Our 3rd Annual Holiday Trip to DL in November - November 22nd - 25th, 2013 Post #3416

[mvf-m11c]

Hi PiO

Here are the links to the pictures: Page 101, Page 100, Page 99. As you can tell that I didn't upload all the pictures to the post since half of them or even more were blurry during the ride.

Here are the details from picture DSC_0196


Settings
F-stop: f/2
Exposure time: 1/15 sec.
ISO speed: ISO-3200
Max aperture: 1.6

I first tried the pictures on non-flash setting on automatic. Most of the pictures on the Little Mermaid ride were mostly blurry and I just left it on that setting. I thought about changing the settings on the ride, but I decided to try this way first until another dark ride that we rode that day. The next one wasn't until the Haunted Mansion at night. here is a picture from POTC



Settings
F-stop: f/1.8
Exposure time: 1/13 sec
ISO speed: ISO-3200
Max aperture: 1.6

Thank you for helping me with the settings on the DSLR.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Firstly, let me just thank all those photogs on the Photography SubForum who have helped me over the last 2 years of my photo-taking journey.

Secondly, I am by no means an expert and there are heaps of people out there who know more than me. If there is someone lurking and feels like they want to provide additional input on phototaking, please do so…that way we can all learn from you.


Bret – I assume from your comments that you predominantly used the No Flash mode on your camera. There is nothing wrong with this…only that the camera will be calculating the exposure based on the predefined algorithm within its programming. In my opinion, those calculations are designed to set the exposure to pick up as much detail as possible in the image on the sensor. From your pictures, it would seem that the settings are tending to overexposure the lighter sections of the image. The set of Ariel at around DCS186 demonstrates what I mean. If you want to stick with the No flash mode, there are ways to compensate for the overexposure….e.g., you could look at the Exposure Bias and set for an underexposure (head into the negative territory).

I checked the exif data for some of the shots. I noticed that the shots of page 99 had less blur and the exif data shows that your shutter speed was 1/30. The ones you have in the post above are much slower than that.
If you aren’t already using these modes, try out either S or A modes in the dark rides. That will give you a bit more control. It seems that a shutter speed of 1/30 or faster might reduce the blur for you. The ISO setting of 3200 seems reasonable on your camera.

There are a few shots that have ‘blur’ with a shutter speed of 1/30 or higher. The blur in these are probably due to the shallow depth of field. Like I mentioned before, the f-stops of f/2.8 and lower will have the shallower depth of field. If you want to shoot at these aperture settings, this will come down to practise. Disney is perfect for that….go on the same ride over and over and over and over again and keep trying. One thing to keep in mind when shooting with depth of field – you point of focus becomes important.

Take a look at these two examples and you’ll see what I mean. For this reason, I predominantly shoot in spot focus mode now. The aperture setting for both these shots is f/1.8.

My focus point in this shot was at the back of the cannon.

I focussed on the middle of the cannon for this shot.

It will come down to your perspective as to which look you like better.



And Bret – the first time I went to a Disney location with a f/1.8 lens was in October 2010. Here’s my first attempt at the shot similar to your POTC and keep in mind that I shoot purely in manual (but I really should use the other priority modes more and let the camera do some of the work). I was using 1/6 sec, f1.8 @ISO3200. Shutter speed is too slow, creating the blur.

We were lucky – there was no queue, so we got on the ride again. Second attempt… 1/13 sec, f1.8 @ ISO3200. You can see that the lighter bits are over exposed. In retrospect, the shutter speed is still way too slow.

3rd attempt….This one is from DLR in Jan 2011. 1/25 sec, f/2.8 @ISO3200. I still think some of the lighter sections are a little over exposed and the front section details suffer from the depth of field. I’ll probably try something different next time I have the opportunity.

As you head to DLR much more often, just keep playing with the different settings and look at your shots for what you like and don't like. Keep using the settings that you do like and try something else next time.


