Discovering A Whole New World of Disney-An October 2013 Photo Safari **Updated 2/20

[Luvchefmic]

BIG fan of flights of wonder VERY impressed w/your photos of the dollar bill bird My goodness you can almost read the serial number on the bill GREAT job!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Great Flights of Wonder pictures - especially the bird with the dollar bill and the owl!

"He's coming right for us!"

(hopefully Stan's uncle and his war vet friend were not in the audience)

 

[smile4stamps]

Your photos are simply AMAZING!! I can't believe the clarity you get when those birds fly so fast! I'm truly amazed!! Thanks for sharing with us!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Amazing shots!!! I love the one of the owl head on - I am hoping to do this show with my oldest in January, with such a long trip I'm going to make it happen.

Birds are so amazing - we have tons of different types up here. We occasionally have the opportunity to see Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles and other birds that we probably would have lost if not due to conservation- and what a sight they are!! One thing I really enjoy about AK is the focus on conservation. I sat and had a wonderful chat with a CM about how the animals are treated there. I love that they can touch so many people with what they do - in a healthy and entertaining manner.

Sarah, you're younger one may actually sit through this. We took DS when he was two and he was mesmerized by the constant movements of the different birds. Your oldest will love it for sure!

Completely agree with your sentiments about AK.

And I want to add--- no way would I be sticking my arm out for a bird to grab a dollar bill from!

It does worry me a little but they are Disney birds so what's the worst that could happen?

Flights of wonder is a great show DW is not a huge fan so we tend to skip this and not sure DS would be entertained for the whole show. Don't want him causing a comotion during the show and upsetting the birds. It's so hard to sit through shows when DS only has the attention span of 30seconds.

You were able to capture some very nice shots of the birds in action. The dollar bill shot and the Owl look fantastic. Looks like your seat choice was a good one.

Also liking the new water mark for a nice clean professional look and one that doesn't distract from the photo.

Thanks! I stressed over a month trying to come up with a creative and catchy name for my photography biz but each time I came up with one I grew tired of it the next day. So I eventually went back to my very first choice that I came up with a month ago. Oh well. At least I tried to be creative.

Our DS surprisingly sat through the whole show so your DS might actually fare well.

So, tell me how you feel about tour groups?

I especially loved the pictures of the owl, but all of them were great. You did a great job catching the birds in motion.

I actually haven't had a bad experience with a tour group. Yet. I just don't like those darn flags.

Wow, I haven't seen this show in ages, but I do remember really enjoying it. It's very well put together.

Oh God I LOVE those owl shots. Just WOW!!!

You should definitely give it another go! Joe keeps getting better with each viewing.

I loved your pictures of the Flights of Wonder show. We didn't make it to that show while we were there, we'll have to add it to our to-do list for the next trip. Your pictures were wonderful. I really liked your shots of the bird returning the dollar and the ones of the owl. They were fantastic. Wow, that owl looks intense!

Yeah, that owl looked scary intense. Another reason why I was glad I didn't go on stage.

BIG fan of flights of wonder VERY impressed w/your photos of the dollar bill bird My goodness you can almost read the serial number on the bill GREAT job!

Thanks Ruthie! It helped that I had a fixed point to focus on when the volunteer stuck her hand out.

Great Flights of Wonder pictures - especially the bird with the dollar bill and the owl!

"He's coming right for us!"

(hopefully Stan's uncle and his war vet friend were not in the audience)

South Park fan? Good ol Jimbo.

Your photos are simply AMAZING!! I can't believe the clarity you get when those birds fly so fast! I'm truly amazed!! Thanks for sharing with us!

Thank you! I have a lot of fun sharing these pictures with you and my DIS friends.

 

[emmysmommy]

So you are trying to talk me into seeing a show where a bird steals your money? No thanks! Honestly I'm not a bird lover so the show has had zero appeal to me - until now. Gotta say you have me curious.

I echo everyone else's sentiment, I love your photos - especially the owl. Ahhh mazing photo! The bald eagle is so beautiful.

 

[SAT887]

Completely agree with your sentiments about AK. It does worry me a little but they are Disney birds so what's the worst that could happen?

I don't know.... It flies off with you and drops you in the safari with the lions or crocodiles? Tick tock tick tock.....

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

So you are trying to talk me into seeing a show where a bird steals your money? No thanks! Honestly I'm not a bird lover so the show has had zero appeal to me - until now. Gotta say you have me curious.

