The MousePlanet Mailbag is a regular compilation of some of our reader feedback and writer responses that may be of interest to our readers. We encourage you to drop your questions, opinions, or comments to us in care of our mailbag.
This week’s mailbag covers a wide range of topics. Andrew Rich answers the first letter in response to the article “Running in the Zone” (link) that recapped the inaugural Tower of Terror 13K and 6.5K races. Jeffery H. writes:
I honestly don’t know what all the crying is about over the Tower of Terror 13K. I had absolutely no problems whatsoever with any part of this race, from packet pickup to getting to the race (I stayed at the All-Star Sports resort, which had a letter on the table informing guests of the race), to the finish. I absolutely loved this race, especially the off-road course; it was the most fun I’ve had during a race, and I’ve run 10 Disney Endurance Series races, as well as that many triathlons.
As far as the lack of announcements about walkers staying to the right, I have never heard an announcement to that effect at any Disney race, although I think that announcement should be mandatory. Walkers should have the presence of mind to use the same philosophy while running as they do when driving; slower traffic stays to the right, to allow runners to pass on the left.
I would do this race again in a heartbeat!
As I consult my handy WDW road map, coming from All-Star Sports (assuming you had a car) you would have been driving east on Buena Vista Drive and made a right turn into the Studios parking lot. I can imagine that the traffic nightmare that developed east of the Studios was much smaller or altogether absent on the west side. This assumes that you did have a car, and weren’t dependent on WDW transportation—which was not going to be available after the race until someone figured out what a mess that would have been.
Similarly, I’m glad you were able to pick up your race packet with no trouble, but others were not so lucky. Our experience, where minimal or nonexistent pre-race communication combined with a disorganized mess at packet pick-up time, severely colored our view of the event. We do recognize, as we said in the closing paragraph, that our experience was not necessarily representative of everyone who participated. Contrasted with the stellar organization and production of other WDW events such as the annual Marathon, we were pretty disappointed overall with the ToT race.
Thanks for writing and sharing your views. It’s always appreciated.
MousePlanet photographer Frank Anzalone (link) answers reader mail and provides Disney photography tips in the next group of letters. Geno writes:
Well I’m glad I stumbled upon your Web site! I LOVE DISNEYLAND (more so than my kids!) and I look forward to going as often as possible. Looking at the pictures after the trip is over is one of my favorite things about the whole vacation. But since we’re in Colorado, it’s not easy to get there without a lot of planning and saving. Your tips will help me as we venture there next June! Thanks!
Glad you enjoy MousePlanet and the “Photo Tips.” If you have any specific questions, just email me!
When you return in next June, just make sure to have your camera and lots of film/memory chips!
Karin writes:
My pictures of fireworks are always so blurred. I don’t know what to do. I have a digital camera and have just given up. I love the fireworks and would love to have them in our albums with all our years of Disney memories but have only a few blurred ones. Help!
Fireworks are very tough to photograph. You have to keep trying to get that one great shot (I do too!). Don’t give up!
Check your camera’s owner’s manual and see if they have a special setting for low light. If it does, use that adjustment. Don’t forget to change the setting back when you are done. Also, my guess is your pictures are blurry because of camera shake when you press the shutter button. Find a firm surface to set the camera on, aim, and trigger that shutter as lightly as you can.
Here is a link to some photo tips that I did for Mouseplanet last year (link). I hope it helps! Keep trying!
Breea writes:
I read your posts about photos at Disney…we are taking our first trip to Walt Disney World in February and I am having the digital versus disposable debate. I have two digital cameras, one big and cumbersome, but takes great pictures; the other smaller and easier to carry around, but has an awful delay resulting in my missing “the shot” the majority of the time. You said that your first photo blog was taken with all disposable and to be honest, I’m leaning toward disposable because I think they will be easier to just pull out on a whim and shoot versus. having to turn on a digital, etc.
Do you recommend any particular brand? I notice that there are no nighttime shots. Do disposables not take good night photos? Any info/help would be much appreciated.
Your first trip to Walt Disney World… My biased (photographer) opinion is to take that bigger digital camera. I would even take the “delay shot” digital camera before the disposable. There are so many great pictures/memories to capture at Walt Disney World, especially your first time there. You are going to wish you had those pictures when you get home.
