Flash Photography in rides

[jlynne01]

I think they announce on most rides "NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPY"...
I have been on rides before where I noticed flashes and it was very disturbing to say the least... Not on all rides but we did get a little upset when we were on soarin and could see someone a few seats down from us flashing away... It didnt help that we were not on top row (feet dangling) but the flashes really did totally ruin the ride for us and that is not a short line to wait in!

 

[Robo]

...we did get a little upset when we were on soarin and could see someone a few seats down from us flashing away... It didnt help that we were not on top row (feet dangling) but the flashes really did totally ruin the ride for us and that is not a short ride to wait in line for!!

There is no formal verbal announcement made for Soarin' at Epcot.

But the in-theater boarding area has several signs similar to the one below, prominently displayed.

 

[jrpopfan]

The first time I went on POTC at WDW, I took photos with a flash. No one complained to me or the ride did not stop. We we were at DL, my GF forgot to turn the flash off and they did not stop the machine but a voice on the loud speaker came on and said "No Flash Photography". She immediately had turned it off when it fired the first time. That photo did not come out, but the ones without the flash did and they were awesome.
We have now learned the evil of our POTC ways and take photos without flash. I hate being scolded by evil ghosts, so I have learned.

 

[Stargazer]

I've also heard that some rides will actually malfunction or temporarily shut down if exposed to flash photography.

Yep, I can vouch for this one. We were on Star Tours when someone decided to take flash pics AND videotape.

Our ride shut down and we had to wait about 15 minutes for it to be reset and start again --- so, the CM stressed that THIS time, there was to be absolutely no photography or video taping.

 

[xDressedinlove]

Gdad posted a picture in the picture thread of a guest using flash on POTC. The picture makes it clearly obvious how much it can ruin the experience of other guests.

And Brad's right too. When my eyes are used to the dark and then a flash goes off, I have that white burned into my eyes for a few moments and I can't see anything.

OT- but I love that pic in your sig! I have one of my brother and I like that many years ago!

 

[Luv4Disney]

I think it's very quiet, but I could swear they say not flash pics before PotC.

 

[catne]

They do kick people off & take them out of the park on some rides, anyway. We were on GMR in May...That's the one where they actually do have live performers so they really emphasize there can be no flash photography (so as not to accidentally blind some actor with a burst of light when they're coming onto the set from the dark areas.) Anyway, some yahoo started taking flash photos at the very first movie scene...the CM doing the tour immediately said "Sir, remember, absolutely no flash photography for the safety of live performers" Next scene, same fool took another picture. CM said..."you have been warned. Turn off the camera, now, or you will be taken off the ride. NO FLASH!" and then he went back to the spiel. Next scene, wham, another flash photo. The CM hit some button, we skidded to a stop. CM jumped off, went through an exit door & came back in a couple of seconds later with 2 security guards...yup, they "escorted" the idiot photog off (to very loud applause by the rest of the riders.) After they exited, the CM said it will take a couple of seconds to reset the ride here, but just wanted to apologize for having to interrupt your enjoyment, folks...he went on to say people never believe him, and they get taken off the ride & out of the park every day. He also pointed out that the pictures with flash rarely turn out anyway...

 

[timmac]

There is no formal verbal announcement made for Soarin' at Epcot.

But the in-theater boarding area has several signs similar to the one below, prominently displayed.

Hmm.... I wonder what that sign is supposed to mean?

Well, it's not like it's a camera being held by a late 20s white guy with a slight beer belly, so it probably isn't directed at me...

 

[BostonRob]

Yep, I can vouch for this one. We were on Star Tours when someone decided to take flash pics AND videotape.

Our ride shut down and we had to wait about 15 minutes for it to be reset and start again --- so, the CM stressed that THIS time, there was to be absolutely no photography or video taping.

Of all the rides to take flash pictures, Star Tours? Has to be one of the dumbest things I've read in a while.

 

[blondemom]

I sat in front of someone who was taking pictures every few seconds on Pirates. I was literally blind by the time we got off the boat. I politely asked them to not do that (and several times it was said over the loudspeaker, no flash photography). The person shrugged his shoulders and said he didn't understand English. I told a castmember at the end of the ride what happened, and he saw my frustration, and led my family to the child swap area and put us on the ride again. I was just so frustrated because it was one of those days where I had to wait 30 minutes to get on the ride only to have someone ruin it for my family. In a nasty moment, I considered taking my camera out and taking his picture 26 times in a row to see if he got the point. But, I'm not like that...



Lisa

 

[Luv4Disney]

Of all the rides to take flash pictures, Star Tours? Has to be one of the dumbest things I've read in a while.

The stupid things that people do never cease to amaze me...

 

[bellaDisneydncr]

Someone took a pic on the HM during the scene with Madame Leota in the crystal ball. Totally ruined it. I loudly said, "NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY!). They didn't do it again.

