Oh no! Not the Selfie-Sticks...

[Savikins]

I purchased a selfie stick because of what I saw in the parks. How convenient! My bf and I never get many pictures of ourselves together anywhere we go, so this is going to be great. I hardly take any pictures of my vacations, or myself on vacation, because it's such an imposition. Not anymore! Yaaaay selfie sticks!

 

[PeasandCarrots]

We are heading to the World in 15 days. I spoke with a colleague who just returned from a six day trip and she said that "Selfie-Sticks" have taken over the "Watch me use Flash Photography on Dark Rides!" and "Look, my I-Pad is a Camera!" annoying habits in the parks. I thought that Disney had a policy against tripods and things of those nature? She said these "Selfie-Sticks" were responsible for ride-stoppage, parade-blocking, firework-guarding, and many other annoyances.

Has anyone heard that this has been problematic? I wonder what Disney does about this one?

What worries me about this is my camera has a short stick that is it's handle (Sony Action Cam). It's only as long as my fist, so not those really long ones. It doesn't disturb anyone and I use zero external lighting and my camera is smaller than the palm of my hand. Also I don't hold it up in people's way. However, I worry that people causing problems with the long sticks are going to cause Disney to start restricting all cameras on rides or sticks in general regardless of size.

 

[FoxyGranny]

The reason DH and I have one is to take a few pics of us together. Photo Pass would be great if we wished to do document ever moment. As Florida residents we have no need to capture everything on the camera. I respect the rules, am courteous of other guests, and have never filmed in dark rides.
It is more disrespectful to put a child on shoulder, blocking everyone's view than selfie stick when used considerately. The last time we were there, we only took a few pics together. We are getting older, and wish to bee in photos with our grandchildren.
My 2 cents

 

[OZMom]

I think like everything, people just need to be conscious and courteous when using them. Our November trip proved this was harder for some people then others, but it is what it is.

I will however leave this here:
http://www.wfsb.com/story/28044100/selfie-sticks-bans-a-growing-trend-at-museums?autostart=true

 

[LilyWDW]

I think like everything, people just need to be conscious and courteous when using them. Our November trip proved this was harder for some people then others, but it is what it is.

I will however leave this here:
http://www.wfsb.com/story/28044100/selfie-sticks-bans-a-growing-trend-at-museums?autostart=true

There are quite a few idiots out there. Sadly, those people are the ones that people remember and that rules are put in for. Lowest common denominator and all of that.

 

[ChimneyJim]

I'll admit I have struggled for years with capturing video of our adventures. From camcorders to p&s video to phones it's been a challenge. For our trip in 2 weeks I have gone the action cam route and I will have a stick but it is adjustable from 12 inches to about 40 and has a safety lanyard if I were to use it on a ride BUT I specifically went another route for ride video. A wrist mount. Should get almost the same footage of us and no danger of any loose objects.

 

[IrishNYC]

Someone else said it upthread, but I have to ask again... what is so wrong with asking a stranger to take your picture?

 

[Lillian Gracey]

Someone else said it upthread, but I have to ask again... what is so wrong with asking a stranger to take your picture?

On our wedding/disneymoon trip, DH and I always asked a photopass person to take our picture both with their cameras and our phones. DH really wanted some pictures in front of the castle and the Sorcerer Hat so that gave us multiple options for pictures. When we were on our way to Dinosaur, a guy offered to take a picture of both of us in front of fake Sue (we see the real Sue here in Chicago so it was kind of like an inside joke to us) after he photobombed one of the pictures I was taking of DH in front of fake Sue. I am too shy to ask people to take pictures for us, but DH has no problem. We have offered to take pictures for people.

 

[coolbrook]

Last Sunday in Legend of the Lion King show a cm asked a lady three times to lower her selfie stick to eye level. She would comply, then when he walked away she would inch it back up. He was persistent and she finally stopped trying to hold it up higher.

 

[swooshbear]

On our recent trip (Universal and Disney cruise, along with 3 rundisney events) we kept offering to take pictures of people who were doing the awkward selfie thing.

We got a relieved, astonished, "oh yeah, forgot that was an option" YES every single time, with big huge smiles at the end. But that in between moment of realization on their faces, each time, was amazing. It's as though everyone has forgotten that there are, in fact, other people in the world, MANY of whom would be absolutely happy to take a picture of you.

And the picture will actually show where you are, no one has to strain to hold the camera, and it will probably look nicer.

Plus, as DH says, the camera on the iphone on the non-screen part is a great camera, but the camera on the screen part, the part you use when taking a selfie, is NOT that great of a camera. DH kept saying "why are people using the junky camera to do that"? Which is why he kept offering to take pictures for others.

This reminds of the citizens on the ship on Wall E, people are so wrapped up in themselves that they don't realize there is an entire world with people surrounding them.

The front-facing camera and iPad cameras are not nearly as good as the rear cameras but I think people don't really care about photo quality, especially when these photos just go up on Facebook/Instagram/Twitter/etc.

I was in Paris last November and saw tons of sticks at Disneyland Paris, the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, etc. It seems like it's a very European thing that has now crossed over to the States.

 

[CaptainCook]

Ah, the good old selfie stick debate. It drives me crazy.

I use a selfie stick. Happily and considerately.
I don't raise it in front of people.
I don't extend it out and block people, hit them with it, etc.
My camera does not light up to annoy people on dark rides.
I am a much better photographer than the vast majority of Photopass photographers, and would rather take the shot myself.
I am a much better photographer than the vast majority of other guests who might offer to take a shot for me and then cut off limbs or only get half of the castle behind me. So i'd rather take the shot myself.
My stick straps on when I'm on a ride and there is a safety tether on the camera, so no risk of flying parts.
My stick folds down to 9" so it's very easy to carry around. Why would it bother someone else for me to carry it around? I think it looks ridiculous and cumbersome to carry those mister fans around. So I don't do it. Problem solved.
I made a video from my selfie stick footage from our trip in August. My family and I watch it all the time, and we all treasure it. So I will continue to use my selfie stick for as long as Disney allows it. To heck with what other people think.

