Disney magic in Marceline

Most people have never heard of Marceline, Missouri. It's just a tiny farm town smack dab in the middle of the state, with little more than a Dollar General store. But this little map dot has one big thing to brag about: it is Walt Disney's hometown.
Walt once said that the happiest time of his life was spent in Marceline. Although he only spent five years there, he never forgot a moment of it. If you look hard enough, you'll see little bits of Marceline in many of Walt's films and other projects. He often looked for inspiration in his childhood memories, and gathered even more on his return visits later in life.
The first time I read about Marceline, I was intrigued. The way it was described, Walt's hometown didn't sound much different from my own. What could be so wonderful about it that made such an impact on Walt? Just two days ago, I found myself walking right in Walt's footsteps, on the very ground where his imagination began to bloom. I can't begin to explain to you how it felt. In researching the town before my trip, I found a lot of other Disney enthusiasts saying that after visiting Marceline, they felt closer to Walt than ever before. Now, I do too.

The Disney family home in Marceline. This is the house where Walt lived from the age of 5 to 10. He and his little sister Ruth once drew pictures on the side of the house with tar. Their father, Elias, wasn't thrilled.

I felt like I knew the place the moment we entered the town limits. On our way into town we passed this beautiful red farmhouse on the right, and I knew instantly that it was Walt's. The family that owns the house now, also runs the town museum dedicated to Walt and the Disney family. Inez, whose daughter lives in the house now, was our tour guide in the museum. She and her family hosted Walt when he returned to Marceline for the first time in the 1950s. It was so amazing to talk to her. She told story after story about what a wonderful person Walt was. She even had my mom and I in tears at one point.

The Walt Disney Hometown Museum is still a work in progress, but there are some wonderful stories and artifacts from the Disney family. Most of the exhibits were donated by Walt's sister, Ruth. She saved everything from letters, to report cards, to orginal Mickey Mouse dolls, and even the television Walt sent her so that she could watch the opening of Disneyland. The most interesting things to me, were the original drawings for the "Marceline Project." Walt wanted to build another (small) amusement park in his hometown. Sadly, he died before the project could get off the ground, but I think the town still holds onto the hope that one day his dream will be realized. I'm certainly with them on that!

Exhibits in the museum also highlighted the partnership of Walt and his brother Roy. These two really were peas in a pod. Neither one could have been successful without the other.

We ate lunch on Main Street, USA... the orginal Main Street, that is. Walt wanted his theme parks to have an all-American Main Street, just like the little town he grew up in. Many of the buildings in Disneyland and Disney World were inspired by real buildings in Marceline (like the Uptown Theater, where Walt watched movies as a boy). My favorite feature is the street clock. It always catches my eye in the park, and it was the first thing I noticed on Marceline's Main Street.

Our final stop was my favorite: Walt's Dreaming Tree and the Disney family barn. These were two of Walt's most favorite places. The Dreaming Tree is where he spent hours drawing and daydreaming under its shade. Even when he was older, he always made time to sit under it when he came back to Marceline. It continued to inspire him all those years later. I took a few moments to sit under it myself. Although the tree is diseased and dying (it was also struck by lightning), it was a truly beautiful and peaceful spot. In those short moments, I was inspired.

 

Although the tree is dying, Walt's grandchildren didn't want the story to die with it. Brad Lund (Walt's grandson) planted a new tree (a sapling from the original Dreaming Tree) next to the old one, allowing the storying to live on for future generations.

Just down the path from the Dreaming Tree is the Disney family barn. Walt called this his "Happy Place." He loved the barn so much that he recreated it at his home in California. As a boy he once organized a circus of farm animals in the barn and charged the neighborhood kids a nickel each to see it. After his mother, Flora, had discovered what he'd done, she made him return every cent.

The original barn rotted down, but volunteers rebuilt it for visitors to enjoy. When you visit, you can leave a message for Walt on the walls. I read many of the notes and smiled. There are more Disney lovers like me than I realized.

