Tripod in the Parks

[Stink and Bunny]

Got a question for you guys. What do you use for a tripod in the parks? Any brands and models would help. Do you carry it around the park the whole day or do you put it in a locker until its time for fireworks since I would assume that is the only time you would really want to use it. I have one that folds up to 18" so it seems like it would still be to to big for a pack back or to stuff it in a locker. Any suggestions would be awesome.

thanks

 

[mom2rtk]

I use this one. It seems to be a good balance of size, weight, and portability. It fits in a Disney locker.

I don't think I can post a link here, but google "Tom Bricker tripod report" and you'll find his rundown on travel tripods.

 

[Animagic!]

I don't think I can post a link here, but google "Tom Bricker tripod report" and you'll find his rundown on travel tripods.

I second this. I took Tom's recommendation and bought the MeFoto Roadtrip Travel tripod. I like it a lot and carry it around the parks strapped to my pack. It can be a bit slow to set up compared to other tripods but it is very sturdy. For the most part if you're setting up a tripod then you are probably doing it for long exposures so a few extra second to set up the tripod really isn't a big deal at all, especially when shooting fireworks.

 

[Pixel Dust]

During the day I use the MeFOTO BackPacker. It's small, just over a foot when folded up and fits into a pocket for water bottles on my bag. It's tall enough for me and puts the camera about eye level, but I'm short.

For evening fireworks I use the Manfrotto 055CXPro4. I bought this one just for Disney. It's the tallest tripod I could find, at the time, that will still fit into a Magic Kingdom locker. I wanted the height to get over everyone's heads.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I got the MeFoto Roadtrip last year after doing some research (including Tom's blog).

I decided to get this one because I do take the tripod out to windy places and out into the bush/national parks. It's pretty steady.

I've carried it for half days at a time out on bush walks. For WDW, I tend to head out early and then back to the resort for a cool-down in the afternoon. So, the tripod comes out with me at night.

But if I stay off-site, I will rent a locker. The MeFoto fits into lockers at MK and at DLR.

 

[MeeskaMomma]

Following! I brought my massive heavy tripod last trip and it was a pain!

 

[firemanchip]

I got the Road-trip as well for my next trip. I can`t wait to use it at the parks. It`s a really nice piece of equipment.

 

[bob100]

Following! I brought my massive heavy tripod last trip and it was a pain!

sometimes it's 'best' to check them out at Best Buy before purchasing then you can get an idea of the different sizes and weights. (you don't have to buy from BB!)
I use a Dolica ball head tripod for traveling and other uses

 

[handicap18]

I've brought 2 different tripods over the years. One is a small travel tripod that when fully opened up it is just tall enough to see over any of the fences around Disney. It is small enough to fit in the lockers. I uses it opened but without the legs extended and put it on top of a trash bin.

The other one is larger. Doesn't fit in the lockers so I have to carry it around. I have to rig it with a strap so I can carry it around my shoulder. It not to heavy but gets the job done.

Not sure which one I'll bring this time. Probably the smaller one. Not expecting to do a whole lot of long exposure night shots this trip.

Also be prepared for guests to come up to you thinking your a Disney photo pass photographer. It's happened to me pretty much every time is set up my tripod at MK. Not as often at the other parks though.

 

[BBQMonster]

Just got back from our third trip with my Velbon UT 43D and I am still very happy with it. It's small and lightweight and does a good job.

BBQMonster

 

[kmclark]

I have a Manfrotto tripod with this head.

Is this too much for Disney? I know it is plenty tall enough but is it overkill for Disney.

 

[Pixel Dust]

I have a Manfrotto tripod with this head.

Is this too much for Disney? I know it is plenty tall enough but is it overkill for Disney.

You can certain take the tripod to Disney. My tripod is .5" taller than yours, and I fully extend it for fireworks.

