Disney, cameras and threats from security?

[mdrankos]

I'm thrilled about an upcoming trip to Disney. I've always taken smaller cameras to the parks, but have upgraded in the last couple years to a nicer DSLR and have even bought a few new lenses just for the trip.

I've been scouting out other people's tips and tricks etc. planning my day and night shots. Today, however, I came across a whole series of complaints from people who have been harassed, followed and intimidated by Disney security within the parks for having DSLR's and/or tripods.

I'm not going to change my plans, but I'm wondering how common this is and what I should expect. I've purchased a whole package plan. Can they throw you out of a park for taking planned shots vs. the quick snaps? Is there compensation for the lost meals/tickets if they do?

I have to admit that this series of complaints has taken me completely off guard. Of all the places on the planet, DW seems to lend itself directly to photography, photographers and creativity.

Any information is appreciated.

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

Personally I've had minor issues, most CM's will help u before they bother you. I had one last year take me back through world showcase to get a better angle....

 

[mdrankos]

That's good to know. I also changed my search tactics on this board and found a post that was recently revived that seems to echo your comment. It would appear that maybe they realized the problems they were creating and have relaxed their zealous behavior.

Hopefully these are all in the past.

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

I'll find out next week myself... I'll have some gear at DD for a night or two...

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Most of the threads I've seen on this topic are dated, and dealt more with Disneyland in California instead of WDW. I believe the "issue" Disney was attempting to address was paparazzi bringing in major telephoto equipment to spy on celebrities in the park.

If you're ever stopped, remain calm and polite and ask to speak with someone from management if you can't make headway with the cast member who questions your gear. (Ask for a manager, not a supervisor.) Explain to them that your camera equipment is for your own personal use and enjoyment as a hobby, and that you're not doing anything commercial. You should be fine.

 

[littlekidagain]

I was there in March and had no problems at all! The only problem I had was when I broke my tripod on the 2nd night.

 

[gruZ]

I've been to the World numerous times with lots of equipment - 70-200 2.8 with hood, large flash and tripod - and never had anyone say anything to me.

There are a number of people on this board whose in park "inventory" would put mine to shame, and while I've heard a few issues from time to time in Disneyland, I've never heard of any problems in Disney World.

Have fun!

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

The issues always came from DD mainly the West Side... House of Blues and such

 

[photo_chick]

I've not had any problems at WDW when I've been.

 

[Renysmom]

Disneyland has become very strict and is where most of the hassles occur now.

WDW has very few problems, you may be asked to move a tripod if it is in the way but not much more than that.

 

[SunDial]

I was in DW 2 weeks ago with a tripod and camera gear that I carried around everywhere. No problem bringing it on the rides either.

 

[zackiedawg]

I cannot deign to know what really happened with any of the folks who complained of hassles with security on the WDW side - and unfortunately you can't really take everything you read as pure fact - without knowing both sides of the stories, or how folks reacted...or even if it really happened. And if it did, was it a common thing, or a fluke? You mentioned coming across a batch of complaints about this, but honestly, look at all the Disney-related posts from photographers sharing all their photos and experiences at Disney that don't mention any hassles...if you look at the numbers, there'd be thousands a day who have never been bothered against maybe one or two a month who say they were. Out of those thousands per day, surely some of them have big equipment?!

I live a few hours away from Disney, and so go there 4-5 times a year at least, for 4-5 days at a time. I always bring 2 camera bodies, travel with as many as 5 lenses at a time, some of which are great, giant white metal fast prime lenses for wildlife, well over a foot in length. And I use a tripod and remote cable release when taking long-exposure night shots. I shoot in all the parks, at all the resorts, and throughout Downtown Disney, including with slow shutter night shots. I simply have never had a problem with security.

Has anyone ever come to ask my intent, or whether I was a professional? Sure...that's happened a couple of times...maybe twice out of the hundreds of days I've spent shooting up there. And it always sparked a friendly conversation about photography, technique, etc. Because I noted I'm not a professional, nor selling any of my Disney photographs, and simply love to take photos - then I discuss why I'm using the tripod, and what the long shutter speeds do, and why I take multiple photos of the same shot, and what HDR means, and how it looks, and so on. I personally believe your attitude and response to a security inquiry will dictate how that encounter will go...and so far that's been verified in my experiences.

 

[SarahFarra]

This is very encouraging! I brought my camera in last year with two lenses but left my equipment to a minimum because I didn't want to lug more around and also b/c I didn't know how Disney would react. It's good to know they support fellow photographers!

 

[mdrankos]

Agreed. I admit to being very surprised by the reports, mostly because of all the great photos and discussions on this very inspiring board.

Looks like even the weather is improving for this weekend so hopefully there will be nothing but photography nirvana to worry about!

Thanks all for the replies.

 

[ukcatfan]

I personally believe your attitude and response to a security inquiry will dictate how that encounter will go...and so far that's been verified in my experiences.

The most important line in this thread! If you act defensive and rude you are going to get a response that is not going to be pleasant.

 

[wbeem]

I'm thrilled about an upcoming trip to Disney. I've always taken smaller cameras to the parks, but have upgraded in the last couple years to a nicer DSLR and have even bought a few new lenses just for the trip.

I've been scouting out other people's tips and tricks etc. planning my day and night shots. Today, however, I came across a whole series of complaints from people who have been harassed, followed and intimidated by Disney security within the parks for having DSLR's and/or tripods.

I'm not going to change my plans, but I'm wondering how common this is and what I should expect. I've purchased a whole package plan. Can they throw you out of a park for taking planned shots vs. the quick snaps? Is there compensation for the lost meals/tickets if they do?

I have to admit that this series of complaints has taken me completely off guard. Of all the places on the planet, DW seems to lend itself directly to photography, photographers and creativity.

Any information is appreciated.

In the parks, you're probably fine. Almost every interaction I had with a castmember inside the park about my photography was positive. Most were merely curious and we shared about photography.

The one and only time I was ever stopped for taking photos inside a park was by a person at Animal Kingdom. She was very polite, but was concerned that I was taking pictures of the façades. On the way out, other cast members asked if I got some good shots. Actually, I did and I was having a blast. AK at night is great for photography.

On the other hand, Security at Downtown Disney has a reputation for hassling photographers with tripods. I wrote about it on my blog a couple of years ago. Within weeks after my visit, they did the same thing to Trey Ratcliff and even called Deputies - despite the fact that he had permission from Disney to take photos there. You can find that story on his blog.

One castmember told me the difference was because Downtown Disney was an "open" environment - no tickets to get in and they have more security issues. That may be the mindset, but I doubt a guy with a camera on a tripod is a security threat.

A few months ago, Trey was in town and about a half-dozen of our friends went to MK to shoot fireworks. We were all lined up behind the castle with our tripods and had no problems at all.

Go enjoy your trip, take your gear. I think it's quite unlikely you'll have a problem in the park. Plenty of people do it all the time.

 

[zackiedawg]

This past weekend, I shot throughout Marketplace, Downtown Disney, and West End at dusk and early evening - no problems. I didn't use a tripod, so my profile might have been a little lower, but I was taking a fair amount of time setting up shots, changing lenses on the fly and reshooting, and taking multiple shots of each facade. For fun, I noticed two security guards standing on guard in front of Raglan Road, so I snapped a series of photos there even changing between 3 different lenses...then even turned the camera towards them and took a photo of the security guards. I smiled and waved thanks as I moved on, and didn't get any hassle. I spent about 2 1/2 hours shooting there Sunday evening overall.

No guarantees of course, but just figured I'd give you a very recent update of my experiences there - maybe the security is in a good mood this time of year, or maybe I was just lucky!