Anyone Game? 2 Castles and a Road Trip TR! Last Day and TR Wrap Up! #2796; 10/01

[PrincessInOz]

(Continued from Previous Post)


It's only the Circle of Life if there's Air Conditioning




My bribe for staying. Air Conditioning.
Really, for DH it was no contest. He loves live performance shows as much as I do and this one was one of the best at Epcot.

For DS, it was the air conditioned that worked.


I had FP+ booked for the 11 am show and there was no way I was missing out on this one. I would have sent the boys home by themselves.



The Festival of the Lion King production at WDW is different in its staging to the movie and stage production. I've had the good fortune to catch the production in Hong Kong Disneyland and that (HKDL) version provides you with a condensed version of the storyline that true to the movie. There is no story line to this production but it is filled with songs from the movie and combined with acrobatics. You might say that it’s Disney version of a mini Cirque de Soleil.

Our FP+ got us into the enclosed theatre before the standby queue was let in. We could pick where we wanted to sit and I think I ended up in the Giraffe section.







I really should have gone with the Lion section; but the DA crowd had snaffled all the seats in the front half by the time we entered.





After that, it didn't matter if we were sitting in Giraffe or Warthog.








Or elephant. The elephant float was the one furthest away from me and this was probably the best I got of the elephant.






I was specifically after a seat at the end of the row about 3 - 5 rows up and the first one I saw that met the criteria was in the Giraffe section. So that's why I ended up where we were sitting.


Our hosts for this performance.


Kiume

























Nakawa





















Kibibi



















Zawadi




















I just love the costumes of the cast. They are just so colourful.


















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[PrincessInOz]

(Continued from Previous Post)


I....er....went a little crazy with the click-click-click in here and I'll admit that I did come with some photography aims in mind. I was specifically after the Tumble Monkeys. They aren't available in the movie, stage show or Hong Kong version.




They come on stage to the tune of Hakuna Matata and immediately get everyone in a happy mood. Everyone loves the Tumble Monkeys.







I wanna dance like you....







But it really is the tumbling that we're after.
































Hakuna Matata time!







Kiume does a great impression of Scar.








Be Prepared! The firedancer is on stage.































Can you Feel the Love tonight? I could with the beautiful Aerial Ballet.






























































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[PrincessInOz]

(Continued from Previous Post)


And then it was time for the finale and encores from everyone.





























































It's the Circle of Life.







And we had made it through to the end of the show without having to leave mid-stream.







Not that we would have gotten up anyway. Somewhere during this performance, DH started to feel a lot better. I suspect the air conditioning, dark theatre and sitting helped him get over the backward motion sickness.








Which was just as well. We were back to staying a bit longer at AK.






Photobabble time. Let's start with lens selection.

I prefer to get close-in shots of the performers in stage shows so I used a telephoto zoom, 70 - 200 mm, for shooting FotLK. I used to shoot shows like this with the kit 55 - 250 mm lens and I really do miss the extra zoom at the close-in end. There really is nothing wrong with using a kit telezoom lens for these; if you accept a bit of motion blur and just shoot lots of pictures (and judiciously delete afterwards). For those with Gear Acquisition Syndrome or GAS, there are a heap of $$uper lenses out there in the 300 mm range.

A variable aperture zoom (such as the 3.5 – 6.3 settings) that you'll find on kit lenses may be adequate for shooting a show like FotLK where there is strong light on the performers. If you are going to be regularly shooting your kids on stage or wanting to take pictures of sports, then you may want to consider getting the best glass you can possibly afford. My telezoom is a constant aperture of only f/4.0. The more expen$ive version opens up to f/2.8. Yes, I probably could reduce the motion blur even more by having the more expen$ive version.....but let's just say that I keep a firm hold on my GAS.



Now for the camera settings. For this show, I was shooting manual and my camera ISO was set to 1600. Most of my shutter speed ranged from 1/80 - 1/200 second. That shutter speed range is just enough to freeze the action of the performers. In some instances, you can see motion blur; but I don't mind that in some of the pictures. I could have gone with a higher ISO setting; but that ISO setting is what I started with and I was enjoying the performance so much that I really didn't check my images that much during the show and that's the set of pictures that I came home with.


If you're not ready to shoot in manual, I would recommend that you set your camera to S or shutter priority mode. If you can select your ISO, I would start with ISO 1600, and set your shutter speed to 1/160 sec. The camera will then calculate the aperture setting to obtain the exposure for your picture.

Check your pictures. If they are too dark, increase the shutter speed down to about 1/100 sec and try again. If they are still too dark and your camera is capable of providing you with images that aren't too grainy, change your ISO to 3200 and try again.

If the pictures are too bright, reduce the shutter speed to 1/200 sec and try again. If they are still too bright, you could either reduce the shutter speed further or reduce your ISO setting to 800.

Have fun!

 

[tiggrbaby]

Lovely, lovely pics! And I'm glad everyone was feeling better now!

 

[ejud]

Ah! I knew you'd pull them through!

Nice shots, and babble noted. My FZ200 (high end P&S) does 2.8 throughout the 26 zoom! One of its big selling points. But I haven't been to WDW since I got it. WOuld love to re-shoot FOTLK. But I do think I recognize a few of those performers from the show I video'd! It is a great show and I am always amazed by the energy of the performers. And I so love the ballet in the air (tonight).

Jud

 

[Pluto0809]

That was the boost I needed this morning! I absolutely adore FOLK and have really missed it on my last two trips while it was closed. I can't wait to see it in October in the new theater. I actually think you were sitting in the warthog section if the elephant was across from you. In the giraffe section, the elephant is immediately to your left and the giraffe to your right. I know this because I always sit in the giraffe section.

