Second All in One Disneyland TR Thread - Guardians of the Galaxy Mission: Breakout Review 5/30-6/2

[ACDSNY]

Cool shots Bret! Enjoy your dinner tonight.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Cool shots Bret! Enjoy your dinner tonight.

Thank you Angela. We had a great dinner last night.


A quick update during the trip.

On Saturday, we went to the Walt Disney Imagineering building in Glendale for the D23 Mickey's of Glendale shopping. We didn't get to the Glendale around 8am where it started at 8am. We had to wait about 3 hours to get in the store which was quite long that morning to the afternoon. We did bought a lot of WDI merchandise at the MoG store. Some of the merchandise we have seen during the D23 Expo last year and there were some items that we have never seen.

After we finished shopping at the MoG in Glendale, we head on back to Anaheim. I went in the parks a little bit that afternoon which was quite busy during the off-season at the DLR. I was able to go on the Monorail to see the FNSV Lagoon drained and it was weird to see it drained. Also I went to Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree which had some Easter decorations.







Later that night, my DAF and I head on over to the Napa Rose at the Grand California Hotel to have dinner with Alison (franandaj) and Fran that night. This was our first time eating at the NR and it was at the Chef's Counter which I have read a lot and have heard great reviews. We all had a great time eating that night at the NR at the CC.





Some of the food porn from that night.






Chef Sutton was at the NR that night for a short time












After dinner, I went with Alison and Fran to DCA and DL that night. My DAF went back to the room since she was blocked out that night with the DAP. We got to see the sneak peek of Maleficent at the It's Tough to be a Bug Theater.


We went to the Off the Page store at DCA and Disney Gallery at DL that night where Fran bought some art work. After the shopping, we parted ways while they went back home. I stayed in the park for a while and got some pictures that night. That night, I was experimenting on long exposure nighttime pictures. Here are some of them from the other night.




This is one of my favorite ones where DCA was closed that night around 11:40pm.


That will be it for this post and I will have more when I get back home tomorrow.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Look at that dinner!!! Food looks great. You are making me envious....but it looks like you, your DA, Alison and Fran had a great time. At least I get to live vicariously through you all.


Love the night shots. Looking forward to seeing what else you captured when you get home and write this up. And I have a prediction. I can see a lens acquisition happening in your future....real soon.

 

[tksbaskets]

Great pictures! Dinner looks delish! Did you like the movie? I'm looking forward to seeing it when it comes out next month.

The Thunder Ranch flowers are stunning.

TK

 

[ACDSNY]

Love the look of the spring flowers at Thunder Ranch. Your NR dinner looks so good and the night pics are really cool.

 

[tksbaskets]

Hi Bret,
If I'm able to swing a summer trip what hotel would you recommend as a back up if my DVC doesn't come through. We like the 'condo' type rooms with a little kitchen and two TVs. You have a lot of experience with the hotels that are handy to DLR.

Thanks!

TK

 

[mvf-m11c]

It will be a while until I write up my trip report since I am busy with work. I will get to the posts that I have missed these last few days.

Look at that dinner!!! Food looks great. You are making me envious....but it looks like you, your DA, Alison and Fran had a great time. At least I get to live vicariously through you all.


Love the night shots. Looking forward to seeing what else you captured when you get home and write this up. And I have a prediction. I can see a lens acquisition happening in your future....real soon.

The dinner was very nice. But my DAF likes Club 33 over the Napa Rose. I enjoyed the dinner that night. We all had a great time that night and it was nice to have dinner with them.

Thank you PiO. I tested the long shot exposure and they turned out really well for my first time at the parks. I am now looking forward to more long exposure shots for my upcoming trips. You are correct that I might use a lens for my upcoming trip in June. I have thought about trying a telephoto lens for the upcoming trip. I am now thinking of buying the Tokina 11-16mm lens from my friend since the pictures during this past trip turned out really well.

Great pictures! Dinner looks delish! Did you like the movie? I'm looking forward to seeing it when it comes out next month.

The Thunder Ranch flowers are stunning.

