Storytime with Belle - NO PICTURES

[mom2rtk]

I know for a fact there are at least two. And I'm reasonably sure there's not a third.

That's where I'm at with it. We went right once and left once. I'm thinking that was all, but wouldn't mind another trip through to check it out again for a possible third. I'm thinking not, but wasn't certain. And I didn't have another 70 minutes to devote to finding out.

 

[ladeeesquire]

Well, it wasn't for lack of trying! We opted instead to bring our own red Belles along!


IMG_9151 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

A couple things...
~love the pic of the girls! I can't believe how grown up Katie looks. I've followed both your other trip reports and can't wait til your next one.
~so glad we did this a couple times in sept. Although we enjoyed it, I can't imagine waiting over an hour for this experience.
~no flash photography? I swear I don't remember that. Not even when you're snapping a photo of your kid with belle?
~definitely try to be one of the first through the door, sit in the front row on the aisle. We ended up there twice and had no trouble snapping a photo of our dd. She is also well trained to look at pp photog first, then me. Belle is less well trained and we had the problem with dd looking toward the camera and belle not.

 

[mom2rtk]

Haha great photo!

Thank you!

A couple things...
~love the pic of the girls! I can't believe how grown up Katie looks. I've followed both your other trip reports and can't wait til your next one.
~so glad we did this a couple times in sept. Although we enjoyed it, I can't imagine waiting over an hour for this experience.
~no flash photography? I swear I don't remember that. Not even when you're snapping a photo of your kid with belle?
~definitely try to be one of the first through the door, sit in the front row on the aisle. We ended up there twice and had no trouble snapping a photo of our dd. She is also well trained to look at pp photog first, then me. Belle is less well trained and we had the problem with dd looking toward the camera and belle not.

Awww.... thanks! She grew up WAY too much this past year.

I'll get a new trip report going soon.

I'm still glad we waited though the line twice. I really loved the attraction. I find myself wondering just what they could have done with the Cinderella and Sleeping Beauy versions originally proposed. But I'm not sure I'd trade them for the mine coaster. I will say that at least we didn't wait in too many other lines when we were there. And we did meet some of the cutest little Belle fans when we were in line.

They were very clear on "no flash". They said it several times. Then again as the show was emptying and I stepped up to take a photo of Lumiere before leaving. Nobody used a flash in either of the 2 shows we saw. I cranked my ISO up and did ok with it. At least they had Belle standing with them in a well-lit spot.

I would like to do this one more time and actually sit in the front row. I purposely didn't sit there on our first time through thinking it was for participants, but it wasn't. The second time I was one of the last ones in so didn't have the option.

We won't be back for a while though. So it will be interesting to see how this evolves by the time we get back.

 

[czmom]

We got really lucky and had front row, center aisle seats a couple weeks ago. My DD was chosen to play the Beast, my son was Maurice, and it was SO cute! I was quite happy to just sit and watch this highly anticipated show, that I did not even pull out my camera. We prepurchased PP so I figured I woud let them take the pictures. Well, now I am regretting that. Her picture with Belle in her yellow dress is not very good at all. At least DH has it on video though!

mom2rtk: Totally random, but we may have been at BOG on the same night! I saw a couple girls about that same age wearing gorgeous red ballgowns. Great picture!

 

[mom2rtk]

We got really lucky and had front row, center aisle seats a couple weeks ago. My DD was chosen to play the Beast, my son was Maurice, and it was SO cute! I was quite happy to just sit and watch this highly anticipated show, that I did not even pull out my camera. We prepurchased PP so I figured I woud let them take the pictures. Well, now I am regretting that. Her picture with Belle in her yellow dress is not very good at all. At least DH has it on video though!

mom2rtk: Totally random, but we may have been at BOG on the same night! I saw a couple girls about that same age wearing gorgeous red ballgowns. Great picture!

Thanks! That photo was taken on 12/9. We had a 4 PM ADR.

I was also glad that I took my own photos at ETWB. Many of their shots were so dark they were unusable. Some were out of focus.

My best photos were taken our first time throuh when I sat toward the back next to the center aisle. It made it very easy to pop up behind the PP photographer.

 

[czmom]

Thanks! That photo was taken on 12/9. We had a 4 PM ADR.

Yep! We had a 4:40 that night.

 

[bauer1168]

Ahhhh no way! I was there that day too!

 

[bauer1168]

One more thing I noticed, if you're on an isle seat by one of the 2 main doors to the left and right, you can hear what's going on in the next room (the wardrobe talking and doing the horse noises), for some, it could be frustrating and a little distracting

 

[vdoucet78]

Not to hijack the thread, but for those of you who have been, what time were you getting to the attraction that you had 50+ minute wait times? I'll be there January 11th (a Friday). There are no extra magic hours, but I'm planning on being there for rope drop. Do I have time to grab a Fastpass for another Fantasyland attraction, ride the new Little Mermaid ride, and then watch Enchanted Tales? Or do I need to book it over to Enchanted Tales before I do anything else? Is this what y'all did and still experienced crazy wait times?

