Florida

[Josh Bear]

Dear All,

I need some advice as I am genuinely undecided. In two weeks I am off to Florida on holiday. After going to cornwall for the last 5 years my wife has put her foot down and said we are going abroad! Me, I see nothing wrong with Cornwall.

Anyway the Florida holiday is based completely around the kids and the various Disney parks and this being the case I am thinking about taking the canon ixus I have and not the 5d and associated gubbins.

If I am honest I won't be going out to catch dawn, and at night we will be eating or in a park so I don't think it is worth taking the camera thousands of miles for family shots the Ixus can do well. This is especially true as I would have to extend my insurance cover on the camera.

However has anyone been before and would you recommend taking it for those "Shamu" shots etc.

best regards

Josh

[Autumn]

Re: Florida

We went in 1996 before digital. We had a Pentax without a zoom lens and I got some stunning pics of the girl standing on the nose of the whale.

You wouldn't want to take really expensive equipment here, as your children will want to get as close as possible and the whale flips its fins and you get wet through - all part of the act.

Your pics will be fine with the Ixus - the light is so good over there.

Have a lovely time and get lots of pics.

[Stephen]

Re: Florida

Dear All,

I need some advice as I am genuinely undecided. In two weeks I am off to Florida on holiday. After going to cornwall for the last 5 years my wife has put her foot down and said we are going abroad! Me, I see nothing wrong with Cornwall.

Anyway the Florida holiday is based completely around the kids and the various Disney parks and this being the case I am thinking about taking the canon ixus I have and not the 5d and associated gubbins.

If I am honest I won't be going out to catch dawn, and at night we will be eating or in a park so I don't think it is worth taking the camera thousands of miles for family shots the Ixus can do well. This is especially true as I would have to extend my insurance cover on the camera.

However has anyone been before and would you recommend taking it for those "Shamu" shots etc.

best regards

Josh

Josh, I've done it twice, you will love it. The first time you go into Magic Kingdom and walk down Main Street, you will feel the hairs on your neck rise with the tingles of glee. It will be like a dream come true. As for the kids, if they have been raised on Disney characters they will be absolutely captivated. Mickey is a national hero over there, and even though its someone in a costume, he is treated like a god almost. Disney is absolutely brilliant, you should start off at Magic Kingdom, then on separate days visit Animal Kingdom, MGM, Epcot and then if you are into water parks one of them. Seaworld is a must though, and the Shamu show is awesome, there I've used that word again You will also be absolutely amazed by Universal Studios, both of them If you get the chance don't forget Busch Gardens. We did a flydrive on both occassions so came and went as we pleased.

Anyway as for a camera, the first time I used film!! so it must have been an SLR. The next time I seem to recall using a digicam, think it was a Casio. We have also visited the parks in Anaheim, California and on that occasion I had my dSLR. Most shots can be done with a digicam, though for things like the Shamu show a long lens would be nice. The thing is carrying a big camera round in the heat of the day is a bit of a chore, and of course you may feel restricted when it comes to waterides etc., there are plenty of them in all the parks.

Josh I'm really envious you are doing this trip, I'd go again tomorrow. Let me know if there is anything I can help you with, I know the whole affair can be a little daunting the first time round. Cornwall is fine, but this is the holiday of a lifetime. This picture frame we bought just about sums it up

[Stephen]

Re: Florida

We went in 1996 before digital. We had a Pentax without a zoom lens and I got some stunning pics of the girl standing on the nose of the whale.

You wouldn't want to take really expensive equipment here, as your children will want to get as close as possible and the whale flips its fins and you get wet through - all part of the act.

Your pics will be fine with the Ixus - the light is so good over there.

Have a lovely time and get lots of pics.

Audrey is right Josh, I think I'd stick with the Ixus. Here's a shot of the girls on Shamus nose

[Josh Bear]

Re: Florida

Thanks Both. I think I have to accept that this is a true family holiday and not one where I say " i'm just off out with the camera"

My kids are 4 and 7 so hopefully a good age I will take the Ixus and my camcorder as I don't want to be carrying the canon all day through the parks.

Oh but then Autumn mentioned the excellent light out there!

As regards planning I have bought a book that gives loads of tips including when each park is quiet and busy and we are staying in a villa in Kissamee which I reliably informed is a short drive from the parks. So hopefully fully ready.

Best regards

Josh

[Stephen]

Re: Florida

Thanks Both. I think I have to accept that this is a true family holiday and not one where I say " i'm just off out with the camera"

My kids are 4 and 7 so hopefully a good age I will take the Ixus and my camcorder as I don't want to be carrying the canon all day through the parks.

Oh but then Autumn mentioned the excellent light out there!

As regards planning I have bought a book that gives loads of tips including when each park is quiet and busy and we are staying in a villa in Kissamee which I reliably informed is a short drive from the parks. So hopefully fully ready.

Best regards

Josh

Sounds like you have it sussed then. The only thing I would say is that your kids will be a little young for some of the rides, though frankly in Disney you can spend a lot of time in the various shows. I remember we had to plan our day round the timings of the shows we wanted to see.

We stayed in 2 villas and in our experience they are fantastic. They are often much bigger than you expect, and of course usually have the pool at the back. Set aside some time to use it

[Josh Bear]

Re: Florida

Thanks. Have promised my other half - no work including the blackberry or as she calls it the spawn of the devil.

Best Regards

Josh

[Autumn]

Re: Florida

Stephen's set me off. I should love to go again. It is so much fun and a holiday of a life time. They will measure your children to make sure they are tall enough for the rides!