TK

Thank you TK. Dinner at the NR was very nice and it was nice to try it the first time since I have never ate at this restaurant. The Maleficent preview was very nice and after seeing clips of it during the trip, I will have to see it in the theaters.

Love the look of the spring flowers at Thunder Ranch. Your NR dinner looks so good and the night pics are really cool.

Thank you Angela. The flowers at BTR were very nice. I just missed Easter a week ago. Dinner at the NR was very nice.

Hi Bret,
If I'm able to swing a summer trip what hotel would you recommend as a back up if my DVC doesn't come through. We like the 'condo' type rooms with a little kitchen and two TVs. You have a lot of experience with the hotels that are handy to DLR.

Thanks!

TK

I'm glad to hear that you are thinking of going back to the DLR during the summertime and hope that it will be true. I mentioned it on Deej trip report thread of the possible hotels that will have the amenities that you are looking for. The hotels that will have the condo type rooms with a kitchen and two TV's are the Desert Palms hotel, Homewood Suites, Anaheim Residence Inn Maingate, Residence Inn Anaheim Resort Area, Hampton Inn & Suites, Staybridge Suites Anaheim Resort. Most of these hotels are not across the street from the DLR (except for Desert Palms) which can be a big difference. As for the hotels that I have stayed in the past (don't count the DLR hotels), I have stayed at BWPPI, BWAI, BW Stovall's, Anabella, Desert Inn & Suites & HOJO. All of them don' have a small kitchen.

Hope this helps.

I would mention it on the Disneyland thread and ask the other DISer about what other hotels that will have the amenities you are looking for.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 1 – April 25th, 2014 – Part 1

Going in Quickly and Dinner at our Favorite​

It’s time for the first day of the trip in April with DAF. This trip was all about for the both of us to relax after we have been busy with work these last few months. After working and coaching basketball these last 5 months, it was time to take a break from basketball and enjoy our favorite place on Earth which is the Disneyland Resort. We could have done something different instead of going to the DLR but we do enjoy going down and getting away from the real world and enter the world of Fantasy.

This trip we did something that we have never done out of all the years we have been going to the DLR. If you have read my pre-trip report updates and have seen my latest live updates from last week, you know what we have done if not it was a real treat.

We also went to Glendale where the Walt Disney Imagineering facility is located during a D23 event. You will find out later on what we have done.

Also during the trip, I have brought new toys to use during the trip. The most recognizable equipment that I used during the trip was the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 lens which I have been recommended by other DISers and photographers as a great lens to use at the DLR. This was a very wide lens which makes it perfect to get a lot in the pictures. I have also planned on using the GoPro more than I have during the December trip. But this time I will be using a head mount strap which I can wear it on the rides and still be able to take pictures. It might not be as good as my Sony video camera but it is nice to have my hands free when using a video camera. Plus I was using a new camera backpack which is a Lowepro Pro Runner 350 AW which is to replace my old Lowpro Fastpack 250. The reason I got this new backpack is to carry more equipment with me and it also has a tripod holder which the Fastpack 250 didn’t have. I want to thank PiO (PrincessInOz) since she has the 200 model. It was tough to look for a bag that fits all my needs. It is way bigger than the Fastpack 250 and it will get time to get used to.

Now let’s get to the trip report.

It was around 7am in the morning where I went over to DAF house and picked her up. This is like our usual time when we leave Sacramento and over to SoCal so we can get there in the afternoon. Since we weren’t in a rush to get to SoCal, we took our time.

When we packed all of our stuff in the car, we stared our journey down to SoCal. During the drive, we go down on Highway 99 since my grandmother lives in Livingston and it is always great to see her when we go down to SoCal.

It took about 6 hours to get to Southern California and the first thing we did when we got to SoCal was to fill up at Costco in Burbank. Gas was not cheap when we were in Burbank to fill up at Costco. I believe it was around $4.19 for a gallon of regular fuel which is quite high. After that, we head straight on over to Anaheim and begin our four days of fun in SoCal.

We got to Anaheim around 3pm which is not that bad for our time from Sacramento to Anaheim even with all the stops. Sometimes LA traffic can be quite bad but when we left Burbank to Anaheim, we got there quite early with barely no traffic on I-5.

