Is it rude? (picture question)

[mom2rtk]

I have found a good trick is to practice on the family ahead of you... that may sound weird but a few quick snaps when you are next in line will give you a chance to practice to make sure that your settings are right and the photos aren't too bright or too dark. This is more important with a DSLR than a Point & Shoot but even a P&S has different settings so it's worthwhile to make sure you are ready when you get your turn. Then you can just delete the practice shots.

This is absolutely wrong and please don't do it, even if you are planning to delete them. In fact, the Disney CM in most instances will ask you to refrain from doing so or discreetly step in front of your camera. Really.

Someone did this on our recent trip to Disneyland. The family lingered while my daughter had her turn with Sleeping Beauty. I looked over and the dad was taking photos of my daughter with Aurora. It made me mad, and I could have said something, but then I would have missed the special interaction my daughter was having. I don't care if you're even just taking close-ups of the character. I can't tell that.

If you must practice, please do so BETWEEN families.

To the OP.... I think you have your answer...... and something new here on the DIS........ a near consensus! Be ready, be efficient, but yes, take the extra photos. And hope for a little magic along the way!

 

[megan926]

My comments were in no way directed towards you (nor were they intended for anyone in particular). I just think everyone is entitled to their own Disney experience. I remember the first time my daughter met Alladin, she was so shy. She'd look at Jasmine, but Refused to make eye contact with Al.
He put his arm around her, and sang "Whole New World" to her in it's entirety. I didn't push, I just sat and watched. When he was done, everyone in line applauded. I am sure not everyone got that treatment, it was just something that happened.

That is really very sweet. What a magical memory.

 

[estherhead]

That is really very sweet. What a magical memory.

Yes, I had a similar thought. When my eldest met Ariel for the first time she just was in LOVE with Ariel. I sent both our girls up for the photo but told Ariel that she was the eldest's favorite. Ariel was very nice to both girls but once the first photo was done she insisted that she get one with just the eldest & then with all three of us together. She kissed the eldest so she would have big kissy mark on her cheek & then squeezed her hard while pointing to the kiss mark. It was absolutely adorable & my daughter refused to wash her face that night.

Often the characters will lead & try to have special moments with each of your children.

Oh, AND, we've asked the characters to dance with us for our video camera. Timon, Rafiki, all the fab five, Marie, etc. It makes great footage & it puts everyone in the line in a good mood too. We don't make it a long dance, just a quick shot with our camera & then a bit of a dance to the chorus of their song. We'll do it again this year. I've never heard a complaint nor seen a cranky glare.

 

[wdwpirates]

As long as you are organized and the kids know the drill I think you are totally fine! I think 3 pics are totally reasonable!

 

[BrandyC1974]

I don't think it is rude. And it is what I do. I have DD10 goes up first. Then we "wheel" DD13 next. The I have DD10 join her sister for a group/family shot. It is the best way for both of them to get alittle attention; because typically everyone "gushes" over DD13 (she uses a wheelchair to get around) and DD10 gets upset because she feels that she is getting ignored. My family knows the process and we do our best not to take too long.

 

[nytimez]

To the OP.... I think you have your answer...... and something new here on the DIS........ a near consensus!

LOL -- how true! I feel like I should disagree just to break the momentum... but I'm afraid I can't, I don't have a problem with the two-kid-swap-sign-and-snap either.

 

[goodfood4ursoul]

Whoo boy Jennifer! You have no idea what RUDE is!! I was at Epcot and my daughter and I were taking a "shortcut" to get Fast Passes for our group to ride Test Track (actually we were sight seeing and taking our time!) We went by the place where a photo opportunity was happening. The family at the front of the line was about ten people; if I had to guess I'd say five adults, five kids. They had two mothers snapping photographs as A) one kid posed with Mickey, B) two other kids posed with Mickey, C) those two kids and the other kid posed with Mickey, D) one of the two other kids posed with Mickey then the OTHER of the two kids posed with Mickey, E) the other OTHER two kids posed with Mickey then took turns posing with Mickey, F) ALL the kids posed with Mickey, G) just when you thought it couldn't get worse, the ADULTS ALL took turns individually posing with Mickey!! After two of the adults posed with Mickey and the LOOOONNNNGGG line behind them started lighting their torches and sharpening their pitchforks, my daughter and I walked away laughing hysterically. I couldn't believe how rude those folks were being! Three pictures are perfectly acceptable, as long as they are organized and taken in a reasonable period of time. TWENTY PICTURES though? A bit much!

It still makes me smile to remember that. Might not have if I had been in line!

I think I saw that same family at Cape May Cafe for breakfast... I recognize the MO...

Since we weren't there with kids, it didn't bother DH and me, but I felt sorry for the other families who were waiting-
the CM handler sometimes needs to rush the character to a different part of the restaurant, so when one family hogs the character, sometimes another family gets short shrift...

