Cameras on rides Ok or Not?

[dfb]

Just now saw the news about the selfie stick ban or actually the enforcement of the "items stowed" policy.
What I read in the news articles is only general info on securing items on the rides and that selfie sticks would have to be stowed also. If I remember the saftey blurb it refers to any item that could be lost (hats, glasses, cameras, canes, etc) should (maybe now it's "shall") be stowed. So this would mean you can't hold anything camera or not in your hand??

Anyone had any recent experience on what is actually allowed? I've seen some of the post earlier, about the ban, with the usual debating banter but didn't get a good feel on what was actually going on?

I have a GoPro on a mount with a padded handle & a wrist strap (total about 6-8" long). I have used it or held a regular camera, with strap, on rides since they first made the small cameras (several years). I've not lost an item or killed anyone yet. I'm not a crazed, self absorbed narcissist who has to get pics of myself but this setup lets me gets some neat and creative shots of my family(sometimes me) that I otherwise could not get. I am a fan of the selfie stick for that reason but I'm also a fan of common sense, safety and courtesy. My selfie stick doesn't jeopardize any of those things.

Any recent experiences would be appreciated!!

 

[cgattis]

This isn't recent, but I used my GoPro hand-held with a short wrist tether on all the rides in October with no issues.

 

[mousehockey37]

The big issue that you want to avoid is something like the selfie stick. The stick is seen as an extension of your arm. On some of the rides, there's not a whole lot of room outside the vehicle due to space. They don't want someone being an idiot and causing damage of any kind (property or personal). Everything I rode last September, I had my camera around my neck on its strap, granted I'm not a coaster person, but for rides that I needed to, I put it away entirely in my camera backpack.

 

[siskaren]

The issue with the selfie stick is that people were extending them outside the ride vehicle, which goes against the whole "please keep arms and hands inside the ride vehicle at all times" spiel. The only way I could see a regular camera being a problem is if you were to set it down on the seat next to you or in your lap, but not hold onto it, and even then, only on rides that are fast-moving and/or have drops. Just don't use the flash and you'll be fine.

 

[ArielDreams]

I was pretty annoyed when a man on BTMRR last week two rows in front of us spent the whole ride turned to face backward filming his friends (or parents? Couldn't tell) in the row in front of us - thus, capturing the two of us on film in the process. I don't want to be captured on someone else's camera or end up on YouTube for the entire length of a ride. So, I guess just use common courtesy and think about your neighbors on whatever ride you are on! And don't use the flash - that was an annoyance on a couple rides as well.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

The big issue that you want to avoid is something like the selfie stick. The stick is seen as an extension of your arm. On some of the rides, there's not a whole lot of room outside the vehicle due to space. They don't want someone being an idiot and causing damage of any kind (property or personal). Everything I rode last September, I had my camera around my neck on its strap, granted I'm not a coaster person, but for rides that I needed to, I put it away entirely in my camera backpack.

That could get messy. I see a future Darwin award coming.

 

[mountdew1]

Basically they don't want you holding anything that could get lost/loose while on the ride. Partially to help cover themselves if you drop your camera and it lands in water and gets ruined, and partially so that it is your fault if you drop something that hits the guest behind you in the face and hurts them. I have seen some CM's tell guests to take their glasses off while on BTMRR, while I've seen others not blink at guests wearing hats and holding stuff in their hands. If the CM asks you to stow it, then do so, and try riding again later and get a different response. (Just like calling CRO, two different CMs two different answers)

 

[Love Tink]

I have a GoPro on a mount with a padded handle & a wrist strap (total about 6-8" long). I have used it or held a regular camera, with strap, on rides since they first made the small cameras (several years). I've not lost an item or killed anyone yet. I'm not a crazed, self absorbed narcissist who has to get pics of myself but this setup lets me gets some neat and creative shots of my family(sometimes me) that I otherwise could not get. I am a fan of the selfie stick for that reason but I'm also a fan of common sense, safety and courtesy. My selfie stick doesn't jeopardize any of those things.

You may not be a crazed, self-absorbed narcissist, but sticking something 6 to 8 inches long in the air or above the seat during a ride is pretty selfish. I find it really irritating to be on Big Thunder, for example, and have someone holding his camera (with bright display) or video camera up in the air in front of me. It takes me right out of the ride.

 

[disnut8]

You may not be a crazed, self-absorbed narcissist, but sticking something 6 to 8 inches long in the air or above the seat during a ride is pretty selfish. I find it really irritating to be on Big Thunder, for example, and have someone holding his camera (with bright display) or video camera up in the air in front of me. It takes me right out of the ride.

As long as the camera doesn't knock me on the head or impair my vision, I don't care. If someone wants to put my image on their film of their vacation, I don't care. If someone wants to put me on Youtube, I don't care. They will always have me in their lives, I won't ever care about them again after I step off the ride. And by in their lives, well, there are things you can do in your own space in your own ride vehicle that the family with the camera on you, well, might not want in their lives. (it was a scratch, not a pick!)

 

[PSUGuy]

I don't want to be captured on someone else's camera....

Not exactly possible in WDW. I have many hours of WDW videos going back to 1999, I watch them often and there are total strangers in them that I feel familiar with now.

Bill From PA

 

[dfb]

You may not be a crazed, self-absorbed narcissist, but sticking something 6 to 8 inches long in the air or above the seat during a ride is pretty selfish. I find it really irritating to be on Big Thunder, for example, and have someone holding his camera (with bright display) or video camera up in the air in front of me. It takes me right out of the ride.

