Buying film at WDW

[Mystic]

I don't know if this is the right place to post this or not and no I haven't done a thread search so please don't jump all over me as I didn't have time to do one.

I know each park has a store dedicated to cameras and film and stuff. I was wondering if anybody knew what speed film these stores carry. The Mercantile at the Lodge carries film but they only carry 400 speed and lower and I'm looking for 800 speed so I can take night time shots the next time I head down since I'll be attending Mickey's Christmas Party and the Candlelight Processional. I'm not a fan of digital cameras and don't own one so that is not an option. Any help would be appreciated.

:veryconfu

 

[wannab@dis]

I don't know if this is the right place to post this or not and no I haven't done a thread search so please don't jump all over me as I didn't have time to do one.

I know each park has a store dedicated to cameras and film and stuff. I was wondering if anybody knew what speed film these stores carry. The Mercantile at the Lodge carries film but they only carry 400 speed and lower and I'm looking for 800 speed so I can take night time shots the next time I head down since I'll be attending Mickey's Christmas Party and the Candlelight Processional. I'm not a fan of digital cameras and don't own one so that is not an option. Any help would be appreciated.

:veryconfu

I believe I remember seeing a range of options in the stores, but it's been a while since I looked. I can say this... bring your film with you and bring extra. You don't want to be buying it on property! You'll save a bundle if you don't buy it in the parks. :wave:

 

[Mystic]

In the past we've always bought our film down there and had it developed there because we didn't want them going through the X-ray machines at the airport. Unfortunately now Disney doesn't do the processing on property anymore.

 

[jakeman]

You could ask for a hand inspection of you film at the airport.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

1) Buy your film requirements before you go - its cheaper
2) Use Disneys camera shops as a back up - should you run out while in the park - otherwise use a local photographers or chemist
3) Film speeds of 800 (exposed or not) are perfectly safe through airport scanners - if you are concerned wrap the film cartridge in kitchen foil and place back into the original container or ask for a hand check

 

[Yellow Shoes]

1) Buy your film requirements before you go - its cheaper
2) Use Disneys camera shops as a back up - should you run out while in the park - otherwise use a local photographers or chemist
3) Film speeds of 800 (exposed or not) are perfectly safe through airport scanners - if you are concerned wrap the film cartridge in kitchen foil and place back into the original container or ask for a hand check

I just LOVE when you say "chemist".....

I asked for a hand inspection of my bag and film and the ever-helpful TSA agents refused. I am not one to throw a hissy fit, so I let it go. But the film was fine.

 

[crazygirley]

Regular film, such as 35mm and APS film, can make it through security x-ray machines eight times before damage is done. Many people don't believe this, but it is true. Save yorself money and buy film ahead of time.

 

[barnum42]

Just another supporter of buying before you get there and not to worry about Airport X-Rays. Problems of their making a mess of film are a thing of the past, unless you are going to some third world countries with older kit.

Alternatively, go digital

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

I just LOVE when you say "chemist".....

translation = drug store or pharmacist

 

[MickeyTigg]

Go to a photo store and buy a lead lined pouch for your film.

Actually...this is a sure way of getting your bags inspected.

The x-ray machines used that travelers go through will not ruin any film.

Directly from TSA's website -

Transporting Film

WARNING: Equipment used for screening checked baggage will damage your undeveloped film.

Traveling with Film

Never place undeveloped film in your checked baggage.
Place film in your carry-on baggage* or request a hand inspection.

* Carry-on screening equipment might also damage certain film if the film passes through more than 5 times.

None of the screening equipment - neither the machines used for checked baggage nor those used for carry-on baggage - will affect digital camera images or film that has already been processed, slides, videos, photo compact discs, or picture discs.

General use film

You should remove all film from your checked baggage and place it in your carry-on baggage. The X-ray machine that screens your carry-on baggage at the passenger security checkpoint will not affect undeveloped film under ASA/ISO 800.

If the same roll of film is exposed to X-ray inspections more than 5 times before it is developed, however, damage may occur. Protect your film by requesting a hand-inspection for your film if it has already passed through the carry-on baggage screening equipment (X-ray) more than 5 times.

Specialty film

Specialty film is defined as film with an ASA/ISO 800 or higher and typically used by professionals.

At the passenger security checkpoint, you should remove the following types of film from your carry-on baggage and ask for a hand inspection:

Film with an ASA/ISO 800 or higher
Highly sensitive X-ray or scientific films
Film of any speed which is subjected to X-ray surveillance more than 5 times (the effect of X-ray screening is cumulative)
Film that is or will be underexposed
Film that you intend to 'push process'
Sheet film
Large format film
Medical film
Scientific film
Motion picture film
Professional grade film

Other Tips and Precautions:

If you plan to request a hand inspection of your film, you should consider carrying your film in clear canisters, or taking the film out of solid colored canisters and putting it into clear plastic bags, to expedite the screening process.

If you are going to be traveling through multiple X-ray examinations with the same rolls of undeveloped film, you may want to request a hand-inspection of your film. However, non-U.S. airports may not honor this request.

If you plan to hand-carry undeveloped film on an airplane at an international airport, contact the airport security office at that airport to request a manual inspection.

