Where to put belongings...

[Tally59]

....While on a ride
I have an Olympus Evolt E-500(camera and equipment is worth$1,000) camera with two lenses that I keep in a black bag with my video camera. I do freelance photography and since it’s going to be my daughter’s 1st trip the Disney I really want to take my good camera. OTOH I am terrified that someone will take it while I’m on a ride. My camera/bag is rather cumbersome and bulky and I doubt that I could take it on all the rides with me.

I want to know where people put their stuff when they go on the various attractions?

Do they provide an area for people to put their stuff at each ride(like cubbies)?

If so do they monitor the area(is it secure)?

Or is it left out in the open?

I know its "the most wonderful place on earth" but I wont put it past someone

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

My DH brings his Nikon D80 with a selection of lenses, flashes and filters and probably carries around about the same value of stuff that you have. He has several camera bags, but he sometimes uses a backpack that he retrofits with cutout foam for each piece. He puts it in the stroller to not have to carry it around, but it goes on every ride and into every show that we do. The only exception is the rides that DD4 can't do - I stay with her and the stuff while he rides with DD8.

You didn't mention how old your daughter is. If she is little, you can probably take your camera equipment anywhere that she can go. If not, there are lockers at the front of each park. There are not lockers at individual rides like there are at Universal.

He does try to pare down the stuff to carry only what he will need for the day (e.g. larger lenses for the safari at AK, smaller for up close shots). We also have stopped carrying the video camera around to help with weight. We would never leave it if we go on a ride - we would take turns first. Not sure if this is an option for you. We have not ever had to split up due to the camera - just due to DD4 not being willing to ride!

Edited to add: You might also post this on the photography board. I'm sure many people there have dealt with this same issue.

 

[Tally59]

Its just going to be Grandma,my daughter(5 years) and myself. My daughter is a daredevil and I know shes gonna want to go on rides such as Everest at AK...ect. We wont have a stroller.

 

[nuzmom]

Be aware that items do get stolen at WDW. There are not secure cubbies at the rides that I'm aware of. There are lockers on property, but that defeats the purpose of capturing surprise moments. Personally, I would trust my room safe more than a WDW locker.

You will find that you're able to ride with a backpack quite easily. It's also nice to have one for rain ponchos and such. Speaking of rain, is your camera bag waterproof? We have a plastic backpack that we use. I put my camera bag in it and ride the rides. You can also just carry a garbage bag in your camera bag and cover if needed.

Many rides have pouches for personal belongings and those that don't seem to have enough leg room for them. Most rides work just fine for a backpack to be placed by your feet. I have even put a leg through the strap of the backpack when I'm concerned.

If you are carrying your camera bag with you all day, it's probably smaller than a backpack and you'll be fine.

 

[jazz0007]

Photographer here too....can't travel without my baby! LOL I just take it on the rides with me and deal with it however I can. I did however buy a "lower end" body JUST for this reason.....it seemed like a great excuse to buy another camera!

 

[CastleCreations]

Gosh... I would love to have a decent camera...I have mastered getting the perfect shot with the cheapies...ahhh...someday...i will have to make the purchase, if I only knew what I was looking for..
Anyhow, if your camera and gear can fit into a regular (child) sized backpack...then you should be fine. I usually wear a backpack and it fits by my feet on each ride.

 

[belle&beast]

I took our SLR last trip in a backpack camera case. I had my flash and an additional lens in it and it was no problem and went on every ride with us.

 

[annie1995]

Nope I'm not taking it on the bigger rides to risk damage, so when my DH and I do the child swap, we will swap the camera too. On the rides that everyone can ride together, the camera will go with me!!!! No way would I ever leave my Rebel unattended for a second!!! Will grandma be riding things like everest and the mountains and others like it? Could she hold it for you??

 

[Tally59]

Nope I'm not taking it on the bigger rides to risk damage, so when my DH and I do the child swap, we will swap the camera too. On the rides that everyone can ride together, the camera will go with me!!!! No way would I ever leave my Rebel unattended for a second!!! Will grandma be riding things like everest and the mountains and others like it? Could she hold it for you??

I heard everest and the like aren't that bad .
grandma is a feisty 75 year...lol and doesn't take any prescription medications...shes in amazing shape...she can outlast most 20 year olds...So I think shes going on those rides.

/another question comes to mind....what is this poor random soul gonna think when I ask them a favor of taking a picture of my family with my camera..

 

[annie1995]

I heard everest and the like aren't that bad .
grandma is a feisty 75 year...lol and doesn't take any prescription medications...shes in amazing shape...she can outlast most 20 year olds...So I think shes going on those rides.

That is soooo funny about grandma!!!! I'm sure she'll have a blast then!!! I haven't been on Everest, so I can't say, but I always thought it would be risky taking a camera on a rollercoaster would be bad because of the shaking and jerking of the ride.

 

[Tally59]

with all this talk of picture I decided to throw some up of my DD and annie yours DS is too cute. I think it should be fine my case is heavy duty.

 

[annie1995]

Thank you very much!!! Your daughter is adorable too, what a princess!!!! I have a really padded case for my camera, so maybe i'll take it on a couple of rides and snap a few pics along the way!!