Hope this helps!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – August 14, 2012– Part 7​

After getting FP’s for Star Tours, we started to go to our next ride at DL which will be Matterhorn Mountain. I have been waiting to ride the revamped Matterhorn Mountain after it has been down for a long time and installing new bobsled cars. I was excited and worried about the new bobsleds. I have been hearing from reports that the new bobsleds are not as comfortable as the old ones. The designs are a little similar to the Space Mountain cars at the MK which are a three passenger car and 6 people for each train. The only thing i am concern is the leg room where I have a big bag with all my equipment. We’ll just wait and see what it is like when we get on the Matterhorn.

We left TL and now heading on over to Matterhorn Mountain. On the way, we saw the mountain climbers climbing the Matterhorn. It was nice to see climbers again after not offering the opportunity to climb the mountain.

The three of us got in line and the wait time was 15 minutes from our spot which wasn’t that long. We were all excited to ride the Matterhorn that day. I asked them which side they want to ride, they didn’t care which side so I choose the TL side which is the popular side.

Here are some pics while we were in the queue at Matterhorn Mountain.

Mandy Monorail or Monorail Blue

The new bobsled cars on the side track

Another light fixture around the Matterhorn

A look at the station from the queue

We are almost up to the loading station

While we were in the queue, I got some pictures of signs and light fixture

I remember the old sign where it was a four person sign. Now with the new one which is a three person sign.

A look at one of the new cars

Another light fixture

Finally it was our turn to ride the Matterhorn and we were all excited. We got the end of the car which was okay, I was hoping that we would be able to ride the front car.

Here is my video of Matterhorn Mountain that I took that day. The video was kind of wobbling when I videotaped on the ride. Disneyland Matterhorn Mountain 8/14/12

When we got off the ride, it was nice to ride Matterhorn Mountain after being out of service since last year. There were some things that I didn’t like about the new bobsleds. As I stated from the beginning of this post is that the bobsleds don’t have enough room and you can tell by some of these pics you can see the guest legs when they are seated in the bobsleds. The cars were not that comfortable and it was even worse if you have a backpack with you when you ride the new bobsleds. I couldn’t put my bag on my lap since I don’t want it to fly out during the ride and I didn’t want to ask my DB to hold it for me while I was videotaping. I am telling you this right now and do apologize if I offend anyone who likes the new bobsleds. I don’t like these new sleds and would like the old one’s back. They are not that comfortable to ride and it would be very nice if they have the leg room

After getting off Matterhorn Mountain, our next ride was BTMRR. The reason why I want to go on BTMRR is that I read a report from Al Lutz from Miceage and he quoted on his site that BTMRR will be closing around the end of fall for a major refurbishment of the mountain. Which the ride will be closed for the whole year which I have read and replace the track like Disney did with Space Mountain in 2003. I wanted to get on BTMRR before the major refurbishment. But I also got to realize that this report came from Al Lutz and not from the Disney Company. I just played it safe just in case if BTMRR is closed when I come back to the DLR in November during the Holiday season.

Now we left Matterhorn Mountain and on our way to Frontierland. We passed through Fantasyland and there were quite some people.

Flowers right by the Village Haus restaurant

A look at BTMRR while exiting Fantasyland from the back side

Now passing through Big Thunder Ranch

Now we were in Frontierland and right by BTMRR. It didn’t look that busy around Frontierland and maybe the wait time for BTMRR wouldn’t be that long. But from previous history of BTMRR, I knew that the wait time will be short around 11pm.

The wait time was 10 minutes which was the right time around that afternoon. Since it was only a short wait, we decided to go on BTMRR

While we walked through the queue, I read on the Lutz report that the queue will be a little different if they have the refurbishment. So while this might be the last time to ride and walk through BTMRR, I got a lot of different random pics in the queue.

Another light fixture and you can see part of the mine train in the background.