Consider having your exposed film processed locally before passing through airport security on your return trip.

We recommend that you do not place your film in lead-lined bags since the lead bag will have to be hand-inspected. If you have concerns about the impact of the X-ray machine on your undeveloped film, you can request a hand inspection.

You may still consider bringing a lead-lined bag if you are traveling through airports in other countries as their policies may vary. Check with your airline or travel agent for more information on foreign airports.

 

[shoppingnut]

Buy your film before you go, it will be far cheaper. I've never had a problem with my film going through the scanner at the airport. I now have a digital camera, really never thought I'd like it that much, but after a few trips with it, I love it to pieces.

 

[Mystic]

Thanks everyone.

Unfortunately we don't have time between the time we leave the Lodge and our flight to get the film processed before going home, that's why we always had it processed on property. I'd be flying into and out of Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Canada so I think our scanners are about on par with Orlando International.

I understand that ASA 400 speed will be fine through the carry-on scanner (always pack my camera in my carryon) but I'm confused about ASA 800. If I've got a few rolls of ASA 800 on me should I request a hand search? The TSA article was a little confusing on this point. It said anything under 800 is fine through the scanner but anything over 800 should be hand inspected so which category does ASA 800 fall into?

I know I'm probably freaking out over nothing but these are my vacation pictures we're talking about and I've never gotten the chance to be at the World for all the special holiday events and I don't want to lose my pictures. And going digital just isn't an option right now as I have a fairly new film camera that I got about 2 years ago that really doesn't need replacing.

 

[barnum42]

Thanks everyone.

Unfortunately we don't have time between the time we leave the Lodge and our flight to get the film processed before going home, that's why we always had it processed on property. I

Do you have your own transport when at Disney? If so there are plenty of places to get developing done off site, otherwise wait until you get home and you will have something to look forward to after the holiday is over

 

[Yellow Shoes]

Mystic,

Years ago you could buy what were called "pre-paid processing mailers." Kodak sold them, and I think you can still get them today.

Basically, you pay $6 or whatever for the envelope, then drop your film in it, stick it in the mail, and you're done with the process.

My husband's family did this when they did a 3-week vacation through the western US. He said it was really fun to have photos waiting for them when they got home.

Clark Photo and Snapfish are two companies that do this. (sorry--not sure if they're in Canada.)

Has Disney discontinued same day developing? We paid a small fortune for it 13 years ago ($20 for 24 exposures, double prints, as I recall), but we dropped off the film at the Epcot photo place and picked it up at the end of the day.

 

[Mystic]

Barnum42 - no we don't have our own transportation when we're at WDW. We fly down then take a limo from the airport and rely on Disney Transportation while we're there.

Mystic,

Years ago you could buy what were called "pre-paid processing mailers." Kodak sold them, and I think you can still get them today.

Basically, you pay $6 or whatever for the envelope, then drop your film in it, stick it in the mail, and you're done with the process.

My husband's family did this when they did a 3-week vacation through the western US. He said it was really fun to have photos waiting for them when they got home.

Clark Photo and Snapfish are two companies that do this. (sorry--not sure if they're in Canada.)

Has Disney discontinued same day developing? We paid a small fortune for it 13 years ago ($20 for 24 exposures, double prints, as I recall), but we dropped off the film at the Epcot photo place and picked it up at the end of the day.

I've never heard of the pre-paid processing envelopes and I don't know if it would work with them having to cross the border.

According to the Official Birnbaum Guide for 2006, Disney is no longer offering on-property developing. This is really annoying because we'd drop our film off at the Mercantile at the Wilderness Lodge on our way in at night and they'd be ready for us when we got back from the parks the next day. They offered it when I was there last November but looks like it's been discontinued.

 

[barnum42]

I've never heard of the pre-paid processing envelopes and I don't know if it would work with them having to cross the border.

In the UK there are a number of labs that have postal paid envelopes that you use to send your film to them along with a cheque for processing and printing and they post the finished product back.

I'm sure there must be something similar in Canada. Try Google or maybe email Kodak.

 

[bluefaery]

Barnum42 - no we don't have our own transportation when we're at WDW. We fly down then take a limo from the airport and rely on Disney Transportation while we're there

a limo? wow you must be important people. J/K

 

[FrumiousBoojum]

Mystic,

Years ago you could buy what were called "pre-paid processing mailers." Kodak sold them, and I think you can still get them today.

Basically, you pay $6 or whatever for the envelope, then drop your film in it, stick it in the mail, and you're done with the process.

The only mailers left are for Ekta Chrome and Kodachrome films.

However, Kodak closed its doors on their processing facilities. They will forward Ekta Chrome to another state. However, Kodachrome is only available to be developed at only one lab in the country due to EPA restrictions. And they don't take the mailers.

Kodak is in big trouble as far as film goes... their plan is to do away with all colour film and make only B&W/Specialty films.

 

[FrumiousBoojum]

Oh... MPix.com -- they do mailable processing.

 

[MickeyTigg]

Kodak is in big trouble as far as film goes... their plan is to do away with all colour film and make only B&W/Specialty films.

That stinks...I like their film.