 

[theantibride]

I too am a freelance photographer and carrya round my pretty decent sized camera bag with me everywhere. I take it on every ride we go on! Never had a single problem. And fiance carries around a totebag with all of our other "essentials" and we always have that with us at all times too. I would never ever leave anything outside the ride though. I'm a passholder and you wouldn't believe the stuff that people leave on their strollers where anyone can grab it. I called Orange County Sherrif to report my camera lost inc ase it gets turned into them and they have had so many things stolen from the theme parks they all know the street addresses by heart. The lady said never ever set your stuff down and so much as take even one step away from it because there are people who have passes and go into the parks and steal people's stuff cause just in the camera equipment alone they make a killing! Most of them don't even steal the credit cards or anything -- they'll take the cash out of your wallet and then turn it in to lost & found or something and keep anything they can sell!

 

[Tally59]

I too am a freelance photographer and carrya round my pretty decent sized camera bag with me everywhere. I take it on every ride we go on! Never had a single problem. And fiance carries around a totebag with all of our other "essentials" and we always have that with us at all times too. I would never ever leave anything outside the ride though. I'm a passholder and you wouldn't believe the stuff that people leave on their strollers where anyone can grab it. I called Orange County Sherrif to report my camera lost inc ase it gets turned into them and they have had so many things stolen from the theme parks they all know the street addresses by heart. The lady said never ever set your stuff down and so much as take even one step away from it because there are people who have passes and go into the parks and steal people's stuff cause just in the camera equipment alone they make a killing! Most of them don't even steal the credit cards or anything -- they'll take the cash out of your wallet and then turn it in to lost & found or something and keep anything they can sell!

that sucks but its good to know. Yeah my camera stuff wont leave my sight! as for $$$('m not even gonna bring my purse) I'm gonna get one of those waterproof pouches that go around my neck. I refuse to wear a fanny pack

My "day bag" OTOH is another story. I'll leave that when I go on rides . Its gonna be filled with "worthless" junk like an extra change of clothes and snacks. Anyone who steals
that would be pathetic But if they do I'll just be out a change of clothes and some snacks....

 

[janets]

DH has a Rebel XT with several lenses and flash that we carry in a backpack style bag with foam and straps. We take it everywhere with us. We have been fortunate not to have had any theft of our things, but we would never leave something of that value sitting on the stroller. And you'll be able to take it on most every ride. Either you can place it between your feet on the ride or there will be an under pouch for it where you can put it. You'll be fine.

Oh, and as far as the "big" rides, remember that there are height requirements. Check to see if your daughter is tall enough for EE or SM. I know that my youngest (5) is not tall enough for it.

 

[Gretchen]

I have carried my camera stuff (SLR, lens etc) in my regular backpack in their little padded cases. We all have come through unscathed. Except for when someone stole the whole kit and kaboodle at JFK. Ugh....DH finally got sick of my crying like I lost a kid and got me a new one. Oh, so sad. Now the greedy one that I am, I want a new dig. body...
Keep your stuff with you and you won't have a problem.
G

 

[Colinsmom]

My "day bag" OTOH is another story. I'll leave that when I go on rides . Its gonna be filled with "worthless" junk like an extra change of clothes and snacks. Anyone who steals
that would be pathetic But if they do I'll just be out a change of clothes and some snacks....

But if you aren't taking a stroller, you will have no where to leave that bag while you ride. Your choices are basically take it with you on the ride, leave it with someone in your party who isn't riding, or leave it on your stroller (which you aren't taking). Shouldn't be a big deal, but just wanted you to be prepared.

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

I wouldn't leave anything of value lying around.

But not everyone is up to no good. Probably 4 years ago my family was at WDW. It was our last day in the park and we were in Epcot. My husband had his old digital camera (a big monstrosity) and had taken literally hundreds of pictures on it. We paused with the girls (then 5 and 8) on a bench outside of Mexico then decided to go inside the pavillion. We were browsing and the girls were playing with the sombreros and musical instruments when dh decided to shoot some pics. I had been wearing the camera on my shoulder. I reached to hand him the camera and it was gone!

Then I realized I had set it down on the bench next to me while we rested. I ran like a shot -- never ran that fast before to get back to the bench. There sitting on the bench was an elderly couple. Right next to the woman was my camera. As I approached she held it out to me and said: "I saw you leave this and I knew you would be coming back. I thought I should sit and watch it for you." I thanked her profusely.

 

[Tally59]

I was watching the Disney DVD they mailed I noticed on Soarin there is no place by the feet(there dangling) to put my bag. So I was wondering if it would be ok to just wear my camera backpack backward on my chest while riding.

thanks for all the help!

 

[disneymarie]

I would never travel with a "Named" camera bag. It is like an advertisment for a thief. I couldn't believe a woman sat down next to her feet at Ariels grotto a name Cam corder and walked away without it. I grabbed it and set off in search for her....She never even remembered setting it down. She was at least 8-10 people ahead of us by then as it sat.

Buy a comfy back or shoulder pack. I take my shoulder pack, called a healthy back, and put it forward on my chest, but I am not as fearless as grandma..

About the stroller...I took one even up to turning 6 years old, mostly to leave sweater, small cooler with water, umbrealls, and a place for tired legs to rest. Most of all, I needed it to lean on with my bad back.
dianne