Of course, I had to leave one too. There was so much I wanted to say, but I decided to keep it simple.

My experience in Marceline was absolutely wonderful. It was easy for me to see why Walt loved it so much. It's not that it was really that much different than any other small town, even my own, but the people of Marceline have something that so much of the rest of the world lacks: the magic of kindness. That's really the spirit of Disney, and it is everywhere in Marceline. The people there love and respect Walt so much that they go to great lengths to keep his story alive here. And they have succeeded. I've always thought that Walt's presence would always be strongest in Disneyland or Disney World, but I was wrong. Walt is in Marceline, and so is his magic.

New Fantasyland grand opening is just around the corner!

I'm so sorry I've been terribly slow about getting this information out on my blog. I'll be honest, I didn't even know Disney had announced opening dates until a couple weeks ago (where have I been?! lol), although I have been closely following all the of the "sneak peek" photos being posted to the Disney Parks Blog and Facebook page. Everything is looking so gorgeous! I can't wait to see it in person and capture all the details with my camera. But until I can get there, I'll happily share some of Disney's photos with you :). In case you've forgotten what the finished expanision will look like, here's the latest rendering from Disney:

 

The Storybook Circus area (far right) is already open. Prince Eric's castle (which features the Ariel's Undersea Adventure attraction), the Beast's castle (which features the Be Our Guest restaurant), and Belle's Village (which features Enchanted Tales with Belle) will open December 6, 2012. Princess Fairytale Hall (the new meet-and-greet area for all the princesses) will open in 2013. The final area (which features the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train attraction) will open in 2014.

 

Now, on to the pictures!

Inside the Be Our Guest restaurant. The restaurant featured three different dining areas straight from the movie: the ballroom, the West Wing, and the gallery.

A view of the Beast's Castle from Belle's Village. The castle houses the Be Our Guest Restaurant.



A look at one of the shops in Belle's Village. The village will feature gift shops, as well as Gaston's Tavern where you can grab a quick bite to eat.
 

This is what I am most excited about: Prince Eric's Castle! The castle houses the Little Mermaid themed dark ride that takes you through the story of Ariel and all her friends.



Detail of the que for the Little Mermaid ride.



I don't know about you, but I am so ready to explore the new area! I'm sure we'll have plenty more photos to share after the opening. Until then, just use your imagination ;).

 

See ya real soon!

 



My Mini WDW Commercial ;)

Gosh, it feels like forever since I've had time to be on here. I just got caught up on work, so expect some more posts in the next couple of days! :)
For now, I just wanted to take a minute to share something with you. I've been playing with an online slideshow maker that many of my wonderful photographer friends love. I've enjoyed making slideshows ever since I purchased my very first photo editing software, which also came with a video editing program. Unfortunately, I have had a chance to update the video portion of the software... or to play around with video much at all really... but I'd love to get back into it and learn more about it. I'd love to be able to interact with you guys more that way. I love to write, but when it comes to Disney, I'd really rather talk :). LOL
Anyway, here's a short peek at my sisters-in-law's very first WDW visit. Let me know what you think!

See ya real soon!

 

Make your own slide show at Animoto.

To FASTPass or not to FASTPass? That is the question.

Since the first Disney theme park opened in 1955, waiting in line has been part of the Disney experience. Sometimes the wait is short (for smaller attractions like It's A Small World or Country Bear Jamboree), and sometimes it's long (for the bigger attractions like Space Mountain or Tower of Terror). For the most part, the waiting has never bothered me; I know that my ride experience will be worth every moment I spent in line. Of course, there are those times when I wouldn't mind getting in a little quicker: when it's an extra hot day, or when we're trying to make a dinner reservation. But you can't exactly cut line, can you? If you have a FASTPass you can!

What exactly is FASTPass?
To combat long wait times for its more popular attractions, Disney introduced the FASTPass program in 1999. Guests with FASTPasses are given a specific time window to ride a particular attraction with little or no wait.

