Anyone have issues with disposable cameras at Disney?

[diavolobella]

Last May I brought several disposable cameras for our trip, and boy was I upset when I got home and had them developed. A large number of our photos did not come out at all, or were of such poor quality they might as well have been blank. I don't know if we got a bad box of cameras (I bought a box that held two cameras), or if they were somehow exposed on the airplane in our checked luggage. At any rate, it was such a huge disappointment to end up with about half the photos we took, and many of the ones that even came out be of such poor quality.

Has anyone else had issues with disposable cameras at Disney or while traveling in general, and if so, do you know what caused them or how to prevent this? I'm afraid to take disposable cameras this time.

 

[MickeyMomTo2]

I may be wrong, but I don't think you are ever supposed to put film of any kind in checked luggage. The x-ray machines can damage it. I don't know if this is what caused the problem, but it is a possibility.

 

[ScrapperKimmyD]

the only time I've ever used a disposable camera at Disney is when a CM dropped my camera and broke it. Disney gave me 2 disposable cameras to use. We used them at Goofy's Kitchen. The photos weren't terrible, but they weren't great, either.

Sorry yours weren't so good. I'd be terribly disappointed if I didn't have the pics I thought I did!

 

[megveg]

Last May I brought several disposable cameras for our trip, and boy was I upset when I got home and had them developed. A large number of our photos did not come out at all, or were of such poor quality they might as well have been blank. I don't know if we got a bad box of cameras (I bought a box that held two cameras), or if they were somehow exposed on the airplane in our checked luggage. At any rate, it was such a huge disappointment to end up with about half the photos we took, and many of the ones that even came out be of such poor quality.

Has anyone else had issues with disposable cameras at Disney or while traveling in general, and if so, do you know what caused them or how to prevent this? I'm afraid to take disposable cameras this time.

I hear the machines at the airport do mess up certain kinds of film. Not sure what kinds but I'm sure if you google it you can find out if thats why your cameras were ruined.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

I may be wrong, but I don't think you are ever supposed to put film of any kind in checked luggage. The x-ray machines can damage it. I don't know if this is what caused the problem, but it is a possibility.

This is true. Before we checked our luggage we were asked if we had any film in our bags (which we did) and told to take it out as even if it was unexposed it would be ruined once it went through the "scanners".

I only use disposable cameras in a pinch as the quality can be iffy anyway. Sorry your pictures were ruined.

 

[diavolobella]

This presents a quandry, because they scan your baggage whether it's checked or carry on. Either way it goes through an x-ray machine. So, what's a girl to do? Sigh....

My boyfriend is bringing his digital camera, but it has ROTTEN battery life. My cellphone takes pretty good photos though, and I can email them to myself as my phone fills up, to give me more space to take more.

 

[caniswolfie]

It's my understanding that the Scanning machine they use for the carry-on luggage and bags is different than the one for the checked luggage. They use higher intensity scanning for the checked luggage and that's what hurts the film on the checked baggage. Carry-on baggage uses a different scanner that does not hurt film. I also believe you can ask for a hand inspection of film related items or items that might be damaged by the scanner.

 

[diavolobella]

Thanks for the tip. I'll take at least one disposable camera in my carry one, and hopefully it will survive unscathed!

 

[UtahDisneyFan]

I just keep my camera in my carry-on.

 

[barbarabee]

Whenever we use "real" cameras, with film, we always put the film and any disposable film cameras in a separate baggy. When you get to the scanner, tell them to hand check those items so they don't go through the x-ray scanner. This is the best way to protect your pictures from having that foggy look that x-rays can cause.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

If some of the photos were good...it probably wasn't the scanner. It was probably the cameras. Disposable cameras aren't known for their quality photos (certainly photos taken in low light conditions would come out poorly...if at all). I would suggest investing in a new camera and not to waste money on disposables. It would save you money and frustration in the long run.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I always have disposable camera problems. We drive so we can't blame it on the airlines.

I think the quality is just poor. I still use the waterproof disposables but don't buy the normal ones anymore.

We've got a couple left that I plan on giving to the kids to use on nearby trips to the zoo.

Digital camera are getting cheaper all the time. Maybe you want to get one of those?

 

[dananbethany]

This presents a quandry, because they scan your baggage whether it's checked or carry on. Either way it goes through an x-ray machine. So, what's a girl to do? Sigh....

My boyfriend is bringing his digital camera, but it has ROTTEN battery life. My cellphone takes pretty good photos though, and I can email them to myself as my phone fills up, to give me more space to take more.

Have you ever tried the lithium batteries made for digital cameras? Mine used to eat up batteries like I eat up Oreos but I broke down, bought one pack of 4 AAs in January, and just now had to use the other 2 in the pack. I think I paid about $10 for them and I do take a lot, lot, lot of pictures and videos.

 

[diavolobella]

Thanks for the ideas. I bought two disposables, will bring them in my carry on, and have them hand inspected at the x-ray machine. As I said previously, my boyfriend is bringing his digital camera. I've mentioned the lithium batteries to him, but as the camera belongs to him, that is his call, not mine. I've always gotten very good quality photos with disposables, so I'm sure it was the fact that I put them in my checked luggage. It seems that the photos that came out the best were those in the middle of the roll, so two trips through the airport scanner (coming and going) probably hit the outsides of the rolls hard.

A digital camera is not something I can buy or need at this time. Disney is the only time I need a camera. Otherwise, my cellphone takes amazingly good photos, and I use it exclusively.

Here is one of my photos from last year, so you can that see the quality was quite good on the photos that did come out.

and really poor on the ones that didn't (and these are from the same camera!)

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

It's my understanding that the Scanning machine they use for the carry-on luggage and bags is different than the one for the checked luggage. They use higher intensity scanning for the checked luggage and that's what hurts the film on the checked baggage. Carry-on baggage uses a different scanner that does not hurt film. I also believe you can ask for a hand inspection of film related items or items that might be damaged by the scanner.

That's what I have always heard. We used disposable cameras for our first couple of trips and the photos were fine. We kept the cameras in our carry-ons. I have heard that you are not supposed to send the film through the scanners more than 4 times, so any cameras that we didn't use we just kept to use at home. We had very good luck with our disposables.

It is kind of funny that photos from the same camera had such different quality.

 

[bgbodnar]

Disposible cameras usually are a higher speed film, (800) so they should always be handed check going and coming.

 

[diavolobella]

I have nothing further to add about my camera issue. I just wanted to post to say that I arrive at the World TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yayyyyyyyyyy! Only a few hours and I'll be there!!! My little ticker frog has finally reached the end of his rope!

Oh, and just to stay on topic - I have my cameras in my carry on.

 

[jerseygal]

Didn't want the hassle of safeguarding a digital!

I just throw the disposables in the checked bags..never had a problem!
Pics came out fine..only ones I don't like are "inside" pics which require a flash...not the best by any means!

Digitals are great on trips, but a hassle to safeguard..Guess I am paranoid!
Stuff gets ripped off all the time in hotels!

 

[garmich]

Back when I used film, I always put my film in a metal-lined bag that protects it from the x-ray machines. I never had any damaged rolls of film. I don't know if they still make these bags. Go to a camera store and see if they have any.

 

[diavolobella]

I think I've got the situation resolved, as I explained if you read my previous posts. There is no time to go to a camera store. I leave for the airport in 30 minutes. My trip starts today!