Going to Disney parks in Orlando. Please advice

[mdclaros]

Hi guys,
I am going to Disney parks in Orlando and was wondering if somebody has any advice about how to deal with camera and lense while in the park.
Also about things not to miss to photograph while I am there or any advice about a better photography/park experience.

[tommykjensen]

As for photography it really depends which parks You plan to goto.

In Magick Kingdom the long zoom is not required. In fact in april when I was there I only brought my Sony P&S.

Theres more to photograph in MGM for example Indianna Jones stunts show and the new Motor, Ligths and Action stunt show. For these bring the long zoom.

As for the park experince itself. If You haven't already buy the book "Unofficial guide to Walt Disney World 2005", this book contains descriptions of all the parks and includes a table of crowd levels on a day to day basis with this information You can plan the best days to go. No matter which days You go, go as early as possible and know in advance which rides You want to try first.

If You goto Epcot be sure to try Test Track and Mission:Space. Mission:Space is simply awesome. It is the best simulator ride I have ever tried. It simulates a rocket lanuch and travel to Mars. You will get to experience real g-forces. Be warned though, if You are proned to motionsickness You should consider that, but try it anyway - there are puke bags inside the simulator if required! Nasa astronauts that have tried the simulator says it is very realistic!

[Keiffer]

Hi guys,
I am going to Disney parks in Orlando and was wondering if somebody has any advice about how to deal with camera and lense while in the park.
Also about things not to miss to photograph while I am there or any advice about a better photography/park experience.
One more thing you don't want to forget....Please bring your common sense! I'm not joking, Orlando is very beautiful but we do have criminals here too. So keep an eye on your belongings and don't sit them down, they will be taken.
Also the parks have alot of places that they call photo points, these are places that they set up for a good picture. And without a doubt bring Suntan lotion LOL you will burn down here in about 20-30 minutes without it.
Have fun and enjoy.

[tommykjensen]

Here is a link to a great forum just about Disney!

http://www.disboards.com/

[Tom W]

One more thing you don't want to forget....Please bring your common sense! I'm not joking, Orlando is very beautiful but we do have criminals here too. So keep an eye on your belongings and don't sit them down, they will be taken.
Also the parks have alot of places that they call photo points, these are places that they set up for a good picture. And without a doubt bring Suntan lotion LOL you will burn down here in about 20-30 minutes without it.
Have fun and enjoy.

Yes, Orlando is a large city, and has its good areas and its "rough" areas. Florida is a big tourist state, and the criminal element knows this. But the city has its beauty as well, as most large cities do. Here's a few shots I took two years ago near Lake Lucern off Orange Avenue and the East-West Tollway, about 1/4 mile north of Orlando Regional Medical Center where I spent a lifetime one week with my dad.

http://www.pbase.com/photosbytom/orlando_fla

As for Disney, I took these last month in Downtown Disney, which is a shopping area just outside the main park (free entrance to this area):

http://www.pbase.com/photosbytom/downtown_disney

It's not inside the park, but it does lend an idea of what type of lens you might want. The 24-70 was used for both sets of images, the first set with my 10D, and the second set with my 1D-2. I'd recommend something a bit wider for walking around with a 1.6 sensor.

[boBquincy]

Of course this is just advice and others will undoubtably disagree, and their advice is worth just as much as mine ($0) *but* I go to WDW more than most (about 5-6 times a year) and carry more camera gear than most (dSLR and 2-3 lenses) so I at least have some experience with the combination. Whew!

I almost always carry my 20D with a 24-85, and a 70-200. It does get heavy by the end of a long day but this is the minimum it takes to get the photos I want.
There are beautiful animals, fantastic fireworks, great stage shows, entertaining rides, and more. Many of these involve difficult lighting situations that are beyond what most P&S camears can successfully deal with.
A lot depends on your criteria, if this sounds like too much gear then carry a P&S and be happy with how little it weighs by 10 PM, just don't expect to get good photos under difficult conditions (and *never* use a flash in a dark ride).

enjoy WDW,

boB

[mdclaros]

Thank you all guys for the tips
we'll see what can come from this visit to disney.

Thanks a million

[lancea]

I was there early October 2004. With my brand new 20D and kit lens. Each day was pretty exhausting and I'm glad I didn't have more. I didn't feel any need for a telephoto. The 20D's low-noise ISO 1600 and 3200 modes were very useful for indoor things.

Tom W mentioned Downtown Disney. There's something funny about getting there - unless you are staying in one of the Disney hotels they don't seem to want you to go there. I persisted (since I had a pass that included it) and was finally told the only way to get there was by taking a bus to a hotel and then transfering to a bus to Downtown. There were no direct buses. One of the drivers said he was surprised they'd told me how to get there (not that I had time in the end) as they usually don't. Didn't they want me to spend more money? :) Great parks. Loved my time there.

