Do you take a camcorder?

[southernbelle_amy]

Here is the thing, we, my husband and I have a camcorder that we rarely use. We don't have any kids yet, either, so maybe that is why. But anyway I hate not using it, but it can be a hasle to carry. It is about 4 years old so not huge but not extremely tiny. Anyways, I was wondering if people who do take recorders have any advice. How often to carry it, or when to tape things (you know so you get the highlights, but don't tape all day). Thanks.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

My husband likes to take his camcorder and get a few shots but he doesn't carry it all day or everyday. He'll typically bring it into each park once, get some video of the kids in different places and then put it in a locker for the rest of the day. We usually retrieve it from the locker before the parade and fireworks so he can tape those too. We also find it's easier to clean out our locker before the park closes to avoid the rush (unless we're going to be staying for a while after the parade and fireworks).

Of course, my husband's famous line is, "Oh no! I forgot the video camera!" He uttered this just yesterday at our son's last soccer game of the season when he saw all the other parents with theirs!

 

[eeyoreiscool]

We tend to just take a camera around and leave our camcorder at home. We will take it if we want to get a video of a parade or something but otherwise we don't find ourselves using it very much.

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

I'll bring the camcorder several days in the parks for special parades and events, but I do not carry it everyday. I make sure I get the new attractions recorded, expecially for the friends and family at home that may not be going soon, this way they'll get to see the changes taking place.

 

[AStamm]

Is this your first WDW trip? If so, bring the camcorder! If not, I'd suggest just sticking with a camera. If you have kids some day, you'll become the pack mule--for now, go lightly!

 

[01Sweetpea]

I am debating this one for our upcoming trip. We're thinking about just bringing the camera (Canon S3 IS) and bringing an extra memory card in case we want to shoot video.

 

[VickynMickey]

I came home feeling like I was behind the camcorder more then in the moment!!!! Just my opinion, I will go next trip with only the camera!!
Have a great week

 

[mehmetdan]

We took both a camcorder and digital camera. I do the camera the wife does the filming! My kids love to watch their holidays all over again. We took over 5 hours of footage and over 400 pictures....sad to say we have the whole 'its a small world ride'!

 

[mamamary]

We decided just to do a camera. It would have been nice to have stuff on film but it would have been too much to carry around. Esp. since I'm the one with the backpack totally full already on my back.

 

[mrsltg]

We have brought the camera before and usually it sits in the room unless I force myself to carry it. My dh's philosophy is, "You can't live the moment behind the lens." I tend to agree. Now we just leave it at home.

 

[mdfdisney]

We have three kids so we carry a video camera and digital camera every day, everywhere . Some days I shoot 1 hour of video and some days less than 10 minutes worth, but you never know when you will wish you had it.

When my wife and I went on our honeymoon at DW, we borrowed a video camera. I shot a lot of video during that trip. My kids now enjoy looking at the old videos of mom and dad before kids and seeing how DW (and us) has changed over the years.

 

[ogreenlee]

I wouldn't typically take a camcorder to DW, but this will be my dd's first trip there, and I'd love to be able to capture her first moments in the park as she looked up towards the castle. Although, I'd hate for my DH to have to see that thru a lens.

So who knows?

 

[MaryPA]

We have been there 7 times - always with a camera. The first few times no video. The last few times we brought video too. In the beginning I thought DH was always behind the lens. Until we got home and later when we were feeling like we needed a Disney trip but couldn't afford it/wasn't time - he brought out the video from '99. Let me tell you then I was sooooo happy that we had it. Video ever since.

Yes it's a pain to carry around.
You don't have to video everything.
I really prefer to have the video of our trip.

We have no children - we are just big kids.

 

[OHIODISNEYFAMILY]

The kids LOVE to watch video from prior trips. If you think you'd enjoy something like that (or other family members would enjoy it)....bring the camera! Ours is also about 4 years old, so I know what you mean about it not being really tiny. Luckily, DH carries the video camera, and I carry the rest of the stuff.

The one day my husband decided not to bring the video camera (even though I protested), my son was asked to come up front and be part of Belle's story time, AND he was also asked to be part of the start of a show in AK. DH could have kicked himself. I'm certain he'll never leave it behind again.....although he tapes less and less every year. We already have most of the rides and parades and don't need them in their entirety again.

Laurie in OH, mom to

Alex, 11 years old
Julianne and Leah, 10 years old
Audrey, 2 years old

WDW visits in 1973, 1986, 1987, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005!
Currently planning a December 9-16, 2006 trip!

 

[tpeters80]

I wish last time we would have a camcorder with us. All of our night pictures from MNSHP DID not come out. Also we missed lots of memories of my dad and son because he has now passed away. Which if we has a camcorder we could have movies to show my son. So this trip we are bring it with us. But will also have 3 digiat camera.

 

[phisigprincess]

Even though it's just DH and I, I always take the camera. There is nothing better than being in a Disney funk and popping in my old tapes. We have a video from 1996 where my uncle says to my aunt who was filming "no one is even going to watch this." And it just cracks me up because I watch it all the time!!

I would say bring it, but that's just my preference.

 

[southernbelle_amy]

I failed to mention we will take a digital camera of course, but I am still undecided about the camcorder. If my husband is willing, since I will be carrying a bagallini, then we might, but that might take a lot of convincing. But as people have mentioned I think it would be good to look back on, and for our future kids to look at how we lived before them. thanks

 

[Lynn4Mel]

We usually take our camcorder and digital camera. This past trip I did not bring it because it ended up "staying" in Vegas along with our wallets and cells (new motto.... What goes to Vegas Stays in Vegas) and I have not gotten a replacement yet. It was ok without one though it would have been nice because it was my friends first time there with her son and my 10 year old likes to sit and watch our trips once we've been home and laugh at the silly things we may do and just enjoy reliving our trip.

 

[DawnMarie]

We took our camcorder with us. The newer ones are much smaller so it really wasn't a bother to tote. But it was lots to fun to pull them out as soon as we got home to watch them. My two boys had a blast giving my MIL a play-by-play of the tape.

 

[Simba's Mom]

We sometimes take our camcorder to WDW, but we leave it at the resort except for one day we specifically set aside for "filming" day. Our DSs are 26 and 23, so this might not always work, but one time, I let our younger DS plan and do all the filming.