I was in MK on an EMH morning on 12/13 and the posted wait for the attraction was 50 minutes by about 10 am I believe. Could've even been by 9am, I'm not sure, but definitely by 10. I would grab a FP for Under the Sea (which btw the FP machines are located in front of Philharmagic) then get in line for the ETWB. Nothing else we saw was as busy as these 2 attractions early in the morning, however we did not check out the Storybook circus/Dumbo area that morning. We rode Peter Pan and Space Mountain before 9:30 and walked onto both rides that morning, for comparison.

 

[mom2rtk]

Yep! We had a 4:40 that night.

Ahhhh no way! I was there that day too!

Small World, isn't it????

Apparently it was a great night to dine with the Beast!

One more thing I noticed, if you're on an isle seat by one of the 2 main doors to the left and right, you can hear what's going on in the next room (the wardrobe talking and doing the horse noises), for some, it could be frustrating and a little distracting

That's really surprising. I wonder if they realize that.

I was in MK on an EMH morning on 12/13 and the posted wait for the attraction was 50 minutes by about 10 am I believe. Could've even been by 9am, I'm not sure, but definitely by 10. I would grab a FP for Under the Sea (which btw the FP machines are located in front of Philharmagic) then get in line for the ETWB. Nothing else we saw was as busy as these 2 attractions early in the morning, however we did not check out the Storybook circus/Dumbo area that morning. We rode Peter Pan and Space Mountain before 9:30 and walked onto both rides that morning, for comparison.

Keep in mind that this poster and I were both there during the Fastpass Plus test. Any other time, the people entering the queue are being split into 2 separate rooms. During FP+, people were coming into a separate entrance all day being brought in ahead of the standby line. I believe that slowed the line substantially. The minute I heard the test announced I knew what that would do for us at this attraction. This one more than any other, because if I cared about the wait on another attraction, I could just get my own fastpass. This one had no regular fastpass I could avoid the wait with.

The wait for Ariel's ride remained high our entire visit as well, even on low crowd days. But with planning and fastpass, we rode it 3 times with very little wit.

 

[boBQuincy]

Well, it wasn't for lack of trying! We opted instead to bring our own red Belles along!


IMG_9151 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

Your photo (and the dresses) of the two red Belles is fantastic! And I bet you have at least 32GB more. I am waiting to see your photo interpretation of New Fantasyland.

 

[mom2rtk]

Your photo (and the dresses) of the two red Belles is fantastic! And I bet you have at least 32GB more. I am waiting to see your photo interpretation of New Fantasyland.

Thanks so much Bob! I plan to start a new trip report soon. There will be much opinion on the New Fantasyland in that.

I really enjoyed your photos over in the photography forum. LOVED the shot of the windows and snow. I really struggled with how to photograph that place. I used my wide angle, but it's not as fast as my other lenses. I think I decided I need to buy back that Tokina 11-16 f/2.8 again before my next trip. Time after time I just kept wanting my wide lens to be faster.

 

[boBQuincy]

I used my wide angle, but it's not as fast as my other lenses. I think I decided I need to buy back that Tokina 11-16 f/2.8 again before my next trip. Time after time I just kept wanting my wide lens to be faster.

That is part of the magic of Walt Disney World: we go; we find new photo challenges; we meet the challenges by buying new equipment!

I am following this thread partly to see how to take photos in this attraction. We are going with two little princesses in May and assuming I am not chosen to be a suit of armor this time I hope to get some photos. It sounds like the front row is best while second best is skulking around behind the PhotoPass photographer.

 

[bauer1168]

That is part of the magic of Walt Disney World: we go; we find new photo challenges; we meet the challenges by buying new equipment!

I am following this thread partly to see how to take photos in this attraction. We are going with two little princesses in May and assuming I am not chosen to be a suit of armor this time I hope to get some photos. It sounds like the front row is best while second best is skulking around behind the PhotoPass photographer.

Hope they enjoy it in May!
My only negative feeling with being on the front row is that you can't get a full body shot, although if Belle will be kneeling down with your princess', it should be fine and make for a great close shot. Mom2rtk's photo is from a great position. Maybe one of you can go at the front (inner isle directly opposite Lumiere and have one steak out a position behind the photopass photographer when they take the pics

 

[mom2rtk]

That is part of the magic of Walt Disney World: we go; we find new photo challenges; we meet the challenges by buying new equipment!

I am following this thread partly to see how to take photos in this attraction. We are going with two little princesses in May and assuming I am not chosen to be a suit of armor this time I hope to get some photos. It sounds like the front row is best while second best is skulking around behind the PhotoPass photographer.

LOL, don't I know it Bob! Of course the part that is frustrating is that I had the Tokina before but sold it to get the Canon 10-22. It's an awesome lens, I just want that 2.8 more and more, probably more this trip because of New Fantasyland. So yes, it will be back on my wish list again now.

