video camera (can't decide)

[megatann]

I can't decide if I should bring my video camera. I want to capture the excitement since this is my son's first trip (and mine). But I don't want to lug it around, or risk breaking it.
Do you bring your video cameras?
Is it worth hauling it around?
'


My next big buy is going to be one of those tiny digital video cameras.

 

[mhingher]

I say bring it. You might regret it, being that it's your and your son's first trip... Since you're going in March, (same as me!!) it won't be too hot. If you were going in the summer, I might say skip it b/c anything extra "hanging" on you can make the heat more unbearable. Have a great time, maybe I'll see you there!

 

[Twende]

Two years ago we took our normal sized video camera and it spent a large portion of time in the locker at the park. It was nice to have at times but I was afraid I would get it wet on Splash Mountain or break it on the rougher rides.

Last year we took a small video camera/digital still camera and a water proof case for it and I filled numerous tapes/cards and got some rather good still photos with it. The case hooked to my belt part of my butt pack and was very secure when I was riding attractions. I was glad I brought it.

 

[yusinskas]

Last time I went I took my video camera mostly because the people back home insisted I bring back film, and after a day of lugging it around I was really annoyed with it. Of course, my camera was purchased in 1999 and weighs much more than the newer ones..

 

[MrsPete]

Totally not worth it. One roll of good photographs can spark memories of the day; seeing the entire day "relived" becomes tedious.

 

[dbenlee]

We took are Sony TRV22 (digital video camera, small) last year and never regreted it. We got plenty of footage or 5 year old son character interaction. We also got stills of the same interactions which are good, but getting the emotion and reaction on video are priceless. Our video camera is about the same size of many digital still cameras and is no more hassle to carry than a still camera. If you have a newer, smaller video camera I would highly recommend taking it because you can capture so truly magical moments of you childs.

 

[civileng68]

Well I see everyone feels their own way about it.

I have a very small camcorder. Digital Mini DV model.

I would NEVER go to Disney without it. There's always something to capture the moment.

here's how you tell those.

Many of those who say "dont bring it" are the types that would never watch the tape if they had it. I watch mine regularly, so you make the call, which are you?

 

[BroganMc]

I take my miniDV and digital elph (still camera). The digital elph fits nicely at reach and has a video mode (poorer quality).

By the time I have cme home I have about 400 pictures and maybe 60 min of film. Sometimes I wish I had the video camera when I only had the still. With a digicam that takes video, it's easy to switch to movie mode. And some video cams can take stills. You just never know what you'd wish to have.

I'd suggest you bring it and your still. Activities you expect to be magical, bring that video cam. Otherwise, have the still on you at all times.

Most of all, don't be a slave to the camera. Sometimes I need to tell myself to stop looking through the viewfinder and look through my eyes instead. After all, video and photos are just two dimensional. Memories come with the smells, sounds, and more importantly emotions.

J

 

[Lori-n-NY]

Just other opinion here...

I just purchased a Canon ZR200 and I will bring it everyday with me to the parks. It is so light that I can deal with it in my tote bag I carry with me. This will be trip number 11 in 5 years and I do not have any of the parades on tape because I have never owned a camcorder...so now I want to tape everything I can.

Another big reason I want to tape things this trip is to show off to all my friends and family at home what my Vacation Club home looks like. I purchased DVC just over one year ago and pictures just do not tell enough when your trying to show people where your other "home" is.

I may find out it is a big hassle but the memories on tape are worth it.
So this is just another opinion, the choice is yours and try it you might like it, or try it and leave it behind the next time.

Lori

(missing my countdown timers.... not sure how many days without having to check the calendar )

 

[Twigs]

When my kids were younger, I didn't bring it along one day as I got tired of lugging it around and that was the day that they had several interactions with CM's and such, and I regretted it. I have since gotten a smaller one the Sony TRV33 and I wrap it up in a towel and keep it in my backpack, and I do use it a lot.

 

[Ariel Wanna-be]

I'd leave my DH behind before I leave my wonderful itty-bitty camcorder.

 

[YesI'mObsessed]

Definitely bring it. I got wonderful footage of my 3 year old sitting with the Fairy Godmother in the castle talking to her about Cinderella. Priceless. Still photo's are one thing, but to capture their voices and expressions are absoloutely essential. We love to sit down with a big bowl of popcorn and relive our Disney vacation! I love it when one of my kids says, hey I forgot about that, it makes lugging it around all day worth while.

 

[BLBCB]

We brought our video camera to the parks each day in a backpack so we didn't have to have it in our hands all the time. A large zip-lock bag kept it dry while on rides. It was so easy to just pull out and tape something. When the kids are getting grumpy with the horrible winter up here in Manitoba, or grumpy with each other, they will pull out a tape or two on their own, and eventually we will all drift into the living room and sit and watch. Special things that a still camera can't catch:

- my daughter being asked by a CM at the beginning of the parade "what's your name and where are you from". Hearing her voice over the loudspeakers with the parade coming around the corner, can only be relived with a tape.

- the talking water fountain at Universal, who spoke to my son, and played O Canada for him (blaring around that area of the park!)

- the excitement of my "oh so cool" pre-teen waiting for Eeyore. She was bouncing around and giggling like a little kid, but with the still picture we have, you would never know how she was acting two minutes before.

Just don't be one of those people who think that everyone walking through your door wants to view your tapes just because you like them! LOL

 

[wkrider]

My DW and I purchased a digital camera that takes pictures and video with sound. There are several different types of Digital cameras out there but I am really happy with mine. It is the Fuji S5000. It can go full auto or everything can be done manually.

Just another option to think about.

 

[liznboys]

When we went to WDW 2 years ago, we had our old video camera that was bigger and heavier than the nice little digital one we have now. There was no way we were going to carry that thing around the entire trip! So, what we did was we took it half the time. One day at each park we took it along, and the other days we left it behind. That way we got a little taste of how the trip went, but not endless video... It worked out perfectly! Have a great trip!!

 

[hipporina]

I always take mine. I take lots of video (it doesn't always come out great because I usually just aim it where I want and don't check the viewfinder or LCD) and then edit it when I get home. I love having my own personal Disney DVD.

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

I say bring it. Even if you don't carry it with you every day. My kids love watching the home video's from WDW. If this is your first trip imagine the look on your childs face the first time they see the castle. It's so worth the memories.