MNSSHP Kickoff

Tonight was the first night of the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. Fall has arrived at WDW when the decorations went up over a week ago. Made my day when I saw a text picture from a friend showing me that. We are heading into my favorite time of year... Fall.

There is a lot to do at the MNSSHP. You can go to dance parties, trick or treat at special spots through out the park, ride the rides, watch the parade (which is the highlight of the night) not once but twice, see Hallo-Wishes and the ultimate of all things is for just a bit... is to see the Headless Horseman ride! This is the must NOT be missed.. if even for one time. The parade itself is a not to miss too, especially with the ghosts and the gravediggers. Oh, and look for the caretaker and his dog from the HM! For the trick or treating part, WDW gives you bags to collect all the sweets you can. The cast members are a lot of fun too!

Don't forget you can dress up for this party! I have seen a variety of themes in the park. The best was a group who dressed up as characters from the Adventurer's Club. I have seen group as Peter Pan, Wendy, Tink, Michael and John... oh, and some lost boys! Saw theme of 101 Dalmations, Snow White, Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland. Some friends and I talked about doing that for this year, when the trip was really big, but it didn't pan out.

The music is addictive and I can hardly wait to change my phone ringtone to "Boo to You". I did it last year and it was a huge hit =0) There are many photo options and don't forget to use your photopass. There was a ghost added into the photo at the HM which was pretty cool. There are also banners that can be added online when you edit the pictures.

Happy Trick or Treating!

Photography at Disney

I was at Walt Disney World yesterday with a friend and her family. And there was a moment when I was thinking about photography at the World.

There are so many things you can do... and places to take photos. Giving it a different take just by letting your imagination go. I actually did not take my cameras with me this trip. It was nice. But always taking photos in my mind. Thinking angles. Do not let your mind stay the same. Take a moment and think the shot... look at it through your lens for a bit (if it is not a spur of the moment shot). You do not have to take a photo straight either. Turn it one way or the other to make it a little off angle. A friend took a photo of her stepdaughter and I as we walked ahead of them. I can't wait to see it.

Another thing... turn your flash OFF on rides like Pirates and the Haunted Mansion (you know the rides =0) They specifically ask you to not use a flash there). One really really takes away from others experience. I saw photos on someone else's blog from the HM and it really is a shame that the flash was used. Washes out the photo and the effects that Disney has created. With the different photo editing programs you can do so much. Plus, take the time to read about how the settings work on your camera. I am STILL learning about mine! I actually would like a class again to learn about some things I have forgotten from my graphic arts class in high school.

Take advantage of the photopass people too. Ask them to take photos with your own camera, or ask someone walking by to take it. Even if you are always behind the camera, or do not like the way you look, consider that this isn't just your memory..... whomever you are traveling with wants memories of you too! So get out from behind the camera and get some shots of you too.