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

[afwdwfan]

I think you did a nice job on the animal shots at the safari, especially given the fact that you were on the wrong side and the driver didn't allow much time to stop for pictures.

Thanks for sharing the pictures from DC. I've been there several times, but never around Christmas. It looks beautiful.

I've got to say, I'm kind of neutral on that parade. I've never thought it was great, but I didn't exactly dislike it. I do look forward to seeing what will come next though. I'm glad you were able to see it one last time and get some great pictures.

I bought my wife a DSLR for Christmas. So I guess what you're saying is if I go out and get a ridiculously huge lens, the characters will make sure we get great parade pictures!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

I am definitely in the not really a fan camp for this parade, but then, I've never had the memories you shared here. With those, this would absolutely be a favourite. That said, I still made a point to see it one last time before it's gone.

Wow, what an odd reaction from this guy trying to take a selfie. Just... odd.

WOW, so yeah my pictures aren't quite that good, lol. I just love how everyone was interacting and posing for you. That would for sure move this parade up in my books.

And yes, I do appreciate the final photo being Ariel.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Great update!

Thanks!

great update and wonderful pictures!

We aren't big "parade people" - or at least we haven't been in the past - but this last trip we did catch this parade and the kids loved it - just a great way to see so many characters at once kinda crammed together.

I am excited about the posted drawings of the floats for the new parade and I am sure there will be new memories from it - just great that you have so many great pictures from this parade to remember it by

I wasn't all that into parades either before the kids came along. Now we try to catch as many of them as we can.

I can't wait to find out what the new one looks like!

I think you did a nice job on the animal shots at the safari, especially given the fact that you were on the wrong side and the driver didn't allow much time to stop for pictures.

Thanks for sharing the pictures from DC. I've been there several times, but never around Christmas. It looks beautiful.

I've got to say, I'm kind of neutral on that parade. I've never thought it was great, but I didn't exactly dislike it. I do look forward to seeing what will come next though. I'm glad you were able to see it one last time and get some great pictures.

I bought my wife a DSLR for Christmas. So I guess what you're saying is if I go out and get a ridiculously huge lens, the characters will make sure we get great parade pictures!

We've discovered a lot of new places and sights in DC this holiday season. Loved all of them! There were a couple of more places we didn't get a chance to try that I'll have to save for next year.

Congrats to your DW on the new DSLR! And yes, the large lens will draw a lot of wanted and unwanted attention. Last year, Aladdin saw my camera and pointed out to his photopass photog that my camera was bigger than hers. Awkward!

I am definitely in the not really a fan camp for this parade, but then, I've never had the memories you shared here. With those, this would absolutely be a favourite. That said, I still made a point to see it one last time before it's gone.

Wow, what an odd reaction from this guy trying to take a selfie. Just... odd.

WOW, so yeah my pictures aren't quite that good, lol. I just love how everyone was interacting and posing for you. That would for sure move this parade up in my books.

And yes, I do appreciate the final photo being Ariel.

Yeah, I still don't quite understand what happened with the selfie guy. Maybe he thought I was going to charge him or something. Who knows.

Sadly, that's the only picture of Ariel from this trip.

It's so much fun when the CMs and characters ham it up for my camera.

 

[MEK]

Merry Christmas everyone!!


IMG_4547 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

Is this your tree? You got the LED lights? We just got them this year. So cool!

 

[MEK]

Love the pictures from DC. I still have to hit Longwood Gardens for the Christmas display - hoping to go on NY's Day.

Beautiful parade pictures. You have me inspired to really try for faces the next time I photograph a parade. Those expressions are priceless!

 

[khaleesi]

All caught up!!!! Hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas! I never did find a Frozen coloring book, but I think I was probably just looking in the wrong places.

I frequently do things solo, Disney and non. I love going to the movies alone, but unless I'm at Disney I generally don't like eating alone... unless it's at a place like Panera where I can drag out the Kindle and not look completely out of place. I'm pretty shy and self-conscious myself so I totally get it!

The thing I have a hard time doing solo at Disney is interacting with the characters. I'm hoping to change that this time!!

