No camera?

[aubriee]

Does anyone not carry a camera to WDW? I'll be down there in May and would like to travel really light in the parks (as well as avoid the bag lines). Without the camera I can carry just my room key and AP in my pocket. I've made eight trips to WDW in the last two years and think I have pictures of just about everything. However, I wonder if I'd feel funny (or bad) without a camera if something unusual popped up. Any opinions? Is a camera necessary at WDW?

 

[Pixiedust34]

To me, a camera is necessary at WDW, but of course you have to decide for yourself whether or not you *need* a camera. A small digital camera doesn't weigh much. If you do decide to bring a camera, just buy a good case for it.

 

[Mrs Potato Head]

I rarely take my big DSLR any more to the parks...but I do always carry my mini Canon in my day bag. It's really small, but takes great pictures. No zoom, which can sometimes be a pain, but I'm always amazed at the quality of pictures that come out of that little camera.

I can also always use the Photo pass folks for the family shots. I have 15 trips under my belt (6 in the last year) and I'm just not sure the big camera needs to come with me on every trip now.....Besides, I'm also hauling pins and lanyards these days...so too much weight on my back is bad....

 

[DisneyFanatik]

If I was going without the kids I would probably leave the camera at home. With the kids is a different story - there are always those precious photo ops when they are with us!

 

[Vickie46]

Can't go to Disney without my video camera and my digital camera!

 

[CanadianGuy]

On my last several trips.. I left the camera in the hotel room for the most part. A couple of times we went more for ambience than ride-doing.. so I took the camera on those evenings.. Fireworks shows, parades etc.

Generally tho, I find that my eye for great pictures.. does NOT match my ability to take them and I become frustrated quickly with carrying that stupid thing around.

Someone in my group often had a camera.. but there is something deeply liberating with just 'going' to the parks each day without all the luggage of camera, fanny pack, backpack, water bottle.. etc.

I go as light as I can. And I've discovered that's my preferred method. Obviously I don't have kids.

J

 

[eagles]

i personally can't imagine not having my camera with me, i am hoping to beable to get a camcorder for this trip also, so that will be with me. i do plan on a backpack though, so not everything will be around my neck.

 

[FlowersChild]

Well it's up to you if you want to bring a camera with you or not. Getting a very tiny camera might be a good idea. Also have you thought about renting a locker. Lockers are $5 a day and many times they are well worth the money for me.

You can go back and forth to your locker to get your camera when you need it and then you don't have to carry it all day long. That is if you feel $5 is worth it and if you don't mind walking back and forth to your locker. Maybe if you rent a locker, feel free to bring a few others things, that you would like to bring, but don't want to bring, because you don't want to carry them around all day. Bringing these other things can help you get more for your money The locker sizes are different. Epcot seems to have really big lockers, while the Magic Kingdom has smaller sized lockers.

Anyways I am just giving you ideas and I am not saying if my tips will work for you or not. But I just thought I would share my ideas and see what you think

 

[3princesses+aprince]

I am definately bringing my camera, but this will be our first trip onsite, and something we are all so looking forward too. But if you've been 8 times in the last two years, i'm sure you have alot of pics, and some must be pretty recent. I'm sure at some points you'll say that you would like to have your camera, but if you really don't want it, leave it out this trip, see how it goes, i'm sure your next trip won't be too far away!

 

[hematite153]

We did bring a camera to the world on two occasions but it's never made it to the parks.

I really enjoy photography but discovered that focusing on getting pictures of an event separates you from the event itself. In other words, I now try to engage in EITHER photography or experiences. So, if I want pictures of WDW, I'll bring my camera. If I want to enjoy the experience of being at WDW, I leave my camera behind. If you are enjoying the experience and want a couple of photos you can always use photopass (granted, so far I've just focused on the stories I can tell about my experience).

 

[seashoreCM]

Generally tho, I find that my eye for great pictures.. does NOT match my ability to take them and I become frustrated quickly with carrying that stupid thing around.J

What you need is a reasonably simple point and shoot.

Go ahead and shoot a semi-good photo op and shoot again if a better photo op happens. Too many people wait for the perfect photo op and end up with no picture at all. "Film is cheap, another vacation is expensive."

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[ZoZo]

I often don't carry a camera with me - I'm like you, I like to travel light. When I do take a camera, I try not to get too "camera obssessed", because I feel like I'm watching my whole vacation through a camera lens, rather than experiencing it! But that's just me! Lots of folks can't imagine a trip without a camera!

 

[Mousema]

In September I went with DMom (87). When she went to the parks with me, I took my camera. When I went alone to ride, etc., the camera stayed in the room. Worked out really well. This month, I'm going alone. Going to try the same strategy, when I'm in ride mode, no carmea.

 

[daisyduck123]

We always bring our digital cameras.
Mine is small enough that it fits right in my pocket (although I do carry a messenger bag & put it in there.)

 

[Jaymie]

Leave your camera in the room and if you end up really needing to take pictures, buy a disposible one. We forgot our camera in the room the first time we went to Chef Mickeys, so we just bit the bullet and bought one. They take pretty good pictures. Although, a little costly, if you end up wishing you could take a picture and didn't bring your camera, that could be a solution.

At least you'll have your camera with you and if you know you'll need it (for caracter meals or whatever) you still have it in your room.

 

[JPN4265]

For the first time, we took absolutely nothing except the clothes on our backs to the parks the last time we were at WDW. This was the best time we ever had. I know that this is not practical for all people, but we have no kids to go with now.

 

[piglet50]

the first day i packed a small bag and my small camera. i was surprised that i didn't take many pictures. i didn't take my camera back to the parks but we used photo pass and loved it. i also didn't take the bag back with me, either.
we're going back in may, just dh and me, and i will probably take the camera with me a couple of days because of the flower and garden festival. also, after looking at some of the unique and beautiful shots on these boards, i want to try again with my camera. but i sure did love not having to go through the bag check lines or carry a bag.

 

[Cinderella1122]

I have to bring my camera. I'm a photographer by trade and I like to make scrapbooks, so I would feel lost if I didn't have my camera with me. This coming trip, I'm thinking about bringing my camcorder because I will be bringing my younger brother with me. He hasn't been to WDW since he was 10 (he's soon to be 18) and he doesn't remember a large chunk of his trip. It will be a treat to see him enjoy the parks again for the first time and I want to capture it on film and video so my parents can enjoy it too.