Karamell-Kuche (Caramel Kitchen)

Germany Pavilion, World Showcase,
Epcot, Walt Disney World

I admit one of the reasons I love walking around the World Showcase at Epcot is the variety of food items I can sample. I am somewhat adventurous and willing to try new things. This is part of the reason I love attending the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival in the fall. There are a few staples though that I always return to and the Werthers Karamell-Kuche is definitely worth a visit.

Hi, my name is Mike and I am a chocoholic. It probably has been less than an hour since my last infusion of chocolate.

Combine chocolate with Werthers caramel and I am hooked! There is a chocolate covered caramel in this shop that I buy every visit. I shouldn’t but I do. There are a lot of other tempting delights but I try to limit myself to the one treat (that doesn’t always work).

I have been trying to capture this building at night for quite a few visits now. Mu last trip in May was my most successful attempt. I captured a three shot bracket, combined it with Photomatix and finished off the image with OnOne’s Perfect Effects 9.

Karamell-Kuche Nikon D7100, Tokina 12-28mm f/4, {5, 8 & 16s bracket}, 20mm, f/11, ISO 200

Karamell-Kuche
Nikon D7100, Tokina 12-28mm f/4, {5, 8 & 16s bracket}, 20mm, f/11, ISO 200

Carousel & Castle

Fantasyland, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World

Carousel & Castle Nikon D7100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/500s, 17mm, f/11, ISO 200

Carousel & Castle
Nikon D7100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/500s, 17mm, f/11, ISO 200

Monorail Monday: Monorail Odyssey

Monorail Monday, Epcot, Walt Disney World

A view of Monorail Black with Spaceship Earth in the background and the Odyssey building on the right. I was walking toward the Mexico Pavilion when I spied this view. I really liked the natural framing provided by the tree and also the splash of color from the Odyssey building. Plus, bonus points for me for getting a new view of the monorail! 🙂

Monorail Odyssey Nikon D7100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/500s, 17mm, f/11, ISO 400

Monorail Odyssey
Nikon D7100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/500s, 17mm, f/11, ISO 400

Wordless Wednesday: Yacht & Beach Colors

Yacht & Beach Club, Crescent Lake, Walt Disney World

Yacht & Beach Colors Nikon D7100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 6s, 70mm, f/16, ISO 400

Yacht & Beach Colors
Nikon D7100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 6s, 70mm, f/16, ISO 400

Ready for a Morning Cruise?

Crescent Lake, Yacht & Beach Club, Walt Disney World

Ready for a Morning Cruise? Nikon D7100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 8s, 17mm, f/16, ISO 100

Ready for a Morning Cruise?
Nikon D7100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 8s, 17mm, f/16, ISO 100

Port Orleans

Port Orleans Resort, Walt Disney World

Yet another Disney post from me… but, if you have been following for any length of time you know that is my happy place! lol

I mentioned in an earlier post that on my latest trip I stayed at a new resort for me – Port Orleans – Riverside. Some friends of mine have mentioned how much they enjoy this resort and the images I see online convinced me it was time to check it out myself. Hopefully these images will do the resort justice.

I arrived at the resort around 11:30am which was right about the time I calculated I would be “home”. I always do early check-in which has for the most part worked to my advantage. On the bus ride from the airport I had received a text that my room was not quite ready but they would text me as soon as it was available. I finalized my check-in, dropped my bags off at bell services and headed out into the resort to do some exploring with the camera.

The resort is themed as rural Louisiana with a mixture of white-columned southern mansions and bayou cottages. The main area of the report is the Sassagoula Steamboat Company. Dining, entertainment and most resort services are located here. I started out toward the mansions, grabbing pictures along the way.

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Magnolia Terrace – My room was on the third floor

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I made it only this far into the resort when I received the text message that my room was ready. I was able to walk up to my room, drop off my camera bag and head back to bell services. Once I retrieved the remainder of my luggage I didn’t even bother unpacking before I headed out to the Magic Kingdom.

It wasn’t until a coupe of mornings later that I managed to get out early to capture some images of the resort just before sunrise. The first image is from the bridge over to my room looking toward the Alligator Bayou rooms. The other two images I have shared previously but they highlight how nice the resort looks all illuminated.

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Port Orleans - Riverside, Walt Disney World

Port Orleans - Riverside, Walt Disney World

On my last morning at this resort after I arranged to have my luggage sent over to the Beach Club I decided to spend a little more time exploring Port Orleans. I didn’t see as much as I had wanted and never made it over to the other half of the resort (the French Quarter). After this morning of exploring I know I need to return to enjoy all this resort has to offer.

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Rather than skip the French Quarter I thought it would be nice to walk the path to that resort to catch the bus over to Hollywood Studios. This first image is the path under the roadway which marks the separation between the two resorts. From my quick tour of the second resort I might try to stay a few days at the French Quarter on my next visit. It is a little smaller, and feels more active than the sprawling Riverside resort.

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The greeter (Steve) was kind enough to allow me to take his picture as I exited the lobby heading to the bus stop. It is these types of images I wanted to concentrate on capturing during my last visit. I still need to work on that objective. I am always hesitant to ask permission. Luckily, Steve was not only good at his job but he seemed to enjoy having his picture taken too!

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