Cameras on Tours

[mousebrat]

For our upcoming trip we will be during the following tours:

Magic of Disney's Steam Trains

Hidden Treasures of the World

Backstage Safari

Gardens of the World

Wild By Design

The official word up front is that cameras are not allowed on any tours, though I have read that at least on the train tour you are allowed to take pictures of areas that are not backstage. But what's the real deal? When should we leave the camera at the hotel and when should we take it?

 

[Babyfatt]

I've never been on any of the tours but my suggestion is take the camera to each tour and ask the guide if it can be used.

When it can, you won't be disappointed that you left the camera at the room.

 

[mousebrat]

When we went on the Keys to the Kingdom, cameras were not allowed and you had to check them (and any backpack-type bag). There was no charge for holding these items for you, but our fear is that we might have to rent a locker for some of these tours.

 

[Simba's Mom]

When we took the Hidden Treasures tour we had our camera, but couldn't use it during the tour. But it was a real good thing we had our camera! The tour ended at the American pavillion in Epcot, and it was around 11:30am, right after WS opens and so hardly anyone was around. Both Mickey and Minnie came out and since there was hardly anyone around yet, I got nice pictures with them.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

When I booked our Keys to the Kingdom Tour, the CM told me that no cameras or cell phones are allowed.

 

[mousebrat]

That was the situation of the Keys tour when we were there in 2002. We were just thinking that backpacks and cameras weren't allowed at all because you go to the utilidor and that would be a security risk.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

The CM didn't say anything about backpacks not being allowed. I'm going to have to find out about this, since I use a backpack in WDW.

 

[LibertyBelle]

As was stated always bring it the worst is that they will hold it for you.

The Magic Behind Our Steam Train tour will allow you to have cameras. There is a photo opportunity at Toon Town to take some great pictures by the locomotive. (You just can't take picture in the backstage areas, by the roundhouse).

Wild By Design is an all in park tour (no backstage) so there should not be an issue with cameras.


Hidden Treasure of the World, Backstage Safari and Gardens of the World all go backstage so I would have my camera with me, but be prepared to be told no photos are allowed.

I know with the train tour (I am one of the guides) we always tell people you are more than welcome to take pictures in the park itself (if it is a photo that you would be able to take as a regular guest than go for it). But the roundhouse is a backstage area and we ask there be no photos there. I know we have a lot of disappointed people that don't bring them because they were told not to that is why I say bring it, the worst is they will hold it for you during the tour.

As was stated to my knowledge, the Keys to the Kingdom and Backstage Magic are the only tours that will physically take your things away from you when you arrive and hold them at Guest Relations. The other tours again to the best of my knowlege will just let you know when cameras are not allowed and if they see them out then they will take them from you

Dopey Sharon: You can bring a backpack but they will take it from you and hold it at City Hall, where you can retrieve it after the tour. They don't let anything on the Keys tour.

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by LibertyBelle

As was stated to my knowledge, the Keys to the Kingdom and Backstage Magic are the only tours that will physically take your things away from you when you arrive and hold them at Guest Relations. The other tours again to the best of my knowlege will just let you know when cameras are not allowed and if they see them out then they will take them from you

Dopey Sharon: You can bring a backpack but they will take it from you and hold it at City Hall, where you can retrieve it after the tour. They don't let anything on the Keys tour.

We've done both of these tours and never had anything taken from us. both tours have some 'on stage' parts where photography is allowed.

I know for a fact that we had our i-zone camera w/ us during the KTTK tour...at the end of our tour our "tour guide in training" was made a full time tour guide, given his 'walking stick' and we took a picture of him with that camera for him to have...and we kept that camera in our video camera bag which DH lugged around the entire time...so, no, things were not taken from us.

about the Backstage safari, allearsnet.com states "Animal viewing is extremely limited. No photography will be allowed backstage. "

"backstage" is the key word...when you go "on stage" photography is allowed...I'm almost certain we have a picture of Paul "on stage" with us.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

Originally posted by LibertyBelle

Dopey Sharon: You can bring a backpack but they will take it from you and hold it at City Hall, where you can retrieve it after the tour. They don't let anything on the Keys tour.

Thank you for the info!

 

[LibertyBelle]

Originally posted by stinkerbelle
We've done both of these tours and never had anything taken from us. both tours have some 'on stage' parts where photography is allowed.

I know for a fact that we had our i-zone camera w/ us during the KTTK tour...at the end of our tour our "tour guide in training" was made a full time tour guide, given his 'walking stick' and we took a picture of him with that camera for him to have...and we kept that camera in our video camera bag which DH lugged around the entire time...so, no, things were not taken from us.

I don't doubt that you were able to take your things with you when you took the tour, however as a current tour guide, this is not allowed anymore. Backpacks and larger bags will be taken at check in and store at City Hall (for the Keys tour). Currently, fanny packs and small purses are ok but nothing else. Cameras are not allowed in backstage areas (as you stated) but can be used in the park (to the tour guides discretion). The new rule is that cell phones are not allowed either as we had a gentelman a few weeks ago that thought he would be slick and tried to take some photos of the utilidor on his cell phone camera. As long as you follow the rules with the cameras (and cell phones) they usually will not say anything to you.

 

[InstImpres]

I did the Backstage Magic Tour last year. I did have a backpack with me but often she encouraged us to leave it on the bus (which I did). Sometimes it was easier to take it, never had a problem either way. Jason our driver carefully safeguarded the bus (and us from the rain) the whole day

As you can see, sometimes the driver is as important and loved as the guide.

Sandy