MNSSHP - Tips???

[Pooh_Girl]

Ok, so DH and I are heading down in October to enjoy the Food & Wine Festival as well as Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. Has anyone attended this and have any tips for us? We've never seen this, so we're not real sure where the best place to set up for pictures is. Also, is it darker than Spectromagic? Any suggestions on camera settings? I am SO nervous because we've never gotten to see this before and we only have one chance to get some decent shots! HELP!!!

 

[handicap18]

I haven't done this one but I have done MVMCP. Last year we got a spot in front of the Diamond Horseshoe. There are 2 porch lights that light up the area in front and gave just enough extra light to get some excellent shots. I also used the 30mm f/1.4 at ISO1600 (also took a few with the 50 f/1.8). I got very good shutter speeds in that area. I would definately setup in that area again. I stood up on the top of the stairs in front of a tree so I wasn't blocking anyone's view and was above everyone in front of me.

 

[Pooh_Girl]

Does the headless horseman ride through that area as well? And what about Hallo-wishes? Were you able to get anything from there?? Thanks for the help!!!!

 

[10dedfish]

I have been to several of the NSSHP's, and the best place is in frontier land. I would recommend staying on the side of the street away from the water. You can stay near the river, but you have to be careful becuase there are lights that will shine almost directly into your FOV. It is fairly dark, and there will LOTS of people, so go early to the parade route and get setup.
Once they put the ropes up prior to the parade, we actually pulled some benches right up to the ropes and were able to sit for the entire parade.
I will look and see if I have any pictures that you can use as intel.

As you can see, the orange light shown directly into our eyes the whole time.
This is the main reason I suggest going to the other side of the street.

Even though they came out ok, I had a hard time compensating for the subjects being backlit, and I have to admit, my camera is ok but not great. Sux not having a good camera.

Hope this helps,

10ded

 

[Experiment_626]

Does the headless horseman ride through that area as well?

I think the horseman begins his ride in Liberty Square near the Haunted Mansion. If I understand it correctly, he rides across the bridge into the hub, and from there, he continues down Main Street.

SSB

 

[thomas998]

For the best shots try to find a place where the along the route between frontierland and liberty square... I find it best if you try to find a spot wher I have more people and less Disney vendors... for me I don't want building in the background so I try to get on the side in front of the stores so all the stores are behind me.

Also if I'm not mistaken they do the parade twice, once pretty early and then again late..... I can't remember but I think it goes one way one time and the other direction the next.... the last parades are always the least crowded.... also pick a lens and stick with it, its tempting to change lenses sometimes but you have to remember that the parade isn't stopping so you can't waste time fumbling with lenses in the dark....

Oh... and if you need an excuse to justify a flash for you camera.. this would be it.

 

[Jeanne B]

I think the horseman begins his ride in Liberty Square near the Haunted Mansion. If I understand it correctly, he rides across the bridge into the hub, and from there, he continues down Main Street.

That's my understanding also although if it's raining the OP may not get to see him since it could be too slick to be riding a horse (that's what happened the year we went to MNSSHP). But I'm sure you'll have great weather!! We've been to both MNSSHP and MVMCP and I enjoyed MNSSHP more, have fun!!

 

[Donold_Fan]

I think the horseman begins his ride in Liberty Square near the Haunted Mansion. If I understand it correctly, he rides across the bridge into the hub, and from there, he continues down Main Street.

SSB

I'll have to go through my photos but I'm pretty sure I've seen him ride through Frontierland.

I think the advice of standing across from the river is a good one. One year my DW and DD sat on the river side and I stood across from them. That let me get some good pics of them watching the parade. But, you have to be willing to spend the parade apart.

I agree also that the lighting is best in Frontierland, but last year I stood at the hub and was able to get some decent shots as they rounded the curve.

Here's some of the pics I have on the web....
This is at the hub, with the 430EX external flash. (I also brightened in afterward (too much I think)).

I'm pretty sure this is in Frontierland, with the XT's built-in flash.

You can see that it's pretty dark at the hub, but I really like the head on shots.

 

[handicap18]

I have been to several of the NSSHP's, and the best place is in frontier land. I would recommend staying on the side of the street away from the water. You can stay near the river, but you have to be careful becuase there are lights that will shine almost directly into your FOV. It is fairly dark, and there will LOTS of people, so go early to the parade route and get setup.
Once they put the ropes up prior to the parade, we actually pulled some benches right up to the ropes and were able to sit for the entire parade.
I will look and see if I have any pictures that you can use as intel.

As you can see, the orange light shown directly into our eyes the whole time.
This is the main reason I suggest going to the other side of the street.

Even though they came out ok, I had a hard time compensating for the subjects being backlit, and I have to admit, my camera is ok but not great. Sux not having a good camera.

Hope this helps,

10ded

I was on the same side as those lights and down further to the right. The lights can be your friend if they're behind you.

As for wishes this area's isn't the best for getting shots. I like the street area on Main St near the Info board and Casey's Corner.

Here is a photo taken from the Diamond Horseshoe looking down towards Splash Mountain. You can see how much extra light the buildings give:

Here you can see the shadow from the tree I was in front off along with the shadows the lights give. This image was taken with the 30mm f/1.4 at ISO1600, f/1.8 and a 1/40th shutter. So the extra light does help.

 

[YesDear]

This is interesting because you get different opinions.. Does that surprise you for this group.

