DSLR camera policy in the parks?

[therealgoofy]

What is Disney's policy regarding bringing a DSLR camera + lenses into the parks? I want to bring my XTi with a couple of lenses in a small camera bag. I'm far from a professional. I would be livid if I got all the way up to the gate and got turned away because I couldn't bring my camera in. Is there an official policy on this?

[Master Mason]

Well,

I was down at DL the last couple of days. On Monday I carried my whole bag, on one side of the esplinade the guy told me, that they were going to start not allowing "big" lenses in coming pretty soon. I walked though and went to the DL Hotel for dinner, and came back in the other side. The lady at the gate told me I couldn't go in the park with my big lens, which is a 70-200 f/2.8. I basically told her BS I had done it a number of times and I was going to go check on my dog which was at the kennel. She trailed me the whole way to the kennel talking into her walkie talkie. When I was done walking the dog a supervisor came up and asked to see my lens, and said I could take it inside.

The next day I went to city hall and asked for information about the new policy, such as why and what I could no longer bring in the parks. So, I was shown a paper with a picture of a high end video camera, a canon xxD series with kit lenscamera, and a Nikon that looked to me to be about a D80 or similiar with a kit lens. And was told that the people at the gate had been instructed that anything "bigger" than the picture should be turned away.

So, I asked for a manager, because that is rediculous, to leave that decision to such a capricious nature. Especially when any bridge camera has a much larger zoom capabitly than my lens. I explained to the manager how patently rediculious their new rule and and methods of determination are. He said he would take it to his superiors as he agreed with what I was saying.

In the mean time, his only answer for me was if the gate folks attempted to turn me away, that I should ask for the Manager to be called, not the supervisior, but the manager, and he/she will ask why you want to bring the lens in etc and then make a case by case decision.

Bottom line, you have someone making decisions, that has no clue on what they are doing. I told my girl friend, that you would think that Disney should have someone that knew something about cameras and pictures on the payroll, why didn't they go ask them before coming up with something so stupid.

[handicap18]

The only thing we've heard of recently is at DisneyLand in California where zoom lenses might be prohibited, but that is still kind of murkey and also based on who is working the security gate at the time you go it. (ETA: Looks like Gregg got the scoop on that one covered)

For Disney World in Florida, we haven't seen any reports of restrictions and many here on the photo board have been there VERY recently with their dSLR's.

Now there are some photography restrictions on some rides throughout the parks. Pretty much all the indoor rides prohibit the use of a flash, as does the Nemo show at Animal Kingdom. I think the only rides that prohibit photography is the Carousel Of Progress and RnRC.

[tripodjw]

The next day I went to city hall and asked for information about the new policy, such as why and what I could no longer bring in the parks. So, I was shown a paper with a picture of a high end video camera, a canon xxD series with kit lenscamera, and a Nikon that looked to me to be about a D80 or similiar with a kit lens. And was told that the people at the gate had been instructed that anything "bigger" than the picture should be turned away.



Out of interest, did their "guidance sheet" say anything about tripods/monopods?

[Master Mason]

Out of interest, did their "guidance sheet" say anything about tripods/monopods?

Nope it did not have a picture of any tripods. However, the FAQ's on what is allowed says this
Professional cameras and recording equipment. (Reporters must make prior arrangements with Disneyland® Resort Media Relations.) Folding tripod stands that can fit inside a standard backpack are permitted.

The other thing I found amusing is Heelies are prohibited, but yet I see them all the time, strollers are limited to 36x52 and yet I always see those tank stollers passed without issue. I also never see them enforce such rules as no flash on the rides etc....

ETA: I had my tripod slung on my back, and my girl friend had her's in a little carry case, no one questioned the tripods. Just my 70-200 lens

[RBennett]

You know, I'm going to be curious to hear what they say when I walk in. I'll be at WDW this weekend and all next week with my Pentax K100D, three lenses (including my Tamron 70-300) and a tripod. I think if they try to turn me away I might have to smack them with my tripod, but then my pictures may come out crooked!! :lmao:

[DebºoºS]

The ban on "pro cameras and lenses" appears IMHO to have been revived by paparazzi taking pics of celeb guests (Lohan & Cyrus) at DL. See this link (http://www.celebrity-gossip.net/celebrities/hollywood/lindsay-lohan-and-sam-ronson-disneyland-divas-207936/) for their pics.