That’s it for this post from BTMRR. These next three days from Friday to Sunday, I won’t be doing any updates to my TR since I am working at an Anime show in Sacramento from the morning to night. The next update will be on Monday. Thank you for reading my trip reports and have a nice day.

 

[tksbaskets]

Great update! Love the light fixture pictures you got. I am a tad worried you won't get back to DCA for your RSR ride

 

[mvf-m11c]

Great update! Love the light fixture pictures you got. I am a tad worried you won't get back to DCA for your RSR ride

Thank you TK. Good thing that Sherry did that light fixture on the Community Board and it got me all excited to take some pictures of the light fixtures during my trip. You'll find out in a few more updates from my TR if we made it or not. I would assume that you already know that answer if we got on that day or not.


I'm about to do another update to my TR. I have some time to write up one more until the busy weekend. So stay tune for the next one.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – August 14, 2012– Part 8​

We left off at BTMRR and were in the queue waiting to get on the ride. But before we get to the pictures, I have heard rumors that BTMRR will be closing later this year for a long refurbishment. If the stories are true or not, it was a good idea to ride the original BTMRR just in case if it close later this year. Now back to BTMRR queue where my DB and V are in line waiting to get on BTMRR.

More different pictures of the queue before we got on the ride

For people who don’t know about these buildings at the end of BTMMR, these were original showcase buildings from the former Mine Train through Nature’s Wonderland.

Here comes one of the mine trains.

BTMRR sign

Another light fixture

Now almost towards the loading station

We were on the right hand side of the loading station and had to wait just about a minute until it was time to ride BTMRR. While we were waiting, I took some more different pictures around the station.

The mine train came at the station and now we boarded it. I did videotape Big Thunder Mountain Railroad that day and here is the video that is on youtube: Disneyland Big Thunder Mountain Railroad on August 14, 2012

It is so fun riding BTMRR at DL. I have ridden the one at the MK. When I compare both mountains at DL & the MK, the overall ride experience for me is DL while the MK version is the best looking mountain. Every time I ride DL BTMRR, I always look forward to the rainbow colored caverns when you enter the first tunnel. This is my personal preference of both mountains at DL and the MK.

After getting off BTMRR, it was time to head on over to TL and use our FP’s for Star Tours. It was barely past 11am that afternoon and it was almost time for our FP’s for Radiator Springs Racers at DCA, but we had some time to go on over to Star Tours and head on over to DCA. So we left Frontierland and head on over to Tomorrowland.

More different pics on the way over to TL

Now at the Hub

While I was around the Hub, I stopped a little bit to get some pics of the flowers.

Now entering Tomorrowland

That is it for this post. I did say that the last update from this morning would be the last one, but I had some time to write up one last update to my trip report before the Anime show. We’ll find out what destinations we will be heading on Star Tours.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Thanks for sharing more wonderful shots again.

Have a great time at the Anime show.

 

[tksbaskets]

I loved the video on BTMM. I don't know if I ever really paid a lot of attention to the old buildings/stores in the queue. I appreciate the pictures and the DL trivia.

Hope you made it to RSR in time to use your FPs!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Thanks for sharing more wonderful shots again.

Have a great time at the Anime show.

Your welcome PiO. Glad that you like the latest update.

I did have a great time at the Sac Anime Show and made a lot of sales.

I loved the video on BTMM. I don't know if I ever really paid a lot of attention to the old buildings/stores in the queue. I appreciate the pictures and the DL trivia.

Hope you made it to RSR in time to use your FPs!

Thank you TK. I didn't know too much of the buildings right by the track at BTMRR for all these years until these last 10 years. It is a tribute to the Mine Train through Nature’s Wonderland and I would assume that they will leave the buildings if DL does a major revamped of the ride.

You will find out on the next update. Since I have been gone during the Sac Anime show this weekend, I haven't updated my TR. But I will have the next update tomorrow morning.

