Is there a place to empty Memory Cards? About This Page:

[lanie875]

I'm planning to take a lot of photos when I go to the parks and I'm wondering if there are any places at the resorts or parks where I can transfer photos from my memory cards to a disc. If not I'll have to buy a bigger memory card but I'd prefer to back them up onto a disc anyway.

[bradk]

there are kiosks that burn CDs (that's only 700 MB although i think they're even limited to a couple hundred photos at most - although that could very well be 700MB nowadays) at each of the park camera centers.

$13 per CD.

or you can go the counter at the imagination pavilion and get better assistance, same price.

[WillCAD]

Originally Posted by lanie875

I'm planning to take a lot of photos when I go to the parks and I'm wondering if there are any places at the resorts or parks where I can transfer photos from my memory cards to a disc. If not I'll have to buy a bigger memory card but I'd prefer to back them up onto a disc anyway.

Yup, you can have your photos downloaded from your memory cards to CD at the camera shops in each of the 4 theme parks. There is no place to do it in the resorts or Downtown Disney. Cost is $13 per CD.

Because of the cost, the limited number of locations, and the limited number of pics you can fit on a CD with todays digital cameras making such large files, I recommend you buy more memory cards.

Don't buy "a bigger memory card." Instead, buy a bunch of smaller memory cards. Smaller memory cards can be cheaper per GB of storage space, allowing you to buy more for the same money, and they will also allow you to split up your pics. Don't put more than two days pics on any single card, and leave full cards in your hotel safe; this way, if your camera malfunctions and wipes the card, or you lose your camera, or send it to Davy Jones Locker while riding POTC, or drop it to its death from Thunder Mountain, you can never lose more than one day of pics.

Look for sales and deals, and start buying more memory cards on a regular basis till you have a nice collection. Ideally, it would be best to have one card for each day of your trip, but you might not be able to get that far before you leave. At the very least, have one card for every two days.

To keep things neat and organized, buy cards that are the same size (example: most of my cards are 512mb, but I recently started buying 1gb cards because the 512mb cards are hard to find these days). It's also nice to stick with the same brand, preferably a good name brand like SanDisk. And once you buy your cards, label them with your name and email address or phone number, with a stick-on label, so that if you lose one someone who finds it can return it to you.

Numbering the cards individually so that you can tell which one is which without putting it in a camera or computer is also helpful in preventing you from accidentally putting a used card into the camera and wiping it out. Simply use them in order and you'll never get them mixed up.

[lanie875]

wow, that is some organizing! I don't know that I want to bring my good camera to the park (my new Olympus E-510 - it's my baby) especially after all of the talk about Davey Jone's locker! I think I'm going to have to buy a nice compact P&S camera and stock up on memory cards...it sounds like a better value than burning cd's for $13 a piece! That's a bit higher than I am willing to pay. Plus I'm hoping to load up on Photopass photos. Thank you for the info. It's good to know it's there in a pinch

[Lavendar_mom]

If you do decide to burn your photos to CD.
We had a memory card per day plus 2 extra. (Yep, Dh got a wee bit photo happy)

My dh did this at Epcot (can't remember where) but they gave him a nice CD holder/cover. These photos were transfered "as is" and kept the cameras "stamp" (date etc). Oopps It was AK, at Epcot no one could tell him where to do this.
However, the Kodak one in MK relabeled our photos. The mini photo doesn't match the actual file when we preview. Plus there were no CD covers available. The CM was nice enough to give Dh lots of tissue paper to try to protect the CD but we were still very nervous!

[Caldercup]

I second Will's excellent advice -- go with multiple memory cards!! On our last trip, one of my travel mates had her camera (and it's memory card) taken and she lost a day's pictures. It would've been worse if she had kept an enormous memory card in that camera rather than switching out smaller ones.

Eileen

[lanie875]

Thank you all! I think I will look into getting a smaller camera (especially if having your camera taken is a real possibility which sounds as if it is). Then I will stock up on memory cards (I'm thinking I'll probably need at least 512 a day considering I sometimes take 300 photos a day normall LOL). I did use that place in Epcot I think last time to print some photos...I think it was after the Figment ride.

[Caldercup]

Originally Posted by lanie875

especially if having your camera taken is a real possibility

Well, as safe as Disney is, there are thieves who will take advantage of innattention. That's why it's smart to keep your camera on you person at all times -- don't leave things in strollers or put them down on counters. Although it's a pain sometimes, I keep my camera on a strong cable around my neck -- that way I never have to take it off no matter where I am.

In my friend's case, she sat it down in the stall while in the rest room. Afterwards, shewent to wash her hands. She forgot about it and walked out of the restroom, but turned around within moments when she realized she'd left it in the stall. She raced back in, only to find it gone. She checked with the nearest CM and with Lost & Found over and over again (in the hopes that it was mistakenly picked up by a guest or CM and turned in.) Nope...

