Making Lemonade from Lemons.

[Shellbells]

You're photos are simply stunning. I can't believe some of the shots you got.
I'm loving your trip report. My heart broke a teeny bit when you explained how your wife doesn't love Disney as much as you do. I'm in the same boat. My husband goes and enjoys himself well enough but he doesn't feel the magic like I do. He'd rather go to Hawaii or on a golf trip.
We compromise and try to alternate our vacations.

 

[buzzrelly]

Unfortunately, we couldn't buy any ice cream to cool off.

That's sad We always stop there for ice cream. Hopefully they'll reopen soon.

Rock N Roller Coaster is nearly perfect as a Disney Thrill Ride. The theming begins immediately; from the wonderful classic car hanging gate...

It really is thrilling, too thrilling for me. I will go on if forced to by my kids, but I don't enjoy it

Here's what zero to 60 in 2.5 seconds looks like.

That is a really awesome shot!

 

[fractal]

I love TSL!




What a great perspective!




Exactly! I think it's simply perfect and definitely one of my happy places

Yes, thumbs up for Toy Story Land. Really enjoyed it!

Loving your awesome pictures and glad your lemonade seemed to be just sweet enough!

thank you @KellO ! Lemonade was good!

Amazing report. Love the grown kids at Disney. Wish I could get DS21 interested in a trip!

I'm fortunate they love it so much.

You're photos are simply stunning. I can't believe some of the shots you got.
I'm loving your trip report. My heart broke a teeny bit when you explained how your wife doesn't love Disney as much as you do. I'm in the same boat. My husband goes and enjoys himself well enough but he doesn't feel the magic like I do. He'd rather go to Hawaii or on a golf trip.
We compromise and try to alternate our vacations.

Thanks @Shellbells ! I love taking my camera there!

It's all about compromise. She does end up having a good time, especially the 2nd half of our trip.

That's sad We always stop there for ice cream. Hopefully they'll reopen soon.




It really is thrilling, too thrilling for me. I will go on if forced to by my kids, but I don't enjoy it




That is a really awesome shot!

Yeah, and I could have really used an ice-cream at that point!

Lol! It will get the blood flowing!

Thanks @buzzrelly ! I was very happy with how it came out!

 

[fractal]

Oh Tower of Terror, I still love you. Several awesome rides have come out in the last 3 years but you're still in my Mt Rushmore of Disney Rides.

For the technical pixel peepers out there - if you look at the bottom of this photo you'll see the inside of the bottom of the lens frame. This is due to the fact that the fisheye lens I'm using is an APS-C or cropped lens while my camera is a full frame camera. So for each shot I had to crop the photo in edit or else you would see the inside of the lens around the entire frame and for this particular shot I didn't crop enough. I could have switched my camera to APS-C mode and not have to worry about all this but I was afraid I would forget to switch back when I put on a full-frame lens. With my camera having a 42 megapixel sensor, I still had plenty of pixels after I cropped.

Hello, any vacancies?

Here is a great example of how extreme the distortions can be with a fisheye lens. The first hanging light fixture seems to defy gravity...or is it possessed by a ghost?

No pre-show this trip, just another walk through.

Loved how these boiler room shots came out...

I was a bit heavy handed with the editing in Lightroom, but I felt the atmosphere called for it.

Our room at the Hollywood Hotel was ready a lot faster than at The Contemporary!

Then again, I didn't have to deal with Phantoms at The Contemporary.

I've always wanted to get this shot - again, the advantage of going on the same ride many times finally paid off. It's a tough shot because you're set up for a low light environment and then bam! The doors opens and all this bright sunshine and light blows out your shot.

I had never been ready for it before and the result was usually just a blob of white. This time however I made my adjustments. I dropped the aperture down while keeping a relatively fast shutter speed then put the ISO on Auto.

Success!

The rest of the ride was a hoot. It seemed we were taken up and dropped more so than normal. Plenty of screams and laughs and funny feelings in one's belly.

Remarkably, I didn't take another shot until here. The entrance tunnel to Galaxy's Edge as our virtual queue time was now a go!