 

[deejdigsdis]

Hi Bret! I'm all caught up on Sherry's TR, now I want to dive into yours. I'm excited to see your latest pictures.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Hi Bret! I'm all caught up on Sherry's TR, now I want to dive into yours. I'm excited to see your latest pictures.

Hi Deej. Hope you enjoy these pictures.


The next update will be up shortly.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – August 14, 2012– Part 9​

We left off at the Hub heading on over to Torrowland to ride Star Tours since we have FP’s at that time. It was a nice day that afternoon which the weather started to pick up that afternoon. The park crowd levels started to pick up with more and more people coming from MS to the Hub. But we weren’t planning on staying too long at DL since we have FP’s to use at DCA for Radiator Springs Racers. It was cutting it close for the FP’s but we had enough time to go on Star Tours and go on RSR that day.

It was after 11am when we were heading on over to TL. But when we were about to enter TL, the DL band was coming out from the side of the Plaza Inn and Tomorrowland.

Now we were on our way towards Star Tours and use our FP’s that day.

When we passed by Astro Orbiter and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster the wait time were in the 10 minute range which is accurate for a summertime at DL.

Over at Star Tours entrance, the wait time for the stand-by line was 30 minutes. Good thing we had our FP’s that day so we wouldn’t have to wait in that long line. I know that DB and V wouldn’t want to wait in that long line.

While we were walking through the Star Tour FP queue, I got a few pics of the Star Speeder 1000 and of course C3PO and R2D2.

A few more pics of the queue

We only had to wait about 5 minutes to get on Star Tours. Now it was time for our destinations of where we went during this trip. On the first part of the scene, we were leaving the Rebel Alliance hanger while we were stopped by two storm troopers. I was hoping to get the Darth Vader scene. But we got that scene instead. Our next destination was the planet Tatooine and we were in a middle of a Pod Race. We were passing through other pod racers and won the race. We left the planet Tatooine and got a transmission from Yoda to bring the Rebel spy safely to our next destination. For our next destination was to the planet Coruscant as we were in the middle of a battle between the Republic and the Separatists. We made it to our destination safely and delivered the spy safely. Than we got out of the Starspeeder 1000 and back in DL.

As we got off Star Tours, we started to head on out of the park since it was close to our time for our RSR FP’s to be used. So we high tailed on out of DL and over to DCA. This is the time for all that wait that Tuesday morning during APEE at DCA and we finally get to use our FP’s for RSR. This will be exciting to ride RSR after riding it during the preview in mid June.

We were back at TL and see that the whole area around Star Tours, Astro Orbiter and BLAB started to pick up that day with more and more guests.

Now we were back at TL and on our way out of the park. MS didn’t look that busy as we were heading on out. As always, I got a few random pics of the buildings on MS as we were heading on out. It was a great opportunity to get more different pictures with the new lens.

Coke Corner

Good thing that it was only 11:20am when we were about to leave DL. Our times were at 11:30am to 12:30pm so it looks like we will have plenty of time to get on over to DCA and get on RSR.

I can never get tired of these light poles and fixtures on MS with the patriotic colors.

The Crystal Arcade looks great as always and is part of the Emporium store

Now entering Main Street Town Square which wasn’t that crowded.

While at MS TS, the DL band was passing heading back stage. Just a while ago they were at the Hub while we were heading into Star Tours.

Now we went under the MS station and were right by the turnstiles as we were about to head on out of DL and over to DCA. It was around 11:25am when we left DL and onto DCA. We made great time at DL for about an hour and a half. We got to go on Matterhorn Mountain, BTMRR and Star Tours. We got a lot done in such a short time and got on two of the rides that I wanted to ride at DL.

The three of us left DL and heading on over to DCA to use our FP’s. That’s it for this post and the next update will be what time we got in the queue for RSR.

 

[tksbaskets]

We love Star Tours. Of course since DH would hurl on such a ride he goes over and defends the planet against Zurg while the guys and I ride Star Tours. Always our magic morning destination.

