Sharing the Disney Magic with Family & Friends-DL Diamond Anniversary-DCA F&W Fest Kiosks & The End!

[franandaj]

How fun! I hope our nice weather from this week holds for you! Sounds great! I'd love it if the girls and I got a chance to visit with you!

We'll see how we feel after we get home from the Bay Area, I might have the strength to come out there for a day or part of a day.

Now I have that song stuck in my head. I use to drive my family nuts with a watch I had that played the music from IASW.

Flowers at home look fabulous.

I can't sit back it the seat anymore on the Matterhorn or my back is shot. I guess I'm getting old.

I was pushing a fine line, with that song! I think we're all getting old.

When we were walking at the D23 Expo last week, I remember you talking about getting a prime lens for the dark rides at the park. I know what you meant about improving on the images of your pictures. I have said that you should look at the Sigma prime lenses like the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC Art Lens for Canon. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/918894-REG/sigma_30mm_f_1_4_dc_hsm.html I have read Tom Bricker website and he likes the old Sigma 30mm f/1.4 lens http://www.disneytouristblog.com/sigma-30mm-f1-4-lens-review/. I have been looking at a f/1.4 prime lens after I get the telephoto lens. The Canon 50mm is nice but it doesn't have the wide angle like the 35mm or 30mm which is the ideal length for using on the dark rides at the parks.

That was the one you were talking about. I need to take some time and look around. I just been busy with other things lately.

I haven't rode the updated Matterhorn with the new Abominable Snowman but just as you said that I am also not a fan of the new bobsleds.

I guess I didn't notice the new Abominable Snowman, or perhaps I was so worried about my back!

That is the kind of lens I am in the market for next.

I want to be able to get good dark ride pictures.

That was a crazy day.

Hopefully the upcoming one will be better!

I was hoping that they may have tweaked it a little. I ended up with a few price bruises in November. There is nothing for it though. I need to do this at least once to see the new special effects.

I'm not surprised you had some bruises! I'm pretty sure I sat that one out last year, for the same reason.

Wow! If you think BTMRR in MK is too jarring, what do you think about that version of SM?

I won't ride that one either! I think it was three trips ago I rode it and liked DL's so much more, I decided to save it for there.

Well, I guess you might as well ride it! You get plenty of opportunities to try everything once in a while.

I hadn't been on it since I rode it in November with Corinna, and I tend to go on the same rides over and over when I go out. RSR, ST, SM, and Soarin' so it was a good change.

NO!

Oh, but why not?

Those dioramas really are interesting. Such a cool and unexpected touch.

It has always been one of my favorite parts of the parks!

Well, that stinks. Maybe they'll have a refurb sometime that will make it smoother.

I wish, but somehow, I don't think so.

Say what??

Oh, come on...

NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

You too?

You're really testing your readers' patience here.

I was a little afraid of that.

Seriously? I'm thisclose to skipping the chapter.

Aaaaahhhh...I barely hung on there!

And I don't think these photos turned out too badly.

Thanks for sticking it out. I only posted the good ones. Most of the shots, the camera wouldn't even release the shutter.

That was just plain cruelty!!!

Looking forward to your email. I'm up for anything, but I definitely want to get together

I'll try and get the conversation started today. Mainly I want to get the next update up because I know how evil and cruel the last one was!

 

[franandaj]

We lucked out and the Mansion was back up and running!








I love the stretching room!
















Then we stepped into the corridor.


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[kaoden39]

We'll see how we feel after we get home from the Bay Area, I might have the strength to come out there for a day or part of a day.

I really hope that you can. It looks like I will be spending time in the parks 9/13-9/18. So, maybe in that time. I hope you guys have a wonderful trip to the bay area!

 

[franandaj]

OK, the DIS is freaking out on me, so I'm reposting the second part of that last post in a new post.

I was able to get a few pictures of the loading area.





But my camera would not take another picture throughout the ride. This is where I got really frustrated at my lens. Not even a blurry picture! I was certainly set on a dark ride lens!

Once we got off the ride everyone was starving. We had been going for quite some time and only Elwood had a pretzel so the rest of us were ready for lunch. We ended up at the French Market. It was hot out and I was trying to be good, so I went for the Chicken Caesar Salad.



Normally Suze and John eat Vegan, and she found a pretty good choice although she pointed out to me during lunch where it could possibly not be on the Vegan diet, but they go with the flow and don’t care on vacation, which they started that day.



Elwood had the Mac-n-cheese



And John went for the Jambalaya, I think that’s what this is, either that or Red Beans and rice with sausage.



They also ordered these desserts. Elwood really wanted the chocolate cake, but in the end didn’t like it so much.



We all tried this cobbler and it wasn’t nearly as good as it looked, and it doesn’t look all that good. So it was a wash out.



Regardless, we were all full and ready to Embark on the rest of our day! And since BTMRR was so close by we decided to make a stop there.



