Kind of a dumb question...

[Chikabowa]

But I need an answer!

This is the first trip that we're going to be going to a water park. Both are open while we're there, but I'm thinking we're going to do Typhoon Lagoon (seems more kid-friendly with our little one, and since I can't ride any of the big slides, and DH wouldn't either way, it seemed more appropriate).

Anyway... I really want to take my camera. My daughter LOVES to swim and she loves playing in the water and I don't want to miss it. But I'm worried about the big-honkin' camera and lens at the water park. Do others take their cameras? Is it fairly safe? Or are we going to need to leave someone a the beach chair the entire time? I'm in a quandary...

 

[annnewjerz]

Last time we went to the waterparks, I didn't have an SLR, but I did bring a digital point & shoot and since it wasn't waterproof I had to leave it with our stuff while in the wave pool, etc. It didn't get stolen, but I don't think I would risk my nicer camera---even Disney has its fair share of weirdos and people with questionable morality.

I know you have a small daughter---do you leave the camera in your stroller when you go? If so, I wouldn't think leaving it on your chair would be any worse.

My theory is that if I don't want anything stolen, I don't give anyone the opportunity to steal it. Sounds stupid, but you never know what people might do.

All of this being said, I believe they have lockers that you can use within the water parks. I can't say for 100% certainty if we used them in WDW or Mexico---but somewhere we used a locker at a water park that had a counter and you reserved the locker with your hotel room key. It would probably be a pain in the a$$ but maybe it would provide some peace of mind while you're off enjoying yourself.

Good luck and have a GREAT trip!

 

[Chikabowa]

Are strollers allowed at TL? I didn't know that!
Yes, I have a small child, and no I don't leave the camera in the stroller when we leave the stroller. I'm not concerned, I guess, about keeping it safe (because I adhear to the "If I don't want it stolen...." policy as well ). I'm more worried about it getting too wet and too wild.

I'm pretty hard on my equipment otherwise, maybe I'll just take my D80 to the water park as I don't really care if that gets banged up too much.

 

[Chikabowa]

Are strollers allowed at TL? I didn't know that!
Yes, I have a small child, and no I don't leave the camera in the stroller when we leave the stroller. I'm not concerned, I guess, about keeping it safe (because I adhear to the "If I don't want it stolen...." policy as well ). I'm more worried about it getting too wet and too wild.

I'm pretty hard on my equipment otherwise, maybe I'll just take my D80 to the water park as I don't really care if that gets banged up too much.

 

[annnewjerz]

As far as I know, strollers are allowed in TL---unless something changed since we were last there.I know you can rent them there, so I would think you could bring in your own. If you aren't too concerned about the being stolen part, I think you should be fine leaving it out.

It sounds cheap and cheeezy but if you don't have a waterproof bag, just get a big-sized one if it'll fit your camera and shove it in there for extra protection against any water that may be splashed. Alto, I'm sure you thought of this, but since you are going when it will still be HOT I'd try to find a place to keep it that's shaded---like, your stroller, for example.

 

[oregondaddyof2]

This is why I went and bought a Olympus waterproof P&S... I will be bringing that with me this trip and be able to get all the shots at the water parks, and when not in use, it will just go in my pocket.... I would not risk leaving anything of value out unattended... Disney or not, I don't trust people... If you are going to bring your nice camera, just get a locker... I almost did that last trip, but decided to just get some photopass pictures instead... There are a few photographers floating around with their DSLR's in waterproof bags...

 

[Chikabowa]

I know they have a waterproof casing for the D3, but I really don't feel like investing that much money into something for such limited use.

Honestly, I'm not really that worried about it being stolen. Maybe I should be... but it's kind of obvious and not something someone can put in their pocket, KWIM? It's like trying to steal a Hummer... people notice that kind of thing.

Like I said, I'll probably just take the D80 with me to the water park because I don't care if that gets banged up a bit. It's tough and can handle it.

 

[YesDear]

I think what you should do is take the D80 with you on your trip and ship me the D3 while you are gone for safe keeping!

Just a thought!