I had the exact same thing happen to me. and I did the same thing you did it worked! As you said- it really ruins that scene. I was mad.

Then at the Voyage of the Little Mermaid, someone kept taking pictures. (you all know how that messes with "Under the Sea") All the CM's did was wave their lighted batons (i guess you can call them that...) every time it happened. It did stop eventually- idk if anything happened to the camera crazy guest. But being a performer myself, I know how distracting a flash in the audience can be. Not only does it throw off your train of thought (which is so annoying when you're trying to submerse yourself in the 'world' you're in), but it can be really dangerous.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I sat in front of someone who was taking pictures every few seconds on Pirates. I was literally blind by the time we got off the boat. I politely asked them to not do that (and several times it was said over the loudspeaker, no flash photography). The person shrugged his shoulders and said he didn't understand English. I told a castmember at the end of the ride what happened, and he saw my frustration, and led my family to the child swap area and put us on the ride again. I was just so frustrated because it was one of those days where I had to wait 30 minutes to get on the ride only to have someone ruin it for my family. In a nasty moment, I considered taking my camera out and taking his picture 26 times in a row to see if he got the point. But, I'm not like that...



Lisa

I would have offerred to take a picture of him in the boat, with his own camera, then did a "chevy chase" fumble..oooppss camera went in the water!

Sorry mister..Ummm, I don't speak your language!!

 

[larryz]

I would have offerred to take a picture of him in the boat, with his own camera, then did a "chevy chase" fumble..oooppss camera went in the water!

Sorry mister..Ummm, I don't speak your language!!

Arrgh! Grumpy Pirate for President!

 

[cyctorres]

which camera is that?

People also tend to forget that often, the best photos in a dark ride/show will come with no flash...

I am one of those folks who have no problem confronting someone who is flashing away on a ride or in a show where they are not supposed to be doing so. I have a setting on my camera called 'manners' which makes no sound and uses no flash - and on recent trips this setting has given me some of the best point-and-shoot photos on rides/in shows:
inside Haunted Mansion

inside Buzz Lightyear

inside Hall of Presidents

during Fantasmic

Carrousel of Progress

Snow White

...so really, there is no reason to break rules and be obnoxious to fellow riders

 

[~Kik-Kik~]

which camera is that?

Good question. I was wanting a point and shoot camera since the one I just got is HUGE (and I dont think it's worth the extra bulk tbh).

 

[siskaren]

On a related note, my favorite pre-wishes hobby is watching people take pictures of the castle from the hub with their flash on. After reviewing the picture on their digital display, they see the castle is dark and take another picture. They again look at their display see the same result and either keep taking pictures or just give up. Most people do not know how to take pictures at night and don't realize that the flash is useless on most cameras at distances greater than 30-50 feet. I am no expert on f-stops and aperature settings but know how to take photos in a couple of situations, by reading the instruction manual for the camera.

I've done the same thing, but I'll often tell the person that I've found that the pictures come out much better without the flash. I've also gotten great pictures of the fireworks without the flash.

 

[bradk]

here's the deal.. flash is best. that said, it tends to kill ambient light which is actually counterproductive in dark rides. it can reveal things you weren't meant to see and things take on a completely different appearance. a lot is lost in the translation.

but the only way you're going to get a really good shot indoors without the flash is with a really fast lens.

i have a photo of leota floating and with the flash it totally reveals how the effect is done. that's something i guarantee no imagineer and no guest really wants to see.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Good question. I was wanting a point and shoot camera since the one I just got is HUGE (and I dont think it's worth the extra bulk tbh).

I am partial to the sony line of point and shoot. DW and I have the same type. The are small enough to fit in a pocket, and can be used to not only do a single shot, but "burst" shots, and even movies with image stabalization. (you just need to get a good sized memory stick) the newer ones have SEVERAL "no flash" modes, including one for "fireworks"

Last trip, we caught several fireworks shows and got good still pics of them.

 

[EnnEss]

here's the deal.. flash is best. that said, it tends to kill ambient light which is actually counterproductive in dark rides. it can reveal things you weren't meant to see and things take on a completely different appearance. a lot is lost in the translation.

This is what a lot of people think, flash is best. Its not correct. The rest of your post spoke of speed, again wrong. You can actually set most cam's speed, the slower the darker, if speed is all you're chaning. What you want is aperture. Anyways, flash isn't best in a lot of situations, its for studio photography and point and shoot. Take a camera set up to shoot a dark ride and one using a flash and the flash pictures will look bad, far from best. Even a decent point and shoot where you can adjust speed will look better than a flashed camera. For examples, miceage has a beautiful article by a photographer explaining it in depth.

The other person talking about whoever with the nice DSLR taking bad pictures, the person was just bad with the camera. They probably would have been far worse with a point and shoot.

PoTC definately has announcements in DLR saying no flash photography, and the last time i was there the CM said it as the ride launched. I dont recall my last time in WDW so i cant speak to it.