Shanghai and Hong Kong Disneyland March 17 – Day 7 Complete in Hong Kong Proper; 12/04

[PrincessInOz]

This IS a Roller Coaster – TRON Lightcycle Power Run



The grey day was getting greyer and the rain was a steady sprinkle now. Zanzibar suggested that we get on the Tron ride next. We weren’t sure if the ride would be shut if the rain got heavier and besides, Tron was billed as one of the two major attractions at SDL.


We walked in this general direction.





I got the distinct impression that in land area this park was even bigger than Magic Kingdom!






By the time we got to Tron, I was absolutely sure that this park was bigger than MK. Effectively…..walking between the Pirates and Tron is about as far apart as you’ll get in this park. And they are a long way apart!





It’s not deserted….the rain was keeping everyone indoors!




The Tron ride is located in Tomorrowland. It’s the first time that Disney have not included a Space Mountain in Tomorrowland at any of their parks. Without this mainstay at Tomorrowland, Tron had a LOT to live up to. By all accounts, this ride delivers.


I do remember watching the original Tron movie in the 80’s (yes, I AM that old fogie)…..and watching the Tron: Legacy sequel not so long ago. If you do watch the original now, the computer graphics in the movie will seem very dated. Just remember….Tron, the original has reached cult classic status in geekdom.

In any case, today was going to be my turn to experience the virtual world come to life...and to find out how much this ride delivers.


You will need to put ALL bags and loose items away in the (free) lockers before boarding this ride. There is a small compartment on the vehicles where you can put things away; but it fits a cell phone and spectacles; and probably a small compact camera. And yes….spectacles do count as ‘loose items’.




Wendy’s DD decided to sit out this ride. So, we left our bags with her. Just as well. I did try to leave my camera bag in the lockers and got completely frustrated when I couldn't work out how to do it. Yes, I could have asked a CM but it was just easier to leave it with Wendy's DD.


I took my cell phone in with me and grabbed some quick snaps.





The theming inside the queue area is straight out of the Legacy sequel.





There were some announcements during the queue area. As they were in Mandarin, I have no idea what they were saying! I think my mother was telling me that one of them was around the fact that this is a roller coaster ride and that you needed to be in good health to ride it. You know….the standard safety message.





It’s awfully grainy, Zanzibar and Wendy. But this was the snap I got of the two of you. I missed taking my mother and Fairy Floss!





I think the standby queue indicated that this was a 10-minute wait time. That’s practically walk-on because it took us about that amount of time to walk through the queuing area.





My glasses? I kept them on. I had specially purchased a sports strap from my local optometrist before I left because I knew that they did check and ask people to put all loose items away. And yes, the CM did indicate that I should put my glasses away until I showed him the safety strap. He let me keep them on after that.


Then we were off into the I/O Portal, travelling through The Grid. For a couple of minutes….you get to live in a virtual reality world where make-believe and G-forces collide. It’s a pretty incongruous franchise in the Disney stable to base a major roller coaster theme ride on and hat’s off to the Imagineer that dreamed this up. Pure Geek Heaven.


So….here’s the photopass picture of me on this ride. It was a BLAST!




Aussie Wendy, Zanzibar, Fairy Floss and FireflyFi – I have FINALLY downloaded your pics to a USB stick. I’ll get them to you shortly.


For the record. I totally get why they ask for all loose items to be put away. The acceleration and the twists and turns of this ride is one where if anything isn’t bolted down, then there is an high chance it will fall off.

This ride completely lived up to expectations. Everyone – including my DM – just loved it. There have been a few posts about the vehicles being uncomfortable to sit in but they were more comfortable than expected.



It’s an AMAZING experience and probably in my top 3 Disney rides list so far.

 

[tiggrbaby]

Such beautiful pics! That Tron ride looks like fun!

 

[HalloweenNut]

Thank you.

Sounds like you've got a wonderful time planned in China. And a visit to Shanghai Disneyland.

Zanzibar has already provided a response but I completely agree with her. Planning a trip to WDW is an exercise in military precision. It is much more relaxed at most other Disney locations. I pretty much rocked up to Shanghai Disneyland without too much research. But then....I knew we would have Zanzibar with us to help us get our bearings on the first day.

About the only thing we did was book in the character meals because we were looking for tables of 6 or 8. I suspect we may well have been able to rock up on the day or book when we arrived and still been okay.

Have fun with your trip!

Thanks very much to you both! It's sort of a spur of the moment thing as we just happened to have a day free in Shanghai. Won't be able do everything of course but will focus on the attractions specific to Shanghai and just have a fun day of it. By that time we'll have seen the Great Wall, Xi'an and the Terra Cotta Warriors before taking a high speed bullet train to Shanghai. I figure the girls will be a bit sick of temples and historical sites by then and will go nuts for a day at Disney. We're keeping it a secret from them until that morning at breakfast. Cue the screaming!!