Guessing WDW doesn't get as many celeb guests or they haven't expressed concern over having their pic taken.

[therealgoofy]

The good news is that I'm going to WDW and hopefully won't experience the same problems that some are encountering at DL. If any photographers have recently gone to WDW and taken in some lenses I would be interested to hear how that went.

[MontanaZoo]

The ban on "pro cameras and lenses" appears IMHO to have been revived by paparazzi taking pics of celeb guests (Lohan & Cyrus) at DL. See this link (http://www.celebrity-gossip.net/celebrities/hollywood/lindsay-lohan-and-sam-ronson-disneyland-divas-207936/) for their pics.

Guessing WDW doesn't get as many celeb guests or they haven't expressed concern over having their pic taken.

Thanks for explaining, I was trying to figure out what possible reason they could have. I thought they were thinking we would be able to smuggle in weapons in the lenses or something. You can't sell any pics with Disney anything in it so I wasn't really getting their reasoning.

Umm...won't the paparazzi just bring in smaller cameras?

[alan]

Umm...won't the paparazzi just bring in smaller cameras?

Oh for goodness sake, stop being sensible. We're in the late 2000s, after all. It's blindingly obvious that everybody with a camera and a long lens must be either a terrorist or a paedophile, and so we must stop people with such gear long before they can get to the point of being a danger.

We've got to protect the children, you know - it's much more important than any thoughts of a sense of proportion, justice, or basic common sense.

regards,
/alan

[DebºoºS]

The good news is that I'm going to WDW and hopefully won't experience the same problems that some are encountering at DL. If any photographers have recently gone to WDW and taken in some lenses I would be interested to hear how that went.

I haven't been since June. A CM did ask who I worked for and after a long moment and quizzical look (it was hot and I was tired) I said no one.
You would've thought I had waved my hand and said "these aren't the droids you're looking for" because she just looked back at me blankly and walked away

[handicap18]

I haven't been since June. A CM did ask who I worked for and after a long moment and quizzical look (it was hot and I was tired) I said no one.
You would've thought I had waved my hand and said "these aren't the droids you're looking for" because she just looked back at me blankly and walked away

:lmao: :lmao: :rotfl2: :rotfl2: :worship: :worship:

The force is strong in this one! :rotfl:

[NostalgicDad]

Well,

I was down at DL the last couple of days. On Monday I carried my whole bag, on one side of the esplinade the guy told me, that they were going to start not allowing "big" lenses in coming pretty soon. I walked though and went to the DL Hotel for dinner, and came back in the other side. The lady at the gate told me I couldn't go in the park with my big lens, which is a 70-200 f/2.8. I basically told her BS I had done it a number of times and I was going to go check on my dog which was at the kennel. She trailed me the whole way to the kennel talking into her walkie talkie. When I was done walking the dog a supervisor came up and asked to see my lens, and said I could take it inside.

The next day I went to city hall and asked for information about the new policy, such as why and what I could no longer bring in the parks. So, I was shown a paper with a picture of a high end video camera, a canon xxD series with kit lenscamera, and a Nikon that looked to me to be about a D80 or similiar with a kit lens. And was told that the people at the gate had been instructed that anything "bigger" than the picture should be turned away.

So, I asked for a manager, because that is rediculous, to leave that decision to such a capricious nature. Especially when any bridge camera has a much larger zoom capabitly than my lens. I explained to the manager how patently rediculious their new rule and and methods of determination are. He said he would take it to his superiors as he agreed with what I was saying.

In the mean time, his only answer for me was if the gate folks attempted to turn me away, that I should ask for the Manager to be called, not the supervisior, but the manager, and he/she will ask why you want to bring the lens in etc and then make a case by case decision.

Bottom line, you have someone making decisions, that has no clue on what they are doing. I told my girl friend, that you would think that Disney should have someone that knew something about cameras and pictures on the payroll, why didn't they go ask them before coming up with something so stupid.

Nope it did not have a picture of any tripods. However, the FAQ's on what is allowed says this


The other thing I found amusing is Heelies are prohibited, but yet I see them all the time, strollers are limited to 36x52 and yet I always see those tank stollers passed without issue. I also never see them enforce such rules as no flash on the rides etc....

