Since going to Walt Disney World and Disneyland at a young age, Chris has always enjoyed Disney music, TV shows, movies, and trips to Walt Disney World. But his appreciation of the overall Disney experience has greatly increased over the last few years. While waiting for the next chance to work on his Disney photography skills, Chris passes the time listening to Park/Resort audio, WDW podcasts, and checking out the work of other Disney photographers. To Chris, there are no bad Disney trip photographs or photographers. Non-Disney pursuits include spending time with his wife and children, watching and listening to baseball broadcasts, and cheering for the Chicago Cubs and LSU. Chris is a third generation professional engineer in Louisiana, working mainly on asbestos, lead, mold and demolition projects. Follow Chris on Twitter @ChrisWhitePE and you can check out his Flickr photo stream: chris_white2323.
If you read my post outlining my Magic Kingdom Photo Bucket List, you know I’m trying to be a little more organized in my approach to Walt Disney World park and resort photography. Without some organization, there’s little chance I’ll get all the photos I want. So I have lists from the parks and a couple of the resorts. This list will change over time as areas open, change, and close.
EPCOT is my second favorite park, a very close second to Magic Kingdom. What draws me to EPCOT is the atmosphere – the architecture, landscape, and audio loops. Except for racing around to get into Test Track and Soarin’, we usually tour EPCOT at a little more leisurely pace.
Of all the times I’ve been to EPCOT, though, I’ve not had the opportunity to take in some of the details that elude those who speed walk through different park areas, especially World Showcase. So of course that means there are some photos I’ve missed. One of the good things about the Internet is I can absorb details on park areas I’ve missed, as well as see great photos I don’t have.
My EPCOT list is shorter than my Magic Kingdom list, but that doesn’t make it any less daunting (if you can call having to stay longer in a Disney park daunting). Just like my other lists, I want to get shots of the same areas at different times of the day, so that means a lot of walking. We all know walking for miles is part of the Walt Disney World experience.
Would’ve been a much better shot with a monorail in the frame
In some cases though, getting some of my shots requires time for camera and tripod setup, and waiting. To get the monorail shots I want, I’ll either need to find my spots, setup, and wait for the monorail to pass in front of my landmarks of choice, or just time all my shots exactly right. Sure.
no planning – just in the right place at the right time
For the Illuminations shots I want, I’ll have to stake out my spot, get there, setup, and stay put. And eventually I want to shoot Illuminations from different park areas, so I’ll have to repeat this exercise.
But who has that kind of time? Getting all the pictures on my list is going to take multiple park visits and some late nights.
Anyway, here’s my list for EPCOT, sort of arranged by park area:
Spaceship Earth – morning, evening, and night. I’d like to shoot some details here, as well as get shots when the park is empty.
park icon and dark ride – can’t miss!
Spaceship Earth – better attraction shots. I love dark ride photography, and there are plenty of good scenes to shoot.
Have I mentioned that I love dark ride photography?
Spaceship Earth/Fountain area walkway – pavement lights at night, or with the park empty. I’d like to get shots with varied depth of field.
Fountain of Nations – long exposure at night
Fountain and Spaceship Earth from World Showcase area
Imagination Pavilion – afternoon shot across water from Odyssey Center
Test Track area – details
Monorail – walkway near Imagination – Fountain, Spaceship Earth
World Showcase:
Canada buildings and gardens – morning and sunset
UK buildings & street details – empty park
France from bridge near International Gateway – sunset
France – empty park
Morocco details – I’d love to shoot some of the intricate tile work (and I’ve never really visited this pavilion!)
Japan – Torii Gate and Temple – sunset
Italy – gondolas at sunset
Italy building details
Germany – details & empty park
A Disney love story hiding in plain sight
China building details and empty park
Norway details like this:
great building details
Norway Stave Church
Illuminations from different vantage points – Showcase Plaza, Japan, and Italy
Do you have an EPCOT Photo Bucket List? If so, how do ours compare?
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