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4 Quick Tips for Capturing Great Photos with Disney Characters

Published April 29, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Whether you have kids with you or not, taking photos with the the characters is always a lot of fun. Photopass cast members are always there to help when you are in the parks – which is a great service. But what if you want to take some of your own photos so you can break-in your new camera? Or, maybe you just want to enjoy all the credit and satisfaction of knowing YOU got that perfect shot?

camera

Here are four quick tips to help you capture some of those character memories like a pro.

4. Take your time 
Disney characters are pretty popular. Even if you’ve been in line for a while, once you get to the front, try to slow down and take your time. Out of all your Disney souvenirs –    your photos will most likely be enjoyed the longest. It’s ok to take a few extra moments to get the shot you want. You will be so glad you did.

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3- Figure out your correct camera settings on the guest in front of you

It can be a little nerve wracking  tying to adjust your camera settings when you are on the spot. You may want to practice with some test shots of the character sharing time with the person who is in line before you. If you are in a long line – that just means you have plenty of  time to ask that guest (or their parents) for their permission first. Then you don’t have to feel weird about it. When you see the finished product it will all be worth it!

2.Try out different camera angles

To give some variety in your pictures get a few from different angles. Get down on the child’s level for instance, hold the camera sideways, that sort of thing.

abi

1. If all else fails, you can always try to fix the picture in editing

Sometimes you can be so prepared and know exactly what you’re doing but you still end up with a picture you don’t love. When this happens,  give yourself permission to play around with it in the editing process! Try it in black and white or use some other cool effects! After all, Walt himself got some of his best images in black in white!

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What are some of your favorite ways to capture character memories? Please leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Related articles

Interview questions for AJ!

Published April 29, 2013 by Disneyways.com
DFB

Photo property of DisneyFoodBlog.com

***Update April 28, 2013** We have reached our limit on questions. Thanks so much for sending them in!***

Most Disney fans are aware of the fabulous Disney Food Blog. Head author and creator AJ Wolfe and her team are a WONDERFUL source of information and photos – and we love linking back to them here at Disneyways. You may have noticed, we do it quite often!

AJ has released a fantastic new ebook that the whole world needs to know about, so I have asked her to share more about it here on Disneyways.

She has kindly agreed!

Am I star-struck? Um, YEAH! Just a bit.

I thought about it – and in doing my best Barbara Walters impression I realized – I don’t want to ask her the same questions everyone else does.

I want to ask her YOUR questions.

So what do you want to know about the Disney Food Blog Mini-Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks? Over the next 24 hours I would like to collect your questions! So don’t delay – and leave them in the form below!

If your question is chosen, your first name, last initial and hometown will be posted here on Disneyways.

World Secrets ~ Character Signed…Sidewalks?

Published April 27, 2013 by Disneyways.com

This is one of the things I love about Walt Disney World.

I have lived here in Orlando all of my life. I remember visiting the parks when I was so small – my Mom wrote our phone number on my hand in case I got lost. I consider myself to be fairly familiar with the Disney magic.

Then it happens…again.

Just when I think I can’t be surprised by anything Walt Disney World does, just when I think I have seen it all – something new (to me!) comes along that makes my eyes tear up. Once again I have to put my hand to my heart – because I still feel that little Disney Princess inside of me – and she is jumping for joy.

Last night – as we were leaving the ticket and transportation center, I looked down at the sidewalk and saw this:

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When nobody was looking – each character must have taken the time to carefully leave a colorful chalk signature behind. Many guests were in a hurry and walked right over these treasures without even seeing them. Maybe I am missing something but I have NEVER seen this before. That’s why I am considering it a World Secret!

I am left wondering who drew the Disney bus with the directional arrow? Do you have a guess? Please leave a comment below!

Click here to read the Disney Diva’s Sidewalk Chalk Countdown to Walt Disney World.

If you are an art fan, and a sidewalk chalk fan, you won’t want to miss Festival of the Masters. Here is information on the 2012 edition.

Never Ending Pie Buffet Near Walt Disney World This Weekend!

Published April 25, 2013 by Disneyways.com

How’s that for a blog post title? Did I get your attention?

Here’s the scoop (or the slice) if you are looking for something different and fun to check out this weekend!

Great American Pie Festival

Location:

Lakeside Park

631 Sycamore St., Celebration, FL

Dates and times:

Saturday, April 27
11AM-7PM

Sunday, April 28
12PM-5PM

“For the twelfth year in a row, the town of Celebration, Florida will become the Pie Capital of the World on April 27th and 28th, 2013 when thousands of pie lovers, tasters and bakers gather together the Great American Pie Festival sponsored by Crisco®. The highlight, as always, will be the Never-Ending Pie Buffet, featuring award-winning pie, ice cream, toppings, cheeses and beverages from some of our fine sponsors!