[tommykjensen]

Tom W mentioned Downtown Disney. There's something funny about getting there - unless you are staying in one of the Disney hotels they don't seem to want you to go there. I persisted (since I had a pass that included it) and was finally told the only way to get there was by taking a bus to a hotel and then transfering to a bus to Downtown. There were no direct buses. One of the drivers said he was surprised they'd told me how to get there (not that I had time in the end) as they usually don't. Didn't they want me to spend more money? :) Great parks. Loved my time there.

Strange. We had no trouble getting to Downtown. You must have gotten wrong information because buses run between all parks and Downtown, You do not have to goto a hotel first.

[lancea]

Strange. We had no trouble getting to Downtown. You must have gotten wrong information because buses run between all parks and Downtown, You do not have to goto a hotel first.
Well, not when I was there (I did say October 2004)! I tried several Disney people at each park as I was keen to get there, and the bus driver wasn't the only one who told me that was normal. I'm certain there were no buses to Downtown. It was during a pretty busy weekend too.

[tommykjensen]

Well, not when I was there (I did say October 2004)! I tried several Disney people at each park as I was keen to get there, and the bus driver wasn't the only one who told me that was normal. I'm certain there were no buses to Downtown. It was during a pretty busy weekend too.

I have been there in 1996, 1998, 2000 and 2005 and there has always been bus connections between parks and Downtown. I say You were misinformed.

Are You sure it was not misunderstood and the cast members You asked thought You meant Orlando Downtown?

[ducdubbq]

1. you'll be on your feet all day and that bag in the morning will get pretty heavy by the evening.

2. bring something that can take video and sound, so much of disney is in the kinetic and it comes off better in video. A small p/s digital would be fine but whether its the people screaming on tower of terror, or the monorail going through the hotel, or even some of the rides - video is important there.

3. bring a tripod, disney world is a night shooters dream because they light EVERYTHING to look good + there's the fireworks every night. i usually bring a tabletop and make due or a half size with a ball head.

4. the 70-300 will do you well on the safari but you need to sit on the left. all the animals are on the left.

5. if you like macro, there is tons of flowers and small architectual details. the designers cramed a lot of information into the buildings and a macro lens does well.

6. walk around the hotels, the grounds. Fort wilderness has trails thru the woods. the whole disney universe is open to explore and its all crammed with activity.

7. magic kingdom street performers. these are actors and performers doing stuff on main street and frontierland. theres a merlin show in fantasyland. anyway, they're worth checking out.

8. fireworks, fireworks, fireworks.

9. sunsets. florida summer sunsets are real orange and hit the park with a great gold tint.

10. personally I find a theme (ie. people with maps, people taking pictures of people standing in front of something, tower of terror at different times of day, the colors of the castle.....ect) and go with that. it prevents me from taking photos of everyhting every time i go.

11. good views: 1. the resurante on top of the contemporary. pricey for the amount of food you get but the view overlooks the magic kingdom. worth the check to get a few good shots, especially with the fireworks exploding over head.

also, from the water. there are lots of lakes and waterways and disney rents tons fo boats. it allows you to get right underneath, on top of or get a new perspective of hotels, parks, ect..

[prime80]

I have been there in 1996, 1998, 2000 and 2005 and there has always been bus connections between parks and Downtown. I say You were misinformed.

Are You sure it was not misunderstood and the cast members You asked thought You meant Orlando Downtown?

Not trying to be rude here, but actually, lancea is pretty much correct. We just got back (last Monday) from our 6th Disney trip in 3yrs, and in all the times we've been, I've never seen buses from the parks to Downtown Disney. We've always had to go to one of the resorts, and then catch a bus from there to Downtown.

[prime80]

Hi guys,
I am going to Disney parks in Orlando and was wondering if somebody has any advice about how to deal with camera and lense while in the park.
Also about things not to miss to photograph while I am there or any advice about a better photography/park experience.

I'd take your entire setup with you, and then pack selectively for which park you'll be in.

Here's my suggestions:
Magic Kingdom - 24-70
MGM - 24-70 & 70-300
Epcot - 24-70 & 100 Macro
Animal Kingdom - 24-70 & 70-300
Downtown Disney - 24-70 & 100 Macro

[tommykjensen]

Not trying to be rude here, but actually, lancea is pretty much correct. We just got back (last Monday) from our 6th Disney trip in 3yrs, and in all the times we've been, I've never seen buses from the parks to Downtown Disney. We've always had to go to one of the resorts, and then catch a bus from there to Downtown.

Hmm, I guess then that the bus I took from a park to get to Disney Downtown was a magick bus.

