Last Saturday I went to the roof of the Contemporary for some pictures. These are a little different than most I take, as I wanted to include the elements of the roof itself so that those that have never been up there could see what it looks like since we all have seen the pictures of the park from that angle. I took the elevator up to the 11th floor. 12 & 14 are concierge, and 15 is California Grill. 11 is as high as you can go. During the day the roof is basically divided into four sections, separated by the California Grill, which is locked (I tried the door while I was up there, I love to take pictures of restaurants before they open). So, you can walk to each end of the hall to the stairs. The Magic Kingdom end is called NW. The doors to the steps lock behind you. Since I no longer have a film can in my pocket, I had to use my coffee cup, which worked perfectly. On the bay side, SW someone else had already left two towels and a brick to hold the door open! The doors are really heavy, so make sure you have something with you. I dont think a pen or scraps of paper would work. The Bay side SW, is really dirty and smelly as said in another thread. Mountains of bird p**p and smelled of urine. Watch your step and hold your breath!! YUCK! The Magic Kingdom side is really clean with no odor or p**p!! [This attachment has been purged. Older attachments are purged from time to time to conserve disk space. Please feel free to repost your image.]
Here are the pictures from the bay side. Here a long lens makes it more interesting. You can see MGM, Epcot Center, and Animal Kingdom all at once! [This attachment has been purged. Older attachments are purged from time to time to conserve disk space. Please feel free to repost your image.]
two more from the bay side... [This attachment has been purged. Older attachments are purged from time to time to conserve disk space. Please feel free to repost your image.]
So what happens if the doors lock behind you, you're trapped up there if the restaurant isn't open yet?
Oh, I think I just figured it out. You'd just have to take the stairs down to the ground, where presumably there is a way to get off the stairwell?
Come on, it's not like the Monorail will catch fire or anything. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_IV_monorail Oops.
Ya know, I don't think the monorail has any windshield wipers? Are the birds Disney castmembers or something? I don't recall ever seeing a monorail decorated by "nature."
Oh my gosh.. I'm already thinking about the "fake tilt shift" effect.. and now I see that monorail from above shot.. it's just BEGGING to have the effect used on it. Actually the angle might be too high, it already has a certain model look to it. I have this urge to edit in plastic model people, scaled to equivalent life size.. and maybe a giant bird or two. I love the shot though, such an extreme angle.
Thanks for the pictures. I enjoy the overview shots of parks. Really helps bring things in perspective.
Thanks Craig! You're so kind!! I would have never found this gem unless I asked, so I'm glad I did... Also, dawholagn, if you're still around - that first fake tilt-shift shot of the monorail is the best!!