How to you get a FASTPass?
To obtain a pass, just look for the FASTPass kiosk at the attraction. It's usually near the entrance. There will be a sign above the kiosk letting you know what time frame you can use the passes (it will be a one-hour time window, such as 12:30 to 1:30). To get a pass, isert your theme park ticket into one of the machines and it will give you a FASTPass ticket. When your return time comes, you'll enter the FASTPass line at the ride entrance, and a cast member will ask to see your pass.

Is FASTPass available for all attractions?
No. FASTPass is available at the most popular (or newest) attractions. These are the ones like Tower of Terror, Rock'n Rollercoaster, Expedition Everest, Star Tours, Kilamanjaro Safari, Mission Space, Test Track, Soarin', Peter Pan's Flight, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, and a few others.

On which attractions is FASTPass the most useful?
If I use a FASTPass, I use it for these attractions: Rock'n Rollercoaster, Peter Pan's Flight, Space Mountain, Toy Story Mania, Tower of Terror, and Expedition Everest. Everything else generally has a comparable Stand-by wait time.

Is FASTPass always the best idea?
This can be a subject of debate for Disney enthusiasts. Some people swear by it. They get FASTPasses for all the major attractions and claim they spend almost no time in line. I am not one of those people. I seldom ever use a FASTPass, and here's why:
Reason #1: I don't like having to plan out which attractions I'm going to do at specific times.
With FASTPass, you have to be at a certain attraction at a certain time in order to use it. Although one hour seems like plenty of time, I'm usually on the other side of the park by then, doing other things, and I don't like having to backtrack to somewhere I've already been.
Reason #2: Sometimes the FASTPass line is longer than the Stand-by line. Some people might argue with me on this, but I promise you, I've seen it with my own eyes on more than one occassion. This was especially true when FASTPass was new. Everyone thought they had to get it, and so the FASTPass lines filled up while the Stand-by line was fairly empty.
Reason #3: If you know what you're doing, you don't need it. For first-time guests, or those who are still learning their way around the parks, I actually do recommend using FASTPasses for certain attractions. For example, getting a FASTPass for Tower of Terror and then getting in the Stand-by line for Rock'n Rollercoaster is usually a great plan. By the time you're off the coaster, it will probably be time to use your FASTPass. (Plus these attractions are right next to each other, so no backtracking). Over the years, I've developed a routine, or method, to which attractions I do and when. I usually don't wait in line for more than 30-45 minutes, and that's fine for me. Like I said before, I don't mind the wait. I know it's worth it.

Now, I'm sure that last paragraph has you saying, "OK, Miranda. Share your secrets!" LOL I promise, I will... in another post ;). For now, I'm calling it a night. Sweet dreams everyone!

Capturing the Magic: Character Greetings

The first time your child meets their favorite Disney character is a moment you want to capture for years to come. Of course you're going to get that picture of everyone smiling and looking at the camera, but what about all those in-between moments?
The characters at Disney parks are always in the mood for playing, giving hugs and kisses, or telling a good story. There's more to a meet-and-greet than just the autograph book and the photo. It's all those other moments of laughter and smiles that you'll really remember, not just the "Say Mickey!" photo moment.
When I was younger, my parents were pretty good about capturing those candid moments on camera. If you look a the photos of my very first character greeting, you'll find the best shots aren't the ones of us looking at the camera, but are of me cowering on my mom's shoulder and refusing to let Tigger tickle me. We still laugh about how shy I was (it didn't take long before I got over that and was tickling right back :) on that first visit. Now, I have a great memory to share with my own children, especially if they're nervous about meeting anyone.
So when you're next in line to meet Mickey, or Belle, or Tink, or Goofy, remember to always keep the camera rolling (or clicking!) to capture every wonderful moment. I practiced this in February when my younger sisters-in-law were meeting all the characters for the very first time. They both wore their "1st Visit" badges every day, and the characters always noticed. It provided for some great memorable moments, like with Buzz and Woody:



Some tips for capturing these great moments:

