FWIW: Selfie stick ban & tripods

[11290]

Just a note to photographer junkies. The Disney selfie stick ban also includes "large" tripods. Small tripods that would fit into a small case or a backpack are OK but large "professional style" tripods are banned also.

 

[mom2rtk]

Thanks for posting that over here. So can I assume that is a change over current policy?

 

[11290]

While we don't see a "lot" of the large tripods in the parks on a daily basis they do show up from time to time. Current policy somewhat depends on their use. For example, we see on parades a lot, people putting them into the street next to the curb and we have to as them to move them. Then when they set them up on the sidewalk, they become a guest safety issue as a trip hazard.

Saw a "huge" tripod and camera setup placed on the sidewalk by the Barber Shop a week or so ago for the 5:40 Move It Shake It. A manager did ask for them to move it and collapse the tripod.

The whole thing just depends on how it affects guest safety.

Interesting to note, I worked double parades last night and was really surprised at how few selfie sticks I saw. I was in Town Square and really don't know what the Main St or HUB area looked like though.

 

[elmoandzoey]

Thanks for the info. Are there any guidelines on what large tripods are or is it up to the CM to decide? I am just wondering since small tripods sometimes can be as large as larger tripods when put up. I have three tripods that all fold up pretty small and would fit into a regular sized backpack however one of them folds out to have a rather large base and Stand about 68" high... So I am just wondering what would be acceptable to be put up and what not.

 

[smitch425]

I didn't thing large tripods were allowed before this new ban. I thought they were considered a tripping hazard??? Anyone know for sure?

 

[mom2rtk]

I didn't thing large tripods were allowed before this new ban. I thought they were considered a tripping hazard??? Anyone know for sure?

I have always used a full size tripod. It folds down to 18" and can fit in my backpack, but stands about 65". It's never been a problem, right up through our trip a couple weeks ago.

Thanks for the info. Are there any guidelines on what large tripods are or is it up to the CM to decide? I am just wondering since small tripods sometimes can be as large as larger tripods when put up. I have three tripods that all fold up pretty small and would fit into a regular sized backpack however one of them folds out to have a rather large base and Stand about 68" high... So I am just wondering what would be acceptable to be put up and what not.

I too am waiting for more clarification on this.

 

[elmoandzoey]

On a side note - the selfie stick ban at Disney made it into the news in Germany today. I thought it was pretty weird that they would announce that over here but seeing that selfie sticks are being a big nuisance here as well, I guess they were trying to make a point that good old Disney has put a ban on them so expect other places in Europe to follow.

 

[11290]

I too am waiting for more clarification on this.

I don't know what the training guide for Security Bag Check had but for Main Entrance, it was just some illustrations of 2 different types of tripods. For those of us that work parades primarily, it did not really refer to anything specific, rather referencing us that if there was a specific issue to contact a coordinator or manager for further clarification. Personally, I would think that large tripods would be dealt with at Bag Check and not be an in-park issue.

This whole thing will take a bit of time to sort itself out and settle down. I expect that the initial few weeks to be sort of difficult and then smooth out.

OBTW: I did show security a pic of the Selfie Shoes to see what the policy might be for them. Can't really elaborate on some of the comments in public.

 

[mom2rtk]

Do that many people use tripods for parades?

 

[11290]

Do that many people use tripods for parades?

Not a "large" number but some, not so much the last couple of years with the popularity of selfie sticks and GoPro cameras kind of taking over from the "dedicated" video camera. Guests like to put them in the street by the curb (they have to be moved). Lately though it has been more tripods with GoPro's (still in the street - a no, no) and also setting the small tripod mount for the GoPro on the trash cans.

Thought I had seen just about everything until I saw a GoPro attached to the front of a stroller up by the HUB one night for parade.

 

[mom2rtk]

Not a "large" number but some, not so much the last couple of years with the popularity of selfie sticks and GoPro cameras kind of taking over from the "dedicated" video camera. Guests like to put them in the street by the curb (they have to be moved). Lately though it has been more tripods with GoPro's (still in the street - a no, no) and also setting the small tripod mount for the GoPro on the trash cans.

Thought I had seen just about everything until I saw a GoPro attached to the front of a stroller up by the HUB one night for parade.

