People taking pictures on Spaceship Earth despite being told to stop

I really can't muster up enough energy to care about the picture taking habits of total strangers. I've been to Disney plenty of times and have seen people take pictures almost everywhere, whether they were allowed to or not, and have yet to have my trip ruined by it.
 
I was out in DL 3 weeks ago and they made an announcement no flash photography in the train tunnel with the dinosauers. Someone flashed, so they made another announcement. Still kept doing it. Made another announcement. I wish there was some way they could eject them.

Same thing happened when we were at DL in June. When we got to the dinosaurs two guests in a car a little ways down the train from us were just snapping flash pics like crazy in that dinosaur tunnel. The CM made a general announcement, then said something like "In train car 5, no flash photography please!" I think I saw another flash or two after the second announcement.
 
I don't think I quite understand the comparison here. Disney chooses not to enforce FP times and early entry to special ticketed events. Conversely, I hear and see warnings all of the time from CMs about not using a flash on dark rides and certain shows.
Every FP says what the return window is. It's clearly stated. Your party ticket (I think -- they used to) says that the party starts at 7pm. I guess my point was that if someone were going to fault Disney for not enforcing a stated rule about flash photography, then they'd also have to disagree with them not enforcing things like FP times. You can't say, "Only enforce the rules I want".

As for enforcing the no flash rule, I have been in the middle of a ride when a warning is given over the loud speaker "No flash photography." This should be standard practice IMO. While the announcement will effect the ambiance of the ride, I would still at the very least want to be able to see the ride. The flash not only illuminates the inner workings of dark rides, but effectively blinds everyone within a certain radius of the flash.
My "enforcement" question was more for the "kick them out of the park" people. That seemed to be too much punishment for a fairly small offense. YMMV

That said, I agree there are two types of offenders here... those that don't know how to disable the flash on their camera, and those who think the rules don't apply to them. Of course the more egregious are the later. Perhaps a more effective tactic for the former would be to simply ask them to place there finger over the flash on their camera.
Except, unfortunately, there's generally no way to tell the former from the latter when you're on the ride.

:earsboy:
 
.


My "enforcement" question was more for the "kick them out of the park" people. That seemed to be too much punishment for a fairly small offense. YMMV

:

The "small offense" made me physically ill and ruined my day. Kick them out, confiscate their memory card, revoke their passes, put 'em on a plane...back where they came from...all are small punishments in my book. I just wish, I'd thrown up on them.;)
 

The "small offense" made me physically ill and ruined my day. Kick them out, confiscate their memory card, revoke their passes, put 'em on a plane...back where they came from...all are small punishments in my book. I just wish, I'd thrown up on them.;)

Is there a stated policy about throwing up on other guests? ;)

:earsboy:
 
Seriouslly...Disney used to do that.
I have a vintage map of MK.
When I bought it it came with a brochure about WDW.
Which as actually as interesting as the map itself.

In the borchure they give tips on how to take pictures...to help
make your slide presentation better for when you got back home.
Things like how action shots are better than posed.
watch for unwanted items in the photo like garage cans..
including..flashbulbs are prohibited in most indoor attractions.


I think that info was all sponsored by Kodak.
 
/
Of course your experiences are just as valid. But come on. Do folks here (maybe even you) use late FPs? Same thing. There's a "rule", that is currently unenforced, that says you're not supposed to. But people do and Disney allows it everyone is perfectly okay with it. To the point where people would really begin to protest if Disney started enforcing return times. There's a "rule" that says that people going to MNSSHP aren't supposed to enter until 7pm, but Disney allows party guests to enter at 4pm instead.

So the "rules" about FPs and party entrance are also really more of a suggestion. Same thing. Why should FP users and party goers be allowed to work the system but flash photo people be banned from the parks? Do you think the Guest base as a whole would be willing to give up early entry on party night and late FP use if it meant no more flash photos on rides? I wouldn't.

You've mentioned valid opinions ... I believe my enforcement questions are also valid. I'd be interested to know how you think a "no flash photography" rule could be fully and effectively enforced. Confiscate cameras on the way in? Stop the ride every time someone takes a flash and escort them off? Loudly announce over the music / dialogue of the ride "No Flahas Photography!" Seems to me that would be just as harmful to the experience. And are Disney's resources better spent monitoring flash photos on rides than say, keeping bathrooms clean or having a few more people up at GR? I'm only asking because you seem so sure it's possible and maybe I'm totally missing an obvious solution.


