Daily Photo Tour - An Evening at the Haunted Mansion

Even though the Haunted Mansion in this state is not a part of Halloween Time at Disneyland, Halloween would not be complete without giving it a well deserved nod. This home for happy haunts is one of the first things I think of this time of year and I find myself wishing I could ride it in spite of my love for the Haunted Mansion Holiday festivities. I took this shot right at the end of this past winter at twilight. The clouds in the sky reminded me of an aurora in their ethereal shapes and lofty proximity, catching those last bits of light from the dying day. I was delighted, to say the least, that these clouds had decided to materialize over the Haunted Mansion.

Daily Photo Tour - The Great Mickey Mouse-O-Lantern

You don't have to wait all night in a pumpkin patch to see a great pumpkin. All you have to do is take a trip to Disneyland to bask in the glow of a giant pumpkin fashioned after everyone's favorite mouse. Mickey's smile flickers along with the happy Halloween Time spirit at Disneyland that frequently finds music in the air of a quartet singing songs about happy haunts and ghosts who grin. If you're not able to make it to the Park before the great Mickey Mouse-O-Lantern comes down, staring at this picture for a while might help. Sharing it with all of your family, friends and acquaintances will certainly help. Bookmarking this sight, clicking "Like" on our Facebook page and following us on Twitter will help even more. To top that off you can simulate the flickering of the lantern by adjusting your monitor's brightness up and down quickly and unevenly.

Daily Photo Tour - Disneyland After Dark

Staying out late at Disneyland can be exhausting. It's rare, however, that the payoff for postponing a date with your pillow doesn't make you deaf to the barking of your feet and forgetful of how tired you may be. From being able to run around the Park and practically walk on the E-Tickets to those quiet, deep moments of self reflection, Disneyland after dark is it. It's my perfect place and I imagine if you are reading this that it's yours too. If you find yourself fortunate enough to be the last soul to bask in the radiant glow of Sleeping Beauty Castle, cherish that moment and take it in. There is nothing like it. Standing there in front of that icon, that tangible proof that dreams really can come true, it's as though someone somewhere cues the line from Walt's opening day speech, "Disneyland is your land", and it carries oh so softly on the night air. I have never felt so much that Disneyland was mine as when standing at the castle in solitude.

One of the great things about Walt Disney was that he shared the rewards of the risks he took. Few thought Disneyland was a good idea in 1955. It was a tremendous risk. But it was also a dream. Walt shared his dream of Disneyland with the hope that it would be a source of joy and inspiration. It serves as an appeal to everyone who walks through its gates to never quit dreaming or taking risks to pursue them. We each have a purpose in this life and no one can replace us. We each have the power to make the world a better place, whether it be for one person or a multitude. No person is insignificant. Michaela and Kevin and I know that these are just pictures that we post, but we pour ourselves into them with the hope that we might inspire you and bring a little joy into your life every day. These are the kinds of things I think about, standing at the castle in solitude. These are the dreams that take form in Disneyland after dark.

Daily Photo Tour - Mark Twain's Last Voyage

One of the awesome things about the three of us having a photography blog together is that we all help each other out. We have fun at Disneyland together, we critque each other's work to help make it better and we also share shots. Matthew and I were headed for Adventureland from the Frontierland bridge when he saw this amazing display of clouds trying to match the grandeur of the Mark Twain. It was a lovely photo opportunity that he shared with me because he knows how much I love taking pictures of the stalwart steamer. Not to be outdone, I noticed and shared a glistening Golden Horseshoe opportunity with him. Life is so much better when it is shared.

Daily Photo Tour - Sleeping Beauty Castle Sunset

It's hard to express how excited we get when we see beautiful clouds anywhere near Sleeping Beauty Castle. They play so well to the feeling of fantasy and really help you to see things with a different perspective. When I saw the way the clouds lined up behind the castle, I hurried down Main Street, dodging my way through the crowd. I made it to Central Plaza and wasn't finding the shot I wanted. I wandered a little farther, past the Partners Statue, to where they rope off benches for fireworks and it hit me. I was in my own world and it seemed as though time did not exist. It wasn't until a cast member walked up and joked with me that this shot would cost me $50 that I left my world of fantasy to enter back into reality. I laughed and told him I would need to write him a check, then made my way back to Michaela and Kevin, contented.