 

[rndmr2]

Great update! Sorry that the POTC ride was down, hope you eventually get to ride it.

The boat ride looked cute.

That Tron ride looks really cool. Is it a semi simulator like Dinosaur like moving through the rooms but not really going up and down hills, etc or does it actually move roller coaster-like?

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Gosh, I can't believe how far behind I had got. You are really getting the updates up quickly.

I am so loving the Dismeet pics but feeling a bit sad I wasn't there. It looks like so much fun and the park looks gorgeous.

Really impressed by your firework pics, particularly the crisp clarity with that much zoom. After playing with my camera a lot last weekend, I am extra interested in the settings you have been using.
If you get the time at some stage, I'd particularly love to know what sort of settings you use for star (Astro, not celebrity) photos.

We very nearly bought a DSLR the other day when DH found a good special while we were out shopping for other things. But it all felt too impulsive and I said 'No'. However, it's definitely in the cards so if you have any tips on what we should and shouldn't be looking for, I'd love to hear them.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Such beautiful pics! That Tron ride looks like fun!

Thanks. Yes, the Tron ride is lots of fun. I loved it.

Thanks very much to you both! It's sort of a spur of the moment thing as we just happened to have a day free in Shanghai. Won't be able do everything of course but will focus on the attractions specific to Shanghai and just have a fun day of it. By that time we'll have seen the Great Wall, Xi'an and the Terra Cotta Warriors before taking a high speed bullet train to Shanghai. I figure the girls will be a bit sick of temples and historical sites by then and will go nuts for a day at Disney. We're keeping it a secret from them until that morning at breakfast. Cue the screaming!!

Ooh! What an awesome secret to keep for your girls. I can hear the screaming now! Hope you'll come back and tell us all about your trip.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Great update! Sorry that the POTC ride was down, hope you eventually get to ride it.

There will be an update on Pirates. Hope you'll stick around for it.

The boat ride looked cute.

That Tron ride looks really cool. Is it a semi simulator like Dinosaur like moving through the rooms but not really going up and down hills, etc or does it actually move roller coaster-like?

Tron is a full blown roller coaster.

Those cycles are the ride vehicles and it takes off just like Screamin' or Rock n Roll Roller Coaster. It is indoors/outdoors and most of it is undercover and in the semi-dark (like Space). It does twist and turn, so there are the standard G-forces that you would expect from a coaster ride. Really cool!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Gosh, I can't believe how far behind I had got. You are really getting the updates up quickly.

You're all caught up now.

I am so loving the Dismeet pics but feeling a bit sad I wasn't there. It looks like so much fun and the park looks gorgeous.

You were the other one that was missing. Pity your schedule couldn't allow you to join us.

Really impressed by your firework pics, particularly the crisp clarity with that much zoom. After playing with my camera a lot last weekend, I am extra interested in the settings you have been using.
If you get the time at some stage, I'd particularly love to know what sort of settings you use for star (Astro, not celebrity) photos.

If you're doing milky way or aurora, check out this reference.

https://photographylife.com/photographing-the-milky-way/


In one of the pages of the above reference, they talk about the optimal shutter speed so that you don't capture the movement of stars in the sky. There are any number of calculators on-line that you can input your ISO and lens. They will provide you with an accurate calculation of what the longest shutter speed you can go to.
However, if you are okay with a general rule of thumb, I've been using 600/focal length. So if you're shooting at 20 mm, generally up to about 30 secs will keep the stars as round stars without any movement. It works for FF focal length.
I tend to just take it to about 25 secs just to be extra sure.


Generally, it really depends on how dark the sky is. Naturally you'd want as low an ISO as possible but that really depends on the night conditions.

As an example...this was taken with ISO 3200, f/3.5 (it's effectively a 16mm FF equivalent lens), 30 sec.





For Aurora Australis, you'd use the same settings....maybe tone the ISO down a notch if she's blowing like crazy.




If you're after "astro", this one might be more appropriate.

https://photographylife.com/astrophotography-tutorial/

We very nearly bought a DSLR the other day when DH found a good special while we were out shopping for other things. But it all felt too impulsive and I said 'No'. However, it's definitely in the cards so if you have any tips on what we should and shouldn't be looking for, I'd love to hear them.

Hmmm. You do know that I LOVE spending other people's money, right?????



I think you're still shooting with the Sony RX100?