Bummer, but something to keep in mind.
Eileen

[revral]

I bought 2 of the Disney camera neckstraps. I used one on my camera and the other on my cell phone. I also used the water bottle holder I bought in the MK to hang my empty refillable mug around my neck. The camera straps are available in the stores dedicated to camera/photography supplies and maybe available in other stores as well.

[lanie875]

Does anyone bring their DSLR's to Disney? I can't imagine carrying it around with me everywhere. It's got it's own bag but I don't want to carry anymore than necessary plus there's just more opportunity to have something happen to it. Do you have any suggestions for a good lightweight compact Digital camera? I don't want to spend a lot since I have my "good" camera but I would love something I can slip into a bag or even my pocket.

[tinker_me_happy]

Do you have a laptop? I have read else where people who bring their laptops with them for the sole purpose of downloading their cameras daily. It might be easier just to buy separate memory cards, but if you are going to down load to a laptop anyway, why not save yourself some $ and bring it with you. I believe they will fit in the room safes.

[DawnDenise]

Originally Posted by lanie875

Does anyone bring their DSLR's to Disney? I can't imagine carrying it around with me everywhere. It's got it's own bag but I don't want to carry anymore than necessary plus there's just more opportunity to have something happen to it. Do you have any suggestions for a good lightweight compact Digital camera? I don't want to spend a lot since I have my "good" camera but I would love something I can slip into a bag or even my pocket.

I took my Nikon D40 DSLR in December and kept it wrapped in a towel in my Baggalini when it wasn't in use. Kept it safe and and I didn't feel like I was carrying a load. I kept my extra lens, an extra battery, and a couple extra memory cards in my bag as well and still had plenty of room for my autograph book, wallet, small bottle of tylenol, sunglasses, and various other items. I don't know your situation as far as what you'll be taking in the parks, but my Nikon will be coming with me on my future trips.

As far as a good point and shoot digital, Canon, Sony, and Kodak all have good models that are smaller and lightweight. Might want to check out The Darkroom: Photography and Videography for some ideas.

[lanie875]

Originally Posted by DawnDenise

I took my Nikon D40 DSLR in December and kept it wrapped in a towel in my Baggalini when it wasn't in use. Kept it safe and and I didn't feel like I was carrying a load. I kept my extra lens, an extra battery, and a couple extra memory cards in my bag as well and still had plenty of room for my autograph book, wallet, small bottle of tylenol, sunglasses, and various other items. I don't know your situation as far as what you'll be taking in the parks, but my Nikon will be coming with me on my future trips.

As far as a good point and shoot digital, Canon, Sony, and Kodak all have good models that are smaller and lightweight. Might want to check out The Darkroom: Photography and Videography for some ideas.

What Baggalini did you have? I looked at the messenger ones and they don't seem very big. I would like to take photos with my Olympus but I just don't want anything to happen to it or have it be more of a nuisance than anything KWIM? I have three kids to pack for so I will need some room for their things too (unless I do the backpacks for each of them again - I'd love to cut down on things like that though)

[WillCAD]

Originally Posted by lanie875

Does anyone bring their DSLR's to Disney? I can't imagine carrying it around with me everywhere. It's got it's own bag but I don't want to carry anymore than necessary plus there's just more opportunity to have something happen to it. Do you have any suggestions for a good lightweight compact Digital camera? I don't want to spend a lot since I have my "good" camera but I would love something I can slip into a bag or even my pocket.

I have been taking SLR cameras to the parks for years.

I was very nervous about taking my SLR to the parks for the first time, but after a week I felt much better about it; the trick is to pay attention to what you're doing and where your camera is.

I carry my camera on a camera harness (though I used to use an extra-long strap and carry it cross-body). Keeping the camera in front of me, conveniently and comfortably, allows me to use it in an instant, but also keeps it safe from accidental damage, loss, or theft.

I have found that there is no substitute for having your good camera with you on vacation. Why else would you buy a good camera? Vacation memories are the best, so it makes sense to take your best photo gear with you, as long as you make some adjustments for portability and comfort.

[lanie875]

Originally Posted by WillCAD

I have been taking SLR cameras to the parks for years.

I was very nervous about taking my SLR to the parks for the first time, but after a week I felt much better about it; the trick is to pay attention to what you're doing and where your camera is.

I carry my camera on a camera harness (though I used to use an extra-long strap and carry it cross-body). Keeping the camera in front of me, conveniently and comfortably, allows me to use it in an instant, but also keeps it safe from accidental damage, loss, or theft.

I have found that there is no substitute for having your good camera with you on vacation. Why else would you buy a good camera? Vacation memories are the best, so it makes sense to take your best photo gear with you, as long as you make some adjustments for portability and comfort.

That all makes a lot of sense. Hopefully by the time we go I'll be more comfortable about it. I just know how spacey I can be and I tend to put things down and forget them. I suppose if I never put it down it won't be an issue What exactly is a camera harness? Is this something I can find at B&H or Calumet? I LOVE shopping for new camera stuff