Video recorder in Parks??

[PottersMom]

I know lots of people do it, but I am nervous about packing our video recorder for park touring. We spent big bucks on it, (well DH did) a few years ago and never use it because we are afraid to take it anywhere.
Realistically it fits in the palm of your hand- so its small and lightweight- of course it has a million other attatchments and cords - I know nothing about. Anyway, my concern is that on some rides you cant bring your bag with you and have to leave it unattended until you get off, (SM,RnR, etc.)- also when you can bring it some rides are a little wet, but it can fit in a zip lock I guess- anyway, what to do. Can I leave it with a CM? What do other people do?

 

[PottersMom]

is anyone gonna help me out here?

 

[justplaingoofy]

Can't bring a bag on all the rides? We've never had a problem and have ridden r&r, etc.....

If there are rides that you can't bring the bag on, but really want to take the camcorder you could get a locker first thing in the AM, ride the ones that you can't bring a bag onto then retrieve the camcorder to use the rest of the day. i believe if you keep your receipt for the locker if you go to another park later you may be able to show them the receipt so that you don't have to pay again... then stick it in the locker & ride those rides.... then retrieve..

I think if you want to bring it, you should! Why have something you don't use? Hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[pepe of ohio]

is why did you buy it if you're afraid of taking it and using it ? Cameras now a days are more studier than before. We've taken our video many a trip, banged it around, rode the rides and never left it with a CM or put into a locker. We usually take it on vacation with us but only take it to the parks occasionally, been to WDw over 35 times and toting anything around gets to be a pain, do the same with the still digital. Going some days and some nights cameraless is great.

Ya bought it, use it the memories captured on video are priceless, great to watch on cold wintery nights at home.

 

[marconat]

I have to agree with pepe of ohio, we bring our camaras all over the place and never had a problem with them... I can't tell you how it's nice to see the parks and all the fabulous parades etc.... when you feel like a Disney fix... I can't take enough pictures or video... and I just bought a new digital camara and can't wait to take 100s or pictures yippppppiiiii!!!! no more film to worry about.

 

[disneyfanatic77]

I agree with all the other repliers definately bring your camera as videois always awesome at Disney. However, my family just got back from a trip last week, and my mother really wanted a picture inside Haunted Mansion(you know the ride that says NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY), but she did it any way. Well we got up to the casket where the hand pushes out and she snapped a picture Well as soon as the flash went off the ride completely stopped for like 5 minutes. We don't know if they were putting another handicapped person on the ride or what, but it was like IMMEDIATELY after she snapped the photograph. We have a great pic though, ugly but great. Just becareful if you are going to take digital pics on certain rides, but never had a problem with a camcorder.

 

[PottersMom]

About haunted mansion-some of the effects could be triggered by changes in light???? So that could explain the flash. Justplaingoofy, thanks for the tip about lockers. and just the general good advice all around. P.S. pepe of ohio, I didn't buy the thing, DH did even though I said it was a bad idea b/c we would never use it. Then I called him a dork- but he bought it anyway. So here we are.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Our regular video camera is big and bulky, so I knew I didn't want to haul it around. I bought a "disposable" (they actually recycle it for you) at CVS that was the size of a deck of cards! It shoots 20 minutes (developed onto a DVD) and worked surprisingly well. I loved that I didn't have to worry about carrying something expensive. The controls were very simple, and it fit in my fanny pack, so I actually pulled it out and USED it. I really didn't want to "miss" things videotaping, just get a few scattered moment on tape to relive when we wanted, so it was perfect.

 

[wendy46001]

I'm going to agree with everyone....use what you own...if it breaks at least you used it once...my new camera went for a swim right after i got it...lol..(my fault can only blame myself)...but just had to let it dry out...they are made so well these days

 

[peemagg]

I carry with me in the parks 2 cameras. I carry my 35mm with a 28-300 lens and my camcorder. I have one Lowepro bag that I can carry like a fanny pack that is very padded and holds both cameras and film, tapes, and batteries. There is a bit of weight to carry, but around my waist it doesn't bother much. Easy off and on for rides and right at hand if I want to video or take a picture.

As far a taking pictures on rides that say "no flash photography" I would try placing a piece of black electrical tape across the flash or holding my finger across it to block the flash. You might be surprised how well it might work.

 

[kristenrice]

We took our video camera everywhere! We have a lot of family members that will never make it to WDW so we recorded everything that we could. We taped Hall of Presidents (Grandpa loves that one), Buzz Lightyear, SpectroMagic and Fantasmic (except the dogs got a hold of that tape and now I have to go back and make a new one) We even shot ourselves golfing, parasailing and fishing. Some of the shows even specifically state that video recording is permitted. I say take your camera and shoot everything you can. You can always edit it later. HAve a great trip!

 

[bord1niowa]

I got back about a month ago and I would not have missed taking video and pictures. You said yours is small, as was ours and it was not a problem putting it into a medium size camera case around my waist. I could remove the case on certain rides but most accommodated it. Many times you want video, epecially parades, others a great picture is what you want. Take them both and enjoy yourself!