Braved the Sept humidity in WDW - We're back! (new pics added 12/2/09)

[scoot241]

Thanks, Ann. I didn't want to go into that level of detail, but I'm glad you did . You just saved me some work

The main thing is to realize what the limitations of your camera are and have reasonable expectations of it.

To summarize the main points above:
1) when shooting still objects in low light, try to stabilize the camera on something (tripod, table top, trash can, pretty much anything that begins with the letter "T" ). This is also nice for fireworks to get those nice trails
2) when shooting a moving object like Spectro, or if you are moving under low light conditions (i.e. dark rides), you need to be able to stop the motion so the image will come out clear. This has to be done through some combination of faster shutter speed, wider aperture, and higher ISO. If you can't manually control the aperture and shutter speed or if your night shot mode doesn't work like you want it to, setting to High ISO may be your best (and only) option.

Oh, and I use Noise Ninja for my noise reduction program. I've also used Noiseware, which has a free version if I'm not mistaken and works pretty well.

This is getting a little more technical than really should be discussed here (and I'm probably starting to lose the interest of a few readers by this point ), so let's get back to the PTR!

Just kidding. My biggest suggestion is to read the manual. The manual has more information in it than most people realize. Then, once you've read the manual, take it with you when you practice. Figure out what works and what doesn't. Make sure you know how to work the camera and adjust things as needed.

 

[Todd_H]

After trying to ride everything in sight (within reason given the crowd levels), we're probably going to start getting a little hungry. Since we're doing Chef Mickey's for breakfast that morning, we'll probably opt to get a lighter lunch - maybe just a snack and do a late afternoon dinner. Since we used our TS at breakfast, we now have to choose our dinner spot. This we are undecided on... so how about you, dear readers? Where are your favorite CS spots in the MK? We like the Columbia Harbor House (their Tuna Melts are really good).

After dinner, we'll try to hit a couple more rides, then go grab a Dole Whip and put ourselves in good positions to watch Spectro at 8 and then Wishes at 9. I'm definitely going to try to photograph Spectro as I've never tried it. Not sure about Wishes... it depends on if I have lugged my tripod with me (since this is early in the week, chances are good that I will ).

Here are some prior attempts at Wishes

After Wishes (a perfect end to the night), we'll probably see how the kids are holding up and either head back to the VWL (via boat, which I absolutely love at night after a long day in the MK), or walk around the MK for some night photography (I'm going to go ahead and predict that this will not happen).

Next up - Day 3 - I'll have to check my notes on where we'll be in the daytime, but our ADR for that night involves some hootin' n' hollerin'!

 

[annnewjerz]

This we are undecided on... so how about you, dear readers? Where are your favorite CS spots in the MK? We like the Columbia Harbor House (their Tuna Melts are really good).

Oh we love Columbia Harbour House---fish and chips with malt vinegar. Mmmmmmm.

Some alternate suggestions for a late lunch in the Magic Kingdom would be:

A. Cosmic Ray's. This is a counter-service place in Tomorrowland (I believe). I've never been, but people seem to love it. You can get rotisserie chicken, ribs, wraps, chicken nuggets, etc. Here is the menu.

B. The Plaza Restaurant. Right on Main Street, it's a table-service place but for close to counter-service prices. They serve burgers, shakes, reuben sandwiches and icecream sundaes. We haven't been here yet either, but it's supposed to be nice and cold, sometimes the Mayor makes a guest appearance and the food is supposed to be really good. We booked it two times for our trip in October since we're trying to balance eating on the cheap with still getting a nice air conditioned sit-down meal. Oh yeah and here is the menu.


Here are some pics I borrowed from Carrie's (Lurkyloo) trip report. She has photographer friends in Orlando that took the following pictures (with the same camera as you, none the less).

This picture alone sold me.

 

[scoot241]

I'm a fan of Cosmic Ray's, mostly because of it's varied selection.

The Plaza does look nice; I've never been there.

 

[Todd_H]

Ann, you just sold me on the Plaza. We always pass by it and think that we need to give it a try, but I've honestly never heard that much about it.

