Archive for May 2011

DL Resort (May 2011) – Everything else

May 24th

Posted by Jeff Keller in Disneyland - May 2011

Here are the other photos I took during my visit to the Disneyland Resort, after I was done with Star Tours. After enjoying being able to ride Star Tours while the general public could not, I was later tortured by watching cast members ride the new Little Mermaid ride at DCA. That’ll have to wait until the next visit, I guess.

All of the photos on this trip were taken with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 with the F4.0, 7-14 mm lens.

: Requisite park entry photo

: I haven’t seen this show since I was a kid

: Trying to be artsy, not sure if I succeeded

: Going for a spin

: Tomorrowland entry

: I think you know what this is

: The remodeled Star Trader

: Rivers of America

: I like the photo scaffolding, which has been used in Venice for a long time

: This is parked in the esplanade between DCA and DL

: New DCA entry under construction

: The Carthay Circle Theater replaces the giant hubcap thing

: Notice anything missing here?

: And here!

: I never noticed this before, but I like it

: Cars Land is HUGE – and coming along nicely

: The Little Mermaid attraction was not open to the public on this day.

: Side view. It looks nice at night when you can see inside.

: Remodeled shop

: A whole lot going on here

: World of Color

: This is from the extended Pirates of the Caribbean movie plug

: I hope the stuff they removed comes back soon!

Star Tours 2 preview photos

May 24th

Posted by Jeff Keller in Disneyland - May 2011

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I was one of the lucky annual passholders who “won” the opportunity to ride Star Tours 2 (that’s what I’m calling it) prior to its official opening. I chose every possible date/time, so the odds of winning were pretty high!

Anyhow, I got five rides in over 4 hours, and got to experience virtually all of the variations. When you get the best combination of sequences, the ride is fantastic. There are some weaker sequences, like pod racing on Tatooine or driving through traffic on Coruscant. The best sequence, in my opinion, would be Darth Vadar beginning + Hoth middle + Naboo or Death Star ending.

And now, the photos:

: My time was 9am – 1pm, so that meant showing up at opening. I haven’t done this in a long time!

: Everyone behind me. Thankfully 99% of them don’t have preview tickets.

: The new sign

: Closer view. The background of the sign is animated.

: Note the repainted mural

: Preview underway!

: You need to get a Fastpass

: Voila!

: The FastPass machines look like droids

: This room hasn’t changed too much

: The StarSpeeder 1000, which predates the one in the original ride

: C-3PO in his old spot. He plays a *much* more prominent role in the new ride.

: New destinations

: Hey, it’s Captain REX, the pilot of the old Star Tours. Note the “defective” label.

: Baggage screening. Pretty neat effect.

: Is that the lady with the eyebrows from the original preshow?

: This was probably the weakest ending that I had on the ride

: And Naboo was one of the best. Even with a brief view of Jar Jar Binks.

: I took this at night but it’s my best photo of the new sign.

Big Island 2011: Everything else

May 14th

Posted by Jeff Keller in Big Island Trip 2011

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Rounding out my trip photos are those that didn’t fit in anywhere else. These were taken in various places around the island, mostly on the Hilo side. Hope you enjoyed these galleries!

: This was how the weather was for most of the trip (photo taken in Keauhou)

: A gloomy sunset near Waikoloa

: Hapuna Beach = nicest beach on the Big Island

: This was also the best weather I saw during my stay

: The original statue of King Kamehameha

: That would really hurt

: Upcountry was so green, it might as well have been Ireland

: Looking toward the ocean from Upcountry Hawaii

: Waipio Valley

: Waterfall next to Akaka Falls (already forgot the name)

: Akaka Falls

: Closer view

Big Island 2011: Mauna Kea

May 14th

Posted by Jeff Keller in Big Island Trip 2011

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In addition to the cruise to Kealakekua Bay, I also took a guided tour to the summit of Mauna Kea. We had some delays due to poor weather at the summit — hail, ice, and snow was falling. But eventually we made it to the top (13,800 feet) where we stood among the numerous observatories that have been built there over the years. Not only did we have views across the Big Island — we could see Haleakala on Maui, as well. After that we did some star gazing back down at 9200 feet (though I don’t have any photos of that).

: Grass and cinder cones on the way up the mountain

: Love the rules, especially about the invisible cows

: Silver sword

: The road was closed for a while due to snow and ice. Yes, in Hawaii!

: Clouds flow through the “saddle” between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa

: A nice, iron oxide-filled cinder cone

: Going up the summit — and snow!

: The road was closed for several days prior due to heavy snow. I guess most of it melted.

: Looking back down at the road to the visitor center (which sits at 9200 ft)

: Yours truly at the summit. I’m cold and a little lightheaded from the altitude, but the view was worth it.

: Two of the *many* observatories on the mountain

: I just had to touch it to make sure it was real

: More observatories

: Sunset

Big Island 2011: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

May 14th

Posted by Jeff Keller in Big Island Trip 2011

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One of the days during my trip was spent taking the long drive to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. I explored Kilauea — which has no lava flowing at the moment — and also took a guided hike of a rainforest on the slopes of Mauna Loa.