you can take camera tripods into the parks?

[teebin]

I cannot recall seeing a camera tripod in any of the parks yet it is not on the list of restricted items on the Disney site. Am I missing something? How are CMs instructed to handle someone unsprawling a tripod in a congested area of a park?

Q. Are there any personal items I should not bring with me into the Theme Parks? A. Items that you may not bring into the Theme Parks include, but are not limited to:

• Items with wheels, such as wagons, skateboards, scooters, inline skates, shoes with built-in wheels, two-wheeled or three-wheeled conveyances, strollers larger than 36" x 52", suitcases, coolers, or backpacks with or without wheels larger than 24" long x 15" wide x 18" high (coolers required for medication may be stored in a locker or at Guest Relations), and any trailer-like object that is pushed or towed by an ECV wheelchair or stroller
• Alcoholic beverages
• Weapons of any kind
• Folding chairs
• Glass containers (excluding baby food jars and perfume bottles)
• Pets (unless they are service animals)
• In Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park (for the safety of the wildlife), balloons, straws and drink lids are not permitted.

 

[maelstrom]

As far as I know, you can bring in small table-top tripods or monopods, but they won't let you in with a large stand-up tripod. Rather, they'd make you put it in a locker. Can you imagine what would happen with hundreds of tourists setting up full-size tripods on Main Street?

I only brought my full-size tripod to WDW once, and I only used it on our balcony at the Contemporary for fireworks.

 

[CThaddeus]

I'm not sure if it is different at Disney World, but Disneyland will let you bring in any size tripod, as long as you show that it is a tripod and that you have a camera you're using on it (they asked me at the checkpoint once if I had a camera. Not only was there one in my backpack next to the tripod, but there was also one slung over each shoulder. I thought the comment was very funny - especially since one of them was a pretty big Hi-8 camcorder - but the person seemed quite serious and didn't seem to notice it).
Parades seem to be okay to use them, but I was told before the Snow White musical that I couldn't use my tripod because it would be a fire hazard. That, too, was funny, since my legs stuck out further than the tripod. In any case, I don't see that they would turn you away if you had it with you...but I could be wrong.

 

[carolina_yankee]

I've used a tripod on Main Street for Wishes. You should see the numbers of tripods lined up in front of Crystal Palace, too!

Several tripods were used by some people to film Spectromagic in January. What surprised me was that they were up on one of the planters where Liberty Square morphs into Frontierland, and the CMs didn't mind. They were definitely amateurs and not pros . . .

I don't think it's a problem except in show seating areas or if a CM senses an immediate trip hazard.

Dirk

 

[teebin]

Well that is cool to hear. I hand held a vid cam at AK yesterday and while the pics are very nice and quite steady, they aren't tripod pics. I did one shot on a table top next to the reflecting pool at Flame Tree Barbee. Came out some special... and looks documentary like. I am going to take a tripod next time and do a for tv special about the unseen Africa: It's people and animals. The Discovery Channel will LOVE IT. Then maybe a series on Asia, and then maybe a TV docu about the unseen castles of Europe. And then, wow them with "The hollywood you never knew!" LOL.

 

[BwanaBob]

I have always used the "small" tripods that extend to approx 3-4'. They fold up to a rather nice 8" and work great. Of course they wont hold the old VHS beasts of the 80's, and I wouldn't use it with any elaborate gear (ie: larger professional cameras such as the size the photo CM's use)...but they are GREAT for anything and everything otherwise.

Never had any problems. Just need to use common sense and courtesy.

 

[WDWFigment]

I just bought a full size tripod that folds down to only 14.6". It's called the Sunpak Travellite and is sold at Best Buy, if anyone is interested. I plan on using it after evening EMH in the 1-2 hours they'll let me stay in the park after closing. When no one is around, the tripod really can't get in the way, and it will be necessary to get the good nighttime pictures!

 

[lilmizpixie3]

I remember my family taking pictures for Christmas cards one year and we went around to alot of resorts with a tripod and took pictures infront of the awesome Christmas decorations. But I don't recall if we brought the tripod into the parks or not, I think we just had random people snap a nice picture here and there.