I echo everyone else's sentiment, I love your photos - especially the owl. Ahhh mazing photo! The bald eagle is so beautiful.

Hi Brenda! Your comments about the bird taking the money reminded me of one of the funnier quotes from Guano Joe during the show. After the bird returns the dollar bill back to the volunteer Joe says "Wowwwww. That's something you don't see every day. Money back at a theme park!"

I don't know.... It flies off with you and drops you in the safari with the lions or crocodiles? Tick tock tick tock.....

That sounds more like a bird from Middle Earth or Pandora.

 

[Mightybee987]

I love all your pictures. We missed the Flights of Wonder Show on our trip. I will have make sure to see it on our next trip.

 

[emilyindisney]

I've never seen Flights of Wonder so I really enjoyed this update! As usual, your pictures are beautiful. The owl looks like he's practically staring down your camera- great shots! This show looks like it will be on the to-do list in the future!

 

[jkc0325]

Dave, I fell behind a bit so I just spent some time catching up. Your pictures are just so wonderful. I got lazy and left my DSLR at home on our trip and after looking at your pictures I'm kicking myself. But, if I were to be honest, the kids and dh would never let me stop long enough to really "see" Disney the way you were able to see it on this trip. I need a good nursing conference to be held in Disney so I can go alone too!!!!

As you may or may not have seen on FB, I convinced dh to take a long weekend away, without the kids next September. I've been pondering where to stay but after seeing your boardwalk photographs, I think it will have to be there. I often wake up long before dh so I can envision myself sneaking off to get some sunrise pictures. I'm so glad you went back for that camera, those pictures are so beautiful!

PS. Didn't get to try out your tips for good soccer pictures as I got very sick last week. Asthma was too bad to hang around outdoors, but I will try to get some good indoor soccer pictures this week. I'll let you know how it goes!

 

[wiigirl]

Great update!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

I love all your pictures. We missed the Flights of Wonder Show on our trip. I will have make sure to see it on our next trip.

Thank you! It's a great show and fits very well with the atmosphere of Animal Kingdom!

I've never seen Flights of Wonder so I really enjoyed this update! As usual, your pictures are beautiful. The owl looks like he's practically staring down your camera- great shots! This show looks like it will be on the to-do list in the future!

Every time I stare at those beady eyes of the owl I do get a little scared. And I still can't get over just how long its wingspan is.

Dave, I fell behind a bit so I just spent some time catching up. Your pictures are just so wonderful. I got lazy and left my DSLR at home on our trip and after looking at your pictures I'm kicking myself. But, if I were to be honest, the kids and dh would never let me stop long enough to really "see" Disney the way you were able to see it on this trip. I need a good nursing conference to be held in Disney so I can go alone too!!!!

As you may or may not have seen on FB, I convinced dh to take a long weekend away, without the kids next September. I've been pondering where to stay but after seeing your boardwalk photographs, I think it will have to be there. I often wake up long before dh so I can envision myself sneaking off to get some sunrise pictures. I'm so glad you went back for that camera, those pictures are so beautiful!

PS. Didn't get to try out your tips for good soccer pictures as I got very sick last week. Asthma was too bad to hang around outdoors, but I will try to get some good indoor soccer pictures this week. I'll let you know how it goes!

Hi Jen! I'm with ya. When traveling with my family I just don't get that many chances to look around my surroundings for pictures. Last trip with the fam I took about 3 hours of solo tour time in MK while the kids and DW went back to the resort for some pool time.

I think the Boardwalk is an excellent choice for an adults only trip! Not only is it beautiful in and around the Boardwalk but there are so many good restaurants in walking distance. I haven't talked about it yet in this trip report I strongly recommend bluezoo. And my breakfast at Kouzzina was just awesome. Flying Fish was also good. I'm getting hungry just thinking about those places!

Great update!

Thanks!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

No other park has more attractions neglected by me than DHS. I’m going to take a wild stab and say it’s because we’ve always toured with young children although that doesn’t seem to stop us from going on Tower of Terror twice using rider swaps. Anyway, I was intent on fixing this. One of the attractions that I’ve always wanted to try but never could carve out enough time was the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular. Initially I was planning on doing this one during the private event. But after I finished checking in on arrival day I realized I had a couple of hours I could try to squeeze out in the parks before my dinner ressie at bluezoo. So I headed out to DHS and decided to knock this one out to make more time for ToT at the private event later in the evening.