I too love the lamppost with the patriotic buntings. Did you make it to ride RSR with your FPs?

 

[PrincessInOz]

Another Star Tours fan. I still have to experience the new simulations but it sounds fantastic!

Thanks for sharing.

 

[mvf-m11c]

We love Star Tours. Of course since DH would hurl on such a ride he goes over and defends the planet against Zurg while the guys and I ride Star Tours. Always our magic morning destination.

I too love the lamppost with the patriotic buntings. Did you make it to ride RSR with your FPs?

Star Tours is a fun ride ever since the update from last year. It was nice to ride both Star Tours at DL and DHS last year. They had a fun time riding it. I do remember that you and your sons rode Star Tours in the morning while your DH went on BLAB.

The lamppost are always neat during the summertime with the patriotic colors. You will find out if we made it or not at RSR on the next post.

Another Star Tours fan. I still have to experience the new simulations but it sounds fantastic!

Thanks for sharing.

You will like Star Tours. Are you still planning on going to DL next year during the meet up at WDW in October? That is one ride that you will have to do at DL or you can ride it at DHS.

Your welcome.


The next post will be up shortly.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – August 14, 2012– Part 10​

After going over to DL to go on some rides, it was time to head on over to DCA and use our FP’s for RSR. We did have plenty of time that day to head on over to RSR since it was around 11:25am when we left DL. The day was quite nice and it was time to head on over to DCA to use our FP’s for RSR.

My DB and V were excited to ride RSR after I got FP’s that morning. It was a long morning when I used part of my morning to get FP’s for RSR which took an hour of my time. But it was worth it for them since I sacrifice part of my APEE so we can ride RSR. I was hoping to ride RSR that morning during APEE, but it would be nice to ride with them so I didn’t have to ride it by myself. I could have rode RSR by myself with no problem since I am at the park solo.

Let’s get back to the TR.

We left DL around 11:25am and now at the esplanade. We are heading on over to DCA after being in DL part of the morning. The crowd levels around the esplanade were not that busy. But there were quite a number of people heading on in to DL. Good thing that we aren’t entering DL that afternoon.

Over at the turnstiles didn’t look that bad than DL, but it was a small wait to get into DCA.

Now passing through the turnstiles

It was semi busy around BVS with most of the guests entering the park.

We just kept walking on over to Cars Land so we can use our RSR FP. I also remember to be at BVS later during the day so I can see Red Car News Boys and Instant Concert at PP. So I had a lot to do that day at DCA.

Passing through the Carthay Circle Theater

Now we are entering Cars Land. It was nice to enter Cars Land that afternoon and hope that the wait time for RSR won’t be that long. Since we have FP’s for RSR, it should be a quick 5 to 10 minute wait time in the FP queue.
[img http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8282/7797772750_465e463cba_z.jpg[/img]

A few pics on the way until we got to the end of Radiator Springs

Fillmore’s Taste-In building

Tow Mater sign

Sarge’s Surplus Hut

It did started to get a little busy around the Cozy Cone and Flo’s V8 Café

Cozy Cone Motel sign

Flo’s V8 Café

Over at Luigi’s Flying Tires, the wait time was around 50 minutes which is quite long that afternoon. I was thinking of trying to get DB and V to go on LFT that day, but they didn’t want to wait for over 30 minutes for LFT. So the only way to get on LFT that day was to come back later that day and hope that LFT will be in the 15 to 20 minute wait time when the park is closing at 11pm. You can tell from the line that was outside that it was going to be a 50 minute wait since going inside is a 40 minute wait from my experience during the preview back in June.

Passing by Ramone’s House of Body Art

Now passing through Radiator Springs Town Hall

Making a right turn towards RSR

We finally arrived at RSR entrance and see what the wait times was like that afternoon. When I looked at the times it was 100 minute wait time to get on RSR from the stand-by line which isn’t that bad. But still for over an hour and a half wait time does seem like a long time. I was surprise to see that the single rider line wait time not posted. Sometimes the wait times for the single rider line can be unpredictable where it can be a 5 minute wait or an hour wait depends on the group of people that are in the stand-by queue and FP queue. It was also 12pm that time and we made it by half an hour from that walking from DL.

