Preparing for Unexpected Issues

[Len90]

Over the numerous trips we have taken to WDW we have come to realize that something will go wrong on the vacation and you need to be prepared in advance to handle this. Believe it or not the most common thing to happen is something related to pictures. In the days of digital photography nobody really worries about losing pictures like they did with sending in their film for development. However, digital photography is NOT fool proof. In fact it is far from it. Memory cards are technology, and just like every other piece of technology they tend to fail. Since 2006 I personally have had a Memory Stick and an SD card go bad on me. The Memory Stick went bad after it was filled with pictures. When I went to transfer the pictures from the card to my computer after returning home, I was stunned to find out they were gone. Since this issue we have taken to bringing a laptop and spare hard drive on the vacation with us. Every night when we return to our room we make sure to transfer our pictures onto the computer and spare hard drive so we can make sure to have 3 sets of pictures in case anything happens. The other memory card that failed on me happened on this past vacation. I always take plenty of memory with me and only keep one card in a case in my pocket. Before the 3PM "Celebrate a Dream Come True" parade, I decided to make my change so I would not run out of space during the parade. I do the change and turn on the camera to "MEMORY CARD ERROR!!!". I knew that was bad and ended up having to borrow a memory card from my dad after I had to shoot the parade with the 50 pictures left on my other card.

The other thing that can go wrong in photography is the dreaded breaking of a camera. In 2002 I ended up dropping my camera before Fantasmic. After that drop it shorted out and was broken. Mom and I ended up sharing a camera. Since that time we have taken a spare camera and leave it in the hotel just in case we break one. This ended up proving to be a lifesaver on this past vacation. Mark's camera after two days started showing a spot in the pictures.

With these stories in mind, I have come up with a list of things that I really think everybody should think about taking on their trip:
1. An extra point and shoot digital camera that can use the same batteries and memory.
2. DOUBLE the amount of memory cards (space) you think you will need. Cards can go bad or you might take more pictures than you think. Also buying camera cards in WDW is not the easiest thing and they charge a lot of money if you need one. Make sure to always carry (2) spare cards on you at all times.
3. Two battery chargers since one can always go bad. Best if you and a family member have cameras that share the same accessories. You will also want a few spare batteries. I have found that the original manufacturer battery works
4. A laptop and small external hard drive. You can never be too certain with storing your pictures. Always keep the copy on your camera cards, laptop, and external hard drive until you are home and certain you have them all.
5. Keep in mind with the size of memory cards now you might only need one card. I don't advise doing this. I find it best to buy smaller capacity cards. It comes out to costing the smae. I am a strong believer that IF anything happens to a card I would rather lose some pictures than all my pictures.

These are just a few tips that I really wanted to share to help make sure you are prepared for any of the unexpected things that can happen on your vacation.

[Amy]

Good tips Len! It is always a good idea to have back-ups of digital photos. When I was traveling I brought a data-vault (a sort of portable hard drive, more specific to photos) and downloaded my pictures every night. Then I cleared off the card for the next day. I traveled for four months and only lost one day of photos, so in the grand scheme of things, not too bad. It was sad however, since on that particular day I had visited a priest from the local parish where several of my piano students attend. He is Irish and was studying in Rome at the time. I had so wanted to share the photos of him in Rome with my piano families who were missing their dear priest who had been called away. Oddly enough, the photos that day included the Bocca della Verità (where you stick your hand in a stone statue and if you are a liar, the mouth will clamp shut on your arm ~ not my photo , but a photo nonetheless so you can see the grandness of the bocca )
I always wondered if there was some sort of mystical mystery surrounding that day since I swear I downloaded those photos just like always that evening.
But I digress...
Len, how do you secure your extra electronics, such as your camera and laptop, in your room? Do you feel they are secure there? I am planning on getting a laptop here in a few months and have thought that it would be nice to take on the trip but am a little nervous about leaving them in the hotel room...

[mindflipper]

I know what you mean, Len. I had a video camera get damaged on the flight out to DLR once, and my 35mm camera stolen in Las Vegas (separate from the lost luggage). It does seem like pictures create the worst havoc. The airline took no responsibility for the camera damage (they made me put it in the overhead compartment) as they said I had no way to prove it was working before it came on the plane.

As for WDW, I have had no problems with cameras. I drive, not fly, to WDW. My cameras avoid the airport security, the X ray machines, getting crammed in overhead compartments, and getting bounced around on the plane.

And like Amy, I'm curious - how do you secure your laptop in your hotel room while you're in the park?

[boilerbabe]

You had me scared for a second Len...I thought you were going to tell us you lost your pics!

I have (knock on wood) never had any issues with pictures. But, I think I will take a back up camera on our next trip, just in case!

[Amy]

You had me scared for a second Len...I thought you were going to tell us you lost your pics!

I have (knock on wood) never had any issues with pictures. But, I think I will take a back up camera on our next trip, just in case!

You are also lucky in that you will be returning with boilerdude in just a short while after your trip with your Mom

[boilerbabe]

You had me scared for a second Len...I thought you were going to tell us you lost your pics!

I have (knock on wood) never had any issues with pictures. But, I think I will take a back up camera on our next trip, just in case!