[lancea]

Not trying to be rude here, but actually, lancea is pretty much correct.
Thanks Prime! I was just going to let it drop, but Tommy is persistent! Magick bus indeed :eyes Perhaps these posts will help someone who's going there. Tommy - I wouldn't have even thought of asking to go to "Orlando Downtown". I showed the guys and gals the pass and the brochure. I only remember it so well because I wanted to go to the big music shop. Maybe there were direct buses when you were there, but not during my weekend. Even the Disney web site only refers to buses leaving the resorts, and see an unofficial site at http://allearsnet.com/btp/dqfaq.htm which states there are no direct buses.

[tommykjensen]

Thanks Prime! I was just going to let it drop, but Tommy is persistent! Magick bus indeed :eyes Perhaps these posts will help someone who's going there. Tommy - I wouldn't have even thought of asking to go to "Orlando Downtown". I showed the guys and gals the pass and the brochure. I only remember it so well because I wanted to go to the big music shop. Maybe there were direct buses when you were there, but not during my weekend. Even the Disney web site only refers to buses leaving the resorts, and see an unofficial site at http://allearsnet.com/btp/dqfaq.htm which states there are no direct buses.

I am persistant because I know I took a bus to Downtown, I know I did not have to goto a hotel first, I know I saw several busses going towards Downtown.

Obviously I can only say what was available when I was there in 1996, 1998, 2000 and april 2005. Next time I get there I will remember to take photos of the busses ;)

[dhbailey]

Bring lots of camera media, or a storage tank device (notebook computer, FlashTrax, Epson P2000 or similar device) because it'll be amazing how many pictures you'll want to take and you'll find that taking them doesn't even get in the way of you enjoying the experience of being at Disney.

I love the place and would go back as often as I could afford except that nobody else in my family is that enthusiastic.

I was there for a week and filled my two 1GB CF cards (jpg L-fine -- around 230 per card) and wished I had more. They sell it in a lot of the camera shops around the parks (but not all!) but it is sooooo very overpriced that I couldn't break down and succumb to their prices.

[ducdubbq]

I was there for a week and filled my two 1GB CF cards (jpg L-fine -- around 230 per card) and wished I had more. They sell it in a lot of the camera shops around the parks (but not all!) but it is sooooo very overpriced that I couldn't break down and succumb to their prices.

if i didn't mention it, there''s a few camera shops in each of the parks which will burn a cd for you of your media cards, so if you run out of room you can go in and they'll download your card and burn it for you. its like $12 or 15$ a cd, but it saves you from having to bring a labtop and then leave it in the hotel room or worse, carry it around.


also, have fun. with whoever your going with or even alone (i've done it a few times) just take it easy. you're on holiday remember.
get a cinnimon roll at night, sit in front of the castle and just listen to the music as people leave. its great.

[tommykjensen]

if i didn't mention it, there''s a few camera shops in each of the parks which will burn a cd for you of your media cards, so if you run out of room you can go in and they'll download your card and burn it for you. its like $12 or 15$ a cd, but it saves you from having to bring a labtop and then leave it in the hotel room or worse, carry it around.


Thats nice but is it possible to check the CD at once? It would be bad if the CD could not be read when you get back home.

[dhbailey]

My advice would be to buy a Flashtrax with an extra battery, and have both batteries charged and have the unit and the extra battery in your backpack. That way you can download your pictures, double check to be sure they've transferred properly before reformatting the card. The flashtrax is only about the size of a mass-market paperback, lightweight, and has a screen for viewing pictures.

Not much extra weight to carry around, and it comes in 20GB and 40GB versions, so you should be more than all set with either of them for a week at Disney, especially if you have 2 CF cards. You can have a newly formatted one in your camera for any great shots which happen while you're downloading your pictures from the other CF card to the flashtrax, and not miss anything.

[ducdubbq]

reply to Tommykjensen,

i don't know about the checking the cd, but i imagine since you're paying for it that they'd probably check it right there. i mean, it doesn't help their customer statisfaction if you go all the way to copenhagen and find a blank or unusable disc......Ah, fooled you! .....Can't believe you fell for that one!!

but then again i suppose its a risk.but if you didn't want to risk anything you'd have like 15 1gb cards in your pocket....just in case a few get filled......or a few fail......or lightning strikes an elephant and causes a black out......... :)

so my answer is......I educationally guess yes, but ultimately do not know a true answer.

hope that helps.......

:)

[tommykjensen]

reply to Tommykjensen,

i don't know about the checking the cd, but i imagine since you're paying for it that they'd probably check it right there. i mean, it doesn't help their customer statisfaction if you go all the way to copenhagen and find a blank or unusable disc......Ah, fooled you! .....Can't believe you fell for that one!!


I would also only consider this as an extra backup in addition to my Epson P2000.

[rssfhs]

My advice: Don't go, unless your idea of fun is looking at pudgy guys in Bermuda shorts!

[olivia]

Well, I will be the pudgy woman in shorts, but we are going to Downtown Disney to see a performance of Cirque du Soleil. I hope we don't have trouble getting to the park.