 

[Shellbells]

We're going in November and I'm sad the pre show won't be playing in TOT but, I cant wait to wonder around the room and look at everything. I might even take way too many pictures of everything in there, lol

 

[fractal]

That's us!

I was pretty excited for this based on everything I read about it and the photos I saw.

Taking pictures of rocks means I'm pretty hype!

"Hi taking pictures of rocks." Toni mocked.

I am a bonafide Star Wars geek after all. Saw the OG (that's "original" for anyone over 40 out there) in 1977 at the age of 10. Proceeded to see it another 10,000 times or so in the theater by the time Empire Strikes Back (The best Star Wars movie by the way) rolled around - and yes, it was literally still playing in theaters until then! I consider the Star Wars saga the great mythology of our times. Not a big fan of the last three movies but I'm game for any SW experience.

Toni was making sure our coordinates were precise.

Apparently we were making our way through the inside of a secret Rebel/Resistance base. I was somewhat surprised at the lack of ribbing from Sterg and Toni. I was expecting something along the lines of "Oh is Fractal excited to go on the new Star Wars ride? Are you going to use the force?" from Sterg - you know, enough teasing from your son that has you contemplating the repercussions of knocking him out with a quick upper cut.

Or this from Toni. "Hi being hype for Star Wars. Hi tunnel. Hi helmet in cage. Hi Dad all excited."

The ribbing never started. Or perhaps I was so focused on taking it all in and taking photos that I didn't notice. It seemed that once again, these two maybe were just as engrossed as I was.

I decide to use this cool little light for a portrait of Toni.

Of course Mr. Movie Star couldn't be left out. He's constantly telling me how much better his hair is than mine, or how much better in shape he is than me, or how he's taller and better looking, blah, blah, blah. I say "check in with me in 30 years, if I'm still around. My hair line was much lower than yours is when I was your age." That at least gives him some pause.

The Wawa masks are definitely cool, especially when compared to my dorky disposable one.

We were now into the briefing room and getting prepared for our mission and orders!

UP NEXT -

OK, that ride was freakin' awesome!



Mickey's Runaway Railroad first impressions

 

[buzzrelly]

Here is a great example of how extreme the distortions can be with a fisheye lens. The first hanging light fixture seems to defy gravity...or is it possessed by a ghost?

Looks like the new version of Soarin'

Then again, I didn't have to deal with Phantoms at The Contemporary.

Nope! I'll take The CR please

Success!

Great shot!

The ribbing never started. Or perhaps I was so focused on taking it all in and taking photos that I didn't notice. It seemed that once again, these two maybe were just as engrossed as I was.

I'm sure. There is so much to look at in that queue!

The Wawa masks are definitely cool, especially when compared to my dorky disposable one.

They are cool, but that's still a great pic!

OK, that ride was freakin' awesome!

 

[WishesQueen]

Great trip report, can't wait for October. Traveling with my DS26 and DD23 and we're always looking for the most comfortable face masks. How are the wawa face masks? We're in NY no Wawa's but we're constantly in NJ and could easily grab some for the trip.

 

[Nohal]

Loving your trip report! We cancelled both of our trips this year but love reading others. Makes me not missing Disney as much. Your pictures are great. Looks like you are having a great trip

 

[fractal]

SPOILER ALERT

I will be describing and sharing photos of Rise of the Resistance over the next couple posts.



BB8 shows up in the briefing room and starts doing what he does best; rolling back and forth and making cute beeping sounds.

Before long Rey joins us via hologram - very cool effect by the way -and shares with us our mission, why they need our help and welcomes us to the cause. So far so good - I felt like I was genuinely being recruited into the Resistance and it wasn't dummed down or patronizing.

This continued with a very serious exchange with our pilots and then with Poe. There was no give away that you were in a Disney "ride" - no "are you guys ready for a Star Wars mission" type of self aware talk. Same with the CMs. Everything was played straight and it really help you feel this was actually a real mission. I appreciated that and the straightforward logic of why our help was needed. Heck, so far this had a much better plot line than The Rise of Skywalker!

