Take Camera or Not??

[irishfanx4]

We leave in 6 days. Do we take a camera with us to lug around? Or are there enough of the picture people wandering around to snap us? When went in 2005 we took our own. Glad we did because there were not too many Disney photographers around. Hoping maybe that has changed? Any advice or opinons please!! Thanks!!

 

[lblume91]

While there are lots of PhotoPass photographers around, I wouldn't count on them to take all of my vacation photos. If nothing else, I'd at least take a small point & shoot camera just in case. Those are usually small enough to stick in your pocket.

 

[Singledad]

TAKE A CAMERA!

There are many times you spot something that you want to save forever, but unless you have one on you, you will never get it.

Also, no photographers at character dining.. (wish they had a small army of them there!) so that is a camera must.... plus, do you really trust memories of the lifetime to strangers? what if something happens to those files? you would have nothing left

I hate lugging mine around, always seems like such a pain, esp being a single parent so have to juggle camera, kid, and our bags/etc.... but, in the end, I am glad I took my own, wouldn't have caught some of the best photos without it.

 

[em6668]

Take your camera! You will need it for those candid quick shots.

 

[wdvak]

I would take your camera. Photo pass is fine, but not always available or have lines. I've just come to realize that I need to make sure I have mine with me.

 

[MomToPirate&Princess]

I hardly go anywhere without my camera and wouldn't dream of going to Disney without it. If your only camera is a one of those large SLR cameras, it could get cumbersome to carry around and I might recommend getting a decent point and shoot to take. I have a neck strap for my point and shoot so I don't have to carry it but always have it handy.

When we were there in August we mainly only saw Photopass at Character Meet N Greets and at key picture spots like in front of the castle, ball, hat & tree. There were a few more scattered around but not nearly enough to capture a trip in pictures.

 

[sls_ontario]

Because you say LUG I assume you have a DSLR and are worried about the size ...... Take it!!!!! Dh got AMAZING photos!!!!

 

[beccasmom]

We have a nice camera we have brought several times in the past. But I often find myself relying on my cell phone camera and it's been perfectly fine as well. Load it with a media card and you can download the pics either at home or during your trip if you bring your laptop with you.

 

[sydneysmom]

take your camera for sure !! we did photopass (w/ the $99 pre-order). It was totally worth it. We wound up getting almost 100 pics from Photopass and a lot of really fantastic family pics that we might not have gotten.

However, there were ALOT of pics that we knew we took w/ photopass that never showed up. So I wouldn't leave it all to chance. We also took about 600 pics on our camera. (we had some serious FUN!! )

Have a great time ! Oh, don't forget to ask the photopass people if they can do the little trick pictures... we got a few fun ones w/ our DD holding tinkerbell, a bunch of balloons, etc...

 

[mikegood2]

I'd definitely bring a point and shoot with me at all times. Not only are they useful for photos they come in handy for video.

If you are talking about a dSLR (noticed you mentioned lugging it around), and have the room to pack it in your luggage, then I would definitely bring one. You don't have to bring it to the parks everyday, thats where the PnS comes in handy, but you at least have the option. Also, if you have a telephoto lens, 18-200?, I would suggest bringing it. While it may not be as "nice" as a Prime or wide angle lens, it will limit what you have to bring.

Also, the weather should be nice enough that it will be less of a hassle. We are going in June, haven't been back in 21 years, and don't plan on carrying mine around everyday in 90º+ temps.

 

[momH2the4th]

Absolutely bring a camera! We always do photopass, but some of the photos they took didn't show up on our account and some have been blurry. I can't imagine going to WDW without my own camera. I took a DSLR for the 1st time last summer and it wasn't too bad. I also had my P&S when I didn't feel like "lugging" the other one. Enjoy the memories that you'll make!

 

[Dismom55]

I take horrible pictures much of the time, but I always take my camera. I am getting betters. If you have a very large camera, I would suggest in a smaller one, I upgraded to digital several years ago, then to a much smaller one a couple of years ago and best decision I ever made, fits in a fanny pack.

 

[CandyHead09]

We leave in 6 days. Do we take a camera with us to lug around? Or are there enough of the picture people wandering around to snap us? When went in 2005 we took our own. Glad we did because there were not too many Disney photographers around. Hoping maybe that has changed? Any advice or opinons please!! Thanks!!

Take a camera seriously photopass wont capture everything on your vacation and you often have to wait in line for posed pictures.

 

[MissJanice]

Take your camera. There's not photopass at a lot of the character spots, at character dining, no one to take pics in lines or on rides or in shows. You don't want all of your pics to be posed shots.

 

[irishfanx4]

Thanks to all! Just packed the camera and all the stuff that goes with it! Hopefully I will take some nice pics. Plus I'm going to try and take some food-porn! LOL!!

 

[jsthomps]

Too me this is a no brainier ... take a camera and take a thousand pictures then widdle them down to the best 50 or so when you get home.

 

[Havana]

I take a camera with me every day! Disney has so many places to take pictures, where there are not photopass castmembers. Put a little camera in your pocket so you don't miss any memories!

 

[trickiwoo]

Definitely take a camera!!! Photopass photographers are great for posed family portraits in front of the castle or for character meets, but nothing beats those great candid family photos! Those are the things you'll really want to remember!

The first time I went to WDW I brought along a small point and shoot camera. It was great. I stuck it in my pocket and would pull it out whenever I wanted to get a picture.

On my second visit I decided to bring my DSLR. It was definitely a pain! It was heavy. It was more difficult to take out and put away. But I got much nicer photos that trip than the ones I took with my point and shoot.

So I just recently bought a Sony NEX camera. It's a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera... which means it gets DSLR quality photos, but it's VERY small and VERY lightweight! I haven't had the chance to take it to WDW yet, but I think it is going to the perfect Disney camera!

So a camera at WDW is a definite must! It doesn't matter if it's your cell phone or a big old DSLR... you'll want something! But if you're serious about getting the best quality pictures without your camera being too much of an inconvenience, it may trying a few different cameras on trips before finding one that is perfect for your needs.