Making Lemonade from Lemons.
- Thread starter fractal
- Start date
fractal
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 15, 2013
Early morning Wednesday and we are off and running in Walt Disney World (minus Val who would join later)!
Good morning Pandora!
Last time we were here was 2017 and things looks different to me. It would take me awhile to figure it out.
We "B-lined" it straight to Flight of Passage. It was a lonely queue line. I asked Sterg if he forgot to put on his shorts.
He said something back about when I would wear cargo shorts that covered my shins.
There's someone else in line!
It was hard to take photos and keep up with the pace at the same time.
This would be the first time I went through the "standby" queue. Previously I've only ridden fastpass which skips most of this.
Such an amazing effect.
So much rich detail! I was loving it and things slowed down enough to appreciate and photography the imagineer's work.
Getting closer! Sterg and Toni with matching Animal Kingdom wear.
The pre-show has been changed. Not sure if it's because of Covid or because of people complaining about all the "ugh"s.
Not one "ugh" - so much better!
OK, we will...
Toni was ready!
Nothing different here. You were spaced by group which means there were empty seats between my trio and the next group.
The ride was amazing (again)! - the only issue I had was having the glasses fog up because of the mask. It was very tempting to pull the mask down below your nose but we noticed those that did were scolded by a CM after the ride.
On the way out we were asked if we wanted to jump right back in line to ride again. Tempting but we passed.
OK, so what's next?
Good morning Pandora!
Last time we were here was 2017 and things looks different to me. It would take me awhile to figure it out.
We "B-lined" it straight to Flight of Passage. It was a lonely queue line. I asked Sterg if he forgot to put on his shorts.
He said something back about when I would wear cargo shorts that covered my shins.
There's someone else in line!
It was hard to take photos and keep up with the pace at the same time.
This would be the first time I went through the "standby" queue. Previously I've only ridden fastpass which skips most of this.
Such an amazing effect.
So much rich detail! I was loving it and things slowed down enough to appreciate and photography the imagineer's work.
Getting closer! Sterg and Toni with matching Animal Kingdom wear.
The pre-show has been changed. Not sure if it's because of Covid or because of people complaining about all the "ugh"s.
Not one "ugh" - so much better!
OK, we will...
Toni was ready!
Nothing different here. You were spaced by group which means there were empty seats between my trio and the next group.
The ride was amazing (again)! - the only issue I had was having the glasses fog up because of the mask. It was very tempting to pull the mask down below your nose but we noticed those that did were scolded by a CM after the ride.
On the way out we were asked if we wanted to jump right back in line to ride again. Tempting but we passed.
OK, so what's next?
fractal
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 15, 2013
Alright, huddle up for a team meeting, but first a selfie...
It was too early for this,
So we decided to explore the Na'vi River. Actually Toni started to complain that it was "boring" but we soon got her in line.
Making our way;
Still couldn't put my finger on what looking different in Pandora.
I was able to procure an adequate boat for our voyage and we cast off.
It wasn't long before we were greeted by a Na'vi warrior. Luckily he was friendly.
Many strange and beautiful flora.
and animals...
We spotted other travelers who also proved to be friendly or at least not dangerous.
"Hi frogs on leaves above us.."
I see you...
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Out there, past the trees...
It was too early for this,
So we decided to explore the Na'vi River. Actually Toni started to complain that it was "boring" but we soon got her in line.
Making our way;
Still couldn't put my finger on what looking different in Pandora.
I was able to procure an adequate boat for our voyage and we cast off.
It wasn't long before we were greeted by a Na'vi warrior. Luckily he was friendly.
Many strange and beautiful flora.
and animals...
We spotted other travelers who also proved to be friendly or at least not dangerous.
"Hi frogs on leaves above us.."
I see you...
<iframe width="1182" height="665" src="
Out there, past the trees...
fractal
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 15, 2013
Near the end of our excursion we meet up with the Shaman of Songs. She welcomed us with open arms as we were immersed in her beautiful and somewhat haunting melody.
