Disney Tourist Blog News – Vol. 2, No. 1

Just when you least expected it, Disney Tourist Blog News is back for its second volume as the highly anticipated fall programming begins…or something like that. We figured now would be a good time to release a second volume since we just completed a multi-billion dollar (give or take) overhaul of the web design of the site (what do you think of the new look?). Since we went on hiatus this summer, our first issue of volume 2 will take a look at some of the stories you may have missed during summer break.

TOP STORIES

Since sharing our Disney Bucket List earlier this summer, we’ve already crossed several items off the list. Now that’s what I call progress!

Our review of the 2013 Disney Dining Plan. Unlike many websites, we do not highly recommend it…or even “lukewarm recommend” it.

We share some of the interesting items we pack for our Disney trips. Lots of weird gadgets on here!

PhotoPass+ is the hot new photo service from Disney, but does it make the grade? Given our anti-PhotoPass stance in the past, the answer might surprise you…

Have you ever wondered why Disney California Adventure needed a multi-billion dollar extreme makeover? Our retrospective features some of the most cringe-worthy elements of DCA 1.0.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is right around the corner(!!!), and we share our review and tips for maximizing your fun quotient at the Party!

Have you checked out my “One More Disney Day” eBook titled Disneyland: Sunrise to Sunrise yet? Use code: SUNRISE2012 for 25% off!

We shared an album of exclusive Facebook Timeline Cover photos on the DisneyTouristBlog Facebook Fan Page.

Making ADRs soon? Make sure you consult index of Disney Restaurant Reviews!

…MAKIN’ MEMORIES

We made memories earlier this month at EPCOT’s 30th anniversary as I dressed in retro attire and Sarah dressed like a crazy lady! Photo by Cory Disbrow.

Several readers have asked about our point and shoot recommendations for Christmas 2012 and whether our point and shoot camera recommendations are still current. They are not current. Is a post ranking new point and shoot cameras something you’d be interested in seeing? Our current top camera, by far, is the Sony RX100 (check out our review of that little beauty).

Check out ISO 5571 – Disney Photography Podcast, co-hosted by me, for great Disney photography tips! (more…)

Disney Tourist Blog News – Vol. 1, No. 10

You may have noticed that Disney Tourist Blog News didn’t come out last week. For at least the summer, we’re going to slow our publication schedule to every other week.

TOP STORIES

We reviewed Wednesday’s episode of Modern Family, which has caused some (ridiculous) outcry in the fan community. Read what we thought of it here.

Part 5 of our “One More Disney Day” trip report from Disneyland posted, concluding the “One More Disney Day” portion of the Disneyland trip. The rest of the report continues this week!

We shared about 50 new Facebook Cover photos this week, which are now organized by park.

Star Wars Weekends start next week! We’ll be there for live coverage; check out our Star Wars Weekends tips if you’re going.

Have you checked out my new eBook titled Disneyland: Sunrise to Sunrise yet? Use code: SUNRISE2012 for 25% off!

We shared an album of exclusive Facebook Timeline Cover photos on the DisneyTouristBlog Facebook Fan Page.

Making ADRs soon? Make sure you consult index of Disney Restaurant Reviews!

…MAKIN’ MEMORIES

Check out ISO 5571 – Disney Photography Podcast, co-hosted by me, for great Disney photography tips!

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Additional updates and video of what to expect from Test Track 2.0 once it reopens.

FastPass+ began testing at Walt Disney World.

Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow attraction leaked; coming to Walt Disney World this fall!

ITEMS OF INTEREST

ISO 5571 – Disney Photography Podcast interviews the team from Tours Departing Daily.

MiceChat presents its second Dateline Disney World, which is a great new column that lives up to the photographic standards set by Dateline Disneyland.

Disney Photography Blog shares an interesting article about Neutral Density Filter uses at Walt Disney World.

Disney Food Blog previews some of the food that will be available in Cars Land. Makes us even more excited for Disney California Adventure 2.0! We have our Carthay Club reservations booked, do you?!

DisDining reviews Mickey’s Backyard BBQ.

TouringPlans shares compelling reasons to take return trips to Walt Disney World.

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We hope you enjoyed our story tonight, The Disney Tourist Blog News. If you have any suggestions for “article” ideas, please leave them in the comments.

-Tom Bricker, Editor in Chief

Disney Tourist Blog News – Vol. 1, No. 9

TOP STORIES

I released a new eBook titled Disneyland: Sunrise to Sunrise. Use code: SUNRISE2012 for 25% off!

Part 1 of our “One More Disney Day” trip report from Disneyland is now up. Another installment comes tomorrow!

Our top 10 counter service restaurants at Walt Disney World!

We continue to share fun and exclusive photos on DisneyTouristBlog Facebook Fan Page.

Making ADRs soon? Make sure you consult index of Disney Restaurant Reviews!