I'm pretty sure I can video my family on a ride with no bother or danger to you. I'm sure I would be less of a bother than let's say someone screaming on a ride or holding their arms up on a ride or any other thing someone may do while they are having fun in an amusement park. And yes that may involve taking pictures!! But I'm not going to call for a ban on screaming, raising arms, etc. It's a place to have fun!

Now, my original question was -Has anyone had any recent experience(since this change), using a camera on a ride? Or is that completely banned since items are "supposed" to be stowed? Please!!

 

[minnie mum]

I used my camera (a small pocket camera) on several of the rides. No sticks or anything resembling one, NO FLASH, and with the strap securely around my wrist. I did NOT hold it way up in the air so as to obstruct the view of anyone behind me. Or turn around to photograph anything behind me. Was that what you were looking for?

 

[dfb]

I used my camera (a small pocket camera) on several of the rides. No sticks or anything resembling one, NO FLASH, and with the strap securely around my wrist. I did NOT hold it way up in the air so as to obstruct the view of anyone behind me. Or turn around to photograph anything behind me. Was that what you were looking for?

Yes thank you.

What I was looking for was--For example:

I got on Everest within the last few days with my camera and the CMs said it was OK or CM didn't notice or I had had to stow everything.

or

I had a GoPro similar to what you use and CMs said OK or not? Something like this!

I'm just trying to get a recent experience using cameras? The articles referring to the ban basically were attacking selfie sticks but they only referenced the same policy that has always been there, which refers to any items should be stowed. Some people think selfie sticks are only the long extended poles. Some may consider a short handled mount a selfie stick???

Just trying to get a feel for what really is being allowed or not!

 

[Chitownpeeps91]

Right after the band on selfie sticks was on the news in April we were at the parks. I had my SLR camera with the strap around my neck in the normal rides I would have it.

Yes Thunder, no Pirates. No dark rides etc. yes Dumbo
No problem then.

 

[dfb]

Thanks

 

[scrapquitler]

I'm pretty sure I can video my family on a ride with no bother or danger to you. I'm sure I would be less of a bother than let's say someone screaming on a ride or holding their arms up on a ride or any other thing someone may do while they are having fun in an amusement park. And yes that may involve taking pictures!! But I'm not going to call for a ban on screaming, raising arms, etc. It's a place to have fun!

Now, my original question was -Has anyone had any recent experience(since this change), using a camera on a ride? Or is that completely banned since items are "supposed" to be stowed? Please!!

My husband took pictures and/or video on almost all the rides two weeks ago, except for in the rides where the announcement or sign said "No videotaping or photography" (COP, for example).
The only ride we were on where they seemed to be enforcing the 'stow your items' was on Space mountain, TOT, and Rock n Roller Coaster.

 

[scrapquitler]

Also, we did see selfie sticks in the park, specifically at the parade and on main street. I never saw anyone using one on a ride.

 

[Love Tink]

I'm pretty sure I can video my family on a ride with no bother or danger to you. I'm sure I would be less of a bother than let's say someone screaming on a ride or holding their arms up on a ride or any other thing someone may do while they are having fun in an amusement park. And yes that may involve taking pictures!! But I'm not going to call for a ban on screaming, raising arms, etc. It's a place to have fun!

Pretty sure you can't. When you stick something bright 6 or 8 inches up in the air in front of me during a visual experience it is irritating. I just told you that - so you don't have to be pretty sure about anything. You can be definitely sure it is irritating to some people.

But the attitude that caused you to get all boldy and exclamation pointy and dramatic about me saying it bothered me, and basically saying it doesn't matter if people are bothered because that wasn't the question you asked is just who you are, obviously. And it's why you'll keep doing it, and justifying it to yourself, and probably being nasty to anyone who politely asks you to stop - despite having been explicitly told that you are, in fact, regularly irritating other patrons.*

(*Although you said right at the beginning of this thread that you are definitely not a narcissist - you know, a person who has an inflated sense of his own importance, and a lack of empathy for others.)

 

[dfb]

Pretty sure you can't. When you stick something bright 6 or 8 inches up in the air in front of me during a visual experience it is irritating. I just told you that - so you don't have to be pretty sure about anything. You can be definitely sure it is irritating to some people.

But the attitude that caused you to get all boldy and exclamation pointy and dramatic about me saying it bothered me, and basically saying it doesn't matter if people are bothered because that wasn't the question you asked is just who you are, obviously. And it's why you'll keep doing it, and justifying it to yourself, and probably being nasty to anyone who politely asks you to stop - despite having been explicitly told that you are, in fact, regularly irritating other patrons.*

(*Although you said right at the beginning of this thread that you are definitely not a narcissist - you know, a person who has an inflated sense of his own importance, and a lack of empathy for others.)

Serious issues!!

Have a good night!

 

[AllThingsMickey4]

I'm here now using a GoPro Hero 3 on the GoPro three way pole (it can unfold to be about 20ish inches or fold up to be a small 8 inch hand mount). I carry it around folded up with a wrist strap unless I'm taking a group picture with my family, then I unfold it. I carry a small purse that it won't fit in unless I squish it, so I usually just leave it on my wrist even on rides. I was told to put it out of sight on Big Thunder and Toy Story, even though I had it completely folded up and hanging on my wrist with no intentions of filming (I only use it for pictures anyway). Interestingly, no one said anything to me on Space Mountain or Test Track. The CM at Big Thunder was rather rude about it.. he said "don't take it on any other rides either, just so you know." I would understand if I walked up to board the ride with it completely unfolded, holding it above my head, but it was folded into a hand mount and attached to my wrist. I don't understand why I have to put it out of sight if it's not on a selfie stick and I'm not filming.. Then it's just like holding any other camera