And The Survey Says... 1000+

Interesting results. I haven't gone back to check, but I believe this may be the one of the few times in which every vote category received at least one vote. Great!

The question was, "How many photographs do you take during an average trip to Walt Disney World?" We received 22 votes on this question and the survey says that just over a third of those who voted take 1000+ on your average trip.

This is were I landed. There were two individuals (and I know that I know at least one of them) who come home with over 2000 photographs. I have had a few occasions when I would have counted myself among the 2000+ photographers and will perhaps again, but I usually fall in the 1000+ range. Looking at the other results, 3 people say they take between 1 and 199 photographs, 5 are taking between 200 and 499 and 3 are registering somewhere between 500 and 999. It is safe to say that with the digital age, a lot of people are taking a lot of pictures.

One result that I found interesting was the "I don't take pictures" category. We had one person who said they don't take photographs while in the park. And you know, that is okay. As someone who loves photography and who is forever after the "perfect" shot, I can't grasp the concept of no pictures, but I can appreciate it. I have come to a point now where I will sometimes leave the cameras in the resort room and enjoy the parks without the worry of a camera. Mind you, it isn't always an easy thing to do, but it has proven to be an enjoyable thing to do.

I do have question I would love to ask, but don't know how to create a poll that considers all the variables. The question is, and perhaps those who voted can post a comment to let me know what are your favorite subjects to photograph? I know some who are very good at photographing people, others landmarks, and so forth. I enjoy exploring the architecture of the parks and the colors of night. But how about you?

Now, for this weeks poll. It is pretty simple. How many times have you visited Walt Disney World? The choices are at the right.

A Sign Its Saturday

We're moving just a little further along the promenade for today's A Sign It's Saturday. And... we get two signs for the price of one (three if you count the reservation check-in sign in the archway).

If you have not had the experience of the Biergarten, let me recommend it. The food is good, there is plenty of it, and it boasts a fun atmosphere.

Catching Up with... Where In The World

Looking back at March 14 I posted a photograph of some books on a table top and asked the question, "Where In The World" would you find this? Our friend April offered that these may be found in Walt's office in One Man's Dream. Sadly, that is not the case. I will give a hint however based on that guess; these books are not found in Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Here is the link if you wish to take the easy way back to March 14.

Something On A Sunday

Miss Patti's 1880's Settlement

Grand Rivers, Kentucky 12.17.09

Editor's Note: The house specialty at Miss Patti's is the 2" Charbroiled Pork Chop. It was more than I could eat in a single setting, but the leftovers made for a great sandwich the next day. Highly recommended.

A Sign Its Saturday

This is a welcomed sign if you find yourself on the World Showcase and the people who just walked past you could hear your stomach growling.

Photo Phriday

For the past three years we've had a family of robins making their nests in our backyard. Two years ago is was lodged in a space between our house and a climbing rose bush. Last year (and completely unaware) they made their home in our Japanese Maple near the back of the yard. This year they choose to nestle in some English Ivy we have climbing outside our kitchen window. This makes for nice entertainment while I am drinking my coffee in the morning or straightening up after dinner in the evening. Another benefit of this is being able to see that the babies have been hatched and are dutifully being attended to by their mother and father.

My photo for this Photo Phriday is of our three new house guests sleeping while mom is away gathering the next meal.

Wishful Wednesday

This weeks Wishful Wednesday photograph is of my Little Princess making a wish at Cinderella's Wishing Well.

It was beautiful Friday morning following our breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table. She had just met Cinderella, Belle, Aurora and her favorite, Ariel. We paused for a wish while on our way to visit with Rapunzel.

It was one of those perfect days!

Something On A Sunday

Manitou Springs, Colorado 02.10.10

My quest for interesting neon continues.

And The Survey Says...

So how long has it been since I put up the last poll? A while no doubt. And I don't even have a photograph of the winning entry.

Actually it was February 20th when we asked the question, "If you could visit one park not on U.S. soil, which park would it be?" The choices were Disneyland Paris, Walt Disney Studios Park, Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea and Hong Kong Disneyland. Eighteen readers cast their votes and the winner was, Tokyo DisneySea. It received 10 votes. Coming in second with 5 votes was Disneyland Paris followed by Hong Kong Disneyland with 2 and Tokyo Disneyland with 1. The Walt Disney Studios Park received no votes. Oh well.

I was one of the ten that voted for Tokyo DisneySea. From what I've read and seen in photographs, it seems like it is the most unique park on foreign soil. It offers attractions not available in this hemisphere, and that it enough for me. I will note that I have visited Disneyland Paris on two occasions; once during a holiday with my wife and once while I was working outside of Paris for a few weeks. The first visit was somewhat cold and rainy and the second was into a packed park. Oddly enough, during the years that I lived in England, I never made it into the park. To Paris yes, but never quite so far as Marne-la-Vallee. I want to go back!

Now on to a new poll.

As you may know, I love photography. I don't consider myself to be a good photographer as much as I consider myself to be a lucky photographer. But, of the things that I have been gifted with the ability to do, this is one area that I wish to focus on (no pun intended) and become better at. I want to know what it is I am doing both artistically and technically, and not simply looking at a photograph I took and say, "Wow, that turned out good." I have learned a number of things about composition and such, and I have also learned that you need to take a lot of photographs in order to get the right photograph. To that end, here is this weeks question.

How many photographs do you take during an average trip to Walt Disney World? The choices are: 1 - 199, 200 - 499, 500 - 999, 1000+, 2000+, or I don't take pictures. We'll look at the answers next Sunday.

In the words of Peter Pan, "Here we go!"

A Sign Its Saturday

It may not look like much but this sign marks the entrance to a magical world of Pixie's! As you walk the paths of this small alcove in Epcot, you are transported into the neighborhood of Rosetta, Iridessa, Silvermist, Fawn, Terence, and yes, Tinkerbell. Their little homes, which I'll feature in photographs in the next week (or so), amaze me!

Something On A Sunday

Gatlinburg, Tennessee 10.04.09

The Princess

There will be more on the Bippity Boppity Boutique experience later, but for the present time, I simply want to share a photograph of my princess.

A Sign Its Saturday

I just recently returned from Walt Disney World, after having spent six magical days with my granddaughter Shelby! I knew going into it that I would be spending more meeting characters than I ordinarily would. Though I will say that my wife and I did visit characters last month without having children or grandchildren as an excuse. It simply goes to show that there is still a child in all of us and it is perfectly fine for that child to spend a little time meeting characters. A great place for this is the Epcot Character Spot.

And here is a tip...

Arrive at Epcot for rope drop and make your way first to The Land and pickup your first Soarin' FastPass. Then quickly return to the Character Spot and spend 10 to 15 minutes with the Fab Five. More often than not you'll find little to no wait. Wait a few hours and that will not be the case.

Over the next few weeks and months I'll share some photos of Shelby and I making the character rounds. It was a good trip - the autograph was filled!