OMG... the Cell Phones!

[SweetAlex]

We were in Disney last week and I'm not sure if anyone else notices this but the amount of people with their faces glued to their cell phones in Disney is insane. Yes, it's a great way to kill time in a line but when you're bumping into people all day who seem to be physically unable to peel their unblinking eyes away from their various electronic devices as they walk, it really got frustrating. During the fireworks and parades, I can honestly say that at least 30% of those watching, watched these amazing shows through the screens of their recording phones, rather than with their own eyeballs. One woman in front of me blocked my view with both her camera recording and her giant smart phone... one in each hand.

But I do think the worst was the girl in the front of the boat in POTC who spent the first half of the ride recording it on her iPad (watching it through the screen) and the second half replaying and watching what she recorded during the first half. Seriously. She missed out!

I, as much as the next person, spend way too much time on my phone but at Disney, I put it away accept to take pictures. I wanted to see the magic with my own eyes, rather than through the glowing screen of my iPhone. So much better that way, I promise!

For anyone going soon, just keep this in mind. It's so much more unbelievable when you put the iPhone down and see it as it's truly meant to be seen.

 

[bumbershoot]

Don't go to wdw any time soon. Now their FP system is set up with mobile devices and your reservations are online etcetc it's hard to avoid the phone.

As for seeing things through a screen, eh. People are going to record things for the future. It's either trough a viewfinder, lens, or screen. I have an irrational hatred of gopro cameras especially when on a stick or strapped to body parts, when actually you would probably like those. They seem to have good motion control and you just turn it on and walk around, recording everything. My question is when are you going to watch all that video? Lol.

Just remember that people texting and such are simply communicating with others. Maybe not the people they are with, but sometimes you've said all the words to the people you're with lol. Sometimes you need to communicate with others. Or tell others what a great time you're having. Or post pictures. Or arrange to meet with friends somewhere in the park. Etc. we don't know what's going on with the communication devices. It might not be simply ignoring things. They might be having just as great a time as you are, and don't feel that they are missing out at all.

 

[SMD]

One woman in front of me blocked my view with both her camera recording and her giant smart phone... one in each hand.

But I do think the worst was the girl in the front of the boat in POTC who spent the first half of the ride recording it on her iPad (watching it through the screen) and the second half replaying and watching what she recorded during the first half. Seriously. She missed out!

I hate watching things through the screen of the person in front of me, and not just at Disney. And it's worse when they hold up 2 devices, even though you know that neither is going to turn out all that great when they're just holding them up there. The iPad are especially annoying because they block out so much. I can remember 20-25 years ago seeing people film the rides through their camcorders and thinking that they're not experiencing the ride, just the viewfinder. How little things have changed.

But I was there last week and I overheard many people obsessively checking multiple wait time apps. Considering how many people ask about wait times and apps in their trip planning, I'd say that having your face turned down towards your phone when walking is part of the park experience now.

 

[lovebug33]

I remember thinking this when moving picture cameras became portable and easier to use. I record very little at Disneyland. I really have no desire to watch fireworks later any way.

 

[Butterfly123]

I agree. I know it will never happen, but I wish they would ban devices during the nighttime shows, just like they do at the movies. It is so distracting to have a big iPad screen all lit up in your eye line when you're trying to enjoy the show!

 

[GatorChris]

Don't go to wdw any time soon. Now their FP system is set up with mobile devices and your reservations are online etcetc it's hard to avoid the phone.

Exactly what I was thinking. I try to get away from my phone at the parks, with the exception of snapping some photos I'll post later. But that MyMagic+ must have people staring at their phones all day long.

As for people recording rides and such, I'm always doing that so the kids can watch it when we get home. OK, so I can watch it! I may miss a few things, but I like "going back" through home video. Now, iPads....that's just rude stuff. It so huge and blocks so much. I was at a concert recently where they announced "Please no video by iPad or tablet". The crowd cheered!

 

[SweetAlex]

Don't go to wdw any time soon. Now their FP system is set up with mobile devices and your reservations are online etcetc it's hard to avoid the phone.

As for seeing things through a screen, eh. People are going to record things for the future. It's either trough a viewfinder, lens, or screen. I have an irrational hatred of gopro cameras especially when on a stick or strapped to body parts, when actually you would probably like those. They seem to have good motion control and you just turn it on and walk around, recording everything. My question is when are you going to watch all that video? Lol.

Go-pros... wow. I couldn't believe how many of those we saw. People just walking around with these things in front of them. So crazy. Plenty of them on rides too. I actually prefer these because everyone can still enjoy the shows/rides/etc without a distraction of a big device or glowing screen, and the person holding them can still see the show unfiltered.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Ipad photography has to be the most ridiculous.

I am going to try to not be on my phone a bunch on our trip. Though I do plan to take a bunch of photos to send to Instagram and whatnot. My parents would be sad to not follow along and I do love sharing photos anyway. But I really don't plan on just looking at things on the internet for fun or anything like that.

 

[TheDoleWhipper]

Some people have gone a bit too far with this cell phone dilemma! Why not just look it up on youtube? I mean, it is okay to take it out for just a quick pic, but filming everything???. This, unfortunately applies for everything these days... not just Disney!

But I am pretty sure that most of the people who are out with their cameras are locals who go all the time. Since they have experienced the magic many many times, they feel no need to get the same experience as the first-timers or out-of-state visitors who need to cram in the same amount of magic in a 3 to 5 day visit as the APs get in years! Instead of experiencing it the SAME way, they record it... capturing the memories for those who have not been to enjoy at their leisure. I do not see any problem if a local has their phone always out, as long as they have already know the parks like the back of their hand. But first-timers and tourists? What?

