Where do you set up...

[Colleen27]

For Wishes?

For Illuminations?

January will be my first trip trying to get decent fireworks pictures. I have a tabletop tripod and a full size travel tripod, but I'm not entirely sure if our usual viewing spots would work. We usually catch Wishes from the Main Street train station balcony and I think that could work, but we've only watched Illuminations from whatever crowded standing space we can find. So I'm looking for recommendations on spots where I could set up to get good shots with minimal bumping and interference from traffic.

 

[Mike©]

For wishes you hve the right idea. The train station works great and keeps you over the crowd. Second spot for Wishes is on Main St. near Casey's. Great angle if you can't do the train station.

Illuminations ( I going to regret giving this secret away ). Japan pavilion up the stairs on the balcony ( absolutly great spot and empty most of the time ). Spot 2 is the bridge by International Gateway ( another great view but crowded ). Spot 3 ( really two spots ), Canada by the wood fence in front of the pavilion to the right of the fence is a big rock and a corner nook. You can setup a tripod in the nook and get a great view but you will have to defend the spot as people have always tried to PUSH their way into the nook ( and there is no room for more than 2 there. The other spot in Canada is up the first flight of stairs on the right is a water fountain. It's in a slight nook and has a good elevated view. BUT !!!!! there are trees there and at times they over grow and block the view but if they have trimmed it recently the view is great.

 

[tjl1388]

Haven't seen Iluminations in a while so can't help you there but for Wishes I set up right in the middle of the street across from the hot dog joint. Usually no one is moving around during the fireworks show.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I'd never thought about the steps in the Japanese Pavilion. I'll have to scout that out.

I like the shore near Italy. We got a spot their in a VIP seating area once. It was great. We were able to show up 5 minutes before illuminations started and still got a spot.

 

[Colleen27]

For wishes you hve the right idea. The train station works great and keeps you over the crowd. Second spot for Wishes is on Main St. near Casey's. Great angle if you can't do the train station.

Illuminations ( I going to regret giving this secret away ). Japan pavilion up the stairs on the balcony ( absolutly great spot and empty most of the time ). Spot 2 is the bridge by International Gateway ( another great view but crowded ). Spot 3 ( really two spots ), Canada by the wood fence in front of the pavilion to the right of the fence is a big rock and a corner nook. You can setup a tripod in the nook and get a great view but you will have to defend the spot as people have always tried to PUSH their way into the nook ( and there is no room for more than 2 there. The other spot in Canada is up the first flight of stairs on the right is a water fountain. It's in a slight nook and has a good elevated view. BUT !!!!! there are trees there and at times they over grow and block the view but if they have trimmed it recently the view is great.

I'll have to try Japan for Illuminations, since that's one of my favorite sections of the WS anyway. I've watched from the IG bridge, but it has always been so crowded there that I think it could be tough to get decent pics.

I'm happy to hear the train station will work for pictures - we 'discovered' that spot on a sold-out MNSSHP night when my youngest was 4 and quite nervous about big crowds and loud noises, and it was so nice and relatively uncrowded that it has become our standard firework viewing spot ever since.

 

[LMarge]

We almost chose the train station on our recent trip, but I passed on it as I was afraid the flag pole would be in my shots? Anyone have a shot from the train station that they could post. Kicked myself afterward because I ended up on the path that goes left of the castle towards Tomorrowland. Good spot for not being crowded, but the fireworks all appear to the right of the castle - not the best angle for shots!

 

[barrie]

The balcony in Japan has always been one of my favorite spots. Here's an old one taken from there.


I also like the bridge in front of Italy. No fireworks in this shot but you can see the barges.


This one is from China - probably the worst place for viewing that I have come across, although it makes an interesting silhouette. I have an idea that I'm going to try out from China next week though. I'll let you know if it turns out.


I'll have to check out those Canada spots too - they sound interesting.