When we pulled up to Best Western Anaheim Inn (which is one of our usual hotels that we stay in Anaheim), the lobby entrance was still not up and running and under construction. The lobby at BWAI was being fixed up since the November 2013 trip and it wasn’t up yet. But I have heard that BWAI will be all finished around the summertime. So it won’t be too long until it will be up.

When we checked-in our room was ready which it should be around this time of the day at 3pm on a Friday. We took all of our stuff in the room and we relaxed until it was time to head on over to the DLR.

DAF was a little tired from the driving and we were planning on going to the ESPN Zone for dinner that night so we can watch the NBA Playoffs. Since she wasn’t ready, I went ahead on over to the DLR. I only had less than an hour in the park until we head on over to the ESPN Zone for dinner at 5pm.

I head on over to the parks by myself with the new equipment from the bag and the Tokina lens and my tripod on the back of my backpack which makes it easier to maneuver around the parks without the carrying bag for my MeFoto tripod. The only downside is that it just adds more weight to my shoulders. But it is nice to go around the parks and take pictures.

When I got to the Esplanade around 4:10pm, it was not that bad as I have thought. So I first head on over to Disneyland to look at some areas. I was also looking forward to trying the Tokina 11-16mm lens which I was able to get more into the pictures without walking back farther.


It was a little cloudy that day when I was in the park. I can tell that it might rain that night where I have checked the weather on my iPhone App and it should be later that night. Luckily, I had my umbrella, backpack rain cover and camera bags to use during that night if it rains.


When I entered DL, the 4pm Mickey’s Soundsational parade was going on so I had to walk through all those crowds right close to the Main Streets building. Since it was the first parade, it started from It’s a Small World Plaza towards the end of Main Street Town Square. So I just walked by and didn’t stop to see the parade. I might think about seeing Mickey’s Soundsational one day where I haven’t seen it since the January 2013 trip.

Since the parade was going on, I head on over towards Tomorrowland. While I was in that land, I can tell that it was quite semi-busy. The wait times for Star Tours was 30 minutes, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster at 15 minutes which was not bad times. But when passing by Space Mountain it was an hour wait time.

I passed by the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage where it is all walled up for the long refurbishment. Luckily, I was able to ride it during the December trip. Just when I was right by the FNSV, I had to take a picture of Matterhorn Mountain with the Tokina lens and I had to get even closer since the lens is so wide.


When the parade has already passed by Fantasyland, I just see how busy it was. Storybook Land Canal Boats was about to open after the parade. This rides does close during the parades.


That is one big whale


I walked at the backside of Frontierland. I wanted to stop at Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree to see the Easter decorations. I didn’t stop too long at Big Thunder Ranch since I didn’t have enough time to be in the parks until I head on over to Downtown Disney to have dinner at the ESPN Zone.




After walking around, I was now at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. It was so nice not to see the walls around BTMRR after a 14 month refurbishment. I didn’t plan on riding BTMRR at that time and I was thinking of riding it later that night. But after looking at the wait times at night until this trip, it has been in the 30 to hour wait time. Unfortunately it was broken at that time when I passed by BTMRR.




There were a lot of people waiting to get on BTMRR at that time.


Just when I passed by BTMRR, it was around 10 minutes until it was time for dinner at the ESPN Zone in DTD. So I jettisoned out of DL.


I got out of the park and head on towards the ESPN Zone which is close to the Downtown Disney Monorail station. It was semi-busy at DTD where it was not that busy but it can be busy at some time during the day at DTD.

The World of Disney Store looks nice like every other year.


When I was close to the ESPN Zone, Disney is marketing the newest movie “Million Dollar Arm” with a marketing sign.


There was also a Million Dollar Arm Pitching Contest and it did look very interesting to try but I had to go on over to the ESPN Zone with DAF.


Pulling into the ESPN Zone for dinner that night and watching the NBA Playoffs.


