Camcorders - worth it to lug around the parks?

[NJFabFour]

Just thinking ahead to what to pack/bring . . . is it worth it to bring the camcorder (have 2 five year olds)? Ours is relatively bulky and I'll be busy with the regular camera taking pictures so not sure if I should lug that too? Are you glad you had it? Regret taking it? What's the consensus? THANKS!

 

[CEDmom]

We didn't bring ours although I did think about it. I don't regret not having it although there are a few things that would have been nice to have on tape. Have you considered bringing it but not carrying it around all day/everyday? Maybe just have it for when your kids will meet their favorite character or other specific times.

 

[melk]

I would say take it. We take it every trip and never regret it. My kids love to watch the tapes of our past trips and they are able to recall a lot while watching them. The ONE time my brother and sil didn't have theirs, their daughter was picked to go onstage for one of the shows. They still kick themselves about that one.

 

[frannn]

The kids will never be that age again, or have that same exact experience again. Pictures are great, but they don't get the same "live action" that you can capture on tape. Also, you are spending so much $$ to have the Disney World vacation, that if you take video on some of the rides and shows, it will break back those feelings and memories for many years to come. I would not even consider not bringing my video camera, but that's just my opinion. You may not be as obsessed as me!

 

[NJFabFour]

That's a good point about having it for the kids to watch over and over! And I would really DIE if I didn't have it for an unexpected magical moment like being part of a show! Thanks for the advice!

 

[laurie31]

If it's really that big, do what I did...and go buy a new one! DH about died - he said there was nothing wrong with the old one. Which there wasn't anything *mechanically* wrong with it, but I knew who would be carrying it around all the time, plus it was old and did take forever to turn on. Last year, I missed half of what I wanted to tape because by the time the thing turned on the action was over. The new one is tiny and will fit in my fanny pack

If you can't afford to buy new, consider renting And actually, mine was one someone had returned, so I got 25% off. The sales person told me people buy them all the time, use them for an event like a wedding or graduation, and then return them. It's not really ethical, but they can't prove it, so they can't stop people. They do say they often find the tapes of the events still in the camera and they do NOT return them.

(btw, I'm not suggestiong that the OP buy a camera with the intent of using it on vacation and then returning it - I'm just saying that others do this, and buying one that's been returned after a single use is a nice way to get a virtually new camera still under warranty for way less $$$. Also not everyone that returns has done this- I hear some people like to buy several cameras, take them home and try them out, them keep the one they like best. I personally couldn't afford to do that...)

Or if your camcorder isn't all that huge, take it and enjoy. You never know when the pixie dust will be sprinkled on you, so to speak, and I know I will want to capture on video that moment when my girls first see the castle. I want to hear what they exclaim then as well as capture the look of wonder in their eyes

Laurie

 

[sarahandhannahsmom]

We take ours everywhere. Although we did invest in a new light weight one this past xmas. the kids are only little once.

We tape everything. we also have a tradition of watching our own home movies on new years eve with the kids (as you can see, we are real swingers. lol).

I say take it. You don't have to lug it with you everyday, but capture some of the magic, so they will be able to cherish the magic when they are older.

have a great trip.

 

[Cameo]

We took about 20 minutes of footage during our last trip with the kids and then made a video out of it when we got home. They have just about worn out the video of "Disney Vacation." We so regret not taking more footage than that and during our trip this year, we will go nuts with the camcorder. Hard to get it all done, along with taking still photos, but memories are precious. We will have no diapers, bottles this time so that will help!

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad Says.............................We've taken one a couple times.

I would take it, but not to the parks on every single day. Pick a couple days where you slow down the pace, or know for sure you will see a parade, and film away on those days.

 

[BCVNovember]

I will be using part of my Child Tax refund to buy one specifically for our trip in November.

 

[lauraljp]

Anyone bring their camcorder for part of the day and store it in a locker?

We are thinking about this if we get too tired of carrying it.

Would it be safe if a locker?

