BLT Photo Trip Report - PART 7: ILLUMINATIONS

[WelcomeHome]

Finally, here's the last section of my trip report - Illuminations. Before I finish, I like to thank everybody for all your wonderful and sweet compliments - I sincerely appreciated every one of them & it was great fun doing this report.

While I know thousands of people love “Wishes,” I have a tremendous preference for “Illuminations.” While the fireworks at wishes are definitely beautiful, I feel the soft, dreamy music & verse in the background detracts from the raw power, beauty and strength of the fireworks. It’s kind of like listening to Celine Dion sing “Butterfly Kisses” during a hockey or basketball game - it just doesn’t work. (Yes, my shields are up and my flame suit is on!)

Conversely, Illumination features strong, powerful music which perfectly compliments, supports and enhances the majestic beauty and strength of the spectacular fireworks - I’ve always found “Illuminations” to be an inspirational show! Here we go:

Best wishes to all,
Dave

 

[KyCruisinSusan]

Congratulations DenLo - you got 5 out of the 7 correct!!!! The only 2 you missed are these:

This is at the Comtempory. Looks like the monorail in the background

California Grill?

Can anyone else guess where you are in these 2 photos?

Best wishes,
David

Those are my guesses

 

[La2kw]

Congratulations DenLo - you got 5 out of the 7 correct!!!! Port Orleans was a terrific guess and 100% correct - specifically it's Port Orlean's Riverside section which used to be called Dixie Landing. The only 2 you missed are these:

Can anyone else guess where you are in these 2 photos?

Best wishes,
David

Citrico's at the Grand Floridian.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Great TR and pics! I have yet to stay at my new home, but have to say that I am THRILLED to hear about all the security. I wish they would tighten up at the other resorts as well. I think this whole bathroom door thing is being totally over blown. If this is the worst that you found, that's great! Location and the upscale feel about BLT is why I bought it. Sounds like it's living up to the reputation.

 

[dort]

Great TR and pics! I have yet to stay at my new home, but have to say that I am THRILLED to hear about all the security. I wish they would tighten up at the other resorts as well. I think this whole bathroom door thing is being totally over blown. If this is the worst that you found, that's great! Location and the upscale feel about BLT is why I bought it. Sounds like it's living up to the reputation.

I agree with you on the security . DH and I will be there next month for three nights; our first stay there.

 

[WelcomeHome]

Gift shop on the Contemporary Concourse, and Citrico's at the Grand Floridian!

Wow, Msteddom, that was fast! And congratulations, you got them both correct.

La2kw also got Citricos correct - it looks so different during the daytime, doesn't it!

"Good Catch" from KYCrusinSusan who notice the reflection of the monorail in the store window at the Contemporary!

Best wishes,
David

 

[WelcomeHome]

Wow, your pictures are beautiful. What kind of camera do you use?
Thanks for posting - We'll be at BLT for next month.

Dear Ccigliano,

I'm using a "Fujifilm FinePix S700" point and shoot vacation camera I purchased 4 years ago for under $200. The trick to many of these photos was not the camera, most DVC members already own great cameras that could easily capture the same photos I did.

THE SECRET is the use of a simple portable tripod which you can purchase for $20 or $30. Even the smallest little tripod will greatly extend the capabilities of any digital camera - any tripod will dramatically improve the range of photos you can capture.

You might be surprised to know that a simple mini-tripod was used in about HALF of these photos. Here's the type of situations where tripods will work WONDERS for all your photos WITH YOUR EXISTING DIGITAL CAMERA:

• All interior room photos.

• All situations with less than BRIGHT LIGHT including early dawn, dusk, heavy shade or clouds, night time & fireworks.

• Any time you use your zoom in an extended telephoto position - this will completely eliminate the blur in non-moving subjects and HELP reduce the blur in moving subjects.

And by the way, I earn my living as a full-time advertising photographer. You can visit my professional website at www.imagenationphotography.net

Best wishes,
David

 

[WelcomeHome]

Great TR and pics! I have yet to stay at my new home, but have to say that I am THRILLED to hear about all the security. I wish they would tighten up at the other resorts as well. I think this whole bathroom door thing is being totally over blown. If this is the worst that you found, that's great! Location and the upscale feel about BLT is why I bought it. Sounds like it's living up to the reputation.

Hey BWV Dreaming, how nice to hear from you! Congratulations on your new home at BLT - you're gonna love it there. And your right, the bathroom door is a minor detail which doesn't detract from the prestige of BLT!

Best wishes,
Dave

 

[Mouse511]

And finally, security at this hotel is silly at best - after a couple of days at BLT, security becomes an borderline rude annoyance.

You need you room key for EVERYTHING.

Instead of feeling like I was on vacation, I sometimes felt like a prisoner in a maximum security prison - the ridiculous security at BLT is a big turn off. If Disney wants to sell more DVC memberships by making DVC members feel "exclusive," then DVC members should be allowed to roam free at any DVC site!

It’s foolish to treat other DVC members like a high school juvenile delinquents when they try to enter BLT and hardly conducive to increasing sales -DVC should provide stress free and relaxing vacations with across the board availability.