You'll need to consider if you want a dSLR or if you want to go with the mirrorless cameras. Sony just announced a full frame mirrorless A9 camera. The specs look amazing...but it remains to be seen if the camera stacks up to the claims. It's due out late May so it may be worth waiting to see if it stacks up. I also don't know if it will be much lighter than carrying a traditional dSLR by the time you put on the pro-lenses.
The other mirrorless camera worth considering is the newísh Oly OM-D E-M1 Mark 2. It hit the stores in about Feb? this year and the images I'm seeing out of it look really good.
I haven't looked at the Nikon range lately and the last one I looked at was the Nikon D500. The specs were good enough to tempt me as well.
Both the new mirrorless cameras seem to target the sport/pro tog set.


But the choice of camera comes down to what sort of photography you want to do. Landscape, sports, birds, low light, etc......
If you're after landscape and not interested in fast frames per second, then there are any number of cameras out there that will do the job without the pricey $$$$.

The other thing to consider is the lens range. You'll start with one or two.....and then you'll want something else....and then this other lens.....so take a look at what they offer by way of pro-type lenses and the cost. The lens range is the reason why I stick with either Canon or Nikon.


I shoot with Canon and am ready to upgrade by camera body. Sadly for me, because I have such a diverse range of shooting styles, Canon's current range doesn't have a body that does it all for me. So, I'm stuck between wanting the 7DMII and the 5DMIV. When I look at the cost, my eyes roll back in my head. I need a drink!
Either of those two Canon bodies may also work for you. Otherwise, one of their newer EOS camera (for the right price) will also work if you're mostly shooting landscape.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

I remember that pic of Uluru - it's gorgeous! I'm so keen to capture pics like that. Thanks for all the useful info.

I am shooting with a Sony RX100 which I love and is pretty good for a Point and Shoot, but I feel like a DSLR is the next step. I don't really understand mirrorless cameras, so we haven't really looked at them. But I will definitely google the options you mentioned.

Our priority is landscape pics (both day and night) and we also want a lens with some good zoom for capturing birds and other animals. For general day to day pics, I tend to opt for the lazy option of my phone. If we can get away with no more than 2 lenses to start with, we should hopefully be able to justify the expense.

Thanks again.

 

[zanzibar138]

Wow your photos from this morning do look dark and ominous, especially compared to the ones I've just put up on my Opening Day TR lol!

Monday when I wanted to get back for wine o clock .... felt I was in some parallel universe .... kept going past the mine train and enchanted crystal and couldn't find an escape ....

There is a castle walkthrough. This is unfinished business for me. My DM and I had every intention of doing the walkthrough….we just never made it.

I know that Aussie Wendy did manage to go through; so I’m sure we’ll see her pictures on her TR at some stage.

I made the mistake of doing this attraction on our wettest morning. While everything was a walk on, there was a half hour wait for this. I wouldn't recommend waiting that long for it!

This is NOT a Roller Coaster – Our Surprise First Ride: Voyage to the Crystal Grotto

Nice pics from this ride.

They made for a bright and colourful shot but I still can’t work out where the dancing water fountains were!

Sadly there are no dancing water fountains with these topiaries. I have to say, I can't quite figure out what the point of them is. Perhaps it is some sort of nod to Alice in Wonderland?

For me, the piece-de-resistance of this attraction was the Mulan display. LOVE!

Fairy Floss brought the crystal ball so that we could play. Crystal ball shots are rather popular with some of my 3D tog friends in Melbourne right now.

Oooh I love this shot!

Aussie Wendy, Zanzibar, Fairy Floss and FireflyFi – I have FINALLY downloaded your pics to a USB stick. I’ll get them to you shortly.

Yay! Thank you in advance

 

[jesterrific]

I just have to put my one comment in... hahaha. I only got around to read the first little bit before I fell behind. And now I've come to take a peak at your contents and OMG how am I ever going to catch up!!! Bad Jessica... I have lots of reading to dooooo

 

[Flossbolna]

And yes….spectacles do count as ‘loose items’.

I am really nearsighted. -11 on both eyes. How am I even going to find my ride vehicle???? I guess I better invest in a safety strap like you did!! I am starting to realise that I am way behind on my SDL research!!! Thank you so much for this trip report, I can catch up at least a little bit!

 

[RodBelding]

Digging this TR. Shots are amazing. I don't mind dreary/rainy days in the parks. Keeps people away!

 

[franandaj]

Yeah. I wonder how long it will be before the rest of Disney starts charging for a Premium Access FP.

Coming soon to a Disney park near me. They already have the scanning kiosks in place at all the rides that take FP. It's going to be an additional $10 to schedule it on your smart phone.

You head to the central point and select from the list of attractions in that land and you get a FP printed out.

That sounds like a good solution.

we were naturally heading for the Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure ride. But when we got there, the ride was down.

That sounded so cool based on what I saw at D23.

There is a castle walkthrough. This is unfinished business for me. My DM and I had every intention of doing the walkthrough….we just never made it.

I remember reading (and seeing exhibits) about that one too!