 

[Mike©]

We almost chose the train station on our recent trip, but I passed on it as I was afraid the flag pole would be in my shots? Anyone have a shot from the train station that they could post. Kicked myself afterward because I ended up on the path that goes left of the castle towards Tomorrowland. Good spot for not being crowded, but the fireworks all appear to the right of the castle - not the best angle for shots!

Your quite right about the flag pole. But keep in mind, it's night and all the park lights are turned down. What I did was move ever so slightly to the side of the pole on the platform. I lined up the pole with the edge of the building ( Casey's ( the hotdog place )). This kept the pole out of the front of the castle and below the fireworks
I'd post a pic, but I was shooting video at the time
( Please don't tell the photography forum )

 

[LMarge]

Thanks for the tip about lining up the pole with the building! Never thought of that! (duh!) Were the shots in your gallery on page 3 (fireworks) taken from the station? Just curious where you were because they are terrific!!
Blessings,
Marge

 

[Mike©]

Thanks for the tip about lining up the pole with the building! Never thought of that! (duh!) Were the shots in your gallery on page 3 (fireworks) taken from the station? Just curious where you were because they are terrific!!
Blessings,
Marge

No those shots were taken from the middle of Main St. between Casey's and the ice cream shop on the other side of the street. Useing a Bogen "field" tripod that cranks up to 5'8". I'll see about doing a few frame captures from the video that was shot from the station so you can see the setup from there

 

[jenbeat1]

This was taken on the bridge near Mexico.

 

[barrie]

This was taken on the bridge near Mexico.

Very nice!

 

[LMarge]

No those shots were taken from the middle of Main St. between Casey's and the ice cream shop on the other side of the street. Useing a Bogen "field" tripod that cranks up to 5'8". I'll see about doing a few frame captures from the video that was shot from the station so you can see the setup from there

5'8"!! I'd need a step ladder just to see my screen!!1 I'm only 5'2 and getting above heads has been a life long challenge!! I can't wait to see what you get from your video!! Thanks for taking the time and effort to share your results!!
Blessings,

 

[Mike©]

5'8"!! I'd need a step ladder just to see my screen!!1 I'm only 5'2 and getting above heads has been a life long challenge!! I can't wait to see what you get from your video!! Thanks for taking the time and effort to share your results!!
Blessings,

LOL ! I'm 5'6" and yes that puts my camera over my head. But I just back up a bit till I can see the screen and reach up for the shutter. I've thought of getting the remote shutter release for the camera so I don't have to keep one hand over my head for 20 minutes at a time for parades.
My camera also has a video out jack so I'm thinking of getting a hand held TV so I don't have to look up for 20 minutes

P.S. I'll see about posting those vid caps today sometime. Be aware though, I edited the video so what you'll see is a video in video frame. The main view is from Casey's and the pip is from the train platform.

 

[Groucho]

Illuminations isn't TOO bad as there are just so many places to set up. Last trip, we wandered until we found somewhere good. Getting there slightly early (and going in a less-busy time of the year!) help, too!

First time, we were, I think, somewhere near the Int'l Gateway and I used a monopod.

The second time, I think we were in nearly the same spot. (These shots need some white balance adjustment, I haven't updated them yet.)

The only problem with this location is that the globe is fairly far away. And the first night, the wind was against us so we got covered in firework debris.

For Wishes, I found that the hub was large enough to find somewhere to set up my tripod - but it helps being a little taller, so I can raise the camera up high enough to see over most people. And since I'm generally not changing the framing of the photos, I can just click away with the remote shutter release and not worry about watching the camera. (I also turn off LCD review, to minimize distractions to others.)

I did take some shots from off to the left one time, which was not a bad spot.

The problem with the train station IMHO is that the castle is just too small relative to the fireworks, but that's just a matter of taste.

 

[barrie]

So I'm here at Disney World and I went to Epcot last night to try out my idea. Here it is - Illuminations from China, a new perspective! It's not exactly how I imagined it but I think it came out ok.



This was my first time using the bulb setting on my camera - OMG, a whole new world of possibilities!