New Tour Rules ? ? ?

[disneyaggie]

I just called WDW to sign up for my first tours: The Backstage AK Tour and the Keys to the Magic Kingdom tour.

The lady told me that though no pictures can be taken at either one (I understand this), she said that I would have to put my camera and my mobile telephone in a locker for the MK tour. YIKES!

I told her that I am totally all for security, but could I just keep my camera and telephone tucked away the entire time. She said, "No, this is a new security step". I shared with her that I have heard (on this site) that while picture taking is off limits, people still kept their cameras but tucked away.

She said, "Yes, but anyone on this MK tour must put their belongings as such in a locker".

I would love to take this tour but am nervous about putting my new digital camera and mobile telephone in a locker for over 5 hours. Any ideas out there? ? ?

 

[mousebrat]

We have posted a similar question about this as we have 5 tours on our upcoming trip. We did the Keys tour last time we were at WDW. As I understand it, cameras and phones and such are not allowed on the Keys tour b/c you go into the Utilidor. They were not as strict about phones before, but people with cameras built into their phones were sneaking pictures while in the Utilidor. For other tours, the policy seems to be that you can keep your camera and such with you but must have it put away when you are backstage.

LibertyBelle is a tour guide who frequents these boards and I'm sure will correct me if any of this is wrong.

 

[gigi1313]

lock it in the safe in your room?

sorry, that's the best i can come up with...

 

[tjkraz]

Perhaps you could put your camera in the locker and then as proof that you left it, take a picture of the camera.....waitaminit....I think I found a flaw in my theory. I'll get back to you on that one.



Seriously, Disney is well within their rights to protect their intellectual property. If you don't want to leave your camera with the CMs (who we found to be very professional and prepared for storing people's valuables), then just leave it in your hotel room.

I can completely understand the issue with cell phones. Apparently the camera phones are much more widespread in Japan and I've already read horror stories about how companies are having to deal with new instances of industrial espionage, schools with testing processes, etc.

 

[Penny12]

When I did the tour at Christmas, the CM's running the tour took someone's backpack into storage for them and gave it back at the end - they didn't have to put it in a locker. Not sure if you consider that's safer or not though!

 

[disneyaggie]

Thanks, my Disney friends. As I said before, I totally understand Disney's effort for security and I applaud that. But I really do not feel comfortable leaving my camera unattended in a locker or back at the hotel. My plans were to stay at the MK because I have tickets for the Very Merry Mickey Christmas (close enough) that night.

I would feel somewhat better if a CM held them, but I really am not comfortable with the chance that I may have to put them in a locker. Oh well. Keep those ideas coming! Y'all are great!

 

[Ilovestitch]

Are you planning on carrying your camera with you for your whole trip? I have never had a problem leaving mine in my room, I figure if people were having things stolen from their rooms all the time- we would definitly hear about it. -Stephanie

 

[disneyaggie]

To: Ilovestitch

Yes -- I plan on keeping my camera with me the entire time. I just never know when that "perfect" picture comes along . . . and at WDW, there is a great chance for so many of those!

 

[Dopey Sharon]

I guess you shouldn't do the tour then.

 

[CarolA]

I would put it in the locker (and I have a VERY expensive digital camera). I would feel safer with a locker I have the key to then giving it to a CM who could go to lunch, change shifts etc... where it gets misplaced.

People leave valuables in those lockers all the time and you don't hear much of theft. Its not like you will leave it there overnight when they open them and empty them.

 

[B'rer Karen]

My personal opinion, wear a backpack or fanny pack and put your camera in there before the tour starts. Don't ever take it out. You're not going to be stripped searched. I am taking the Backstage Magic tour and when I reserved it they said that no cameras were allowed. I said," I understand that I cannot use my camera on this tour, but do I actually have to leave it behind or if I have it stored away and don't use it, is that okay." The CM said that that was fine as long as I didn't have it out. This tour goes behind the scenes at the MK too. I wouldn't dream of trying to sneak a picture or anything, but if the camera is stowed away and not being used, I don't see anything wrong with it.

 

[LibertyBelle]

Hi... And thanks mousebrat for thinking of me

So on the MK tours what they do is this, the tour guide will tag your personal belongings, leaving half the tag on the item and giving you the "claim ticket". They will then take everything that they have and it gets locked up at City Hall for the duration of your tour. The key for the storage area that it is put in is only accessible to the tour guides. At the end of the tour you would return to City Hall and your tour guide will get your things back for you. You don't have to store them in a "locker" that everyone walks past, they are in a secure room at City Hall.

Just FYI in regards to the comment by B'rer Karen...Magic Kingdom will not allow you to bring ANYTHING. They will take your backpack as well and have it stored.

 

[disneyaggie]

Thanks, LibertyBelle! I feel much better now.

True, the lady on the telephone said even backpacks would be held. I feel a little better knowing that it will be held at City Hall versus in the grand area of storage lockers for all the world to see.

Y'all are all great!

 

[B'rer Karen]

Originally posted by LibertyBelle
Hi... And thanks mousebrat for thinking of me

So on the MK tours what they do is this, the tour guide will tag your personal belongings, leaving half the tag on the item and giving you the "claim ticket". They will then take everything that they have and it gets locked up at City Hall for the duration of your tour. The key for the storage area that it is put in is only accessible to the tour guides. At the end of the tour you would return to City Hall and your tour guide will get your things back for you. You don't have to store them in a "locker" that everyone walks past, they are in a secure room at City Hall.

Just FYI in regards to the comment by B'rer Karen...Magic Kingdom will not allow you to bring ANYTHING. They will take your backpack as well and have it stored.

What about your purse? I would have a real problem with them telling me I couldn't have a purse. As all women understand, there are some things you have to have a purse for.

 

[n2mm]

I completely understand this NEW procedure, but can you take a bottle of water with you?? (in a carrier) Just wondering in case we decide to do any tours on our next trip. I did Keys last year and carried my camera in my bag, so I guess this is a new security issue.

 

[CarolA]

The sad part is... do you know why this happened? Because a few people believed the "no photo" rule didn't apply to them and took photos. SO... now.....

The secuirty Disney is talking about is thier intellectual property.

 

[disneyaggie]

I am not sure about the bottled water . . . I would hope that would be o.k.

I just know that the lady at the Tour Center that I called said, "You must check your cameras, mobile telephones and backpacks by putting them in a locker".

 

[B'rer Karen]

But if that's true, why are they only putting this into effect on the MK tours?

 

[3for Me]

I understand everyone's apprehension, but guys, we are living in a world where terrorists are taking pictures all the time of important "landmarks". I would assume most of you would agree that MK qualifies as standing for a certain way of life in the U. S.

I really think everyone needs to take a breath and realize that there is perhaps much more at stake here than just Disney's need for "intellectual" security. The safety of all WDW guests is at stake, and these guys are capable of ANYTHING.

I say leave everything behind and deal with the water situation by stopping for a drink along the way somewhere. There are more important things to worry about than the safety of your camera - like your life!!! I am SURE the CM's will take great care of all personal belongings.

JMO, though!

 

[Safari Steve]

While backpacks may at one time have been allowed, cameras and photography have never been acceptable on the Keys to the Kingdom tour.