Some artifacts before we docked.
I must say, this was the most enjoyable Na'vi River Journey I took. Toni really loved it and was glad we went on; same with Sterg. No big thrills but plenty of alluring things to stimulate the senses.
Flip flops back on the ground in Pandora.
I found this delightful group of waterfalls.
Hmmm, I began to ponder, I wonder if I can slow down my shutter slow enough to turn the falling water into silky streams of white. The cloudy day would certainly help as I was without an ND filter.
I dropped my ISO down to 50, my aperture down to f/16 and a 1/4 second shutter. Now I needed some stability. No convenient trashcans that allowed me to frame this so I wedged my camera between two "barrier" rocks that served as a sort of fencing. Also used a 5 second delay on the shutter to prevent any unwanted shaking.
All that plus a little post editing in Lightroom produced this;
and now that I had the settings all dialed into the camera I tried a few other shots;
I was pretty happy with the results. For their part, Sterg and Toni were very patient with me. They would go off somewhere then come back and check on me then repeat until I was finished without any nagging. Maybe they're maturing after all?
But we still need our potty breaks.
You guys ready to leave this planet?
Yep! Peace out Pandora but we'll be back!
Some artifacts before we docked.
I must say, this was the most enjoyable Na'vi River Journey I took. Toni really loved it and was glad we went on; same with Sterg. No big thrills but plenty of alluring things to stimulate the senses.
Flip flops back on the ground in Pandora.
I found this delightful group of waterfalls.
Hmmm, I began to ponder, I wonder if I can slow down my shutter slow enough to turn the falling water into silky streams of white. The cloudy day would certainly help as I was without an ND filter.
I dropped my ISO down to 50, my aperture down to f/16 and a 1/4 second shutter. Now I needed some stability. No convenient trashcans that allowed me to frame this so I wedged my camera between two "barrier" rocks that served as a sort of fencing. Also used a 5 second delay on the shutter to prevent any unwanted shaking.
All that plus a little post editing in Lightroom produced this;
and now that I had the settings all dialed into the camera I tried a few other shots;
I was pretty happy with the results. For their part, Sterg and Toni were very patient with me. They would go off somewhere then come back and check on me then repeat until I was finished without any nagging. Maybe they're maturing after all?
But we still need our potty breaks.
You guys ready to leave this planet?
Yep! Peace out Pandora but we'll be back!
Clarf
Haunted Mansion or Bust.
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2012
Wow, your pictures of Pandora are gorgeous!
Sorry you didn't go with the steak at Kona and your meal was disappointing. I tend to go with the chef recommendation too, so I may have made the same mistake!
Did you ever figure out what was different about Pandora? Was it the no crowds?
Sorry you didn't go with the steak at Kona and your meal was disappointing. I tend to go with the chef recommendation too, so I may have made the same mistake!
Did you ever figure out what was different about Pandora? Was it the no crowds?
fractal
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 15, 2013
I have yet to take my family to Universal - maybe soon; but WDW is SO hard to resist!
Thank you and thanks for following!
Yes, we had one of our best trips despite the challenges.
Thanks for the kind words and for following!
Thank you!
On our next AK day the difference came to me.
fractal
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 15, 2013
Before long we were here on our way to Asia...
Most of the kiosks in the parks were closed. Another negative of this trip. The vacant pathways however were certainly a positive.
and AK got another boat!
One of our favorite drink places was also closed.
Our next adventure included a search for a big hairy beast in the mountains.
We started to find clues...
That led us straight to her!
UP NEXT; a quick photo shoot, a real bummer, fun times in queue and a black and white study.
Most of the kiosks in the parks were closed. Another negative of this trip. The vacant pathways however were certainly a positive.
and AK got another boat!
One of our favorite drink places was also closed.
Our next adventure included a search for a big hairy beast in the mountains.
We started to find clues...
That led us straight to her!