 

[grnflash]

I agree that ipad photography is pretty obtrusive on rides. Fortunately we've only experienced that once so it's not something that's been a problem for us. Otherwise, phones and such don't bug me at all. Since I'm looking ahead as I walk, avoiding the phone lookers hasn't been a problem. It's all a bob and weave process as you walk through DL anyway. For shows, scooching over just a couple inches usually solves the problem. I definitely don't care if people watch the show with their eyes or through their device.

 

[lalasmama]

I remember thinking this when moving picture cameras became portable and easier to use. I record very little at Disneyland. I really have no desire to watch fireworks later any way.

Had to giggle a bit at this (good naturedly, of course!).... I spent half of my DD's first trip to Disneyland videoing and taking pictures. And since it was a surprise trip, "of course" my dad had to have the video recorder going to capture the big reveal! I think I've watched the video of the reveal about 4 times; 1 of those times was to show DH, who wasn't at her birthday party. The still shots ended up in a photo album, but all that video I took? Just taking up space on the computer! I really expected to want to go back and "relive the magic" with all that video, but it's grainy, it's bouncy, it's dark... I'd much rather hop on youtube and watch video from someone with infinitely better cameras and/or skills! (And even then, there's only a few from youtube that I even enjoy!)

 

[HappiestHaunt]

Hmm, we ran into this quite a bit this weekend. Our daughter was a bit distracted looking at everything as she is wont to do (8 year olds love everything!), and I have to constantly watch my path and hers, as people were walking and not paying any attention nose in phones. I can see it in ride lines while your waiting to some extent, but when your walking through a crowded amusement park, your attention needs to be somewhat focused on walking. At one point in DCA on Saturday at about 3, we saw a whole group. It looked to be comprised of three teens and what looked to be parents, and the whole group was on their phones. And the older woman was pushing a stroller with one hand and working the phone with other! Seriously, there needs to be some line, just for common courtesy of your fellow man. The father figure just about mowed down my daughter, because she was trying to dodge the woman with the stroller. the family was walking everyone in a row and not moving for anyone. We also noticed the phone phenom on the HMH, especially going through the madam leota section. People holding up the ipad to film in the dark. Frankly, I cannot imagine bringing an iPad to someplace where I would have to be worried about my expensive device the whole time while I was there. Again, maybe for lines..but everything else?

 

[tarheelalum]

A couple of months ago we were riding splash mountain and seating in the first seat was a 20s something woman who very possibly was the most obnoxious person on the planet. Unfortunately my wife and I had the misfortune of standing next to her throughout the entire wait for the ride as well. Well as soon as we get on the ride she breaks out her ipad and holds it up all through the ride. But on the big drop, the big dummy, got splashed so hard her ipad got knocked out of her hand and into the water. Sometimes life give you a moment.

 

[crystal1313]

A couple of months ago we were riding splash mountain and seating in the first seat was a 20s something woman who very possibly was the most obnoxious person on the planet. Unfortunately my wife and I had the misfortune of standing next to her throughout the entire wait for the ride as well. Well as soon as we get on the ride she breaks out her ipad and holds it up all through the ride. But on the big drop, the big dummy, got splashed so hard her ipad got knocked out of her hand and into the water. Sometimes life give you a moment.

Oops! I never understand the Ipad thing....I would be SO worried I would drop it!

We noticed this too on our last trip. The only time I used mine was to take photos or if we separated, to find my DH and older son. Otherwise, I put it away. I also didn't take as many photos this trip because I wanted to experience more without my viewfinder. It was great! And I stink at capturing videos of shows and would much rather watch the versions on youtube. I do however, like to video my DS5 on Autopia because he giggles and laughs the whole time and it's fantastic! LOL.

 

[PatMcDuck]

My sad observation was watching families at meals at WDW....... both Mom and Dad on their phones, testing, surfing, etc. Kids just sitting there, no conversation going on.... just looking around the room. I mean kids under 10, who don't yet have their own phones.... This was at quick service places, for the most part.

OK, I will sound old here, but with our kids (4), at WDW, we would talk at the meals, about rides we just got off, or what to do next. Happy chatter adding to our vacation excitement.

I understand using my disney experience app, and I also snap photos to instantly upload to Facebook here and there. So I am guilty too, I guess.

 

[dizneefan13]

I'm pretty sure that in the future, babies will be born with one hand and one electronic device for the other.

People can be so rude and inconsiderate with these things. But it will only get worse, not better.

 

[KCmike]

We just got back from WDW and their app (MDE) was amazing. It helped with fast passes, dinner ressies, wait times, and so much more. And we just upgraded to the IPHONE 6 and it takes amazing pics and video. So while I agree we need to put down our phones BUT they our are new cameras, camcorders, communicators, and fun devices. Plus all those fun Disneyland APPS.

 

[princessmocha]

I concur with pretty much everything already said. I just don't get why you would want to lug around an iPad all day long. They get heavy after a while... We really try to make the effort to stay off our phones while at the parks, but we will use it for wait times and such. However, I can't walk and look at my phone at the same time, I'm too clumsy!!! Lol

 

[DharmaLou]

Honestly it doesn't really bug me. iPads used for photography or video? Now that's just silly. That's not what they were made for, and you look ridiculous.

But the worst is the selfie stick. We saw quite a few of those when we were there last month.

 

[mom2rtk]

But the worst is the selfie stick. We saw quite a few of those when we were there last month.

I had no idea these existed until our trip last week. And all of a sudden they were EVERYWHERE! When did THAT happen?