We Defected to the West! DLR 2013

[rndmr2]

Getting caught up, the goat pics are cute and funny.

Beautiful fireworks pics!

 

[mom2rtk]

I know what you mean. Yes, it's fun to study the show, but not for the first time, I don't think. I prefer to see it on my own first. Well, time to get off the Disboards and finish all my report cards.

Good luck getting the report cards done. Maybe you can treat yourself to a Disney trip when the year is over?

Getting caught up, the goat pics are cute and funny.

Beautiful fireworks pics!

Thanks. I still get the giggles from the goat selfies. But I'm easily entertained!

 

[jenseib]

You know I am going to go outside one day this week and take a cow selfie and send it to you!

I am loving the castle shots. It's so pretty all lit up and the fireworks going off. I swear, no matter how hard I try, I would never be able to pull off pictures like that!

 

[mom2rtk]

You know I am going to go outside one day this week and take a cow selfie and send it to you!

I am loving the castle shots. It's so pretty all lit up and the fireworks going off. I swear, no matter how hard I try, I would never be able to pull off pictures like that!

OK, I was hoping to find some sort of smiley to insert here. You know, since the DIS doesn't have a cow smiley. Then I decided to google "cow selfie" to see what I could find. I really did expect to come up empty. Who knew it's really a "thing"?????

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2531243/Animals-dont-want-craze-selfies-Farmers-self-portraits-reluctant-looking-dogs-cows.html

Still though, you know I need to see your take on it, right?

And you sell yourself short. With a tripod, you'd take great photos of the fireworks. But thank you.

 

[KCmike]

Those fireworks images are simply outstanding and the selfie your daughter took with the goat is lol great!

 

[Sherry E]

OK, I was hoping to find some sort of smiley to insert here. You know, since the DIS doesn't have a cow smiley. Then I decided to google "cow selfie" to see what I could find. I really did expect to come up empty. Who knew it's really a "thing"?????

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2531243/Animals-dont-want-craze-selfies-Farmers-self-portraits-reluctant-looking-dogs-cows.html

Still though, you know I need to see your take on it, right?

And you sell yourself short. With a tripod, you'd take great photos of the fireworks. But thank you.

I must admit that I first got distracted by the article about O.J. Simpson, which is mentioned above the selfie piece you linked. Then I went back in to look at the barnyard selfies/photos, which are quite amusing!

Aren't those goats at the Jingle Jangle Jamboree cute? During Halloween Time they wear little Halloween scarves as well.

Your photo of the carolers in front of the PPH tree makes the tree look even larger than it looked to me in person! The starfish topper was new last year, and it cut a bit of the visual length/height off of the tree (compared to its former version) in person and in most photos I've seen. Your beautiful picture, however, makes it look much taller!

And I love those Carolers -- except I admit to loving the ones at the GCH a little more because everyone can sit down and get comfy while shouting out requests!

Seeing your super-crisp, clear nighttime Castle pictures reminds me once again that, while it is still beautiful, Disney changed the icicle lights on it last year. I knew it when I saw it up close, in person, but just in case I had any doubts about my sanity, seeing your photos and Bret's photos have made it clear that I was not imagining it. The lights on the Castle were either thinned out in some spots, or switched to something not quite as shimmery/bright. Any new holiday guests wouldn't know the difference, of course, and Disney probably assumed that the returning, annual holiday visitors wouldn't notice the change. (Little do they know that some of us pay extra close attention to such details!)



I hope you will be joining us for the 4th Annual Theme Week Countdown in the Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread this year, Janet -- it starts on July 21st and ends with the final theme on November 3rd! I know that everyone would love to see your photos!

(I have to remember to show my friend who loves Sanibel your stunning photos of the island too! I think she would looooovvvve them!!)

 

[PrincessInOz]

Your daughter is stunningly gorgeous!

Great pictures, Janet. Love the selfies with the goats, the castle at night and the fireworks.

 

[Sherry E]

Your daughter is stunningly gorgeous!