I agree - on our last trip we tried to take a quick peek at the lobby and walk around the grounds, but our KTTW cards from OKW would not open the front door. We figured that because we were staying at a DVC resort our cards would at least let us in to take a peek - but Nope - no entry.

We wanted to look around becuase we were looking to do an add on and figured while we were there it would be a great opportunity to have a 'real' look - not just at models at SSR.

Not too sure why Disney has BLT on Lock Down ?

 

[toniosmom]

I agree - on our last trip we tried to take a quick peek at the lobby and walk around the grounds, but our KTTW cards from OKW would not open the front door. We figured that because we were staying at a DVC resort our cards would at least let us in to take a peek - but Nope - no entry.

We wanted to look around becuase we were looking to do an add on and figured while we were there it would be a great opportunity to have a 'real' look - not just at models at SSR.

Not too sure why Disney has BLT on Lock Down ?

I agree -- I don't have a problem with security at the pool, TOTWL, and the various other amenities restricted to current BLT guests, but I have mixed feelings about the fact that you can't get through the front door if you just want to see the lobby. I guess they're trying to eliminate the possibility of non-guests taking a respite from the day without going back to their own hotel.

 

[mecllap]

Just re-searching through for TOTW lounge photos -- did you take more interiors than the chandelier? I have kind of a fetish for chandeliers and light fixutres, so I like that shot, but was hoping for more photos of the Lounge, than the distant fireworks (yeah, I'm the "snob" about fireworks -- want to be as close to the castle as possible -- fave spot is back of the castle because it's actually closer to the bursts; I had my birthday dinner at the Calif Grill last Nov. and did the viewing from the deck, which was fun for one time, but toooooooooo far away [actually, it was fun, because I didn't do MVMCP, but getting to see the wide-angle view from the deck was nice]).

You've definitely helped me look forward to my BLT stay in August (since I'll be alone, that weird bathroom sink in the kitchen shouldn't be an issue for me -- I will never understand the mindset that designed that!).

 

[spiceycat]

I have a tremendous preference for “Illuminations.” While the fireworks at wishes are definitely beautiful, I feel the soft, dreamy music & verse in the background detracts from the raw power, beauty and strength of the fireworks. It’s kind of like listening to Celine Dion sing “Butterfly Kisses” during a hockey or basketball game - it just doesn’t work. (Yes, my shields are up and my flame suit is on!)

Dave

hey love Wishes!!!

my problem with illuminations is the first one was wonderfully - have not liked any of the revised and improved ones since.

you might not have liked it - it used music from each country to match the fireworks. from America it was the Jazz age - not my favorite - but on the music was so wonderfully.

still miss that one.

the other problem I have is the fireworks are so low - and that silly globe - you have to be (at least at my age) next to the wall to really enjoy it.

why not have a little higher fireworks and stuff that everyone can see - no matter where they are.

 

[Crystal_27]

Dave, we have yet to see Illuminations while at Disney, which is so sad because it looks like an incredible show. Just have to again, give you the ol' for your pictures. Uh-maz-ing!

 

[BigEeyore]

Your fireworks photos are incredible! We use a portable tripod and have not had your success. Thank you for sharing your trip with us!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Thank you for showing the beautiful photos. This is a great thread!!!!

Bobbi

 

[WelcomeHome]

Just re-searching through for TOTW lounge photos -- did you take more interiors than the chandelier? I have kind of a fetish for chandeliers and light fixutres, so I like that shot, but was hoping for more photos of the Lounge, than the distant fireworks (yeah, I'm the "snob" about fireworks -- want to be as close to the castle as possible -- fave spot is back of the castle because it's actually closer to the bursts; I had my birthday dinner at the Calif Grill last Nov. and did the viewing from the deck, which was fun for one time, but toooooooooo far away [actually, it was fun, because I didn't do MVMCP, but getting to see the wide-angle view from the deck was nice]).

You've definitely helped me look forward to my BLT stay in August (since I'll be alone, that weird bathroom sink in the kitchen shouldn't be an issue for me -- I will never understand the mindset that designed that!).

Dear Mecllap,

I'm sorry but the chandelier was the only photo I took of the interior at TOWL. I was taking advantage of the bar instead of the camera - sorry!

Best wishes,
Dave

 

[WDWCrazyfromGA]

Thanks so much for the great TR and awesome photos. I also loved your added humor

We have decided to take the leap and purchase at BLT - Can't wait to go home

 

[disneymom8589]

Phenomenal pictures!! We added on at BLT last August and on our recent trip we went to a little DVC event at the TOTW lounge. The views from up there are unbelievable and I can't wait for our first stay here!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Great TR ! Loved your photos.....I'll be there in about 11 days !!!!!

Maria

 

[mecllap]

Dear Mecllap,

I'm sorry but the chandelier was the only photo I took of the interior at TOWL. I was taking advantage of the bar instead of the camera - sorry!

Best wishes,
Dave

Thanks, Dave -- sounds like you had your priorities straight! (Is it true that they don't have beer on tap up there -- or at all?)