A very useful photographer tool for low light and night photography at Walt Disney World is a Tripod. While it is not essential to have a tripod for the upcoming All Ears Picture This! Photo Meet on Saturday, September 12, 2015, having one would allow you to photograph past sunset and into the Blue Hour.
I realize tripods are bulky to travel with and tough to carry around WDW especially with families. However, bringing a tripod in the parks is not hard to do if you rent a locker and track your time before needing it. Lockers are also handy for storing sweaters and sweatshirts during warm days which cool off rapidly at night.
Photographer using a tripod outside of Les Chefs de France restaurant at night.
Nikon D700/28-300VR, 6s, f/16, ISO 200, EV 0, 28mm Focal Length, Tripod.
Here are past blog posts where I have used tripods at Walt Disney World:
Extreme Long Exposure of the Main Street Electrical Parade
How to Photograph Fireworks at WDW (Part 1 and Part 2)
Night HDR at the Tower of Terror
Tiki Gods in the Magic Kingdom
Using a tripod at Disney parks is part patience, part common sense and only limited by your imagination. Patience comes from waiting for the light and for guests to move out of your frame. Common sense to set up a tripod where people will not trip over it. Imagination is such a wonderful thing. Use it wisely and you will be rewarded.
I thought tripods were one of the items that are banned from the Disney parks – I know about selfie sticks – just thought I had read that tripods among other things (folding chairs etc) were also banned. Have I imagined that?
Scott replies: Tripods, as of now, are allowed in the parks. Just use common sense in their use. I have been using them in the parks for years without an issue.