Discovering A Whole New World of Disney-An October 2013 Photo Safari **Updated 2/20

[DaveinFallsChurch]

While nothing can rival Festival of the Lion King for me when it comes to stage shows at Disney World, I still enjoy the other two shows at AK so I did my best to squeeze out some time to watch them. I basically ended up touring AK piecemeal. An hour here, an hour there whether it was hopping from another park or showing up at rope drop one morning before heading out to the convention center.

I have mixed feelings about the Finding Nemo Musical. On the one hand I love the colors and production design as well as the enthusiasm the performers bring to the stage. On the other hand I’m not so hot on the musical numbers. I know they had to create all of the songs from scratch since the movie itself just had 4 bars of tune when Dori sings “Just keep swimming”. You have to admit, even that’s an earworm. I guess expecting composition in the calibers of the Lion King or Beauty and the Beast would be unfair for a production at a theme park located in middle of a Dinosaur laden carnival. But considering how well the other parts of the production are done it just gives you that feeling of what could have been.

I signed up FP+ for this viewing and I was rewarded with one of the best seats I could have asked for. I showed up at the beginning of the time window posted on my FP+ which was 15 minutes before show time. For some reason as I approached the FP+ queue entry, the CM without even a word or a question just pointed me towards the standby queue. I looked at him, showed him my Magic Band, then asked “Sorry, is this not the Fastpass plus entry?” to which he appeared to have finally woken up from his dazed state and said “Oh yes. You’re in the right place.” At that moment my mind was asking if my appearance was just not FP+ worthy enough. I placed my Magic Band against the Mickey reader and it turned green. There, I showed that CM! We were let in before the rest of the crowd and led all the way down to the front section. I ended up about the 5th row from the front and right next to the catwalk portion of the stage. It was perfect for photography. No obstruction. Not a single head in my line of sight.

As I sat there adjusting my camera settings and making sure all flash and LCD lightings were completely off, a family of four sat next to me. The younger boy was about my DS’ age and with still 10 minutes before show time was beginning to get restless as his mom struggled to try to keep him seated on the bench or her lap. So I leaned over to her and said “You know, you can try to play the “Finding Nemo” game in those bubbles on the side of the stages. That usually keeps our 4 year old in his seat until the show starts.” She laughed at first thinking I was completely making up that game on my own. I smiled back and said “No, really – Nemo does randomly swim through those bubbles.” As soon as I finished that last sentence, Nemo flashed by a bubble and she said “Oh! I just saw it!” Her son was fixated on those bubbles for the rest of the way until the show began and watching him reminded me of my DS and how much he loved this show. I’ll definitely have to bring him back to see it in January.

Once the show started everything seemed to be going at a fast pace. It sort of feels like hitting the 2x fast forward speed button on your DVR when you’re trying to skip through the commercials. The 2+ hour movie is condensed to about 35 minutes of showtime.

Peaking out from the ameno....aneno....amemonie.....oh just forget it!

IMG_9293 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

I never noticed this hermit crab before. I really hope he or she has some face time during the show.

IMG_9302 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

Wait. Shouldn't this part be played by that guy who played Cliff Claven from Cheers??

IMG_9318 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

Wish they could have found a way for that squid to squirt ink like in the movie.

IMG_9327 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

By far my favorite performer in the musical.

IMG_9336 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

Bruuuuuuuuuuuuce!!

IMG_9341 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

I just love these sharks. They should have their own spinoff movie.

IMG_9349 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

This is one of my fav pics from this time around. I just love the wicked look the performer has.

IMG_9353 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

And only Bruce's performer can pull off this shadowy look.

IMG_9357 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

Go Dori! Go Dori!

IMG_9359 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

It's your birthday! Seriously, she's my favorite. Did I already say that?

IMG_9363 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

Fish are Friends and Not Food! Until one of them starts having a nose bleed then all bets are off!

IMG_9368 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr


IMG_9374 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

I think the fish tank provides the most colorful backdrop of the entire show.

IMG_9384 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

Gill in front of the glorious Mount Hockaloogie.

IMG_9387 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr


IMG_9396 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

Okay, who made Dori sad?!? Marlin.....I'm looking at you!

IMG_9397 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

I love the facial expressions on the supporting CMs in this sequence.

IMG_9404 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr


IMG_9409 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr


IMG_9410 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

Continued in Next Post (I really wish DIS would let me post more than 25 pictures at a time!)

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Continued from Previous Post

IMG_9418 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

Here comes my favorite dance/song sequence - Go With The Flow

IMG_9426 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

There's so much going on and so many moving parts to this sequence that my camera is usually shuttering away non-stop!

IMG_9437 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr


IMG_9445 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

Look, in the air. It's a bird! It's a Plane! It's SQUIRT!