By the time I showed up for the show the extended queue was no longer open and I did not get to see any of the props and theming that I’ve heard about. I found a seat on stage right because I was most interested in capturing a photo of the golden idol which was out for display prior to the show starting. Very Shiny. I had my telezoom lens ready to go. The volunteers were picked. There was one girl who I think said was visiting from Scotland that was wearing a giant banana costume as were the rest of her extended family in the stands.

I loved the opening sequence and I was able to capture the moment of the famous idol switch.

Poor soul. Never got a proper burial and now lays in bare bones for all of Disney guests to see. And take pictures of.

IMG_7997 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

Sticks and bones can.....oh never mind.

IMG_8037 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

YES! Indy! In his young and glory days. And before all that alien skull and hiding in a refrigerator from a nuclear blast non-sense.

IMG_7999 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

Waaaaait. That's not Harrison Ford! Oh yeah, right, this is stunt double show.

IMG_8004 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr


IMG_8021 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

So Shiny.

IMG_8025 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

I can tell you right now, Indy. All that thinking is going to feel like a gigantic waste of time when you see that boulder coming for you.

IMG_8027 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

I was eagerly awaiting for the giant boulder to rumble its way on to the stage and I swear at that exact moment when Indy and the boulder magically filled my viewfinder, a family of four decided that it was the best time to enter the theater and walk down the row in front of me. All I got was photos of three little heads and one giant head strolling through. Argggh. Oh well, I have something to shoot for next time when I'll plant myself at stage left for the boulder shot!

The rest of the stunt show was entertaining although I could have done without the planted stuntman trying to masquerade as a “volunteer.” I completely understand the need for the drawn out narration and explanations in between the scenes. Those scene changes aren’t going to happen by itself.

Scene change. Judging from my pictures I don't think I was paying much attention to what the hosts and stuntmen were talking about to the audience. Too distracted by shiny objects.


IMG_8038 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr


IMG_8044 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

And it looks like I wasn't the only one whose mind was beginning to wander.

IMG_8042 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

The brave volunteers. You see the girl in the banana suit I was telling you about earlier? And that guy on the far right looks like he's auditioning for a role of a Sith in a different Lucas film production.

IMG_8047 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

So here's where Indy and Marion are strolling through and thinking "Sweet! Streetmosphere!" That is until they drew their swords and came after them.

IMG_8048 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

I found this shot fascinating. I didn't realize that the whip ACTUALLY wrapped around their legs.

IMG_8064 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

One of these days the henchmen will finally come to the realization. "Hey, instead of us attacking our target one at a time how about we try swarming him all at the same time!"

IMG_8065 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

Oyyyy.

IMG_8067 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

This reminded me of Luke and Leia.

IMG_8078 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

How to use a ladder when jumping between buildings.

IMG_8080 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

How NOT to use a ladder when jumping between buildings.

IMG_8089 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

One of my favorite shots of the show.

IMG_8091 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

Everything with Indy ends in some form of fireball.

IMG_8103 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

Scene change!

IMG_8104 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

Getting ready for the finale.

IMG_8109 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

Indy's not doing so well.

IMG_8124 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

The view from the director's chair.

IMG_8132 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr


IMG_8147 by DaveinFallsChurch, on Flickr

I think my kids would actually enjoy this one. Not knowing what was in the show we had been keeping them away from it because DD gets frightened easily. But it’s heavy on cool action and the live aspect of it will keep them entertained.

My overall first impression was a bit mixed. I was aware of the scenes they would be re-creating, all of them coming from Raiders of the Lost Ark. What I wasn’t quite prepared for was the format which as most of you know revolves around the “behind the scenes” of movies that DHS tried to incorporate into their attractions when the park first opened. I’m a HUGE fan of the movies. But I don’t think the behind the scenes stuff works very well anymore considering how most of the modern special effects are now digitally created and a lot of the things they show at DHS are very outdated at this point.

Nonetheless, I really enjoyed the action sequences themselves from the Indiana Jones show. Takes me back to the time when I was a pre-teen watching Raiders of the Lost Ark for the first time peeking through my hands and fingers covering my eyes. Those melting faces were absolutely terrifying on first viewing and carries a lot of nostalgia for me. Of course now I watch that scene and think it’s equivalent to a 6 year old who decided to put a couple of action figures in the microwave and hit the high power button!

Hope you enjoyed the picture show!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Aw Dave did you have to go and remind me of the atrocity that was Indiana Jones 4? I've tried to remove that from memory.

Haha, my fav part of the entire show is the "plant". I so enjoy watching the audience to see if they figure it out or they really think this poor guy is getting the crap kicked out of him.

