Help picking gear for DisneyWorld/Universal

I'm headed to Orlando next week with my husband and two boys (5 1/2 and 2 1/2). I'm trying to pack light, and usually try to fit my gear into the diaper bag... but I don't think I can do it.

My plan: 5D2, 16-35mm f2.8L, and 85mm f1.8. I have been shooting a lot of video, so I'm waffling on whether to bring my Z-finder.

I'm also not sure if it's worth it to bring a flash? From what I understand, photography is permitted inside the rides (at Disney at least - not sure about Universal) but I have no idea if it is practical to shoot. I definitely don't want to miss out on the fun because I'm worried about getting a good shot, but a couple here and there would be nice.

Other lens choices - 24-70 f.28L would be a useful range, but it will add a good bit of bulk and weight. I also have a 50mm f1.4 but I was leaning toward the 85mm for a little more reach. If even more reach would be helpful I also have the 100mm macro - but it's a 2.8 so I think the 85 or 50 would be better.

So - my questions -
- Will the 16-35 and 85 alone give me enough options?
- Should I bother to bring a flash?
- Any advice about whether it's worth it to try to shoot rides - particularly the dark rides?

Or any other general Orlando wisdom would be appreciated. The plan right now is 1 day Magic Kingdom, 1 day Universal, 1 Day Disney Hollywood Studios and 1 day EPCOT.

The 16-35 and the 85 should be fine. However, if you have never been there with children, I suspect that you'll wish you were carrying a G12 before it's over. Take a lot of breaks with snacks, and they will be much happier photo subjects.

Oh yes, and the darkness on some rides is hiding an industrial looking background.

Christina, hope you guys have a great time there (tough not to really). I'm sure you saw some of my post on the Disney thread but I honestly shot over 90% of Disney (Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Magic Kingdom) with only the 85. It would be nice to have the 16-35 but if I had to leave one of those two at home, it would be the wide angle. I'd take a flash over that anytime.

Honestly, I'd strongly consider just taking a nice point and shoot. As far as flash is concerned, no flash allowed on Disney's dark rides. You'll see it happening sometimes with point and shoot, but I can pretty much guarantee that if you start shooting with a 5D and 580ex that the ride will stop and a voice will come on the PA system asking you to stop.

If I recall correctly, there are some rides that either say or announce no flash photography.

Personally, I do think that if I were to do it again, I'd probably buy a G10 or G11 and call it a day. When I got back, I'd either keep the camera if I really loved it or resell here for probably what you paid for it.

Here is some Disney advice IMO I think you should consider going to Animal Kingdom rather than EPCOT. While EPCOT is now my favorite of the parks on the Disney Campus, I absolutely love World Showcase, it was my least favorite park when I went at 10 yrs. old. While there are some cool rides for younger children there (turtle talk with crush, soarin, etc.) EPCOT is geared more towards older customers. Now with that being said since you're going next week they will have the "Santas from around the world" (or whatever) its called going on so that may be interesting for the kids. But Animal Kingdom I think would be much more suited for a 2 and 5 yr. old. Animal Kingdom is kind of a zoo and a theme park wrapped into one so they would get to see some really cool animals not to mention you could get some cool shots of some animals on the Kilamanjaro Safari Ride. The rides and attractions are from things that they have probably seen before (Finding Nemo, The Lion King, A Bug's Life). I think these type of things would be more entertaining for them as opposed to things like The Great Movie Ride, Informational rides about each country in world showcase, and so on and so forth. If you do want to go to EPCOT maybe consider getting hopper passes for that day so that if you have/want to you can move to a different park. Like I said earlier when I was 10 I hated EPCOT, I think we spent a grand total of 30 min. in the park. If you do go to EPCOT be sure to catch "Romeo and Edna" in Italy and "A Christmas Carol" in England. These are spoofs off of the original stories and incredibly funny. Sorry this post is so long but I absolutely love Disney World


Oh and be sure to get Fastpasses for major rides (i.e. Space Mountain, Soarin', Mission Space, Expedition Everest, Kilamanjaro Safari, Big Thunder Mountain, etc.) every chance you get. Makes the day so much more enjoyable!

BlueDevil08 wrote in post #11326951
IMO I think you should consider going to Animal Kingdom rather than EPCOT.

I couldn't agree more. We were at Epcot with kids from 16 down to 7 and they were all in agreement that Animal Kingdom was much better. I'd go so far as to say that AK was my very favorite park as well and I know my wife felt the same.

whuband wrote in post #11325911
The 16-35 and the 85 should be fine. However, if you have never been there with children, I suspect that you'll wish you were carrying a G12 before it's over. Take a lot of breaks with snacks, and they will be much happier photo subjects.

namasste wrote in post #11326843
Personally, I do think that if I were to do it again, I'd probably buy a G10 or G11 and call it a day.

I have a G9. I have left the SLRs at home a few times in the past and just brought that... and every time I have regretted it. But your point is well taken. Perhaps what I'll do is bring the G9 too and then I'll have the option each day of traveling light if I want to. I actually bring my 5D2 with me almost everywhere I go... so I am used to it. Although, I know, nothing can prepare me for the very full days we will have next week

BlueDevil08 wrote in post #11326951
Here is some Disney advice IMO I think you should consider going to Animal Kingdom rather than EPCOT.

Thanks for that advice, too. I definitely want to go to EPCOT though - even if we don't spend a whole day there, I really want to do Soarin' and Test Track and I forget what else... we have dinner reservations in Mexico, too.

We have left a day open - so we may still decide to go to Animal Kindgom. Good to hear that there are attractions there for little kids, because from what I recall, it seemed like there weren't as many as at the other parks, taking into consideration what I think my boys will do. The older one is big enough for all the rides, but too wimpy for anything with much of a thrill (so no Everest). And the littler one is too little for a whole lot of stuff, and also on the wimpy side (so no Dinosaur).