To me, Poe came off more genuine and likable here than in the sequels.

We were led out of the briefing room and outside to an awaiting space craft.

Poe and his ultra-cool X-wing were going to be our escort along with BB8.

 

[fractal]

SPOILER ALERT (CONTINUED).


We took our spots and were welcomed aboard.

Bek (the captain) then went right to business as we navigated our way off the planet and towards our destination. He was an amazing AA and the visuals were not only top notch but along with subtle movements of the ship, really helped sell the illusion.

Well, apparently the Resistance has a mole because before I could say "I have a bad feeling about this", we were attacked by the First Order and caught in their Star Destroyer's tractor beam. Poe was able to tail off and escape with a promise to return for us.

More seriousness and straight play here. It came off as intimidating and gave you a sense of danger over what was to come next.

When the doors opened you were indeed in a Star Destroyers dock and I must admit to being somewhat uncomfortable as if, again, this was really happening.

Toni staring down The First Order. Perhaps she is strong with the Force?

We were then moved out of the dock by very serious and nasty First Order CMs. I think we were called Rebel Scum at one point and I loved it!

It seems Covid is contagious enough to reach a Galaxy far, far away...

UP NEXT - Things get even more intense!

 

[lahobbs4]

Love your photos! What bag do you use to carry your camera and all your lenses in the park? I got so tired of lugging all of mine and changing that I used a 24-70 zoom lens last trip which is so heavy and I missed my prime lenses!

 

[kclark9830]

I'll join in everyone else's thoughts...your pics are ah-maze-ing. So beautiful! I'm enjoying your TR.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Hello fellow NJ/Philly neighbor! I’m in NJ about 15-20 minutes from the Philly airport.

First off Great pics!!!! Your family seems like my family with the joking around and teasing. Even your friend Wally would fit right into our friends group.

I have the same dilemma with my SO. He likes Disney but he doesn’t love it like the rest of us. When we go he has a good time but it’s not his first pick for a vacation.

What are your sleeping arrangements in the room with adult kids? Next trip will be our first family trip since 2015 (my son has been on his senior trip and I’ve gone with DD alone since then) and the kids will be 21/22 and 15/16 next trip. Depending on if we go in 2021 or 2022. I’ve been debating on doing two rooms or renting DVC points for a 1 or 2 bedroom. We love the Beach Club but there’s no way I want to pay for two rooms there.

 

[fractal]

We're going in November and I'm sad the pre show won't be playing in TOT but, I cant wait to wonder around the room and look at everything. I might even take way too many pictures of everything in there, lol

That would be a good opportunity to do so!

Looks like the new version of Soarin'

Lol!


Nope! I'll take The CR please




Great shot!


Thanks! I was happy how it came out!

I'm sure. There is so much to look at in that queue!


Indeed!

They are cool, but that's still a great pic!

Thanks!

Great trip report, can't wait for October. Traveling with my DS26 and DD23 and we're always looking for the most comfortable face masks. How are the wawa face masks? We're in NY no Wawa's but we're constantly in NJ and could easily grab some for the trip.

Thanks!
Wawa masks are a hit. light, comfortable and the white is the best color in the sun and heat.

Loving your trip report! We cancelled both of our trips this year but love reading others. Makes me not missing Disney as much. Your pictures are great. Looks like you are having a great trip

Thanks so much @Nohal Hope you get back soon!

Love your photos! What bag do you use to carry your camera and all your lenses in the park? I got so tired of lugging all of mine and changing that I used a 24-70 zoom lens last trip which is so heavy and I missed my prime lenses!

Actually it's an small Targus bag I picked up at a flea market that came with an old 35mm film camera. Has plenty of pockets and I can generally fit 3 or 4 lenses in it or my camera (mirrorless) with another lens. I also brought a Lowpro backpack but only carried that one day.

I'll join in everyone else's thoughts...your pics are ah-maze-ing. So beautiful! I'm enjoying your TR.

Thanks for the kind words @kclark9830 !

Hello fellow NJ/Philly neighbor! I’m in NJ about 15-20 minutes from the Philly airport.