Those Tower of Terror pictures are simply amazing!!! I am in awe. And the interaction with the CMs was a lot of fun to read!

I have one of these!!!!

And finally my favorite item from the gift shop.

 

[princess_momma]

Wow I am way behind! Time to catch up! :surf web:

I absolutely love the details in AK. It is such an incredible park. It's hard to believe a theme park can be so immersive! And EE is probably my favorite roller coasted of all time! The themeing there is amazing as well! Can't believe that the guy mentioned in the pamphlet is actually a famous mountain climber! Any progress on convincing your daughter to go for a ride next month?

I love your Dream Along with Mickey pictures! That CIA lens is pretty awesome! But yikes about Captain Hook & Mister Smee!

The Madagascar breakfast looks fun. Landon enjoys them, but I'd prefer Disney anyway! The ice sculptures are amazing!! It's so crazy to think what people can do with just about anything!

I am dying to be MK's family of the day, too! Waking up that early though is quite hard for my family who is used to mountain time!

I just loved your picture of everyone coming into the MK! What a great feeling. Can you imagine being an opening CM and getting to see that every day and feel that atmosphere?! :good vibes

Italy is probably my favorite pavilion. I myself have shot photo shoots there. It's such a gorgeous area!

How awesome that you were the only one in an Adventureland! Isn't it so insane how similar the masses think? Makes me laugh. And then feel embarrassed since I always hit Tomorrowland first. Your pictures of the Leaky Tikis are great!

You got some incredible pics on BTMRR! How incredible! I love all the details and its so hard to see them all because of how fast you are going! Also, thanks for sharing that backstory! That's so fascinating! I love Disney and their backstories!

ONE OF MY DISNEY BUCKET LISTS ITEMS IS RENTING OUT TOWER OF TERROR FOR A PRIVATE EVENT! But as you know, I'm obsessed. Such a great ride. Lots of other theme parks may have similar rides, but you are right…it has a lot that sets it apart! No other one even comes close! As you can imagine, I love your entire ToT photo shoot. It's such a photogenic hotel, I even had my own. The details are so incredible! I am just obsessed with ToT! It's perfect! I never even realized that photo viewing area was themed to a photo developing area! Perfect, I tell ya!

I am going to miss the parade too, but I bet the new one will be great! Can't wait to see your pics of that one!

 

[Simba22]

Great parade pics! The Christmas ones came out beautiful, too!

 

[emmysmommy]

Hi Dave! I love how you took the time to capture things from the parades and attractions that I don't normally observe/notice. Your baking in the sun to get your parade shots paid off. At least I appreciate the effort you wnt to to ensure some fabulous photos!! Alice sure couldn't take her eyes off you! That is very thoughtful of the characters to "pose" a second or two longer so you get your shot. I sure wish Snow White would have done that for the MVMCP parade since she danced down the street so fast there was no chance I was getting any more than a blur of her figure moving down the street.

I thoroughly enjoyed your Christmas photos around DC.

 

[mecllap]

The thing I have a hard time doing solo at Disney is interacting with the characters. I'm hoping to change that this time!!

Not to distract from Dave's thread here -- just wanted to let you know that I did tons of solo character photos during the past year (two WDW trips and one cruise) and they were all wonderful. Be fun and outgoing with them and you will get some great photos -- had lots of super interaction. I think it's like a break for them to have an occasional adult for "conversation" whether face or "masked." Play to their character. Have a super time!
Now if I could just take Dave along as a Photographer!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Is this your tree? You got the LED lights? We just got them this year. So cool!

It was from my father-in-law's tree. We don't have LED lights yet for ours at home. That's the one rare area of technology that he's got me beat! His phone is 5 years old. His camera was 7 years old. We finally got him a new one for Christmas and upgraded from his ol' point and shoot to a small DSLR.

Beautiful parade pictures. You have me inspired to really try for faces the next time I photograph a parade. Those expressions are priceless!

I think that's my favorite thing to photograph - expressions, emotions, and reactions on faces especially my kids. It's amazing how you can sometimes freeze a moment of joy and excitement in a single frame!