ETA: I had my tripod slung on my back, and my girl friend had her's in a little carry case, no one questioned the tripods. Just my 70-200 lens


Gregg.....Thanks for providing this information. I wondered about your experience knowing that you had probably been recently or would be going shortly. The thread over on the DL board got a little out of hand with way too much speculation and accusations. After a few exchanges including myself, I promptly decided to stay out of that conversation.

You are correct in the complete idiocy of this new stance. For them to just decide to make some arbitrary decision and basically leave it up to a mere judgement call astounds me. Disney is always so detailed in everything they do. Why would they throw that out the window in this situation?

(Maybe this will be the impetus I need to make my first ever trip to WDW next time around. ;) )

[Michele]

If the paparazzi is the reason for this policy then maybe they should wait until there is one in the parks and then enforce this policy by escorting them out and not letting them take the pictures. Otherwise, they run the risk of disrupting an innocent person's vacation.

[boBQuincy]

I honor of Alice in Wonderland the policy seems to be an un-policy! We were at WDW a few weeks ago with two SLRs with decent size lenses, and on 07 September I was sporting a 30D with a L series 70-200 f/4 (with lens hood) at AK and no one said anything about it.

It seems this is another one where the CMs make it up as they go and it's gonna' be a bad day (temporarily) if we run across an overzealous one.

We are going back in December and I plan to take my "professional" Xsi with 70-200. We will find out then if any droids attempt to stop us.

[11290]

Was at WDW on Monday, Oct. 6 and took in 1 DSLR with zoom lens, 2 additional lenses (in bag), 1 GorillaPod and several batteries and cards with additional wired and non-wired remotes. Only thing I had to do was open the main bag and unzip the accessory pocket.

Went back and forth to 3 parks and never had one iota of a problem.

[pxlbarrel]

I think it's been said a few times now that the policy of what constitutes a "pro" camera is at DL not WDW.

I was at DL in July with a Canon 40D, 17-40 mm, 50 mm and 70-300 with a tripod strapped to my bag. They didn't bother me at all. Must be a new policy or the fact that I was dying carrying all that stuff that pegged me as a foolhardy amateur.

Hmmm...but wait a sec...now that I think of it. The day we visited the park, we did the Segway tour and entered the no-fly zone (what do you call that area between the two parks??) at 7 am. Security waved us through without checking our bags (so much for security). The night before when we went to Downtown Disney, I was only carrying the 40D with one lens on it.

I think I got lucky with the Segway tour.:banana:

[Armadillo4]

I posted this in the Disneyland board too, but can repeat details here too.

This is a new policy at DL only. Not WDW.

A regular DL guest and photographer, Britt Dietz, spoke to an area lead and manager(s) about this new policy. He routinely takes photos in the park with a Canon 5D and 100-400L IS lens (he's friends with a lot of CMs) and was stopped at bag check last week. They mentioned the same story about paparazzi causing problems during Lindsay Lohan's recent park visit (Sept. 24). With the Miley Cyrus event happening just a couple weeks afterwards, some executive decided to flex his/her power and implemented this new policy.

The new policy stated to Britt was simpler from the one given to Master Mason: no lens longer than 6" (before extending) would be allowed. The type or size of camera body was never brought up.

I visited the park last Sunday--yes, the same day as the Miley Cyrus event--to see what was up and to "test" the new policy. My Canon XTi with 18-200 lens was allowed, but I was asked to take my 70-300 back to my car or hotel room. Once inside the park, I noticed many, many guests with dSLRs. I stopped counting after the 12th or 13th dSLR that I saw. Although there were no large zoom lenses to be seen. Most of the Nikons that I saw had the Nikkor 18-200 lens attached. At the MiceChat meet that I attended, there were at least 5 of us with dSLRs and a few of us compared stories about the bag checks. I don't think anyone will have a problem bringing your camera into the park. The bag check CMs seem to be focusing on lenses.

I might get a chance to visit DL this upcoming weekend too and will see if anything has changed, although I doubt it. If there's anything newsworthy to report, I'll post it here.

[ukcatfan]

The new policy stated to Britt was simpler from the one given to Master Mason: no lens longer than 6" (before extending) would be allowed. The type or size of camera body was never brought up.