IMG_9453 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr


IMG_9464 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr


IMG_9470 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

Can't forget about the supporting CMs who dance their hearts out!

IMG_9488 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr


IMG_9490 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

I mean, just look at that detail on the pacifier!

IMG_9492 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr


IMG_9494 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

And we've come to the final scene where all is well! And it always gets me a little misty in the eyes.

IMG_9508 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr


IMG_9307 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr


IMG_9321 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

During the show I couldn’t help notice the little girl who looked to be about 2 years old sitting with her family in the row in front of me. During the more emotionally heavy portions of the show, you know when everyone thinks Nemo died, she got so upset that she just started crying and sobbing. Her dad tried his best to comfort her but it was just too much for her. That reminded me of our DD who when we first took her to see this show when she was two did the exact same thing. To this day, our DD who is 7 continues to get very emotional with certain scenes. I remember when I took her to see Wreck It Ralph a couple of years ago in the theater, she started sobbing uncontrollably when Venellope appeared to be on the brink of being left behind in a video game that was crashing around her. I love how DD can react and be so emotionally invested in theater (which is why I signed her up for some theater class this fall) and watching the family in front made me think of her.

I had a blast shooting the show!

 

[SAT887]

So beautiful! We still haven't caught this show (or any shows.... Oh 3 is the magic age right? ) I really love your picture with Crush and the current behind him, very very cool! You had a great location with Fastpass+ somehow I need to map these all out for our Jan trip.... What lens did you shoot with here? Also, my 4 year old is so similar - sooooo emotional, we watched some Santa Paws or buddies movie the other day and she came into me bawling because there was a fire in it... With that little paragraph/thought you can see that you were missing your family : . Annnnnnnd great bubble tip, if we get there sometime soon hopefully I will remember it for my über impatient 2 year old

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

So beautiful! We still haven't caught this show (or any shows.... Oh 3 is the magic age right? ) I really love your picture with Crush and the current behind him, very very cool! You had a great location with Fastpass+ somehow I need to map these all out for our Jan trip.... What lens did you shoot with here? Also, my 4 year old is so similar - sooooo emotional, we watched some Santa Paws or buddies movie the other day and she came into me bawling because there was a fire in it... With that little paragraph/thought you can see that you were missing your family : . Annnnnnnd great bubble tip, if we get there sometime soon hopefully I will remember it for my über impatient 2 year old

Sarah, I think your children will love this show. In fact, they should like all three shows!

I've been using my big gun 70-200mm f2.8 for all stage shows lately. Just nice to have degree of close up potential. Shutter speed gave me some issues at the beginning of the show so I had to increase it and so with it my ISO which I cringe each time I turn the dial higher and higher.

 

[jkc0325]

Fabulous pictures Dave!!! I feel like I was there and I've never even seen this show. Your pictures are making me wish I had brought my DSLR I chose to go with a P&S and I did get some great pictures, but now I'm thinking of what could have been. Next time I won't be so lazy, LOL.

I can't wait to see more pictures!!!

Care to give out some advice? Next week I want to shoot some pictures of my girls playing soccer but I always seem to have trouble getting good action shots. Any tips for me???

Thanks,

Jen

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Fabulous pictures Dave!!! I feel like I was there and I've never even seen this show. Your pictures are making me wish I had brought my DSLR I chose to go with a P&S and I did get some great pictures, but now I'm thinking of what could have been. Next time I won't be so lazy, LOL.

I can't wait to see more pictures!!!

Care to give out some advice? Next week I want to shoot some pictures of my girls playing soccer but I always seem to have trouble getting good action shots. Any tips for me???

Thanks,

Jen

Thanks Jen!

For your soccer action pictures, I think using a fast shutter speed and continuous shutter mode would be the most helpful settings. What mode do you shoot in normally? I would probably go with shutter priority or manual. Under Shutter Priority (Tv) you could set ISO at automatic. You'll probably need a shutter speed of at least 1/250 to avoid motion blur - I know when my kids were younger that was fast enough but now I need to go close to 320 or 400 to freeze their motion. Even higher shutter speed depending on the speed of the action. You can play around with it and see where it needs to be.

Don't be shy with the continuous burst. These action shots are so hard to anticipate with the naked eye. If you sense a cool action look that's about to come on, start shooting away. You can always erase. If you wait too much you'll miss the moment.

Hope that helps! Let me know if I missed anything

 

[SAT887]

Sarah, I think your children will love this show. In fact, they should like all three shows! I've been using my big gun 70-200mm f2.8 for all stage shows lately. Just nice to have degree of close up potential. Shutter speed gave me some issues at the beginning of the show so I had to increase it and so with it my ISO which I cringe each time I turn the dial higher and higher.