Of course, by that time, every single person screaming was probably egging the girls on. Nothing, short of stopping the ride and pulling the girls with the camera, would have solved it. My guess is that every time they heard someone yell "No Flash Photography!", they gleefully took another picture just to be snotty.

:earsboy:

I hear you...and I understand where you're coming from. But...the issue is this.....returning after FP return times end is just fine with Disney. They have instructed their CMs to 'go with the flow' so to speak. Nowhere does it say that late returns are not allowed. Early entry into a party??? Well, if you call the WDW call center and ask, you will be told that no, you may not enter prior to 7pm using just your party ticket. But, in all reality, Disney CMs have been instructed to allow you in..it's easier for Disney if they allow early entry. When they didn't, it was mayhem at 7pm...all those people leaving the park, and all those party goers trying to get in. But, then again, if you call the Disney call center and ask what time the buses start each day, you will be told one hour prior to park opening. And we all know that isn't true.
So...flash photography?? There is usually an announcement made, in several languages. There is even sometimes pictorial signage showing you that photography isn't allowed, but that pertains to all photography, not just flash.

What do I think they need to do??? I would have CMs make an announcement if it happened repeatedly. I completely understand someone's not being knowledgable about their camera. One would hope that after one announcement, the flash would stop.

Do I think it's the end of the world? No, of course not. But, flash photography does mess with the way the attraction is supposed to be viewed. There is something so very special about seeing all the 'underpinnings' of an attraction when someone uses the flash..:rolleyes1. It just isn't fair to those around you. It's not so nice to have a flash right in your eyes. Some guy did that to me on Peter Pan...our cars were just passing each other..and off went the flash. I was looking in the wrong direction at the wrong time...saw stars for about 30 seconds.

Will this issue ever be solved? Nope, never. There is no way to police this type of behaviour. We can only hope that the majority of guests 'get it' and figure out how their cameras work.
Oh, those girls??? You're probably right. They most likely thought it was a hoot that they were causing such angst. But, I do know how my 13 y/o dd reacted....'Man, what a bunch of idiots. Guess they don't much care that they're making fools of themselves and ruining things for others. Classy.' Nice to see that she gets it in any case. And truly?? That's all I can do...try to raise well mannered kids who don't indulge in that type behaviour.
 
Every FP says what the return window is. It's clearly stated. Your party ticket (I think -- they used to) says that the party starts at 7pm. I guess my point was that if someone were going to fault Disney for not enforcing a stated rule about flash photography, then they'd also have to disagree with them not enforcing things like FP times. You can't say, "Only enforce the rules I want".
Except the FP thing isn't a rule. Many people interpret it to be one, but the fact remains it is not one. It also benefits Disney more than it benefits us, as we'll likely spend more time in the shops and such and less time in line. That was the key design impetus behind the FP system.

The party thing is more for Disney than it is for us. It works better for them to give a 3hr window for entrance than forcing everyone coming into the party to enter the turnstiles at the same time. It spreads out the potential congestion at the gates and allows for non-party goers to stay longer (they closed at 6pm originally to reopen at 7pm for party guests). This gives more time for more money, but also keeps things much calmer and more organized.

Neither of the above have any real effect to other guest experiences as well.

Flash photography is different. It has zero benefit for Disney and is a detriment to other guests' experiences. This is likely the reason they attempt to enforce it. Of course, it's only half handed as they don't like confrontation (I can't blame them, I don't either).

My "enforcement" question was more for the "kick them out of the park" people. That seemed to be too much punishment for a fairly small offense. YMMV


Except, unfortunately, there's generally no way to tell the former from the latter when you're on the ride.

:earsboy:
However, with that said, I do agree with you to a point. Kicking them out of the park would be an overreaction, even if it did cause someone else issues.

The first step is knowledge. Along with the maps (and an abridged version included on it), publish some tips for getting shots in the dark. Including how to turn off the flash, LCD screen, and directions to the camera shop or Guest Relations for any further help. Spin it in a positive light, rather than a "Don't do this!".

Next would be a more thorough policy of enforcement. Point out the policies to the offenders in a kind manner ("In case you weren't aware, we do have a policy against Flash Photography and External Lighting on these rides.")