 

[ZapperZ]

As far as I know, you can bring in small table-top tripods or monopods, but they won't let you in with a large stand-up tripod. Rather, they'd make you put it in a locker. Can you imagine what would happen with hundreds of tourists setting up full-size tripods on Main Street?

Er.. this is not true. I've brought my tripod into WDW many times. I don't have the big, obnoxious tripod, but still, it expands to a full-size (6 ft tall). That's what I used for night shots and all the videos.

So yes, they do let you bring in tripods.

Zz.

 

[scpergj]

I've been thinking about using one of the nicer monopods.

I know it won't stand on it's own, but it's about all I need for the type of shots I take. I'm not sure I'd want to put a $1000 digital SLR on a tripod in Disney crowds...it'd be my luck someone would knock it over and break it...so I'd rather keep my hands on it anyway.

Kevin

 

[PhotoDave219]

I cannot recall seeing a camera tripod in any of the parks yet it is not on the list of restricted items on the Disney site. Am I missing something? How are CMs instructed to handle someone unsprawling a tripod in a congested area of a park?

Yes, you may. Except major high attendance days like NYE. I was denied entry for my tripod several new years eves ago.

As far as I know, you can bring in small table-top tripods or monopods, but they won't let you in with a large stand-up tripod. Rather, they'd make you put it in a locker. Can you imagine what would happen with hundreds of tourists setting up full-size tripods on Main Street?

Size generally isnt a factor, i have used an 8 foot tall tripod on many an occasion on Main Street. Gets over the heads of those pesky 9 foot tall Dad'n'kids that seem to be growing out of a normal adult's shoulders.

I know it won't stand on it's own, but it's about all I need for the type of shots I take. I'm not sure I'd want to put a $1000 digital SLR on a tripod in Disney crowds...it'd be my luck someone would knock it over and break it...so I'd rather keep my hands on it anyway.

I've never had a problem in the three years i lived near there and shot in the parks. Of course i also was very vigilant and often didnt set up until the final 5 minutes before a show started.

Just act responsible with them and understand that if youre on Main Street, the best advice i have for you is when it ends, grab the tripod and camera as one piece and quickly get against the walls of the shops and break down your equipment there.

 

[MissM]

I brought a monopod to take photos of the Osborne Family Dancing Lights at MGM last year. Worked out pretty well. I wouldn't bring a full tripod though just because it can get crowded and be rude to other guests. The only tripod I've brought are like BwanaBob mentions; the small ones that fold up and fit in a pocket. I've rested it on top of a trashcan for example for a steady shot.
-m

 

[Jesùs_Carioca]

How Steady is your hand? Cause...y'know... I've been told angling a camera just right on a trashcan gives the same beautiful effect, especially with night time effect shots.


*sigh*...i'll be more of a help next time around, i really will.

 

[tycho40]

Just a few weeks ago, I saw someone plonk down a full-sized Gitzo with his Canon 5D smack dab in the middle of the MK Hub after the last parade, and not a single cast member said a thing. They may not have minded since the park was closing soon, however...

 

[maelstrom]

Oh, you know I'm not mAElstROmRocKS!, Dave, stop it.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

I use a monopod - I'd hate to have someone fall over my tripod and ruin a long exposure picture

 

[PhotoDave219]

Oh, you know I'm not mAElstROmRocKS!, Dave, stop it.

T'was a lil joke....

Anyways, as for monopods, trashcans, etc, They all work. If i'm traveling to WDW by airplane, i'm not brinign a tripod. Plain and simple, i'm not wasting the space. I'd either buy a piece of crap $20 dollar one from walmart or make due otherwise. So the trash can idea works very well.

Here's an example using my Canon point and shoot:

So tripod or not, you can still get good stuff.

 

[BwanaBob]

Size generally isnt a factor,...

You know, Dave...

I've said that many a times before...

...and it's usually followed by a hearty laugh.

Not that I want to see your tripod.
I've heard all kinds of rumors about what you use.