Here are the ones I'm deciding between:

Canon Powershot ELPH 300 HS

Canon Powershot ELPH 500 HS

I've had a Canon SD1000 for the last 3 years but it's finally starting to die. I would prefer to stick with Canon because it's what I'm used to. I'd love any suggestions based on personal experiences with a point and shoot that you've had. Thanks! And sorry to kinda jump you with questions

 

[chunkymonkey]

POFQ looks so nice! I mean... it always did... but the refurbed room is amazing. Were the beds comfy?

I love the minnie ear headband. Personally, I always like the headbands more. Not sure why... I just do. I have quite the collection. I don't have the one you got... I think I may have to get that one. Just call me a big ole copy cat. Seriously though, I did get one for my next trip... and it is the first one that I am not in the least bit fond of. I bought it online... it is a bit too silly.

The beds were comfy, not the best, but definitely an upgrade from before!

OOOH I would love to see your headband! I am curious why you aren't fond of it! I am usually not a hair accessory kind of girl, but the Minnie ears did speak to me...it seems to me that the older I get, the younger I want to dress. I did NOT dress up when I was younger and visited WDW. LOL

Joining in! Sounds like a great start to your sister vacation!!! I just got back from a sister trip too (but to London, not WDW) - it's great to be so close with your siblings!

ooh London, I love London! How was your trip?

WPE was so good! I can't wait to go again, even if its OOP!

Are you still going to do a camera teaching this spring? I really really really hope so!

I am going to try! It's been so busy for me, but I'll let you know as it gets warmer, then it's more likely it will happen. Why don't you send me a PM with your email addy and I can send you the info when I have it?

Beautiful pictures of EPCOT...and all of you, of course! Your pictures of the Flower and Garden festival are particularly fantastic. Looking forward to seeing your pictures of Illuminations.

Thanks Tina! We got some cute photopass pictures. I can't wait until they come in and I can share them. I was happy I ended up pre-ordering the CD. My sisters weren't too receptive about it in the beginning, but in the end they wanted to take TONS of pictures, which was great!

great trip report...looking forward to more subscribing!

Thanks and welcome!

Love, Love, Love your pictures. Cant wait to see more.

Thank you so much!!

 

[YukiPhnx]

Love those Minnie Mouse ears!!! I have my own pair that I just adored.

It's great to hear that you enjoyed your meal at Coral Reef. It's been getting a lot of mixed reviews lately but hopefully this is a sign of their improvement!!

Wow, it must've been so cool to see those divers swimming by! You guys got great seats.

Can't wait to hear how the rest of your night went!

 

[chunkymonkey]

Hey I'm joining in (again) Reason I say that is I followed along on your last TR but got so far behind I just couldn't keep up. This time I think I've come in early enough to keep up this time! I love your pictures. Even the ones in Coral Reef in low light turned out great! Sounds like a great trip and I'm excited to follow along on the fun.

I'm actually in the market for a new point and shoot. Since you are a photographer, I'd love your input! Not to put you on the spot or anything I'm a stickler for getting good photos in low light situations and close ups but also being able to take quick photos. I've already found a couple cameras that sound like they'd be good for what I'm looking for at the right price (max $300). I don't know how well you know cameras and the specs but any suggestions would be great! Here are the ones I'm deciding between:

Canon Powershot ELPH 300 HS

Canon Powershot ELPH 500 HS

I've had a Canon SD1000 for the last 3 years but it's finally starting to die. I would prefer to stick with Canon because it's what I'm used to. I'd love any suggestions based on personal experiences with a point and shoot that you've had. Thanks! And sorry to kinda jump you with questions

Hi jenbear, thanks for visiting again and welcome back! Your camera selections look great, but if you really really want a lot of control over your camera settings, and hands down they take the best point and shoot pictures ever, is the Canon S90 or S95. It allows you to shoot using manual controls like a dslr, but I found you didn't really need to. It took pictures in low light exceptionally well, and on Auto setting. They are pricey, yeah, but they have consistently taken the best pictures I have ever seen with a p and s. The contrast is excellent and the colors vivid. No post processing is necessary either. My sister (CT2) brought the S90 on her trip. I don't have her pictures since she didn't upload them yet, but I was surprised. If I ever get her pictures I will post them. It makes me want yet another camera! If I ever buy a point and shoot it will have to be one of them (one is just a newer version of the other but they are both fantastic)

Love those Minnie Mouse ears!!! I have my own pair that I just adored.

It's great to hear that you enjoyed your meal at Coral Reef. It's been getting a lot of mixed reviews lately but hopefully this is a sign of their improvement!!

Wow, it must've been so cool to see those divers swimming by! You guys got great seats.

Can't wait to hear how the rest of your night went!

