New (?) Photo Policy on Cruise Shows

[boBQuincy]

We found that DCL no longer allows photography of any kind at the shows. We got at least four different explanations for this, and I find that when you get more than one you generally are not getting the truth.

One reason was the flashes, another was courtesy to the performers & guests. This doesn't seem to be a problem during Tarzan, Festival of the Lion King, Beauty & the beast, etc.

Regardless of the reason, I feel this is a very bad precedent, one which will keep me from going on a DCL cruise for now.

In any event, since Disney will not let us take home memories of the shows, here are the memories I got of Disney Dreams during our last cruise, 27 October 2002.

http://www.mindspring.com/~bobquincy4/dreams/menu.html

enjoy,

boB

 

[boBQuincy]

DCL's official reply to my email (asking why the ban on photography) is that the flashes can be dangerous to the performers.

It does not seem to be a problem at AK's Lion King show, Tarzan, etc. It also was not a problem for the first 5 years of cruises.

It would be easy just to not allow flashes. I think DCL is not being up front about this one.


boB

 

[alexandrew]

Believe me, it's no deep dark conspiracy...

Why would they be secretive about their policy of no photography?

flash photography is dangerous to the performers, and since so many disregard DCL's previous requests, it makes sense to ban photography altogether, dont you think?

 

[boBQuincy]

I'll leave the deep, dark conspiracy theories to Oliver Stone.
What I did not mention was that I was given four different answers as to why this policy was implemented, and when that happens you can usually figure that you are not getting the real story.

However, I would not be surprised if this was one of Eisner's plans to make a few more $$$ by selling the official souvenir book for "Disney Dreams". This is what Cirque and others have done, look for this policy to spread to the theme parks in time!

What does surprise me is the unquestioning acceptance of this approach, punishing everyone for the actions of a few. It is of course the easiest way to deal with the problem of flashes, but the easy way out is not (or was not) the Disney way. Disney has usually come up with unique, innovative, and creative solutions to problems. I would think that if they cared (and if enough people complained), the DCL folks could find a way to address the flash issue without penalizing those who do follow the rules and do not use flash.

Unless it really is about money.


boB

 

[newms]

We were on the Disney Wonder 12/4 and when my daughter went to take a picture with her little camera, a man appeared out of nowhere and asked her to put it away. I then noticed him crawling up and down the aisle and doing the same to many others. I was disappointed, especially after seeing the many pictures already on this web site.

 

[alexandrew]

So, it's Michael Eisner's master plan to ban all photographs in Dreams, so he can make a few more $'s.....how scandalous!!!!!God forbid DCL would want to make $.Last I heard though, isn't Disney a business? Isnt the goal of a business to make $?Shame on Michael Eisner for being such a profiteer...One can only imagine what the next 10k report for DIS will look like factoring in the sale of Disney Dreams souvenier books...honestly, do you think Eisner has the time to have a hand in marketing a Disney Dreams souvenier book?

you know, I really have to wonder why you, Roy Disney, and others love to portray Eisner as the evil profiteer? without spelling it out, could it be that you choose to perpetuate a certain ethnic stereotype? hmmmmmm...curious....

boB, the problem of flash photography in the shows is pervasive....it is more than a few folks who choose to ignore the rules, and snap away.....it happens during every single show, and quite frankly, I'm glad DCL has now banned photography altogether...

 

[boBQuincy]

Yes, Disney is a business, I am a shareholder, and I certainly contribute more than my share to the bottom line.

As for Eisner's ethnic background, I do not know what it is nor do I care. The topic was photography at shows on DCL ships.

I am sorry the flashes bothered you and that as a result you are happy to see everyone's chances of taking home some memories of the shows ruined.


boB

 

[cjsmith]

I'm also glad that they have this new policy. It bothers me when peop[le choose to ignore the rules and ruin it for the rest of us who are watching the show. There are way too many people who do this, so Disney finally had to change their policy. I don't need pictures to remember the show, that's what memories are for.

 

[alexandrew]

Sure boB....

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

Originally posted by boBQuincy
We found that DCL no longer allows photography of any kind at the shows. We got at least four different explanations for this, and I find that when you get more than one you generally are not getting the truth.

One reason was the flashes, another was courtesy to the performers & guests. This doesn't seem to be a problem during Tarzan, Festival of the Lion King, Beauty & the beast, etc.

Regardless of the reason, I feel this is a very bad precedent, one which will keep me from going on a DCL cruise for now.

In any event, since Disney will not let us take home memories of the shows, here are the memories I got of Disney Dreams during our last cruise, 27 October 2002.

http://www.mindspring.com/~bobquincy4/dreams/menu.html

enjoy,

boB

If the only reason you go on a DCL is to take pics of the shows, then I think you are going for the wrong reason. I just got back today and the request for no FLASH photography is in effect. My camera takes awesome pics w/o a flash, so I still got some pics. My daughter and I went up for Mousekeeter (yup she's 8 and got called up -got a nice bundle of cash, but no cruise ), and there were some people taking flash pics and YES the flashes did distract us and hurt the eyes a bit. Now we aren't professional performers, but I can see why they don't want the flashes on. Next time, enjoy the show and turn of the flash and you'll get the pics you want.

