Originally posted by MSM Groucho: Thank you for the very informational post. I think I am reaching implosion time on all things Disney. Any tips on photographing the fireworks over the Castle? My wife booked a room on the side that faces the Castle and fireworks so the kids can watch from the balcony. I do have a cheap monopod come to think of it. I just can't see bringing my tripod down. Perhaps the balcony railing it self could be support for the long exposure. What settings and focal length would you suggest? Regarding the darkness issue, I am wondering if I should bring the 43 mm in place of the 35 mm. I figure there will be a lot of close focusing opportunities which is why I thought of the DA 35 limited.
I actually have not found much need for macro lenses at Disney, but like I mentioned earlier in the thread, there is something for all photo taste. The closest I get to macro photography is shooting some of the miniatures in the Art of Disney stores. Speed beats macro IMHO. My first DSLR trip, where I had an 18-55, 50-200, Zenitar 16, and 50 F1.4, I used the 50 for something like 49.5% of my photos. Generally, most people tend to shoot very wide except for at Animal Kingdom. Fisheyes and UWAs are pretty popular choices.
I enjoy having a tripod there but then, I've been pushing a stroller every time I've brought one so it's been easy to toss it in the bottom, or I've been going back solo at night with photography being a top priority. If you're facing MK from your room, you could set up a tripod there, or use some other rigid support. I have taken photos from the 14th floor fire escape at the Contemporary a few times (I haven't stayed there lately - I have Bay Lake, the new DVC building next door, on waitlist for January but doubt I'll get it)... here's some MK looks from there at 135mm.
...and here's how it looks at 10mm.
For fireworks, you will probably want something in the 50-100mm range. (The fireworks will look huge over the castle from there. However, most will be behind the castle, as most shells are fired from an area behind the park itself.) The best firework advice is tripod, F8-F11, bulb mode, and use a wired remote shutter release. I haven't shot them from the Contemporary but I have from the beach at the Polynesian and I used my 50-200mm somewhere around the low 100s.
Originally posted by Ira 4) The laser show at the end of the day at Epcot is okay, but it's not worth passing up an evening at Downtown Disney for. (And Downtown Disney is free.)
I disagree - I really like Illuminations, certainly more so that the "Wishes" fireworks at MK. It's got a great soundtrack.
Quote: 5) If you're deciding on whether to do Disney Studios, and if they already started the Osbourne Christmas Lights display, definitely do it. They take a New York City street, light it up beyond belief, and it lights to syncronated music. Plus, it SNOWS!!! REALLY, REALLY FUN!
Agreed.
Quote: 6) Dining is a tough one, so be careful with your choices. It's 25% overpriced fast food crap, 25% overpriced but not really good higher end stuff, 25% decent mid-level stuff, and 25% good higher end stuff. If you want to PM for specific suggestions, I would be happy to do so. But I can't reiterate this strongly enough:
When you go to pick up hot dogs and sodas for the family...and get 5 bucks change from your $100 bill--you'll know exactly what I'm taking about.
7) And in line with #6 above, bring lots of money.
I would generally agree with this, though I would skew things towards higher quality - there is a lot of terrific food to be had at Disney. I tend to avoid the burgers - sometimes good, sometimes just OK. At MK, I love the Columbia Harbour House - great tuna sandwiches, clam chowder bowls, and apple desserts. The Plaza is a nice, relatively cheap sit-down (and they have a very good burger!) The character meals can be fun - either Crystal Palace in MK (if your 8-year-old can tolerate Pooh) or Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary, where you can watch the monorail go by while you eat.
Price-wise, I don't think that they're far off most other amusement parks or similar places, and the quality is certainly much better than you'd get at non-Disney parks. There are, of course, good and bad deals to be had. For example, a good deal is an ice cream sandwich from the Main St Bakery in MK - it's got two full-size cookies and three scoops of ice cream. (That bakery is
amazing - try a cinnamon roll!) That being said - yes, things are fairly expensive but you should understand that going on. If you just stew about the prices, you won't have a good time. Just accept it and move on.
The good thing about the cost at Disney is that you can really see where the money goes. It is generally sparkling clean, the cast members are very friendly and helpful, there is countless free live entertainment, and the big shows are spectacular. (I seem to recall reading that every Illuminations show, which does run nightly, costs about $20,000 or more to put on!)
Oh, and you probably already know that you can get all the schedules for fireworks and other shows on their web site. Also, if you have a phone with a data plan, they have a new feature that will show you wait times for sit-down restaurants near you. (Generally, it's hard to walk in to a sit-down - you need reservations long ahead.) If you have specific Verizon phones, you can buy their Mobile Magic, which gives you live wait times, character greeting times, etc.