• Turn off your flash. Great moments are gone in an instant, and if your camera is too slow, you won't get the shot. Turning off your flash can help speed up your camera (it also saves your battery). However, if you are at an indoor meet-and-greet (like Buzz and Woody, Mickey, or Tinkerbell) you will probably need to turn your flash on since these areas tend to be a little darker. For outdoor greetings, you shouldn't need a flash.
• Step back. Let the moment happen. The characters have their own  great ways of encouraging interaction. It may take a minute for the child to get over being starstruck, but the characters are super patient. By the time you leave, your kid will have a new best friend, and since you've been taking photos the entire time, you'll have great images of it.
• Jump in! Don't forget to jump in the photos too! The characters love to interact with parents and adults as well as kids. February was my first trip being the "adult." I mostly tried to sit back and let the girls have the spotlight and enjoy their first visit, especially with the characters. But I quickly learned that the Disney gang was not going to let me be ignored. Both Brandon and I were literally pulled in by the characters more than once (I didn't need to much prodding though! :). It made the girls laugh and made more great memories for us.
• Badges. If it's someone's birthday, anniversary, or first visit, make sure you ask a cast member about getting a celebration badge that let's everyone know you're celebrating. If you stay at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, you'll probably be asked at check-in what you are celebrating. Even if you're not celebrating anything specific (like we usually are), you'll still get an "I'm Celebrating" badge. You can write anything you want on these badges. For example, in February I celebrated my 15th WDW visit, but they don't make badges for that, so a super sweet cast member made one for me from an "I'm Celebrating" badge. When I met Peter Pan an few minutes later, he noticed and commented on it. (By the way, meeting characters is awesome, no matter how old you are. This was the first and only time I've ever met Peter, and I was so EXCITED! He was awesome!)

Every Disney character is unique. They each have brilliant personalities (which has made them so successful for so long), that always shine through when you meet them. Over time you begin to feel like you know them. Like I know that Goofy loves to tickle, or that Minnie will blow me a kiss when we say goodbye, and Mickey will always give the BEST hugs.
I'll leave you with one of my favorite images of my sister-in-law Ashley and Mickey. This is one of those moments that she'll treasure for years to come, and I'm so glad I was able to capture it for her.

Until next time, keep shooting!

The Seasons of WDW

The very first step in WDW planning (for me anyway) is deciding what time of the year you want to visit. Disney has something going all year long, depending on the season. Some parks host annual special events at certain times of the year, with special parades or shows. Lets break down what's going on during Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter at WDW.

Spring (late March through late May)

Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival (This image isn't mine. It's from Google.)

This is one of the best times of year to visit. The weather is lovely and the crowds aren't too heavy yet (except around holidays). Spring time also means the resort is in full bloom. All the parks are adorned with beautiful plants and flowers, often in unique ways. Epcot takes this idea a step further with the Flower and Garden Festival.

• The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival is held annually from early March to mid May (March 6-May 19, 2013). During that time the park is covered with amazingly crafted topiaries of your favorite Disney characters. Each country around World Showcase has its own display, as well as several displays in Future World. There are also special events and presentations you can attend to learn how to be a better gardener. They'll even give you tips for creating your own topiaries at home. There are interactive areas for the kids, plus some great music with the "Flower Power" Concert Series.
• Atlanta Braves Spring Training is held at Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports complex. I've never been lucky enough to be there when the team is, but if you are, you can sit back and watch the guys hit a few. The dates vary from year to year, but it's usually during the month of March.

Summer (June through August)

Me and Bobba Fett during Star Wars Weekends in June 2003.

This is a popular time to visit for families. The kids are out of school, and it's the time of year when everyone loves to vacation. I try to avoid the summer months because in Florida it is HOT. The crowds are also heavier than in the Spring. But summer does have some cool (no pun intended) things going on.