Daily Photo Tour - The Plaza Pavilion

The Plaza Pavilion is something I have been wanting to capture for some time. It has great architectural detail and ambient feel at dusk. We were on our way to dinner when we paused a moment to admire the amazing gradient in the sky. Knowing we all needed to eat, I was reluctant to stop to take a shot, but Kevin insisted I take the opportunity. I'm very grateful he did and feel like I finally captured what I wanted from this. It's moments like these that I really appreciate the dynamics between the three of us. We encourage and inspire each other to do what we love.

Daily Photo Tour - The World of Yesterday, Tomorrow, and Fantasy

I enjoy writing almost as much as I enjoy taking pictures. It's not often that I find myself at a loss for things to say. Yet it somehow seems impossible to convey with words what this image means and represents to me. This is my happy place.

Daily Photo Tour - A Night at the Grizzly River Mill

This is one of my absolute favorite settings in all of the Disneyland Resort. I have probably taken hundreds of pictures of this spot, never quite capturing what I wanted. Strangely enough, it had never occurred to me to take a picture of this area at night. I think that doing so afforded me the fresh perspective I needed to tap into that right brain creativity and convey the feeling this area brings me. We often lose our understanding and appreciation of things when they've become too familiar. It takes breaking out of our habits sometimes to return to a state actually living instead of simply being alive.

Daily Photo Tour - Main Street Cinema

The Main Street Cinema is one of the most overlooked treasures of Disneyland. It's a great spot to sneak off a crowded Main Street, but this vacant retreat is home to many of the classic cartoons that engendered the Disney story. I love spending time watching my way through the animated shorts that were there in the beginning. It's a place to draw inspiration and a catalyst to pursue your dreams.

Daily Photo Tour - Partners

The Partners Statue has become for me, a significant part of every trip to Disneyland. It is a reminder of how it all started and an inspiration to the dreams that we hold on to everyday. I have had many realizations sitting in front of the partners statue, just eating some popcorn and drinking a soda. There have been things that have touched my heart, moments that have blown me away, and conversations that I will remember for the rest of my life. I've been told that when something is good, when it's great, it tends to do one thing, and does that one thing very well. For Disneyland, it is the ability to inspire. Once again, Walt had it right from the very start.

"To all who come to this happy place: Welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here, age relives fond memories of the past... and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America... with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world." - Walt Disney

Daily Photo Tour - A Spin to Remember

You have to give the imagineers credit. They make everything in Disneyland blend so seamlessly. I love the transitions throughout the park when walking from land to land. It's interesting to see what lines up. One night while walking through Fantasyland, the Matterhorn seemed to just move itself into the perfect position.

Daily Photo Tour - Follow Your Dreams

It's not too often you find a friend (or anyone for that matter) who shares the same appreciation of Disneyland that you might have. Lets face it, we are obsessive, crazy, Mickey Mouse driven, magical people. Being in the park with us sometimes means racing to every ride in a marathon-like-fashion only to be able to post on Facebook & Twitter, "7 rides in 1-hour at Dland." Or the exact opposite, merely strolling along through Main Street, taking in the atmosphere, and soaking up that "Disney feeling." I will admit, we are a seriously interesting bunch. I was asked recently by a friend, someone I've found who shares the same attraction to the park as I do, "Why Disney?" I replied, "......Because besides God, Disney is the only thing that has made me feel something. You can feel it when you walk in the park. I used to call it 'atmosphere' but its more than that. It's all the inspiration from Walt Disney that still lingers in the park, and even more the evidence of those people who have kept Walt Disney's dream alive all these years. It's the mere fact that Walt Disney followed his dream, and the sheer magnitude of people who dream because of him. It is a testament to the human condition, that is, to follow your heart, regardless of what is in the way. Because as Christians, who is at the center of our heart? Jesus. And I believe we should always follow that." Go ahead. Follow your dream. You'll be amazed what happens.