I know they would love it... But my 2 year old will not stay put long enough to realize it.... It's the genetics - you should see me try to watch a movie!

Nice- I just wanted to say I'm going to rent a lens again for January (18-200) I really want a better all in one lens and the 18-300 was a bit heavy... So I will let you know how it goes again with them (I think I will be getting back as you are leaving)

I can't wait to see more

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

First, thank you for the T shirt reveal. That would have just driven me nuts!!

Could not agree more. FOTLK is truly a world class production that Nemo, no matter how good it may be, just can't live up to.

Ha, it appears you are the child whisperer.

I can't help it... I see that squid, I think Pac-Man.

Once again, stunning photos Dave. I think what I really love about this show, apart from how colourful it is, is how the performers emote the characters feeling so well. It really adds to the show so much. Thank you for capturing that so beautifully.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

I know they would love it... But my 2 year old will not stay put long enough to realize it.... It's the genetics - you should see me try to watch a movie!

Nice- I just wanted to say I'm going to rent a lens again for January (18-200) I really want a better all in one lens and the 18-300 was a bit heavy... So I will let you know how it goes again with them (I think I will be getting back as you are leaving)

I can't wait to see more

Yeah, our DS was like that when he was two. Couldn't stay seated so we didn't try the Nemo Musical for him until last January and even that was a bit of a challenge. Nearly 40 minutes is a bit of a challenge.

My telezoom lens is as heavy as a rock which is pretty much the only thing I don't like about it. In fact, when I have that lens on and am taking pictures of a show or a parade my hand that grips the camera starts cramping up and I have to put my camera down for a minute or so.

First, thank you for the T shirt reveal. That would have just driven me nuts!!

Could not agree more. FOTLK is truly a world class production that Nemo, no matter how good it may be, just can't live up to.

Ha, it appears you are the child whisperer.

I can't help it... I see that squid, I think Pac-Man.

Once again, stunning photos Dave. I think what I really love about this show, apart from how colourful it is, is how the performers emote the characters feeling so well. It really adds to the show so much. Thank you for capturing that so beautifully.

The Pac-Man Squid. You're totally right!

I completely agree with you about the performers of Nemo. The last two times I've photographed the show I made it a point to put the faces of the performers as the focal point rather than the puppets for the exact reasons you said. They bring the photos to life with their emotions and expressions that just doesn't come across on the puppets themselves.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

I arrived at Magic Kingdom a little earlier than anticipated for a DIS Meet with khertz and DDuck4life over a dinner at Be Our Guest. Don’t worry I have that particular update being prepared separately from this one. Getting in the park early gave me an opportunity to slowly stroll down Main Street and up to the hub. Once I got to the hub and realizing I still had another 30 minutes to spare I decided to go around and find all of the small golden statues that surround the Partners Statue. I knew they existed but they were one of those small but significantly beautiful details of Disney that I had yet to had seen firsthand.


IMG_1029-2 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

Some of the pictures you see here took a little patience. For some reason, a lot of other people decided to think that the hub would be a great photo spot including the Photopass photographer. Hmmm, I wonder why. Since things were so congested especially those standing by the Partners Statue I had to hold my position for certain photos and patiently wait for the crowds to clear for the angles I had established.


IMG_1038 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr


IMG_1043 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr


IMG_1044 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr


IMG_1048 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr


IMG_1049 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr


IMG_1050 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

The most challenging one was Minnie’s statue. To get this perspective I had to sit on the railings lining the sides of these mini statues and lean back just enough without completely falling backwards using my camera as a counter balance. I must have sat there on that railing for a good 10 minutes looking for that illusive moment when no one was obstructing the space between Minnie and her love, Mickey. This moment was available for literally two seconds I snapped away. Another second later some dude decided to come right in front of me and come to a complete stop with his stroller. Seriously. Oh well, I got my shot by then and my rear end had enough of that railing so it was time for me to go.


IMG_1037 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

The rest of the shoot was a lot of fun. By the way, I can’t tell which one is Chip and which one is Dale in these statues. I usually go by the nose colors to tell the difference but they both have golden noses!


IMG_1039 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr


IMG_1041-2 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

As I was reviewing these sets of pictures after coming home I realized there was one statue I completely missed. Brer Rabbit. I don’t know how I missed it but I guess I have something to look forward to during my next trip!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

I really do love all the statues surrounding the hub. On the Keys to The Kingdom Tour you can find out a bit about them.

One thing I never noticed was the angle of Minnie facing Walt and of course Mickey. That may be one of my favourite pictures ever. Just lovely. Thank you for going above and beyond to get it!!

So funny that I've heard most people use the noses to tell Chip and Dale apart. I've always used the teeth. Chip has the single and Dale has the double buck tooth.

 

[afwdwfan]

An hour here, an hour there whether it was hopping from another park or showing up at rope drop one morning before heading out to the convention center.