Great pictures, Janet. Love the selfies with the goats, the castle at night and the fireworks.

Isn't she beautiful? I thought the same thing when I first saw her in one of Janet's photos and then later met Janet and her daughter in person. She is already stunning, and no doubt will turn into an even more beautiful young woman!

 

[mom2rtk]

Those fireworks images are simply outstanding and the selfie your daughter took with the goat is lol great!

Thanks Mike! Who knew one of my favorite photos from the trip would be Katie with a goat?

I must admit that I first got distracted by the article about O.J. Simpson, which is mentioned above the selfie piece you linked. Then I went back in to look at the barnyard selfies/photos, which are quite amusing!

I think Jen should start her own blog full of barnyard selfies, don't you think?

Aren't those goats at the Jingle Jangle Jamboree cute? During Halloween Time they wear little Halloween scarves as well.


Now stop that. I had decided to go back for Christmas. Now you have me wanting to go back in October to see the cute goat scarves! Seriously though, who knew I would care so much about those darn goaats!

Your photo of the carolers in front of the PPH tree makes the tree look even larger than it looked to me in person! The starfish topper was new last year, and it cut a bit of the visual length/height off of the tree (compared to its former version) in person and in most photos I've seen. Your beautiful picture, however, makes it look much taller!

Sherry, I think you might be right. As I was posting that photo I thought it looked a little like those carolers were taller and slimmer than I remembered. I'm guessing since I shot that at 17mm it must have distorted things a little. But it's definitely a good luck. I'm going to suggest in the future that all photos of me be taken in portrait orientation at 17mm!

And I love those Carolers -- except I admit to loving the ones at the GCH a little more because everyone can sit down and get comfy while shouting out requests!

I agree with you on that. As I stood there listening, I would have given anything for a comfy chair after being in the park all day!

Seeing your super-crisp, clear nighttime Castle pictures reminds me once again that, while it is still beautiful, Disney changed the icicle lights on it last year. I knew it when I saw it up close, in person, but just in case I had any doubts about my sanity, seeing your photos and Bret's photos have made it clear that I was not imagining it. The lights on the Castle were either thinned out in some spots, or switched to something not quite as shimmery/bright. Any new holiday guests wouldn't know the difference, of course, and Disney probably assumed that the returning, annual holiday visitors wouldn't notice the change. (Little do they know that some of us pay extra close attention to such details!)

I'm glad I didn't see it in prior years then. It frustrates me to see holiday things cut back and if I had seen the castle lighting cut back in some way I would probably be more focused on that than I should. I'll have to find a photo from a prior year though and see if I can tell. And might I add, I just LOVE your meticulous eye for detail!



I hope you will be joining us for the 4th Annual Theme Week Countdown in the Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread this year, Janet -- it starts on July 21st and ends with the final theme on November 3rd! I know that everyone would love to see your photos!

Thanks Sherry. I'm really looking forward to participating. It was nice to watch last year, but I really wanted to play along. So glad I'll get to post some this year!


(I have to remember to show my friend who loves Sanibel your stunning photos of the island too! I think she would looooovvvve them!!)

Thanks for sharing them Sherry. Let me know if she has any questions.

Your daughter is stunningly gorgeous!

Great pictures, Janet. Love the selfies with the goats, the castle at night and the fireworks.

Thanks so much PiO! I'm hoping I can get to a fireworks display on the 4th so I can practice some more.

Isn't she beautiful? I thought the same thing when I first saw her in one of Janet's photos and then later met Janet and her daughter in person. She is already stunning, and no doubt will turn into an even more beautiful young woman!

And thank you both for the kind words on Katie. I won't share them with her though. Don't need her head getting any bigger.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Your daughter pictures are very nice at Jingle Jangle Jamboree. Even though I not a big fan of JJJ like the former Reindeer Round-Up. A lot has changed around Big Thunder Ranch when JJJ came in couple of years ago. I did like the old Reindeer Round-Up where they had actual reindeer's and Santa M&G at the shack. At least using the Festival Arena is another good idea to use that space when there is nothing going on.

