MousePlanet photographer Frank Anzalone is always ready to share his expertise and love of photography with our readers. Here are the latest letters he has received, along with his responses.
Tony R. writes:
Wonderful work as always, sir, and thank you for these images. Images like yours are the only way ex-patriot Los Angelinos like myself can still feel close to the park.
One request… I would truly love to see some of your photography that used the new monorail trains and the submarine ride as subject matter. I have always loved all the kinetic elements in that area of the park (pining for the PeopleMover as well), and the backdrops in that area are just gorgeous… Either the submarine waterfalls with the monorail beams intertwined or the Matterhorn as a stately, dramatic backdrop. Wonderful, observant work. Do keep it up.
I am so happy to share my images—especially with those who get the feeling of the shot! Thank you for the kind words!
I think you know me too well! I love the combination of what you call ‘kinetic elements’ at Disneyland. I just might be able to meet your request! I did a series of desktops last year after the “Finding Nemo” event that have some of the elements you suggested.
I am sure I’ll have some images with the new monorail in the near future. Just keep watching MousePlanet to see!
Tony responds:
Thank you for the link, and yes, those are just the sorts of photos I was talking about – excellent stuff! I’ll be looking forward to seeing those shots with the Mark VII monorail trains transplanted.
One other thing now that I’m thinking about it. How about trying your hand at some nighttime shots of that area as well? I’m sure with your skillful image and exposure manipulation you could do some amazing work. So, add that to your to-do list my friend!
Ah! Another challenge /assignment! I’m on it! My favorite time to shoot is the moment just before total nightfall. I love that ‘late dusk’ lighting! I also do commercial photography and have got some great shots for my clients during that time; the colors of the light are so pretty during those times that it’s an almost guaranteed “oooh and aahh” picture.
If you go to the computer desktops page on MousePlanet and look through all the desktop links, you’ll find many evening pictures. Have fun!
James McD. writes:
Your professional photographs of the Disneyland 50th Anniversary Ceremony of July 17, 2005, were “Fantasmic!”, oops, fantastic. I was there in the crowd that day somewhat near the entrance of Tomorrowland. I was so short among the tall trees of people, but I managed to get a glimpse of everyone on stage. I really enjoyed your up-close photographs of Art Linkletter, Bob Iger, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Eisner and Diane Disney Miller. Now I can see what my eyes and camera couldn’t. I needed a pogo stick!
I am glad you were there that day. It was pretty special no matter where you stood in the park. The energy was crazy! I am so glad I was there to shoot and I’m able to share the images I captured. To me that is what it is all about: sharing the magic. So start making plans… I hope to see you on the 60th celebration day!
Maryna writes:
My name is Maryna and I’m from South Africa. Last night I visited your MousePlanet website and saw that you invite people to ask you questions about photography.
I’m in photography but still as a minor. I would like to know if I send you photos if it is possible if you can give me comments, as I would like to learn more about photography. I would really appreciate it if you can help me.
I would be happy to take a look at your photography and send you a few comments. My biggest tip for photography (especially in the beginning stage) is to take many, many pictures. You will discover what you like (and don’t like) from the experience.
I hope all your days are f16!
Although we’ve already run one mailbag with feedback on Steve Russo’s “Right Age” article, we got such an enthusiastic response that we have enough to run a second batch.
Jeff writes:
Boy did I miss out in sending this to you earlier. Hope you can do another mailbag since I’m sure you received tons of emails on this subject.
We took our daughter on the cruise and Walt Disney World vacation when she was 23 months old in December 2006. She had a blast. She had so much to do on the ship, and every morning she would say hello to Ariel, Sebastian, and Flounder on the mural behind the elevators. It was a great place for her to first see the characters where it wasn’t so crowded. She saw tons of characters on the ship. She even wanted to meet Captain Hook.
When we got to Disney World, she thoroughly enjoyed everything about the parks. We planned our days so we could go back to our resort for a nap; which, by the way, only became quiet time… she didn’t want to nap. Each day we made sure there was pool time, which for my wife and me was a new thing, since we only saw the pools late at night after coming home from the parks. The slower pace was good for the soul. Our daughter napped in the stroller at times during the day. This gave one of us a chance to go on one of the bigger attractions.
