How to shoot fireworks

[tripodjw]

I’m off on a solo trip to DLR soon (tagging a few days on to a business trip to San Diego). Only my 3rd visit ever so i'm not as familiar with it as DL Paris or WDW.

I’m taking my tripod and want to set up camp early on at least one evening (and possibly multiple evenings – at different positions).

As I’m going to be on my own I can’t use DH as a bodyguard to stop people tripping over tripod legs - does anyone have any recommendations of good places around the hub/main street to set up my tripod to get pics of castle and fireworks together.

I’m likely to camp out for up to 2 hrs (eat dinner and soak up atmosphere while waiting) and don’t want to be too “in the way” for other people.

I thought maybe on the castle side of the Partners statue and setting up so two legs are short and resting on the concrete seat that runs around the statue and one long onto the floor (or vice versa) – but was worried this may be too close (I’m most likely to be using a 18-135mm lens).

I want to take the opportunity to camp out and get a really good position while i'm on my own and not taking up DH's park time.

Thanks guys.

 

[NostalgicDad]

There are a couple of spots I like to try and set up at DL. There are several areas where you can "straddle" the iron railing with 1 of your tripod legs so as not to have to worry about people tripping or bumping into them. I've set up on the outside of the hub near the entrance to TL but you'll need to watch out for trees that might be in the way. Last Christmas I set up directly in front of the castle basically right behind the partners statue and was able to again straddle the iron railing with my tripod. The only problem here is that it is a bit close but if you shoot at the wide end of your particular lens, you should be alright. You also might be on to something like you mentioned though regarding setting up on the concrete surrounding the partners statue. That will put you a few feet further back than where I just mentioned. Getting there a couple of hours early will be optimal.

I also once tried setting up in front of the depot all the way back on Main Street. There are benches at the top of the stairs and you can set up directly behind them. You will definitely need to zoom in a ways and you won't get the full castle effect during the show but you will get some good aerial shots and including the Matterhorn in the frame. But, watch out for the flag pole........it's destined to give you fits for sure in this location.

Have fun!!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I just did this and set up in the street between the buildings and the hub approx. 30 minutes ahead of time. I was right at the point where they place a rope across the street for a walkway so I was a bit protected. It was a solo trip for me so I had to do the guarding myself but then ended up getting help from the 2 groups right around me. I had an 18-50 zoom which worked out pretty well from that spot. My most pleasing shots were at 35mm that allowed me to get all of the castle and most if not all of the fireworks. I don't know if this is always true but that night the fireworks were definitely off to the left of the castle, otherwise I could have zoomed in more.

The night before I watched from the tomorrowland side of the hub and would have much preferred that angle for my shots.....but it would have been impossible. Even if I had gotten there early I would have wanted 5 or 6 body guards! (although this was Sun night of memorial weekend so it may have been more crazy than usual!) I like your idea though of setting up using the concrete bench. I took a bunch of shots from that exact location after the fireworks w/my 30mm lens. I think if you want to get the entire castle and fireworks you will definitely need to be at the 18mm end of your zoom as my 30 was being filled with the castle.

I had looked at setting up back by the depot but abandoned that because of the flag pole!

Have fun!

 

[Master Mason]

I I don't know if this is always true but that night the fireworks were definitely off to the left of the castle, otherwise I could have zoomed in more.

That is always true, they shoot them off right behind toon town, which is why toon town closes down so early. Maybe even some from within toon town even.

I shot the last time where Danny suggested over by the tomorrow land entrance, got some good shots, but definately some tree interference.

 

[tripodjw]

Thanks all. Will try my original plan one night but also the Tomorrowland side of the hub on another night.

Thankfully i will have 3 nights and will still have another evening for getting decent spots for electrical light parade and fantasmic second show on the other evening.

 

[Master Mason]

Thanks all. Will try my original plan one night but also the Tomorrowland side of the hub on another night.

Thankfully i will have 3 nights and will still have another evening for getting decent spots for electrical light parade and fantasmic second show on the other evening.