Um... that one kick photo... OUCH!!!! Sometimes great photography is tough to look at.

 

[pixleyyy]

GORGEOUS photos! This makes me want to take more time for photography on my upcoming visits. Can't wait to see more!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Aw Dave did you have to go and remind me of the atrocity that was Indiana Jones 4? I've tried to remove that from memory.

We must never forget the wrongs that Lucas has forced on our precious childhood memories in the last 10 years. Ok, Spielberg had a hand in it too but I'm just going to blame George.

Haha, my fav part of the entire show is the "plant". I so enjoy watching the audience to see if they figure it out or they really think this poor guy is getting the crap kicked out of him.

That raises a good question. Just how long on average does it take an average viewer of the show to realize that Disney would never sanction such a liable situation.

Um... that one kick photo... OUCH!!!! Sometimes great photography is tough to look at.

Yeah I agree. Sometimes too much zoom is not good. Wait till you see the one picture I have of Hook and Smee from Dream Along with Mickey.

GORGEOUS photos! This makes me want to take more time for photography on my upcoming visits. Can't wait to see more!

Thank you!! I hope I get another chance visiting Disney where I'll have the time and leisure to focus on photography.

 

[pixleyyy]

Gotta ask about the camera equipment. You seem to get a lot of range from your lens. What are you shooting with?

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Gotta ask about the camera equipment. You seem to get a lot of range from your lens. What are you shooting with?

My camera body is a Canon 7D. During this trip I used a 17-55mm f2.8 as my walk-around lens and my 70-200mm f2.8 for the staged shows and other close up photography. I rented a 35mm f1.4 but I'm convinced there was a defect in the lens I received because I just didn't have the same experience that others have reviewed and reported.

 

[afwdwfan]

Initially I was planning on doing this one during the private event. But after I finished checking in on arrival day I realized I had a couple of hours I could try to squeeze out in the parks before my dinner ressie at bluezoo. So I headed out to DHS and decided to knock this one out to make more time for ToT at the private event later in the evening.

I'm glad it worked out that way for you. I love the Indiana Jones show (even though I haven't seen it since 2008), but it takes a while and I'd hate to waste valuable private party time doing it.

There was one girl who I think said was visiting from Scotland that was wearing a giant banana costume as were the rest of her extended family in the stands.

Apparently someone really wanted to stand out and be picked for the show?

YES! Indy! In his young and glory days. And before all that alien skull and hiding in a refrigerator from a nuclear blast non-sense.

There were parts of that movie that I liked.

I was eagerly awaiting for the giant boulder to rumble its way on to the stage and I swear at that exact moment when Indy and the boulder magically filled my viewfinder, a family of four decided that it was the best time to enter the theater and walk down the row in front of me.

I think my kids would actually enjoy this one. Not knowing what was in the show we had been keeping them away from it because DD gets frightened easily. But it’s heavy on cool action and the live aspect of it will keep them entertained.

I've been afraid of taking the kids just because it is such a long show and you know how a toddler's attention span is. DS is old enough now that I know he'd love the action. We'd just have to bring his earmuffs to keep the explosion noise down... that's the one thing that would freak him out. I think we'll definitely need to go see it next time we're there.

But I don’t think the behind the scenes stuff works very well anymore considering how most of the modern special effects are now digitally created and a lot of the things they show at DHS are very outdated at this point.

I actually think it works well. I realize there's a lot of CGI stuff these days and less "real fire" effects, but it is still cool to see how they made these kinds of scenes. I mean Raiders is a classic that is still very popular and seeing how it was made is a fun diversion.

And besides, a stunt show where you go through the motions fighting an invisible foe in front of a green screen wouldn't be anywhere near as entertaining.

Hope you enjoyed the picture show!

I certainly did!

 

[khertz]

One of these days the henchmen will finally come to the realization. "Hey, instead of us attacking our target one at a time how about we try swarming him all at the same time!"

OMG YES!! I think this ALL THE TIME during movies and TV shows. Yes, of course each bad guy is going to wait their turn while the hero is manhandling their buddy...

I haven't seen the Indy show in quite a long time. Not even really because of DS, although that's probably been our excuse, but because it's old news after seeing it a couple of times.

Although we probably won't be back to see it any time soon, you did manage to get some really amazing shots. It's not like the show is really terrible or anything, just can get repetitive especially when you know the shtick. What a bummer about that family ruining your boulder shot!!