Taking videos.

[Disney Frenhines]

I used to be guilty of trying to video every fireworks show, but, I've realised that there are much better videos on Youtube with better quality and position than I could ever hope to record. So now, I've stopped videoing fireworks and parades and just watch them as they happen. I realised I never actually watched them afterwards more than once. Apart from unexpected things, like the Rainy Day parade, I don't bother and I find I enjoy myself more. Anyone else realised this?

 

[rwdavis2]

I agree. No video matches the real thing. So I prefer to actually watch the show rather than a screen.

 

[Pmlocke]

I could not agree with any statement that I have read on this site lately more than what you just said. Our constant fixation of recording every moment, every meal, every step of our lives has caused many of us to miss what is actually going on. My best friends went to WDW for the 1st time this year and it amazed me when we met after their return and watched their videos how supprised they were to see so much of what had happened while they were busy taking the videos or pictures. Several times my pal remarked, "I don't even remember going to that place". What a way to spend a vacation. My wife and I now do one photo on the street, ususlly in a differant park every year and purchase it before we leave. You know what they say, a photo is worth a thousand words.

 

[ErinsMommy]

I usually hold my phone up in what I feel is the right "position" and record while i'm watching live (not through lens or on screen). While I agree YouTube has
phenomenal views and recordings in much better quality than I ever hope to, I like to have my own personal "memory" and recording because usually there's some chatter amongst us in the video as well that when we look or listen back on it, it makes me smile...whether it be the awe in my daughter's voice, or even something as simple as how "little" her voice once was.

 

[jbish]

I totally realized this. And The DIS, especially, puts together amazing videos of all of the fireworks shows, so they are available to watch when you can't be there for the real thing. So now I just soak it in while I'm there. I even took my daughter to her first concert. Being a tween, she's attached to her phone. But I encouraged her to just put the phone down and watch - no video or picture will ever be as good as the real thing. So why not enjoy the moment???

 

[traveler000mkl]

I usually hold my phone up in what I feel is the right "position" and record while i'm watching live (not through lens or on screen). While I agree YouTube has
phenomenal views and recordings in much better quality than I ever hope to, I like to have my own personal "memory" and recording because usually there's some chatter amongst us in the video as well that when we look or listen back on it, it makes me smile...whether it be the awe in my daughter's voice, or even something as simple as how "little" her voice once was.

This! I don't record the whole show, but I love to record the kids reaction to the show for 30 seconds or so. Then I like to enjoy the show with my own eyes...

 

[EdnaMarieMode]

This is very true. I'm a parent, I'm a photographer, Disney is exciting, you want to capture it all- I get it. I'm not unsympathetic to feeling like you have to document every last thing in its entirety. BUT when you get home and all you have is grainy, poorly lit, wobbly footage- was it worth it? There are pro videographers with great skills and great equipment who aren't able to "get it right" so I can hardly expect to stand there with my iphone and do it justice.

The realization that I could be diminishing the experience for someone else also weighs in. While someone next to me is trying to record something, I'm trying to not speak and ruin their video (I know I don't have to do this) or I try to not inadvertently stick my elbow in front of their camera. More than once during our last visit, I had someone shining a light right into my face in an attempt to use their phone to record the entirety of a ride. If you're going to record, turn off the lights on your camera/ phone!

I realize photo and video is not the same, but the same concepts apply. People pay me money to capture important events, and even at someone's wedding I can not stand there with my camera stuck to my face and snap away every 2 seconds. It's important for me as the photographer to step back, breathe, and take in what is important to this couple so that I can tell their story. My work is so much better for it. Customers have told me "we could tell you were really present and it shows based on the details you noticed." I approach my vacation photos the same way now, so even though I snap a ton of photos while we're on any trip it's more important to me to be present and take in the details. The emphasis should be on quality and not quantity.

This! I don't record the whole show, but I love to record the kids reaction to the show for 30 seconds or so. Then I like to enjoy the show with my own eyes...

I couldn't agree more! That smile on my son's face is the detail I'd much rather capture, and we can enjoy the show together. It's possible to both document and enjoy the experience.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

This! I don't record the whole show, but I love to record the kids reaction to the show for 30 seconds or so. Then I like to enjoy the show with my own eyes...