 

[jann1033]

optech sells those plastic rain sleeves that are kind of a pain but help in rain so unless you are planning on swimming with the camera, a cheap alternative to pricier options. you lock them with the eyepiece then use a hood or filter to hold the front end with the toggle locking strap thingie over the lens. they are a little bit of a pain but not really bad. that would be fine for splashes, not dunking and are i think 2 for $6 ( i'm still on the first one from 2006.) i just thought , the worst thing is they are long enough for a tripod so it's kind of like having a big puppet on your hand when you use them but i could just cut it off to make it shorter on that end that you put over your hand to get to your camera so you can still get to all the buttons. after 2 yrs that finally dawns on me duhhhhhh

personally no way i'd leave anything valuable unattended but then again i'm afraid to leave my camera in my locked car overnight in my own driveway...and I live in a basically no crime rural area with the next neighbor like 1/2 a mile away. but the bunnies in my yard look like shady types so they might steal it

 

[Chikabowa]

I think what you should do is take the D80 with you on your trip and ship me the D3 while you are gone for safe keeping!

Just a thought!

Don't you wish?
Can't though... I'm leaving 2 days after a weekend full of weddings then getting back two days before another wedding. And while I'm down there, one of my brides is honeymooning at AKL, so I'm doing a honeymoon shoot for them inside the parks (until I get kicked out... : ). So gotta have the entire thing with me.

Although... you could meet me down there and play with it!!

Trust me people... My camera has a name and I refer to it as another person in our family. It's not gonna get stolen because the opportunity will not arise. However... I am harder and looser with my equipment than most, but that is mainly because it can handle it.

All I was wondering is if people do take their cameras to the water parks.... and if so... what do they do with them the majority of the time when they aren't shooting?

 

[YesDear]

Well!!! Since you did not like my first suggestion, I did take my D300 and 70-200 with me to Castaway Cay. I took one of those security bags with me and really did not have a problem. I would not take on a lazy river with me and would not walk out to the wave machine with it. I like you consider my camera a tool and am not too scared to take it many places. I am more concerned about some idiot around me hitting me and knocking me down. It can get crowded there!

 

[MarkBarbieri]

There are plenty of good places to take pictures at TL without getting wet. The challenge is finding a place to store your camera when you do want to get wet. You could just get a locker. Or you could shoot for a while and then take it back to your car. I wouldn't even think about storing it unlocked hidden in a bag or something. A DSLR in a waterpark is going to stand out. Someone will be watching for when you put it down.

We took a P&S with a waterproof shell. It worked well enough.

Another option is to rely on the Photopass Photographers. There are a lot of them at the water parks.

 

[GrillMouster]

...We took a P&S with a waterproof shell. It worked well enough...

 

[Chikabowa]

Will you guys hate me if I say that my D80 IS my PnS?!?

I think I'll just take it and then store it part way in a locker. I can't get too wet and wild myself - looks like half the park is closed off to 'expectant mothers'. So I'll just ride the nice cool waves while DH takes DD on the slides and stuff like that!

I'm so excited... new park we've never done... new picture opportunities... fun fun fun!!

 

[annnewjerz]

Will you guys hate me if I say that my D80 IS my PnS?!?

I think I'll just take it and then store it part way in a locker. I can't get too wet and wild myself - looks like half the park is closed off to 'expectant mothers'. So I'll just ride the nice cool waves while DH takes DD on the slides and stuff like that!

I'm so excited... new park we've never done... new picture opportunities... fun fun fun!!

I definitely don't hate you for a D80 being your p&s, but it does make me jealous.

You guys are going to have a great time. I've only been to TL two times, but when you are so used to just doing the 4 main parks---going to the water parks (especially during the hot summer months) really does make for a nice cool and relaxing day.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[mom2rtk]

Will you guys hate me if I say that my D80 IS my PnS?!?

I think I'll just take it and then store it part way in a locker. I can't get too wet and wild myself - looks like half the park is closed off to 'expectant mothers'. So I'll just ride the nice cool waves while DH takes DD on the slides and stuff like that!

I'm so excited... new park we've never done... new picture opportunities... fun fun fun!!

I've never been to the water parks at Disney... but when we to our local water park, I couldn't stand the shot of missing out on all those great colorful photo ops. So I did what you are proposing. I brought the DSLR, used it for a while, then stowed it in a locker. It was a great way to get my fix but still have fun and not worry.

Have a great time!