Tripod Question

[Gianna'sPapa]

After 14 years, we are heading back to Disney World for a quick 5-day trip. What are the latest rules on tripods at the parks? I would like to shoot some fireworks and possibly get some night shots.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Per the Disney website:

• Selfie sticks, hand-held extension poles for cameras or mobile devices, flags and banners are not allowed in any theme park or water park.
• Tripods or monopod stands that cannot fit inside a standard backpack or that extend over 6’ (182 cm) are not allowed in theme parks, water parks, Disney Springs, or ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

My plan was to sling this and carry it through the park. Do you see any issues with my plan?

 

[KVH]

From several experiences I've had over the last 5-6 years, I think it will depend on the attitude that day of whatever screening guard you end up with. Consistency is definitely not their strong point. I'd say your chances are 50-50.

 

[Scottwdw]

When I bring a tripod to a park, I rent a large locker to put it and any extra photo equipment for the day. I come back later to get it. No need to keep it with you throughout the day that way.

 

[jec6613]

My plan was to sling this and carry it through the park. Do you see any issues with my plan?

That's a pretty hefty tripod, about as big as my Gitzo GT2545T that I use with 70-200 lenses. Yes, I'd suspect that would give you trouble coming in - not least of which because the maximum possible extension is about 75", so over 6' (height x 1.15 gives approximate maximum leg extension), assuming that's the Vanguard VEO 3 GO 265HCB with included ball head.

You want fireworks and night shots: what sort of camera and lens do you have? Both for weight concerns, but, also many of them have techniques for doing those sort of things hand-held or with minimal support.

For what it's worth, if I bring a tripod into the parks at all it's usually a Joby Gorillapod 5K or tabletop tripod that doubles as a pistol grip - I don't need the ultimate stability of my Really Right Stuff, and there are plenty of places to rest the camera on that aren't the ground where people will trip over the legs.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

The tripod is a Veo 265AB and is only about 4 lbs. It extends to 59" plus the head. It's really compact and light. I brought it with but never used it. I only took a DSLR one time into the parks. There have been so many changes in the past 14 years that many of the types of photography that I used to do in WDW are nearly impossible today.

As far as fireworks, I have a variety of choices of DSLR's and lenses. FYI, I am a recently retired motorsports photographer so equipment is the least of my worries! I'm used to running around carrying two to three DSLR's with17-50, 28-70 and 70-200 lenses all, 2.8.

I appreciate the information, and I just used my cell phone camera and was able to get sort of what I wanted.

Thanks,
Terry

 

[jec6613]

There have been so many changes in the past 14 years that many of the types of photography that I used to do in WDW are nearly impossible today.

This is almost an understatement!

Today I'd usually bring my Zf with 24-70 f/4 and one fast prime, often a 28 f/1.4 (adapted) - there's no room for anything else, but with f/1.4, some silly level of VR available, and high ISO, I can get some pretty decent shots.