Man... I feel better now.

 

[UpstateMick]

I have two ex-students who are cast members...one at Captain Cook's and one in Hollywood Studios. They both reported that Selfie-Sticks are a HUGE issue and Disney is well aware and that they believe a ban will be in place a lot quicker than people think. Fingers crossed.

 

[WillAustin]

I think like everything, people just need to be conscious and courteous when using them.

Unfortunately, most people are not.

They both reported that Selfie-Sticks are a HUGE issue and Disney is well aware and that they believe a ban will be in place a lot quicker than people think. Fingers crossed.

We can only hope.

 

[perditax]

Ah, the good old selfie stick debate. It drives me crazy.

I use a selfie stick. Happily and considerately.
I don't raise it in front of people.
I don't extend it out and block people, hit them with it, etc.
My camera does not light up to annoy people on dark rides.
I am a much better photographer than the vast majority of Photopass photographers, and would rather take the shot myself.
I am a much better photographer than the vast majority of other guests who might offer to take a shot for me and then cut off limbs or only get half of the castle behind me. So i'd rather take the shot myself.
My stick straps on when I'm on a ride and there is a safety tether on the camera, so no risk of flying parts.
My stick folds down to 9" so it's very easy to carry around. Why would it bother someone else for me to carry it around? I think it looks ridiculous and cumbersome to carry those mister fans around. So I don't do it. Problem solved.
I made a video from my selfie stick footage from our trip in August. My family and I watch it all the time, and we all treasure it. So I will continue to use my selfie stick for as long as Disney allows it. To heck with what other people think.

Man... I feel better now.

I guess I have to ask, since part of your rationale is your photography expertise:

Does that photography skill really translate to a device you're holding on a stick four feet away from your eye?

And I guess I'm officially entering my "get off my lawn you kids" years, but I ate at a high-end fancy dress restaurant tonight and watched a teen girl at the table next to us spend the entire night taking pictures of herself. I love technology but I have no idea how this is all going to play out for the next generation.

 

[Josh Hendy]

The '70s were the Me Decade, not the '80s :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_"Me"_Decade_and_the_Third_Great_Awakening

That's right ... the 80s were the decade of "Me, Al Franken"

 

[CaptainCook]

I guess I have to ask, since part of your rationale is your photography expertise:

Does that photography skill really translate to a device you're holding on a stick four feet away from your eye?

It does. I use a Gopro camera with no LCD screen on it. You need to know from experience where to aim it. And I hold it vertically at arms length from my body - so two feet, not four.

My point is - live and let live. If I'm not directly interfering with you, then leave me be. Selfie sticks aren't rude. People who use them can be rude. But not all of them.

 

[Melindarella]

Yep! We were just at MK this past Wednesday and they were everywhere! We noticed that several people using them were so preoccupied with taking selfies, that they weren't paying attention to anything or anyone around them and saw more than one person trip or almost walk into someone or something

 

[FINFAN]

We are guilty of using one with a GoPro on our Labor Day trip last September. DS has a collapsible stick so it can be used at varied heights. We also waited for the front of most rides so that the stick was not near another rider and asked if riders behind us minded. Not one asked us to put it away and most asked if we would put it on youtube so they could see if they were in it lol. Our purpose was to be able to get all 4 of us enjoying the rides..actual video not still shots. We don't all live in the same state so to have the trip together and recorded is gold to us. DS GoPro doesn't have a flash and if any CM or guest would have asked us to stop due to being obnoxious we would have. DS has the collapsible stick for a reason along with quick grab strap for it on his back pack~ specifically to not have to stop in traffic or crowded places trying to reach for equipment. Like anything else, use common courtesy and common sense. There are people with strollers, umbrella's, line etiquette,language... some are not as polite as they could be with any of those , but it is what it is. Millions attending all trying to have a great trip. I would post the link to our selfie stick video, but my DS added 1 word in text toward the end that is not DISfriendly, lol. If anyone is interested in why we love that DS uses the stick, go to youtube and look up "the Miller's in DisneyWorld Man".(and no, the song was chosen becasue we are druggies~the beat~style was what DS was after for the images) You can see how angles and candid "live" moments are captured that photopass is not going to do. You can also see how the stick is in use where there is plenty of room. Matter of fact when DS used it in line at BOG, many people were asking all about it, do they sell them in the park or WalMart, etc. The video is gold to us~ I can't imagine taking that option away from anyone visiting and capturing their magic forever. Again, common sense and courtesy go along with the priveledge to be able to sue such devices.

 

[UpstateMick]

"Selfie sticks are already banned at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts; New York’s Museum of Modern Art; Cooper-Hewitt Design Museum; Dia: Beacon museum; and in the indoor galleries at California’s Getty Center and Getty Villa. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is also considering a ban."

Let's keep our fingers crossed that Disney follows this lead. So many of the guests at the park are already walking around completely oblivious and entitled. Putting this in their hands only feeds that beast.

 

[agavegirl1]

The only annoyance I found with people using "selfie sticks" this past trip was when they were being used in a narrow walkway and foot traffic had to come to a standstill until the photo session was completed. The picture takers were oblivious to the congestion they were causing. Most of the time I was amused. A recent poll on Theme Park Insider asked members if they were in favor of banning "selfie sticks"..of the 1192 people voting, 79% answered "yes".