Scott, we might also try Cosmic Rays later in the week. We've never eaten there and they do have Sonny Eclipse, the animatronic lounge singer.

We have an ADR at Crystal Palace later in the week, but we don't really want to keep that one (we're not buffet fans... Jimmy Buffett yes, but not the trough line type )

 

[annnewjerz]

Ann, you just sold me on the Plaza. We always pass by it and think that we need to give it a try, but I've honestly never heard that much about it.

I would try to get an ADR if you can, just to be on the safe side because it seems all table-service places these days don't accept walk-ups. However, I have read quite a few reports of people going to the Plaza and asking for a table and being seated within 15 minutes or so. If you guys don't have your heart set on going there and don't want a schedule to adhere to---give it a shot, it never hurts to ask if there is a walk-up available.

 

[All7OfUs]

YOu guys are so amazing, I can't even hardly wrap my mind around it!! I am stunned! Thanks! Todd and Ann, going to spend some time over the photog. board before my trip!

Now, where to eat. I"m going to go against the grain and vote Pecos bills. I don't have any food art to convince you, but we really liked it. The condim. bar rocks! But then again, the tuna at Col. HH is pretty (no, really) good too.

 

[mreid1974]

I vote for Cosmic Rays.. Im not quite sure what intrigues me to go there.. Maybe the variety or the atmosphere.. I know it can be noisy.. But its one of my must eats.. Along with a few Table service places..

 

[All7OfUs]

Oh yeah, almost forgot. Caseys is my go-to place -EVERY time! At least once, I gotta do a dog with loads of onions!! Makes for more personal space in queues.

 

[oregondaddyof2]

Hey Todd!! I am a fan of your photography and look forward to every post you make in the Photography area of these boards... I am so happy that you made your PTR, and am very anxious to see the shots you get this year... We will be at WDW during the same time frame, so it would be cool to actually meet up if we cross roads at all... Sounds like we will be at DHS the same day and at Fantasmic... We have never seen it, so I am not sure how many pictures I am going to take since I want to really enjoy the show for my first time, but I may try to take a few... I am really hoping to get some good dark ride pics, but not too sure of my abilities yet... Oh well, Just thougt I would say Hi and jump on the PTR for the trip...

 

[disneygirlinnj]

I'm in! Just realized you had a PTR going on..I've been secretly drooling over your photos in the photography board

 

[Todd_H]

Now, where to eat. I"m going to go against the grain and vote Pecos bills.

We've done Pecos Bill's almost every trip and while we like it most of the time (it seems to be hit and miss when we eat there), I think we're going to try to hit some places we haven't eaten in before.

I vote for Cosmic Rays.. Im not quite sure what intrigues me to go there.. Maybe the variety or the atmosphere.. I know it can be noisy.. But its one of my must eats.. Along with a few Table service places..

Awesome! Another vote for Cosmic Ray's.

Oh yeah, almost forgot. Caseys is my go-to place -EVERY time! At least once, I gotta do a dog with loads of onions!! Makes for more personal space in queues.

Oh yes, how could I forget Casey's? That is a must on every trip. We are a dog loving family, that's for sure ! Speaking of dogs, let me introduce everyone to our "furbabies" who will not be going with us to WDW

This is our 9 year old lab Sadie

and this is our 7 month old Siberian Husky Nali

They play pretty well together, but sometimes it gets ugly

We'd love to take them with us, but... not going to happen.

 

[Todd_H]

Hey Todd!! I am a fan of your photography and look forward to every post you make in the Photography area of these boards... I am so happy that you made your PTR, and am very anxious to see the shots you get this year... We will be at WDW during the same time frame, so it would be cool to actually meet up if we cross roads at all... Sounds like we will be at DHS the same day and at Fantasmic... We have never seen it, so I am not sure how many pictures I am going to take since I want to really enjoy the show for my first time, but I may try to take a few... I am really hoping to get some good dark ride pics, but not too sure of my abilities yet... Oh well, Just thougt I would say Hi and jump on the PTR for the trip...

