Video recording in DL?

[grinningghost]

What attractions at DL allow you to use your camcorder inside?

 

[CalGal]

I could be wrong, but I don't know of any attractions that don't allow video recording. Perhaps the 3-D attractions, but why would you want to video these; they wouldn't turn out. Now, there are some restrictions for video lights or camera flashes so as not to disturb other guests. I've videoed tons of attractions and shows over the years.

 

[LucyKate]

I took my camcorder to DL and DCA last December and the only attractions that I can recall not being allowed to film were the 3D shows - Honey I Shrunk The Kids, Muppets and Bugs Life. I think there might also have been restrictions on filiming Star Tours because of copyright.

I also got tapped on the shoulder by a CM while filming the "Twilight Zone" movie at the start of Tower of Terror, which might also have had something to do with copyright . However there were no problems filming once the ride started.

But otherwise I filmed in every other ride quite openly and without any restrictions.

As you might expect, filming in the "dark" (inside) rides was not too successful and for the most part I've had to just abandon this film. However, rides like Splash Mountain, Grizzly River Run, Dumbo, Mad Hatters Tea Party, Matterhorn Bobsled etc all worked out fine.

A few tips (things I did that worked, and things I now wish I had done).
- Film rides twice - once while on it, and then again as a spectator (especially rides like Splash Mountain, Dumbo, Mad hatter etc) as it's hard to get a good idea of some rides from film taken on them. This also gives you more film to edit with.
- Take some brief film of the signs for all the rides - most are very colourful and they make good opening titles for the rides when you edit the footage back home.
- Get an early position along the route of the Parade - even being one back make it very hard to film.
- Get an early position in front of the castle in Main Street for the fireworks - the fireworks explode over the castle and it's hard to film from any other location and just doesn't lopk nearly as good.
- When filming in Splash Mountain remember to look up just as you go over the final drop, otherwise you end up with a photo (the automatic one taken by Disney) that has you looking in your camera (as I did).
- It's basically a waste of time filiming in dark rides, except for brief moments when scenes are brightly lit, such as occurrs in Winne the Pooh, and occasionally in Snow White. Peter Pan, while a great ride, is impossible to film well. Small world works well.
- Haunted Mansion and Pirate work reasonably well as long as you shoot the scenes that are well lit.
- Get an early position for the Snow White show - it makes all the difference if you are not having to zoom in from the back stalls as I did.

If you want to discuss further my experiences with filming please contact me direct through the email link in the website below.

 

[grinningghost]

Thanks guys. Unfortunately, the one ride I really wanted to film was Splash Mountain, as it's a favorite of ours from WDW. But alas, it will still be closed for our March trip. We never filmed it before, and thought this would be our big chance. Oh well, gotta make another trip. Darn.

 

[iceskatejen]

You can't use cameras inside Soarin' or TOT. They will say something about vidoe lighting on dark rides.