Thanks again for the wonderful pictures, especially the Tumble Monkeys because that's my favorite part of the show.

 

[jedijill]

I LOVE FOTLK!!! Fantastic show and love the AC.

I got to see The Lion King Broadway show here in a Denver a couple of years ago and one of the main characters had done the FOTLK show at WDW for a long time.

Jill in CO

 

[Leshaface]

So glad that the M&G with Dug and Russell was able to perk the boys up That would have made me feel better too.

I LOVE FOTLK! Such a beautiful show that keeps you entertained from beginning to end. Thanks for the amazing photos!

 

[zanzibar138]

Oh I love Dug! He's on my must-meet list at DCA

Glad the boys were feeling better. Great shots of the show

Obviously I haven't had a chance to see this at WDW yet, but I can't believe I've been to HKDL twice and both times their version has been down for rehab! I can't really complain though, I have seen the musical version 3 times now...

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Lovely photos of FOLK isn't it fabulous. You are right the costumes blow me away! Good description mini cirque for sure! The audience participation is great isn't it glad the lads were recovering. Ahhhh air con can you feel the cool tonight...

 

[dolphingirl47]

Your interaction with Dug and Russell looked like a lot of fun. I love your photos from the show. I am glad that your DH felt better after the show.

Corinna

 

[mvf-m11c]

Nice pictures of you, DH and DS with Dug and Russell.

FotLK is a great show and the pictures are very nice. This is one of the shows that I have to see every time I am at AK.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Lovely, lovely pics! And I'm glad everyone was feeling better now!

Thanks. I was glad everyone was perking up too.

Ah! I knew you'd pull them through!

Nice shots, and babble noted. My FZ200 (high end P&S) does 2.8 throughout the 26 zoom! One of its big selling points. But I haven't been to WDW since I got it. WOuld love to re-shoot FOTLK. But I do think I recognize a few of those performers from the show I video'd! It is a great show and I am always amazed by the energy of the performers. And I so love the ballet in the air (tonight).

Jud

That's a nice P&S. Yes, the performers seem to last a long time doing this show. I guess its a good gig and it keeps them employed!

That was the boost I needed this morning! I absolutely adore FOLK and have really missed it on my last two trips while it was closed. I can't wait to see it in October in the new theater. I actually think you were sitting in the warthog section if the elephant was across from you. In the giraffe section, the elephant is immediately to your left and the giraffe to your right. I know this because I always sit in the giraffe section.

Thanks again for the wonderful pictures, especially the Tumble Monkeys because that's my favorite part of the show.

Warthog section? You're probably right. Its now getting to the point where my faulty memory is failing to remember these details. Thanks!

I LOVE FOTLK!!! Fantastic show and love the AC.

I got to see The Lion King Broadway show here in a Denver a couple of years ago and one of the main characters had done the FOTLK show at WDW for a long time.

Jill in CO

That broadway show would have been great to see with one of the FotLK singers. They are all so talented.

So glad that the M&G with Dug and Russell was able to perk the boys up That would have made me feel better too.

I LOVE FOTLK! Such a beautiful show that keeps you entertained from beginning to end. Thanks for the amazing photos!

We had a lot of fun with Dug. Poor Russell had to stand on the side until I remembered he was there!!

Oh I love Dug! He's on my must-meet list at DCA

Glad the boys were feeling better. Great shots of the show

Obviously I haven't had a chance to see this at WDW yet, but I can't believe I've been to HKDL twice and both times their version has been down for rehab! I can't really complain though, I have seen the musical version 3 times now...

You haven't seen the HKDL version?

No real loss...if you've seen the musical version 3 times.

Lovely photos of FOLK isn't it fabulous. You are right the costumes blow me away! Good description mini cirque for sure! The audience participation is great isn't it glad the lads were recovering. Ahhhh air con can you feel the cool tonight...

Thanks Paula. Yes, I like that we get to make the appropriate animal noises during the show.

I'm feeling lots of natural air con right now. Winter has hit with a vengeance this week.

Your interaction with Dug and Russell looked like a lot of fun. I love your photos from the show. I am glad that your DH felt better after the show.

Corinna

Thanks Corinna. DH did feel better but he wasn't quite 100% until about 4 pm in the afternoon.

Interactions are fun! I've really been enjoying seeing yours in your TR.

Nice pictures of you, DH and DS with Dug and Russell.

FotLK is a great show and the pictures are very nice. This is one of the shows that I have to see every time I am at AK.

The stage musical is coming back to Melbourne next year. I'm definitely going to go see it again. Of all the movies in the Disney revival era, the Lion King is one of the best.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I'm heading for a mini (local) vacation for the next 6 days and will not having internet access whilst I'm away.

Have a great week everyone and I hope to catch up with you all when I return.

 

[franandaj]

Have a great trip PIO!

That was a fun M&G with Russell and Dug. You got some awesome pictures of the FOTLK! I'm glad we got to see it in that theater before it moved. Such a fun show and the AC is definitely a bonus!

And this time I understood the Photobabble!!!! Yay! For finally getting back into taking photos for real! I guess my life is settling down. See you when you come back!

 

[zanzibar138]

Another one? You're worse than me this year

Have a great time

 

[Pinkocto]

I'm heading for a mini (local) vacation for the next 6 days and will not having internet access whilst I'm away.

Have a great week everyone and I hope to catch up with you all when I return.

Have a wonderful time!!!!

 

[tiggrbaby]

Have a great vaca!

 

[rentayenta]

Thanks for the FOLK photos. We have missed it very trip but we won't on our next. We've been missing out.


Russell and Dug.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Have a wonderful time!!!!

ditto! From me too!