As for my regular visitors on my previous trip reports, we like to eat at the ESPN Zone which is our favorite sit down restaurant at the DLR. During anytime we are at the DLR, we at least eat at the ESPN Zone one time per trip. It is nice to be able to watch all different sports in one location where you can only watch one sport at a time at home (unless you have a lot of televisions in your living room to be able to watch all those sports).

DAF was already in the ESPN Zone when I got in and luckily for us, it wasn’t that busy when we got in the ESPN Zone where we only had to wait about 5 minutes to get seated. Our favorite place to eat in the ESPN Zone is the room on the right hand side which has the big projection screen and all sorts of other TV’s on the side.


For dinner, DAF had the Turkey Burger with fries while I had the Smokehouse Burger


We were in the ESPN Zone until 7pm which was about 2 hours in the restaurant to see all the different NBA Playoff games. We have stayed longer in the ESPN Zone than 2 hours. But I will tell you later on.

After we finished dinner, we head straight on over to DL that night. Luckily, entering the turnstiles that night was not that bad and it was way shorter when I entered the park later that day.


It was very nice that night and it wasn’t that busy in Main Street.


We head on over to TL that night and it wasn’t that busy but the queues to get on the ride were quite long.


While we were in TL, DAF has never seen the new Innoventions with the Iron Man Tech exhibit. She was right that she didn’t get to see the Iron Man Tech exhibit along with the new Thor and all new Captain America meet & greet. So we head on over to Innoventions that night.

It is so nice to see TL on the second floor of Innoventions.




Iron Man Tech Exhibit with the different suits.


A look at the Captain America Meet & Greet area


After looking around Innoventions at the meet & greet areas, we head on downstairs and exited Innoventions.

That will be it for this post and stay tune what has happened later that night.

[post=51387788]Continue to the Next Post[/post]​

 

[PrincessInOz]

Your pictures look amazing, Bret. Looks like it's all 'clicking' for you.

And anytime you want some help to spend YOUR money, you know I'll be right there cheering you along.

 

[tksbaskets]

Hi Bret,
I love the pictures you were able to get with your new lens! I look forward to hearing more about your trip. I saw a few pictures on the 'picture of the day' thread and they were outstanding

 

[tksbaskets]

Bret, we are booked for the second week in July!! Do you have any idea what the weather and crowds will be like?

Looking forward to hearing more about your current trip!
TK

 

[mvf-m11c]

Your pictures look amazing, Bret. Looks like it's all 'clicking' for you.

And anytime you want some help to spend YOUR money, you know I'll be right there cheering you along.

Thank you PiO. The wide angle lens is very nice and I'm able to get a lot in the picture when you compare it to other lenses.

I'm trying to be cautious of spending money on anything. If I had a lot of money, I would stay on-site and on new gear. I am still satisfy with the off-site and my camera equipment.

Hi Bret,
I love the pictures you were able to get with your new lens! I look forward to hearing more about your trip. I saw a few pictures on the 'picture of the day' thread and they were outstanding

Hi TK,

Thank you. The Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 lens is very nice and so wide. I have to move up closely to get those pictures where when I have the other lenses that I have used in the past where I don't have to move up. This was a good test of the lens and try new things during the trip.

Thank you TK.

Bret, we are booked for the second week in July!! Do you have any idea what the weather and crowds will be like?

Looking forward to hearing more about your current trip!
TK

I'm so excited for you and your family that you will be going in mid July during the summertime. I hope that you and your family will have a great time and try to stay cool. The weather in SoCal in mid July can be in the high 80s and 90s which is not that bad. But there can be times where it will be in the 100s. The crowd levels during your trip won't be as bad during 4th of July weekend. I would say the crowds will be in between the average to busy area since you are going during the summertime. It won't be busy like the Christmas break that you went last year. This is from my history of crowd levels of hearing and experiencing it. But it also has been strange lately during the slower times where it is way more crowded then expected. Remember to take advantage of EMH/MM during your stay at PPH since it will be very important to go on as many rides as possible that first hour. I know that you will ride TSMM a lot at DCA and I would get FP's for RSR instead of riding it in the morning. I am just superstitious with RSR when I try to ride it first thing in the morning and found out that it is down and it can waste part of your morning. I know that you and your family will have a great trip in July.

