Things to shoot without entering the parks?

[Navywifebreezy]

I am looking for great things to shoot on days we don't go int the parks.
We are going for 10 nights and were originally going to do 5 at disney 5 at US. But since we will be there the week of Tday and through Thursday after we have decided to forgo the parks on a few of the "busier" days. We plan to tour the hotels etc... and see all of the holiday decorations. And to see what has changed since our last trip in 2003. So what are some not to miss things to photograph?
TIA

 

[zackiedawg]

The resorts are chock full of stuff to shoot - beautiful architecture, theming, plants, bodies of water, signs, people, animals, waterfalls, interiors...definitely enjoy some resort photography. Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Port Orleans French Quarter, Polynesian, Coronado Springs, Port Orleans Riverside, Contemporary and BLT, Grand Floridian, Saratoga Springs, and Caribbean Beach are some of my favorites for photographing.

Also, Fort Wilderness has some great photo ops, at the docks, general store, the RVs and tents, Pioneer Hall and the old west theming, animals, etc.

Marketplace and Downtown Disney are another fantastic photo op...just slow stroll through and have the camera ready.

Don't overlook the transportation...especially the boats. Many of the boats from resorts to parks and back are wonderfully scenic, as well as peaceful and beautiful ways to spend some time. Just take a boat from one resort to a park, then another boat to another resort, and enjoy the photo ops of the scenic shores, resort views from the water, beaches, trees, birds. Fort Wilderness to Magic Kingdom is a great one, and Hollywood Studios to Boardwalk.

If you've got a car, you can drive easily to 3 of the 4 firehouses on property (the other one might be harder to find and get to if you don't know your way around)...each is a whimsical and beautiful unique design and beautiful to photograph...they all have visitor parking and don't mind folks taking some shots of their beautiful buildings.

Just a few ideas!

 

[ukcatfan]

There is also DTD and the Boardwalk. For something to do, check out the mini golf.

As for crowds, do not be too intimidated. We have gone that time of the year at least five times now. It is not as bad as a typical busy summer day if you know what to do. Also, remember that it is not going to be very hot so the crowds are more tolerable. I would say to avoid the MK on Thanksgiving and Friday. EPCOT is usually just fine as long as you go expecting to see the sites and holiday activities instead of just trying to get on rides. I never noticed AK being any busier than normal, but they have opened a lot more there since we went during the holidays. Being as large as it is I cannot imagine it being that bad though. The DS is small and can fell packed, so maybe should be avoided.

 

[Navywifebreezy]

THanks for the tips.
We have gone mid Dec and left on the 23rd and it was GREAT. Early Jan and it was great. And we went in August one year for my dds bday. It was ok, not sardine packed but busy and long waits.
We are thinking Epcot on Sat as we have reservations for the princess dinner. Other than that we are avoiding the parks (atleast for now) on Tday, Friday and Sunday and then resume on Monday.
I can't wait maybe it will be warm enough that dh can keep the kids at the pool atleast one day and I can wander the world for some great photos by myself

 

[ukcatfan]

THanks for the tips.
We have gone mid Dec and left on the 23rd and it was GREAT. Early Jan and it was great. And we went in August one year for my dds bday. It was ok, not sardine packed but busy and long waits.
We are thinking Epcot on Sat as we have reservations for the princess dinner. Other than that we are avoiding the parks (atleast for now) on Tday, Friday and Sunday and then resume on Monday.
I can't wait maybe it will be warm enough that dh can keep the kids at the pool atleast one day and I can wander the world for some great photos by myself

No need at all to avoid the parks on Sunday because almost everyone visiting leaves on Saturday or by Sunday morning.

 

[Navywifebreezy]

Thanks we are hitting up epcot on Sat and skipping Sunday. Hopefully it won't be too busy

 

[boBQuincy]

Some of the best things in the parks can be seen from outside the parks, without crowds! Magic Kingdom fireworks are nicely viewed from the beaches at Polynesian and Grand Floridian, as well as the boat dock area of TTC. The view of MK from Contemporary is also very nice, there is an outside viewing area on the 4th floor.

Some of Epcot's fireworks can be seen from the Yacht & Beach boat dock as well as from the bridge on the pathway from Beach to Boardwalk. The savanna viewing areas at Animal Kingdom Lodge and Villas can provide some good views of the animals.

As for holiday decorations, all of the resorts have nice decorations but the deluxe resorts really go all out. Don't miss Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, Boardwalk, Beach Club, Yacht Club, and Animal Kingdom Lodge (and maybe the new Animal Kingdom Villas). Dolphin usually has a very nice display too.

Some of the transportation is fun to ride. Of course there is the monorail but also any of the boats can be fun, including the ride from Epcot to the Studios. The path from Wilderness Lodge to Fort Wilderness is a nice walk or you can rent bicycles and cruise around the campground to see the decorated campsites. The surrey bikes at Boardwalk are an interesting way to get around the area and I believe they have a basket that could hold a tripod!