Thanks! The sequins really did it for me

Coral reef was a lot better than I remembered. I remember having a not so good experience there when I was young. Then I ate there with DH maybe in 2003, and it was good, but I could barely remember it. But during this trip, I was surprised. Our fish was cooked very well, and the twins whom are total fish eaters really liked their dishes, so we're either really lucky or the restaurant has really improved their game!

 

[jenbear123]

Hi jenbear, thanks for visiting again and welcome back! Your camera selections look great, but if you really really want a lot of control over your camera settings, and hands down they take the best point and shoot pictures ever, is the Canon S90 or S95. It allows you to shoot using manual controls like a dslr, but I found you didn't really need to. It took pictures in low light exceptionally well, and on Auto setting. They are pricey, yeah, but they have consistently taken the best pictures I have ever seen with a p and s. The contrast is excellent and the colors vivid. No post processing is necessary either. My sister (CT2) brought the S90 on her trip. I don't have her pictures since she didn't upload them yet, but I was surprised. If I ever get her pictures I will post them. It makes me want yet another camera! If I ever buy a point and shoot it will have to be one of them (one is just a newer version of the other but they are both fantastic)

I had a feeling that was the S90 your sister had! It looks like a great camera (especially for the manual focus) but I'm not sure if I need all those manual features. I have never used a DSLR so all the tweaking might be a bit overwhelming for me. It's slightly more than I want to spend but then again, the picture quality might be much better. I'll have to get my hands on these models in stores. Sadly all models aren't out yet up here in Canada so I'll have to be patient. Hopefully I can make a decision soon before I leave for my next adventure to Italy in June. Thanks for your input! Hopefully you can get your hands on those pictures from your sister

 

[TanzUnited99]

A great start to your day/evening at Epcot!

Love the F&G pics esp Pooh as well as the food porn!

 

[Cat0727]

Aww the Lotso and Pooh topiaries are so adorable!

Glad to hear you liked Coral Reef. I'm not a fish person so I'd probably have to settle for a chicken dish but to be sitting near the tank must be so cool How was your chocolate dessert? I remember reading on allears or somewhere there's liqueur in it, did you taste any in there?

 

[Tracy161]

The trip was awesome, thanks! We even skipped over to Paris for a day. My only complaint (and this is true of all trips): it went back WAY too fast!!!

 

[jecskc]

Oh eM Gee !! You started another trip report !! I love, love, love your trip reports !! Love the photos, food porn and cute clothes !! You and your sisters are BEAUTIFUL and I can't wait to read more. How special it is that you all got to take this trip together. We go back in 65 more days and I can't wait to do my first dining review and another trip report. I didn't know the POFQ added queen beds. THAT is exciting news !! I will check into us staying there maybe next year before our cruise. Can't wait to read more !!

 

[natebenma]

Great update! Sounds like a nice start at EPCOT for all of you. Beautiful pictures as always, especially with your adorable sisters as subjects! Can't wait to see the photopass pictures- I'm glad you did that too.

Cute blue dress! Love the color!

Spaceship Earth is so much fun!

We love the Coral Reef- the food is decent and the atmosphere is outstanding. Our only complaint is that it tends to be really slow service which does not work for my impatient boys. Thanks for sharing the pictures from your meal! Drool!

 

[PoohGal05]

I am enjoy reading what I have read so far. I just love living vicariously throught other people's trip to Disney!

 

[QuirkyButterfly]

Just catching up now, It looks like you have had a very good start to the holiday. I love your minnie ears, I have to find some for myself when we go. I am glad that you liked Coral Reef, I have booked it because DBF wants to go but I am not sure if I am going to like it or not. I have heard some pretty dodgy reviews of it before. I also don't eat seafood so that cuts down my options a bit . It does look very pretty though with the aquarium.

 

[RachelNinja]

Yum, Coral Reef food looks good! I imagine that the fish dishes would be better in that atmosphere, haha.

 

[annmarieda]

I love Coral Reef. I think the atmosphere is the best!

 

[princess aleya]

Great update. My Dh doesn't like shopping either so I usually go to DTD with DD, we have a blast. By the way the food pics at CR look amazing!!

 

[chunkymonkey]

Here are the pics we took on our first day at Epcot. I will post more photo pass pics as part of the different things we did on other day.

Here’s us at Epcot, right before we had our ADRs at Coral Reef.

The photographer made us do silly poses. It came out better than we thought it would look. Hahaha.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

 

[chunkymonkey]

I had a feeling that was the S90 your sister had! It looks like a great camera (especially for the manual focus) but I'm not sure if I need all those manual features. I have never used a DSLR so all the tweaking might be a bit overwhelming for me. It's slightly more than I want to spend but then again, the picture quality might be much better. I'll have to get my hands on these models in stores. Sadly all models aren't out yet up here in Canada so I'll have to be patient. Hopefully I can make a decision soon before I leave for my next adventure to Italy in June. Thanks for your input! Hopefully you can get your hands on those pictures from your sister

The S90 or 95 is amazing! It's takes wonderful pictures. You don't even have to know what you are doing, and your pictures will come out great! I think it's a camera you will have for a long time. I am kind of coveting one too...hehehe.

