BBB eliminated photopass photographers

[ktlm]

I wonder why they did this. So odd.

Could it just be pure cost-cutting or is there something I am missing? Is there something they could have gotten complaints about?

That's a shame though. That's exactly something that you want to enjoy with your child and have a few pictures of the process.

Every time we did the BBB in the castle, there were at least three photopass photographers stationed there, and sometimes more. I have not been to the BBB in Downtown Disney, but I would guess it is probably the same. That means that they were paying a minimum of 6 additional employees to be stationed in the two BBBs from open to close. I'm sure it is just another cost-cutting measure.

We had a wonderful time at WDW on our trip 2 weeks ago, but I will say that it is the first time that even DH noticed cutbacks of things- some little, some bigger. We have seen those complaints on the disboards for years, but never really felt it that significantly. This trip, we definitely had the feeling we were paying more and getting less.

 

[Fortune1211]

Is this also eliminating the photoshoot at the end?

 

[ArwenMarie]

Every time we did the BBB in the castle, there were at least three photopass photographers stationed there, and sometimes more. I have not been to the BBB in Downtown Disney, but I would guess it is probably the same. That means that they were paying a minimum of 6 additional employees to be stationed in the two BBBs from open to close. I'm sure it is just another cost-cutting measure.

We had a wonderful time at WDW on our trip 2 weeks ago, but I will say that it is the first time that even DH noticed cutbacks of things- some little, some bigger. We have seen those complaints on the disboards for years, but never really felt it that significantly. This trip, we definitely had the feeling we were paying more and getting less.

Oh, that makes sense. We never did BBB, but I can see that cost-cutting would be a factor. That's too bad if that's the case.

 

[cgattis]

My neice and granddaughter have an appointment November 8th at MK. Thank you so much for the heads up. I will make sure I take my DSLR that day and flash attachment. It would have been nice to have the photopass photographer so I could just enjoy watching plus having them on the memory maker would have been nice.

I'd take a diffuser too; the shadows in there with my flash were really bad. (If you don't have one, you can get one really cheap on Amazon.)

 

[iheartbklyn]

This makes me sad. Some of my favorite pictures from our trip were the reveal photos. I can't imagine I'll be booking an appt for DD again when we go back. Bummer. I wonder if there are photographers on the cruise ships in BBB?

 

[kmb584]

Is this also eliminating the photoshoot at the end?

It's not. Disney is eliminating the Photopass photographers who took pictures while the makeover is in progress.

On a Mommy note, this really stinks. My daughter loves BBB and I love (or used to) being able to watch her while someone else snaps the photographs. We didn't book it for our trip next month and doubt we'll book it for June either. The price of our AP keeps soaring while Disney keeps eliminating.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

Now that I think about it, there were no photopass photographers taking pictures of the makeovers at Pirates League earlier this month either.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Just received a call from CM regarding my E-mail....she confirmed that it is true. Disney Spring location already stopped takng pictures during a make over. MK location will do the same from Nov. 8th. She said since our appointments are this coming Sunday, we should still receive photo services. But after this, I'll have to think twice about getting BBB appointments for girls in the future.

I'm really hoping I misunderstand you, but I'm afraid I'm not. When we were at BBB with our granddaughter last year, they took about 25 pictures of the transformation. She fell asleep during the process, and woke up with a huge smile to a round of applause. All the pictures are priceless. Do you mean to tell me that all those transformation pictures are no longer being done?

 

[Angel Ariel]

I'm really hoping I misunderstand you, but I'm afraid I'm not. When we were at BBB with our granddaughter last year, they took about 25 pictures of the transformation. She fell asleep during the process, and woke up with a huge smile to a round of applause. All the pictures are priceless. Do you mean to tell me that all those transformation pictures are no longer being done?

that is my understanding

 

[LES91]

Not sure, but maybe that's what it used to cost if you wanted to add the print package but hadn't purchased the Castle package.

Yes that is the print package and according to DS BBB and guest relations, they did not sell many and that's why they have eliminated the photographers. I was so disappointed when we arrived to learn all of this. The pictures we had previously were priceless and we shared that feedback with guest relations. We also expressed the main reason we purchased MM was for the boutique and that we were never informed of the change. They issued us a gift card for $32 to cover the value of the BBB photo (print) package.

Glad I decided to bring my camera along, but agree with others it is difficult to get great photos. You need to bounce or diffuse your flash at best. Plus they eliminated the big reveal using the hand held mirror (my favorite picture). Instead they turn them around to the large mirror so if using a flash you will want to shoot from an angle. Otherwise you will get a large flash bounce off the mirror.

It's good to know I'm not alone in my disappointment with this change. Everyone we spoke with was sympathetic and encouraged us to forward feedback to guest relations. Good luck to everyone with upcoming appts at MK.

 

[bjakmom]

Oh No! I finally have another little DGrD I was going to book this for for her 5th b'day trip in May
The photopass photogs pics at BBB over the years have always been some of my favorite, too! And the photopass guys/gals had a knack of slipping in and out and knowing the best angles to capture great pics of the transformation without getting in the way of the Fairy Godmothers. Disney, please stop taking wonderful things away while raising prices!!

 

[Trose25]

It's such a shame that they are doing away with this. We got some of the most magical photos of the trip during the BBB makeover.

 

[rainboots]

I am the last tocomplain about a lot of things Disney related. This stinks. It is part of the package that I booked under. I do NOT want to be stuck behind my camera the whole time! I wanted to relax and enjoy it. But I also want photos!!!

I'd pay $10 more per kid (times 3 princesses) to cover the cost of my photographer for the 30 min we are there!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I wonder if they will eliminate the Pirates League Photopass also. I suppose so, all the better to gouge.

 

[TimeforaVacation]

We went to the DS location back in September and there were no photogs at that time. It made for a really chaotic experience with parents crowding around and trying to get shots. I asked our fairy godmother in training about it and she recommended that we complain to the manager and send an email - it sounded like they weren't really happy about it either.

 

[RachaelA]

For camera people, What's a good flash attachment (and diffuser too I guess since a PP recomended one) to get? We have a DSLR and I guess its time to actually use it to try and take some decent pictures.

I'm seriously so freaking annoyed that this is the crap Disney chooses to cut.

 

[mkla2015]

Wow! This really stinks! The BBB in the castle is small and crowded already- I can only imagine it being even worse if parents are all up and moving around to take pics.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

I wonder if they will eliminate the Pirates League Photopass also. I suppose so, all the better to gouge.

There weren't any photographers taking pictures of the pirate makeovers when we were there earlier this month. Only the photographer in the "secret" room.

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

That sounds really unfortunate. Of all the recent changes, this one seems to be one of the more aggravating ones.

 

[kcpinwdw]

I am sad about this too. The photopass photographer who photographed my kids during their transformations in Sept was so good. We got about 50 photos because she just fell in love with my son's little Flynn Rider costume. And a photo of my daughter looking so serious getting her nails painted... it's just priceless!

Our photos afterward in the studio came out wonderfully, though. I would do BBB despite the change because of this. They probably track who downloads what photos and that led to their decision. I hope everyone sends in an email with their concerns. You never know!

When we did pirate's league in 2014 there were no photopass during the experience, only after it was finished. Too bad, really, those would have been great transformation pictures!