Add one more benefit to prime lenses. While there are many that go over 6", the same focal length should be shorter than a zoom. I wonder what the CMs will think of the Pentax pancake lenses. :lmao:

[WillCAD]

Well, I guess the real paparazi will simply put a kit lens on their cameras while goint through the bag check, wear cargo pants, and keep longer lenses in the big pockets.

Or they could wear a small sling bag under a sweatshirt and arrange it so look like a beer belly.

[Experiment_626]

I'm headed down to WDW later today and will be back home on Sunday. I'll let you guys know if I have any problems, but I don't expect any.

SSB

[11290]

I think it's been said a few times now that the policy of what constitutes a "pro" camera is at DL not WDW.

Sorry, didn't mean to "mess up" the thread for all and waste bandwidth.

Just posted to ensure that there were no problems with this at WDW for anyone that might have any concerns about it, based on my current experiences there.

[InsertWittyNameHere]

Sorry, didn't mean to "mess up" the thread for all and waste bandwidth.

Just posted to ensure that there were no problems with this at WDW for anyone that might have any concerns about it, based on my current experiences there.


Everyone's input to this somewhat confusing situation is gladly accepted. Your confirmation has probably help to ease the minds of most of the people on here who bring "pro" cameras into the Orlando parks :thumbsup2

[safetymom]

I am in the parks several times a week at WDW. I have my Nikon D70S with the 18-200 VR lens and have not been questioned at all.

[gokenin]

Add one more benefit to prime lenses. While there are many that go over 6", the same focal length should be shorter than a zoom. I wonder what the CMs will think of the Pentax pancake lenses. :lmao:

dont know but will find out when I head down with my limiteds :lmao: had to say its another arguement for taking primes course the 50-200 isnt that big for a pentax and a teleconverter will almost make 70-280

[Suburbanmom]

Except for my Nifty 50, I think all my lenses are over 6-inches in length. Good think I went to Disneyland last year!

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8
Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR
Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 VR
Nikon 50mm f/1.8

[annnewjerz]

Except for my Nifty 50, I think all my lenses are over 6-inches in length. Good think I went to Disneyland last year!

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8
Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR
Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 VR
Nikon 50mm f/1.8

I just drooled on myself a little when I saw you had the 70-200mm 2.8 VR. That must be huge, I hope you've been lifting weights for carrying that beast around.

How do you like it so far? I just got my D60 three weeks ago and the 18-200mm VR last week, so I'm NOWHERE NEAR ready to spend that kind of money, but One can dream, right?? :goodvibes

[mrhart005]

I would like to say that i was there Sunday Oct 5th with an Evolt E300 by Olympus with a 14-45mm lens and was told i could not bring it in to the park by the security supervisor because the lens was over 9mm in strength. I then went to town hall in side Disneyland and filed a complaint, i was placed in a separate room and they got the front gate manager to come talk with me.
He stated that this is there policy and that it might be a discrepancy like a hit and miss and that a couple might make it through. in the end all he would do for me was give me some complimentary VIP fast pass tickets and 4 disposable cameras, i am still not happy at all with the out come and will be writing Disney CO.
I as well seen other DSLR cams in the park with better and stronger lens's on them.:mad:


I posted this in the Disneyland board too, but can repeat details here too.

This is a new policy at DL only. Not WDW.

A regular DL guest and photographer, Britt Dietz, spoke to an area lead and manager(s) about this new policy. He routinely takes photos in the park with a Canon 5D and 100-400L IS lens (he's friends with a lot of CMs) and was stopped at bag check last week. They mentioned the same story about paparazzi causing problems during Lindsay Lohan's recent park visit (Sept. 24). With the Miley Cyrus event happening just a couple weeks afterwards, some executive decided to flex his/her power and implemented this new policy.

The new policy stated to Britt was simpler from the one given to Master Mason: no lens longer than 6" (before extending) would be allowed. The type or size of camera body was never brought up.

I visited the park last Sunday--yes, the same day as the Miley Cyrus event--to see what was up and to "test" the new policy. My Canon XTi with 18-200 lens was allowed, but I was asked to take my 70-300 back to my car or hotel room. Once inside the park, I noticed many, many guests with dSLRs. I stopped counting after the 12th or 13th dSLR that I saw. Although there were no large zoom lenses to be seen. Most of the Nikons that I saw had the Nikkor 18-200 lens attached. At the MiceChat meet that I attended, there were at least 5 of us with dSLRs and a few of us compared stories about the bag checks. I don't think anyone will have a problem bringing your camera into the park. The bag check CMs seem to be focusing on lenses.

