Sharin' a little EPCOT Potpourri - September style

[zackiedawg]

Thought I'd share some of my recent shots around EPCOT with my A300 - it's only been to Disney twice now, and it's been fun getting the hang of a new camera and new lenses - it's actually a whole new shooting style as I've been so used to P&S at Disney, that DSLR shooting forces me to see different shots and angles I've not considered before (wider angle, higher ISO, better dynamic range). And of course, it also occasionally challenges me to shoot the same shots I did with my last camera!

Here's a potpourri selection of random shots, all around EPCOT:

(hey, I did say there'd be some of the usual shots too!)

A little world travelling:

Details and decor:

Hey...that's me! Don't know the blonde on the left, but looks like she's in my future:

Can you say EMPTY PARK!?:

You think that's some kind of rope-drop photo? Nay...it's just past 3pm on a Sunday! This was September crowds combined with Hurricane Hanna fears and Hurricane Ike's early Florida threats...if only it wasn't 100 degrees and 100% humidity, it would have been perfect.

Terra Cotta army:

Ladies and Gentlemen...the Beatles! Oh, wait...

Thought I was just using a tricky lull in the crowd to fool you about the empty park? Well, here's an hour later in Italy:

Or, how about entering the park and crossing through that huge crowded intersection of humanity under Spaceship Earth...at 2:30pm?!:

Nope...still empty. See the line for Spaceship Earth? Yeah, me neither. I walked right on to the ride car.

Anyway...a little of my EPCOT day a few weeks ago. I cannot wait to be up there for Mousefest, and am really hoping for cooler weather. I've thoroughly enjoyed my July and September trips, but the heat was something else.

Comments, critique, or questions always welcomed, of course.

 

[Tim]

la signature = lost dollars for mr. devine!
who's your cartoon friend?

 

[zackiedawg]

If La Signature is the only place Mr. Devine loses dollars, Mr. Devine is a lucky guy! When I go with my girlfriend, Italy, China, France & Japan all = lost dollars!

She's cute, no? She's my Epcot mistress...I like to have one in every port.

 

[Craig]

la signature = lost dollars for mr. devine!
who's your cartoon friend?

yes, the guerlain store is GREAT fun. Luckily those benches are right outside the back door. I have actually fallen asleep out there waiting! Actually, I didn't even know that store had a name.

Those are all great pictures, Justin.
I like the china ones a lot.
I am really intrigued by the low crowds in September. We are strongly considering moving our big summer trip from August to September just for the crowds. But, a little differently than you on the weather, we are concerned it won't be hot enough or sunny enough. D and I really like summer down here, and we are worried our summer trip would become a fall trip.
My "happy" place is the Contemp pool in summer with nice blue skies and big Florida summer clouds!

 

[Grumpwurst]

Looks like I'm not alone with the Guerlain store putting a hurt on the credit card.

Craig,

If you go right after labor day the temps are still high and you get low crowds. On longer trips in September, several trips to the pool are usually on the agenda

 

[Kiki]

Nice series!

 

[Tim]

If La Signature is the only place Mr. Devine loses dollars, Mr. Devine is a lucky guy! When I go with my girlfriend, Italy, China, France & Japan all = lost dollars!

i got hit HARD when we went for the DVC makeup consult. in July 2006. She looked so awesome afterward I told her to get everything on the list. it was a little thank you for going thru labor, etc. from our son being born in feb.

 

[zackiedawg]

I am really intrigued by the low crowds in September. We are strongly considering moving our big summer trip from August to September just for the crowds. But, a little differently than you on the weather, we are concerned it won't be hot enough or sunny enough. D and I really like summer down here, and we are worried our summer trip would become a fall trip.

Though it is possible a cool front might dip down into Florida as early as September, it's about as common as snow in Florida. I honestly wouldn't worry about not getting Florida heat and pool weather in September versus earlier in the summer. I was there both in July and September this year, and I had thought July was hot until I went in September...September had it beat by a mile. I've been there previously in September 4 other times, and heat was always part of the deal. The earliest I can recall being at Disney during a cool front was in mid-October.

Crowds in September are always a bit lower - it isn't as low as the January off season, and not quite as empty as it was for me this year (which was more due to the hurricane threats), but it definitely feels less crowded and less rushed.

I just love being up there - hot, cool, or whatever. I prefer the cool weather only because living down here I don't get to experience it very often, so it's a nice change. and I can walk around for miles and miles without sweating, which is nice too! During the summer, I just take more refreshment breaks and peoplewatching bench breaks to cool off between walks...so I don't end up looking like someone who just stepped off Kali River Rapids (which would be hard to convince people of when I'm in Epcot!).

 

[goofy101]

Nice set