If that still doesn't work. I hear taking them out back and beating them with a hose may do the trick.

But, keep them in the park so they spend money!
 
I totally understand your frustration. It was my girlfriend's first trip to Disney this August and the second ride I took her on was PotC. Our boat had three couples who thought it acceptable to take flash photos. And I don't just mean one or two between all of them, I mean all three couples took a flash photo of every single animatronic figure they could manage to, even leaning over with the camera in our faces sometimes.

I asked them to stop several times and they ignored me, and the couple next to us just laughed. When we went to get off the ride a boy in the boat in front had had an epileptic fit and I reeally wouldn't be surprised if it was because of the photos, because the several other boats around seemed to have culprits too. We were stuck for half an hour while paramedics took him away.

It really did ruin her first ride on PotC and she now hates it and doesn't see the point on going on it if so many people choose to take poor quality photos on a DARK ride.
 
We just had the same thing happen on this very same ride. Its one of our favorite rides and it was SO annoying. The CMs told the guy right away, and then he just kept snapping with flash.

I yelled at him a few times (he was in the car in front of us) but he just ignored me. I wanted to throw something at his head. So rude!!

We finally just decided to ignore him and not worry about his stupid/rude behavior. Although secretly, I kept hoping it'd drop and break his darn camera.:rotfl:
 
I really can't muster up enough energy to care about the picture taking habits of total strangers. I've been to Disney plenty of times and have seen people take pictures almost everywhere, whether they were allowed to or not, and have yet to have my trip ruined by it.

You might care if you were susceptible to migraines. For some, flashing bright lights can trigger a migraine. Maybe it won't ruin your whole trip, but it can certainly but a big damper on part of the trip.
 
You might care if you were susceptible to migraines. For some, flashing bright lights can trigger a migraine. Maybe it won't ruin your whole trip, but it can certainly but a big damper on part of the trip.

And, once upon a time Disney cared too....the whole "experience" mattered. Now, it seems to revolve around, what's "cost efficient".
 
I really can't muster up enough energy to care about the picture taking habits of total strangers. I've been to Disney plenty of times and have seen people take pictures almost everywhere, whether they were allowed to or not, and have yet to have my trip ruined by it.

MUCH more annoying than flash photographs are people who are unsufferably dismissive, smug, superior and self-satisified. Those kinds of people are REALLY annoying.
 
MUCH more annoying than flash photographs are people who are unsufferably dismissive, smug, superior and self-satisified. Those kinds of people are REALLY annoying.

This might just be the best post I've ever read here on the Dis. :thumbsup2

And I agree... 100%
 
And, once upon a time Disney cared too....the whole "experience" mattered. Now, it seems to revolve around, what's "cost efficient".
Please, tell me .... how can Disney stop behavior that they don't know is going to happen? It's not like annoying camera flashers announce as they get on the ride, "I'm going to take flash photos during this entire experience!" and Disney says, "Great! Have fun!" And if Disney DOES say "No flash photography" and someone keeps taking photos anyway (as someone upthread described), what exactly are they supposed to do to preserve the experience? Wouldn't stopping the ride, sending a security guard out to grab the offending photo-taker, including the inevitable confrontation that will take place, and then restarting the ride also kind of wreck the experience for everyone else?

:earsboy:
 
MUCH more annoying than flash photographs are people who are unsufferably dismissive, smug, superior and self-satisified. Those kinds of people are REALLY annoying.

Ever notice that it's really hard to call someone dismissive, smug, superior and self-satisfied without coming across as ... well ... dismissive, smug, superior and self-satisfied? ;)

:earsboy:
 
Please, tell me .... how can Disney stop behavior that they don't know is going to happen?

As I said earlier in the thread, they could enforce the rules. Rather than just a warning in the boarding area, put up signs in the queue area. And the signs should say that violators may be ejected from the park. I don't think it is an overreaction at all. Other parks eject guests for cutting in line, and I've seen them do it more than once. And have a CM or security guard at the exit area to speak to violators.

And I see nothing at all wrong with stopping the ride and/or making announcements to tell people to stop. That would be less disruptive than continuous flashing.
 
Just put in a nice ejector seat and blow those annoying people out of the ride.
 

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