I'm still working on my April trip report and it won't be too long until my June trip report.

 

[Sherry E]

Bret --

I have to get back to ESPN Zone again one of these days. I haven't eaten there in years but I really liked it when I did. I remember that my friend and I had a great server, and I ate chicken strips that were quite good. I think I also had a milkshake there that was decent.

I really like the last series of photos, especially the ones of BTMRR and the one on Main Street that is sort of sepia, but not exactly sepia.

I notice (not just here, but also in my assorted Superthreads) that as you experiment with new lenses, equipment and gear, you are starting to express your creativity in photos more often now too, and changing the look of certain images more than you used to -- which is awesome! Good job!

I was recently looking at some short videos online, and the perspectives confused me. I was trying to figure out where and how the people had the camera positioned to get the kinds of videos they were getting. Then it hit me -- they must have been using GoPro cameras!

So you had a full array of gear with you -- backpacks, a tripod, the GoPro, your regular camera, lenses, etc.? That is a lot to carry around DLR, but it shows your dedication to your craft. I am such klutz that if I were to carry even some of that around DLR, I might get a few good photos but I would probably drop the expensive camera two minutes later!

Have you ever tried sports photography, like at basketball games and what not? I'd bet that your photos would be great.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Bret --

I have to get back to ESPN Zone again one of these days. I haven't eaten there in years but I really liked it when I did. I remember that my friend and I had a great server, and I ate chicken strips that were quite good. I think I also had a milkshake there that was decent.

I really like the last series of photos, especially the ones of BTMRR and the one on Main Street that is sort of sepia, but not exactly sepia.

I notice (not just here, but also in my assorted Superthreads) that as you experiment with new lenses, equipment and gear, you are starting to express your creativity in photos more often now too, and changing the look of certain images more than you used to -- which is awesome! Good job!

I was recently looking at some short videos online, and the perspectives confused me. I was trying to figure out where and how the people had the camera positioned to get the kinds of videos they were getting. Then it hit me -- they must have been using GoPro cameras!

So you had a full array of gear with you -- backpacks, a tripod, the GoPro, your regular camera, lenses, etc.? That is a lot to carry around DLR, but it shows your dedication to your craft. I am such klutz that if I were to carry even some of that around DLR, I might get a few good photos but I would probably drop the expensive camera two minutes later!

Have you ever tried sports photography, like at basketball games and what not? I'd bet that your photos would be great.

The ESPN Zone is a very nice place to have a meal in order to watch all those different sports. As you have read from my previous reports that this is our favorite sit down restaurant. You should consider eating there one day. I have been trying a lot of new restaurants these last few trips from Ariel's Grotto, Napa Rose, Club 33, Goofy's Kitchen, etc. where I have never ate there in a long time or never. It is nice to try something new every time I go to the DLR.

Thank you. It is nice to add some touches to the pictures to enhance them.

It is nice to experiment with new equipment when I go to the DLR. I have been enjoying these trips without paying close attention to the details. This past trip was all about details and trying new techniques. It was nice to do that during the last trip and I am hoping that I will be able to do that again during the next month trip.

I have seen a lot of guests with GoPro equipment during my last trip from wrist straps, poles, body strap and head strap (which I used during my trip on certain rides). It was so neat of how guests used the small video cameras to show all these very interesting videos. I am uploading my video of BTMRR with the GoPro on my head while I had my DSLR in my hands during the experience. I really like how it went with the GoPro. I am thinking of trying a pole for the GoPro so I can get some very interesting videos. But right now, I am concentrating on the pictures over the video for now.

That is correct. I used a new backpack to carry more equipment and to be able to carry a tripod on the backpack without carrying another bag with me in the parks like I have in the past trips. I used the GoPro during the December trip but I wasn't able to use it on rides where it was a first. And finally using a Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 lens where I can get wide picture shots so I can get more in to the picture then using the lenses that I have. It is a lot of weight and it can be very annoying to lug all that stuff around the parks. But I have no problem with that so I can get the pictures, videos, etc. during the trip. It will be the same when I go back to WDW in the near future.

