Daily Photo Tour - On the River in Autumn
The Rivers of America really start to glow during the fall. As the sun makes its way to the west and drops late in the year, a golden glow reflects off of the waters in a real magical way. The leaves begin to turn just enough to remind local Californian's there is such a thing as autumn. I was able to barely catch the Mark Twain a few weeks ago as it passed quickly by the Sailing Ship Columbia. It is truly remarkable to see the size of these boats next to each other, and then to realize the enormity of the tree in the center of the frame. It dwarfs the masts and doesn't even fit within the composition. For me, it's the authenticity of theses rivers that pull me in every time. Walt sure knew what he was doing when he saved those trees.
Photo by Kevin Crone
Daily Photo Tour - Resting on the River
The Tranquility of Rivers of America during sun down is one of the most peaceful places in Disneyland. The Sailing Ship Columbia just really gives it the wow factor for me. This ship is so grand. If I could, I'd build a replica, and sail to Glacier Bay National Park... By the end of summer... Okay at some point (in an epic sailing ship or not)I'm getting to a national park before the end of summer. Maybe it will just be a 3 day rental car to Yosemite! Either way, I'm looking forward to more majestic and peaceful scenes like this.
Photo by Kevin Crone
Daily Photo Tour -A Quiet Morning at the River
As our One More Disney Day drew to a close with the rising sun, we took the opportunity to spend time at the Rivers of America. We had missed the opportunity the prior morning with ABC's Modern Family filming right where I took this picture from. There's something really special about early morning at a river, even one that's not "real". It's so serene as light floods the dawn sky. The water is placid. Even the ducks seem to know how peaceful it all is.
Photo by Matthew Hansen
Daily Photo Tour - Preparing for a Dream
A few evenings ago the three of us (Matthew, Michaela, and I) had the chance to meet with a follower of ours from Twitter who also takes interest in the same two things we do, Disneyland and Photography. We had the chance to talk for a little while, but it wasn't too long before we moved deep into Disneyland and began shooting some HDR. One of our first spots we tackled was in Frontierland. As we were making our way, I caught an angle that really grabbed my attention. I noticed that workers were preparing The Sailing Ship Columbia, and The Mark Twain for something very special.
It's the peacefulness of the River's of America that always sets the stage for a great night of Fantasmic. Its the stillness in the air on those warm summer nights that helps provide a great contrast for what is to come. That is, Mickey's Dream. I can imagine all the hard work and preparation that goes into such a production like Fantasmic. It takes a skilled bunch to prepare the cast, the cues, and all the technical aspects of the show. Of course all of it leading up to those very special moments that leave lasting memories in the hearts of all the children watching.
I can't help to think of the preparation all of us must have to create the dreams we have in our hearts. We all have something in life we'd like to achieve. Maybe a passion that's been with us for a long time, or something new we've stumbled upon that means so much to us. Whatever it is, think of the things you can do to prepare yourself for that dream to come true. Because believe it or not, there is no such thing as luck. People like John Lasseter, Steve Martin, or Walt Disney didn't just get lucky, they were great at what they did, and what they wanted to do, and they made sure of it. They were prepared. So whatever your goal in life may be, however far away it may seem, however difficult the path may be, you better start preparing for a dream, because odds are, it just may come true.
Photo by Kevin Crone
Daily Photo Tour - Sailing Ship Columbia - The Hull
I love shooting interesting angles at Disneyland. Somehow this composition jumped out at me. I love the Sailing Ship Columbia. It is such an amazing ship. The large hull of this ship always seems to blow me away.
Photo by Kevin Crone
Daily Photo Tour - Sailing Off into the Sunset
On this particular evening, we decided to take a break along the Rivers of America. As the sun was setting, I thought of a shot I would like to get of the Sailing Ship Columbia with the sun behind it. I waited for the ship to make another round but after docking and unloading its passengers, it sat there. After several minutes, the sun set behind the trees and I thought the opportunity had passed. We started making our way to Fantasyland when the Sailing Ship Columbia left the dock to sail into the sunset in preparation for its nightly show of Fantasmic! I was able to grab a couple of shots before the ship and sun were gone for the evening.
Photo by Michaela Hansen
Daily Photo Tour - A Night in Port for the Columbia
Seeing the Sailing Ship Columbia in port like this at night was an awesome, and seemingly rare, experience. Maybe it happens more often than I think, but it seems to always be somewhere back behind Tom Sawyer's Island* preparing for or having concluded Fantasmic! It felt good to see the ship at a well deserved rest.
*No, that is not a typo. That is what it will always be to me even though I have a great affinity for pirates. If you must know, it is also the Swiss Family Robinson Tree House, not Tarzan the usurper's. I love bumping the Swisskapolka on the way to Disneyland. If you don't know what I'm talking about then I suggest you ask yourself: "Have I truly lived?"
Photo by Matthew Hansen
Daily Photo Tour - All Aboard the Rivers of America
One of my favorite things to do at Disneyland is board the Mark Twain or the Sailing Ship Columbia. Disneyland already offers an escape from the ordinary, but sailing on the Rivers of America takes you even further into another world. There is something about sailing away, chaos slowly drifting behind you with the wind blowing through your hair, whispering a sense of freedom and adventure.
Photo by Michaela Hansen
