Places at WDW to capture fireworks WITHOUT a tripod

[BigKids]

Hello all:

The wife, 4 yr old son and I are obviously Disney fans and I've recently made it back to photography after many years of pursuing other things like home remodeling. My virgin set-up includes a point-and-shoot Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS19, a Nikon D7100, 18-300mm 1:3.5-5.6, a 35mm f1.8, along with various tripods and accessories. I have been shooting either Large JPEG or RAW and edit / process in Lightroom 4.4. For an upcoming trip to WDW I was NOT planning on bringing a tripod (I may reconsider based on feedback but would prefer not to).

My question: Are there any locations at the Magic Kingdom or Epcot where I could place the Nikon with 35mm lens on a wall or ledge or (other) with (perhaps) a small sandbag to capture fireworks without the use of a tripod or blocking from crowds? I'm not asking feedback on the wisdom of this approach, just places where I could try it out. Alternatively, I might consider bringing a Gorillapod to wrap around a railing if it makes sense. I did a search on the boards for a similar question and apologize if this has been discussed in detail before.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

 

[havoc315]

A gorilla pod works great at the railing for Illuminations at Epcot.

 

[lhermiston]

I've read -but can't confirm - there is a trash can near Casey's Corner that would probably work.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I've read -but can't confirm - there is a trash can near Casey's Corner that would probably work.

I attempted to use this trash can, unfortunately it wasn't as stable as I had hoped (it rocked) and I had some kids who insisted on playing (AKA banging and kicking it) while their parents watched the show. Also, you are not always guaranteed to be able to get to that spot. There are railings around the area of the castle, however the view is many times blocked by vegetation. I have not found a plethora of stable platforms that are accessible or high enough to shoot over the crowds.

 

[MedicBill]

The Wishes desert party at Magic Kingdom. This picture was taken from my table there. It was taken with my old sony point and shoot so the quality isnt the best.

I'm too lazy to carry a tripod so I'm getting good at improvising. What's I would do is put the camera on the table. Angle it up with a book and use the Live view on the 7100 to aim.

OR

A Gorilla pod would work on the railing there.

 

[rmattman]

Gorilla pod on the railing, 2nd floor train station. Get there early and you can sit while taking your fireworks pics. Also a great place to shoot the parade as long as you do not desire interaction with the characters at street level.

 

[BigKids]

I attempted to use this trash can, unfortunately it wasn't as stable as I had hoped (it rocked) and I had some kids who insisted on playing (AKA banging and kicking it) while their parents watched the show. Also, you are not always guaranteed to be able to get to that spot. There are railings around the area of the castle, however the view is many times blocked by vegetation. I have not found a plethora of stable platforms that are accessible or high enough to shoot over the crowds.

Appreciate the feedback.

 

[BigKids]

Gorilla pod on the railing, 2nd floor train station. Get there early and you can sit while taking your fireworks pics. Also a great place to shoot the parade as long as you do not desire interaction with the characters at street level.

I'd thought about this spot and the GorillaPod. I may give it a try. Thanks!

 

[BigKids]

A gorilla pod works great at the railing for Illuminations at Epcot.

Thanks! Any spot you'd pick for a rail?

 

[havoc315]

Thanks! Any spot you'd pick for a rail?

If its not being used for a private event, there is a great spot in England behind the pub.

 

[Pixel Dust]

Gorilla pod on the railing, 2nd floor train station. Get there early and you can sit while taking your fireworks pics. Also a great place to shoot the parade as long as you do not desire interaction with the characters at street level.

You may want to scope out this view first, before you settle on it. There is a flagpole that is right in the middle of Main Street. It will be in front of the castle. Most people won't like where it sits. You may find that it is okay, though. Just FYI.

 

[zackiedawg]

At Epcot, there are PLENTY of spots you can shoot illuminations without a tripod - so no worries there. The 2nd floor of Japan has a rail you can lean on, down below there are tables, and trash cans. At France and Canada, you can stand right at the wall that borders the lake. The bridge between France and UK if you get a spot on the rail. Mexico restaurant if you can get a table outside along the water. China, behind that rock sculpture thing along the rail. The rail by the benches behind the trees at Norway. The tables outside the Outpost that sit next to the rocks on the water. The rail on the waterfront at Germany, or next to Italy (usually the Italy waterfront area is reserved). And even some surprisingly fun spots that aren't right on the water or main World Showcase area - the elevated walkways by Odyssey, the trail to Imagination, and the elevated deck at Imagination pavilion can all provide interesting and different perspectives, and all can be done without tripod just using rails, garbage cans, walls, etc.

 

[nigelp]

There is a trash can at the back of the hub, right hand side looking at the castle near the popcorn stand. I stood here for night time parade. As it was on the kerb no one could stand in front of me (people tried but were moved along by CMs). I used my rucksack as a temporary tripod. I achieved a few shots that I was pleased with but not as good as if I had a tripod. People's heads got in the way. Also the temporary tripod was not as stable as I would have wished for a longer exposure.


Wishes over the castle by makingplansfor, on Flickr

and one of the parade...

Choo choo by makingplansfor, on Flickr

 

[cobright]

Find a steel handrail and use a camera clamp.

 

[wdw1976]

At Japan go up the stairs...I used a Gorilla Pod on the rail and did fine!

 

[BigKids]

Great tips! I've decided to take a GorillaPod and try some of the locations listed. I appreciate the feedback.