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

[PrincessInOz]

(Continued from Previous Post)


Fantasmic!




The Fantasmic! show has been set around the Rivers of America at Disneyland since 1992. On this trip, I had hoped to catch two (Disneyland and Disneyworld) of the three versions of this show currently showing at a Disney park. I do have the Japanese version in my sights at some stage; it’s just a question of when.

With the guarantee of another VIP position, we waited for the crowds to clear out of Main Street before heading down. Our position at the Rivers of America was pretty decent. The only issue was that it wasn’t a position for scooter accessibility; so Fran had to go watch it somewhere else.
By this stage, I had gotten a text from DH….he’d made it back….just…..in time for the start of the show.

Nothing is more wonderful than the imagination. For, in a moment, you can experience a beautiful fantasy. Or, an exciting adventure!




















































But beware -- nothing is more powerful than the imagination. For it can also expand your greatest fears into an overwhelming nightmare.














































Some imagination, huh?

By this stage, it was close on 11 pm and Disneyland was closing up. We walked out the park and made sure that Fran and Alison got safely part-way back to their room. They had experienced battery issues with one of the scooters during the night and we had to push it back so it was nice to have a few extra hands around for this.



We’d completed quite a few rides today in the company of good friends. And there was still tomorrow to go!

 

[dhorner233]

Uggh! That flag pole! I was thinking about trying to get that spot for the fireworks when I'm there THIS MONTH! But with that flag pole……

Where else would you recommend for a good view?

 

[MarbleBob]

As always, another batch of great photos! It would have been nice if the flagpole wasn't in the way, but I agree that the giant pumpkin in the center is awesome!

DW and I stumbled upon that same spot for fireworks a couple of years ago. We had no idea the VIP seating was up there. The section was roped off, but the VIP's never showed up and they let us in. So we ended up having the front row center. Great spot to view the fireworks!!!!

 

[franandaj]

Nice shots! You got some really nice ones of Mickey and Maleficent in F!

You didn't mention the hour on Main Street getting all those packages sorted out!

 

[dolphingirl47]

Those photos are simply amazing.

Corinna

 

[mvf-m11c]

Your firework trails from that night were really good when I got to see them on the thread. The pictures turned out really well than when I looked at them on your Canon. It was a nice idea to add the Mickey pumpkin at MS Town Square during RDCT fireworks which I didn't during my pictures. The spot at the VIP area right at the MS Railroad Station is great and a nice spot to take pictures that night. But I still prefer the front of SB Castle for watching and taking pictures of the fireworks.

F! at DL still hasn't disappointed me and is a great show but it was a let down that night since Tick-Tock Crocodile didn't ran during the Peter Pan scene. The picture from the Mark Twain with the characters is really nice and my favorite.

Alison is right that we all stayed with them at the Disney Gallery store on MS while they were shopping.

Very nice update.

Where else would you recommend for a good view?

The best spot to see the fireworks is in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. It does require wait time which some people would not even bother but I am one of those people would wait hours just to get a good spot. I have waited over 2 hours in front of SB Castle to get a good spot to watch, videotape and take pictures of the fireworks. Another spot that is interesting with little wait time to watch the fireworks is in IASW Plaza where the IASW facade will display images during the fireworks. I have not tried that spot but seeing the images on the facade of IASW is neat while the firework show is going on.

Here is one of my pictures of RDCT in front of SB Castle

 

[Aussie Wendy]

PIO - love your firework pics but especially enjoyed hearing about and seeing the new show. It sounds amazing and hope it runs long enough for us to get over there again and see it.

Know what you mean about epiphany's. Hope you and your work "work" it out or you find alternative solutions. It was one of those that led to me resigning from my full-time job several years ago and working contracts. It has given me much more balance in my life most of the time (current contract excluded! it doesn't always come together!) albeit more insecure income - but we were in a time and place in our lives we could manage this. Good luck! and who knows what 2014 will bring.

 

[SunDial]

Oh good grief! Now you tell me.

You could have at least joined us on the Monday night with the rest of the Where in the World crowd! I would have made you sing with us on Its a Small World as well.

Yes PIO did do that

 

[LegoMom3]

BRILLIANT photos, PiO!!!! Wow!

.

 

[spiritsim]

Ok just stumbled onto your report so I subbed and am now ready for the rest of the ride........ First off having grown up at Disneyland I must say small world looks like they added the dolls from toy story ......but I remember there being a lot more dolls they did they shorten the ride? When I was a kid they had dolls on at least 4 tiers high from the ground.

 

[tiggrbaby]

Finally caught up and all I can say is:

WOW!
WOW!
WOW!

