Tag Archives: walt disney world

Early Light

Posted by Mike on

Crescent Lake, Epcot Area, Walt Disney World

On my second day at Disney I was heading to Epcot. The plan was to spend a good portion of the day stalking the monorail, finding the topiaries and exploring the festival food options. The night would be spent at Hollywood Studios for the After Hours event. The bus situation at the resort didn’t necessarily change the plan but I modified it due to having a very low virtual queue number for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

I stood in line for the bus to Epcot and watched a minimum of six buses arrive for Hollywood Studios. Listening to the other guests complain and one group at the head of the line state they had been waiting for an hour, I decided to grab the next bus for the Studios. It arrived less than five minutes after my decision.

I planned to ride the Skyliner to Epcot but when I arrived at the Studios I noticed the line toward Epcot was not moving. Not a problem, I have walked the path between Epcot and Hollywood Studios numerous times over the years, and I knew in the early morning light the path would mostly be in the shade (it was!).

The bonus for me would be a chance to walk through the Crescent Lake area (Yacht and Beach Clubs, Boardwalk and a view of the Swan and Dolphin resorts). When I’m not staying in this area I tend to walk over whenever I’m in Epcot because I do miss the views and photographic opportunities. The Yacht Club lighthouse did not disappoint…

Early Light
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/250s, 20mm, f/11, ISO 200

Monorail Reflections

Posted by Mike on

Epcot, Walt Disney World

The weather has not been very cooperative the past few days. Between the wildfire haze and now the rain (very much needed) my opportunities for images are limited. This morning feels like a good time to look through my images from Disney.

I have been a fan of the monorail since my first ride. Add in I’m a photographer and I spend most of my day at Epcot chasing the monorail around the entrance loop. I have limited patience fr some photography but I will wait almost indefinitely for the next monorail to arrive. Especially if the next one is the color I want to capture.

I wish the construction walls were not in this view but with the amount of construction at Walt Disney World it is difficult to compose an image without them in it. I really like this vantage point as I can include the Imagination Pavilion as well as the Land Pavilion with a reflection of the monorail. It was still worth the wait…

Monorail Reflections
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/640s, 14mm, f/8, ISO 200

Muppet Time!

Posted by Mike on

Wordless Wednesday
Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World

Muppet Time!
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1s, 12mm, f/8, ISO 200

Good Morning Life

Posted by Mike on

Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World

Thursday morning I spent at the Animal Kingdom. That is a park that can become unbearable when it is hot and humid, which this week has been in Florida. Luckily, the park opens at 8am and early entry got me in the park by 7:25am. I walked over to the Pandora area to see if Flight of the Avatar would be worth the wait. It was already at a sixty minute wait time. I headed over to Asia to ride Expedition Everest.

I spent the remainder of the morning photographing the animals that can be found all around the park. I also enjoy capturing the details the Imagineers built into the park that bring everything to life. And of course, I always photograph the many sides of the Tree of Life. Most visitors get the first view of the tree as you cross the bridge to Discovery Island. There are so many views that can be found and in the early morning the light the better view of the tree is from behind…

Good Morning Life
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/60s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 200

S.S. Down The Hatch

Posted by Mike on

Echo Lake, Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World

Wednesday started at Epcot. More rides (definitely ride Guardians of the Galaxy:Cosmic Rewind) and photography. I wanted to get any topiaries I missed, try a few food items at the kiosks and of course, experience more rides. I was also going to Hollywood Studios for the After Hours event but planned on going early to capture pictures.

OK. I know Disney is expensive. Most days it feels like everything is a cost. The After Hours event was so much fun! Fewer people in the park, ice cream, beverages and the premier rides available as often as you like.

I ran around all evening before official park closing grabbing my pictures. I then put the camera away and enjoyed the next three plus hours of the event. I rode Rise of the Resistance twice, Smugglers Run two more times, Star Tours, Rock -n- Roller Coaster, Slinky Dog Dash, and most open rides multiple times. The Mickey Bar was as good as I remember but even better due to the heat. I had a great time.

Hollywood Studios doesn’t really have a park icon. Magic Kingdom has the castle, Epcot has Spaceship Earth, Animal Kingdom has the Tree of Life but at the Studios there is such a mix of themes nothing stands out to me as an icon (I know, I don’t talk about the hat). I used to like the water tower with the Mickey ears but I think that is only a memory now.

To me, Hollywood Studios is the area around Echo Lake. I like both Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards as well. All these areas turn it up a notch when evening hits and the neon turns on. This is the Studios to me…

S.S. Down The Hatch
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1.6s, 16mm, f/11, ISO 200

Gliding Through

Posted by Mike on

Epcot, Walt Disney World

My first day at Disney was spent at Epcot. I was fortunate at 7am to get a boarding group for the new Guardians of the Galaxy ride. My problem began when I found out I was in boarding group one and needed to get on the ride before 9:40am! I was still on my way from the East Coast. So much for going to the resort. I drove directly to Epcot.

The ride was amazing!

I spent a good portion of the morning riding everything in the front of the park and photographing the topiaries. Of course, I couldn’t be at Epcot with out capturing the monorail! There will be more monorail images coming…

Gliding Through
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/500s, 16mm, f/8, ISO 200

When a camera falls

Posted by Mike on

Morocco, Epcot, Walt Disney World

I’m getting ready for a trip to Florida and decided to look through my images from my last trip to Walt Disney World. Plenty of images to process. My favorites have already been posted (considering last trip was two years ago), but I did find this one.

It was late at Epcot and I was on my way back to the resort. I stopped for a look at the Morocco Pavilion from the International Gateway. I can’t resist a good reflection and the pavilion is a favorite of mine. I didn’t get one of the tripod legs completely locked. During the 4 second exposure the camera started to fall over. I caught it but not before this image was captured.

I like it! 🙂

When a camera falls
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 4s, 28mm, f/8, ISO 400

Morocco Bright

Posted by Mike on

Morocco Pavilion, World Showcase, Epcot

I love the architecture and details in the Morocco Pavilion at Epcot. It is one of my favorite areas to photograph. I especially like this view across the water from the viewing area near the International Gateway. I always consider it a bonus when I manage to capture one of the Friendship boats as well… 🙂

Morocco Bright
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/250s, 61mm, f/11, ISO 200