Thanks for posting the nice pics abetanco. Yes, in addition to hot, Orlando can be very WET during the Summer months. Last summer I witnessed a teen girl suffer heat exhaustion and faint while waiting in the crowd to leave. Paramedics were called...it was an experience.

They look pretty good and a ton less crowded then when I was there. I couldn't hardly stand all the Brazilian tour groups of teenagers when I was there.

Thank you for your advice on what to bring on a trip to Walt Disney World.

Most of the photos were of my family (wife and two kids), but I was able to photograph the attractions, rides, buildings, characters and some fireworks.

I used this equipment:

- Nikon D7000 with 16-85, plus Sigma 10-20. The 16-85 was used for 80% of the pictures. Most of the buildings and attractions are big and close enough, so a wide angle is very useful. Some rides are dark, or lit with black light, so the high ISO performance of the D7000 is very helpful. Previously I haven’t used Auto ISO, but changing from sunlight to dark rides makes it almost indispensable. For sure a 20 1.8 lens can help in those dark attractions.

- Nikon 70-300 only at Animal Kingdom, very useful at the Kilimanjaro Safari. This day I left the 10-20 at the hotel, and didn’t miss it.

- Lowepro Inverse 100 bag. This bag fits at Disney’s rides and can carry the D7000 + 16-85 or + 10-20, and the 70-300, extra batteries, water bottle, polarizing filter and small extras. Every day I got 1.5 hours of rain, so I used the AW cover. My jansport backpack was not good enough to prevent it contents getting wet, so I think that AW is a must in a place like Orlando. Now I think that carrying a rain cover for the camera is a good idea, because when it rains most of the people run for cover so it’s a great opportunity to photograph otherwise crowded areas.

- Sony GPS. The geotagging was made back at the hotel with a laptop. Each night I downloaded the pictures and backed up them to an external hard drive. I used two 16 GB SD cards, and emptied them every night.

I didn’t miss my tripod or monopod. Some folks where using them without problem at the fireworks in Magic Kingdom and Epcot.

You can see some of the pictures from WDW here: https://picasaweb.google.com/113093951665029670189/Disney?authkey=Gv1sRgCJDqp5PF1qn8WQ&feat=email#

Greetings!

Alfonso

the guy probally went to Diseny and came back by now.

I have been there many times. Just take the 16-85 into the park. Objects are very big and very close. Many times you will have to step back to frame the shot you want. There is no need for a telephoto. Since you have the great D7000 if you want to get closer to a subject than your 85mm allows (actually it is a 127.5mm on a DX body) just keep your ISO down to 200 or so and crop the image for more impact when you get home. Cropping to telephoto later makes for zero telephoto lens weight to lug around the park! You cannot get lighter than that. I used to fabricate a strap around my mid-chest out of tied sewing elastic (make a loop to poke the camera lens through) to keep the camera tight against my chest during rids or much movement (like leaping over streams when hiking). Thus, no need for a camera bag at all: just one wide to mild telephoto zoom lens and an elastic strap to hold the camera up against your chest.

@tcole1983: Very nice shots. I have found that places I do fireworks the 12-24mm is necessary. But Disney World is different and very professionally done, maybe tcole1983 pictures show that the 18-200VR would be enough? I do like the 16-85 for a lot of wide shots but I lean towards the 12-24 and myself I'd still want the 70-300VR Alfonso has.......But photo gear overdone can really be a drag! That is one huge reason to use a D7000 and ONE lens.

abetanco said:
Great picture Rx4Photo! What lens did you use?

Thanks abetanco, but ...er...um....how should I say this....I did take that picture back in 2010 but at the time I was using a camera I had before my Nikon D7000 - the Canon Powershot Pro1. I have since handed that camera off to my niece. The Nikon goes with me the next time. It was neat that she looked directly at me for the shot.

Rx4Photo said:
A little more advice Alfonso. Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom parade routes get filled up very fast. Get to a spot at least 30 to 45 minutes early and stay there. The streets in A.K. are not as wide as those in The M.K. so the crowd will seem more congested. Enjoy!

Great picture Rx4Photo! What lens did you use?

NikoDoby said:
I don't think tripods or monopods are even allowed (?)

I have read about people using tripods or monopods at Disney World. I don't think it´s a good idea but...

As a complement to the Nikon D7000 + 16-85VR I will get my Canon G9 when ask someone else to take us a picture.