 

[jedijill]

Another amazing update! Love the fireworks pictures!

Jill in CO

 

[Pinkocto]

You and Bret are absolutely amazing with the firework pictures!

Glad DH made it back for the show

 

[dhorner233]

The best spot to see the fireworks is in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. It does require wait time which some people would not even bother but I am one of those people would wait hours just to get a good spot. I have waited over 2 hours in front of SB Castle to get a good spot to watch, videotape and take pictures of the fireworks. Another spot that is interesting with little wait time to watch the fireworks is in IASW Plaza where the IASW facade will display images during the fireworks. I have not tried that spot but seeing the images on the facade of IASW is neat while the firework show is going on.

Here is one of my pictures of RDCT in front of SB Castle

Thanks Bret! That is a great spot! As I remember, there are two trees on either side that block the view if you are any further back than where you are.

The nights I will be there, Nov. 18-20 are supposed to be low crowds so I might try for that spot. Two hours is a long time to just stand there…..

 

[PrincessInOz]

Uggh! That flag pole! I was thinking about trying to get that spot for the fireworks when I'm there THIS MONTH! But with that flag pole……

Where else would you recommend for a good view?

I see Bret has recommended in front of the castle.

As always, another batch of great photos! It would have been nice if the flagpole wasn't in the way, but I agree that the giant pumpkin in the center is awesome!

DW and I stumbled upon that same spot for fireworks a couple of years ago. We had no idea the VIP seating was up there. The section was roped off, but the VIP's never showed up and they let us in. So we ended up having the front row center. Great spot to view the fireworks!!!!

Thanks Bob. It is a great spot to view the fireworks. It isn't necessarily the best spot to photograph the fireworks.

Nice shots! You got some really nice ones of Mickey and Maleficent in F!

You didn't mention the hour on Main Street getting all those packages sorted out!

I kinda forgot about it; but you and Bret have reminded me about it.

Those photos are simply amazing.

Corinna

Thank you.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Your firework trails from that night were really good when I got to see them on the thread. The pictures turned out really well than when I looked at them on your Canon. It was a nice idea to add the Mickey pumpkin at MS Town Square during RDCT fireworks which I didn't during my pictures. The spot at the VIP area right at the MS Railroad Station is great and a nice spot to take pictures that night. But I still prefer the front of SB Castle for watching and taking pictures of the fireworks.

F! at DL still hasn't disappointed me and is a great show but it was a let down that night since Tick-Tock Crocodile didn't ran during the Peter Pan scene. The picture from the Mark Twain with the characters is really nice and my favorite.

Alison is right that we all stayed with them at the Disney Gallery store on MS while they were shopping.

Very nice update.




The best spot to see the fireworks is in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. It does require wait time which some people would not even bother but I am one of those people would wait hours just to get a good spot. I have waited over 2 hours in front of SB Castle to get a good spot to watch, videotape and take pictures of the fireworks. Another spot that is interesting with little wait time to watch the fireworks is in IASW Plaza where the IASW facade will display images during the fireworks. I have not tried that spot but seeing the images on the facade of IASW is neat while the firework show is going on.

Here is one of my pictures of RDCT in front of SB Castle

I took over 50 shots that night and my success rate for decent shots was not great; so I judiciously pruned the ones that I really shouldn't share.

And I also cropped the ones that were left a little so that I got rid of extra sky. The benefits of lots of megapixels and a low ISO is that the noise factor isn't an issue.

PIO - love your firework pics but especially enjoyed hearing about and seeing the new show. It sounds amazing and hope it runs long enough for us to get over there again and see it.

Know what you mean about epiphany's. Hope you and your work "work" it out or you find alternative solutions. It was one of those that led to me resigning from my full-time job several years ago and working contracts. It has given me much more balance in my life most of the time (current contract excluded! it doesn't always come together!) albeit more insecure income - but we were in a time and place in our lives we could manage this. Good luck! and who knows what 2014 will bring.

Thanks Wendy. Yes, who knows what 2014 will bring. I'm negotiating at work around the options that are acceptable to me. We will resolve it by the end of the year.

Yes PIO did do that

BRILLIANT photos, PiO!!!! Wow!

.

Thanks LegoMom.

Ok just stumbled onto your report so I subbed and am now ready for the rest of the ride........ First off having grown up at Disneyland I must say small world looks like they added the dolls from toy story ......but I remember there being a lot more dolls they did they shorten the ride? When I was a kid they had dolls on at least 4 tiers high from the ground.

Welcome! Thanks for stumbling in!