• Star Wars Weekends happen in June at Disney's Hollywood Studios. If you're a fan of the series, you will love this! On these special weekends you have the opportunity to meet your favorite characters from the Star Wars universe (they aren't normally available for meet and greets other times of the year), rub elbows with some celebrities, and rock out with the Ewoks and Jawas every night.
• Sounds Like Summer Concert Series at Epcot is another great way to get your rock on during June and July. A great collection of cover bands comes to the park to relive the classics.
• The Disney Water Parks are in full swing. OK, that's not really a special event (they are open just about all year round), but Summer is the best time to hit the water. It's not quite hot enough in the Spring, but by June, that cold water is more than welcomed!

Fall (September through November)

Fall decorations on Main St. in the Magic Kingdom.

Fall is my favorite time to visit. The weather has cooled off a bit, the Summer crowds are gone, and best of all: Magic Kindom is decked out for the season!

• Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party is an awesome experience for the kids. They can dress up in their costumes (and so can Mom and Dad!) and trick-or-treat all around Magic Kingdom. All the characters are out in their costumes (including some rare ones) and all the popular attractions are open with shorter wait times. There's also a special Halloween parade and fireworks show. You can learn more in my eariler post all about the party.
• Night of Joy is also at Magic Kingdom for a few days in September. This festival features live performances by contemporary Christain music groups.
• The Epcot International Food and Wine Festival is held every September to November, and features food and drinks from around the world. Each country on World Showcase has a food cart dedicated to the festival.  The smell is amazing! There are wine tastings, concerts, and cooking demonstrations to help you hone your own culinary skills.
• Downtown Disney's Festival of the Masters is something I am dying to see! Artists from around the world are invited to showcase their art at Downtown Disney. Many of them work right there on the sidewalk (some even drawing on it!). Kids can also stretch their creativity and do their own chalk sidewalk drawings. The festival is held every November.

Winter (November through February)

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights

Disney World at Christmas is something everyone should see once in their lifetime. Is it crowded? Big time. Is it breathtaking? You have no idea! December is Disney's busiest month. From Thanksgiving until after New Year's, there is so much going on at the resort, but if you visit from mid January to mid February, the crowds disappear.

• The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is the most amazing Christmas event at the parks. The Streets of America at Disney's Hollywood Studios is literally covered from top to bottom in millions of Christmas lights. Not only do the lights glow, but they "dance" to Christmas music played throughout the night. I recommend getting there just as the lights are turned on. The transformation is breathtaking! The switch is flipped every night at dusk. You can find the exact time when you get to the park.
• Epcot hosts the Holidays Around the World Candlelight Processional, which is the retelling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator. The processional is held at the American Gardens Theater on World Showcase on select nights in November and December. Each night features a different celebrity.
• Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom is a lot like the Halloween Party, but instead of candy, you're treated to hot cocoa and sugar cookies (which are fabulous!) Unless you visit the park durin the week of Christmas, the Christmas party is the only way to catch the Christmas parade and special holiday fireworks. It's also just about the only way you can see snow in Florida ;).
• On December 31, DisneyQuest in Downtown Disney hosts a New Year's Eve Party featuring a DJ, food, special confetti drop at midnight, plus full access to all the attractions and video games.

So there you have a basic breakdown of what's going on during any given time of year. If you get the chance, visit the parks at least once during each season. You'll always find something new to experience, and see the parks in a different way. Until next time, see ya real soon!

Capturing the Magic: Tips for Photographing Fireworks

The firework displays at Disney are unlike anywhere else. They are AMAZING!! Once you've seen these wonderful shows like Wishes at Magic Kingdom or Illuminations at Epcot, other firework celebrations just can't hold a candle. These awesome pyrotechnics are also one of the most photographed attractions in the parks. But capturing that perfect burst of magic into a great photograph is not always as easy as it sounds.
Fireworks are some of the hardest things to photograph for a number of reasons. The bursts are bright and the sky is black, giving a harsh contrast that can make capturing the color of the burst a big challenge. Because the bursts happen so quickly, it's also virtually impossible to "freeze" the action, as most people would like. At Disney, there are aslo other obstacles, like crowds. Ever had the perfect vantage point, and then at the last minute some tall person comes and gets right in front of you? (That's why I always recommend getting your spot at least 30 minutes to an hour before the show starts to make sure you have a great view.) So with all these things working against you, how do you get images like this?:

