Spider-Man in the Concrete Jungle

Everyday H gets a bit more brave when exploring the parks of New York City.

Disneyland vs. Magic Kingdom

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2013

Disneyland is in California and the Magic Kingdom is in Florida… Yes, they are very similar and both full of the Disney magic but they are also very different. We just got home from a mini vacation in Walt Disney World, and had an amazing time! H is 2.5 years old and the perfect age to enjoy all that WDW has to offer.

Should you visit one if you have seen the other?
Sure, why not, if the occasion arises to get to travel to both of theses Disney parks then for sure do so. Also if your are a Disney fanatic then seeing both Disneyland and Magic Kingdom is a must! However, as a born and raised Southern California girl my heart lies with Disneyland, and I think you get a lot more attractions for your money.

The two parks share several attractions, and I think Disneyland’s versions are better. For example both parks have a Small World attraction. The one at Disneyland has the world’s fair facade, where the Magic Kingdoms version looks like any other Fantasyland attraction (you could totally walk right past it)! Pirates of the Caribbean is also better at Disneyland the ride is longer (so more Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate’s life for me) and feels more realistic.

What you will only see at Disneyland California:

Fantasyland

• Sleeping Beauty’s Castle
• Matterhorn Bobsleds
• Pinocchio’s Daring Adventure
• Alice in Wonderland
• Casey Jr. Circus Train
• Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
• Sleeping Beauty Ride
• Storybookland Canal Boats

Tomorrowland

• Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
  
• Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
• Innoventions
• Captain EO

Frontierland

• Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes
  
• Sailing Ship Columbia
• Fantasmic

Toontown

• Gadget’s Go Coaster
  
• Jolly Trolley
• Roger Rabbit’s Cartoon Spin

Adventureland

• Indiana Jones Adventure
• Tarzan Treehouse

What you will only see at Magic Kingdom Florida:

Fantasyland

• Cinderella Castle
• Under the Sea Journey of the Little Mermaid
• Goofy’s Barnstormer
• Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station
• Two Dumbo The Flying Elephant
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (still begin built)

Tomorrowland

• Carousel of Progress
• Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
• Stitch’s Great Escape!
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority (PeopleMover)

Frontierland

• Country Bear Jamboree

Adventureland

• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
  
• Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse

Liberty Square

• The Hall of Presidents

Another difference between the two parks is the types of visitors. Disneyland has a high percentage of locals who drive in for the day, where the Magic Kingdom attracts mostly tourist who fly in and make Walt Disney World a multi day vacation. Even though the Magic Kingdom is larger making it easier to walk around with a stroller, it does not feel superior to Disneyland. Oh and the Magic Kingdom needs more places in the shade to sit for this pregnant mama.

How many of you have been to both Disneyland and Magic Kingdom parks? Which do you prefer?

Some attractions at Disneyland might not be at Magic Kingdom, but are at another theme park at Walt Disney World. Same for some attractions at Magic Kingdom might be at Disney’s California Adventure. 

Photographing your Child with Jennifer Loomis

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Jennifer Loomis

Mother’s Day is slowly approaching and what better gift can a mom receive than the perfect picture of her with her child, or her children on their own. We are past the days of over processed photos and standard mall portrait studio pictures. However, everyone can’t afford a professional photographer every time they want those special photos. A few weeks back H and I met the fabulous Jennifer Loomis and she knows just the way to set up the perfect shot of your child. During the event Jennifer Loomis gave us some tips about working with light, cropping and the art of seeing a great photo. Her tips are listed below.

How to take professional looking photos of your child and baby

• Pick the right time. Studios set aside 1 to 3 hours to take a child’s photo, so you should set aside at least an hour. Your child also needs to be at his or her best during the shoot, so don’t attempt to try right before or after a nap or when they might be tired or hungry.
• Set up a home studio. Create your environment first by creating a studio-like setting in your house. Clear away the clutter, put away toys, and remove anything else that is distracting from the area, such as plants and chairs. Then use a backdrop in a neutral tone – Jennifer Loomis recommends a big piece of black velvet. You can use a white wall too (but no sunlight falling on the wall.). You are trying to create a consistent tone.
• What to photograph? Ask yourself “what do I like about my child and what makes him/her different” – is it a smile, a furrowed brow, their feet, how they hug their sibling? Resist the temptation to say “everything” and get specific on just a few things. Write them down – these will provide inspiration for your photos.
• Learn to see good light. Use of light is a key to great photographs. Start by turning off the flash on the camera. Find a decently sized window with indirect light (no sun shining on the floor). Position your child at a 90% angle to the window (no back to window, but shoulders squared to the window). Make a note of the time when the light will be at its best.
• Dress the subject appropriately. The child’s clothing should be solid colors without branding, patterns or writing on it; no white; in a different color than the backdrop. Depending on the age of child, you might consider taking picture of child without shirt or taking off the shoes because childrens’ feet are so cute.
• Use props. If there is something that is important to a child, such as a teddy bear or blanket, Jennifer Loomis recommends taking a few pictures with the item to capture the memory.
• Enlist help if needed. If photographing a toddler, you might need a second person assisting you to get the child to be more focused and participate. Work on getting your child to connect with you.
• Get creative and experiment. Try framing your images using different distances such as wide, medium and tight, but don’t forget to pay attention to your background. Physically move in and stand back from the subject vs. using the zoom lens, as you will better connect with the subject. Try getting in tight when photographing smaller body parts, such as the nose, the foot, etc. If you are using film (not digital) try some black and white film shots too.

As a blogger using social media is the way I communicate with my community. With the improvements of smartphone photo technology more and more people are communicating through photos, one photo can communicate so much more detail than 140 characters ever could. My family and what we do is my brand, and I want to portray this the best visually way possible. With this in mind it was great to receive these amazing photo tips from Jennifer Loomis. When I take photos of H I take multiples at a time but not all of them are good or share worthy. I learned to see my photos with a different eye and this will also help with my “brand”.

Jennifer Loomis (www.jenniferloomis.com) has photographed more than 2000 pregnant women and families with studios in SF, Seattle and NY. If you need more inspiration you should check out her first book, Portraits of Pregnancy: The Birth of a Mother (Sentient, May 2009, $24.95) it is an inspiring compilation of portraits of pregnant women and their heartfelt transformative journeys to becoming mothers.

I was not paid for this post just provided with one-on-one time with Jennifer Loomis to learn and improve my photo taking skills.

Sunday Funday

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Miami, pool, South Beach, Sunday Funday

Sunday Funday is the only holiday that comes more than once a year.

This weeks edition comes straight to you from the Ritz Carlton South Beach.

My husband is here for work so H and I decided to come along for the ride. Pool time and beach time is exactly what My Strange Family needs before the pending arrival of Baby Girl.

How are you spending your Sunday Funday?

Honest Hippo Diapers

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Diapers, Green, Hippo, Hippopotamus, Honest Company, Philanthropy, World Wildlife Fund, WWF

This gallery contains 1 photo.

I have been using Honest diapers on H since The Honest Company was started by Jessica Alba back in January …

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Scooter in the City: Y-Volution YGlider G2 Scooter

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BlogHer, Helmet, Schwinn, Scooter, Y-Volution, YGlider G2

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The Y-Volution YGlider G2 Scooter has been living in our closet for 8 months, first because I though H was …

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