UP NEXT; a quick photo shoot, a real bummer, fun times in queue and a black and white study.
PollyannaMom
I was a click-clack champ!!
- Joined
- May 16, 2006
If you have Harry Potter fans in your group, it's definitely worth it! And there are some really fun photo ops!
GAN
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2005
Totally agree. Loving the Pandora and AK shots!
Oh you should! I know it's hard lol. I've been numerous times the last few years mostly for work, took the family in 2015 and for a day in 2018. Since Uni opened in June before WDW we went for 5 nights and although in the past I haven't been a fan of their food (which is big for me) and don't love their rides we had the BEST time! Was it partly because we couldn't have been at Disney anyway? Maybe, but for the first time in all my times there I left wanting to go back!
fractal
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 15, 2013
First boat on the left wasn't looking too good.
We stopped to take some pics in front of these cool looking blue doors.
It turned into a mini photo shoot.
Wishing this bar was open.
What once actually served a function was now just a prop.
OK, enough negative vibe. Time to focus on the mission at hand. Finding and confronting the Yeti!
As I was snapping photos of the amazing Everest queue, Sterg asked me how many photos have I taken of it over the years.
"Enough that if it burned to the ground, Disney could use my photos to recreate it down to every detail."
At the time that may have not been 100% accurate, but by the end of this trip it just may have.
"Hi taking a picture of a stool." Toni added.
The queue line moved at almost a perfect pace; slow enough that allowed me to take photos and to overall become immersed yet quick enough to avoid any impatience.
Toni was not bored.
"Hi blue baby."
Keep moving (not so) little girl.
Toni and I have a special Disney bond. We were the ones getting up early and hitting the parks on our own while the rest of the family slept in. So many great little adventures. I always said that once she became a teenager she would change into the sleepy, nasty and irrational creatures her siblings were; but to her credit she never did. She has always been up for waking up early and hitting the parks with her goofy Dad. Despite now being 18, a high school graduate and old enough to vote (and buy lottery tickets and cigarettes) she was just as enthusiastic as she was when she was 8 years old.
Isn't that right little girl?
Somebody couldn't stand not being part of the attention.
Time to board.
We asked for but denied the option to wait for the front seat. Darn you Covid!
Live animal? I think this was the first time I saw that.
We purchased train tickets to the top of Forbidden Mountain in hopes of catching a glimpse of the beastly creature.
On our way...
We stopped to take some pics in front of these cool looking blue doors.
It turned into a mini photo shoot.
Wishing this bar was open.
What once actually served a function was now just a prop.
OK, enough negative vibe. Time to focus on the mission at hand. Finding and confronting the Yeti!
As I was snapping photos of the amazing Everest queue, Sterg asked me how many photos have I taken of it over the years.
"Enough that if it burned to the ground, Disney could use my photos to recreate it down to every detail."
At the time that may have not been 100% accurate, but by the end of this trip it just may have.
"Hi taking a picture of a stool." Toni added.
The queue line moved at almost a perfect pace; slow enough that allowed me to take photos and to overall become immersed yet quick enough to avoid any impatience.
Toni was not bored.
"Hi blue baby."
Keep moving (not so) little girl.
Toni and I have a special Disney bond. We were the ones getting up early and hitting the parks on our own while the rest of the family slept in. So many great little adventures. I always said that once she became a teenager she would change into the sleepy, nasty and irrational creatures her siblings were; but to her credit she never did. She has always been up for waking up early and hitting the parks with her goofy Dad. Despite now being 18, a high school graduate and old enough to vote (and buy lottery tickets and cigarettes) she was just as enthusiastic as she was when she was 8 years old.
Isn't that right little girl?
Somebody couldn't stand not being part of the attention.
Time to board.
We asked for but denied the option to wait for the front seat. Darn you Covid!
Live animal? I think this was the first time I saw that.
We purchased train tickets to the top of Forbidden Mountain in hopes of catching a glimpse of the beastly creature.