I might get a chance to visit DL this upcoming weekend too and will see if anything has changed, although I doubt it. If there's anything newsworthy to report, I'll post it here.

[boBQuincy]

So any Canon owners that are heading to DL should pick up a 70-300 DO lens but stay away from a 70-200 L. That really points out the ignorance of the people who make up these silly rules.

I have a letter ready to go to Disney parks management about this.

[KAT4DISNEY]

I would like to say that i was there Sunday Oct 5th with an Evolt E300 by Olympus with a 14-45mm lens and was told i could not bring it in to the park by the security supervisor because the lens was over 9mm in strength. I then went to town hall in side Disneyland and filed a complaint, i was placed in a separate room and they got the front gate manager to come talk with me.
He stated that this is there policy and that it might be a discrepancy like a hit and miss and that a couple might make it through. in the end all he would do for me was give me some complimentary VIP fast pass tickets and 4 disposable cameras, i am still not happy at all with the out come and will be writing Disney CO.
I as well seen other DSLR cams in the park with better and stronger lens's on them.:mad:

9mm!?!?!??! I'm thinking that a disposable has more than that! I was there in the spring and the security guard made a nice comment about my equipment (I had a tripod as well) but nothing more - just wished me a good time.

I'm starting to think that Disneyland would be better served to ban the celebrities that bring the paparazzi if this is all the better they can do. :rolleyes:

[Michele]

I would like to say that i was there Sunday Oct 5th with an Evolt E300 by Olympus with a 14-45mm lens and was told i could not bring it in to the park by the security supervisor because the lens was over 9mm in strength. I then went to town hall in side Disneyland and filed a complaint, i was placed in a separate room and they got the front gate manager to come talk with me.
He stated that this is there policy and that it might be a discrepancy like a hit and miss and that a couple might make it through. in the end all he would do for me was give me some complimentary VIP fast pass tickets and 4 disposable cameras, i am still not happy at all with the out come and will be writing Disney CO.
I as well seen other DSLR cams in the park with better and stronger lens's on them.:mad:



How hard can it be for Disney to get a KNOWLEDGEABLE camera person to lay down some rules that make SENSE. :confused3 Better yet.....what brack says :thumbsup2

[brack]

I hope it never comes to WDW putting restrictions on cameras. A few weeks I walked into WDW with my Canon and 28-125 lens in plain sight right past the guards (I don't take any bags)

If Disney has problems with "paparazzi" then they need to deal with them individually. Security can remove them and they can be put on a list to not return.

[YEKCIM]

From the various comments on this thread, it seems that the issue is DL-specific, probably due to the high-profile celebrity types in that area.

That said, I wonder if Disney is aware of how much free publicity they get from normal folks like us (well, like the rest of you, anyway...) who go to the parks, take tons of pictures, and then post our keepers on sites like this. I can't speak for everyone, but if Disney were to implement and enforce a rule about "pro" equipment (which mine could be mistaken for, even though it's not), I would be decidedly less enthusiastic about booking a trip. Photography is one of the main reasons I go to WDW. I'll bet I'm not the only one, either.

~Ed

[edolyne]

I am hopeful that this policy does not come to WDW and is toned down at DL. I have been to WDW many times without an issue with my various DSLR's that I have had over the years and I am hopeful to goto DL in the next few years. Photography inside the parks is a huge draw for me and a large reason why I like to go, should the policy remain the same or expand it would dramatically affect the number of trips that I make to Disney.

[Suburbanmom]

I just drooled on myself a little when I saw you had the 70-200mm 2.8 VR. That must be huge, I hope you've been lifting weights for carrying that beast around.

How do you like it so far? I just got my D60 three weeks ago and the 18-200mm VR last week, so I'm NOWHERE NEAR ready to spend that kind of money, but One can dream, right?? :goodvibes

I've only had it for about 3 weeks, but I think I love it. I just figured out something I had set wrong on it, so after I fixed that, my photos seemed to improve...at least in the LCD screen. I haven't uploaded today's set yet. I have noticed my right arm feeling a little more tired lately, too!