A great start to your day/evening at Epcot!

Love the F&G pics esp Pooh as well as the food porn!

Thanks! We were glad it wasn't raining yet...we heard it was going to pour at some point...

Aww the Lotso and Pooh topiaries are so adorable!

Glad to hear you liked Coral Reef. I'm not a fish person so I'd probably have to settle for a chicken dish but to be sitting near the tank must be so cool How was your chocolate dessert? I remember reading on allears or somewhere there's liqueur in it, did you taste any in there?

The topiaries were awesome! I am so impressed everytime I see them.

Coral reef was great. I think they do have chicken and a steak dish as well. The chocolate wave dessert was pretty good. It was your typical molten chocolate lava cake type dessert, but the center wasn't as "molten" as it could have been. The taste of alcohol wasn't that strong, but you can definitely taste the flavor.

The trip was awesome, thanks! We even skipped over to Paris for a day. My only complaint (and this is true of all trips): it went back WAY too fast!!!

Ooooh Paris! Soo lucky! I have been to Paris when I was a kid but I have not been recently. All vacations go waaay too fast IMO!

Oh eM Gee !! You started another trip report !! I love, love, love your trip reports !! Love the photos, food porn and cute clothes !! You and your sisters are BEAUTIFUL and I can't wait to read more. How special it is that you all got to take this trip together. We go back in 65 more days and I can't wait to do my first dining review and another trip report. I didn't know the POFQ added queen beds. THAT is exciting news !! I will check into us staying there maybe next year before our cruise. Can't wait to read more !!

Aww thank you! I love love love writing them! I just hope others like them as much as I enjoy posting. Or I could just be amusing myself!

Thank you! We loved spending time together as sisters as we don't get to do it very often. Yup queen beds at POFQ!! Woohoo! I really am just staying there for the beignets. Seriously. hahaha.

Great update! Sounds like a nice start at EPCOT for all of you. Beautiful pictures as always, especially with your adorable sisters as subjects! Can't wait to see the photopass pictures- I'm glad you did that too.

Cute blue dress! Love the color!

Spaceship Earth is so much fun!

We love the Coral Reef- the food is decent and the atmosphere is outstanding. Our only complaint is that it tends to be really slow service which does not work for my impatient boys. Thanks for sharing the pictures from your meal! Drool!

Thank you Dee! We got the photopass right before our trip. I'm glad I made that decision. When I first told my sisters they weren't too keen on it, but I purchased as a gift from me to commemorate their trip and it's a good thing because we became photopass photog stalkers! LOL

Coral Reef was great. The service wasn't slow that night we went, but it was slightly rushed if anything.

I am enjoy reading what I have read so far. I just love living vicariously throught other people's trip to Disney!

Thank you!! Welcome!

Just catching up now, It looks like you have had a very good start to the holiday. I love your minnie ears, I have to find some for myself when we go. I am glad that you liked Coral Reef, I have booked it because DBF wants to go but I am not sure if I am going to like it or not. I have heard some pretty dodgy reviews of it before. I also don't eat seafood so that cuts down my options a bit . It does look very pretty though with the aquarium.

Thanks! I love my Minnie ears too! The food is good at Coral Reef but I have not tried any of the non-seafood entrees. I think I heard the steak was pretty good though. So I think that would be a safe choice. Either way you'll definitely enjoy the view!

Yum, Coral Reef food looks good! I imagine that the fish dishes would be better in that atmosphere, haha.

I almost felt I was being mean to the fish, I thought, what if I am eating a distant relative of that seabass swimming around there...oh well.

I love Coral Reef. I think the atmosphere is the best!

Yup it sure is!! Everyone agreed it was good.

Great update. My Dh doesn't like shopping either so I usually go to DTD with DD, we have a blast. By the way the food pics at CR look amazing!!

Thanks! Shopping with girls is always more fun anyways!

 

[natebenma]

Aww the Lotso and Pooh topiaries are so adorable!

Glad to hear you liked Coral Reef. I'm not a fish person so I'd probably have to settle for a chicken dish but to be sitting near the tank must be so cool How was your chocolate dessert? I remember reading on allears or somewhere there's liqueur in it, did you taste any in there?

My son is not a big seafood fan- he has ordered the steak at the Coral Reef and it was quite good.

Here are the pics we took on our first day at Epcot. I will post more photo pass pics as part of the different things we did on other day.

Love the photopass pictures of you and your sisters!

 

[tinacaplan]

Love the Photopass pics. They are very cute. The Toy Story topiaries look great and I love that first border you chose. I swear, we had the worst luck finding Photopass photographers on our trip, so I didn't even bother with it after awhile. Maybe I'll get luckier with it this time!