Your spot for "Believe...In Holiday Magic" fireworks was nice where you were able to get pictures of the firework trails. All of your firework trails pictures are very nice and the settings were just as I expected. Did you use a ND filter that night or no filter?

Great update Janet.

 

[mom2rtk]

Your daughter pictures are very nice at Jingle Jangle Jamboree. Even though I not a big fan of JJJ like the former Reindeer Round-Up. A lot has changed around Big Thunder Ranch when JJJ came in couple of years ago. I did like the old Reindeer Round-Up where they had actual reindeer's and Santa M&G at the shack. At least using the Festival Arena is another good idea to use that space when there is nothing going on.

Your spot for "Believe...In Holiday Magic" fireworks was nice where you were able to get pictures of the firework trails. All of your firework trails pictures are very nice and the settings were just as I expected. Did you use a ND filter that night or no filter?

Great update Janet.

Thanks Bret. I was really sad when I realized there would be no reindeer back at JJJ on our trip. We would have really enjoyed that. Not sure if we would have had reindeer selfies though.

Have you shot fireworks at DL? If so, what is your favorite shot? I'd still like to get a little farther back, but I love the great view of the castle we had.

I did not use a ND filter. To be honest, I had one but couldn't find it before the trip! I did just find it again so I want to try it out on our next trip. I thought some of the trails were a bit brighter than I prefer, and I don't want to cut back any on how long I'm leaving the shutter open.

 

[YodasMom]

Beautiful photos, Janet! And, shots of the lit-up Castle with the fireworks are absolutely stunning! The goat photos reminded me of something we experienced on the BSM tour! I love your photos of Katie taking her selfies! Can hardly wait to see your pages with those photos! LOL!!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Thanks Bret. I was really sad when I realized there would be no reindeer back at JJJ on our trip. We would have really enjoyed that. Not sure if we would have had reindeer selfies though.

Have you shot fireworks at DL? If so, what is your favorite shot? I'd still like to get a little farther back, but I love the great view of the castle we had.

I did not use a ND filter. To be honest, I had one but couldn't find it before the trip! I did just find it again so I want to try it out on our next trip. I thought some of the trails were a bit brighter than I prefer, and I don't want to cut back any on how long I'm leaving the shutter open.

Since JJJ started in 2012, DL discontinued the reindeer's which is a huge disappointment. So much has changed with JJJ at Big Thunder Ranch.

I have took firework trail shots at DL ever since 2012. I have been practicing more and more with firework trail shots during each of my Disneyland trips. Here is a post from my trip report thread of the fireworks trails of RDCT during the September 2013 trip. [post=49717725]Day 1 – September 14, 2013 – Part 5[/post]. My favorite spot to watch the fireworks and get pictures is on the curb close to the Hub area. I spend hours to stake out a spot get those pictures where some people would not even wait an hour. In order to get more in the picture of the firework trails, I would go with a wider lens if you want to get more in the picture. Watching the fireworks in front of SB Castle is the best but it also requires time and I would have no problem waiting.

Using ND filters for the fireworks does make a difference in the brightness of the firework trails. I have seen the difference from my pictures of using a ND filter and no filter. Maybe you will be able to use the filter for the firework trails one day.

 

[BebopAngel88]

The castle pictures look so amazing and I like how clear they are. I'm happy to hear that you guys didn't really have to worry about crowds. A couple of yrs ago we went to DL 2 days after Xmas and it was horrible. The crowds were really unbearable. That taught me a big lesson, lol.

 

[BellaBaby]

OMG! Your Mrs. Claus was our Fairy Godmother at Breakfast with Minnie and Friends! And she was hilarious with the kids too! She is adorable I agree.

Love your castle photos-just gorgeous!!

Livestock selfies--who knew??