ITEMS OF INTEREST

ImagineeringDisney takes a (creepy) look at Pirate heads. Really cool!

Chip and Co reports on the Walt Disney World Wilderness Preserve.

Zannaland provides a roundup of new Walt Disney World merchandise.

DisDining reviews Yachtsman Steakhouse.

TouringPlans presents photo-outtakes from the Disneyland: Sunrise to Sunrise eBook.

…MAKIN’ MEMORIES

Visual repetition can make for interesting photos.

Check out ISO 5571 – Disney Photography Podcast, co-hosted by me, for more great Disney photography tips!

NEWS & RUMORS

We reported on Starbucks coming to the Disney parks.

Orlando Theme Park News shares some Test Track concept art.

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If you’re going to make a purchase on Amazon.com, please click the banner above first. Using the banner here helps support DisneyTouristBlog.com (at no cost to you!) and helps us continue to provide you with great content.

We hope you enjoyed our story tonight, The Disney Tourist Blog News. If you have any suggestions for “article” ideas, please leave them in the comments.

-Tom Bricker, Editor in Chief

Disney Tourist Blog News – Vol. 1, No. 8

TOP STORIES

We finally completed our comprehensive Disney theme parks books reviews. Photos and reviews of over 40 titles. WALLETS BEWARE!

We debuted a new community driven Twitter chat called #DisneyTravel this week. The first one was pretty successful and we’re excited for the next one. Click for details.

We posted several awesome photos this week (aerial Magic Kingdom, fireworks, Grand Floridian sunset, etc.). Check them all out here!

We continue to share fun and exclusive photos on DisneyTouristBlog Facebook Fan Page.

Making ADRs soon? Make sure you consult our newly-created (and organized!) index of Disney Restaurant Reviews!

ITEMS OF INTEREST

The Explorium takes a stand on the Adventureland Carpets…WE AGREE!

Ideal Buildout with a park concept called “Enchanted Earth.”

Imagineering Disney presents another part 2 of its Orange Bird retrospective.

Living the Magical Life presents a look back at the Adventureland Steel Drum Band.

…MAKIN’ MEMORIES

Over-expose some of your night photos to achieve a dramatic and often unnatural-looking sky.

Check out ISO 5571 – Disney Photography Podcast, co-hosted by me, for more great Disney photography tips!

NEWS & RUMORS

We reported on the return of Orange Bird.

Dateline Disneyland and Disneyland Live reported on the continuing updates to Disney California Adventure.

WDWMagic offers an update on the Fantasyland Expansion progress.

easyWDW shares updates on the goings-on at Epcot post-Test Track.

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If you’re going to make a purchase on Amazon.com, please click the banner above first. Using the banner here helps support DisneyTouristBlog.com (at no cost to you!) and helps us continue to provide you with great content.

We hope you enjoyed our story tonight, The Disney Tourist Blog News. If you have any suggestions for “article” ideas, please leave them in the comments.

-Tom Bricker, Editor in Chief

 

Disney Tourist Blog News – Vol. 1, No. 7

TOP STORIES

We’ve revised our popular Photography Reviews page. Check it out for our recommendations of the best photography gear for Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

SpectroMagic! is our all-time favorite Disney parade. We really miss it, so we posted a gallery of SpectroMagic! photos.

In March, we visited The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank. Here are 60 photos from that visit.

We continue to share fun and exclusive photos on DisneyTouristBlog Facebook Fan Page.

Making ADRs soon? Make sure you consult our newly-created (and organized!) index of Disney Restaurant Reviews!

UPCOMING

Anyone’s guess this week…no schedule has been made. Any ideas?

ITEMS OF INTEREST

Passport 2 Dreams present part 2 of a thoughtful examination of the lighting fixtures in the Magic Kingdom.

Fresh Roasted Corn with some fun Orange Bird articles. These guys are awesome.

Imaginerding presents another episode of Communicore Weekly.

…MAKIN’ MEMORIES

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sGFWsNUuuI

We made a lot of memories on Test Track. It’s far from my favorite attraction, but here’s our video of the attraction.

SHUTTERMOUSE

Use a larger (smaller number) aperture to achieve a shallow depth of field and isolate your subject.

Check out ISO 5571 – Disney Photography Podcast, co-hosted by me, for more great Disney photography tips!

NEWS & RUMORS

Epcyclopedia reports on a possible longer timeframe for the Test Track refurbisment.

Orlando Theme Park News with more of the Main Street (WDW) work.

TouringPlans offers the dates of the Fantasy Faire construction at Disneyland.

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If you’re going to make a purchase on Amazon.com, please click the banner above first. Using the banner here helps support DisneyTouristBlog.com (at no cost to you!) and helps us continue to provide you with great content.

We hope you enjoyed our story tonight, The Disney Tourist Blog News. If you have any suggestions for “article” ideas, please leave them in the comments.

-Tom Bricker, Editor in Chief