Yes. Reports are that the Jingle Bell Bam show has been really amped up with fireworks, so that was worth seeing as compared to last year when it wasn't as good. The other factor that made us decide to stay at Hollywood Studios was the addition of the Sunset Boulevard light projection shows. We are seeing great reviews about these additions to Hollywood Studios so the planning board thought the group would definitely want to stay and experience these new and improved attractions. ~Joanie
Correct. Because of the new DHS Christmas decorations and the fact that a bunch of new pyro was added to Jingle Bell Jingle Bam, we made the decision to stay at AK for blue hour on Saturday to open up DHS in the evening Sunday. As has been the case the last couple of years, Disney has changed something late in our planning process that we wanted to add to the schedule. It's always a fluid process.
Due to some unforeseen issues with the app company we used last year, we aren't able to get a custom app in place for this year. Instead, we're going to use the messaging app, GroupMe. While lacking some of the features of last year's app, GroupMe provides a chat function and a calendar. Please download the app and join the Pixelmania Group. After you've downloaded the app and have created a user account, please use the following link to join the Pixelmania group: https://groupme.com/join_group/2930609/Z8e2jP If you have any trouble, we can add people to the group individually.
If you don't have a smarty-smart phone, you can sign up on the GroupMe website and they will send text messages to your non-smart cell phone.
I thought someone mentioned this somewhere on the site but I cant find it. The SpaceX Falcon 9 will be launching no earlier than 1:20 p.m. EST, Friday, Dec. 8, 2017. https://www.nasa.gov/launchschedule/ Not sure about how visible it will be from Epcot but its always a treat to see. If anyone knows anything about the trajectory, we'll be on Castaway Cay at the time. It would be interesting to know if it will be visible from there.
Not sure about Castaway, but should be pretty clearly visible from Epcot unless there's extremely heavy cloud cover. Even though the Falcon 9 isn't quite as bright as the Space Shuttle was, the Space Shuttle was almost like a sun rising at night, so the SpaceX rocket should still make quite a bright orange glow from there. From my house, I could see the Space Shuttles down here in Boca Raton fairly easily, but unless it's crystal clear I can't usually see the SpaceX launches.
The last time I looked, 1:20 pm is in the early afternoon, so you'll be looking for a vapor trail, not a bright glow in the sky. And since it's headed for ISS, the launch trajectory will be towards the northeast, up the coast. Not so good for Castaway Cay, but possibly visible from WDW. The long-term weather guess for Friday calls for partly cloudy with a high of 63 (brrr). In fact, it looks like highs will be in the 60s for the duration of Pixelmania. Not exactly the warm welcome that I've come to expect from Florida.
Better than what we've been getting - mid-80s need to just go away already! I always considered Pixelmania my cool winter getaway...if we do get 60s day and maybe 40s night, I'll be in bliss! And hey - sensors prefer cool weather, so night shots will be less noisy.
Cold up here now. I was wishing for warmer....like upper 70s day and 60s at night. Not fun to wear or carry jacket all day long.
TSA TRAVEL WARNING! If you don't have TSA pre-check, the lines for regular TSA were the longest I have ever seen them. Announcements are constantly being made over the airport PA system for people that are obviously not at their Gates and their plane is leaving. Be sure to get to the airport 4 hours early for your domestic flight. You will definitely need the extra time. @Tim I am especially thinking of you with this warning. You are definitely not going to be able to be late and still make it to the gate in time for departure. Signed, Sitting at the airport gate in Philadelphia.
PIXELMANIA WEATHER ALERT: RAIN & COLD weather is forecast. Pack your (Florida) long johns and rain gear. ~Joanie
Hopefully typical Florida rain - comes, rains for 30 minutes, stops...I can live with a little rain here and there as long as it gives us some holes to shoot. The cold on the other hand thrills me to no end! Finally - almost 3 years since I've experienced a temperature lower than 55 degrees...including 2 Decembers and 2 Januaries at Disney which were supposed to be my 'cool' trips. Global warming? Ha! The entire U.S. had massive cold blasts each winter...more like Florida warming...where we haven't seen anything resembling a winter in years. But I'm feeling cooler now And they could tell we're cooler now It's obvious we're cooler now, cooler now Cool, cool, cool, cool places tonight!
Just wanted to thank the organizers and everyone else for a great time this year. I know it takes a lot of time and effort to plan this event each year. I really appreciate how easy, open and fun it is to join the group. I'm looking forward to next year and all the fun we'll have in October. Thanks again and I'm looking forward to seeing all the photos from the trip. -- Jeff
Ditto, and agreed on all fronts. Was great to see everyone again, since I generally can only make every OTHER Pixelmania now when they're in December. Wish I had been able to squeeze in a few extra days this time around - especially as the weather was just getting perfect on my last day there. Just got through my photo sorting and should get everything up to my gallery tonight - had to get all the pics out of the way as I'll be back to heavy birding again by this weekend.
It was great hanging out with everyone and besides, with all the money we'll be making off of the Poop App, the entire planning will be able to afford a free trip down in October... ~Joanie