 

[Keggy]

They announced before the show no flash photography and of course all through the show there was flash photography. It was very distracting.
What was more distracting? The annoying cast members running around to tell people to stop using their flash. My husband had to get up to tell one of them to move, because he was blocking our view of the stage. Totally distracting seeing them sprint from one guest to another.

Kelly

PS - Definitely wouldn't make me not cruise again! Just one tiny miniscule dissappoint of our entire cruise.

 

[Jeanny]

Flash photography IS dangerous to the performers... it's annoying to the audience... What the CM's SHOULD do is REMOVE the offenders with their flashes.

Wouldn't be a hoot if they actually STOPPED a show, put the spot light on the person(s) with the flash and asked them to leave... humiliating?? Nah, I think it would teach them a lesson that these rules are for a reason. It would be worth the inconvenience for the people who are following the rules and NOT using flashes, but that's just my opinion... I don't know about anyone else, but if someone uses a flash near me, it's distracting, and it turns my attention away from the show for a second or two.

There is a thing called modern technology...where some camera's are advance enough they don't need a flash.

Go up on a stage and try to perform your job with flashes constantly going off and we'll see if you fall off the front of the stage with all those little lights going off in your eyes. Maybe we'll think it's part of the show.

hmm,,,, ya know, maybe this thread should go over to the debate board.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

I know at Disneyland/Disney's California Adventure they have the same rule at Aladdin- I think its a mixture of alot of things for the no-flash rule... One is that for the amount of flashes that go off VERY few of those pics ever work because of the distance factor. Think of it as we're not allowing flash pics cause well we dont want you to waste a roll of film and all ya get is blurry, dark pics of the show or great pics of the lightpost in front of you.

The people who get amazing pics from the shows etc are usually the photo buffs that know how to use their camera without the flash. I know that my best pics of any disney show are the ones Ive used 800 speed film in my SLR with no flash.

-em

 

[ThreeCircles]

IMO, it's poor judgement, inconsiderate, and rude to use flash photography or lit video cameras during a show anyway. It really can get in the way of the enjoyment of the show for others. And, as others and DCL have said, it does seem like it might pose a safety issue for the performers. Especially on a moving ship!

I'm happy to hear that DCL is beginning to enforce its policy. Perhaps they will follow-suit with some of their others.

 

[inkkognito]

I for one say AMEN to enforcement of this policy!!
We've done 35 Disney cruises, and I've only seen the no flash photogaphy rule enforced on a few of them. The constant flashing is obnoxious and annyoing. I'd rather have a CM temporarily block my view than have someone inhibit my enjoyment of the entire show by taking aphoto every few minutes. We have pictures on our website, and all of them were taken WITHOUT a flash.
The really sad thing is that I've seen CMs have to ask the same person to stop more than once. In my view, even if it's annoying for them to keep asking, it's the rude person's fault who didn't listen the first time.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[Jeanny]

Originally posted by inkkognito
IThe really sad thing is that I've seen CMs have to ask the same person to stop more than once. In my view, even if it's annoying for them to keep asking, it's the rude person's fault who didn't listen the first time.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

Hey Barb~
I totally agree... and that's the person who should be asked to leave!!!

 

[newms]

The cast member who asked my 8 year old not to take pictures told her there was a "no photos" rule- not the flash issue...she was looking through the viewfinder and not using a flash. I think if Disney is going to enforce the no photography rule, it should apply to those people who take them without flash as well. No photos = no photos. Then we all will be forced to purchase the souvenier gift book.

 

[ThreeCircles]

I agree. If there is a "no photographs" policy then it should be enforced regardless if a flash is being used or not.

I can understand why Disney may want to establish such a policy. I mean, it is their intellectual property that they have produced. I often am amused that people get disgruntled about such a policy but I wonder if they would think it appropriate to take pictures during a Broadway production of The Lion King.

 

[buginarug]

I am totally thankful that they are enforcing this rule...i know its been said before...but i will say it again...it is super distracting, i have preformed on stage and i know. I also think that they want to keep their shows from being copied, going on a disney cruise is such a scared thing. Think how you would feel if you saw a similar show some where else...you would be crushed! and i also think that the shows that do not involve you should not really be considered memories. This whole thing reminds me of the incident in Finding Nemo...think about that the next time you say them enforcing a rule is bad and stupid.

 

[musicgirl]

This policy is nothing new or out of the ordinary when it comes to performances of these kind. I've been to a number of plays and musicals (on and off Broadway) and you are not allowed to photograph in any way. Even at the musicals at our high school, there are to be no pictures or videos taken.

This is an "industry" (for lack of a better word) policy not just a DCL policy.