what to do about cameras...

[kristic0776]

so, what do you do with your cameras when you go on rides? I will have a double stroller and will be packing a camcorder and a DSLR. I'm afraid to leave it in the basket while it is parked, but don't want to lug it all on the rides. what have you done? any suggestions? If they are covered up pretty good, then will they be ok?

TIA

 

[TheDizMom]

Personally I wouldn't trust it. I have left stuff I don't care about and been fine, but I would never leave anything of value unattended. I would just take the camera to the park and save the camcorder for when you are at the hotel pool and that kind of thing. If it's really important that you have it in the parks with you, I would put them both in a bag together and take it with me. If your camcorder is on the larger side maybe see if you can borrow one from a family member or friend that would be smaller and easier to carry with you.

 

[seashoreCM]

It is not safe to leave valuables in strollers.

You might try setting aside a day to visit the park as a photographer and not go on rides and take all your pictures and videos then.

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[bumbershoot]

We had a $12 pirate hat stolen out of our stroller less than 2 weeks ago.

Don't leave your cameras in your stroller.

We opted to leave the videocamera at home, b/c we know that we never watch what we've taped anyway (and he's only 3!), so we knew we wouldn't watch more. But I had my camera simply in hand for most of the trip, and when I went on a ride it went into the backpack, which went on the rides with me. Easy.

 

[DisneyMagicMommy]

Our video camera is on the bigger side. It's actually pretty "old" compared to the newer cameras but getting a new one isen't in the budget at the moment. Actually I had the choice of a new camera or going to WDW...obvoiusely WDW won. We are going to rent a locker to store our video camera in when we aren't using it. If we are going to see the characters or something I can always go and get it out and put it back when i'm done. This does cost extra money so that's something to consider but we were going to get a locker anyways since we will be traveling with 3 boys under 5 and that makes for a lot of stuff we are going to need at the parks and storing it a locker will be so much easier than lugging it all around all day. My digita camera is also pretty big because it's an SLR camera but the neck strap on that eliminats any problems with it. (it will be with us at all times).

 

[oldbay]

I had a full-sized backpack and had room on all the rides we went on to place it at my feet or in a storage area. If you go to animal kingdom and ride kali river rapids make sure you bring a plastic bag to place your camera in. They have a water proof storage area on the raft but it isn't 100% waterproof. Take some great photos!

 

[LadyShea]

We simply took it with us, our camcorder and camera both fit in a fairly small bag and hubby carried it while I carried my backpack. We left only non-valuables with the stroller.

 

[Hannathy]

We opted to leave the videocamera at home, b/c we know that we never watch what we've taped anyway (and he's only 3!), so we knew we wouldn't watch more. But I had my camera simply in hand for most of the trip, and when I went on a ride it went into the backpack, which went on the rides with me. Easy.

That what we did to. Haven't take it in years and don't miss it. My DH always said it wasn't the same to have to be taping and not seeing things and since we never watched it . Now we just take cameras and take lots of pictures and everyone just takes them on the rides.

 

[brandylouwho]

I second all that has been stated already. Do not leave your camera or anything of any value unattended. We bought a waist bag/carrier from lowe pro for our DLSR, video cam (very small) & an extra lens. It was a like a large fanny pack which kept the camera in a safe/padded ouch but was still easy enough to access quckly.

I am also considering not taking the video camera anymore...or only taking it out one or two days of the trip (such as character meal days) becasue 1) I rarley take it out of the bag and 2) We watch what we taped maybe once-ever.

 

[TheDizMom]

Our video camera is on the bigger side. It's actually pretty "old" compared to the newer cameras but getting a new one isen't in the budget at the moment. Actually I had the choice of a new camera or going to WDW...obvoiusely WDW won. We are going to rent a locker to store our video camera in when we aren't using it. If we are going to see the characters or something I can always go and get it out and put it back when i'm done. This does cost extra money so that's something to consider but we were going to get a locker anyways since we will be traveling with 3 boys under 5 and that makes for a lot of stuff we are going to need at the parks and storing it a locker will be so much easier than lugging it all around all day. My digita camera is also pretty big because it's an SLR camera but the neck strap on that eliminats any problems with it. (it will be with us at all times).

This may not work to well either when it comes to the characters. By the time you got back to the lockers your kids could be through the line already and you would have missed it all. If you want video of the characters do it at the character meals where you'll get more time with them and not have to worry about running for the camera if a character shows up. The only place I can think of where it would be really useful for park character signings would be at Camp Minnie Mickey where you go from one to the next and they're all right next to each other, you might have some luck at Toontown too. The rest of the meet and greets tend to be somewhat spread out. I would say though that it would be cool to have video of the parades and castle show though. I know my kids would watch that over and over.

 

[DisneyMagicMommy]

This may not work to well either when it comes to the characters. By the time you got back to the lockers your kids could be through the line already and you would have missed it all. If you want video of the characters do it at the character meals where you'll get more time with them and not have to worry about running for the camera if a character shows up. The only place I can think of where it would be really useful for park character signings would be at Camp Minnie Mickey where you go from one to the next and they're all right next to each other, you might have some luck at Toontown too. The rest of the meet and greets tend to be somewhat spread out. I would say though that it would be cool to have video of the parades and castle show though. I know my kids would watch that over and over.

We are doing 2 character breakfasts. One at Chef Mickey's and the other at the Crystal Palace. I had planned on taking video camera to these. (we are doing the character breakfasts so we don't have to stand in line to meet the major characters...i hear the lines can be pretty long)...after breakfast at the crystal palace the camera will go into a locker. If we happen to see characters out and about a digital pic will have to do. (I could always start running full speed ahead to the locker...yelling outta my way...i need to get my camera...but I think i'll save that for another time )...I haden't even thought about recording some of the parades and fireworks...etc. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

I can fit bothe my camera and camcorder in my fanny pack. They are easy to take out quickly. I also keep them in ziploc bags for when we go on water rides. It works for me.

 

[agentpleakley]

last year - our digital camera was working fine until we took it on Tower of Terror (we had been taking it with us - so it wouldn't get stolen). Do you think it was just coincidental that it broke while on ToT or do you think it had something to do with the ride?

 

[kristic0776]

thanks for all the suggestions...maybe the camcorder will stay at home I really am more of a still pix kind of gal anyway. My hubby is gonna be mad though, because he just bought a new longer battery for the camcorder. Oh well, maybe we'll do the locker suggestion and use it for planned occasions, like character meals and shows, parades and the such. I know we don't watch the video as much as looking a pix, but it would still be nice to have some video of WDW and the kids reactions.

thanks for the suggestions. BTW, the camera itself won't be going on any extreme rides as we have an 8 month old that can't go on those rides, so we will be doing baby swap...the camera will stay with the person with baby!