Daily Photo Tour - Tomorrowland Shines at the End of Every Day

"Tomorrowland...a vista into a world of wondrous ideas, signifying man's achievements... a step into the future with predictions of constructive things to come. Tomorrow offers new frontiers in science, adventure and ideals... the challenge of outer space, and the hope of a peaceful and
unified world." - Walt Disney

Daily Photo Tour - A Blizzard on the Rivers of America

There is always something to look at in Disneyland, something amazing. As a photographer, its pretty much sensory overload. One of the most magical moments at Disneyland during Christmas is the snow moment. I never get tired of hearing everyone, almost in unison, "Oooo" and "Ahhh" when the snow suddenly begins to fall. Its pretty awesome. As I was walking along the river one night, the fireworks had just ended, and of course, the snow began to fall. I stopped where I was. The light from one of the enormous Fantasmic pillars shined down illuminating the snow just right. In the distance stood the Mark Twain. I was not prepared at all for such a difficult shot. I decided I would come back another night to try my take at the snowy angle on the Rivers of America. I did, and the result is what you see! Even though this picture captures just a glimpse of a first snowfall, I hope its something you can enjoy while you wait for your next trip to the Disneyland Resort, or a moment to evoke memories of your first snow.

Daily Photo Tour - The Christmas Castle

It's that time of year. Christmas at Disneyland is one of the most magical and spectacular things one can experience. From the Christmas music playing on Main Street, to the showcase of lights on It's a Small World, to Sleeping Beauty Castle covered with snow, Disneyland at Christmas time has a way of enveloping you with all the feelings that make the season bright. From now through the end of the year, we'll be doing our best to share the magic of a Disneyland Resort Christmas with you. We hope you'll join us here at Tours Departing Daily as we embark on a grand circle tour of the Magic Kingdom for the most magical time of the year.

Daily Photo Tour - Reign of the Pumpkin King

Just before closing one night we rushed over to the Haunted Mansion to try to squeeze in just before they closed. The Cast Member was gracious enough to let us take a few moments to ourselves to shoot. I felt like a kid in the candy shop, I was so giddy. There we were with full access to the outside of the Haunted Mansion. I treasure moments like those, no distractions, just you and your subject.

Daily Photo Tour - Nightfall Over New Orleans

New Orleans Square is truly one of my favorite places in Disneyland. Whenever Matthew and Kevin ask me where in the park I want to go, they already have a pretty good idea of my answer. I took this shot one night while we were escaping the crowds of Fantasmic!, which happens to be a wonderful time to find the New Orleans Square train station uncommonly devoid of its hustle and bustle. The lights were dimmed everywhere around the station for the show, and clouds were sailing through the night sky, illuminated by the full moon.

Daily Photo Tour - Awakening a Dream

Whenever I take a picture of the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland, it usually means hours and hours of editing because I want to make the castle look as gorgeous as it really is in person. This is hard to do. I remember taking this photo a few months ago. It was well past midnight, and mostly everyone had made their way out of the park. Matthew and Michaela had gone off taking photos of something. It was just me and the castle. I set up the tripod, and got a few shots off of what I felt was something special. Just after the last release of the shutter, three ladies walked up pretty much out of thin air. I don't remember their names, but I'm pretty sure they were Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather. They were very nice, and asked if I could take their picture in front of the castle. This happens occasionally, with the tripod set up, and a decent sized DSLR on it, I guess people think I know what I'm doing. ;) So I scooted them to a nice angle (so their faces weren't covering the castle) and took a group photo. I had a few minutes to speak with them about their day, and a little bit about photography and what Matt, Michaela and I have going on here at Tours Departing Daily. Apparently they had a chance to visit the imagineering offices on site (so jealous), and had a great day at the park. A short and brief, but memorable meeting. We parted, and I soon met with Matt and Michaela to begin our journey to the car. We boarded the tram, and to our surprise ended up in the same car, one row away from the three wonderful fairies, I mean ladies! They quickly began a conversation with us; it was as if they had always known us three all along. Disneyland does this. It has this way of bringing people together. I can't tell you how many "little meetings" the three of us have with people throughout our days of shooting at the park. It's these little meetings where people open up and actually act human, when they normally wouldn't in any other situation.

Daily Photo Tour - Reflections on the Rivers of America

This shot was taken past midnight one evening as we were making our way out of the park. We were already meandering too late, but when I saw this I had to take advantage and risk being shooed by security. I scanned the area for their white hats and when I saw none, quickly set up. It took a few goes to get what I wanted and longer than I had anticipated. I barely got off my last set of shots before security started approaching. Matt grabbed the camera and I grabbed the tripod, quickly folding it up as we walked away as if nothing happened. We like to think we're sly.