Laura

 

[CK1]

On the whole, we have grown very weary of our camcorder. I got tired of living my days looking at a monitor instead of real-life! But that's just me, perhaps. We found we were hauling the camera and never using it. DH just doesn't like to do it, and I felt like, with a camera strapped to me, I was missing out on the fun and spontanaeity. In contrast, I love my digital camera and take it everywhere. It's nice to know you got the shot, and delete it if you didn't!

I'd suggest that if you do take one, please take pictures with people you know in them -- I cannot get over how many folks I saw at the parks wandering around just shooting footage of scenery, a ride, but without anyone in particular on them. I'd hate to get invited to HIS house for movie night! Maybe those people are related to the aimless wnadering family radio people who feel compelled to ask "Where are you now" every 10 seconds... even during a ride or show -- and then comment back on what they are doing at that exact moment!

In summation -- take it if you're willing, but focus on your family and the fun they are having! They are going to be your first and most important audience for the finished movie anyway!

Cindy

 

[NJFabFour]

All good advice! Thank you so much! I think I'm sold on taking it, but as suggested, maybe just using it for select events/parks. Wish I had the $ to invest in a new lightweight gadget! Maybe for the next trip!

 

[goofy4tink]

My old camcorder was a pretty hefty one. I did bring it and put it in my backpack, wrapped up in a towel. I didn't bring it everyday tho. I just went out and bought a new one. Still not a tiny one. It's digital High8. It will fit in my fanny pack. I love to tape the scenery and parts of parades. The sounds of Disney World on tape really get to me. I would bring it with you some of the days, and maybe store it in a locker.

 

[frannn]

I used to get frustrated when my DH used to stop in his path every 5 min at WDW to get something on video. Each time he would stop, I would have to stop also, and hurry him along. After we returned from our trip, though, I began to request he put on "THE video" all the time. I would think that most people don't go to WDW more than once or twice a year (if even that much), and for those of us who are obsessed, we'll take it any way we can get it. My WDW videos are some of my most treasured posessions because they document my honeymoon, my first trip with the kids, and soon to be...my DD1's first family trip. We are different people at WDW- the magic and spirit of the place transform us into calm, rational, happy adults (not speaking for everybody here!) and I wouldn't trade these video memories for anything in the world. That being said, it is my DH who ends up doing 99% of the "viewing the World through a camcorder lense", so I thank goodness that he enjoys it! This trip, I will request that he tape even more! Have fun!

 

[HappyMommy2]

We didn't take ours last trip and regret it.
I'm making a really nice scrapbook with still pictures, etc. from our trip for the kids to look at but it would have been wonderful to have video too, at least from a couple of days of the trip.

Lesson learned!

 

[Disneymom2AA]

We didn't take ours and I wish we had. I took well over 200 pictures and placed them neatly in an album. It's just so hard to explain the effects of Illuminations or any show for that matter. Disney is a magical place and I'm definately taking the camcorder this year!!

FRANN - I hope your daughter's first trip is magical!!!

 

[laurie31]

We haven't been since 1994...and it's doubtful we'll get to go back until around 2012 so I'll be one of those videoing every moment too! (don't worry, I will use the screen instead of the viewfinder so I can actually enjoy what's happening at the time )

Laurie, of the husband with far too little vacation time

 

[Memaw2Wm]

I too hate viewing the world thru the viewfinder of my camcorder ... so I bought one with a TV screen ... discovered that I still prefer my still camera. So we didn't bring the camcorder to Disney last summer for my g'kids first Disney vacation.

However, it turns out that my daughter (28) likes using the camcorder ... so we'll be bringing it this summer ... she can video tape to her hearts content and I can take still photos ... once home we'll make several copies of the video tape and I'll give her a set of my photos.

 

[helenm29]

Actually, we took the "old fashion" bigger video camera the first time we went and it was too bulky to do much with. the last time we had a mini-recorder and a Digital camera which worked out ok but this time we are going to have BOTH together - they now have a fairly small version of the video camera and digital camera all in one! whatever you bring, I think it is worth it for the lasting memories.