Thank you for your helpful advice

A little more advice Alfonso. Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom parade routes get filled up very fast. Get to a spot at least 30 to 45 minutes early and stay there. The streets in A.K. are not as wide as those in The M.K. so the crowd will seem more congested. Enjoy!

NikoDoby said:
I don't think tripods or monopods are even allowed (?)

+1 and with all the people you probably wouldn't want to trust your camera not being held. More then likely would get run into or knocked over. Not to mention at the shows there would be no where to put it...get there early.

I don't think tripods or monopods are even allowed (?)

I also would leave the tripod home or the hotel room (since you might want to use it for some panoramic. Having been at the fireworks and with the crowds there, it would be a tripping hazard. If you must have some stabilizing help, you might want to carry a small monopod. But hand held should be fine.

abetanco said:
I will use the Nikon 16-85, and carry in the bag the sigma 10-20. I will use two 16 GB SD cards, and download the pictures every night to a laptop.

I have planned to go one day to Animal Kingdom, that day will add the Nikon 70-300 VR instead of the sigma 10-20. I will leave at home the SB-600 and Nikon 50 1.8

That's probably what I'd do too if I was going to Disney World.

abetanco said:
Do you think a tripod is necessary for those spectacular fireworks? I have a sunpack travelsmart that is light enough

Like tcole1983 said, you really wouldn't need a tripod. It's probably just gonna get in the way with all the people and kids there. If you're just that concerned and feel like you need the tripod, then go with a gorillapod. They're sturdy, light and will do the job. The railings on the bridges to the left and right of the big castle are excellent places to attach it.

abetanco said:
Thank you all for your kind and timely feedback.

We are going to Disney World with my two kids (4 and 7 years old). They are somewhat accustomed to the photographs of their father :)

I will use the Nikon 16-85, and carry in the bag the sigma 10-20. I will use two 16 GB SD cards, and download the pictures every night to a laptop.

I have planned to go one day to Animal Kingdom, that day will add the Nikon 70-300 VR instead of the sigma 10-20. I will leave at home the SB-600 and Nikon 50 1.8

Do you think a tripod is necessary for those spectacular fireworks? I have a sunpack travelsmart that is light enough

Enjoy your trip! Sounds like a great kit there.

I've dabbled a bit with fireworks, an I didn't really need a tripod.

No tripod. Actually that was hand held with live view over people's heads. I wouldn't bother with the tripod.

and I promise you...the less you have to lug around the happier you will be. Not to mention with the kids...

Thank you! Sure, I'll share some photos with you on my return.

tcole1983 said:
The lighting is usually pretty good. Another thing is it might rain...so it might not hurt to bring a bag or make sure yours is waterproof...and there are a couple of water rides. It will be very hot and that is why I suggested the one lens option. I only had my 18-200 when I went and it was great for everything.

Nice pictures! Did you use a tripod for the fireworks?

Thank you all for your kind and timely feedback.

We are going to Disney World with my two kids (4 and 7 years old). They are somewhat accustomed to the photographs of their father :)

I will use the Nikon 16-85, and carry in the bag the sigma 10-20. I will use two 16 GB SD cards, and download the pictures every night to a laptop.

I have planned to go one day to Animal Kingdom, that day will add the Nikon 70-300 VR instead of the sigma 10-20. I will leave at home the SB-600 and Nikon 50 1.8

Do you think a tripod is necessary for those spectacular fireworks? I have a sunpack travelsmart that is light enough

I agree with the one lens setup. I personnally would go with my 18-105 VR, but might sneak in the 35mm f1.8 for indoors shows (it's small to pack after all) and the 70-300 VR for AK day.

I am considering the Tamron 18-270 VC PZD purchase this summer to take care of everything and still have the 35mm for indoors.

I'd probably take the 10-20 and 16-85. I'd probably not take my flash and lug it around.

Great shots tcole1983!

The lighting is usually pretty good. Another thing is it might rain...so it might not hurt to bring a bag or make sure yours is waterproof...and there are a couple of water rides. It will be very hot and that is why I suggested the one lens option. I only had my 18-200 when I went and it was great for everything.

NSXType-R said:
I would definitely travel light with the D7000 and 16-85. You're probably taking photos of your kids and yourself. Go easy with your back and pack and just enjoy the day.

Exactly NSX, that's what I was about to chime back in on. If you're going to Disney World in Florida remember, it will be HOT and crowded. School's out. Lines will be long. A lighter pack will be your friend at the end of the day.

I would definitely travel light with the D7000 and 16-85. You're probably taking photos of your kids and yourself. Go easy with your back and pack and just enjoy the day.