I am really considering sports photography. But the only problem is that you need very fast lenses in order to get the shots without the blur. The lenses I have now are good but they are not sports photography lenses. I have seen people with 24-70mm f/2.8, 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, etc. that are fast and able to get the player when he is moving at high speed. I am still learning of getting pictures with low light (for example like the parade at night). It will give me another good reason to invest in some new gear for certain events.


The next post will be up shortly.

 

[mvf-m11c]

[post=51360138]Last Installment on the Trip Report[/post]


Day 1 – April 25th, 2014 – Part 2

Nighttime @ Both Parks & Raining Night ​

After we went through Innoventions, we started to walk around Tomorrowland that night. Most of the rides around TL were in the 30 minute range. We were trying to kill time until it was time for Remember Dreams Come True fireworks at 9:25pm. It was a nice night but there were times that night where it started to get a little cloudy. I can tell that it is possible that it might rain that night where I have looked on my iPhone and possible rain around the fireworks. We were hoping that RDCT would run that night.

There was a huge queue for Matterhorn Mountain when we went by it that night.


We walked on over to FL and by Mickey’s Toontown that night since we were planning on watching RDCT from It’s a Small World Plaza. Since IASW was closed for its refurbishment, I also thought that IASW would not have its lights on that night since it was closed. But I was determine to watch RDCT from IASW Plaza since the last two trips I tried to watch the fireworks from IASW Plaza and they were cancelled due to high winds. It was also windy that night and maybe the DLR will still give it a go that night.

So while we had time, we decided to ride the DLRR and we boarded from Mickey’s Toontown Train Depot.


Mickey’s Toontown Depot water tower.


We got to board the Ward Kimball Engine #5 along with the Excursion car set.


We rode the DLRR all the way to the Main Street station and we got off. While we exited the DLRR, we had some time to head on over to Disney California Adventure that night. We didn’t stay too long that night since we had to get back to DL that night for RDCT fireworks. We just walked-in quickly to look at some stores and the lands.



When passing Condor Flats and heading on over towards Grizzly River Run, the sign right next to Grizzly River Run and Soarin has changed back to its original sign. A while ago it had Dusty Crophopper and El Chupacabra to promote the movie “Planes”. Now it is reverted back to the original sign.


It was a little busy when entering Paradise Pier since the guests were getting ready for the 9pm World of Color show. Since we don’t have FP’s that night, we didn’t plan on watching the show from the other areas around Paradise Pier Lagoon.


We entered Cars Land for a quick walk-through and it was not that busy except for Radiator Springs Racers which was close to 120 minutes wait time in the standby queue. So we didn’t stay too long and just went by quickly.

Red passing by that night.


Over at A Bug’s Land


After being in the park for about 40 minutes, we started to head on back to DL that night so we can watch RDCT fireworks.


We re-entered DL that night and we head straight on over to IASW Plaza to watch the fireworks. I wanted to try this spot for a long time where I have watch the fireworks in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. As for my regular followers on my trip reports that I like to watch the fireworks in front of SB Castle. But I didn’t stake out a spot like I usually do for the fireworks so I wanted to try a different spot where I have heard that watching the fireworks in front of IASW is a nice spot with little time and good effects.



We got on over to IASW Plaza with 30 minutes to go until the fireworks start at 9:25pm. While DAF decided to sit down right by IASW, I decided to take my tripod with me and get some long exposure shots that night. The one spot that is a nice spot to take pictures is at the Tea Cups. So I head on over to the Tea Cups to get long exposure shots. I wanted to try long exposure shots since I got back from the December trip in which I couldn’t do it since I was with DAW, my cousin, Silv and MP. So this time with DAF with me, I was going to get them.

Here are some shots from the Tea Cups that night.






After being at the Tea Cups for a while, I started to head on over to another spot to take pictures that night. This spot was at the former Motor Boat Cruise dock area which is now a seating area right next to Edelweiss Snacks. This spot and shot was from I’m mikey who I have checked it out on the Disneyland POTD thread and this was a nice spot with the water and a glimpse of IASW in the background.