Hey Terry! Glad you stopped by! Toni stopped by and said hello yesterday after I posted on your PTR (which is a really good one, btw ). I haven't made it all the way through yours, but I think I read through the first 200 posts last night.

Yep, looks like we'll be in DHS on the same day. We shouldn't be too hard to spot. Just look for the huge camera and the black North Face hat... that will probably be me . We should try to meet up at Fantasmic that night. As the trip gets closer, let's exchange cell phone #'s (if you'll be carrying your cell with you). Even if it's just a quick meet and greet, we'd love to meet you guys!

 

[kde175]

I'm a little late to the party, but can't wait to follow along. I'm generally a lurker, but might pipe in every once in awhile. Just wanted you to know that I'm along for the ride.

 

[Todd_H]

I'm in! Just realized you had a PTR going on..I've been secretly drooling over your photos in the photography board

Hi disneygirlinnj! Welcome! I think I missed your post while I was introducing our dogs above. I see you will be a September WDW visitor also, but I think you guys will be down there the week after us?

Love your Captain Jack photo shoot, btw . My DS would absolutely lose his mind if we could do that!

I'm a little late to the party, but can't wait to follow along. I'm generally a lurker, but might pipe in every once in awhile. Just wanted you to know that I'm along for the ride.

Welcome! By all means, please pipe in. The more, the merrier!

 

[disneygirlinnj]

I believe you guys are leaving the day we arrive (26th?). Maybe our paths will cross somewhere for a quick second!

If they ever bring back the Pirate & Princess Party, I totally recommend it for your DS! Pirate OVERLOAD! We had a blast but sadly that's the only time you can meet Jack. I'm hoping that they add him to the MNSSHP!

 

[Todd_H]

If they ever bring back the Pirate & Princess Party, I totally recommend it for your DS! Pirate OVERLOAD! We had a blast but sadly that's the only time you can meet Jack. I'm hoping that they add him to the MNSSHP!

That would be awesome if they add him to the MNSSHP! We have thought about doing that on our last night (I'm jumping ahead a few days in my PTR here), but haven't decided 100%. One of my WDW rituals is to spend our last night in the MK, which would put us having to attend MNSSHP to do that . We did MNSSHP back in Sept 07 and the kids really liked it. That Boo To You song really gets in your head!

I noticed you're running the half marathon in January. That's awesome! Ali and I tried to register for it, but it is now closed and the only way to get in is to join Team In Training or some other charity team. Only problem with that is that Team In Training wants you to raise $3,500 to run it . We just have too much going on the rest of this year to commit to raising that kind of dough, so we're going to run a different 1/2 marathon a little closer to home in February 2010. Hopefully we can do the WDW 1/2 marathon in 2011.

 

[SilverL]

I love the picture of the dogs barking. Looks like my two lunatics

 

[crocko]

Just found your PTR.

Fun family you have there!

My family will be down there at the same time. Sep 17-26 at Kidani Village.
Waiting to see the rest of your plans to see if we'll end up at the same places anytime.

By the way....that picture of you on the first post under the Mickey "thing". Where is that?

 

[disneygirlinnj]

That would be awesome if they add him to the MNSSHP! We have thought about doing that on our last night (I'm jumping ahead a few days in my PTR here), but haven't decided 100%. One of my WDW rituals is to spend our last night in the MK, which would put us having to attend MNSSHP to do that . We did MNSSHP back in Sept 07 and the kids really liked it. That Boo To You song really gets in your head!

I noticed you're running the half marathon in January. That's awesome! Ali and I tried to register for it, but it is now closed and the only way to get in is to join Team In Training or some other charity team. Only problem with that is that Team In Training wants you to raise $3,500 to run it . We just have too much going on the rest of this year to commit to raising that kind of dough, so we're going to run a different 1/2 marathon a little closer to home in February 2010. Hopefully we can do the WDW 1/2 marathon in 2011.

I still think I've lost my mind whenever I think of 13.1 miles! But I know I'll be ready by then! I know last year they reopened the half for a really short period of time so if I hear anything I'll definitely come let you know ASAP.