I have been to MNSSHP 3 or 4 times. My belief is that the best place to get the headless horseman is from the center section at City Hall at Main Street. My reason is he comes all the way down Main Street and you have a better and longer chance of getting him. It is very dark and at Liberty Square you it is a tight corner. He comes fast and is gone faster. On Main Street you have a longer time to see him, focus and fire.

I also agree about the fast lens as well the whole parade is DARK. It is Halloween you know!

 

[RBennett]

Ok, so as the OP's DH I have to say..... THANKS FOR THE ADVICE!!!!!! You guys/gals have me so excited and anxious to get down there and start taking shots!! You have me wondering..... is my 6GB of memory cards, my 30GB laptop, and my 30GB external hard drive enough memory????? It seems like all I want to do when I go to Disney now is to just walk around slowly, take my Understanding Exposure and The Moment It Clicks books, and my camera around snapping anything I see!!! We only have less than 3 months to go!!! So from the way it sounds, most people agree that over by Libertyland/Frontierland is the best place to shoot the parade and our favorite place to shoot wishes is like another DISer said - right up from Casey's Corner. Now here's my scheduling question: Does anyone think that there is enough time to shoot Wishes by Casey's Corner and then run over and get a decent seat for the second MNSSHP??? Because isn't "Wishes" different on nights with MNSSHP? Isn't called "Hallo-wishes"???

 

[YesDear]

My answer is yes unless it is a Friday or Saturday and or Halloween. The reason is while it is open until midnight, many will leave after Hallo-wishes. You can then head for your spot. All bets are off on the other days because the crowd is larger, older and ready to party. IMHO

 

[YesDear]

If you shoot in raw and your laptop has a DVD burner, My suggestion is transfer them to a DVD as you shoot. Also just an observation, you can get a 200gb portable for around $120. A great investment in my mind. I use the Iomega USB/firewire one because I have a mac.

You do need to plan your photo management. Nothing worse than getting home and losing those pics. I also suggest you take a picture rescue program. I use the one by lexar.

 

[handicap18]

Ok, so as the OP's DH I have to say..... THANKS FOR THE ADVICE!!!!!! You guys/gals have me so excited and anxious to get down there and start taking shots!! You have me wondering..... is my 6GB of memory cards, my 30GB laptop, and my 30GB external hard drive enough memory????? It seems like all I want to do when I go to Disney now is to just walk around slowly, take my Understanding Exposure and The Moment It Clicks books, and my camera around snapping anything I see!!! We only have less than 3 months to go!!! So from the way it sounds, most people agree that over by Libertyland/Frontierland is the best place to shoot the parade and our favorite place to shoot wishes is like another DISer said - right up from Casey's Corner. Now here's my scheduling question: Does anyone think that there is enough time to shoot Wishes by Casey's Corner and then run over and get a decent seat for the second MNSSHP??? Because isn't "Wishes" different on nights with MNSSHP? Isn't called "Hallo-wishes"???

My last trip I went with 6 2GB cards along with the laptop and a 160GB external hard drive. Each night (well most nights, my laptop is s l o w )I transfered the RAW images to the external hard drive. I personally would have been better off with more cards. With my slow laptop I should have kept all the files on the cards and came home that way. I think I had only transfered 2 cards worth only because I needed the space on the cards for more pics. I really hate formatting a card before the images are backed up on at least more than 1 hard drive and/or a DVD. I get about 340 or so RAW images on 1 2GB SD card (thats the largest size my camera will take).

So to answer your question. It depends on how fast your laptop is. If its fairly new and has a USB 2.0 connection then you should be good. I would transfer the files to both the laptops hard drive and the external hard drive then only format a card when you need the space. Redundancy is best. If you have a slow laptop and plan on taking tons of pics then maybe just get more cards. You didn't say if you use CF or SD (or one of the other kind). If its SD you can get 2GB cards for like $20 or less. If your camera can take HCSD cards then the 4GB ones are less than $30 online.

AFAIC, you can't have enough memory cards. I've been burned by a failed hard drive in the past and lost a lot of pic's. I learned the hard way. The more places you have your images the less of a chance you have to lose them for good even when a hard drive fails.

As for the parade/wishes thing. IIRC, they will have 2 parade's with Hallo-Wishes in between them. At MVMCP I was able to view the early parade in Frontierland then set myself up near Casey's Corner to take pictures of the Holiday-Wishes. I think I ended up with about 20-30 minutes. You'll have to check the schedule for parade times and Wishes time. As for the 2nd parade I also got shots of that one. After Wishes I met up with the family at Pooh's playful spot. Took pics of the kids playing then we decided to head to Adventureland thinking the parade had already gone though, but it hadn't finished yet. So if the time schedule is going to be about the same, then I would think you would have plenty of time to get from Casey's to the Diamond Horseshoe area. Just cut past the Crystal Palace, through Adventureland then take that little short cut where the rest rooms are and your in Frontierland.

 

[thomas998]

another option is to just buy more memory...

I used to drag my laptop along on trips, but it becomes a hassle. Memory is cheap now... if you watch ads you can find it for as little $10/GB... considering how many pictures you get per GB of memory... its cheaper than film ever was. I just use my memory when 1 fills up I move to the next... after I get home the memory chips are dumped to a hard drive and the chip is put back in its little holder and stored in a fireproof box... This way I'm backed up on the hard drive and chips are like negatives except they are small enough that I can move them offsite for storage much easier than a bunch of DVDs and I assume they are less likely to lose the data than any other form of digital media.

It may not be the cheapest way to go but it is simple.