 

[tink22]

the CM handler sometimes needs to rush the character to a different part of the restaurant, so when one family hogs the character, sometimes another family gets short shrift...

This is it exactly. It's not bad if you get the photos you want and go but for those who feel it necessary to take TONS of photos or not be ready or have ten autograph books, you really are hogging the character's time. Dining is the worst time to take lots of photos because the characters only have a set amount of time to see the restaurant and then must go so if one family takes a long time, the characters have to take it out of another family's meetngreet time. Not fair but just the way it works unfortunately.
Not suggesting the OP intends to do this at all, just pointing out the effects of taking too much time...

 

[pilesoflaundry]

Whoo boy Jennifer! You have no idea what RUDE is!! I was at Epcot and my daughter and I were taking a "shortcut" to get Fast Passes for our group to ride Test Track (actually we were sight seeing and taking our time!) We went by the place where a photo opportunity was happening. The family at the front of the line was about ten people; if I had to guess I'd say five adults, five kids. They had two mothers snapping photographs as A) one kid posed with Mickey, B) two other kids posed with Mickey, C) those two kids and the other kid posed with Mickey, D) one of the two other kids posed with Mickey then the OTHER of the two kids posed with Mickey, E) the other OTHER two kids posed with Mickey then took turns posing with Mickey, F) ALL the kids posed with Mickey, G) just when you thought it couldn't get worse, the ADULTS ALL took turns individually posing with Mickey!! After two of the adults posed with Mickey and the LOOOONNNNGGG line behind them started lighting their torches and sharpening their pitchforks, my daughter and I walked away laughing hysterically. I couldn't believe how rude those folks were being! Three pictures are perfectly acceptable, as long as they are organized and taken in a reasonable period of time. TWENTY PICTURES though? A bit much!

It still makes me smile to remember that. Might not have if I had been in line!

You are bringing back flashbacks of a nightmare in Sears. We had an appointment and ended up 2.5 hours behind with cranky toddlers because a family reunion or something was taking 8 bazillion pictures. 1 with this kid, 1 with no kid, 1 with these 2 and they kept asking for retake after retake. It was awful and I complained they should either tell them to wrap it up or get another photographer for the rest of us with appointments and the staff was like what do you want us to do. It was insane.

OP, if you are quick a few is no big deal. Everyone paid the same for their vacation as you though .

 

[DisneyFamily123]

I don't worry about how much time I take with the characters. And I don't think it is rude to hog them up a little bit. Frankly, if people behind me don't like waiting, they should get in some other line!

At first, I pressured myself to be a bit rushed with the characters -- like I should hurry up and take the picture. It became a rushed routine. In line, see character, kid high fives or hugs character, quick pass the autograph book, snap photos quickly, pass camera to photopass guy, everyone in, snap again, high five, goodbye! NEXT!!!!!!!!!

I learned to slow down and take just another minute or two to have some fun. Say something to provoke the characters, do something out of the ordinary. I'm sure characters get bored and they seem to love some fun. We had quite a few laughs with Chip and Dale when one wrote in the book that Dale "Stinks", and with Donald Duck when we told him how much we love Mickey Mouse and he made a big deal about being #1. There's all kinds of things to say and do to get them going.... And people behind me in line get a laugh out of that too. Just be careful if you try to mess with Cinderella's stepsisters because they will rag on you big time!!!!

I'm not saying to be a "character hog" but don't feel rushed either and have some fun with it. I also go when the crowds are not crazy busy. I might feel more guilty if the lines were longer. I don't remember more than maybe 10 or so people ever behind me in a line. Usually it was much less than 10. You can time things well by asking cast members when/where the next character will appear and you may be first in line. Character meals are great too. And so are some of the special events -- like the Pirates and Pals cruise. If you have a Disney Chase Visa card, there's a special character meet and greet in Epcot...

We did very well in the parks by timing things right. At Animal Kingdom, we saw Baloo walking into a wooded area and were first in line. At Hollywood Studios, we hung out right where we knew the Power Rangers came out and were ready for them. We stumbled onto Cinderella's stepsisters just as they first appeared.

 

[minniebride]

I would only think it was rude if the handler announced that the character would be leaving in just a few minutes. In that case, you are sort of hogging the character with all of those photos, rather than allowing time for the guests behind you & you might consider only doing a group photo then.

Otherwise, if there is plenty of time, I think you are fine.

 

[jiminyfan]

Each child should have their own vacation memories and are entitled to their own pictures. I personally have had taken a picture of Jiminy and myself alone and then my son and then the whole family. (Hey, before he was at AK all the time it was VERY rare to see him! )

Most people recognize that the characters are a big deal to the kids and those big kids at heart too.

I have never heard of anyone complaining of someone spending too much time with a character as everyone does get a chance to see them and spend their time with them as well.

Many times the characters themselves start the interaction with a child and it can take 5-10 minutes to have it play out. These are the moments that make the vacation and life a little more memorable.