Photography is a lot like baking a cake. It all starts with the right ingredients (or in this case camera gear :). For firework photography the basic gear includes:

• a DLSR camera and lens (not that you can't get great shots with a point-and-shoot, but these tips work best with SLR camera types)
• a tripod (It doesn't have to be a big one. I use a Gorillapod. It's light and fits in a small bag [or big cargo pocket] and bends to wrap around poles or other objects.) If you don't want to carry a tripod, you can also rest your camera on a garbage can to keep it still.

If you want to try a little more advanced technique, you can also use:

• a neutral density filter (this makes a BIG difference, but is not absolutely necessary. I forgot mine one night, and still got some nice shots.)
• a remote shutter release (also great, but not completely necessary. I didn't use one at all on my last trip.)

Once you find a great spot (I prefer being next to a light pole or garbage can. They are great places for a small tripod or none at all), and get your camera in place, it's time to adust your settings.
**Location Tip: At Magic Kingdom I always get a spot at the hub (near the Walt and Mickey statue) or somewhere along Main St. The upper level of the train station is also great. At Epcot, there are great views from the Japan pavillion on World Showcase, or my favorite spot (which makes for an easier exit after the show) is right in the middle of the Future World side of the lagoon, next to the gift shop.**There are two different ways you can try shooting. One lets the camera do half of the thinking for you, and the other gives you complete control over the camera settings. If you're new to photography, or if you just want to take better vacation photos, the semi-automatic way is great. I used this technique for this photo of Illuminations:

For the Semi-Automatic technique:

•  Turn your camera's dial to the Tv mode. This mode allows you to control the shutter speed (how long the image is exposed) while the camera worries about the aperture (the size of the opening that lets in the light).
• Set your ISO to 100 or 200. This keeps the images from being grainy or noisey in the darker areas.
• Keep your shutter speed 1/60 and lower. Using a slower shutter speed allows you to capture more of the trails of light from the bursts, and also allows you to capture more bursts in one shot. Speeds like 1/40 and 1/30 will give you more of a streaking look than a speed of 1/60 or 1/80 would. Try various speeds and find what you like best.

For a more advanced technique (like the one I used for the first image of Wishes) you'll need to:

• Turn your camera's dial to Manual (M) or Bulb (B) mode. This will allow you full control over all settings, both shutter speed and aperture. If your camera doesn't have a Bulb mode on the dial, go to Manual and then change the shutter speed until it reads "Bulb." Bulb means the shutter will stay open for however long you hold the button down when you take a shot.
• Set your ISO as low as it will go (100 on most cameras).
• Keep your aperture between f8.0 and f11.0 for most of the show. For the finale, you may want to try a smaller aperture (maybe f18 or f22).
• Hold the shutter open for 6 to 8 seconds. As the finale begins, or anytime several bursts explode one right after another, try longer shutter speeds like 15 or 20 seconds. If you use a neutral density filter, you can hold the shutter open for longer periods of time, allowing you to capture more bursts if you want. It also helps capture more of the colors.

No matter which technique you use, it's vitally important to keep your camera still and steady. With the semi-automatic technique, it is possible to hand-hold the camera if you have a very steady hand (that's what I did in the earlier photo). But anytime you can prop the camera (or yourself if you're shooting hand-held) will help your photos be less blurry and capture more definition in the bursts.
I hope these tips help capture more of the Disney magic in photographs. If you have any questions, please comment and I'll be happy to answer. To see more of my Disney World photography, check out the Road Trip gallery on my website at www.imaginationphotog.com. And look for more photography tips coming soon!

Miranda

P.S. I didn't just make this up. I learned a lot from the amazing photographers on the Disney Photography Blog. Check out their site in my Links section!