Did you bring & use your camcorder?

[1sttimedis]

I'm debating if we should bring the camcorder, how often do you use it, is it worth carrying around? I plan on taking alot of pictures & doing scrapbooks. Will that do?

 

[MouseLover]

While it is somewhat of a pain to lug around, it is well worth it. We have watched our videos over & over. I have the MSEP recorded on it, which is my favorite attraction and currently not available at WDW. I have precious video of my DD with various characters, especially at the Ice Cream Social. I wouldn't trade those videos for anything.

I did use my video case as a purse, to save from carrying two things. I just used the inside zipper pocket to put money in, and threw in a few other things in he pockets. I also used it to carry a sippy cup & pullups when my DD was only 2.

 

[WiscMomof2]

We brought ours this year and are so glad we did. I was surprised at how much we used it. I think there's something to be said about going back and reviewing your trip on video. It really wasn't a big deal to carry it around, but we also recently purchased a smaller mini dv recorder, so that may have a made difference. I think most video cameras are relatively compact now, though. My vote would be to take it. I think you'll be happy you did!

 

[drcmk]

I have to tell you, we just pulled out our old Disney home video from June 2001 to get us in the mood for our upcoming trip. It was wonderful to watch the children's reactions and since our kids were so young the last time, this was a good reminder for them about what to expect. We sure looked hot in June, I am glad we are going in November this year!

One suggestion . . . my husband devoted a lot of our video to the parade, the animals and Kilimanjaro safari and documenting the rides themselves. That got pretty boring to watch. This time we've agreed to actually tape our kids enjoying themselves! But yes, definitely take the video camera, at least for part of your trip.

 

[KathyFP]

althoug it is a pain to carry, we love our videos. We can't wait to show them to DD's prospective partners when she is old!

 

[DisneyPhD]

Our 2 1/2 year old DD very fav thing to watch is "me on T.V." espceally at WDW. She asks to wacth it at least once a week. So far she has been 3 times before she turns 3. We have one more trip this Jan to get in our annual passes. People say she will never remember it, I think she will think she remembers it from all the video tape. She talks about WDW all the time and the pictues and video help her to do this.

We have a normal Sony Handi cam, I wish we had a new Mini digital one, but really the handi cam isn't that big. It is worth it. We try to just do 60 second clips here and there, that way she doesn't get bored wachting it later. Last trip we didn't take it to some places, and I wish we had.

 

[MinnieGi]

We just viewed our tapes today from our recent trip and loved having those memories on tape. Now by no means is it anywhere close to anything professional but we laugh at all of our goofs and swaying of the camera too. We don't bring it along with us everyday. We usually bring it on the days we have character meals set up or are doing something special in the parks. DH is usually the camcorder person and I handle the digital camera. We find that character interaction with DD is great to film and always one of the highlights on our tapes!

 

[castlegazer]

Almost a silly question - if you've got it, lug it!

You won't believe how incredibly cute the movies are and they are helpful to us now to show my DS what we are doing in a few months to get him ready.

 

[goofy4tink]

My dd and I are going for a quick holiday trip next month and were talking about bringing (or not) our camcorder. THen she pulled out the video from our Aug. trip and as we watched Fantasmic, it was decided. My one piece of advice would be to not get carried away with taping. I found that I have a lot of boring stuff. I mean, you really don't need ALL of the parade or ALL of IASW!!! I like the 60 sec. of taping advice. Bring it and use it for quick shots of the parks or little bits of the rides. Part of the parade is nice. But most of all, are the shots of your kids enjoying the magic!!!

 

[Chim Chiminy]

Definately bring it. You never know what might happen.
I am the camera person in our family, so yeah it does get a little old switching between video and my digi camera, but I still carry both every day of our trips.
"you really don't need ALL of the parade or ALL of IASW!!! "
I actually video taped through the entire ride of IASW, my daughter loves it. But instead of just getting the ride, most of the footage is of her bouncing in the seat and singing along. It turned out very cute. Same thing on Dumbo. I taped my son, who is 10, controlling our Dumbo. It is very funny to watch the expressions on his face.
You can always edit out parts that are boring or just not so hot....

 

[wuv tigger]

3 times so far.

I agree w/ taping 60 second snippets. Watching the girls interact w/ the characters is great. DH also got great shots on the tea cups along w/Dumbo.

 

[skiwee1]

We brought one once two years ago and then didn't feel like lugging it around so we didn't use. It was kid of bulky. This last trip I bought a mini DV recorder and took it with us. It is almost as small as my digital camera so I found it easy to toss it in the backpack and bring it every day. I'm so glad I did this as I taped all of the parades and the new Wishes too. My DD, and me included, love looking at the tapes now! So I say if it is small and not a pain to carry around then take it. If is is large then you might end up leaving it in the room more often then not.

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by Chim Chiminy
Definately bring it. You never know what might happen.
I am the camera person in our family, so yeah it does get a little old switching between video and my digi camera, but I still carry both every day of our trips.
"you really don't need ALL of the parade or ALL of IASW!!! "
I actually video taped through the entire ride of IASW, my daughter loves it. But instead of just getting the ride, most of the footage is of her bouncing in the seat and singing along. It turned out very cute. Same thing on Dumbo. I taped my son, who is 10, controlling our Dumbo. It is very funny to watch the expressions on his face.
You can always edit out parts that are boring or just not so hot....

LOL! I just read this but I too taped the entire IASW! My mother thought I was crazy along with the people in the boat behind us!