This year, pie lovers from across the country will be treated to sweet offerings by Bakers Square Restaurants and Pies, Bonert’s Slice of Pie, Legendary Baking, Kroger’s Private Selection, Publix Super Markets, Inc., Village Inn, Winn-Dixie, Wick’s Pies and Cabot Cheese. We haven’t forgotten the Dunkin Donuts coffee, the Smucker’s Toppings and the Publix ice cream!! Tickets for the Never Ending Pie Buffet are on sale at the door for $10/adults and $5/seniors 65+ and children 6-12.

Children and adults alike can make their own pies at the Comstock Creation Station. There will be pie decorating, pie art, chef hat decorating and many more pie activities to enjoy. Of course, no pie festival would be complete without a Pie Eating Contest, sponsored by Private Selection. Cost for the children’s area, which includes the crafts and bouncy houses is $10/child. The Pietopia Demonstration Stage sponsored by Village Inn and Bakers Square Restaurants features entertainment and baking demonstration by chefs from across the country and is free to all attendees. Crisco® is a trademark of The J.M. Smucker Company. The Great American Pie Festival is a trademark of the American Pie Council. We love dogs as much as you do, but they are not permitted into the Never Ending Pie Buffet.” (Quoted information from http://www.piecouncil.org/Events/GreatAmericanPieFestival)

Sounds fun right?

I have not personally attended this event, and my schedule is completely full this weekend, so I can’t go this time either. Bummer.

It really looks like a lot of fun however – and I thought I would share this information with you in case you are interested in attending.

They even have a Pinterest account, facebook fan page, and you can follow them on Twitter!

Please let me know if you attend! I would love to hear from you. Have a magical day!

*Disclaimer – I am not affiliated or being paid or compensated to share this event, and it has nothing to do with Disney, except that the event  is near by. As a reminder, Disneyways is a fan publication and I am not affiliated or compensated by Disney in any way. (On a side note – if you enjoy my blog please donate here to help keep us up and running.)

Reminder: This event information was acquired from  http://www.piecouncil.org/Events/GreatAmericanPieFestival – please refer to the organizers with any questions.

World Secrets ~ Snow White’s Biological Mother

Published April 25, 2013 by Disneyways.com

I probably don’t need to tell you this – but we are not talking about this lady…

Evil Queen

The Evil Queen pictured here, is referencing the current TV show Once Upon A Time. She is actually Snow White’s Step-Mother because she married Snow White’s father – the king – after the death of Snow White’s biological mother. The Disney film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs doesn’t reveal what Snow’s Mom actually looked like.

Disney recently posted the image below of a “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” children’s book from 1938.

Snow White

Inside the book you see pages with a drawing of Snow White’s mother and what happened before the film’s “Once upon a time.” Here’s a little bite from the seldom-seen storybook published by Walt Disney Enterprises, where you can read for yourself and get a taste of what the good and kind Queen actually looked like. As a bonus, we also find out how she came up with such an unusual name for her daughter:

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Pretty interesting, right?

The photo below is not from that book – but it is certainly similar to that one! This is pretty much what I imagined her to look like. How about you?

Snow White's Mother

Click here to read more World Secrets from Disneyways!

 

Kimie G. contacted me on facebook about her cool mug. Pictured here is baby Snow White and her Mom!

Thanks Kimie for sending in the photo!

SWM

Focused on the Magic Bloghop ~ A Wild Ride!

Published April 24, 2013 by Disneyways.com

This week’s theme is Disney Parks Wild Side. Deb from FocusedonTheMagic.com mentioned wild rides are included – so my thoughts immediately went to this photo.

Yep – that’s me – backseat left.

Rockin' Rollercoaster

Glamour shot right? I can’t look at this photo without cracking up laughing. I hope you have the same reaction!

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

I hadn’t been on Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster® Starring Aerosmith in quite some time. Perhaps it was the promise of my friend Ramon to sit next to me since I was afraid – or the sheer joy and anticipation in this little girl’s face while we were in line – but something inside me said I needed to take this thing on again – and quit being such a wimp.

This photo was taken at the very beginning of the ride, during the high-speed launch that goes from 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds. After that – it was actually VERY fun for me!!

I love the music of Aerosmith so hearing the tunes while enjoying the ride was an added bonus!  In fact, I can’t wait to go on Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster® Starring Aerosmith again!

The giant red Fender Stratocaster outside of t...

Do YOU have any photos of yourself and your family enjoying the “wild” rides at Disney? Please send them to me at Disneyways@Disneyways.com and we will post them here on the blog!

Focused on the Magic 

Contest for FREE Jewelry ends April 28th!

Published April 21, 2013 by Disneyways.com

It is our lucky day! Julie has decided to give away one of her beautiful jewelry pieces for FREE! I hope you will read her  note below and consider entering to win!

