Fall is in the air, and Mouse Tales author and MousePlanet staff writer David Koenig is busy replying to reader mail in response to his recent column on the future of Epcot’s World Showcase.
Joshua H. writes:
Given the Disney World-like transformation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the desire in Kuwait and Jordan and the UAE, to smooth over American perception of Arabs. One might think $100 million dollars would be a small price to pay. Especially given some of the crazy things they have built in the UAE.
Great point! Although I can’t imagine Epcot wanting a UAE pavilion that even hints that tourists should instead be visiting Disney knock-offs.
Joshua replies:
That is the problem, although even if not the UAE you would think some of the moderate states who are flush with oil cash in the current environment would want to buy some good will…just good business. In addition, since Walt Disney Company stock seems to be the only thing that remains greatly shock proof, it’s a decent investment as well.
Here is the real problem that Epcot faces, and I go two times a year (and once a year to Disneyland and California Adventure and also am a DVC member), Future World gets much more traffic than the World Showcase. Outside of Britain, France and the American Pavilion people will crowd the Maelstrom and that’s not exactly going to wow the crowd. Seems like its almost always four people in line in Future World (Soarin, New Spaceship Earth, Test Track, Nemo, even Ellen, Honey, and Figment) to one person in World Showcase. As it gets older it will get worse I suspect. This is probably why they are upgrading the restaurants (I imagine the balance is much better at dinner times).
Anyway, I imagine if anyone was interested there would be a new pavilion, but I just cannot imagine the status quo of World Showcase is sustainable as it ages.
Bill B. writes:
I enjoyed the article, even though it confirmed my suspicion regarding anything new back in the World Showcase. With that said, since they have revamped everything in Future World sans Energy and the shuttered Wonders of Life, eventually something has to happen. You’ve got to figure that they need to have something significantly new (or updated) in every park at least every four years. With Epcot, it sure makes more sense to leave Energy be and put something, anything significant back in World Showcase.
I think they are happy with the two major draws on each side of Future World, so can’t really see the need for dumping $100 million into Energy. The only real possibility I see them doing in Future World is a new 3D movie for Imagination, which I don’t consider significant.
We spend less and less time in World Showcase every trip, it seems. Eventually, to draw folks around the lagoon something has to go back there. When it starts affecting the bottom line more than they care to see, which won’t necessarily be seen in net numbers at the gate, we will see something. As more folks pass on World Showcase altogether, time and money spent in the park will fall, and it will be obvious to them what has to happen. Here’s hoping for something in five to ten years, rather than ten to twenty.
I obviously agree, they should make a significant addition to World Showcase, but doubt they will, at least for the foreseeable future.
World Showcase has needed an E-ticket draw since Day One, and it still doesn’t have one. Ask anyone to name a few attractions from Epcot and they always name Future World attractions. The only real draw for World Showcase is World Showcase itself.
Riki B. writes:
Please do your World Showcase presentation in Southern California too. We only go to Walt Disney World once a year and won’t have an opportunity to hear you give it.
At this time, it’s only scheduled for October and December in Florida. Although I’d be happy to give the presentation in Southern California, since it’s Epcot-related, I don’t think there would be enough interest by the general public to warrant taking space at a library or a bookstore. It would have to be in conjunction with an enthusiast group, like NFFC. They have my number if they’re ever interested!
MousePlanet photographer Frank Anzalone answers reader questions about photography in low-light and how to carry that large camera.
Hannah D. writes:
Thank you for posting your wonderful series on taking pictures at the Disney parks. I was wondering what advice you have for taking great pictures at Mickey’s Trick-or-Treat at California Adventure. I seldom have luck taking good pictures in low-light situations. Your advice will be greatly appreciated!
I have a decent camera, a Kodak EasyShare Z700, which has a good selection of settings. I am also bringing a monopod and 5GB worth of SD cards, so I am not afraid to take tons of pictures on our four-day trip.
First – get in close to your subject. The camera will ‘sense the light’ for the exposure and if most of your picture is black/dark background, you will get that unwanted blur. If you are in tight, the camera will get a better exposure of the subject that is (should be) brighter than the background. This is a good way to trick your camera into treating you to a better picture!