Whoooeeeeee!





And we climb



I just love all the wildlife out here!







And it’s back to town.



Where do we go next?

 

[mvf-m11c]

That was the one you were talking about. I need to take some time and look around. I just been busy with other things lately.

The Sigma prime lenses have good reviews but haven't tried them yet. I had problems with the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 last year when I rented/bought it where there were focusing issues. But that was from a zoom in and out lens while these are set at 30mm/35mm. I don't know what other prime lenses are good for Canon but there could be something good at a lower price. I remember that you have been so busy with a lot of things lately.

Good that you were able to ride the HM and BTMRR that day. That was very odd that you couldn't take any pictures when riding HM. Sorry to hear that you weren't able to take photos during the ride on HM. Nice to see that yo had lunch at the French Market.

 

[rentayenta]

Sing it again! Thank you for the IASW ear worm. Your photos are awesome. I just realized that on my last trip, I didn't ride IASW.

I'm sorry we'll miss you too. We'll be back out Nov 27/28-Dec 5/6!

 

[franandaj]

I really hope that you can. It looks like I will be spending time in the parks 9/13-9/18. So, maybe in that time. I hope you guys have a wonderful trip to the bay area!

We'll see how it goes and I'll be in touch. Normally trips to my parents are low key, but we still have to drive all the way up there and back.

The Sigma prime lenses have good reviews but haven't tried them yet. I had problems with the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 last year when I rented/bought it where there were focusing issues. But that was from a zoom in and out lens while these are set at 30mm/35mm. I don't know what other prime lenses are good for Canon but there could be something good at a lower price. I remember that you have been so busy with a lot of things lately.

I hope I'll have some time to look into the lenses soon. Things are calming down a little bit.

Good that you were able to ride the HM and BTMRR that day. That was very odd that you couldn't take any pictures when riding HM. Sorry to hear that you weren't able to take photos during the ride on HM. Nice to see that yo had lunch at the French Market.

Evidently my camera senses when there isn't enough light to take pictures and even if I press on the shutter it won't take a picture if there isn't enough light. It's super annoying. I would rather get a totally dark picture than nothing at all, but it just won't take the picture.

Sing it again! Thank you for the IASW ear worm. Your photos are awesome. I just realized that on my last trip, I didn't ride IASW.

I'm sorry we'll miss you too. We'll be back out Nov 27/28-Dec 5/6!

You're welcome! I hadn't been on it over six months, so it was OK to do, but I don't need to ride it for a while. I may do it in FL if we have time just because I'm not sure that I ever have rode it there.

That's just before we fly out for our December trip, let's try and meet up early in your trip. My parents are down for Thanksgiving, but maybe we can get together for a day before they leave.

 

[rentayenta]

We might drive out Thanksgiving Day; leave the night before, stay over in Vegas, and arrive to So Cal early afternoon. What day do you fly out for your December trip?

 

[franandaj]

We might drive out Thanksgiving Day; leave the night before, stay over in Vegas, and arrive to So Cal early afternoon. What day do you fly out for your December trip?

My parents will stay until the 30th. We fly out the morning of the 6th.

 

[rentayenta]

We overlap a ton! Hopefully you'll be able to squeeze us in. You've got so many great trips coming up.

Your BTMRR pics are making me miss Disneyland!

 

[mvf-m11c]

I'm sorry we'll miss you too. We'll be back out Nov 27/28-Dec 5/6!

That is nice to read that you might be down there the same time when I go the first weekend of December during the CP on the 5th/6th.

I hope I'll have some time to look into the lenses soon. Things are calming down a little bit.

Evidently my camera senses when there isn't enough light to take pictures and even if I press on the shutter it won't take a picture if there isn't enough light. It's super annoying. I would rather get a totally dark picture than nothing at all, but it just won't take the picture.

Tom Bricker just wrote a new article on Top 10 Lenses for Disney Photography for people that are on budgets which helps a lot. Another lens that you might want to think about is the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 which PiO has as well. But you did say that you want to get a prime lens. I have read that the new 30mm f/1.4 ART lens is something that you might want to consider over the old model which has control issues.

Another option is by choosing manual mode over the auto mode so it will take pictures if you auto focus or not.

 

[jedijill]

Catching back up! Looks like you had a great few days at the 60th. Love that you have 60th inspired flowers at your house!

I'm contemplating coming out that first week of December to hang with Jenny and crew. Its not for sure yet but I'm trying to make it work.

Jill in CO

 

[rentayenta]

Looking forward to maybe meeting you @mvf-m11c

I think you should meet us @jedijill

 

[jedijill]

Looking forward to maybe meeting you @mvf-m11c

I think you should meet us @jedijill

Enabler.

