Officially Freaked Out by Photopass

[camdensmom]

We just returned from a trip to WDW and I logged in to see the pictures taken by Disney Photographers.

On past trips we would sometimes have our photo taken and they would scan a card. This trip they scanned our magic bands which did not surprise me.

What did surprise (upset? anger?) me was that in addition to the pictures I knew had been taken there were lots of other photos that I didn't expect. There were many pictures and videos of us on rides. Not only were they able to identify us, but each picture was time stamped with the date, location and time. The whole big brother aspect of those bands is not something I am comfortable with.

HOWEVER, the BIGGER issue is that while they did properly identify us in many pictures, there were also lots of pictures that were of other families. I can only assume that means that strangers now have pictures of my family (and more specifically, my young children) as well. Granted I realize that people can snap pictures of my kids anywhere (including in their bathing suits at the water parks) but this just makes me feel violated.

I'm still "processing" this trip. My husband and I have been going to Disney 1-2 times a year for over a decade (and I've been going annually for 30 years before that). This was the first time I have been since FastPass+, photo pass, scan you wrist at every stop has been in place. We are having lots of reservations about returning. I have always loved everything Disney and have the most wonderful memories of being there, but I really don't like the feeling I constantly had last week while I was there.

 

[LaurenT]

You don't need to use the MB if it bothers you. You can just use the plastic RFID card. It'll still scan at rides and tapstiles, but it won't identify you on rides ... If you want a Ride photo, you can tap your card to the mickey head under the screen where your photo is.

 

[momof2n2]

Interesting. You've given me something to think about. I was thinking we might like MM, as the span in my children's ages means I will likely be with my younger ones on little rides and miss my older children's reactions as they take on the more thrilling rides. But the idea of all those other photo showing up.

 

[kaetra]

Everyone in your ride car, sometimes even in adjacent cars, on every ride with photos has always had the opportunity to see and/or receive pictures of everyone else in that car/adjacent cars. Ever since the day they started taking ride photos.

In the photos you received of strangers, were you able to identify those people? What personal information about them were you able to get from the photo?

 

[snoopy two]

I just returned and discovered the same situation. Pics of me on rides that I did not request. Not so much freaked out, just wondering how they knew which car I was in and how they attachedthe pic to my band. I did not request the pic or tap my band after the ride. These were rides; however, that I used my band for a fast pass. That still doesn't explain how they zeroed in on my car. How do they do that?

 

[Magic Band Defender]

Haven't ride photos always shown the other riders adjacent to you?

 

[capegirl]

Same here. Just back, and surprised to see so many individual photos of other guests on my photo pass. I was also wondering how many people had to look at our photos!

 

[IrishNYC]

Did you not realize when you purchased this that ride photos and videos are part of the package, no tapping or scanning necessary? This shouldn't have come as a surprise to you.

 

[kaetra]

They can track you with your MagicBand using sensors. Each band has the ability to be read by both short and long-range sensors.

Each MagicBand contains an HF Radio Frequency device and a transmitter which sends and receives RF signals through a small antenna inside the MagicBand and enables it to be detected at short-range touch points throughout Walt Disney World Resort. MagicBands can also be read by long-range readers located at Walt Disney World Resort used to deliver personalized experiences, as well as provide information that helps us improve the overall experience in our parks.​

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/my-disney-experience/frequency-technology/

 

[vicki_c]

I loved it! I thought it was so much better than the previous PP where you had to scan your card after a ride. We had no photos of others in our MM other than on rides although that has always happened with Photopass here and there.

 

[klo1335]

I am super excited about MM and just ordered it today for our trip in Aug. I have pictures from ToT and Splash Mountain from 1998 with people in the same car as me and I have no way to identify them nor would I want to. I wouldn't be too concerned with it.

 

[Cuppie]

i am excited about the photos just being there, and no more writing down numbers, and then standing in another line to get added to our MM...
As for other people having pictures of us.. not to concerned as they wont be able to identify us.

 

[sky13]

Like others - my family have ride photos from years and years ago with strangers in the same car as us. This is no different to what I got on my recent trip with Photopass/Memory Maker.

I also have photos taken on my own camera of strangers posing in front of various landmarks (e.g. castle) or at character meets (usually taken as I was trying to get a photo of just the landmark or just the character)... And even my facebook profile pic has photos of 3 strangers in the background. I can't identify any of these people...

 

[MomForFrozenAddicts]

I loved it! I thought it was so much better than the previous PP where you had to scan your card after a ride. We had no photos of others in our MM other than on rides although that has always happened with Photopass here and there.

Agree!!

And for rides without the scans....I had to stand on line to get the photopass codes for the ride photo with the PP+. I remembered waiting over 10 mins at Space Mountain. Even pre-MB era, I had photos from everyone who attended the same Enchanted Tales with Belle session. Even with a RFID card, it is very hard to avoid to be in somebody's else photos/videos, especially in a busy theme park. At any ride, a stranger can walk up, give the number and purchase somebody's ride photo. I understand some people may feel violated, but I personally enjoy the convenience and was very glad for this feature of MB.

 

[Doug M]

Even without MM, by riding those rides your picture is taken and anyone with a camera or phone can take a picture at the ride exit where it shows the recent photos. Unless you have a giant sign with your name or other personal details, no harm is going to happen.

 

[CAS239]

Some people look way to in to it and feel insecure for no reason. If anyone doesn't like being recorded or their picture taken somewhere, then stay home lol.

The rfid in your band gets a signal from the ride, thus linking your pictures and ride videos to your account. Yes from time to time it'll link a strangers picture which is probably because you were on the ride at the same time and the system had a glitch and read yours and there's together. It's no biggie, just disregard the picture. They do the same if yours pops up. They can't see your MDE account, your info, your ssn, or anything about you. It just shows their picture on the ride.

The rfid in the bands links through the chip to make it easier for photos and not have to scan after every ride.

It's quite convenient. And as long as you're not a sereal killer or someone on the run, it really shouldn't bother you.

 

[Postal68]

HOWEVER, the BIGGER issue is that while they did properly identify us in many pictures, there were also lots of pictures that were of other families. I can only assume that means that strangers now have pictures of my family (and more specifically, my young children) as well. .

Relax, people don't care about pictures of your family. It's not like they're getting your SS #

 

[manicstreet]

Who cares. I get pictures of other people and , gasp! Their kids too! I delete them. If people get a picture of my daughter then you are all the more special cause she is the greatest!

 

[Tomh]

I find it a very nice touch that we just get those pictures without doing anything to collect them, without wasting our time to claim them, they just appear "automagically."

 

[Chitownpeeps91]

I agree! I too was freaked out that pictures showed up for rides we did not fast pass or use our bands to get on.

It honestly felt very divergent like to me. Disney knows what you are doing every second. I am sorry but I did not like or what they could do with the info.

Glad I was not alone thinking it was a little like the book 1983.