Next, if you have a flash, use it to get those ‘people pictures’. Most cameras have a built in flash that will work decently at a distance of three to eight feet. If you are trying to take a picture of the larger landscape of the event, the flash will not be effective. It would be better to turn the flash off, find a solid surface to steady your camera and then shoot the scene. You should be able to capture the ‘spirit’ of the event!
When you are shooting those really low light scenes take more than one shot – you have plenty of digital film to do that! One idea with that monopod (I love to use those more than tripods!) is to put the leg of it against something, such as a fence or trashcan. This will help steady the side-to-side movement and hopefully get you that perfect shot!
Here is a link to my photo tip series that addressed low light shooting conditions at the Parks. I hope that helps. Have fun at the event!
Make sure to shoot lots of pictures, and don’t worry about all those images ‘goblin’ up your memory chips!
Lauren writes:
I’ve enjoyed reading your Disney photography tips and am now quite excited about our pending trip to Walt Disney World and the opportunities for great shots. You have inspired me to bring my “big camera” (the DSLR) instead of merely the small Canon Powershot… however, how can I ride the roller coasters, etc. with the SLR camera bag? Must I pay to put it in a locker between rides? My husband and I would be “riding” together.
You are bringing out the BIG CAMERA! I totally can relate regarding carrying that around the parks! Most of the Disney coasters and other thrill rides have some sort of netting/pocket in front of each seat. You could put your gear in there. What I do on Space Mountain is to put the camera bag on the floor and put the bag’s arm strap around my foot (so if it goes flying, it won’t get that far).
What I would really suggest is to just take the camera into the park and leave the camera bag at your hotel room. My DSLR has a little pop up flash and I only take the one lens (it’s an 18mm-200mm) and that works for 99% of what I want to shoot when I am on vacation. This way – yes, you carry the camera, but that is it. (I am all for getting the great shots, but you have to have fun on your vacation too). If you think you need to carry another lens, maybe get a fanny pack to just carry that piece of gear. The one thing my wife loves about digital is – the memory chips are a lot less bulky to carry than those rolls of film! Happy shooting!
Finally, the mailbag editor answers a few reader questions about Disneyland and Walt Disney World vacationing.
Judy P. writes:
Is it just me, or do you think some of the Disney World attractions are too loud? I tried to take our two-year-old to see “Nemo the Musical.” It is wonderful, but we had to leave early because it was so loud. Mickey’s Philharmagic was loud too, not to mention the Lion King show. I’m sure there are more. Is there a reason for this? My ears are shot, and it is frightening for the little ones.
Please Disney, if there is anyone out there reading this, could you lower the volume? I would be so happy! Thanks on behalf of all the little ones who love the shows but can’t take it so loud. And us older ones too!
I can honestly say the only attraction I ever had issues with the noise level was Alien Encounter. It was painfully loud, but now it’s gone so I guess I don’t have to worry about that one anymore. I can empathize with your complaint though. Some of the attractions are on the louder side, and tend to be too intense for younger people.
Blair B. writes:
I am staying at an off-site hotel in December and was wondering what Walt Disney World resort hotels you would recommend seeing for their Christmas decorations?
There are so many great decorations at all the hotels; it’s really hard to single a few out. The Grand Floridian has by far the most elaborate gingerbread displays, although the gingerbread carousel at the Beach Club is another amazing feat of cookie engineering. I loved the more rustic feel of the gingerbread house at the Wilderness Lodge, where they used frosted shredded wheat cereal to give the appearance of snow-covered hay bales.
Although it’s a bit dated now, you might want to take a peek at a photo tour Sue Holland put together in 2001. It also gives some tips about how to tour around to view the decorations.
iloveDLR227 writes:
I was wondering what do you think are the best places to dine at Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure? I am an annual passholder and like to try all the good restaurants there. I would love your feedback.
There are many great places to eat at the Disneyland Resort. Have you checked out the online user reviews on our MousePlanet User Reviews page?
I think the best dining is at Napa Rose in the Grand Californian. The food is wonderful. I also like Whitewater Snacks, which is just around the corner from Napa Rose, but a much different atmosphere. The prices there are a good deal compared to what you might find in the parks.
