Bringing a video camera to the parks?

[fantavet]

I have nice video camera and I do DVD editing so I thought it would be a great idea to bring the video camera and take some shots. I try not to go nuts. If I do I just edit it out later.

Anyway, is it really worth it? I mean I hear at MGM that the RnR is a tight squeeze and you are better off getting a locker, same for water raft ride at AKL etc... get a locker.

What has been your experience? Not sure if I want the added stress of protecting the camera the whole trip and spending money on lockers.

 

[manticore]

I have nice video camera and I do DVD editing so I thought it would be a great idea to bring the video camera and take some shots. I try not to go nuts. If I do I just edit it out later.

Anyway, is it really worth it? I mean I hear at MGM that the RnR is a tight squeeze and you are better off getting a locker, same for water raft ride at AKL etc... get a locker.

What has been your experience? Not sure if I want the added stress of protecting the camera the whole trip and spending money on lockers.

It really depends on your DV camera. If it is small enough it is not that much of an issue. My JVC (DVP9) is pretty small amd fits in a small case on my belt loop. I often put in a small sandwhich bag if I know I am going to be on water rides. I have used other larger cameras in the past and found them difficult to protect. It was a pain to worry about it all the time. This led me to buy the one I have now.

 

[disneytyme]

We took ours the first day to MK, but found that is was in the way and a pain to get in and out all day. We have not taken one since. I agree with the previous reply. If the camera is pretty small then it might not be so bad. I would try it the first day and see how it goes.

 

[oogieboogie]

If it's small enough, take a ziploc bag with you. If you decide to go on the wet rides, just put it in the ziploc bag and voila... dry camcorder.

I don't usually bring a camcorder because I'm a camera person. I love taking pictures on my dig cam and don't have time to record. The last trip we brought a camcomder on one condition - I wasn't going to carry it and I wasn't going to tape it. I told DH since he wanted to bring it, it was his responsibility. The camcorder stayed in the room for most of the trip.

 

[fantavet]

Yeah I thought of the ziploc bag idea but all of you have the same sentiment that I think I'm going to have and that it will be a pain in the butt. My wife thinks it is a great idea to bring it

But she does not know how to work it. It is small enough I'll probably have to bring it just to keep her happy but I can honestly see keeping it in the room most of the time. Thanks for the tips!

 

[wicket2005]

Since I got a camcorder I have always taken it with me, the last two trips it was a fairly bulky Hi8 one. We perserved with it because we knew we would be able to view everywhere we went once home.

Going to Orlando from England is a pretty expensive business so having a video memory helps to bring Orlando home to us.

At last this year we are going back and because my old camcorder has got a bit unreliable I have bought a knew Sony palmcorder which is minute compared to our old one. It will be a lot easier to carry around.

I am going to buy an aquapac bag for it which is totally waterproof. It is important to protect your electronics at all times. Water rides are one thing but I am hearing about torrential downpours which can also cause significant damage. I lost a digicamera this year when rain got through the zip on my camera bag.

 

[EthansMom]

No, we don't take ours. If we left it in the room, we would have to make sure it was locked up. And if we took it with us to the parks, we would be worried that it (1) would get stolen or (2) would get damaged on a ride. It has just never proven worth it to us to deal with the hassle and anxiety.

We do take a regular still-frame camera -- this year will be taking our digital camera which is still pricey at a couple hundred dollars, but is lightweight and small enough to fit in my fanny pack with my cell phone, wallet, snacks, etc.