I traveled to Walt Disney World twice in 2017. Here are my favorites from those trips.

The first visit included Disney Springs which was still called Downtown Disney the last time I visited in 2016. I finally got to take another ride on the Characters In Flight Balloon (looks like it is now called Aerohile according to the Disney Springs website).

Aerial View of The Marketplace at Disney Springs.
Nikon D750/16-35VR, f/8, ISO 1000, EV 0, 19mm Focal Length.

On that trip, I saw the new Rivers of Light show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom for the first time. While I wrote about my not-so-great experience in watching it, Rivers of Light is a stunningly beautiful show which I need to see again.

Rivers of Light show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Nikon D750/28-300VR, 1/60s, f/5.6, ISO 2800, EV +1.0, 135mm Focal Length.

On the second visit, I photographed and enjoyed Pandora – The World of Avatar and wrote a series of posts starting with the Waterfalls of Pandora.

Flowers below the Floating Mountains of Pandora in the Valley of Mo’ara.
Nikon D750/16-35VR, 1/125s, f/16, ISO 1250, EV 0, 16mm Focal Length.

Then I returned to Disney Springs to enjoy another meal at Homecomin’ Restaurant featuring Art’s Fabulous Fried Chicken entrée. The moonshine cocktails and desserts are pretty good, too.

Art’s Fabulous Fried Chicken entrée served in the Homecomin’ Restaurant at Disney Springs.
Nikon D750/24-120VR, 1/125s, f/5.6, ISO 400, EV 0, 31mm Focal Length, Bounce Flash.

After an early morning breakfast, I photographed reflections in the very still Rivers of America in Frontierland at the Magic Kingdom.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland on a still morning.
Nikon D750/24-120VR, 1/125s, f/16, ISO 250, EV +0.3, 85mm Focal Length.

I certainly can not end this look back to 2017 without a nod to the latest Star Wars movie, The Last Jedi, with this scene from Disney’s Hollywood Studios of the March of the First Order up Hollywood Blvd. being commanded by Captain Phasma, herself.

Captain Phasma leads the March of the First Order up Hollywood Blvd.
Nikon D750/24-120VR, 1/320s, f/5.6, ISO 100, EV 0, 210mm Focal Length.

Here is a little bonus and preview to 2018. With construction walls around Disney’s Hollywood Studios, it was nice to see the Tinker Toy-like construction of Toy Story Land which should open in the Summer of 2018.

People walking past the poster on a construction wall of the future Toy Story Land on Pixar Place.
Nikon D750/28-300VR, 1/400s, f/8, ISO 100, EV 0, 28mm Focal Length.

I am still in the initial planning for my trips in 2018. I know there will be a Disney Cruise in the fall. Again, Happy New Year!

If you have anything you would like me to write about or have any questions, leave me a Comment below.