Plan on the fireworks the first night, they get canceled often enough that it is an issue, I have been there several times when the were canceled every single night I was there, including last years christmas trip.

 

[NostalgicDad]

Plan on the fireworks the first night, they get canceled often enough that it is an issue, I have been there several times when the were canceled every single night I was there, including last years christmas trip.

Gregg makes a good point. We staked out our spot and waited 2.5 hours last Christmas for a 5 minute show. Even if they start, it's never guaranteed to finish either. Definitely take your first opportunity to opt for the fireworks.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Plan on the fireworks the first night, they get canceled often enough that it is an issue, I have been there several times when the were canceled every single night I was there, including last years christmas trip.

I agree. The fireworks were only scheduled 2 of the 3 nights I was there. I went to view them after the EP to get an idea where to set up the next night and they spoke of cancelling both nights due to wind. They didn't but I was worried. The first night I did the EP, viewed the fireworks (didn't photograph although I could have carried my tripod and set up in a very decent location towards the tomorrow land side if I had known) and then went to the second Fantasmic show. Had I brought my tripod I could have shot Fantasmic as well without problem. EP and Fantasmic were only that first night but I thought it would be pushing things much more than it was.

The following night I set up my tripod to get some night shots of Frontierland/New Orleans square. A cast member came over to make certain I knew Fantasmic wasn't happening - very nice I thought!

 

[Groucho]

Last trip, I didn't stake out very early and was able to find somewhere just behind a bench - that works well since the people in front will (hopefully) be sitting. It helps when you're tall and you have a tall tripod, too. I did get a few heads though, especially when Dads put a kid on their shoulders. (Not that I'm complaining - as a Dad, I understand that it's more important to see your kid having a good time than worry about blocking the view of some doofus who's actually setting a tripod to take pictures of fireworks. )

Hopefully they won't get cancelled on you. Unfortunately last trip, they were only on one of our three nights (plus on the night we arrived, before we went into the park - I got some good shots from the HoJo balcony across the street, too.) The DL fireworks are fantastic, way better than WDW's Wishes IMHO, so you should be in for a great show.

Oh, it's worth noting too, that the small size of DL means that it's absolutely insane after the fireworks are over (or even during them) - the CMs set up big aisles for people walking through Main St during the fireworks and battle to keep them moving, with flashlights waving and lots of chatter. If you stake out a place early, I'd stay there for a few minutes after the fireworks, too!

Here's what my view looked like, FWIW:

 

[cmwade77]

I would suggest from the Main Street Train Station, then afterwards take the train around the parks (you will have already beat the crowd up there). Also, remember that tripods over about 24" may be prohibited, it depends on who is checking your bags. I have a gorilla pod and the train station works great, as there is a railing there that it will work with.

 

[Master Mason]

I would suggest from the Main Street Train Station, then afterwards take the train around the parks (you will have already beat the crowd up there). Also, remember that tripods over about 24" may be prohibited, it depends on who is checking your bags. I have a gorilla pod and the train station works great, as there is a railing there that it will work with.

I have never seen a tripod denied into DL or WDW, and if they do so I would ask to speak to a supervisor, because that is not their policy.

 

[cmwade77]

Actually, there is a policy to not allow "professional photography equipment" unless you are a "profession photographer with permission"

At least there was about two or three years ago, I had one of those tripods that collapses down to about 6 inches, but expands to 36" and most of the time I had no problems, but was turned away once and later that day at the Snow White show (when it was there at the Fantasyland Theater and was not just a stupid character greeting location, but that's another story), I was told is was not allowed to be used at the show or anywhere on property as it was "professional equipment" now mind you this tripod was anything but professional, but it was safe where I was using it, so there was no issue there.

I only posted it as a word to the wise that this may happen, now for those wondering how I got the tripod in when I was turned away, well I had already been in DCA earlier, so I just went over to the Grand Californian, went in and went around, as I too thought that it was dumb, but then I go to the Snow White show and get told essentially the same thing!