The RSR FP Distribution sign

A look at RSR track and some people waiting in the stand-by queue

We showed our FP’s to the CM at the FP entrance queue and on our way. I did get a few pics of the signs on the FP queue where I didn’t get to go through the RSR FP queue during the preview.

That’s it for this post and the next time will be what car and side we will get on RSR.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Another fantastic update. 100 minute wait for stand-by? I'm glad you got those FP.

Thanks for sharing.


And yes, I do plan to stop by DL and visit Carsland on the way to WDW next year.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Another fantastic update. 100 minute wait for stand-by? I'm glad you got those FP.

Thanks for sharing.


And yes, I do plan to stop by DL and visit Carsland on the way to WDW next year.

Thank you PiO. The 100 minute wait time for the standby queue wasn't that long as I expected. During the summertime, I have seen the wait time as long as 135+ minute wait time or longer. So this time around noon isn't as bad as it looks. Good thing we got those FP's that day and didn't have to wait in that long line. I was lucky to use part of my APEE to get the FP's or we would have to get on RSR later that day.

You and your family will love Cars Land a lot.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – August 14, 2012– Part 11​

We left off entering Radiator Springs Racers FP queue and on our way to ride RSR. We were all excited to ride RSR that day and hope that the wait time for RSR is not that long then the standby queue. The stand-by queue was 100 minute wait which was a long time that day, but that was nothing when you compare it 2+ hours during the opening month. Now that it slowed down this month which isn’t a lot, but we didn’t have to worry about it since we weren’t in the standby queue.

Now back at the FP queue as we were heading on over to get on RSR. Here are some more pics of RSR that day.

The standby queue was long that day

Another sign right on the queue

The people on the left side was the single rider queue which was long that afternoon

Stanley Oasis Water Tower

Now we are handing our RSR FP’s that I got that morning and now in the regular queue with the other guests.

Now entering the loading area for RSR

When we entered the loading area, we were at the back of the car. I was hoping to get in the front, but it was fine to get on RSR. We were all excited to ride RSR that day after a long morning getting FP’s and have to wait about 10 minutes to get on the ride. As always the ride experience was amazing and this was the 6th time to ride RSR. The one part that I was disappointed the most during the ride was the tractor tipping part which the tractors did not tip. I knew that there were a lot of problems with the AA’s on RSR. I knew that there were a couple of times during the preview in June that RSR AA’s had troubles. We also got Luigi’s Casa Della Tires side which I was happy to get since my DB and V would like it a lot. When we raced the other car on the other side of the track we won the race which was great.

I did videotape the ride while the three of us rode RSR that day. For you DISer’s that would like to see the video here is the link: Radiator Springs Racers Luigi’s Side 8/14/12

As we got off the ride, my DB and V were so excited that they wanted to ride RSR again. But I told them if they are willing to wait for over 1 ½ hour in the standby queue they can do that or stand in the single rider line. They will consider riding RSR one day when they come back and the queue won’t be that long.

When we were about on out of RSR, we had to stop at the photopass area and get our pic on RSR. As you can see that I had my video camera during the ride and I knew where the camera was located. You can see my DB in the middle and V on the right hand side in the back of the car.

We exited the photopass area and now heading on out of RSR. On the way out, I got a few more pics of Cadillac Range and around Radiator Springs.

One of the cars racing as we were exiting RSR

The side of RS Town Hall

That’s it for this post and I will have some more pics from RSR exit then we will find out what we did after RSR.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Fantastic pictures of RS. I love the colours in the rocks and every time you post a picture, I just marvel at how well Disney actually constructed the whole CarsLand.
Kudos to you - your pictures do it justice!