To answer some of your questions, disposables are pretty much all the same with the exception that some have a built in flash and some do not. I would get the one with the flash (and buy them before you go to the park—Disney has them there too, but more expensive for the same camera). Regarding nighttime pictures, unless you are very, very close on your subject with that flash, you might as well just save the film. The results are poor at night with a disposable camera.
I totally understand the feeling of lugging around a bigger camera; it can get heavy after a long day. In my opinion, the photo results you can get with that camera far outweigh the inconvenience. Actually, my biggest tip for a first timer to Walt Disney World is take a good pair of walking shoes! Enjoy your vacation!
Eyes on Orlando editor Brian Bennett (link) answers some Walt Disney World-related letters. David L. writes:
I’m in the process of researching a new book on Walt Disney World railroads, and found your great articles on MousePlanet! Thanks for producing these and allowing folks to re-visit their great Disney memories and learn about the parks.
My goals for the book are to cover rail transportation at WDW, especially the WDW RR. I’ve been visiting and enjoying Disney World since the mid-’80s and have been able to collect many photos. However, I’m really lacking photos of the old Frontierland Station. I’m hoping that you might be able to help me with photos of the old station. I will be doing individual credits with each photo, not just general credits in the forward.
I’m self-publishing the book and will be doing all of the illustrations. I would really appreciate any help on the old station!
I’m sorry that I can’t be very helpful. My photo collection goes back only a few years and the old Frontierland Station was ripped down in 1990 with the new station being built in 1991 as I recall.
Are you familiar with Michael Broggie’s book (link)? It might contain information that would be helpful to you.
Also, are you familiar with the Carolwood Pacific Historical Society (link)? The CPHS folks are fabulous. They cover Disney railroading from Walt’s old home layout to Disneyland to WDW (including the old Fort Wilderness RR) to Tokyo to Paris.
Last, and best (for your specific question), you might want to check with Mike Lee at the Widen Your World Web site (link).
Kelly Z. writes:
When does the Year of a Million Dreams officially end? I thought it was supposed to be December 31, 2007?
And, have there been any rumors in the mill about if Disney World will continue to award nights in the Castle Suite after the Million Dreams Year is discontinued?
The Year of a Million Dreams will actually end at the end of 2008 (not 2007)!
I don’t know what the plans are for the castle suite after the promotion. I would guess, personally, that the suite will be made unavailable except to Walt Disney Company executives or some such thing.
Rachel writes:
I was wondering if the section you wrote on “Developing A Daily Game Plan” is accurate and up-to-date. Please let me know, as I am planning on referencing this for our upcoming trip. Thanks for everything.
You’re right that that section is quite dated but I guarantee that it was well researched. Major portions of my old WDW Trip Planning Guide (including that section) are being rewritten and merged in with MousePlanet’s WDW Guide.
Obviously some of the specifics are out of date, but I still strongly recommend that you consider applying the overall concepts. In my opinion, taking a daily break (especially if you have young children or older travellers in your party) makes a huge difference! Your overall enjoyment of your trip will be much greater than if you push, push, push for seven, eight, nine or more days in a row.
Also, I strongly recommend have a DAILY break versus the idea of taking one day out of the middle of the trip for a “break day.” I understand the logic that some people like to maximize the use of their expensive park admission media… But again, I would point out that almost everyone will enjoy their trip more if they spend their park time refreshed than if the second half of every day they are foot tired, hot, fatigued, and wasted. To me, it’s just common sense.
Finally, Mouse Tales author David Koenig answers reader Michael’s question regarding tickets to the Skipper Standup show (link). Michael N. writes:
I tried to get tickets for the November 11 Skipper Standup show through the Maverick theater ticket office for two weeks to no avail. I left 3 messages on their answering machine (the one that says they return ALL phone calls in 48 hours.) Any ideas how else I might obtain tickets? Your comments and interview with some of the guys was really interesting and I thought I’d arrange a rare date night with my wife to see the show. Any help you might provide would be appreciated.
Also, as soon as Barnes & Nobel receives your book Realityland, I’m going to get it! We’ve got a WDW trip planned in January. It just might make the trip more enlightening.
Unfortunately, due to schedule conflicts, the November 11 Skipper Standup Show has been postponed until Sunday February 3 at 8 p.m. I suspect it will be a month or two before tickets go on sale. I hope to see you there!
