Fantasmic at DLR

[mom2rtk]

We're heading to DLR in December this year. I have never seen Fantasmic there so will make sure we don't miss it.

1) I'm still back and forth on doing the dessert party. Have any of you shot it from there? I've done a little reading and see that some line up super early even after paying for this. But if you don't line up early, you could end up in the second or third row of seating and still not have great sight lines.

2) If we opt against the dessert party, any advice on a good place to be to photograph the show?

3) What focal length works best?

4) If you'd like to share some shots, I'd love to see them.

 

[HPS3]

On disney tourist blog .com, Tom had a recent article on shooting Fantasmic from the different parks. He talked about viewing areas to shoot from and tips on settings. I think its on third page of entries. Just scroll down and search older entries until you find it. It won't let me post the link here.

 

[mom2rtk]

On disney tourist blog .com, Tom had a recent article on shooting Fantasmic from the different parks. He talked about viewing areas to shoot from and tips on settings. I think its on third page of entries. Just scroll down and search older entries until you find it. It won't let me post the link here.

I really need to do a better job of keeping up with his blog. Thanks for that reminder. I'll definitely check it out!

 

[HPS3]

I really need to do a better job of keeping up with his blog. Thanks for that reminder. I'll definitely check it out!

Glad I could help! Its really a great article.

 

[KCmike]

Your gonna love Fantasmic! at DL. Get there very early if you don't do the dessert party. People camp out as early as two hours before. Seeing the Mark Twain and the Sailing Ship Columbia being part of the show really make it trump Hollywood Studios version. I know, I know there are no seats at Disneyland but you can't beat the ambiance of the Rivers of America and that tugboat they use at Hollywood Studios is just embarrassing. Can't wait to see what photos you get!

 

[traylorc]

My wife and I did the dessert party last year. We picked up our tickets about 90 minutes before the show, and then walked around for a while. We came back about 25 minutes before the show started and still were able to get good seats. If I remember we actually selected one of the back rows so I could stand up if needed to get some shots. I used my 300mm f/4 + 1.7 tc and my 70-200mm f/2.8.


Mickey At Fantasmic by traylorc, on Flickr


Maleficient Unleashed by traylorc, on Flickr


Maleficient's Fury (1 of 1) by traylorc, on Flickr

 

[KCmike]

Awesome shots traylorc! ^^^

 

[traylorc]

Awesome shots traylorc! ^^^

Thanks Mike!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

From the first row at the Dessert party (most have some cropping done):

Sony A850 (full frame) 85mm

And fireworks afterwards (shot at 45mm):

I've also taken pictures from the 3rd row and also from non-dessert party areas with longer lenses. The nice thing about the dessert section is that you won't get crowded but it's also doable from other areas. I'm sorry that I apparently have uploaded other fantasmic pictures to show you the differences.

If you do want the front row you need to line up early to pick out the seat. Ridiculous for what you pay but that's the way it works. And some of the pillars can block part of your view so it's not necessarily stellar for everything. The nice thing about the 3rd row is that you can stand up.

 

[mom2rtk]

On disney tourist blog .com, Tom had a recent article on shooting Fantasmic from the different parks. He talked about viewing areas to shoot from and tips on settings. I think its on third page of entries. Just scroll down and search older entries until you find it. It won't let me post the link here.

I read Tom's blog and appreciated his discussion of what equipment and settings to use. It sort of answers my question of whether there's any chance of getting by with my 17-55 f/2.8 lens. I'm actually considering renting something to take. Maybe a longer 2.8 lens. The problem of course is that while I want to shoot with it, I don't want to carry it....

Your gonna love Fantasmic! at DL. Get there very early if you don't do the dessert party. People camp out as early as two hours before. Seeing the Mark Twain and the Sailing Ship Columbia being part of the show really make it trump Hollywood Studios version. I know, I know there are no seats at Disneyland but you can't beat the ambiance of the Rivers of America and that tugboat they use at Hollywood Studios is just embarrassing. Can't wait to see what photos you get!

Thanks Mike! It's finally starting to get close enough to feel real. Since we have never seen F! before at DL, it feels like it's just a big Christmas present sitting there waiting for us to open.

My wife and I did the dessert party last year. We picked up our tickets about 90 minutes before the show, and then walked around for a while. We came back about 25 minutes before the show started and still were able to get good seats. If I remember we actually selected one of the back rows so I could stand up if needed to get some shots. I used my 300mm f/4 + 1.7 tc and my 70-200mm f/2.8.

Gorgeous shots! I hope I can get one of Murphy half as good.

I had actually considered just going closer to show time and and sitting in back so I could stand up. But my daughter wasn't as sold on that plan. So I guess I'm going to have to invest the time to just get there early.

From the first row at the Dessert party (most have some cropping done):

Sony A850 (full frame) 85mm

I've also taken pictures from the 3rd row and also from non-dessert party areas with longer lenses. The nice thing about the dessert section is that you won't get crowded but it's also doable from other areas. I'm sorry that I apparently have uploaded other fantasmic pictures to show you the differences.

If you do want the front row you need to line up early to pick out the seat. Ridiculous for what you pay but that's the way it works. And some of the pillars can block part of your view so it's not necessarily stellar for everything. The nice thing about the 3rd row is that you can stand up.

I thought you might have some good shots to add, and I was certainly right. Thanks so much for posting those. And thanks for adding that your camera was full frame. 85 mm at full frame is pretty wide though, even with some cropping. Were you down really close for those?

I'm still really torn on whether to do the dessert party with plans to line up early or just suck it up and find a spot in the free area nice and early. We plan on doing some fairly long park days so doubt we can make it until the second showing.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I thought you might have some good shots to add, and I was certainly right. Thanks so much for posting those. And thanks for adding that your camera was full frame. 85 mm at full frame is pretty wide though, even with some cropping. Were you down really close for those?

I'm still really torn on whether to do the dessert party with plans to line up early or just suck it up and find a spot in the free area nice and early. We plan on doing some fairly long park days so doubt we can make it until the second showing.

Thanks! I was in the middle of the front row of the dessert section. There is another area in front of the dessert seating that is open to anyone to sit so it wasn't as close as possible. I chose to use the 85mm first because it's a 1.4 lens and second because it allowed me to get shots of the wider elements and then just use cropping to zoom.

My experience is that the 2nd showing has less attendance and is easier to get a closer spot without waiting for hours but if doing that I'd recommend you plan on being over in the New Orleans Square area before the end of the first show. They route the traffic leaving from the first show thru the streets and hold the crowds waiting to fill in from the hub and Adventureland area.