Yes! Any videos we take are of our family - the kids’ reactions, etc. My husband then edits our clips into a trip video. I prefer to just watch shows, parades, etc. in the moment. Any video we take is of our family if the kids have a particularly magical moment, etc. And we never take videos in a way that would impede someone else’s enjoyment of a ride or show.

 

[Minsc]

My family talks about this all of the time. The quality of the professional videos on YouTube are better than I could create, so why miss the experience in person?

It reminds of me of the South Park episode where the kids get involved in a big, thrilling espionage plot, but are annoyed by it because it's causing them to miss playing a new video game about being involved in a big, thrilling espionage plot.

 

[tobikaye]

I only do a whole recording if it is something I have seen before or I can record without worrying about where I am looking. So, I recorded the entire HEA from the Desert Party viewing, mainly since I could hold my phone in a spot and watch live, as others above, without looking through the camera or phone. I recorded it so that some family members could get an idea of the viewing from this area.

I did record the March of the Stormtroopers at DHS the first time I saw it, but mainly so I could show someone that really would love that. I was really glad, when to my surprise, I was in the perfect spot where they stop and do their bit. After that, I only pull my camera out for a specific photo or a photo of someone I am with watching for the first time.

 

[CommanderXXL]

I want to try something new this year. Will buy a Insta 360 One X and just hold it (or fix it) near my head. Afterwards i hope it will be like being there again when using VR goggles and looking around in this "memory". And you do not have the issue with "pointing" your camera anywhere, you just start it and forget it.

 

[JohnneeO]

I still love to record video of shows, parades, rides, etc., and kids events at home. But I try to be simultaneously aware of both the picture I am framing, and the experience, Wherever possible, once I feel I have adequately framed a shot, I try keep the camera still, without zooming or panning. Then I look away from the camera as much as I can, and enjoy the experience.

Frankly, recalling the effort to capture experiences events on video is a treasured part of my memories.

 

[Love Tink]

My kids and I are always amazed at the people who seem to record every ride with their phones. Why? Why?

 

[MaxsDad]

Yep, it is so funny reading this today because I just made a comment on my brother's facebook video of illuminations (he is there now) saying the same thing. In fact I would much rather turn the camera on my daughter to record her reactions. I have an action camera that I have attached to my backpack just for that purpose. Those videos of her reactions on rides and meeting characters and other special moments are the best ones for me. Everything else I can just get off the interwebs.

 

[MinnieMSue]

I have no desire to record the moment - I want to live in the moment. I haven’t recorded more than a few blips of things in years. I prefer to fully enjoy it live

 

[katiec786]

On my last trip in 2011 I filmed little random clips, some of the fireworks, just hanging out with my friends at the hotel or waiting in line for Big Thunder, and put it all together in a 10min vid - 90% of it is stuff that would only be funny to us but 8 years later I still go back and watch it and remember what an amazing trip we had. I'm going this September and am planning to do the same, I don't need to film a full show.

 

[WEDWDW]

We as a society have become slaves to our devices-I am among the worst.

 

[Sara_H]

I have taken a few videos while on rides (Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain) but the video was recording the reaction of my kids on the rides...one time I took a video of my son driving on the Tomorrowland Speedway to show others how much whiplash I received due to his driving skills.

 

[sethschroeder]

Snap a couple photos is the way to go. Since all my photos are backed up and grouped together it completes the album almost like the old days when people did actual books. I wouldn't want a video unless its a 15 second clip that I am texting someone.

 

[TAK]

Human reaction photos are great. I'll take a quick vid of my husband riding in front of the elephant in front of me on "Dumbo" and laughing, just because I want a video of him laughing, not of the ride itself. I agree with the OP completely: I've long since learned that anything I might want to watch again (parades, fireworks, rides, etc.), someone's already gone to the trouble of posting a great-quality version of on YouTube, with much better equipment than I have. At home, I thank those people and save those vids to Favorites to watch whenever I want. In the parks, I just enjoy.