On our way...
fractal
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 15, 2013
After a thrilling ride up the mountain and a close call with the Yeti we decided to get a second look at her.
Back in the queue we joked that this would be the bed that Alex was going to sleep in when she arrived.
While editing my photos from this trip I decided to do something different for the rest of this series of Everest photos and edit them in black and white. I felt it really brought out some interesting contrasts and details. I hope you enjoy them.
Back in the queue we joked that this would be the bed that Alex was going to sleep in when she arrived.
While editing my photos from this trip I decided to do something different for the rest of this series of Everest photos and edit them in black and white. I felt it really brought out some interesting contrasts and details. I hope you enjoy them.
WishesQueen
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2007
WOW Beautiful!!! I am assuming you print all your photos because you mention a dark room. Which is amazing on its own that you do that as well. But how do you organize all these beautiful photos? Do you have mountains of photo albums?
Even though I just use my photo most the time anymore, I do have them all printed out. I love holding a photo in my hand.
Even though I just use my photo most the time anymore, I do have them all printed out. I love holding a photo in my hand.
fractal
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 15, 2013
Alex is a Harry Potter fan. It's on my list!
Thanks @GAN !
I'm sold!
Thank you!
No I do not print them all. I think you are referring to "Lightroom" which is the software I use to edit my photos.
I should print more and agree with you about holding in your hand. I used to do a photo book of trips but for some reason stopped that a few years ago. Hmmm.
Kudos to you for printing and Thank you for following and for the kind words!
fractal
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 15, 2013
Back to the World of Color;
Heading towards Dinoland we spotted these guys enjoying a leisure cruise.
If only Wally could have seen me on that bridge waving my heart out to Mickey, Minnie and Pluto...
"Dude..."
Dinoland was the most vacant area of any Park that week. It looked practically abandoned.
This sign brought back some way back memories of spending time with Toni in the Boneyard.
Toni circa May 2009
No Boneyard for us this day, or carnival rides.
We were in Dinoland USA for one reason and one reason only.
To make a Tick-Tok.
I mean, to ride Dinosaur.
T-REX thought it was funny.
more laughs.
Heading towards Dinoland we spotted these guys enjoying a leisure cruise.
If only Wally could have seen me on that bridge waving my heart out to Mickey, Minnie and Pluto...
"Dude..."
Dinoland was the most vacant area of any Park that week. It looked practically abandoned.
This sign brought back some way back memories of spending time with Toni in the Boneyard.
Toni circa May 2009
No Boneyard for us this day, or carnival rides.
We were in Dinoland USA for one reason and one reason only.
To make a Tick-Tok.
I mean, to ride Dinosaur.
T-REX thought it was funny.
more laughs.
fractal
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 15, 2013
I was shooting with the 85mm which is a short telephoto lens. Not the perfect lens in the Dinosaur queue so I focused on details.
Sterg saw me taking a picture of the Dino feet which prompted this;
"Dad, they look like your toe nails."
More details.
"Hi giant turtle on the wall." Toni splurted out.
We quickly made our way here...
Seems legit. Definitely noting the "Implosive Bolts"
Finally it was time to jump back a few hundred million years.
Sterg saw me taking a picture of the Dino feet which prompted this;
"Dad, they look like your toe nails."
More details.
"Hi giant turtle on the wall." Toni splurted out.
We quickly made our way here...
Seems legit. Definitely noting the "Implosive Bolts"
Finally it was time to jump back a few hundred million years.
Clarf
Haunted Mansion or Bust.
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2012
Your black and white photos of EE are stunning! The details you can see in your photos are so incredible.
Love the flashback photo of Toni. These darn kids grow up way too fast.
Nice Dinosaur pictures too. We love that ride and you captured some great parts of the queue!
Love the flashback photo of Toni. These darn kids grow up way too fast.
Nice Dinosaur pictures too. We love that ride and you captured some great parts of the queue!
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