All caught up!!!! Hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas! I never did find a Frozen coloring book, but I think I was probably just looking in the wrong places.

I frequently do things solo, Disney and non. I love going to the movies alone, but unless I'm at Disney I generally don't like eating alone... unless it's at a place like Panera where I can drag out the Kindle and not look completely out of place. I'm pretty shy and self-conscious myself so I totally get it!

The thing I have a hard time doing solo at Disney is interacting with the characters. I'm hoping to change that this time!!

Those Tower of Terror pictures are simply amazing!!! I am in awe. And the interaction with the CMs was a lot of fun to read!

I have one of these!!!!

I've promised myself that the next time I set foot in ToT's gift shop that I'm going to buy a souvenir!

Hmmm, I don't think I've come across a Frozen coloring book yet either. Going to have to look for it at the Times Square Disney Store in a couple of days! I'll let you know if I find one.

Wow I am way behind! Time to catch up! :surf web:

I absolutely love the details in AK. It is such an incredible park. It's hard to believe a theme park can be so immersive! And EE is probably my favorite roller coasted of all time! The themeing there is amazing as well! Can't believe that the guy mentioned in the pamphlet is actually a famous mountain climber! Any progress on convincing your daughter to go for a ride next month?

I love your Dream Along with Mickey pictures! That CIA lens is pretty awesome! But yikes about Captain Hook & Mister Smee!

The Madagascar breakfast looks fun. Landon enjoys them, but I'd prefer Disney anyway! The ice sculptures are amazing!! It's so crazy to think what people can do with just about anything!

I am dying to be MK's family of the day, too! Waking up that early though is quite hard for my family who is used to mountain time!

I just loved your picture of everyone coming into the MK! What a great feeling. Can you imagine being an opening CM and getting to see that every day and feel that atmosphere?! :good vibes

Italy is probably my favorite pavilion. I myself have shot photo shoots there. It's such a gorgeous area!

How awesome that you were the only one in an Adventureland! Isn't it so insane how similar the masses think? Makes me laugh. And then feel embarrassed since I always hit Tomorrowland first. Your pictures of the Leaky Tikis are great!

You got some incredible pics on BTMRR! How incredible! I love all the details and its so hard to see them all because of how fast you are going! Also, thanks for sharing that backstory! That's so fascinating! I love Disney and their backstories!

ONE OF MY DISNEY BUCKET LISTS ITEMS IS RENTING OUT TOWER OF TERROR FOR A PRIVATE EVENT! But as you know, I'm obsessed. Such a great ride. Lots of other theme parks may have similar rides, but you are right…it has a lot that sets it apart! No other one even comes close! As you can imagine, I love your entire ToT photo shoot. It's such a photogenic hotel, I even had my own. The details are so incredible! I am just obsessed with ToT! It's perfect! I never even realized that photo viewing area was themed to a photo developing area! Perfect, I tell ya!

I am going to miss the parade too, but I bet the new one will be great! Can't wait to see your pics of that one!

We should make a pact that if either of us gets around to booking a private event at Tower of Terror then we will invite the other person!

I have not made much progress with DD and EE. I do however believe that she has decided to try ToT!

Great parade pics! The Christmas ones came out beautiful, too!

Thank you! Really enjoyed the DC scenery this year!

Hi Dave! I love how you took the time to capture things from the parades and attractions that I don't normally observe/notice. Your baking in the sun to get your parade shots paid off. At least I appreciate the effort you wnt to to ensure some fabulous photos!! Alice sure couldn't take her eyes off you! That is very thoughtful of the characters to "pose" a second or two longer so you get your shot. I sure wish Snow White would have done that for the MVMCP parade since she danced down the street so fast there was no chance I was getting any more than a blur of her figure moving down the street.

I thoroughly enjoyed your Christmas photos around DC.

Thanks Brenda!

You're right about Alice. She had her gaze locked on me for a very long time. I would like to think it's because of my good looks but I know that it was the camera lens.

