{Disney} Steps, Photography, Favorites, Etc.

Steps

If you're wondering just how much walking you'll do during a Disney vacation, I'm here to share my steps.  I saved a screenshot of my Fitbit app each night of our vacation to record my steps and mileage.  Of course, no two Disney vacations are the same but this should give you an idea of what to expect, especially if used in conjunction with my trip report.

Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom (Day 2)

Animal Kingdom

Hollywood Studios

Epcot

Stroller

As I've mentioned, we brought along a stroller for Anna but we didn't request to use the stroller as a wheelchair.  Having that as an option would have allowed us to bring the stroller in lines, the same as someone using a wheelchair, and it has been extremely helpful in the past.  However, this time around, due to how we utilized FastPasses and lower crowds when we visited, we really didn't wait in any long lines and we never felt the need to have the stroller with us at all times.

I do wish that we'd brought the jogging stroller but we survived with the Britax and the Britax survived holding two 9 year olds.  (Allie ended up with a blister on her heel one day so the ride back to the hotel consisted of Anna perched on Allie's lap.)  The original plan was to bring the jogging stroller, which won't collapse unless the front wheel is removed.  That plan also included us driving to Florida.  We went back and forth on whether or not we would be able to bring the jogging stroller on the plane.  It was too big for Rich to check in and I didn't want to deal with attempting to gate check it.  It doesn't stay folded on its own and there was the question as to what I would do with the front wheel.  I also had to carry on a hefty supply of cath kits and other items I didn't want in our suitcases.  We made it work with the Britax.

Photography

For this trip, I brought two lenses (Sigma 50mm ART and Nikon 14-24mm) and my Speedlight.  I didn't even use the Speedlight so that could have stayed at home.  Those two lenses are so completely awesome but they are big and heavy.  I noticed the weight difference this time as did Rich, who graciously offered to carry my backpack for me when it wasn't shoved in the basket under the stroller.  I was happy with the output from those lenses and never wished that I had different lenses, except for the weight issue.  Internet searchers land here quite often after looking for "best lens for Disney photography."  I still stand by my belief that there is no magical "best" lens.  I would recommend that you have one with a wide angle, most especially if you plan to photograph character meetings.

Favorites

I thought this would be fun so I polled the girls on their favorites shortly after we returned from our vacation.

Allie
"I don't like Mount Everest.  My head hurts when I ride it.  I like scary rides like Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and Splash Mountain.  I'm not a big fan of Winnie the Pooh and Peter Pan.  They are too babyish."

Loved = Splash Mountain, Festival of the Lion King, Soarin' and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster

Not a huge fan of = The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Flights of Wonder, meeting Olaf (because he was too quick and he didn't sign his name), Frozen Ever After (too short and she didn't like that Anna and Elsa were singing Olaf's song)

Anna
Loved = Splash Mountain, Frozen Ever After, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster

Not a huge fan of = Country Bear Jamboree, Festival of the Lion King

Emily
Loved = Pirates of the Caribbean, Mount Everest, Journey into Imagination with Figment, Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular

Not a huge fan of = Tea Cups, Flights of Wonder (she says she's not a bird person), Living with the Land, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster

Her commentary on the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster =  "Way too intense with old granny music. I wanted to cover my ears."