I am sure EPCOT has changed a lot, but funny you mention being there at 10 years old. So was I (back in 1984) except I recall liking EPCOT a lot, particularly the World Showcase.

Can you add the park hopper option on after you've already been at a park, or do you have to commit to buying one when you first arrive?

namasste wrote in post #11326366
Christina, hope you guys have a great time there (tough not to really). I'm sure you saw some of my post on the Disney thread but I honestly shot over 90% of Disney (Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Magic Kingdom) with only the 85. It would be nice to have the 16-35 but if I had to leave one of those two at home, it would be the wide angle. I'd take a flash over that anytime.

So you did find a flash useful? I have also considered bringing my 7D instead of the 5D2, so that I'd have the option for off camera flash without bringing triggers. But I think I would miss the full frame - I really do love to shoot wide. And also, I don't how much time/energy/patient family members I'll have to set up any lighting.

Christina wrote in post #11325816
So - my questions -
- Will the 16-35 and 85 alone give me enough options?
- Should I bother to bring a flash?
- Any advice about whether it's worth it to try to shoot rides - particularly the dark rides?

A word of advice from a frequent Disney visitor; *please* do not take flash photos on the dark rides!! IMO, nothing ruins the "magic" of these well-engineered rides than some jerk taking flash pictures!

You're taking a fast prime, that will work for most of the dark rides; I've seen some fabulous work done @2.8 over on the DISBoards (a forum specific to Disney discussions, with their own photography board).

Some dark rides are easier to shoot than others; the Haunted Mansion is particularly hard because it's *very* dark and you're constantly moving. Sometimes, you luck out and the ride pauses or slows (ususally to accomodate a disabled rider) and you can get some surprisingly good photos (with a prime).

However, you might want your flash for night-time character meet-and-greets. They're not always in well-lighted areas after dark.

Christina wrote in post #11332359
So you did find a flash useful? I have also considered bringing my 7D instead of the 5D2, so that I'd have the option for off camera flash without bringing triggers. But I think I would miss the full frame - I really do love to shoot wide. And also, I don't how much time/energy/patient family members I'll have to set up any lighting.

I'd take the 5D2 if it were me. The 85 on a full frame is a great focal length. The problem I have with wide stuff at Disney is the clutter. I can't think of many times there that I really wanted a big "vista" of everything around me. If you haven't done it, check out my gallery to see what kind of images the 85 provides there(link below). If it seems like that's similar to your style, maybe you have your answer. Flash is nice to have for a lot of reasons. I use is a lot for fill during daytime actually. I'd take a a flash over the WA anyday. Regardless, have fun as the shooting seems to become secondary once you are in. Feel free to drop me a note anytime if you have more questions and I can't wait to see the images from your trip.

gallery: http://www.sephotos.ne​t/disney

DirePenguin wrote in post #11332474
A word of advice from a frequent Disney visitor; *please* do not take flash photos on the dark rides!! IMO, nothing ruins the "magic" of these well-engineered rides than some jerk taking flash pictures!

No worries - I am not a rule-breaker. And I don't think I care too much about photos on the rides as much as the scenery overall.

namasste wrote in post #11332483
I'd take the 5D2 if it were me. The 85 on a full frame is a great focal length. The problem I have with wide stuff at Disney is the clutter.

By clutter - do you mean crowds of people? Trash cans? I know it is impeccably clean... so I am sure you don't mean litter...

namasste wrote in post #11332483
I can't think of many times there that I really wanted a big "vista" of everything around me. If you haven't done it, check out my gallery to see what kind of images the 85 provides there(link below). If it seems like that's similar to your style, maybe you have your answer. Flash is nice to have for a lot of reasons. I use is a lot for fill during daytime actually. I'd take a a flash over the WA anyday.

Thanks so much for sharing your photos. Just looked through your gallery, and you have so many beautiful photos in there. I think that I do tend to shoot wider than that, at least some of the time. Also, it's much easier (for me anyway) to shoot video with a wider lens.

Here's an idea. I've been thinking about getting a wide prime - considering the Canon 35mm f2 and 28mm f1.8. I guess also the 35mm f1.4 but I have a tough time with the price on that one. For this trip, one of those would be much smaller and lighter to bring than the 16-35mm. Maybe I should rent one.

Christina wrote in post #11332564
By clutter - do you mean crowds of people? Trash cans? I know it is impeccably clean... so I am sure you don't mean litter...


Thanks so much for sharing your photos. Just looked through your gallery, and you have so many beautiful photos in there. I think that I do tend to shoot wider than that, at least some of the time. Also, it's much easier (for me anyway) to shoot video with a wider lens.

Here's an idea. I've been thinking about getting a wide prime - considering the Canon 35mm f2 and 28mm f1.8. I guess also the 35mm f1.4 but I have a tough time with the price on that one. For this trip, one of those would be much smaller and lighter to bring than the 16-35mm. Maybe I should rent one.

There's no litter, that's for sure, I just mean busy images. It depends on what you want to shoot. I had a good idea going in so for me, the choice was pretty straightforward. If you prefer wide, maybe even the 20mm f2.8? They can be found for about $350 here and its a really small lens that would compliment the 85 well. Personally, if I owned the 16-35 and knew I wanted to shoot wide, I'd pack it along with the 85 and jut go have fun. The 16-35 really isn't that big anyway. Don't over think it Christina. Regardless of what you pack, you'll figure out how to make nice images with the gear you have on hand.

I think you can add it at the parks but i'm not 100% sure.