I believe that Disneyland added the Disney overlay dolls in 2008/2009. I think the ride length is the same. Whilst it is a very admirable aim in life, I don't think I'd ever want to achieve having taken a shot of every single doll in IaSW. So, I probably only shared a selection of the ones that I did take.

There were dolls at least 3 or 4 tiers high from the ground. They make for an awkward angle to take a decent shot of them.

Finally caught up and all I can say is:

WOW!
WOW!
WOW!

Nice to see you still here. Thank you.

Another amazing update! Love the fireworks pictures!

Jill in CO

Thanks Jill. Hope you're settling back home nicely and not suffering from post-vacay blues.

You and Bret are absolutely amazing with the firework pictures!

Glad DH made it back for the show

Bret's really good, isn't he?

Yes, glad DH made it back myself. It really was touch and go.

 

[mvf-m11c]

You and Bret are absolutely amazing with the firework pictures!

Thank you Pam. PiO helped me become a better photographer these last two years.

Thanks Bret! That is a great spot! As I remember, there are two trees on either side that block the view if you are any further back than where you are.

The nights I will be there, Nov. 18-20 are supposed to be low crowds so I might try for that spot. Two hours is a long time to just stand there…..

Your welcome Denise. That is a very nice spot to watch the fireworks and it is a good spot when Tinkerbell flies at night from the Matterhorn. There are a few trees on both sides of the castle which can obstruct the view if you are father away while watching it around the Frontierland/Tomorrowland sides but if you are closer to the Hub, you should have no problem with the trees in the way.

On your trip days, you should have no problem to get a good spot to watch "Believe...In Holiday Magic" fireworks. Maybe 1 1/2 hours might be the max in order to get the curb sides right by the Hub or in front of SB Castle for the fireworks. Two hours is a long time to stand around or sit on the ground for the fireworks remember to bring something to keep you occupy (tablet, book, etc.). If you are going to wait awhile for the fireworks, I would bring a blanket so you can mark your spot for your group if they want to go on rides or get food before the fireworks.

I took over 50 shots that night and my success rate for decent shots was not great; so I judiciously pruned the ones that I really shouldn't share.

And I also cropped the ones that were left a little so that I got rid of extra sky. The benefits of lots of megapixels and a low ISO is that the noise factor isn't an issue.

Your pictures are still good. You did a good job of taking the fireworks without a remote control. I could have not get a lot of pictures right without it since I might move the camera when I push the button on my camera.

Bret's really good, isn't he?

I'm just okay and I still have a lot to learn. Even though my firework trail pictures are getting better and better over time, they can still be a little bit better. Maybe when I go to DL in a few weeks and see "Believe...In Holiday Magic" fireworks, I will run the exposure longer to get those trails. It will also be great to try the new Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 lens for the firework trails that night.

 

[dhorner233]

No group. I'm going solo this time! I had an unexpected trip to SoCal and could not stand being so close and not going to Disneyland!!!!

I've been looking at your 3rd Annual D23 Expo thread. Very nice! I can't wait to go and thanks for the tip on the chili con queso. I haven't had that - yet!

 

[mvf-m11c]

No group. I'm going solo this time! I had an unexpected trip to SoCal and could not stand being so close and not going to Disneyland!!!!

I've been looking at your 3rd Annual D23 Expo thread. Very nice! I can't wait to go and thanks for the tip on the chili con queso. I haven't had that - yet!

That is nice that you had an unexpected trip to SoCal and going to the DLR during the Christmas season. It is so amazing every year during the Christmas season. You will have a great time going solo at the parks since you can do whatever you want to do. It will be perfect for you to take a lot of pictures of the decorations around the DLR. I have done a lot of solo trips in the past and they are fun. I will miss you by a couple of days where I will be in SoCal on Nov. 22nd to 25th.

I have waited in front of SB Castle for the fireworks for 2 hours by myself and it goes by really quickly. As long as I have my iPad, iPhone, etc. time goes by really quickly. Don't forget that Sleeping Beauty Winter Castle will have shows running before the fireworks at night.

Thank you Denise. The chili cone queso at the Cozy Cone Motel is nice and a good food item when walking around the park.

 

[kmedina]

I am certain I am still behind, but I just read one. Mickey and the Magical Map was my number one must do too. The show did not disappoint either. I LOVED it. I may have to hit it up each time. The graphics are amazing. Xander tripped out when he disappeared into the map.

I could not even eat half of the Monte Cristo at Cafe Orleans, but I enjoyed trying. Great picture of your meet there.

We finally bought an AP this trip. I just hope we visit enough to make it worth it.