Not to distract from Dave's thread here -- just wanted to let you know that I did tons of solo character photos during the past year (two WDW trips and one cruise) and they were all wonderful. Be fun and outgoing with them and you will get some great photos -- had lots of super interaction. I think it's like a break for them to have an occasional adult for "conversation" whether face or "masked." Play to their character. Have a super time!
Now if I could just take Dave along as a Photographer!

One of these days I'll get over my shyness as well with character greets. In the mean time, I'll use my kids as an excuse to start up a conversation with the characters!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Hope everyone is having a great holiday season as the year comes to an end! It's been a whirlwind of a week for us as we spent Christmas in Ohio with my in-laws. After spending Christmas at my father-in-law's, we drove further north up to Lake Erie at Maumee Bay State Park for the weekend for a family reunion of my in-laws. Drove back home today which took a little over 8 hours. Tomorrow I take the kids up to NJ to visit my brother's family who lives right across the Hudson from Manhattan. DW goes back to work this week so she'll stay home. This is the first time in 6 years where I didn't have to work Christmas or New Years so I decided to make the most of it by taking a two week vacation. Hoping to take the kids to Rockefeller Center and the Intrepid Air and Space Museum.

I'm still playing a bit of catch up on everybody's TRs. Hope to have another update of my own in the next few days as I need to slowly start wrapping this up in time for our family's trip to Disney in 30 days!!

Here's a picture from Lake Erie/Maumee Bay taken at sunset. Thought it was fitting as we close out 2013!


IMG_4909 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

 

[chattadisser]

A belated Merry Christmas to you! I am getting caught up after being caught up in Christmas.

Great photos again!

I think the safari is a combination of which side of the vehicle you get and how active the animals are. I've had some great (from a photography perspective) trips and then some not so great. I do wish they would pause a little longer to get a shot. It seems as soon as you get focused, they gun it and there goes the shot.

As much as I was meh...on the parade, I will say I am going to miss it. It's the only afternoon parade they have had since we have been taking the girls and we have so many memories of them watching the parade. It will seem odd when we are there in a couple of weeks and there is no afternoon parade...that seems so odd to me.

I can't wait to hear about your trip to NYC with the kids. My husband grew up just north of NYC in NY and the girls want to go so bad to the city. I would love to take them while the Christmas decorations are up sometime but we aren't sure that they are ready yet to keep up the pace of the NYC. We've tried to explain that there is no stopping and gawking on the sidewalk but I'm not sure they completely grasp it.

Have a great time!

Christine

 

[Pixel Dust]

I have noticed it a lot more lately ever since I upgraded my camera and lens from a moderate size to a so-big-you-can’t-see-my-face-behind-the-camera size, a lot of the CMs and characters in parades, shows, etc will pose for me. They will strike a pose and hold it for a good 3-4 seconds. In fact they hold it so long that I have to give them a sign of acknowledgement that I got the shot I wanted by giving them a thumbs up, a smile, and yell out “Thank you!” before they move on.

Awesome parade photos. I've noticed the same too. Even more so, when I'm using a tripod for night parades like Boo to You.

 

[SAT887]

I don't know where I left off... But not sure if I complimented your parade photos!!

Have fun in jersey! Make sure you take in some of that fresh jersey air as you drive up the turnpike!!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

A belated Merry Christmas to you! I am getting caught up after being caught up in Christmas.

Great photos again!

I think the safari is a combination of which side of the vehicle you get and how active the animals are. I've had some great (from a photography perspective) trips and then some not so great. I do wish they would pause a little longer to get a shot. It seems as soon as you get focused, they gun it and there goes the shot.

As much as I was meh...on the parade, I will say I am going to miss it. It's the only afternoon parade they have had since we have been taking the girls and we have so many memories of them watching the parade. It will seem odd when we are there in a couple of weeks and there is no afternoon parade...that seems so odd to me.

I can't wait to hear about your trip to NYC with the kids. My husband grew up just north of NYC in NY and the girls want to go so bad to the city. I would love to take them while the Christmas decorations are up sometime but we aren't sure that they are ready yet to keep up the pace of the NYC. We've tried to explain that there is no stopping and gawking on the sidewalk but I'm not sure they completely grasp it.

Have a great time!

Christine

Thanks Christine!

