Question about photography in Disney Land (CA)

I'm taking my family to LA in 2 weeks. Our first visit is Disney Land. Will they let me get on the ride with a DSLR camera? Or do I leave that with the staff before the ride. I wouldnt feel comfortable with the 2nd option...

Never had any issues with camera gear. How you carry your gear is going to be dependent on the type of ride. You don't want it to get wet (Splash Mountain). You don't want to bang it up (any of the coasters, Indiana Jones). Photography is ok on rides as long as you don't use flash. Use your flash and don't be surprised if ride stops and voice comes on over PA system telling you to stop. Tripods and monopods have never been an issue either. All that being said, if this is your first time, and you have small kids, you might want to carefully consider how much gear you take.

I always bring a plastic bag to put my camera in for the rides where water is a concern (really only 2 or 3 rides worth worrying about). I've carried my camera on all the big rides there without any problems....just make sure you hold it the whole time.

I've never given my camera to anyone. Enjoy yourself, it's a fun place.

As mentioned, you can take your camera on most rides, but that doesn't mean you can/want to take pictures on all of them. Rides like Pirates, Small World, Finding Nemo, etc are easy to snap away on (though rather dark, so a fast lens is a must). Rides like California Screaming, Space Mountain and Matterhorn will be very difficult to try photography on (especially Space Mountain). Then there are rides where they don't really allow photography, like Soaring over California and perhaps the new Star Tours.

Now, if you're not planning on taking pictures on the rides and are just concerned with where you need to keep your gear, then as long as your bag isn't too big, you should be able to take it with you on the rides without much of a problem.

crn3371 makes a very good point, though. If you are going with your family for the first time, try not to over do it with the gear so you and your family all get to enjoy all the magic of the parks. Have a great trip.

Thanks for the great inputs guys. Im not bringing too much stuff. I'm just going to use the 5DmII, 50mm 1.4 and the 580exII flash. Should I bring something to strap my camera to myself for the rides?

I just went to Legoland (and i assume all CA parks have this rule), they will not let you ride with your camera. They usually have you place the camera or any loose articles in a bin in front of the ride as soon as your boarding the ride. Would I trust a disney operator ride with my 5D MK2? No way. I would just take a small point shoot camera. Some of those small ones you can place it your pockets and still get some decent shots. Or, take turns with your spouse babysitting the camera while you go on the ride (which is not fun for your spouse). LIke the folks here said before, just enjoy your stay at Disney and have fun with your kids. Don't over do it with a big DSLR camera. Those are much better memories IMHO

Take the big camera and use the flash when taking your children with characters as they tend to hide in the shade if it is too hot.

Ash