First off Great pics!!!! Your family seems like my family with the joking around and teasing. Even your friend Wally would fit right into our friends group.

I have the same dilemma with my SO. He likes Disney but he doesn’t love it like the rest of us. When we go he has a good time but it’s not his first pick for a vacation.

What are your sleeping arrangements in the room with adult kids? Next trip will be our first family trip since 2015 (my son has been on his senior trip and I’ve gone with DD alone since then) and the kids will be 21/22 and 15/16 next trip. Depending on if we go in 2021 or 2022. I’ve been debating on doing two rooms or renting DVC points for a 1 or 2 bedroom. We love the Beach Club but there’s no way I want to pay for two rooms there.

Thanks @mi*vida*loca ! Yes we like joking and teasing and Wally is one of a kind!

How does anyone not love Disney??

Thankfully we only slept 5 in the room for 3 nights. I actually inquired about another room but only had a suite type room available for something like $1,110 a night or more.

Val and I in one bed, Sterg and Toni took turns on the pull out with the other in the other bed. When Alex arrived Sterg was on the pull out.

It was tight quarters that mad for some frustrations but also plenty of laughs.

Thanks for reading and commenting!

 

[fractal]

SPOILERS CONTINUED (RISE OF THE RESISTANCE)


We were moved into this detention area for our cell block assignment.

I could tell Toni was getting a little nervous because she started to ask a bunch of questions;

"What is even going on?"
"Where are we?"
"What are they going to do to us."

and then the "hi's" started

"Hi robots with guns."
"Hi going to prison."
"Hi yelling at us."

Sterg for his part was playing along and kept giving me signals that he was loving this. Or maybe that's a secret Resistance hand code I didn't pick up on...

We had to wait until they processed the other prison's first.

Then we were very impolitely placed in our cell. Almost immediately we got of visit from these two baddies. I kind of liked the fact you had to look through the bars and couldn't get a solid look at them.

Wait! Looks like we're being rescued! Yes, an inside Resistance group broke us out of our cell and onto escape vehicles!

It was a secret Resistance hand signal!

"Hi escaping"

And look who's going to help us out of this dangerous maze...

 

[fractal]

SPOILERS CONTINUED (RISE OF THE RESISTANCE)

We were off and running until this probe droid blocked us...

Yikes! Stormtroppers spotted us!

Let's go in here...

Are you kidding me? Sterg and I were freaking out. Toni was still in her semi-shocked deadpan mode. "Hi Giant robots going to crush us."

Right under the belly.

There's Finn covering for us. Quick get out!

We're spotted!

and fired at!

 

[fractal]

SPOILER ALERT (CONTINUED)

We end up here. Shhhh, maybe they won't see us.

Meanwhile Poe and The Resistance show up and attack!

Kylo spots us! Off we go again.

Whoops, wrong turn.

We slide into a sealed room but he's not giving up... This was a great effect!

We escape that onto a firing deck - think of a Star Wars version of the side of a pirate ship shooting canons.

The battle outside was now raging!

This really was pretty amazing. Not sure you can make this any more realistic.

Look who's back!

 

[fractal]

SPOILER ALERT (CONTINUED)

When we last left our heroes they were confronted by the evil Lord Kylo Ren. Kylo tried to extract the information we were carrying by using the dark side of the force.

Fortunately for us, a direct blast spoiled his plans.

and allowing us one more escape...

we made our way into an escape pod.

while the battle outside was still on.

We left the Star Destroyer to safer ground.

Back to the Resistance base. Beck was happy to see we survived!

Wow! what a rush!

Rise of the Resistance is more an experience than a ride. I told Sterg it was one step closer to WestWorld. It's a role play experience that takes you on a extraordinary trip. A leap forward in Theme Park entertainment that make you wonder where we'll be 10 years from now. Bravo to Disney and their Imagineers!

 

[Shellbells]

I'm not a Star Wars fan (I'm more of a Star Trek girl) but that was, by far, the best review of the ride I've seen/read.
I'm sure you have an amazing career but if you ever wanted a change you could make some serious cash as a Disney blogger!