I'll try to post a few more pics here as I get them edited.

Hope they enjoy it in May!
My only negative feeling with being on the front row is that you can't get a full body shot, although if Belle will be kneeling down with your princess', it should be fine and make for a great close shot. Mom2rtk's photo is from a great position. Maybe one of you can go at the front (inner isle directly opposite Lumiere and have one steak out a position behind the photopass photographer when they take the pics

That's part of the reason I was hesitant to sit in the front row. I like your suggestion of sending one in close and putting one farther back. I bet Bob has a spare camera around for just such occasions!

Here's a larger version of my Avatar photo, taken from back behind the PP photographer. Bob, I think the key would be to tell the girls to look at the PP person first, then look for you or whoever goes deep. I was very happy to have shot this in RAW as it took a lot of tweaking, especially in the white balance. I thought the photopass pics here were pretty bad, way too dark.


IMG_9842_1 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

I mentioned that the reason I ended up in the back is that I held back to get a photo with the wardrobe. I really wish I had been able to use a touch of flash here, but that was a no-no. Fortunately Belle's spot is better lit.


IMG_9808 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

 

[TDC Nala]

both times I attended this show it was permitted for the audience to take photographs at all times. If they have changed that, it's recent. I do not really recall anyone actually getting up and walking around though. It's a small room and if you want photos up the middle aisle, I would try to sit there if they have decided not to let photo takers stand up. If they stand they are blocking everyone behind them, so I get it in a way. And I am sure parents won't be allowed to block the photopass photographer.

 

[bauer1168]

LOL, don't I know it Bob! Of course the part that is frustrating is that I had the Tokina before but sold it to get the Canon 10-22. It's an awesome lens, I just want that 2.8 more and more, probably more this trip because of New Fantasyland. So yes, it will be back on my wish list again now.

I'll try to post a few more pics here as I get them edited.

That's part of the reason I was hesitant to sit in the front row. I like your suggestion of sending one in close and putting one farther back. I bet Bob has a spare camera around for just such occasions!

Here's a larger version of my Avatar photo, taken from back behind the PP photographer. Bob, I think the key would be to tell the girls to look at the PP person first, then look for you or whoever goes deep. I was very happy to have shot this in RAW as it took a lot of tweaking, especially in the white balance. I thought the photopass pics here were pretty bad, way too dark.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28159731@N02/8310978115/
IMG_9842_1 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

I mentioned that the reason I ended up in the back is that I held back to get a photo with the wardrobe. I really wish I had been able to use a touch of flash here, but that was a no-no. Fortunately Belle's spot is better lit.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28159731@N02/8310974795/
IMG_9808 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

Nice idea with the wardrobe pic!

Good suggestion about telling the girls to look at PP. one thing I did notice on several occasions when photos were being taken. You had the PP in the middle and say, the parents to the left of PP. When the pic was being taken, the child would be looking at their parents when and Belle looking straight ahead. Which results in you having the PP pic where Belle is looking straight ahead and your child looking the other way. And your own pics with your child looking at you, and Belle looking the other way.

 

[mom2rtk]

both times I attended this show it was permitted for the audience to take photographs at all times. If they have changed that, it's recent. I do not really recall anyone actually getting up and walking around though. It's a small room and if you want photos up the middle aisle, I would try to sit there if they have decided not to let photo takers stand up. If they stand they are blocking everyone behind them, so I get it in a way. And I am sure parents won't be allowed to block the photopass photographer.

I would never expect to stand up from row other than the very back. It would be nice if they would let people stand up at the end though when photopass moves into that middle aisle to take the staged photos.

In our first time through, I actually got up and stood way over to the side, swapping out lenses, taking my photos, just loving every moment. I understand that is no longer allowed. At least the wouldn't let me do that during the second time we went through. And I would never dream of getting in the way of the PP photographer.

Nice idea with the wardrobe pic!

Good suggestion about telling the girls to look at PP. one thing I did notice on several occasions when photos were being taken. You had the PP in the middle and say, the parents to the left of PP. When the pic was being taken, the child would be looking at their parents when and Belle looking straight ahead. Which results in you having the PP pic where Belle is looking straight ahead and your child looking the other way. And your own pics with your child looking at you, and Belle looking the other way.

Thanks! I loved the wardrobe and tried to do that our first time through but the timing just didn't work out. The second time I told my daughter in advance I wanted to do it. It did cost me good position in library though.

 

[EnchantedTales]

They were very clear on "no flash". They said it several times. Then again as the show was emptying and I stepped up to take a photo of Lumiere before leaving. Nobody used a flash in either of the 2 shows we saw.

I know for a fact that the CM sincerely appreciate that nobody did. LOL!. It blinds them!

 

[tiggerteach]

We were there in Nov. during AP preview. The cast members encouraged pictures . When my
Daughter was with belle at the end they told my husband to go to the middle to take a pic . It's interesting to hear what all of you are saying now. Very disappointing