Hope you have a great time on your next January trip! I'm just hoping that the Jungle Parade at AK will still be running when we go in 4 weeks. At least we'll have one afternoon parade to watch.

I think your kids will do great in NYC. Once you get to those popular Christmas decoration areas everyone HAS to slow down because of how crowded they are. Trying to navigate through Rockefeller Center is always fun.

It looks like we may have to cut our visit to my brother's short because of the potential winter storm approaching. I think we will be heading back home earlier to beat the storm and avoid the headache of trying to drive down afterwards.

Awesome parade photos. I've noticed the same too. Even more so, when I'm using a tripod for night parades like Boo to You.

Thanks! I agree with ya that adding tripod to the gear draws even more attention from the CMs and characters.

I don't know where I left off... But not sure if I complimented your parade photos!!

Have fun in jersey! Make sure you take in some of that fresh jersey air as you drive up the turnpike!!

Here at your home state!! Just love the view of NYC skyline from my brother's condo area. The Turnpike was extra lovely with all of the construction.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Happy New Year Everyone!!

Here's a picture I took last night in front of my brother's condo complex along the Hudson and across from Midtown and the Empire State Building.


IMG_5005 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

I need to start up again with the frequent updates with the new year upon us and our family trip to Disney being only 27 days away!

So to get things going and inspired by all of the fireworks last night, I'm going to start with Hallowishes. By tomorrow I'll be back home from NYC and will be able to tackle some of the more lengthy updates. In the mean time, here's a short one.

Plans for staking out a spot for Hallowishes was a cause of heartburn for me. Considering how crowded these party nights can get I was worried that the location I had picked out would be taken. After much deliberating and research prior to my trip I picked out the small area behind the fencing across from Crystal Palace as the spot to be for the fireworks. I didn’t feel brave enough to set up my tripod and camera in the middle of Main Street worried that someone would trip over my tripod and push into it. The plan I came up with was to watch the Boo To You parade in Frontierland near one of the crossovers to Adventureland. Once the parade was over I would trek into Adventureland then take the back path to Crystal Palace. This way I wouldn’t have to contend with the Hub crowd that would still be waiting for the parade to arrive AND my spot would be wide open because most of the people will still be waiting for the parade to pass through at Main Street.

As soon as the parade was over I met up with khertz and DDuck4life who watched the parade not too far from where I was. DDuck4life and I made our way over to CP while khertz took their son somewhere an attraction that I’m completely blanking out on right now. So would my coveted spot be open? YES!! This also happens to be a photopass photog spot so I asked her if we could set up our tripods and still stay out of her camera’s view. She was very nice about it and told me I could look in through her viewfinder to figure out where we could set up our gear. I was so ecstatic that I got the spot I was coveting. Both DDuck4life and I set up our tripods and were ready to go with plenty of time to spare. Khertz and their son joined us a little bit later. DDuck4life and I were talking shop about camera settings and equipment.

We watched the castle projection show. There was too much distance to see the details of the show but it was still pretty to watch. Soon the fireworks began. It was an amazing show. I love the music they put together and the sequences work very well. Now I’m a big fan of Wishes but Hallowishes is just on a whole other level of awesomeness. The perimeter fireworks that go off in the finale was just icing on the cake.


IMG_0253 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr


IMG_0261 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr


IMG_0263 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr


IMG_0265 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr


IMG_0266 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr


IMG_0304 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Happy New Year Dave!!!

Yay for your spot being available. I've read others who like that spot as well for tripods and whatnot.

I really love Hallowishes. While it will never have the emotional pull that Wishes has on me, Hallowishes is just fun. Everybody SCREAM!!!!!

You know, these fireworks photos are just making it harder and harder for the rest of us (i.e. me) to even considering posting our own (i.e. my) fireworks photos. Just beautiful!!

 

[IheartDDuck]

Love the NYE picture! Just beautiful.

27 days, woo hoo! I can't believe we'll just be missing each other. We're at 17 days until we leave.

I haven't seen Hallowishes in years, because I actually haven't been to MNSSHP in years. But I know they seem to be everyone's favorite.

Beautiful pictures as always.