Disney Discriminates Against Photographers

[Groucho]

I personally LOATHE the people that use the umbrellas to block the sun because they don't want to tan in Florida (what the heck, you are in Florida in July...it's gonna be sunny!). Last year there was a whole crowd of them, front row at the stage show and then the parade. Yep, standing up, with their umbrellas. We even asked a CM if they could ask them to sit down or not use their umbrellas and we were told "no". Talk about ticked off !!!

To be fair, it might be more than just getting a tan. If you're sitting in the sun in the middle of the summer, you can easily become dehydrated and have problems, especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition.

Not to say that I wouldn't find them annoying (I generally don't see 'em since I mostly go in the off-season) but they're not all just people being selfish and/or lazy. Just like, no matter how much the ECVs can be annoying, some of the people on them are actually using them for legitimate medical reasons.

True story... I've fainted exactly once in my life, and that was some time in my teens, and we were at Sea World in Orlando in the summer. My family went to watch a show in a shaded area and I decided to just hang out on a bench in the sun. 20 minutes or so later, they came and got me and we went to see just one more thing before leaving. Probably less than five minutes after standing up, I collapsed on the guy waiting in line in front of us, after saying some stuff that I cannot remember. I was perfectly healthy and OK after having some water, but that summertime Florida sign can do a number of us Northerners!

 

[Mac Daddy]

I just wanted to thank the OP for the tip. The news has now reached other discussion boards and I sent an email in to the "This Week In Photography" podcast where Disney's decision to ban lenses longer than 6 inches was promptly ridiculed after they read my email on the show.

I also received word back today from Guest Services that the ban will be selective as they are not aiming for a mom or a dad who has a 70-300 lens that they have brought to take shots of the kids. It is aimed primarily at ANY professional photographer as they do NOT want professional photographers taking shots in the park unsupervised.

The six inch lens ban is not posted anywhere, and the website still has not been updated as of yesterday. I think they intentionally want to keep this policy vague in order to target those individuals who are paparazzi or from other media outlets, or those who might otherwise sell their shots for profit.

 

[tripodjw]

I just wanted to thank the OP for the tip. The news has now reached other discussion boards and I sent an email in to the "This Week In Photography" podcast where Disney's decision to ban lenses longer than 6 inches was promptly ridiculed after they read my email on the show.

I also received word back today from Guest Services that the ban will be selective as they are not aiming for a mom or a dad who has a 70-300 lens that they have brought to take shots of the kids. It is aimed primarily at ANY professional photographer as they do NOT want professional photographers taking shots in the park unsupervised.

The six inch lens ban is not posted anywhere, and the website still has not been updated as of yesterday. I think they intentionally want to keep this policy vague in order to target those individuals who are paparazzi or from other media outlets, or those who might otherwise sell their shots for profit.

So because I am not a mom with kids will they consider me a pro? I either go with my husband (we have no kids) or on my own if i happen to be in the locale on business. I guess if i was on my own they'd think i was a pro.

They just haven't got a clue.

 

[boBQuincy]

I sent email to DL and WDW asking about their photo equipment policy (ok, I also pointed out how arbitrary and senseless it was too) and received the following email from DL. I have not heard from WDW yet but I still do not like the word "may" in the DL response, it still leaves it open to interpretation.
I also pointed out that a 70-300 and a 70-300 DO are very different in physical length but the same in optical power, perhaps a waste of my time...




Thank you for your e-mail to the DISNEYLAND® Resort. We appreciate your
taking the time to share your thoughts with us.
We are concerned with the disappointment you mentioned in your e-mail
with regard to our camera guidelines. As you are aware, our goal is to
provide the finest service and accommodations. Please be assured we do
take our Guest comments very seriously, and take them into consideration
when evaluating our operation. Your remarks have been forwarded to the
appropriate leaders so they are aware of your remarks.


As a general guideline, Guests with camera lenses in excess of 6 inches
in length may be questioned at the Main Entrance. If it can be
determined that the equipment is for personal use, it may be allowed in
as an exception. If however it is determined that photography is for
commercial purposes, the equipment will be banned. This is being done in
an effort to curtail the distribution of photographs which have not been
released for official use. All professional photographers should be
escorted by a Cast Member.


Again, thank you for contacting us. Comments such as yours are welcomed
in that they assist us in evaluating our operation and our success in
generating happiness for our Guests. We hope you will have the
opportunity to visit the DISNEYLAND® Resort soon and that our
attractions and entertainment will delight you in every way.


Sincerely,


Susan Gates
DISNEYLAND® Resort

 

[ont/ohana]

Subscribing to this to see any more recent responses, we are going in December and I have brought my 70-300 lens but now wondering if I should just leave it at home

 

[bob100]

As a general guideline, Guests with camera lenses in excess of 6 inches
in length may be questioned at the Main Entrance. If it can be
determined that the equipment is for personal use, it may be allowed in
as an exception. If however it is determined that photography is for
commercial purposes, the equipment will be banned. This is being done in
an effort to curtail the distribution of photographs which have not been
released for official use. All professional photographers should be
escorted by a Cast Member.

So it's a matter of looking or acting professional?
I think I could get in even if I had a 600mm auto-stabilized lens.

 

[bumbershoot]

Someone on the DL board said maybe it cause of paparazzi.

On other boards, too. People first started reporting this only one or two days after Lindsay Lohan's pictures with what's her name appeared on some websites...pictures from Disneyland...just seemed awfully coincidental that a celebrity that is stalked by paparazzi is at DLR then a few days later this starts happening....

 

[DizzyV6P]

I wouldn't leave anything at home. I've been to Disney at least twice a year w/ my Lowepro 300AW and then my Lowepro Fastback 250. Both big back packs and have never had problems with security. I've actually had some caution me not to get it stolen. LOL.

Granted, I'm usually going in with my wife and daughter...but there's been times I've gone in by myself to meet them inside the park w/o any problems.

Hmm...now that I think about it, my 70-200 WHITE lens is usually tucked inside one of the compartments. When I open up my whole backpack, they can't see it because either my 580EX flash or my 50mm is sitting on top of it. Just some food for thought.

Or maybe its my Disney t-shirts and brown safari hat that I always wear to the parks. I guess I don't look professional enough. LOL.

 

[dburg30]

This just reminded me when you were talking about backpacks . They were looking thru my backpack at epcot, and the one guard was doing a REALLY good job. i have one of the rolling lowepro backpacks, and he was trying to 'get into' the area where the handle that extends lives He was going to try to pull my backpack apart to look in. I had to step in and show him the handle sliding in and out and tell him that really wasnt supposed to come out.. Kinda had the same issue at MCO thru security. I learned one thing that night, you dont help them with opening or closing your bags, or other wise searching it.. I was standing back keeping my hands away, saying PLEASE dont break my backpack..

 

[MICKEY88]

1.I also pointed out that a 70-300 and a 70-300 DO are very different in physical length but the same in optical power, perhaps a waste of my time...





As a general guideline, Guests with camera lenses in excess of 6 inches
in length may be questioned at the Main Entrance. If it can be
determined that the equipment is for personal use, it may be allowed in
as an exception. If however it is determined that photography is for
commercial purposes, the equipment will be banned.


2.
This is being done in
an effort to curtail the distribution of photographs which have not been
released for official use.

1. very interesting, that means my Tokina 70-200
lens would not be allowed, but my sigma 28-300 , and my Minolta 100-300 lenses would be.. so I up my ISO from 100 to 400 and I'm good to go, how pointless,

2. I wonder if the people from this board who openly sell pics from WDW on their websites, will be upset when they can't get their big lenses into the parks..

 

[OK!]

It sounds like he was mistaking you for a pro. No doubt they were told a zoom was a sure sign.

That was almost exactly what they told me at Scottrade Center here in St. Louis when I tried to bring my old Rebel 2000 to photograph a Blues game. Apparently, the zoom was "too big," at least according to security personnel. I seriously think that might actually be what they're told to look for.

 

[william4192]

I'd like to see more what happens.

 

[TootieBear765]

Thought I'd stick my oar in. I'm off to Disneyland Paris for Christmas this year so I'll feedback if I get any problems with my DSLR and lenses there i.e. is it a Disney policy thing or just a Disney USA thing.

We go to WDW next September so I'm reading with interest. If I fly all the way out from Scotland and can't take some decent photos of the resort when I may not get back for a number of years thanks to some jobsworth security guard, I'm likely to unleash my Scottish wrath.... (not a pleasant sight!).

I agree the lens/zoom thing is a nonsense. I have a Panasonic FZ7 which has a much bigger optical and digital zoom capacity than the few lenses I have for my recently purchased DLSR but the initimation seems to be that because my DSLR looks like a 'pro' camera and my FZ7 looks like a standard tourist PAS, I'm more likely to be stopped with the 'lesser' capability... Barking stuff!

On a wider issue, as I am a wheelchair user and can't physically get myself to a good angle for an easy shot, without a decent zoom, I fear I may miss out on the pics I want. Maybe I'll suggest they follow me around and physically lift me to places I would otherwise be unable to reach... I'm sure when they are faced with hauling my butt into the air, they may revise their suggestion

Surely it would make more sense to prosecute those who profit from the sale of unapproved pics than to risk aggravating all camera users. Or maybe that would cost too much money....

I'll watch with interest....

 

[bnorm27]

I sent email to DL and WDW asking about their photo equipment policy (ok, I also pointed out how arbitrary and senseless it was too) and received the following email from DL. I have not heard from WDW yet but I still do not like the word "may" in the DL response, it still leaves it open to interpretation.
I also pointed out that a 70-300 and a 70-300 DO are very different in physical length but the same in optical power, perhaps a waste of my time...

Thank you for your e-mail to the DISNEYLAND® Resort. We appreciate your
taking the time to share your thoughts with us.
We are concerned with the disappointment you mentioned in your e-mail
with regard to our camera guidelines. As you are aware, our goal is to
provide the finest service and accommodations. Please be assured we do
take our Guest comments very seriously, and take them into consideration
when evaluating our operation. Your remarks have been forwarded to the
appropriate leaders so they are aware of your remarks.


As a general guideline, Guests with camera lenses in excess of 6 inches
in length may be questioned at the Main Entrance. If it can be
determined that the equipment is for personal use, it may be allowed in
as an exception. If however it is determined that photography is for
commercial purposes, the equipment will be banned. This is being done in
an effort to curtail the distribution of photographs which have not been
released for official use. All professional photographers should be
escorted by a Cast Member.


Again, thank you for contacting us. Comments such as yours are welcomed
in that they assist us in evaluating our operation and our success in
generating happiness for our Guests. We hope you will have the
opportunity to visit the DISNEYLAND® Resort soon and that our
attractions and entertainment will delight you in every way.


Sincerely,

Susan Gates
DISNEYLAND® Resort

Well, that's as clear as mud!

 

[spinetnglr]

I think alot depends on the CM you have to deal with when it comes to cameras. I had sort of the opposite experience in WDW last year. I had gotten tickets to take the Backstage Magic Tour and was told when I made the reservations absolutely no camera equipment of any kind. This tour is a 7-8 hour tour, takes you backstage at the American Adventure to see the workings of the animatronics, a pretty thorough tour of costuming in HS (still MGM when I took the tour) including the areas where costumes are designed, made, laundered and stored. We also saw the make-up areas where the various princesses are transformed. We toured the entire floral department. We also got a tour of where the ride vehicles and the animatronics are made and maintained. The final stop of the day was in the Magic Kingdom and a tour of the Utilidors under Main Street. I did not bring any camera equipment with me as I was told not to. ( It was in the car as we were going to catch Fantasmic after the tour, so I could have had it with me.) The tour is limited to 15 people and of the 15 I think 3 had PNS cameras with them and were taking pictures throughout the entire tour and our tourguide did not restrict them in the photos they were taking. I was ticked that I had left my camera in the car. It didnt lessen my enjoyment of the tour but if they say no cameras they should enforce it for all. The tour is a little expensive at $200/person but in my opinion its well worth it for what you get to see. It really gives you a little more insight into what goes into making the magic happen for us guests each and every day.

 

[qtzar]

I'm heading to WDW later today and going to bring my Nikon D90 with 18-200 Lens. the lens itself is only 3.5 inches long when collapsed and about 5.5 inches long when extended. Hopefully I won't have any problems getting in with it, I want to take some nice photos of the christmas decorations for personal use.

I'll report back if I have any issues.

 

[safetymom]

Just back from MK today with my D70S and 18-200 VR lens. Nobody said anything about it. No problems at Epcot last night.

 

[aimeeg]

This has been very interesting to read. Since having children and going digital I have been a point and click girl. Going through four cameras I have decided to upgrade to a good DSLR. (I still have my worked-the-entire-summer-to-pay-for Minolta SLR camera. LOL) I was planning on buying the Nikon D80. We will be vacationing at WDW but I am interested to see if anything comes up. I wonder if the husband with the princess backpack, two children in gowns and a stroller will make me look professional! LOL

 

[Steve's Girl]

I was at WDW a few weeks ago. I carried my D80 with two or three lenses everyday without any questions or problems. I had the 70-200 VR lens with me almost everyday and is was not an issue. That lens is definitely longer than 6 inches.

 

[mvazul]

I just found this thread and had a question.

So, what happens to those of us who are professionals? I am a professional potographer for families, weddings, seniors, etc. (even sheep!!) However, the three times I have been to Disney World have been strictly for family time. I cannot imagine going to Disney and not taking my camera (heck, I rarely go to the grocery store without my camera in tow - my bag also doubles as my purse ). How in the world are they supposed to know who is a professional and who isn't?

Although, according to the OP, since I only use a D50 (with a 50mm, 18-55mm and a 70-300mm) of course I can't be a professional, so I should be good.

Michelle