Tag Archives: Disneyland

May 4th – Celebrate Star Wars – Welcome a New Era!

04 Monday May 2020

Posted by in Star Wars, Star Wars A New Hope

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March of the First Order Storm Troopers and Captain Phasma
Darth Vader’s Tie Fighter

We visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Disney World a couple of years ago. I had a blast shooting the models at Star Wars Launch Bay. I love shooting the different models whenever I have the opportunity to go to either a museum exhibit, Disneyland, or Disney World.

The intricacies of the models fascinate me with all the detail. I can spend hours just shooting the various angles and dimensions of the models.

It was exhilarating to watch the storm troopers parade around Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Who could imagine that Disney would have to close their amusement parks due to this pandemic. Just as Star Wars allows our imagination to explore unknown galactic possibilities, we are actually living in our current unknown scenario.

The projected words at the Star Wars Launch Bay –

“…feel the power of the Force, binding us together. Our journey begins with an awakening. Welcome to a new era…”

These words echo our current crisis.

We are in this together. We are in a new journey…a new era! We do not know what our tomorrow will be like. We do not know how long it will take to control this Virus! A new era means a new way to do things better. It signifies new territories to learn, grow and find solutions.

Today, we can entertain ourselves with the distraction of Star Wars. We can celebrate May the 4th and look optimistically to a new Era!

Photos Encourage!

Tantive IV Rebel Blockade Runner

21 Tuesday Jan 2020

Posted by in Rebel Blockade Runner, Star Wars, Star Wars Launch Bay, Star Wars Launch Bay at Disneyland, Tantive 4, Tantive IV, The Tech Museum of Innovation

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These photographs were shot at 2 locations – the San Jose Tech Museum of Innovation in November 2013 and The Star Wars Launch Bay at Disneyland in December 2018.

I shot many different views of the Tantive IV. I do not know if these are the same model or 2 different ones. The difference in the orange/dull red colors could be due to lighting. Also the Ion Turbine Engines at the San Jose Tech Museum were not lighted versus the Engines seen at Disneyland.

This model was built larger than the other ships. But when we saw the ship in the movies, it did not look larger due to the distance of the camera to the ship.

As noted in the above placard, Princess Leia Organa traveled onboard the Tantive IV when the Imperial Star Destroyer Devastator intercepted it. Darth Vader was seeking Princess Leia not knowing she really was his daughter. He wanted to retrieve the Death Star plans which Princess Leia hid to give to the rebel commanders for their future attack.

The Tantive IV was Princess Leia’s ship which she took on several missions. Many years after the end of the Galactic Civil War, a former Imperial senator found the remains of the Tantive IV decrepit in a hangar in the Yarma system. He repaired the ship and returned it to Princess Leia. The Tantive IV was Princess Leia’s personal flagship.

I have a fascination with jet fighters which is why I enjoy shooting photos of the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds. My favorite is the Air Superiority Fighter F-15 Eagle. It had the highest kills per engagement with enemy fighters. It was fast and maneuverable with powerful jet engines.

The Tantive IV reminds me about the real jet fighters which were successful in battle. The Tantive IV had to be repaired a couple of times, but was able to serve the Princess.

Any good fighter may get damaged from the battles. But with diligent care and repairs, the fighter can rise again to succeed in battle.

Can we follow that example to be a fighter to seek victory in our personal battles – even if we may need help to be repaired?

Photos Inspire and Teach!

 

The Wonders of Disneyland in December with the Pixel 3

28 Monday Jan 2019

Posted by in California Adventure, Disneyland, Google, Pixel 3, Pixel 3XL

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  • It’s A Small World at Disneyland in December 2018. Picture taken with a Pixel 3
  • Picture taken with a Pixel 3
  • Disneyland Main Street taken with a Pixel 3XL
  • Guardians of the Galaxy, Mission: Breakout! Disney California Adventure Park, Picture taken with a Pixel 3XL

Disneyland is wonderful in the evening. It is especially festive during the Christmas season. This is our second time visiting Disneyland during December. We loved “It’s a Small World” and “Main Street” colorful lights.

This was the first time we rode “Guardians of the Galaxy” at California Adventure. We do not normally ride “drop” rides. I can get a little motion sickness on certain rides. But our friend encouraged us to try the ride and assured us the drops are not big. She was right. It turned out to be a fun ride once we got accustomed to the drops and holding on to our seats.

The exterior of the Guardian of the Galaxy is also great with its lights.

My wife has the Pixel 3, and I have the Pixel 3XL. I took the photos with both cameras. I did not use the “Night Sight” feature nor did I need to use any flash. If I took a picture on “Main Street” featuring our friends, then I would need a flash to show them in front of the scene.

I was very impressed with these night photos using our new Pixel 3 cameras. I also enjoyed the many great features in the camera. The camera so far has lived up to my expectations.

Please note – I did not use “Photoshop” to improve these photographs. The Pixel 3 camera performed as expected in giving these great night shots.

Stay tuned to see my evaluation of the “Night Sight” feature.

What is the Fastest hunk of junk in the Galaxy at Disneyland?

22 Tuesday Jan 2019

Posted by in Disneyland, Millennium Falcon, Star Wars, Star Wars Launch Bay

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  • Millennnium Falcon, YT-1300 light freighter
  • Detailed view of battle damaged hull and quad laser canon.
  • Detailed view of the cockpit
  • “You know, that ship’s saved my life quite a few times. She’s the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy!” – Lando Calrissian
  • Han Solo explains, “She’ll make point five past lightspeed.”

It is the Millennium Falcon at the Star Wars Launch Bay at Disneyland. I enjoyed shooting photographs at different angles of this Y-1300 Light Freighter.

I am not sure if this model is the actually movie model or not.
The display does not specify. Nevertheless, I like the detail in the model which is why I took multiple photos to show this. It is nice how the model is suspended in the show case.

Below is an interesting link of trivia about the Millennium Falcon – The link is to Starwars.wikia.com

Legend/Canon facts about the Millennium Falcon

I am a Sci-Fi junkie. I can spend hours watching Star Wars movies, reading trivia, looking at model drawings, and shooting anything Star Wars.

The details seen in the Star Wars series is proof that “Details Matter”. Often in life, we want to live life vicariously and spontaneously. But we may find out without planning, we could find ourselves in dilemmas if we do not plan. Details are important to consider to avoid problems and stress. Details also make a difference in appearances. The Millennium Falcon is proof that “Details Matter’.