You are also lucky in that you will be returning with boilerdude in just a short while after your trip with your Mom

I am extremely excited to hopefully be returning with B-dude in Dec!!! Fingers and toes still crossed!

[Len90]

We kept the laptop in it's bag when we were not in the room and had it buried under some other bags. In all honesty, we really were not very worried about leaving the computers in the room as we have never even had a thought about that. When we went to Toronto we did have a larger safe and ended up locking them up in the safe. IF you are worried about your computer safety you can always buy a cable lock for your computer so it can be tied down to a piece of furniture.

And Boilerbabe, there is really no way I am ever going to lose any pictures again. I lost all my AK pictures and all the shots I took of airplanes while waiting out our delay at the airport from our 2006 vacation. That was the last time I ever used a Sony cybershot camera as I refused to use a Memory Stick following that event. With the recent SD card that went bad, I did contact SanDisk the Monday after we came back. By that Thursday I had received the replacement card via FedEX 2nd Day Air at no cost to me. They apologized and gave me no hassle in replacing the card under warranty. As for Sony, they never replaced the card.

Oh and cameras do take a beating in WDW. The humidity can really take a role on the electronics inside. Not to mention the lens fogging when you go from air-conditioning to the heat. On this recent vacation I purposely decided to scuff my camera on Main Street USA while waiting for Celebrate A Dream Come True. It is always good to see that scuff on my battery compartment door. It makes me think of that happy and uplifting parade music.

[Amy]

...We kept the laptop in it's bag when we were not in the room and had it buried under some other bags. In all honesty, we really were not very worried about leaving the computers in the room as we have never even had a thought about that...
...On this recent vacation I purposely decided to scuff my camera on Main Street USA while waiting for Celebrate A Dream Come True. It is always good to see that scuff on my battery compartment door. It makes me think of that happy and uplifting parade music.

Good to know that the computers are safe in the rooms. I would expect them to be but you never know with the rooms being open during cleaning.
A little scuff on your battery door, what a cute way to bring back memories...not sure I could deliberately do that though.

[Mousekedude]

We always take three cameras: mine, hers, and a spare. And we always take plenty of memory cards. Good advice on using several smaller ones instead of just a couple big ones. We do the same thing for the same reason. Also, we like to put different days or events on different cards sometimes, just for the simplicity of organizing later.
Good topic, Len!

[boilerbabe]

I've never had trouble with memory cards or cameras, now you've got me paranoid!!! AHHH!

[mindflipper]

I've never had trouble with memory cards or cameras, now you've got me paranoid!!! AHHH!

Catchy, isn't it? Who knew paranoia could be so contagious?

[Amy]

I've never had trouble with memory cards or cameras, now you've got me paranoid!!! AHHH!

Catchy, isn't it? Who knew paranoia could be so contagious?

Oh great! Now I am giggling and a little paranoid all at the same time...sheesh!

[cousininmiami]

I have the luxury of just having to drive up the turnpike from Miami so I bring my laptop (Macbook) with me and make sure that I have all cords, plugs, and anything necessary along. I methodically download pictures every night in the hotel, clear the camera of the pictures, and plug in the camera for the next days events! I also bring my 1 Terrabyte external drive and update the computer every night as a back-up. (I do this at home too.) I have had PC's in the past lose pictures, and data! Well, no more!!! If ever possible, buy a Mac, you won't be disappointed! I also bought a Monopod before the last trip. It's a one legged tri-pod, just a stick really. It is lightweight and quite small, about 20" long. It has 3 extensions that pop down quickly and ends up over 5' tall! It's handy to put the camera on it when you are taking pics on a ride or a video, it stays steady and you don't have to hold your arms in one position. And it's not like carrying a tri-pod that is super bulky. I got it at Target, for about $30 and it is a TARGUS. Anyways those are my photo thoughts and suggestions...

[Len90]

Great suggestions cousininmiami. I definitely like the fact that you are bringing/using a MacBook. They definitely are the way to go. I have already had my Vista machine fail twice on me. Luckily I put the pictures onto the secondary drive that doesn't have the OS installed on it. I have never had any issues with a Mac and I have had macs for about three years already. The monopod is a great idea. I have never thought about bringing that. It must really help in eliminating the camera shake in those low lighting areas.

One thing that I did leave out is that you should always go on vacation extremely organized. In Disney you have to have reservations and confirmations for everything: Hotel, Dining, Car Rental, Airfare. I do advise that you make a spreadsheet up that has all of your reservations and the confirmations on it. You should either carry a printed copy of it on you or have a digitalized copy of it on a smartphone. You never know when you will need it. IF you rent a car, always include the confirmation number, price after taxes, and what coupon you need to achieve that price. It will really save you a hassle at the rental counter as the companies can sometimes get wise with you.

[LITTLEBIT]

I've never had trouble with memory cards or cameras, now you've got me paranoid!!! AHHH!

Catchy, isn't it? Who knew paranoia could be so contagious?

Oh great! Now I am giggling and a little paranoid all at the same time...sheesh!

Just to help your paranoia, I think Office Depot has 4GB memory cards on sale for $10.