Bringing Video Cameras to WDW: Yay or Nay?

[Since1976]

I recommend taking turns being the video-documentarian. Either switch use of the camera every few hours, or every day.

The only concern I had with bringing a video camera on my last trip was the thrill rides. We decided to leave the camcorder at home and brought a regular camera instead. Even though it was smaller, the camera was in a pretty bulky bag, so on every coaster we went on, we had to make sure one hand or leg was on top of the bag to secure it. (I wouldn't recommended letting it swing free around your arm or neck) It was a little hard to enjoy the ride while worrying about the camera.

As far as I know, Disney rides don't have the little cubby holes for leaving personal belongings before boarding the ride, like many amusement parks do. Maybe they should have more locker stations spread throughout the park.

 

[JBSLJames]

We are also struggling with this decision. Since we will probably do two days at the MK, we will bring the video on one of those days. The other parks, not so sure. Thi is our first trip as a family and I do not know when we will be back. I want to take as much video as possible but do not want to miss out. Tough one. Maybe I can hire Rob to take video of my family while we are there. . .hmmmmmmmmm.

 

[shari71]

Over the last few years we have brought the camcorder but then left it in the room for the entire trip. There year we bought a smaller one but I only intend to take it half of the trip. We have to come back for naps each day so it will be easy to either pick it up or leave it. I intend to use this year. The girls are growing up so quickly and they are not remembering the trips, but I do want to hear their tiny little voices and laughs. That is what dreams are made of.

 

[LadyDarling]

On our last trip (Christmas 2003), we brought our video camera, a Sony HI-8. We shot about 12 hours of video. I DID bring along a tripod to help keep the camera steady. If I felt that the tripod would be in the way of others, I just folded the legs together and used it as a monopod. We have several ride videos, all of the Christmas Around the World stories from EPCOT, Fantasmic!, ROE, the Christmas show in front of the castle during the MVMCP (and the parade), the Osbourne lights and the proof that it snows at Disney Studios, the Shamu show at Seaworld (and a thunderstorm afterward when it was snowing in the Philly area the same day ), etc.

Great advice - but I'm curious - How did you get to see the Osborne Family lights in 2003? They were down last year. (at least as far as I knew). Don't tell me I missed it! I'd be broken hearted! It's bad enough I have to suffer through missing it this year (le sigh - le weep).

 

[Hochmania]

I've brought both a camcorder and a digital camera and I feel a camcorder isn't necessary for most. Unless you want to videotape everything(and manage to actually do just that), it's not worth it. Since most new digital cameras have video mode, it's more effective to bring a camera.

 

[maxime29]

Never had a problem with it. Definately experience the parks first, since the full enjoyment of the park isn't there when you are concerned about capturing it on tape. I made a day for recording a day at MK after going through the park previously. It helps that I have a MiniDV camera since the size and weight makes it easy enough to carry around the park.

I think the majority of the rides your equipment will be fine on. I took my camera on such rides as Space Mountain and RnRC (inside a carrying bag), and it didn't move. I do recommend having a method of "strapping it down" as this may not occur for everyone else.

I honestly don't like the "movie modes" on the digital cameras much. Having to store everything (photos and shorter video clips) on one media card can take up a lot of space (especially if you don't have a laptop to dump the data on or have a large capacity card). And the quality of the movies isn't as good as on a video camera IMO

 

[David]

We always take a digital and video camera with us. I'll never forget when we took our son for the first time in '97 we were leaving Epcot and decided to go through Mouse Gear. I had my camera out and totally unexpected ,Mickey walked throught the store. Very few people were in there at the time and my son ran up to give Mickey a big hug. I have that on tape and it is so special to us. Take your camera and make some memories!

 

[BigNorm]

I've taken a camcorder on occasion, one year it was decided, without my approval mind you, that I would be the videographer. I find that I missed alot of really great things while looking through that viewfinder. Personally I don't like the recording aspect of a camcorder, but I love having the video when I get back home. I think overall, it's a personal preference thing though.

 

[colliera]

I always bring the video camera and a digital camera as well but alternate which one I take depending on what's up for a give day. I tried hauling both around and it really was too much. Taping shows are great, rides usually much harder and really take several passes to get and entire ride.

For shows I would advise watching if through once without taping so you will know the pacing and staging of the action. The old Hunchback show was the easiest to tape and Beauty and the Beast is almost impossible - they spread the action so far apart on the width of the stage that when you zoom out to capture it all everything is too tiny to watch on TV. One trick I use that works however is if they have a large troupe of dancers/actors I will try to frame up just two or three in a tighter shot since they most always are preforming the same steps.

It's better than in the old days when the video camera and recorder were two components connected with a cable. I lugged a 7 pound camera and a 14 pound deck around in the heat of August once and just about wore myself out. Love those Sony Handicams! :sohappy:

Count down to WDW: 1 Day, 17 Hours, 14 Minutes and 10 seconds!

 

[surfsupdon]

YAY!

I bring it on most days to "get some footage." I think of it as filming a reality show, so I have some fun with it. My "footage," as I always call it, is funny and I'll even begin wit a Real World-esque introduction, of a true story, of one family, picked to go to WDW, live together, yada yada yada

But yeah, the camera does not take up too much room, and don't bring it everyday. I think some moments it captures are great, and I love how you can hear the music in the background and such. Lots of fun.

 

[rosebud's mom]

I have to laugh remembering the first trip with the first generation VHS that must have weighed at least 40 pounds ! However, we go even further back than that. we have 8mm reels shot during my first trip. We did put the VHS in a locker for a while.

Now all these years and a second husband later, he is planning on buying a digital recorder for our upcoming trip. This makes me especially happy, as it has taken me TEN YEARS to talk him into this trip and I'm clutching to the hope that he has decided just maybe he might like it !