To take video camera or leave it home?

[jerseydizdreamer]

I'm caught in the middle of a terrible debate... with myself (which makes it worse... no matter what happens, I'm going to lose!).

Anyway, I bought a videocamera for my trip to Vegas earlier this year, and really enjoyed having it on hand to take videos of the sights. But now I'm trying to decide if I really want to lug it around Disney. I suppose I could leave it in the locker most of the time, then break it out for parades and such. Any opinions?

Also wondering: As the camera doesn't have a light, are there any attractions I can or can't tape on? What's the policy where videotaping is concerned?

Thanks in advacne for any input!

Richard

 

[mom-2greatkids]

I'm going to be with the minority, but I say leave it home. Do you really want to spend all day lugging around your videocamera and spending your vacation behind the camera instead of actively participating in what's going on? Personally that's not my kind of vacation, although having video is important to many people.

One other thought. You could bring it and leave it in your hotel room until one of your last days. You could go back and film your favorites at each of the parks. You would still have video of your Disney favories without having to lug it around every day.

Whatever you choose, have a MAGICAL vacation!

 

[Kimberle]

I took mine for the first time a month ago.

I'm sssooooooo glad I did!! It really wasn't a "pain" to drag around. I didn't think I'd take near as many stills, but I still managed to take over 8 rolls.

I have a light, but never used it. I've never spent much time playing with the fancy "gadgets" on my camera. I basically just point & shoot w/ only the zoom in/out. I don't even know how to set the date yet! *LOL*

Looking at the stills is great, but watching it on my personal video it like being back! I see things in the background I didn't notice in person.

 

[GOOFY D]

I cannot imagine NOT bringing a video camera. We usually bring it to the parks about half the time and leave it in a locker or our room the other half. Some of my daughters greatest times are watching videos of our vacations (particulary Disney). However, I am of the opinion that the purpose of a video camera is to catch and preserve memories and Disney vacations certainly fall in that classification for our family.

 

[CamColt]

I agree witih Kimberles thinking. I dont find the camera to be a pain to drag around with us. Usually its just hanging on my shoulder ready in a flash when I need it for those unexpected moments that the kids do something or a character pops out of nowhere, etc... I try to video tape a little of each ride and for those I cant tape in, I will usually get the sign or the building, etc... Its sort of a video trip report, and yet, I still get to experience most of the real thing. I also love pictures to put in an album but you dont get the sounds of WDW(music), the action and voices of your kids, things like that that can only be captured on video. I usually find my best souveniers of the trips are the videos. And they come in handy too. When the weather is bad and I have to exercise indoors as opposed to my daily jog, I just pop on a video from one of our trips and my workout is over before I know it.

 

[swilphil]

If you have young children, bring it. If not, skip it. We brought ours on our first trip and took a bunch of footage, but never watched it. We didn't bring one on our last trip when our kids were 1 and 3, and I regret NOT bringing it to capture the kids' reactions. Actually the camera was broken and now were replacing it with a digital video camera. I sure wish I would have replaced it before our trip!

 

[QuickGold]

If you've never video taped at WDW before, I'd say go for it. Or just bring it to tape non-park stuff. Thats what really is worth watching.

 

[slp87]

I am also in the minority in saying that I don't like taking the video. First of all, the one time we did take it, we dropped it within the first couple of hours and it was out of commission. Secondly, I'm not a big video watcher. I don't like looking through the camera to take the video and my DH is not a concise videographer. I much prefer getting out the album and flipping through it. Lastly, my DH is not a big Disney fan and I'm afraid that if I have video he won't let me go back!!

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I brought it but didn't use it 18 months ago and REALLY regretted it. Last trip brought it and the girls had a blast watching it again and again.

I'm considering slurging on a new digital video camera having already started looking for a new digital still camera.

There are so many to choose from I'm paralyzed!

 

[shelleyz]

We went October 18th-25th. Only taped 1 hour out of the whole week. I got tired of carrying it around on our first park day. 2 kids , 2 strollers, camera, drinks etc. Too much to carry all week. Brought it to the parks only 2 days. One day at MK and one day at AK. Glad I did bring it though, the kids like watching it. I would most likely bring it again but not carry it every day.

 

[KathyFP]

we always bring it to capture DD's reactions and character interactions. She loves to watch them. The camcorder also takes still pictures and we bring another digitial camera.

We are on day 7 and have taken three tapes and about 250 stills.

DD is going to hate us when she grows up! I use the still for my screensaver at work.

 

[buzz5985]

We love bringing the Video camera. We find we are using it more and more. How much does it really weigh??? We have a back pack from Target with a 3 liter hydro pack in it. We throw the Video camera in it, a digital camera, and a 35 mm. Only weighs about 10 pounds.

We have learned not to carry too much. But my DS is 6 yo now. He doesn't need much. and we plan the water rides for the end of the day.

He was bummed when we wouldn't let him in the fountains this year at Epcot. We didn't bring a change of clothes. We are living on the edge. LOL

 

[jkfreeman33]

I'm on the side with leave it at home. The first time I went to London, I brought the video camera. I video taped our every move. I had to come home and watch the tape to see what I saw. I saw London thru a 1 inch view finder. Never brought it again. Now my own 2 eyes take in the sights and my hand are free from holding the camera all day. I would rather "experience" the trip and not "watch" it. That's just me!

 

[goofy4tink]

Bring it! I didn't bring it on my first trip and wish I had. Brought it on the next two and have some great footage. Love watching it and hearing the sounds of WDW!! That really brings back the feeling. But, and this is a big one,,,,don't shoot everything!! I have made the mistake of way too much filming. I mean, just how much tape do you really need of your dd meeting Mickey?? Just carry it in a back pack or fanny pack. Have a shoulder strap for it and it is always handy. I taped IASM and that came out great. Peter Pan didn't ...too dark. I don't use the light. Spectro is wonderful on tape. But remember, don't tape every little thing, just the highlights. A couple of character meet and greets, parts of the parades, parts of different shows. Or even just walking around the parks. WE love to watch ours during those long winter months.

 

[cubsfan]

I would say, bring it! I've been taping our Disney visits with the children since 1988. We are going agin in a few days, and this time I seriously considered leaving the video camera home, but the kids wouldn't hear of it! I work in an industry where I rarely get a Sunday off, but when I do, we plan a big family breakfast and we all sit down and watch one of the years past. Dad's film-making skills are always critiqued, mom's glasses are a favorite subject, and the kids just love making fun of each others clothes. If you don't have the tapes, you probably won't miss them, but I wouldn't miss them for the world. Hope this helps, and no matter what, enjoy the Magic!