Once I have a moment, I plan to share some photos here on the DIS.

[wenrob]

It's my hope this will settle down eventually and they'll realize how ridiculous these 'rules' are. It seems this is a recent thing brought on by over zealous paparazzi and sooner or later they'll realize vacationing families are not the issue. Seems to me they'll lose more revenue from people choosing not to go or demanding their money back. And let's face it to even make this work they'd have to ban every kind of camera, cell phones included. They're going to have to eventually decide between the celeb and their entourage who no doubt pay for nothing and the people who actually keep the place open and alive. Whether common sense will prevail on not we can only hope.:confused3
IMHO, if these celebs want to visit DL then they need to go as average Joe's, problem solved right there.

[NostalgicDad]

Something just doesn't seem right with all of this. We've heard speculation that this all stems from paparazzi problems. I just can't imagine that Disney would be so presumptuous to think that banning regular folk with supposed "pro" camera equipment will fix that problem. I mean, long lenses have nothing to do with it. I looked at the EXIF on some paparazzi pictures provided by a link in a recent posting.........several were at 70mm or even shorter focal length. In other words, there's just no way to prevent photos of celebs or anyone else for that matter without simply banning all cameras. We all know how powerful most P&S's can be. Disney has to know that turning people away with "average" gear will have a major impact on their revenue in the long run. I for one will not plan a vacation to DL knowing that everytime I go through security I may or may not be seriously inconvenienced, day after day of that trip. I'll be more than happy to change my plans for a WDW trip and let DL and the celebs enjoy their privacy. And really.......if Joe Celebrity plans on going to DL then I think they should be aware that there are going to be people with cameras......and lots of them. Their privacy, like mine, is out the window.

[Groucho]

I would say that you're unlikely to see a rule like this in WDW for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that it will be much harder for someone at WDW to just go back to their car and leave their lens there. For us, my car is usually, oh, 1,250 miles away, and returning to your resort is generally not a practical thing to do, with the possible exception of the monorail resorts from MK and Beach/Yacht Club and Boardwalk from Epcot.

The large number of foreign visitors would also not take very kindly to being told to leave their large lens behind. DL's much higher percentage of local visitors gives them more flexibility to enact rules like these.

The "rule" is certainly arbitrary and highly silly, especially with the large number of high-zoom PnSs out there, many of which go to to 432mm (35mm equivalent) or more. Any stalking paparazzi might do well to just grab one of those for their daytime celebrity stalking at the park!

[Armadillo4]

After work this evening, I fought my way through SoCal rush hour traffic to Disneyland. Brought my Canon XTi with 17-70 and tripod to photograph the fireworks. Breezed through bag check without a problem. They barely looked at my camera and didn't say a word about the tripod.

On my way out, I stopped by City Hall to ask about the camera policy. Unfortunately the CM helping me really didn't know at first. She thought it might have been only for last weekend's Miley Cyrus event. But she went in the back (to ask a manager, I assume) and came out to confirm that the no-long lens policy is now a permanent thing. It's such an idiotic policy and I guess they're accepting the risk that they'll alienate some guests. :mad:

SLR camera bodies are fine, but long lenses are prohibited. It was crowded (Columbus Day, Canadian Thanksgiving, Fall break, etc.) and I only saw a few other SLRs during my short time in the park, including someone with what looked to be a Canon 1D *drool*.

[oogieboogieman]

I hope this will never happen at WDW. I would like to visit DL but not now! The whole lens policy just scares me because you never know who you will get at the front gate deciding what's okay or not. That might ruin my day!

I just turned 41, and my first trip to WDW was 5 or 6 years ago. As of now we have been to WDW 7 or 8 times ( I can't remember things to well after 40). Since our first trip we have purchased a DSLR, annual passes for 3 adults, and bought into vacation club. If this policy change went into effect at WDW, I wouldn't want to go back.

Last August we were there for 2 weeks the only issue with going in the gates was with my Gorilla Pod. I was carrying the Tamrac Velocity 7 sling pack w/ DSLR and 2 lenses and Gorilla Pod tucked in the side. Every time we bag checked I would pull it out for inspection and they had NO IDEA what it was. I had to explain it was a camera tripod everytime. Anyways no DL for us.