Just note that yours will not fit into the Magic Kingdom lockers. I have to take the head off of my Manfrotto tripod to get it in the locker. Mine is 21.5" folded up, and just fits in there diagonally. You might be able to get away with a 22" folded up length, but yours is 23.5" and might not fit. Can you remove the center column? It may fit that way.

 

[mcraige]

I have a manfrotto compact. It is small enough to fit in a locker, but extends about eye level (I'm about 6' tall). It stays in the locker until I know I will be using it -- parades, fireworks, etc.

 

[LarryFmScotland]

Just to let you know, that I've not had trouble taking a tripod into WDW, but they would not let me use even a small one into Disneyland Resort Tokyo parks. I think they let me take it into Disneysea, but I had to promise not to use it, and I didn't.

Cheers Larry.

 

[WDWFigment]

Thanks for all the recommendations of my tripod guides. Hope they've been helpful!

Just to let you know, that I've not had trouble taking a tripod into WDW, but they would not let me use even a small one into Disneyland Resort Tokyo parks. I think they let me take it into Disneysea, but I had to promise not to use it, and I didn't.

Cheers Larry.

Tripods are allowed in every Disney theme park in the world besides Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. Not even Gorillapods are allowed in those parks.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Thanks for all the recommendations of my tripod guides. Hope they've been helpful!



Tripods are allowed in every Disney theme park in the world besides Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. Not even Gorillapods are allowed in those parks.

I did.

Been using an old junk Sunpack for years. Saw your blog this morning and finally decided to pull the trigger on a real tripod. I bought a Monfrotto Roadtrip this morning. Hope it gets here next week. Single digit dance going on here.

Thanks!

 

[Groucho]

I normally use a Slik Pro carbon fiber; it's relatively light but definitely a full-sized. This is good in that I can get it to eye level (I'm over 6') but bad in that it's, well, big, even if it's not too heavy.

It was handy when we were pushing our stroller when our kids were younger; I could just toss it in the bottom and take it out at night when needed - now that we don't use a stroller, it's a bit more of a challenge. I attached a strap from an old camera bag to one leg and the center near the ballhead, allowing me to carry it bandolier-style on my back; combined with my camera strap going the opposite direction and whatever camera bag I've chosen at the time gives a real "going to war" appearance! I was even able to bring it on Space Mountain, wedging it between my leg and the ride vehicle. I don't think I'd want to do that again, though.

I may be looking for a more collapsible one in the future; last time, I ended up just bringing my Gorillapod SLR and getting by with that (and it fit well in the tripod straps on the side of my camera bag.) Good but you can't beat a real tripod.

 

[justinlauck]

I took a MeFoto RoadTrip last time. It was ideal based on the size it folds down to. It's folded length is roughly half of my Manfrotto. I keep it in my truck in the event I need a tripod when I am out. Just remember to use a remote shutter, and wait a few seconds after touching /adjusting settings on the camera to take a photo. The ballhead has a little bounce in it and takes a while to stabilize if you are using a heavy camera or lens. Extra tip: Use mirror-up mode to reduce mirror slap, and turn off VR if your lens has it.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

I took a MeFoto RoadTrip last time. It was ideal based on the size it folds down to. It's folded length is roughly half of my Manfrotto. I keep it in my truck in the event I need a tripod when I am out. Just remember to use a remote shutter, and wait a few seconds after touching /adjusting settings on the camera to take a photo. The ballhead has a little bounce in it and takes a while to stabilize if you are using a heavy camera or lens. Extra tip: Use mirror-up mode to reduce mirror slap, and turn off VR if your lens has it.

Looking forward to the remote control app on my iPhone for my 6D and 70D. I've played with it here at home but it seems to be the ideal solution to fireworks at the parks as long as I can stay close enough to have my hands on the tripod.

Looking forward to new challenges and opportunities with new cameras and a new tripod. (I just upgraded to FF with the 6D and kept a crop by upgrading to a 70D from a 60D.)