Steadycam/Glidecam at the Parks

[JPWDW]

Hello:

Does any of you all videographer and photographs fanatics has ever brought to Disneyland or Walt Disney World a steadycam (specifically, a Glidecam), which are camera stabilizers inside the park´s rides and shows?

I will be going to Disneyland Resort in late January, but as I have never seen this gear ever used at the theme parks I have the big doubt that I may not be allowed to bring them inside (maybe for safety reasons or because I look kinda pro with them). I contacted Disneyland to see if I got an official response from them, but they just sent me a letter with which cameras were allowed and nothing about the stabilizer.

I want to know, if I could get inside the parks this: Glidecam´s HD-1000 (http://www.glidecam.com/product-hd-series.php) and Glidecam´s Body-Pod (http://www.glidecam.com/product-body-pod.php) for that stabilizer. My camera is a Sony HVR-A1U.

Photos:
HD-1000

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/images345x345/579906.jpg

Body-Pod

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/images150x150/112217.jpg

If any of you are or were cast members and specially those at the entrance´s Security Check points I would like to know before I go o the parks any answer on this. Any help is highly appreciated.

Thanks and have a nice day!

[C&B Young]

The only one I've ever seen was at the American Idol Experience... it was part of the show though, so I don't think that counts! In theory, it's really the same as bringing in a tripod for a still camera. I can't see Security at the park seeing it that way, though. I'd love to see the videos if you're able to use it though!

[Code]

My (wild & uneducated) guess is you'd probably be able to get it through the gate but that it wouldn't take too long using it to get asked to stop.

[JPWDW]

So, what I'm trying to do here is get a very smooth and steady shot of the main rides from Disneyland Park. I have taught in several ideas besides the Glidecam system. Actually, it does looks very big.

My ideas:
Sony Pro Tripod with remote and fluid head
Pros> No problem at entrance or at rides, steady shots, great panning and tilting.
Cons> Bumps and hard moves are very notable (example: Big Thunder Mountain. I wont get that smoothness I want)

Glidecam without Body-Pod
Pros> I will get all I want from smooth shots and more.
Cons> Entrance or cm problems, they may not allow it on certain rides. I would loose my right arm and hand.

Tripod with steadycam/stability system included.
Does this even exists?

What do you guys say? Thanks!

[ChiSoxKeith]

At first when I saw your post, I thought that I had never seen a steady cam in the parks. But then I remembered something from my May 2010trip.....everybody know who Lou Mongello is? He runs the WDW Radio podcast and has written a couple of books on Disney......

Well, I was walking through Fantasyland and I saw him and a camera guy walking through. He was shooting some kind of video podcast or tour guide type thing. Pretty sure that the cameraman had a steadycam.

I would imagine he had to have gotten permission to be shooting comercially like that in the park.

[GrillMouster]

It's a stabilizer like a tripod is a stabilizer. However, tripods are a lot more commonplace than one of these. That may get your the kind of attention from CMs and security that you don't want. There have already been accounts of photographers getting harassed for DSLRs and tripods. Often the guard/CM says that Disney doesn't allow unapproved commercial shooting on Disney property.

Even if you get it past the entrance gate, you might get CMs and guards questioning you throughout the day. I don't think it would be worth the hassle for the benefit you'll get from it.

[Gdad]

Glidecam without Body-Pod
Pros> I will get all I want from smooth shots and more.
Cons> Entrance or cm problems, they may not allow it on certain rides. I would loose my right arm and hand.

I think I would try this option. The look with the harness definitely puts it over the top. I've been looking at a merlin steadicam for the same reason but can't convince myself to spend that much mooney on one yet. Either way be sure to come back, let us know what happened, and post a link to your videos. I'd love to see the results.

[Groucho]

I've seen a Steadicam being used in the parks...

http://www.groucho.org/pics/50960-3/WDW2010-409.jpg

(Sorry about the pic quality, it was a quick shot with an inappropriate lens and pretty heavily cropped.)
This is one of the smaller models, obviously. This was after Epcot opened but before World Showcase was open. We were staying at Beach Club so walked through this section on our way to Future World. The two kissing were posed that way for a few minutes, locking lips, while the guy with the camera did the same swooping shot repeatedly. It looked like there was a complete second set of gear (camera + Steadicam) on the ground with the assistant/friend/whoever the girl in the hoodie was.

I think any attempts to use any serious system like that on a moving ride - especially something like Big Thunder - will be heavily frowned upon. Just the logistical challenges are significant - won't it get in the way when putting the safety bar down? What if it falls out of your hand and smacks against something or someone? Will it be in the way when going through turnstiles? Will it slow you down climbing down into boats like on PotC? And if you're shooting a show, a tripod/monopod would make more sense since you won't be moving around.

[Raindown]

I've never seen one at Disneyland, except for official parade filming. Apparently, this person was able to use one, whatever it is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxrIYzxRmAA