DSLR camera policy in the parks?

[crazydadguy]

That is a scary policy. We have an upcoming WDW trip plus I just ordered my camera. 10DedFish and I will be in San Diego in December for our jobs, and I was considering driving up to the Land while I was there. I will probably reconsider that now though. Bummer.

 

[pxlbarrel]

Hmmmm...

There are times, when I'm the parks, when I'm completely obsessed with taking THE photo, that I have to stop myself and remember to think of where I am and enjoy myself. Not that I don't enjoy taking photographs at Disney but there are times when I get carried away. I look at my surroundings through a viewfinder instead of through my sweat drenched glasses.

I don't go to the parks to only take photographs. It's a big part of my trip but it's not the only reason.

BUT With this policy it does make me think. I don't like it...and it would piss me off royally if I got to the bag check and they told me to take it back to my hotel... especially if I just walked 15 minutes there or took the ART. So do I then go to the park without my camera??? I'd feel naked without it.

The Happiest Place on Earth is quickly becoming a most stressful place. To bring or not to bring. To risk it or not to risk it. I had been thinking of going next year for Christmas because I do love Disney at Christmas...but a lot of my love comes from taking photos of the decorations and the family at Christmas.

So...do I put the 50 mm prime lens on and try to hide the other lenses under a big sweatshirt or something? When did smuggling become a Disney activity??

As our favourite round little bear would say, "Oh bother..."

 

[pxlbarrel]

After work this evening, I fought my way through SoCal rush hour traffic to Disneyland. Brought my Canon XTi with 17-70 and tripod to photograph the fireworks. Breezed through bag check without a problem. They barely looked at my camera and didn't say a word about the tripod.

On my way out, I stopped by City Hall to ask about the camera policy. Unfortunately the CM helping me really didn't know at first. She thought it might have been only for last weekend's Miley Cyrus event. But she went in the back (to ask a manager, I assume) and came out to confirm that the no-long lens policy is now a permanent thing. It's such an idiotic policy and I guess they're accepting the risk that they'll alienate some guests.

SLR camera bodies are fine, but long lenses are prohibited. It was crowded (Columbus Day, Canadian Thanksgiving, Fall break, etc.) and I only saw a few other SLRs during my short time in the park, including someone with what looked to be a Canon 1D *drool*.

Makes me wonder whether or not there are certain days when they know a celebrity is in the park that they they alert security to invoke the dreaded long lens policy. Other days, security could care less if you're carrying the Hubble telescope into the park.

 

[WillCAD]

So...do I put the 50 mm prime lens on and try to hide the other lenses under a big sweatshirt or something? When did smuggling become a Disney activity??

As our favourite round little bear would say, "Oh bother..."

Think cargo pants. You can get some fairly large lenses in the big pockets.

Or try a small sling bag or mini-backpack, artfully concealed on your tummy under a sweatshirt to make you look like you've got a beer gut, or a bun in the oven.

 

[DebºoºS]

Something just doesn't seem right with all of this.

Dittos, from the beginning it sounded weird for Disney to abruptly turn away or question paying guests at bag check. As the link I posted shows the paparazzi shots were not taken with a 300mm lens. Yet they don't want long lenses in the park? Hmmm
The celebs were being escorted around with a fleet of CM's and bodyguards who could've prevented any paparazzi photos from being taken. hmmm

Makes me wonder if it's all about Disney $$. Maybe guests have been taking Disney park pics for profit using a 300mm lens and Disney is attempting to rid the parks of those people in an attempt to protect their trademarks

There is no way I'm letting any of this change my plans for trips in the future. My longest park lens is a 200mm (guessing under the limit) which will stay firmly planted on my pro looking D200. If they think I'm a pro
I'd be more than happy to run a slideshow on my camera right there. GBs of priceless family snap-shots on my memory cards.

 

[ukcatfan]

There are a couple of common terms used in photography to describe lenses.One SLR could often feel the need to clean your sensor, but overall, we all said that this is not much sensitive. At the beautiful pictures you see are people who have taken a long time to become familiar with their cameras.

Say what???

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

lol....

 

[ukcatfan]

Must have been a spam account. It is gone now.

 

[alloyd1170]

I was just there this past week and had no problem bringing in my Canon 100-400. I used it at Fantasmic too without any incidence.

 

[DreamSweetsLove]

Sorry to revive this old topic but we were considering going to DLR next year and were wondering what is going on with the camera policy right now. What are the rules exactly? Is there an official website with details on their policy?

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

As far as I know (I was there in December) it hasn't changed. I brought the below with me plus the not-pictured 100-300 f4. All the castmembers were accomodating and sometimes even helped or suggested ideas. The only time anyone said anything to me was on the Christmas Parade filming day when we were directed behind Main Street. They did not want any pictures taken back there.


WDW Camera Equipment 2011 by Terry McGraw Photography, on Flickr

 

[littlekidagain]

I was there in March and had no issues. The only know of one rule! How much do you feel like carrying!

 

[WilsonFlyer]

I'm actually glad somebody re-upped this thread. I must have missed it before.

Is this policy still in effect? If it is, it just halped me make a final decision on the family DL visit once and for all.

This is the silliest crap I have ever read.

 

[DreamSweetsLove]

Thank you very much for your replies. Would you say that if you can get the lens in the park it's ok (Like a Sigma 50-500 Ex) or if a cast sees it even if you are in the park will they say something? Are there lockers outside the gate in case they say something?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I'm actually glad somebody re-upped this thread. I must have missed it before.

Is this policy still in effect? If it is, it just halped me make a final decision on the family DL visit once and for all.

This is the silliest crap I have ever read.

Unless I'm misunderstanding I think what most are saying is that we haven't noticed any evidence of the restrictions. I was there for 5 days in June and while the longest lens I personally took in was 5 inches nothing garnered a second glance. And I did see a couple of people going around the parks with 70-200 f/2.8's.

Prior to that I was there in Oct and Dec and did not hear a peep about equipment then either.

Thank you very much for your replies. Would you say that if you can get the lens in the park it's ok (Like a Sigma 50-500 Ex) or if a cast sees it even if you are in the park will they say something? Are there lockers outside the gate in case they say something?

IF there is a rule then yes, a CM in the park might say something - it may be as little as asking if you are a professional. And yes, there are lockers outside the gates. I know there are some located in an area left of the DL gates. They are located past the security check though.

 

[DreamSweetsLove]

Thank you very much for the advice Kathy!

 

[wbeem]

Remember, policy is written. You can't infer policy by behavior because that changes from person to person, from day to day, etc.

During my issues with Disney World a couple of years ago, I was in contact with the corporate folks and specifically requested written policy about photography. At that time, they had absolutely nothing in writing to prohibit photography. Quite the contrary, WDW has signs designating particular areas a Photo Spots, so they encourage photography.

It seems that most problems (which are fortunately pretty rare) happen when some overzealous CM makes up something on the spot.

 

[Experiment_626]

I had originally said (much earlier in this thread) that I was going down there and would report back on my experience. So, um …

Here we are, three or four years after I said that. I've gone to WDW many times since then — including a five-day solo trip in June of last year in which I did almost nothing but shoot photos. In all those trips, I've never had any trouble whatsoever. FWIW. Others, such as William Beem (who lives locally and goes far more often than I can manage (insert emoticon to express envy here), have had a few problems here and there, but (as he said previously) really very few, especially considering how often he's there.

Just be considerate of cast members and other guests while you're there. Many times I've waited patiently for stragglers with a smile while inside my head I was screaming "Get OUT of my SHOT!!! Aiiiiiieeeee!!!! Just make sure you limit that sort of thing to your "inside voice."

EDIT: Misspelled William's last name due to a typo. Sorry 'bout that.

SSB

 

[wbeem]

In all those trips, I've never had any trouble whatsoever. FWIW. Others, such as William Been (who lives locally and goes far more often than I can manage (insert emoticon to express envy here), have had a few problems here and there, but (as he said previously) really very few, especially considering how often he's there.

Yep. Just to bring home how rare it is, I've only had two issues in years of shooting there. The worst, by far, was the treatment at Downtown Disney. Horrible experience and rude castmembers who basically treated me like a terrorists.

The other issue happened in Animal Kingdom. She was extremely polite, though. She contradicted herself a number of times, but she was never rude like the folks at Downtown Disney.

Even when that happened, I met some really nice CMs on my walk out who were asking if I got some nice shots. I'd say that most CMs who have spoken to me about photographer have either been interested in photography themselves or offered to assist me in getting a shot. One was even going to clear some people out of the way when he saw I was waiting, but I declined. I'm not there to impose on anyone else's enjoyment of the park. Besides, we all know that tourists eventually move.

For those few who caused some issues, there have been many more pleasant experiences for me at WDW. As mentioned, it always helps to smile and be nice to those around you. It's supposed to be a happy place.

 

[Stitchless]

Has anyone had a problem carrying a tripod loose in hand in the parks?