Do you think I will regret not having a video camera?

[classicpooh]

Do most of you lug around your video cameras on the trips? We have a nice digital camera, but our video camera is large and bulky... I was thinking of not bringing it this trip, just relying on the pictures. Then I started to wonder if I would regret not having any video...

We don't take a lot of video in general...

What do you guys do?

 

[Stratocastermagic]

My video camera is little and light, so not too much trouble to carry around. Even so, it's a responsibility and you need to leave it somewhere when you go on rides. I did some days with and some without the video. Travelling without the video means you see things better as you're not constantly looking at them through a view-finder!
Of course, on the morning we did the Horror Make-up Show at USF, my mother was chosen as the 'volunteer' - and I had decided that this was a 'video-less' day! Still, my wife had her digital camera - and they took a polaroid for us - so we have a record.

 

[swilphil]

I think it depends on how old your kids are. We didn't have ours last year when our kids were 1 and 3 (which I regret) but bought a new one this year. It was great getting to see the video of our 2 and 4 year old meeting characters, getting haircuts at mainstreet barbar, riding on Dumbo, etc. Sometimes I felt like I was videoing instead of enjoying the moment, but I'll have the video forever and the kids LOVE watching themselves on tv!

We didn't take our camcorder into all the parks or on all the days and thought about using the lockers at some point to store it, but never made it over there.

 

[Bete]

It may be time to consider buying another video camera. It sounds like you regret the fact that it's big and bulky, always. This will haunt you in the future on everything you do. Besides, a newer camera will probably give you better quality video. I can't see going without those special moments. I even do the same moments over and over again because each time it may be a little different. Start collecting change, do a garage sale, eat out less, and save for one.

I have a digital camera, too that we use. I wouldn't go without either one. My memories are too precious not to be covered for what we do that is different and special.

 

[RamseyTrio]

We have the same decision to make this year - ours is pretty large (it's 6 years old), we have always lugged it on previous trips, we don't normally take much video at home (except b-days and holidays), etc...

I'm a HUGE photo taker so I prefer my SLR camera, I leave the video mainly up to DH.

I'm really thinking about forgetting the camcorder this time around - I'm tired of one of us always having to juggle the kids and one of the cameras or sometimes one of us has the kids and the other is using BOTH cameras. I'm tired of the big black bag and I'm tired of stressing that we've missed some fantastic moment. I always pull out the photo albums to look at when we need a Disney fix. We rarely watch the videos we've made.

On the other hand - I'm sure I'll miss not having videos of the kids at some point down the road, I feel as if we never use the camcorder and WDW is the perfect place to use it, and we're doing MNSSHP for the first time and that'd be fun to tape.

Obviously I have no answer to solve this - Just glad to hear I'm not the only one who is debating on whether or not to bring it! If I had a small one I'd do it in a heartbeat. I can't justify spending the $$$ to get a smaller version even though DH works for a company that sells them! If we used it a lot I'd upgrade in a heartbeat...........

 

[CamColt]

If you dont take a lot of video, and really dont think you will miss having the video, then Id say skip it.
However, Im one of those people who trys to tape a lot and I really enjoy watching my videos...usually while Im on the treadmill. They really make the time fly and I find myself wanting to do more just to keep watching, LOL! My kids also enjoy watching videos of past trips,plus they are still young and I like to tape them at different stages in the parks. Right now, I couldnt go on a family trip to WDW without the camera, but maybe some day I will.

 

[bigbabyblues]

We hardly use our videocamera at all, and I'm not planning on taking it. I may regret it, it's our kids' first trip, they're 1 and 3, but for use it's something ELSE to have to carry around, etc.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've taken mine each and every trip so far. Now, this being said, I think I'm leaving it home next week. I'm the one who does all the taping and the still pictures. So, it's kind of a hassle for me. The last time I brought it was last August. I taped a lot of the attractions and parades, including Fantasmic. Yes, we watch it but not all that much. I think I'll take it at Thanksgiving tho. Maybe every other trip.

 

[DisneyPete]

When I had a large, older style, video camera I also faced this dilemma. Usually, I brought the camera on the trip and only some days into the parks. Invariably, when I didn't have it something would come up and I would miss it. So, I broke down and got one of the new mini cameras. My video camera is now smaller than most 35 mm cameras and I can take it everywhere. Great videos from the last trip including when my son was chosen to be Maurice at Belle's Story time.

If you can swing about $300 - $400 I would recomend getting a new camera.

 

[bytheblood]

I prefer pictures over a video camera. I have found that people would much rather look at your scrapbooks or photo albums instead of a video.

 

[Lcm2108]

We go to WDW often, therefore, I don't bring Video Cam each time. I do bring at least once per year and lately, I've been bringing it each time as we are building a home there and tape the progress (or lack thereof).

I have the smaller one but as someone said, it is still a responsibility. I bring digital camera each time and get pics. After a while, I feel I am Camcording the same things over and over and a picture would suffice.

I would consider a smaller camcorder and bring to the parks every other day rather than every day.

My kids don't watch the tapes I record that much. They would rather watch the WDW Vacation Planning DVD. I guess I don't tape that good

Lisa

 

[klb5]

We took 7 tapes worth on our last trip in '99, had two D's then.. We always watch them and even more now that were going in Nov-Dec,, VHSC is easily played in a Playpak vs, digital which requiresplayback only on the camera plugged into a TV, . Bring the originals home and make a copy for playback,, You can't replaxce the faces you will see on the movies. BUT WATCH YOUR KIDS WHILE TAPING>>>>> Word of advice''''' HAVE FUN!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Also-let your kids do some video taping. This is what we do and it works aout well (granted, our kids are older). Last time I set aside one afternoon just so that DS and I went out with the vidieo camera and spent the afternoon videotaping whatever he wanted to. It's a fun way to spend an afternoon.

 

[eeyore45]

We didnt take our big video cam either, dd 7 wanted to as she watched her friend's video. We took it 8 years ago and have never watched it - of course now i want to dig it out and see the differences!! There were only a couple of things I would've liked to tape, but we have a new digital camera, and took lots and lots of pics, and I am signed up to do a scrapebook class. I must put these photos in books instead of in a box!! We loved the fireworks, dh took some pics, I bought the WIshes CD, I think we would've probably taped the whole thing, and never watched it!! It is such a magical memory for us... and I agree about watching things from the viewfinder, I wanted dh and I to enjoy this and not stress over pics or videos...