With about 15 minutes until the fireworks, I head on back to IASW Plaza for the fireworks. It started to get cloudy that night and we can tell that it was going to rain shortly. Luckily, I had my rain gear with me in my bag so my equipment won’t get wet from the backpack, DSLR and of course me as well.


It was getting close for the 9:25pm RDCT fireworks show and there was an announcement that the fireworks was cancelled that night due to high winds. I was a little bummed again that the fireworks was going to be cancelled that night at IASW Plaza. This is now the third time in a row during my trip that the fireworks is cancelled due to high winds at IASW Plaza. I don’t know what the deal is with me for watching the fireworks at IASW Plaza. But it was just bad luck on those days when watching the fireworks at IASW Plaza.

Just when we were putting away my tripod, now it started to rain that night. We put on our rain gear quickly that night. I also brought my rain cover for my DSLR so I was able to take pictures that night when walking through the rain.


We walked on over towards FL where no guests are allowed to enter around SB Castle since it was blocked out for the fireworks. Until it was clear around SB Castle, the guests will be able to go on the rides later that night.


We went through the backside of Frontierland to be able to see the updated version of BTMRR that night. Since I walked by the ride earlier that day and got some daytime pictures, I wanted to see it at night. When we got to BTMRR at Frontierland, BTMRR was closed that night and we could see guests leaving the queue. I can tell that since it was raining that night, BTMRR was closed due to the weather.


After passing by BTMRR that night, it was time to head on back to the room. DAF didn’t want to stay longer that night since it was raining and she didn’t want to get wet. I thought about staying that night to get exposure shots and with the rain makes it even better. But I was also tired from the driving that day and I didn’t have much energy left. Since we were getting up early to head on over to Glendale for the D23 event, I had to go back to the room to get some rest.

It was an early exit that night where I wanted to be in the parks for a while to get the nighttime pictures. So we head on out of the parks that night as well as the other guests since RDCT fireworks was cancelled that night. It was a shame that it was cancelled due to high winds but at least we didn’t spent hours staking out a spot in front of SB Castle.

We head on out of DL and got back to the hotel around 9:45pm. We spent about 6 hours in the parks that night with the only ride that we went on was the DLRR. We just went roaming around that day. I was able to get some nice photos that day with the Tokina lens and I was so amazed with that lens to be able to get a lot in the pictures.

That concludes the first day of the trip and next day is the important one where we will be going to Glendale and having dinner with two DISers. Stay tune for the next day at the DLR.

[post=51413479]Continue to the Next Updated Post[/post]​

 

[PrincessInOz]

Loving your pics, Bret. Looks like you're getting the best out of that UWA Tokina lens.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Loving your pics, Bret. Looks like you're getting the best out of that UWA Tokina lens.

Thanks PiO. The Tokina lens lived up to its expectations when I used it during the April trip. Now I want to experiment with others lens when I go back to the DLR like a telephoto lens which I am thinking about trying. But we will wait and see when the June trip gets closer.


I have just uploaded my video of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad during the April trip with the GoPro attached on my head while I was taking pictures with the DSLR. Here is the link on my youtube account: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ap2Ns1qG3A It will be a wobbling since I had the GoPro on my head during the ride.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I'd also look into the new Sigma 18 - 35, f/1.8 lens as well as the telephoto. That would be an even more awesome lens to take to Disney and for the low light photographs. Seems like there are a few fans of this new'ish lens.
But you'd lose the width that you get with the Tokina.

I thought you already had a lens at the tighter zoom end? Or do you have a lens that takes you to 135mm only?

 

[rentayenta]

Ok wow, those shots are amazing. I rally like the one to the side of IASW and those tea cup shots are the best I have seen.

We like ESPN Zone. There is something for everyone, the food is consistently good, and it's not too outrageously priced.

 

[tksbaskets]

First, I'm loving your new wide-angle lens. Or rather I'm loving the beautiful pictures you were able to take with it. I agree the the PP, the teacup picture was top notch!

We had dinner at ESPN quite a while ago. Sounds like it's time to try it again.

I'm enjoying your trip report. Thanks for posting!