Please don't use flash on PotC

[gracelrm]

I rode Nemo for the first time last week and the guy in the clam/car behind me took multiple flash pictures of every scene. The reflection of the flash nearly blinded me. I'm sensitive to flashes and they can even cause me to start a migraine so I eventually just had to shut my eyes for the last 3/4 of the ride. It aggravated me to no end! So not only does it ruin the experience for others, but can actually cause a great deal of pain for some people. Had I started a migraine, the rest of that day and the next day would have been spent in my room in the dark!

 

[Bouncing4Tigger]

I agree!!! Everytime I ride PoTC at least one guest is taking flash photos Same on the Haunted Mansion.

 

[DizzDoll]

I promise I'll never do it again.

 

[Stinkerbell317]

Even my DS7 reminded me, "Mom! No flash photography!". Not that he even knows what that means, but when he saw me using my video camera he was worried I was breaking the rules. I told him thanks for the reminder but my camera has no lights so it was ok. But every other time we have ridden PoTC since they added Jack the flashes are CONSTANT!

 

[Geoff_M]

My husband has a very powerful Nikon flash. Blinding powerful. He never uses it when on a ride.

Hmmmm.... I wonder if there's room for my Nikon SB-800 Speedlight in my fanny pack for next week???

Funny, OT story this reminded me of. Back in the 70's my dad used to photograph sporting events and often had to shoot from an area that still photographers had to share with network TV. In a nutshell, live network videographers and photographers have been the nemesis of one another for years. You'd get in position, and often times a guy from ABC will jump in your path and block you (They were "live" and therefore felt they "needed" the shot more than you). My dad and his friends got tired of this. Before the use of CCDs in video cameras they used to use a vacuum that sort of worked like a TV tube in reverse. One of the characteristics of those tubes was momentary "burn in" when the camera was pointed at a bright light. If you're old enough to remember night-time football in the 80's, then the camera followed a punt up in the air, the stadium lights would make a streak that'd last for a second or two. This was "burn in". Back to my dad... If a network camera man would get to "pushy" he and his friend would "accidently" discharge their flashes directly into the TV camera's lens. This would effective render the camera useless for about a minute. Doing this often got their point across!

 

[Lileigh]

I know it will never happen, but here is what they should do:

Once caught, the photographer is brought aside, and are told that the CM wants to see the pictures. As most people use digital cameras now a days, the CM just requests that they delete those pics they took during the ride.

Doesn't aleviate the pain of having to sit through the flashes, but it will make them think twice about taking pics. They do this at concerts - happened to a friend of mine once. After being asked repeatedly to not take pics, the security guard finally said "let's see the pics, and delete any that have to do with the concert".

 

[kimberh]

Gosh, I just have to say that I have taken so many trips to Disney that my days of taking hundreds of pictures are over. I have a whole new light on taking pictures in the rides. I am guilty of taking pictures in Snow White , when they actually put Snow White in the ride, but not on every trip, just one. I do not take pictures on PoTC.
Universal will stop a ride, Cat in the Hat, comes to mind, if you are taking pictures. Maybe Disney needs to do a better job of enforcing the rules. Universal has lockers at the major attractions, even Men in Black, Maybe this is one of the reasons.

In the meantime, this tread has opened my eyes. There are some very high powered flashes out, now.

 

[madcoco]

Here is how to teach the guilty parties a lesson. When they ruin your ride and you have camera in hand,just return the favor. Take a picture or two or ..... with your "superflash" on of the offender up close as they exit. "Oops. Sorry. Thought you were someone famous. Arghh nevermind you're just a BildgeRat."


In all seriousness they need better/bigger signs and more enforcement.

 

[k5thbeatle]

Arrrgh! Any swabbies fool enough to render a flash in PoTC should be keelhauled!

Arrrgh...that'd be livin' by the true pirate code that'd be! It worked back then so I see no reason why it wouldn't work again? Good idea matey!

 

[Lotus Vixen]

Two possible reasons for flash photography being used where it is not allowed...


1. Entitlement.

2. Knowing that it is not allowed, but too stupid to realize that it is ruining the attractions for fellow guests.

Or maybe they just really didn't know they weren't supposed to be doing that. Perhaps you could just politely ask them to stop taking flash pictures informing them that they aren't allowed?

I was just there in May and I honestly don't remember anything about taking pictures (or not being able to, I should say). It was my first time to the park since I was a little kid - maybe I was just too excited to notice a sign, or worried if it was going to be scary, or just focused on loading into the boat so I missed the recording...I don't know...I just don't even remember it being brought up. Now I'm just hoping I didn't take any pictures while I was riding. I'm sorry if I did, but at least because of this thread I'll know not to for next time.