I never had another problem (even using it at Aladdin at DCA in the front row (as long as I kept it out of the aisles for obvious reasons) and didn't block anyone's view. ( found it too difficult to do so though, so occasionally I will sit in the box seats in the mezzanine if I want to record or something, although these days I mostly bring either my clampod or groillapod, or both as they seem to do the job fairly well and work in almost all locations, including roller coasters (the gorillapod is the best for those, as I can wrap it around the grab bars and pull it off fast at the end, so I do not interfere with operations. Also, for those wondering I use a back up method to secure the camera by using one of the key chain clips (the heavy duty metal kind) and some rope, I haven't lost a camera yet....a cell phone, well, that's a different story, I have lost at least 3 of those on rides, even when I secured them, but I have gotten them back every time!

 

[Master Mason]

I have walked in Many times with a backpack full of gear, and a tripod slung accross my back. the only comments I have ever had were "nice camera", there are certain attactions that do not allow photography, or have limits on it etc, but have not once had a problem, and I have seen way better cameras and equipment than mine routinely passed in.

 

[cmwade77]

Like, I said, I think it is truly up to who you get, so I would just try again if it happens, but just giving the heads up that it does happen, I have seen others get turned away recently too with such equipment.

 

[tripodjw]

Like, I said, I think it is truly up to who you get, so I would just try again if it happens, but just giving the heads up that it does happen, I have seen others get turned away recently too with such equipment.

Thanks for the warning. I certainly had no problem with the tripod a couple of weeks back at WDW, but like you say - if you get an awkward security person who knows.

I guess if i do get refused i'm staying at the Hojo so its not too far to take it back to the hotel (unlike WDW)

And i'm definately planning to see fireworks first night and then other nights are a bonus. We've had them cancelled on us at DL Paris before now when its been the only night they were on during our trip (in fact through a variety of coincidences and cancellations, it took 5 yrs after his first trip for my DH to see his first set of Disney fireworks).

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Plan on the fireworks the first night, they get canceled often enough that it is an issue, I have been there several times when the were canceled every single night I was there, including last years christmas trip.

That has happened to me too for the last couple of years in a row actually!

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I've never had a problem w/ it. However, one man did ask me one year how come they let me in with my Monopod, when they told him he wasn't allowed to use his. I thought that was totally weird because a monopod isn't the same as a tripod as far as stability goes and ability to capture low light photos. I use a CF tripod that's about 22inches and haven't had a problem w/ it... Granted I am not even close to being a professional.
Regarding where to set I up, I set up right behind the parners statue in front of the castle in the middle of the hub. There were others there too, but you do have to get there early. I'm short so I still managed to get some people's heads in my shots! If I had zoomed out further I would have gotten more of the fireworks in this shot, but I also would have more heads in the bottom of the picture. So it was a toss up...

 

[Groucho]

I guess if i do get refused i'm staying at the Hojo so its not too far to take it back to the hotel (unlike WDW)

Well, WDW does have nearby hotels (the MK monorail loop, Beach Club for Epcot), though none as close as the Grand Californian to CA Adventure.

Anyway, the DL HoJo's can have a great view. Here's how it looked from our room.

 

[NostalgicDad]

Here's a few shots to give you some more perspective on the places that have been mentioned to set up. Hopefully it will give you an idea. Oh, and I'm sure it depends on the particular CM but I've yet to have anyone say anything to me about my big tripod and I've carried it through the turnstiles fully extended. I did get run out of DCA one night by a security person but that was only because I was there taking pictures way too long after they closed.



These 2 are just inside the hub directly in front of the castle. Both were shot at 18mm with a slight crop on the first one.

These next 2 are to the right near the TL entrance and show you the tree factor. Both of these were shot at 26mm with an obvious crop on the 2nd one. I might mention also that Groucho has a mirror image of the 2nd one from the left side of the castle.

And these 3 show you what it's like from the depot platform. The first one was shot at 42mm and the next one at 18mm. The last one is simply a crop of the 2nd one. There's no getting around that darn flagpole.

 

[tripodjw]

Here's a few shots to give you some more perspective on the places that have been mentioned to set up.

Thanks all for posting the sample shots from varous positions. very handy to be able to visualise what to expect.