One suggestion would be to get acquainted with the child care centers at each park. They offer clean bathrooms, changing stations (immaculate is an understatement; Disney’s Animal Kingdom was fantastic), a place to heat bottles or food, and basically a little quiet time. At night at the Magic Kingdom, before the fireworks, we would head over there (behind Casey’s Corner) and brush teeth, wash hands and face, change her pull-up and get her into pajamas. We would then watch the fireworks and head home. She would fall asleep in the car back to Old Key West so all we had to do was walk up to our room and put her right down in the crib (Walt Disney World resorts have pack and plays, but we always request a crib if available so she is more off the ground where it seems to be colder with the air conditioning on).
My wife and I are avid Walt Disney World visitors going way back to 1972 for me. We are now experiencing the parks through a very small child’s eyes and it is fantastic! Besides, I don’t feel bad now waiting in line to meet the princesses. It’s for my daughter, right?
Problem was when we got home, I found that I didn’t take enough video, hardly any at all. I hurried up and booked another trip in April 2007. So many things were still fresh in her head. She remembered so many attractions and small details. She couldn’t wait to have another Mickey bar by the pool. And for us, we have rolls and rolls of video now. My other suggestion is to take more video and digital photos than you think you need; you won’t regret it.
She’s been again in September 2007 for the Magical Beginnings; which, by the way, was a fantastic promotion (we miss it, Disney!). We needed to get one more trip in before she turns three!
Now we have a son and we’ve planned a trip this September. He’ll be almost 18 months when we go. It’s going to be a little different since we cannot compare the trip at 23 months verses 18 months. Also one child versus two children. We think lots of character meals and pool time! We now need to remember where the child care centers are again.
Brad G. writes:
Great topic! My four and a half year old daughter has taken twelve trips to Walt Disney World via airplane since the age of nine months. Eleven of the trips were with my wife and I, and one trip was solo with me while my wife was stuck at work. We have two more trips scheduled before the year is out.
I believe that we have been able to successfully manage the trips by teaching Julia to travel at an early age. She is a veteran and looks forward to the airport, airplane, bus and hotel. While Julia may not remember the early trips, she is trilled to watch video of her first haircut or her first trip on Dumbo. As frequent Walt Disney World visitors, we vacation at a slow pace versus the rushed “we have to do everything, see everything” style of some visitors. Our relaxed style allows Julia to take in her favorites while not completely taking her our of her normal daily routines at home.
Our joy now is having her lead us around the resort because she knows it so well. As frequent travelers, we keep things simple, packing only what is necessary and developing routines from trip to trip. Planning is the key. Travel with only what you really need.
Bonnie J. writes:
First let me say how much I enjoy MousePlanet. I check it pretty much every day, seeing as I suffer from a severe Walt Disney World addiction. It started with my first visit to the Magic Kingdom in December of 1971 and now, some 35 years and about 30 visits later, I’m still pretty badly hooked.
As the local Walt Disney World information source, I get this question a lot. I always ask how old the kids are, and I usually get answers from three to five years. I respond with the usual advice (naps, certain attractions to hit and others to maybe hold off on) and I always tell people that kids will have a great time at all ages. I work under the assumption that this is just the first of many visits, so that they may age out of some attractions (Dumbo) and into others (Mission Space). Then when you get to my age, you just ride everything.
You’re right about that nonsense, “They’ll be too young to remember anything”, because you just never know. We took our first visit with our son when he was just a little over two years old, and my parents went with us. It was Christmas, my favorite time to visit. Had such a wonderful time. The next spring, my father passed away very unexpectedly. It was my father who had taken me on that first visit to Walt Disney World, and so many wonderful trips every Christmas after that. He loved Disney and was endlessly fascinated that someone could take acres and acres of Florida swamp and create such an amazing place. I had looked forward to many visits with him and my child, but it was not to be. But at least we had that one Christmas – you can imagine what those memories mean to me.
I’m looking forward to visit number 31 this December with our now seventeen-year-old son. I’m happy to say I have passed my addiction along to him.
Thanks for those kind words and for sharing the stories of your father and your son. It’s funny how this Disney addiction is somewhat hereditary.