Julie

 A note from Julie Leedy of Chuckhljal.Etsy.com ~

So, I was thinking wouldn’t it be fun to win something without having to actually spend any money? Do these kinds of freebies even exist any more? Well, I think they do and I know I would love to be the recipient of a prize without having to spend money. So on that note…I have decided to run a little contest for my Etsy customers!!!!!

So here’s the details:

Find something in my Etsy Shop (chuckhljal.etsy.com), just one item, that you would want to make your own. Tell me why you love that piece and why you should be the recipient of this free gift. Here’s the deal breaker though…no sad stories, only good ones. I need a little Chicken Soup for the Etsy Soul, a story without sympathy; no deaths, diseases or devastations. Good heartfelt story telling. If you can make me laugh, even better. One little catch….if you are the chosen story teller, you are giving me permission to post your fun and heartfelt story to my Etsy and Facebook Accounts.

If you are willing to play, please send me your story via email at chuckhl@aol.com and I will see who’s story tickles me the most. The prize package is the item you loved and wrote about so be sure to send me the link or item number so I know what piece you are referring to. Good luck and feel free to invite your friends and family to play along too. Hurry, contest ends April 28th, 2013, and the winner will be announced on May 1, 2013.

Hugs, Julie

Limited Time Magic Beginning April 22nd – 28th!

Published April 20, 2013 by Disneyways.com

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Limited Time Magic: “Celebration of Earth Week” at Animal Kingdom – April 22 – April 28

This week as part of Limited Time Magic, celebrate Earth Week with a special edition “Party for the Planet,” in honor of the 15th anniversary of Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Park. Everything kicks off the morning of April 22, with a celebration moment to mark the occasion. Then all week long, Guests may enjoy a Disney character reunion, as Lilo & Stitch, Flik & Atta, Koda & Kenai, and Thumper & Miss Bunny return to Disney’s Animal Kingdom park for cameo appearances in Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade. And each day, Guests may also join these Disney friends, when they reunite for a dance party hosted by DJ Dino-Mite in Dinoland, USA!

Also for this special celebration, Creature Comforts will have available for a limited time a selection of commemorative celebratory merchandise items including tees (for adults, ladies and youth), a hat, limited edition pins, one-of-a-kind 9” designer Vinlymation figures, D-Tech and more.

You can also take advantage of a special opportunity to purchase the 15th Anniversary T-shirt online via DisneyParks.com/Store from April 22 – 24.

The Celebration of Earth Week continues around Walt Disney World® Resort. You’ll want to “dig up” a confectionary treasure with the “Worm and Dirt Cupcakes found at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®, Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Park, Kona Café at Disney’s Polynesian Resort or the “Worm and Dirt Tart” available at Magic Kingdom® Park and Epcot. It’s all part of Limited Time Magic, April 22-28, 2013!

For up-to-date information on Limited Time Magic offerings visit lLimitedTimeMagic.com.

Fun on 4 Wheels! “Move”-ies and Car Masters Weekend 2013

Published April 19, 2013 by Disneyways.com

Vroom Vroom!!

Here is a great Disney activity for Dad on Father’s Day, or anyone really, who is looking for fun on four wheels!

Car Masters Weekend is now in its third year. Downtown Disney West Side hosts a classic car show with a modern twist!

Car Masters Weekend
June 15 to June 16, 2013  – 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM

Featuring all things “Cars,” the event will showcase more than 150 classic, muscle and exotic…(what else?)…cars!

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You’ll also get a chance to meet “Cars 2″ stars Lightning McQueen, Mater and Finn McMissile.

Special appearances will be made  by automotive designer Chip Foose

CHIP FOOSE

and Disney-Pixar “Cars” filmmaker Jay Ward.

JAY WARD

Cars fans may purchase tickets for a “Cars” & “Cars 2″ movie marathon at AMC Downtown Disney 24, “test drive” Ridemakerz “Cars” models, and enjoy caricatures, themed food and beverage, live entertainment and more. Entertainment subject to change.

Check out all that there is to see and do at Disney World’s official site – here. 

Sounds like a great reason to put the pedal to the metal and cruise the open road towards this fun event if you are in the area!

Speaking of Cars – check out Reasons to Love Test Track 2.0 from Someone Who’s Lived it!

Thursday is here!!

Published April 18, 2013 by Disneyways.com

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As expected, 2013 is turning out to be a big year for Disneyways! We are SUPER excited!! Beginning tomorrow the plan is for me to be in the parks pretty much until Tuesday. Lots of Animal Kingdom festivities happening for the 15th anniversary…and research for the latest (surprise) project I am working on for you guys…(well, ONE of the surprises any way!)

If I have a hard time keeping my electronics charged and getting good Wi-Fi reception for some reason – social media and the blog might get a little quiet. Hakuna Matata – we will make up for it next week!

Disney dreams and pixie dust to you always!!!

Have a magical Thursday!!