camcorders

[hammertime]

Any tips on when is a good time to have the camcorder out and when to put it away.

Thanks,

 

[BluOrchid2]

Put it away the first time you view Wishes. Just enjoy it while you're there - live in the moment. If you get to see it a second time, then try taping it. In fact, that would be my advice for nearly everything. First character dinner, first parade viewing, etc.

 

[loriandmatt]

gotta say i agree with BluOrchid on this one. i only took our camcorder on our most recent trip. I am glad that i didn't take it on our first or second trip, too much to soak in and have heard others say they missed the details because they were behind their camera the entire trip.

That being said - some attractions you are not alowed to record at all, some they annouce that you shouldn't record, but if you talk to the CM before the attraction, that may just be because they do not what the record light. If your camera is like mine, you can turn off the light while recording in low light. for some attractions this is great.

Got CM approval to tape COP without lights and it turned out fantastic! Don't even attempt POC without lights - way too dark for the camera (at least mine) to accomdate. the inside parts of splash are way too dark also for the most part. i wouldn't recomend trying to tape the drop for two reasons - your camera will more than likely get wet and God Forbid you drop it in the excitement and bonk a passenger in the head or have the ride car catch on it. Of course taping on any "thrill ride" would be a bad idea for pretty much the same reason.

If you can get a spot (must claim very early) on the porch of the train station, that is a great overall area to tape fireworks at MK and perhaps even the parade (as long as you understand that Spectro starts at the firestation and will only be facing you for a short time, their backs will be to you as they go up main street.)

WOW - i'll shut up now and let someone else give you a few suggestions. Hope some of the info above is helpfull.

- lori

 

[TLinden16]

One of my best video taping tips is to bring a monopod if you are planning on taping lots of parades and shows. I have a monopod, that I always bring with me, and it helps keep the camera steady and saves on arm fatigue. It's a lot more compact than lugging a tripod around.

Karen

 

[hammertime]

Thanks for all the great advice.

My camcorder doesn't have a light on it at all(it's got some special night feature on it.) I don't plan on taking it out for any of the water rides. I bought a waterproof bag to put it in when I'm not using it.

I'll probably stick to videotaping the christmas decorations and go from there.

 

[yecats]

Sorry to disagree with the above poster, but I took my camcorder on the water rides. I have a small digital one with a nice strap that I wrapped around my wrist a few times so that if it did slip, it wouldn't hurt anyone. I also placed a zip lock bag over the camera. I did film the water rides in parts and pieces, here and there and some of the drops. The zip lock bag did get wet on Kali and Splash but the camera was dry underneath. It is all in the planning.

I also would advise for you to think a little about what you want to get on tape for future reference. If you want a certain ride on tape, then tape it if possible from start to finish. You can always edit it out at home if you find it boring or overly long. I filmed most of what I could get of Spaceship Earth due to ongoing rumors of a possible new ride going in. I just truly wanted to preserve that moment as I never got to with Horizons before it closed.

Definately do a little thinking about before you go. Also tape preshows if you know you enjoy them. I got 4fora$ before the B&TB show. I then taped all of the beauty and the beast show while my camcorder sat on a wall. Picture looks great and as I wasn't holding the camera, no shaking. However, I just let the tape run and didn't do any close-ups which after reviewing it at home would've made a nice touch. I have really nice shots (ie. approaching MK on ferry), beautiful shots (castle and various animals in AK), gorgeous shots (spectromagic and Wishes) and some not so hot shots (PoC, one or two in Spaceship Earth). I also have action film from Splash and Test Track. Just remember, take plenty of film and you can always edit things out later.

Have fun making great memories.

 

[linda_pizzuro]

We do love to tape most everything. Even though we have seen most shows and parades and fireworks at least a dozen times, each time is different and I love getting reactions to parades and fireworks from the people we are with. Our machine has one of the flip out viewers so I can watch whatever it is I am taping while taping it with just a quick glance at the view finder (this way I am not missing things while looking through a small view finder. VERY IMPORTANT TIPS - keep the camera very steady - move the camera VERY SLOW when you pan and also, we purchased a new camera right before one Disney trip and it had a much stronger zoom then our previous camera, we got seasick watching this tape (and it wasn't even the Disney Cruise)- go VERY SLOW when you zoom in and out.

 

[hammertime]

Wow you taped everything. I think I need to invest in another 4 hour battery. My camera is the new kind with the flip out view so I think I'll be able to view things while also enjoying the real thing. My camera also has steady cam so it doesn't shake as much. We used out camera for our wedding so we've had alittle time to play with it.
We're also bringing our laptop with us so we can download the video each night.

Thanks for all the great tips - so far i know to tape as much as possible, get lots of tape and at least one extra battery.

 

[Fearthisss]

Gotta add my two cents worth here. We just returned from our first trip to WDW and I am SO glad that I did LOTS of taping! I let my son handle the digital camera while I carried the camcorder. I, too, have one of the new, lighter ones with the flip out viewer (it's great!). I taped Wishes (don't let "them" kid you when they say you can see it well from all over the park...you definately want to be somewhere on the Main Street side of the Castle) and it turned out pretty well, I taped the entire Fantazmic show (turned out really well), I taped all of MVMCP parade (had a great spot, right on the curb on Main Street!) that turned out really well...I taped the Kilimanjaro Safari (glad I did...the pics didn't turn out very well). I taped Illuminations, but it didn't turn out very well. Some of my favorite footage was taped just walking around the resort (we stayed at POR) soaking up the beauty. I taped a few of the stage shows that turned out really well. I just taped bits and pieces from every day.

I would strongly encourage you to take and use the camcorder. I know I'm glad that I did!

What ever you decide, have a great time.

Mark