In any case, my point is just that maybe not all people are just being rude on purpose - maybe some just didn't know for whatever reason.

Lori

 

[Mary2e]

You really don't recall hearing, on almost half the rides, "no flash photography" ?

 

[CaptHook34]

I agree, that you really should take pictures on POTC. When they so " no flash photography", they mean it.

 

[EmptyCinema]

We generally do ask guests using flash photography not to. However, many have clearly heard us and then continued to ignore us. THOSE are the ones this is directed at. I understand that you may not know (I think it's obvious, given how dark it is, but that's a personal opinion) but once someone has asked you to stop, please stop. We're not trying to be a pain, just enjoy our own vacation.

What's funny is that even WITH a flash, most point and shoot cameras take horrible pictures in the darkness of PotC. (It can't focus in the low light)

 

[QueenGoblin]

Oooops!

Well I honestly did not hear an anouncement on POTC about no flash photography when we were there last Sept...and we rode it NUMEROUS times with our little Maybe b/c the park was kind of quiet they weren't bothering with the PA?

I only took one pic, of Captain Jack of course, and only right at the end at the treasure scene where the boats get all backed up anyway. I wouldn't have even done that if I had known it was against the rules.

So yeah, there are people who are rude (I would never take pics through the whole ride or turn around and set a flash off in someone's face, that would obviously be rude), and then there are just oblivious people like me. There were no pics of Captain Jack from the ride in the gift shop (I looked). I would have rather have had a professional one. Mine didn't turn out too good, probably because I do kind of have a wussy flash.

Anyways, sorry. Won't do it again.

 

[kimberh]

Or maybe they just really didn't know they weren't supposed to be doing that. Perhaps you could just politely ask them to stop taking flash pictures informing them that they aren't allowed?

I was just there in May and I honestly don't remember anything about taking pictures (or not being able to, I should say). It was my first time to the park since I was a little kid - maybe I was just too excited to notice a sign, or worried if it was going to be scary, or just focused on loading into the boat so I missed the recording...I don't know...I just don't even remember it being brought up. Now I'm just hoping I didn't take any pictures while I was riding. I'm sorry if I did, but at least because of this thread I'll know not to for next time.

In any case, my point is just that maybe not all people are just being rude on purpose - maybe some just didn't know for whatever reason.

Lori

Good post Lori, I was there in May, too. I did not notice or do it. We did not even carry the camera in. We go several times a year, so this trip I left it in the room. The rides were very enjoyable. If, it was going on, it did not bother me, and I have a very low tolerance rate. I think some are just not aware of it. They have Kids, hot, tired, hungry, all the other things that occure at Disney, It's not that every single person taking a picture is trying to be rude or ruin your ride! Maybe they are just excited and it is their first trip! I do know in the shows, they say no flash photography! I am going to really look, the next time I go, at the rides. I honesty have not seen the signs. We did not have lines to wait in either. We walked onto everything. It was a wonderful trip!

 

[Mary2e]

Well, I can tell you that I was there in April with a newbie, and not only was POTC ruined, HM was up there too.

There were 2 families snapping and flashing away at every single scene and not only was it distracting, in one case, the flash was right in his eyes.

I was also there in Jan, and the same thing happened.

People are buying small digital cameras with built in flashes and flashing their hearts out now that they don't have to pay for film processing.

 

[EmptyCinema]

For those who would like to take photos in low light situations, Kodak may have some relief coming for you: http://www.marketwatch.com/news/sto...x?guid={EB9C6DB3-6926-414A-A8D9-61B7BDC22502}

Sorry, just saw the news article and thought of this thread.

 

[AngieWin]

We went to WDW in 2002 and they had special light up pins that went off in certain places in the park. Well those smart designers decided that POTC would be a great place to set off a display of lights on all 4 of our pins. We were yelled at by other riders for the pins flashing. I finally had to cover them up. THAT was not our fault.

Taking pictures on the other hand, we wouldnt do. I might have to mess around with the camera and see if I can get it to take a picture without the flash before we leave home though...

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Call me crazy, but I've never had a real problem if a couple times during a ride, someone pops a flashbulb. I know, I know...rules are rules, I would just hope that someone wouldn't let it ruin their entire ride experience.

 

[EmptyCinema]

Call me crazy, but I've never had a real problem if a couple times during a ride, someone pops a flashbulb. I know, I know...rules are rules, I would just hope that someone wouldn't let it ruin their entire ride experience.

Agreed. However, on our last trip, on two separate rides, we had people CONTINUOUSLY taking photos. I would say at least 20-25 shots during the 8 minute ride. That gets tiring.