 

[mom2rtk]

Since JJJ started in 2012, DL discontinued the reindeer's which is a huge disappointment. So much has changed with JJJ at Big Thunder Ranch.

I have took firework trail shots at DL ever since 2012. I have been practicing more and more with firework trail shots during each of my Disneyland trips. Here is a post from my trip report thread of the fireworks trails of RDCT during the September 2013 trip. [post=49717725]Day 1 – September 14, 2013 – Part 5[/post]. My favorite spot to watch the fireworks and get pictures is on the curb close to the Hub area. I spend hours to stake out a spot get those pictures where some people would not even wait an hour. In order to get more in the picture of the firework trails, I would go with a wider lens if you want to get more in the picture. Watching the fireworks in front of SB Castle is the best but it also requires time and I would have no problem waiting.

Using ND filters for the fireworks does make a difference in the brightness of the firework trails. I have seen the difference from my pictures of using a ND filter and no filter. Maybe you will be able to use the filter for the firework trails one day.

Thanks Bret! I appreciate the link to your FW photos in your trip report. Those are awesome! I can tell we were probably pretty close to the same spot. Did you use a ND filter on yours? I really think I need to go that route next time. I think I'll try a wide angle lens, but I'm a little hesitant. I did that up close at WDW once and the castle just diminished in size too much. But I think I'd be a lot closer to this castle, so will likely give it a go.

The castle pictures look so amazing and I like how clear they are. I'm happy to hear that you guys didn't really have to worry about crowds. A couple of yrs ago we went to DL 2 days after Xmas and it was horrible. The crowds were really unbearable. That taught me a big lesson, lol.

Well, it's not that we didn't have crowds to contend with. It was easily more crowded than our prior trips. But yeah, I'm sure it was FAR less crowded than 2 days after Christmas.

OMG! Your Mrs. Claus was our Fairy Godmother at Breakfast with Minnie and Friends! And she was hilarious with the kids too! She is adorable I agree.

Love your castle photos-just gorgeous!!

Livestock selfies--who knew??

Oh, I could totally see our Mrs. Claus as the FGM! She's not the same FGM we met later in the trip, although I wish she was!

 

[mom2rtk]

Friday December 6, 2013:


IMG_4276 by mom2rtk, on Flickr


This was EE day at DCA. And this was our first shot at doing RSR. I had done all my research and knew to head for the right side of the turnstiles and rope. While waiting for bag check to get going, Wendy and her family showed up again. Great minds think alike, right? We ended up on the ride at 8:17. We enjoyed it, but I really didn't like that mass of humanity heading all in one direction at the same time.



IMG_4280 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_4284 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

Hi Wendy!


IMG_4285 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

Wait a minute......... how did all those people end up in front of us!

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After RSR we headed for Luigi's Flying Tires, and were happy to find nearly nobody else in line. It was a cute ride, but hard to manipulate the tire while taking photos. I probably should have tried that one again, but wanted to get in line for fastpasses for RSR later that night.


IMG_4388 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

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IMG_4409 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

 

[clsteve]

You have to post at least one bad photo, at some point.......

Just so the rest of us TR plebs know you're human!

(great update, btw)

 

[mom2rtk]

You have to post at least one bad photo, at some point.......

Just so the rest of us TR plebs know you're human!

(great update, btw)

LOL, thanks for the kind words clsteve!

You just have to do what I do and take so many you can't help but have a number of good ones. There are plenty I left behind.

 

[KCmike]

Love the last one with your daughter on Luigi's Tires and her hair blowing and the sunlight. Great catch of her that will last through the ages. I really really enjoyed RSR alot! I consider it in the top 5 of Disney rides all time! The indoor dark portion was really well done and the race at the end has a great energy to it especially while your dueling against another car. Two big thumbs up for me. In fact while others really don't care for the other two smaller rides in Carsland I think there both winners. I enjoyed both very much. We rode Mater's Tractors so much that we knew all the songs and got a kick out of the "hidden song" that plays every once in a while. That first picture of the Paradise Pier is great too!