Ah. I wasn't really thinking about video. I shoot only stills and while tripods are big for fireworks, they are not that helpful for stills.

It's going to be interesting to see how this shakes out. I'm going to assume I'm still ok with my tripod that collapses to 18", but I hope you'll update here if you get further clarification.

 

[11290]

It's going to be interesting to see how this shakes out. I'm going to assume I'm still ok with my tripod that collapses to 18", but I hope you'll update here if you get further clarification.

I'll be working night parades on Tuesday night and will be interested in how it all goes myself. I know that the last couple of weeks I have work Fireworks FP a few times and have not seen as many tripods as I used to. Some have opined in other threads about guests being requested to stand in the Fireworks FP viewing areas. Again, this is primarily a result of a small amount of careless individuals with strollers, wheelchairs and scooters. Guests lay down, lights go out, some of the aforementioned leaving early and running into/over those laying down. Park safety said stand so now the greeter position has to inform guests that they will be asked to stand during the "show".

 

[Pixel Dust]

I have never seen this wording before, maybe it's a recent update, but it does concern me.

Restricted Personal Items:
Tripod stands or monopod stands that cannot fit inside a standard backpack

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/parks/restricted-personal-items/

With that said, I have never encountered any issues entering with a tripod nor using them in the park. My tripod is 25 inches folded with the head and will fit into a Magic Kingdom locker without the head at 22 inches. It's pretty tall at 67 inches. I mainly use it for fireworks but have tried a couple parades with it. During parades I place it behind the ropes and minimize the impact to everyone else around me. Basically just don't be stupid about it. I've never been approached by a CM about the tripod.

I've also been experimenting with a monopod. I do hope CM's will understand the difference between a selfie stick and a monopod.

 

[elmoandzoey]

That note with the tripod needs to fit inside a backpack was already in their policies when I was at Disneyland for the 24hr party and the 60th kickoff. I didn't have a problem with my larger tripod going through security - they all just wanted to see inside the tripod bag but never said anything about size. That said, I didn't set it up on Main Street at all because it was so crowded I couldn't even get there for fireworks.

My only concern would be that if they don't issue size guidelines, one CM may say it's okay while another CM may say it's not. And then what do you do when you are at security check - there aren't even any lockers outside of security where you could leave it if they decide to tell you it's a no go. We always stay off-property using the hotel shuttle so that would most definity concern me if that would happen because I then wouldn't have any place to put the tripod except for taking a cab to the hotel and back.

Pixeldust, on your picture in the midleft there is a black-red bag on the curb of what I think would count as a large tripod (next to the girl with the orange shoe laces). However, if you look at all the tripods set up, none of them looks to be larger than the other when set up. Just that one probably doesn't fold down smaller than the others... whichever tripod that may be.

 

[11290]

My only concern would be that if they don't issue size guidelines, one CM may say it's okay while another CM may say it's not. And then what do you do when you are at security check - there aren't even any lockers outside of security where you could leave it if they decide to tell you it's a no go. We always stay off-property using the hotel shuttle so that would most definity concern me if that would happen because I then wouldn't have any place to put the tripod except for taking a cab to the hotel and back.

My "gut feeling" is that tripods won't really be a major problem as we see so few in the parks anymore, not like in years past, speaking primarily for MK as that is where I am most familiar.

As far as how things will be handled at Bag Check, if a Security Officer deems something to be in the "banned category" the guest will be directed to Guest Relations, a claim tag will be issued for the item and the guest can claim it upon their departure.

For in-park, most issues other than selfie sticks, will be determined by either a Coordinator or a Manager at which time a claim tag will be issued and a "runner" will take the item to Guest Relations for later pickup. In personal situation, if I see something that I have a question about I will leave that up to them (Coordinator or Manager) to make the determination.

 

[elmoandzoey]

Thank you very much for pointing out how things will be handled should there be an issue. I am glad to hear that visitors will not be left alone to deal with the situation. This actually makes me feel a bit more relieved now.

 

[Pixel Dust]

Selfie stick ban starts today. There doesn't seem to be any change from the current tripod policy. Here's the list of what is now allowed.
http://www.magicofmainstreet.com/photography-equipment-thats-allowed-after-selfie-stick-ban/