A few quick questions before I leave

[mermaid86]

I have a few questions that i posted in my pre trip report that no one answered for me so maybe if i post them here I will get a respone

Would you recommend bringing a laptop?? I would only bring it to load all my pictures on. I have 2 GB, but worry I will run out of space.. I'll have the resolution set at mediumish (for like a 5x7) I anticipate being a picture maniac, but dont want to bring the computer if its unnecessary.

As far as tips go.. who must I all tip? I read about the Mousekeeping, and the jist I got from that was like $2/day?? Besides that... must we tip anyone at the airport or hotel otherwise?

For waterparks... do people just nix the camera that day? I'm worried about getting it wet or having it stolen, but dont want to miss out on picture opportunities. What do people generally do for those parks??


Thanks for your help! 3 days

 

[disneyag]

I'd buy another memory stick rather than bring laptop. It's much smaller and they are now pretty cheap.

We tip Mousekeeping about $1 per person per day.

 

[scorpad99]

I would bring a water camera , great for the waterparks, the kodak one takes a pretty good picture for a disposable....................it would be a shame not to have pictures from that day........but just remember if you are flying to ask them to check it separately from the exray machines, it could ruin 800 asa!

 

[iggbees]

i think as long as you aren't asking anyone for any kind of services at the airport or the hotel, then you won't have to tip them. you might want to tip the magical express driver (i think i tipped them like 3$ or something since they didn't carry our bags or anything). we tipped mousekeeping 3$ for the 2 of us per day so 1.50$ per person.

i brought 2 1 gb cards and i was ok, but i could have used more picture space (we only went for 5 days too and we don't have kids). if you don't mind bringing your laptop, then go for it, i'll bet you'll find that the 2 gb card goes quick!

have a great time!

 

[mermaid86]

I would bring a water camera , great for the waterparks, the kodak one takes a pretty good picture for a disposable

thanks! i just ran out and picked one up at the store. i didn't even think of that

i also just went through and deleted all the stuff off my memory cards.. and apparently i'll have room for 3,001 pictures with a 5x7 quality. if i need more room than that... i have a problem

 

[pepe of ohio]

Personally, I feel lap tops are a pain on vacation, there are so many read readers, image storage devices to down load to plus buying additional cards or sticks, that dragging a lap top is just an extra burden. Checking e-mail? That canwait until I return home, I'm on vacation, see you when I return. And at around 10 bucks a day for internet access and all to do on property, whose got time to play on the net? I've never had the inkling to bring it, also a pain to carry either by plane or train.

Go with the extra cards, or download at a photo shop while at wDW to a CD, much easier and less to handle.

 

[amcjeep4life]

We are planning on bring our lap top for our trip in September. We are bringing our nieces, aged 10 and 12, for their first trip. First trip to WDW, but also first long trip w/o mom or dad! We are bringing the lap top so that at the end of each day, they can e-mail their fav picture of the day home, that way they feel in touch. It also keeps their mom in touch. Although she told us she was cool with them being gone for the week, I think she will also enjoy hearing from them each day. They can also e-mail dad, and the grandparents. And maybe friends to make them jealous? So, that is my justification for bringing the laptop. Also, I plan on downloading pictures each day, then if there are any little ghosts in the machine, i don't have to worry about it destroying the whole trip's pictures. Perhaps just being paranoid, but I lost some very important pictures for a criminal case I was investigating one time, and it pretty much sunk the case. So, now I am extra careful, and copy the pictures 20 different places!

 

[mma800]

We're leaving on Wednesday!! I am bringing my HUGE laptop. I wish I could upgrade to a nice small one, but I'd rather go to WDW! I can use it for kids games, dvds, email, etc. Plus I have a Verizon card, so I don't have to pay for internet service (I already pay monthly!) It does work in WDW, tried it before.

Can't help with the digital photos, disposable Kodaks are my limit of technological expertise. Have a magical time!

 

[Mousema]

My general rule on tipping is, if they do something out of the way or touch your luggage, you should tip. For instance, bell services, sky caps. Then I tip $1/bag. Mousekeeping, if I'm by myself, I usually don't tip because there is nothing really messy or out of place for 1 person. If I'm with others, I tip $1/day/person.