[crazydadguy]

That is a scary policy. We have an upcoming WDW trip plus I just ordered my camera. 10DedFish and I will be in San Diego in December for our jobs, and I was considering driving up to the Land while I was there. I will probably reconsider that now though. Bummer.:mad: :sad2:

[pxlbarrel]

Hmmmm...

There are times, when I'm the parks, when I'm completely obsessed with taking THE photo, that I have to stop myself and remember to think of where I am and enjoy myself. Not that I don't enjoy taking photographs at Disney but there are times when I get carried away. I look at my surroundings through a viewfinder instead of through my sweat drenched glasses.

I don't go to the parks to only take photographs. It's a big part of my trip but it's not the only reason.

BUT With this policy it does make me think. I don't like it...and it would piss me off royally if I got to the bag check and they told me to take it back to my hotel... especially if I just walked 15 minutes there or took the ART. So do I then go to the park without my camera??? I'd feel naked without it.

The Happiest Place on Earth is quickly becoming a most stressful place. To bring or not to bring. To risk it or not to risk it. I had been thinking of going next year for Christmas because I do love Disney at Christmas...but a lot of my love comes from taking photos of the decorations and the family at Christmas.

So...do I put the 50 mm prime lens on and try to hide the other lenses under a big sweatshirt or something? When did smuggling become a Disney activity??

As our favourite round little bear would say, "Oh bother..."

[pxlbarrel]

After work this evening, I fought my way through SoCal rush hour traffic to Disneyland. Brought my Canon XTi with 17-70 and tripod to photograph the fireworks. Breezed through bag check without a problem. They barely looked at my camera and didn't say a word about the tripod.

On my way out, I stopped by City Hall to ask about the camera policy. Unfortunately the CM helping me really didn't know at first. She thought it might have been only for last weekend's Miley Cyrus event. But she went in the back (to ask a manager, I assume) and came out to confirm that the no-long lens policy is now a permanent thing. It's such an idiotic policy and I guess they're accepting the risk that they'll alienate some guests. :mad:

SLR camera bodies are fine, but long lenses are prohibited. It was crowded (Columbus Day, Canadian Thanksgiving, Fall break, etc.) and I only saw a few other SLRs during my short time in the park, including someone with what looked to be a Canon 1D *drool*.

Makes me wonder whether or not there are certain days when they know a celebrity is in the park that they they alert security to invoke the dreaded long lens policy. Other days, security could care less if you're carrying the Hubble telescope into the park.

[WillCAD]

So...do I put the 50 mm prime lens on and try to hide the other lenses under a big sweatshirt or something? When did smuggling become a Disney activity??

As our favourite round little bear would say, "Oh bother..."

Think cargo pants. You can get some fairly large lenses in the big pockets.

Or try a small sling bag or mini-backpack, artfully concealed on your tummy under a sweatshirt to make you look like you've got a beer gut, or a bun in the oven.

[DebºoºS]

Something just doesn't seem right with all of this.
Dittos, from the beginning it sounded weird for Disney to abruptly turn away or question paying guests at bag check. As the link I posted shows the paparazzi shots were not taken with a 300mm lens. Yet they don't want long lenses in the park? Hmmm
The celebs were being escorted around with a fleet of CM's and bodyguards who could've prevented any paparazzi photos from being taken. hmmm

Makes me wonder if it's all about Disney $$. Maybe guests have been taking Disney park pics for profit using a 300mm lens and Disney is attempting to rid the parks of those people in an attempt to protect their trademarks:confused3

There is no way I'm letting any of this change my plans for trips in the future. My longest park lens is a 200mm (guessing under the limit) which will stay firmly planted on my pro looking D200. If they think I'm a pro:laughing:
I'd be more than happy to run a slideshow on my camera right there. GBs of priceless family snap-shots on my memory cards.:)

[ukcatfan]

There are a couple of common terms used in photography to describe lenses.One SLR could often feel the need to clean your sensor, but overall, we all said that this is not much sensitive. At the beautiful pictures you see are people who have taken a long time to become familiar with their cameras.

Say what???

[Daisy14'sDH]

lol.... :)

[ukcatfan]

Must have been a spam account. It is gone now.

[alloyd1170]

I was just there this past week and had no problem bringing in my Canon 100-400. I used it at Fantasmic too without any incidence.