where to set up to record fireworks show from the Castle?

[halfmonkey]

We're looking at getting a camcorder soon after soo many years of saying that we need one. Our kids love to watch fireworks and we're looking at getting a camcorder before our next visit to DL but I was wondering if anybody has any recommendation on where to set up (sit) to get the best unobstructed view of the castle to record the fireworks show. If anybody has any suggestions or tips, I'd like to hear them. Of course, I'd assume front and center but does anybody have any "secret" locations they're willing to share. Our hope is to be able to record the fireworks show and then for me to make a dvd from it and let the kids watch it anytime they want to.

Also, does anybody know if DL has a policy against bringing in a tripod? I have one that extends out to about 3.5 or 4 feet in size but it collapses to about 1 or 1.5 feet.

Thanks.

 

[pinktink83]

I will be a little honest here: kids liking to watch fireworks in real life =/= kids wanting to watch a home video of fireworks after the fact!

I think its really risky to try setting up a tripod at a crowded theme park in the dark. You don't want to break your brand spankin' new camcorder! Just enjoy the moment by being IN the moment and snuggle w/ your kids, instead of trying to protect your tripod from a gazillion people, and getting annoyed at heads blocking your camera's view.

 

[halfmonkey]

I will be a little honest here: kids liking to watch fireworks in real life =/= kids wanting to watch a home video of fireworks after the fact!

I think its really risky to try setting up a tripod at a crowded theme park in the dark. You don't want to break your brand spankin' new camcorder! Just enjoy the moment by being IN the moment and snuggle w/ your kids, instead of trying to protect your tripod from a gazillion people, and getting annoyed at heads blocking your camera's view.

Funny, you say that because you would think but my kids actually really like watching fireworks whether in person or on tv/dvd. They like watching fireworks so much, I recently had to take out my little point and shoot camera and record the $th of July fireworks and have been getting numerous request to paly the video on the tv.

As far as where to set up, I can only hope and think that sitting right in front of the Castle will provide the best area but I also dread the idea of getting my spot supper early and camping out hours before the actual shooting of the fireworks.

 

[mvf-m11c]

I do a lot of videotaping of the nighttime shows at the parks and night. Watching the fireworks on video is nice, but it is way better to watch it in person then on video.

As for your question of where the best spot to watch the fireworks is by far in front of SB castle. Some people would say the very front of the castle right by the rope area. The only problem I have with it is that the sidewalk is roped off for the guests to walk to the other lands. So it can be bad to videotape the show. My way of watching and videotaping the fireworks right in front of SB castle is on the curb side close to the Hub. Not only that you can sit on the curb, but you can use the curb to be a little higher to the people in front of you. I use this technique to videotape the fireworks. Mostly in don't have anyone in front of me since I set up my tripod several hours before the show. The only problem is that you have to spend a lot of time to get the inside curb by the Hub. I have see the spots filled up with 1 1/2 to 2 hours to go for the fireworks.

As for the tripod, DL does state on there website that you can bring a tripod if it fits inside your backpack. I always bring my tripod at the DLR at night and I have no problem with it. I do bring a small carrying tripod bag with me to videotape the nighttime shows. As long as it's not a commercial size tripod and fits inside a small bag, DL will have no problem with it.

You can check out my videos on YouTube on my signatures below and see my spots that I have videotaped.

 

[halfmonkey]

I do a lot of videotaping of the nighttime shows at the parks and night. Watching the fireworks on video is nice, but it is way better to watch it in person then on video.

As for your question of where the best spot to watch the fireworks is by far in front of SB castle. Some people would say the very front of the castle right by the rope area. The only problem I have with it is that the sidewalk is roped off for the guests to walk to the other lands. So it can be bad to videotape the show. My way of watching and videotaping the fireworks right in front of SB castle is on the curb side close to the Hub. Not only that you can sit on the curb, but you can use the curb to be a little higher to the people in front of you. I use this technique to videotape the fireworks. Mostly in don't have anyone in front of me since I set up my tripod several hours before the show. The only problem is that you have to spend a lot of time to get the inside curb by the Hub. I have see the spots filled up with 1 1/2 to 2 hours to go for the fireworks.

As for the tripod, DL does state on there website that you can bring a tripod if it fits inside your backpack. I always bring my tripod at the DLR at night and I have no problem with it. I do bring a small carrying tripod bag with me to videotape the nighttime shows. As long as it's not a commercial size tripod and fits inside a small bag, DL will have no problem with it.

You can check out my videos on YouTube on my signatures below and see my spots that I have videotaped.

Actually, I was meaning to send you a PM. I was checking out some other threads and noticed your video postings and they seemed like they were smack center but I couldn't figure out where you were because (of course) it was at night. I noticed your videos didn't have people's heads in them so it seemed like a good spot. I'll try to figure out what spot you're referring to on the map but if you don't mind, do you think you can guide me to it "step-by step" so to speak?

 

[mvf-m11c]

Actually, I was meaning to send you a PM. I was checking out some other threads and noticed your video postings and they seemed like they were smack center but I couldn't figure out where you were because (of course) it was at night. I noticed your videos didn't have people's heads in them so it seemed like a good spot. I'll try to figure out what spot you're referring to on the map but if you don't mind, do you think you can guide me to it "step-by step" so to speak?

My videos were not dead center, but close to the center of SB Castle during the fireworks. Mostly my videos of the fireworks are on the right side of the center of the castle. I use a long tripod and also have the extra length with the curb side that gives me more height of videotaping the fireworks. Thats why you don't see heads in my videos. I extend the video up more so I won't have people heads in my videos.

I am a really bad at describing things, but I can give it a shot. As you can see from the picture below, this is the area that I like to videotape the fireworks. The curb that is going down for the strollers/wheelchairs is the spot that I set up for the fireworks. That area is dead center, but I don't park my self their is that it goes down and I don't get the extra height with the curb side.

I hope this helps you with the situation.

 

[halfmonkey]

My videos were not dead center, but close to the center of SB Castle during the fireworks. Mostly my videos of the fireworks are on the right side of the center of the castle. I use a long tripod and also have the extra length with the curb side that gives me more height of videotaping the fireworks. Thats why you don't see heads in my videos. I extend the video up more so I won't have people heads in my videos.

I am a really bad at describing things, but I can give it a shot. As you can see from the picture below, this is the area that I like to videotape the fireworks. The curb that is going down for the strollers/wheelchairs is the spot that I set up for the fireworks. That area is dead center, but I don't park my self their is that it goes down and I don't get the extra height with the curb side.

I hope this helps you with the situation.

Thanks a bunch. The last time that I've been to DL in the summer was when I was a kid so I was wondering in anybody can chime in and give me an idea of how early I might need to "camp out" at my preferred spot to get a good view/set up area to film the fireworks. I realize that's it hard to pinpoint it down to the minute but just curious to know if it's 30 minutes before they shoot or 3 hours before they shoot due to the summer crowds?