Photo shoot at the Poly as non-staying guests

[rspencer38]

We booked a photo shoot with a local Orlando photographer to do some work with us at the Poly. I am staying at Saratoga, so I won't have any reservations for the Poly, how do I go about parking? Will security let me park at the resort for a non-disney photo shoot?

 

[mom2rtk]

Just park at the TTC and walk to the Poly. It's very close.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Hopefully, the photographer has approval from Disney for this photo shoot.

 

[rspencer38]

Hopefully, the photographer has approval from Disney for this photo shoot.

Non-Disney photographers are permitted to do shoots at resorts. All the same, she is a fairly well known photographer who regularly shoots at various Disney resorts.

 

[sndral]

Non-Disney photographers are permitted to do shoots at resorts. All the same, she is a fairly well known photographer who regularly shoots at various Disney resorts.

In that case, why not confirm with the photographer that she has permission to do the shoot there & if you will be ok to park in the Poly lot.

 

[Ninja Mom]

Disney welcomes people who visit it's resorts. You do not have to be staying at the resort to visit it. Parking is free for people who visit the resorts. Guests who stay overnight at the resort are charged for parking.

The problem arises when people park at the resorts and then go to the theme park. That is not allowed unless you valet park the car.

So anyone visiting the resort should be ok to park there.

~NM

 

[_19disnA]

Hopefully, the photographer has approval from Disney for this photo shoot.

I agree, taking a few pictures is one thing, but if they are planning to setup lighting/backdrops, etc. they will likely need Disney's approval. Someone, for example, can't block a public walkway as part of their 'photo shoot' without regard to how it impacts other guests.

 

[katyjeka]

We stayed at GF, December 2017. We were enjoying our off day and a warm December day at the pool. A family had a photographer taking pictures(I'm assuming they were Xmas pictures)on the beach. I did see a staff member speak to them and a short time later they left. I'm not sure what was said but they did not look happy when they left. They were not bothering my family but the view was much better when they left!

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Disney welcomes people who visit it's resorts. You do not have to be staying at the resort to visit it. Parking is free for people who visit the resorts. Guests who stay overnight at the resort are charged for parking.

The problem arises when people park at the resorts and then go to the theme park. That is not allowed unless you valet park the car.

So anyone visiting the resort should be ok to park there.

~NM

If it is a busy time of the year it is reported over and over that guests visiting the resorts are turned away.

 

[jerseyjersey]

.

 

[jerseyjersey]

If it is a busy time of the year it is reported over and over that guests visiting the resorts are turned away.

We experienced this during our Spring Break trip. We were staying part of our trip at Boardwalk, and friends staying elsewhere were coming to meet us and grab a bite on the Boardwalk. Security would not let them park in the lot, since they weren’t registered guests and didn’t have a dining reservation. Eventually, I walked out there and used my band to get them in (and got charged for overnight parking in the process).

 

[All Tangled Up]

I agree, taking a few pictures is one thing, but if they are planning to setup lighting/backdrops, etc. they will likely need Disney's approval. Someone, for example, can't block a public walkway as part of their 'photo shoot' without regard to how it impacts other guests.

I've done plenty of photo shoots with professional photographers without any fancy equipment other than a nice camera and a clear weather day. And they turned out amazing, most photographers only use the fancy stuff for indoor shoots where lighting is not as nice. Using a backdrop would be silly, the reason for shooting at a place such as Poly would be to take advantage of the beautiful photogenic scenery there- not to place a backdrop, otherwise you could plop it down at any location

Photos would definitely be allowed, look on Instagram or Facebook alone. There are entire profiles dedicated to Disney parks and resorts photography, taken with huge professional cameras. The only place I've ever been not allowed to take photos (in general) was the Boston Christian Science Church- we were told that visitors were taking photos as a means to slander & disrespect the church's image but we were welcome to come back with pre-approval. Anyway the point is hundreds of thousands of Disney guests take photos and videos of themselves at the resorts daily and it's a huge public space lol, so op is fine

 

[_19disnA]

A family had a photographer taking pictures(I'm assuming they were Xmas pictures)on the beach. I did see a staff member speak to them and a short time later they left. I'm not sure what was said but they did not look happy when they left.

^^ I agree, this is what I was referring to. The OP never specified the exact nature of the planned photo shoot. Snapping a few photos as a visitor is a LOT different from bringing a crew of people with lots of equipment to setup.

 

[Shellbells]

This sounds amazing. Such a beautiful place to have family portraits taken. Have fun!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'm sure there are plenty of professional photo shoots at WDW. They just need to get permission since Disney has their own photo team to do photo shoots at WDW. Disney doesn't like people taking money from their pocket..

 

[TinkLoverSam]

Disney is absolutely fine with professional local photographers using their resorts for photo shoots. The parks are an entirely different matter.

To the OP I think you will be fine to park but if they say the lot is full or you need a reservation, park at the TTC and walk or monorail back to the Poly. I'd allow a bit of extra time incase you need to go to the TTC.