 

[Navywifebreezy]

Thanks Bob.
I will check them out
As for the Christmas decorations not sure how much the campsites will be decorated as we are there the week of and part of the week after Thanksgiving.
Great tips though so we will check out as many as possible.
Thanks again

 

[racreel]

THanks for the tips.
We have gone mid Dec and left on the 23rd and it was GREAT. Early Jan and it was great. And we went in August one year for my dds bday. It was ok, not sardine packed but busy and long waits.
We are thinking Epcot on Sat as we have reservations for the princess dinner. Other than that we are avoiding the parks (atleast for now) on Tday, Friday and Sunday and then resume on Monday.
I can't wait maybe it will be warm enough that dh can keep the kids at the pool atleast one day and I can wander the world for some great photos by myself

I assume that you mean Thanksgiving day by Tday. We were at Universal one year the week of Thanksgiving. The park was not busy on Wednesday or Thanksgiving day, but was very busy on Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving day. Others may have had different experiences, but from my own, Thanksgiving day was not one to avoid the parks.

 

[WillCAD]

I am looking for great things to shoot on days we don't go int the parks.
We are going for 10 nights and were originally going to do 5 at disney 5 at US. But since we will be there the week of Tday and through Thursday after we have decided to forgo the parks on a few of the "busier" days. We plan to tour the hotels etc... and see all of the holiday decorations. And to see what has changed since our last trip in 2003. So what are some not to miss things to photograph?
TIA

You're thinking wrong, IMHO.

Don't look for "things to shoot". Look for things to see, places to go, and stuff to do, and take your camera with you. Just shoot what you see.

Photography is not about what you point your camera at, it's about what you see; the camera is just along for the ride.

 

[ukcatfan]

Thanks Bob.
I will check them out
As for the Christmas decorations not sure how much the campsites will be decorated as we are there the week of and part of the week after Thanksgiving.
Great tips though so we will check out as many as possible.
Thanks again

There will be some decorations before Thanksgiving, but all decorations are up on that day. The campground has decent decorations and many visitors really go all out on their sites. You can take the boat from there to the MK resorts to see their decorations.

I assume that you mean Thanksgiving day by Tday. We were at Universal one year the week of Thanksgiving. The park was not busy on Wednesday or Thanksgiving day, but was very busy on Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving day. Others may have had different experiences, but from my own, Thanksgiving day was not one to avoid the parks.

The MK is typically busy on Thanksgiving day through Saturday, but is tolerable. EPCOT can be as well because everyone likes the decorations and the special events.

 

[racreel]

The MK is typically busy on Thanksgiving day through Saturday, but is tolerable. EPCOT can be as well because everyone likes the decorations and the special events.

Haven't been to the MK on Thanksgiving, good info. Would AK and DHS typically be less crowded on Thanksgiving?

 

[Mckymousefn]

Haven't been to the MK on Thanksgiving, good info. Would AK and DHS typically be less crowded on Thanksgiving?

We were at DHS on Thanksgiving last year and it was not bad at all. I would do it again.

 

[sdchickie]

I don't know if the "santas" are at Epcot or not yet but they are interesting to see. Also the mini golf cources are cute my favorite one is Fantasia on the whimsical side. They will let you walk the cource and take picts even if you aren't going to play a round, just ask at the counter if you can take a look at the cource. The ginger bread things at the resorts are great, my kids love looking for hidden mickeys on them.

 

[SharonLowe]

What about a different vantage point for the MK fireworks. You can get a great view of them over the castle from the Poly. And, you can see the Electric Boat Parade too (better to video that one). The Poly also makes a nice place for night evening/night photos with a great view of the Grand Floridian.

 

[Navywifebreezy]

Thanks all.
I guess we will play it by ear and weather lol. We only have epcot down cause that was the only day we could get a reservation.
And I am a photographer that much prefers nature over people so I am usually shooting things that most people look at me like I am crazy over, but I knew there would be things I would miss, as I am sure we won't make it to all of the hotels etc...
Thanks again can't wait to share what I come back with, when I have time.

 

[ukcatfan]

We were at DHS on Thanksgiving last year and it was not bad at all. I would do it again.

The Osborne Lights gets pretty busy at night during the Thanksgiving weekend, but I would say that the crowds at that park in general are going to be smaller than MK or EPCOT. AK really does not do much special for the holidays, so it is pretty much normal crowds there.

I don't know if the "santas" are at Epcot or not yet but they are interesting to see. Also the mini golf cources are cute my favorite one is Fantasia on the whimsical side. They will let you walk the cource and take picts even if you aren't going to play a round, just ask at the counter if you can take a look at the cource. The ginger bread things at the resorts are great, my kids love looking for hidden mickeys on them.

The storytelling starts on Thanksgiving Day.

 

[IndyShutterbug]

I find that I take quite a few shots of the resort we are at, and Downtown Disney.