Jill in CO

 

[mvf-m11c]

Looking forward to maybe meeting you @mvf-m11c

I think you should meet us @jedijill

That will be nice if we can meet up during that trip. I will be there on the 4th to 6th but I will be flying instead of driving so the only way to meet up is at the parks.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Awesome pictures of IaSW (afterall).

I'd look at the Sigma 30 mm f/1.4. For Disney, I think the extra width would be better.
The alternative is the Canon 24 mm, f/1.4.
Canon also make a 35 mm, f/1.4.

Both Canons are $$$.

 

[Pinkocto]

The loading area in HM looks quite different than at WDW. I'm not excited about the overlay, but I'm gad I'll get to experience the differences.

Too bad the cobbler wasn't too good.

 

[DnA2010]

Another great set of updates! This TR is so exciting as we've just booked to get back to the DL in October! 5 years has been way too long! Getting lots of tips and may need to pick your brain on some stuff. We are doing a week as with my crap walking (ankle surgeries in Nov and Feb) will need to take it down a notch and ditch the commando touring. Really looking forwarding to slowing down and enjoying the details of things. 5 days plus a Halloween party should be great. Looking forward to the next updates

 

[franandaj]

We overlap a ton! Hopefully you'll be able to squeeze us in. You've got so many great trips coming up.

Your BTMRR pics are making me miss Disneyland!

During the week is going to be the best time. By Saturday we'll be crazy trying to get packed.

Tom Bricker just wrote a new article on Top 10 Lenses for Disney Photography for people that are on budgets which helps a lot. Another lens that you might want to think about is the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 which PiO has as well. But you did say that you want to get a prime lens. I have read that the new 30mm f/1.4 ART lens is something that you might want to consider over the old model which has control issues.

Another option is by choosing manual mode over the auto mode so it will take pictures if you auto focus or not.

I'll have to check that out. I'm not saying we have money to burn, but Fran will let me get whatever lens I want. I just need to see what's out there and how much I'm willing to spend. I definitely want something with a wider focus than 50mm.

I was using the manual mode, and it still wouldn't take the pictures. I've been using the manual mode for dark light photography ever since my Road trip last year, when I retaught myself all the stuff I learned in Jr High photography class.

Catching back up! Looks like you had a great few days at the 60th. Love that you have 60th inspired flowers at your house!

I'm contemplating coming out that first week of December to hang with Jenny and crew. Its not for sure yet but I'm trying to make it work.

Jill in CO

I love my 60th flowers! You should really come out in the first week in December! That would be great fun!

Awesome pictures of IaSW (afterall).

I'd look at the Sigma 30 mm f/1.4. For Disney, I think the extra width would be better.
The alternative is the Canon 24 mm, f/1.4.
Canon also make a 35 mm, f/1.4.

Both Canons are $$$.

I was going to ask you what $$$ was to see if we were on the same page, and then I just googled it. We are on the same page. It is $$$. I don't mind spending $500 on a lens, even $750-900 could be justifiable, but when you're talking over $1200 that starts to get into the "how bad do I really want it?" realm, and the prices I found on the Canon 24mmf/1.4 are like, "I'm only going to get this if Fran can find it on a killer sale!"

ETA: I just looked on eBay and found some at half the price! Now I have to figure out why and if anything is wrong with them. That's a job for Fran!

The loading area in HM looks quite different than at WDW. I'm not excited about the overlay, but I'm gad I'll get to experience the differences.

Too bad the cobbler wasn't too good.

As I started to think about it, I don't know what the loading area for IASW at MK looks like which really makes me think I've never been on it before. I was very disappointed that the cobbler didn't taste better, but at least I wasn't tempted to eat it!

Another great set of updates! This TR is so exciting as we've just booked to get back to the DL in October! 5 years has been way too long! Getting lots of tips and may need to pick your brain on some stuff. We are doing a week as with my crap walking (ankle surgeries in Nov and Feb) will need to take it down a notch and ditch the commando touring. Really looking forwarding to slowing down and enjoying the details of things. 5 days plus a Halloween party should be great. Looking forward to the next updates

I'm glad that I am helping you plan your October trip. When will you be there? I'm always up for coming out for a DIS meet! Taking it easy is the only way to go now. I'm getting too old for the commando stuff!

 

[DnA2010]

(Still on reading about DL at Halloween time!)
We are arriving on the 18th and leaving on the 25th. I would love to meet up if you have some time during that week- I feel like I know you both from reading your TR's, they are in my group of favourites (along with Dizneet, Diznee Luver, danimaroo, and IheartDDuck- you guys kept me from going insane when I was stuck on my back from surgery)

My last 2 park days have been from a wheelchair as we did MK before a RCL cruise last summer just after I got hurt (just the DH and I), and then we did MK after our fantasy cruise this past May with DD11 when I was still getting over surgery and just started walking...
I have read/showed them both parts of your TRs and they enjoyed your fireworks pictures especially, and DH enjoys especially the specialty dinners at C33 and Napa and that.