The beauty of being solo... you have those opportunities.

At that moment my mind was asking if my appearance was just not FP+ worthy enough.

Apparently you were that one guy who reserved FP+ for this show instead of EE.

Great pictures from the show. It is kind of neat that you got to see some kids around you in the audience to kind of remind you of your own.

I also loved the statue pictures. It might have taken some time and effort, but the results appear to be well worth it. You definitely need to make a point to find the Brer Rabbit one next time so that you have them all. Those pictures would make a nice collage, or even look great together individually framed in a Disney themed room.

 

[khertz]

We were bummed to miss out on the Nemo show (and now seeing your pics I'm even more bummed!) but we just couldn't invest all that time into one show when we only planned one AK morning.

I can't get over how great your hub statue photos came out! Especially that one of Minnie, that is the money shot right there.

Rob beat me to it, I was going to mention the teeth as being a way to tell Chip & Dale apart.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Oh Dave the Nemo show pictures are stunning AK is my favorite park and all of the shows are a must for me I talk up this park all the time So many people think its a 1/2 day or one day park, but from a photography point of view especially, I think I could be very happy if I could get locked in there for about a week and still not see it all

Speaking of not seeing it all, don't feel badly that you couldn't get a 2nd MNSSHP I've been doing this party for years; this year I actually DID go to 2 of them and I STILL have " must do " that was never done never enough time

Glad I got caught up here...have a wonderful day all

Ruthie

 

[quigs3]

Thanks so much for sharing your solo adventures and beautiful pictures! I'm looking forward to your next post!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

So funny that I've heard most people use the noses to tell Chip and Dale apart. I've always used the teeth. Chip has the single and Dale has the double buck tooth.

Somehow this tidbit completely escaped me all these years! That makes it so much easier!

I also loved the statue pictures. It might have taken some time and effort, but the results appear to be well worth it. You definitely need to make a point to find the Brer Rabbit one next time so that you have them all. Those pictures would make a nice collage, or even look great together individually framed in a Disney themed room.

Yeah, I don't know how I missed him. I have a vague recollection of a bunch people crowding that particular area and I must have decided to try to come back to it later but then completely forgot to.

Maybe I can hang the pictures 360 degrees on all four walls in a room and I can stand in the middle looking and pointing out in the distance while clutching a stuffed Mickey that belongs to DS I bet that'll do wonders for my self confidence! All kidding aside I do like the collage idea!

We were bummed to miss out on the Nemo show (and now seeing your pics I'm even more bummed!) but we just couldn't invest all that time into one show when we only planned one AK morning.

I can't get over how great your hub statue photos came out! Especially that one of Minnie, that is the money shot right there.

I can totally understand how difficult it is to fit in these AK shows. Nemo especially since it's 40 minutes! Nemo is not always high on our priorities at AK either.

Oh Dave the Nemo show pictures are stunning AK is my favorite park and all of the shows are a must for me I talk up this park all the time So many people think its a 1/2 day or one day park, but from a photography point of view especially, I think I could be very happy if I could get locked in there for about a week and still not see it all

Ruthie

I had so much fun photographing AK! Stay tuned for a healthy serving of pictures of FoTLK as well as a lot of street scenes along Asia and Africa!

Thanks so much for sharing your solo adventures and beautiful pictures! I'm looking forward to your next post!

Thank you for following along! I've been having a lot of fun putting together this trip report and reliving the trip through my pictures!

 

[SAT887]

That shot of Minnie is so fantastic - it's just perfect. I wonder if they have it set up like that intentionally.... Like how Walt is pointing towards Roy for Mickey.....

 

[emmysmommy]

Dave you nailed that Minnie shot! Perfect! Glad to know that your 10 minute perch paid off.

Rob beat me to the distinguishing the munks apart by their teeth.

Stunning Nemo show photos. You captured the facial expressions of the puppeteers so well. Even the shadows on the face of the Bruce puppeteer was so perfectly done.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

That shot of Minnie is so fantastic - it's just perfect. I wonder if they have it set up like that intentionally.... Like how Walt is pointing towards Roy for Mickey.....

I think you're right and that I wouldn't be surprised if it was done intentionally. Very few things at Disney are done by accident.

Dave you nailed that Minnie shot! Perfect! Glad to know that your 10 minute perch paid off.

Rob beat me to the distinguishing the munks apart by their teeth.

Stunning Nemo show photos. You captured the facial expressions of the puppeteers so well. Even the shadows on the face of the Bruce puppeteer was so perfectly done.

Thanks Brenda! Normally those "raccoon eyes" on portraits bug the crap out of me but it did work pretty well for Bruce's CM which is why I kept the picture.

 

[Nakkira]

Thank you for sharing these