Voyage to the Crystal Grotto

Interesting, so it's a mix of The Jungle Cruise ride vehicles and Storybook land.

Next up….Fantasia. I’ve always been a sucker for Sorceror Mickey so I loved this display.

It's really cool, and interesting how they use color since the weather is so dreary.

Crystal ball shots are rather popular with some of my 3D tog friends in Melbourne right now.

Those shots are great! Really creative!

By the time we got to Tron, I was absolutely sure that this park was bigger than MK.

Do you think it's bigger than AK?

I do remember watching the original Tron movie in the 80’s (yes, I AM that old fogie)

I never saw it back then. I guess that's more education I'm going to need before heading to Shanghai.

but it fits a cell phone and spectacles; and probably a small compact camera. And yes….spectacles do count as ‘loose items’.

That's about what I take on Space Mtn, and I put them in the pouch. I'm still scared about losing my glasses on roller coasters so I take them off.

So….here’s the photopass picture of me on this ride. It was a BLAST!

So, how are you fastened into the ride? I can't imagine there isn't some kind of contraption holding you in your "seat".

 

[zanzibar138]

I am really nearsighted. -11 on both eyes. How am I even going to find my ride vehicle???? I guess I better invest in a safety strap like you did!! I am starting to realise that I am way behind on my SDL research!!! Thank you so much for this trip report, I can catch up at least a little bit!

You can wear your glasses until you get onto the ride vehicle. You'll just need to take them off and put them in the storage compartment before you take off. I would still recommend getting the strap though - I don't imagine it would be the same if you couldn't see all the effects!

I never saw it back then. I guess that's more education I'm going to need before heading to Shanghai.

I have never been the least bit interested in Tron and still haven't seen either of the movies. The ride still made sense to me and I enjoyed it thoroughly!

So, how are you fastened into the ride? I can't imagine there isn't some kind of contraption holding you in your "seat".

There is a brace kind of thing that locks down when you lean forward. It holds your legs and body in position, which is really all that's required. FWIW there is also an accessible vehicle in rotation that has regular sitting down style seats. I never actually saw it, but I believe FireFlyFi rode from there. She might pop in at some time and share her experience.

 

[Aussie Wendy]

This is NOT a Roller Coaster – Our Surprise First Ride: Voyage to the Crystal Grotto


The walls of the Grotto are lit up with Disney characters. Sadly, I wasn’t in the right position to capture them.

(Continued in the Next Post)

I don't think I even remember seeing Disney characters on the walls in the grotto?? just the crystal but maybe I did and forgot already...

So now I realise I am not just posting Beijing but a full TR - lol! yes we got some walk through the castle pics. I will aim to post different angles or shots to you when I get to SDL - long way to go yet in the TR for me - lol!

 

[zanzibar138]

I don't think I even remember seeing Disney characters on the walls in the grotto?? just the crystal but maybe I did and forgot already...

Yep, there were Disney characters!

Mushu...


Agrabah...

 

[Aussie Wendy]

Great update! Sorry that the POTC ride was down, hope you eventually get to ride it.

The boat ride looked cute.

That Tron ride looks really cool. Is it a semi simulator like Dinosaur like moving through the rooms but not really going up and down hills, etc or does it actually move roller coaster-like?

As PIO says it is a full coaster though due to the ride vehicles, it doesn't go upside down or loop. That is why DD sat it out - she suffers badly from motion sickness - can't do 3D and lots of sharp twists and turns makes her feel ill. Occasionally she takes drugs and gives it a go but so far various motion sickness drugs have made her feel icky too. She decided she didn't want the experience that badly (unlike Gringotts in Universal for example). I also am a bit dicey on some things and found my first ride on Tron, though I really enjoyed it, I came off feeling quite giddy and a bit "off" but it cleared quickly. Another day a ride in the second row rather than nearer the back was a lot different. Not sure why - maybe I knew what to expect? I kept my vision a bit more forward rather than looking from side to side? I could better see what was coming up? (Zanzibar said the front row is the best and I agree with her) but I loved it. I needed motion sickness drugs to ride Crush in DLP and enjoyed that too but felt more whoozy afterwards, despite drugs, than this one and I would be seriously ill if I ever rode Forbidden Journey at Universal without being drugged up first - and even then I have to be careful what I ride for the next 2 hours. So hope that is helpful for some. It is much faster, more twistier than BTMR or 7DMT and I think so much better than Space Mountain but then I am not a fan of it (find it too rough and very twisty but conversely almost boring??).

 

[Aussie Wendy]

Yep, there were Disney characters!

Mushu...


Agrabah...

Well they are so damn subtle no wonder with my failing eyesight (don't get old!! ) I completely missed them - lol!!

 

[Aussie Wendy]

My lunch hour is nearly over and almost time to go back to work - sigh!!