What is Disney's policy regarding pics/video?

[eugeniuss]

Any places you cannot take pics/video? I know Six Flags doesnt let you take pictures/video record on their rides.

 

[Deedee]

You can take photos and video in most places but they will let you know on each ride if you can't.

 

[LordAthens]

There also seems to be some exceptions to them telling you. On Star Tours @ MGM, the CM specifically said no flash photography (and something else, I don't remember what it was, but it wasn't no video). I was video taping and half way through the ride, an announcement came over the speakers that said "Video taping is not permitted, please stop video immediately".

There are a few others that I'm sure are the same, Soarin' I would guess also. They don't say no taping, but I'm sure you're not allowed.

 

[Ratpack]

As mentioned, most will tell you. I can't recall anywhere that photos are not allowed. Now flash is prohibited in a lot of the indoor shows just for everyone's enjoyment. I would think video is fine on most as well, I have videoed a lot of the rides and shows. I can see where Star Tours and Soarin' and such are not permitted for video. That is essentially what they are, videos. It would be no different than taking video in a movie theater.

 

[PaulD]

Most also mention no video lighting. But if you've got a Sony camcorder with nightshot mode then you can use that and nobody will know. It uses IR light instead of white light so it does not disturb the other riders. It does look a little weird though so it's a trade off.

 

[MOmousefan]

The policy seems to change each time we go to WDW. I filmed Soarin' last May, but was prohibited from filming Oh Canada, something I have done on previous trips. I was filming at the start of RNR but was told to stop just before launch.
I filmed ToT, Star Tours, and Dinosaur. I wonder if it isn't individual CMs who decide the policy.

 

[LordAthens]

RNR?

<stumped

 

[PaulD]

RNR?

<stumped

Rock 'n Roller coaster maybe? I get lost with some of the abbreviations. They may save typing time but they just increase my head scratchin' time. Maybe it's just me.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

PaulD is correct!

 

[LordAthens]

Ahh, that makes sense.. I was thinking "launch" and thinking Mission Space. Got it!

 

[Shutterbug]

This is my opinion on filming while on rides especially coasters.

Its not smart!!!!

I have always found it be dangerous when I have seen people do it. What if you drop it? No matter how tight you are holding it or how tightly its wrapped around your wrist something could happen which could cause it to come loose or cause you to let go of it thus causing major injury to someone behind you or someone on the ground below or even cause damage to the ride itself.

I was at Cedar Point one time standing under the Corkscrew when one of those disposable cameras came whizzing past my head from a coaster that was above me going through the turns.

 

[PaulD]

This is actually a really good point so I'm afraid I have to agree with Shutterbug. I was riding a coaster at SF Magic Mountain and I was sitting in the back row. Someone in the front lost their grip on their half full water bottle and it almost smacked several people as it slowly floated backward. There was no way anyone could have ducked because we were all strapped in. So, yeah it can be really dangerous. Hope I didn't bum anyone out.

 

[LordAthens]

This is my opinion on filming while on rides especially coasters.

I was at Cedar Point one time standing under the Corkscrew when one of those disposable cameras came whizzing past my head from a coaster that was above me going through the turns.

Everyone has their opinion, mine isn't quite the same.

Just because a camera came whizzing past your head doesn't mean someone was using it on the ride. I'll assume by your handle that you're a photog as well and will agree that taking stills on the Corkscrew would be just about pointless. Maybe on Millenium Force or TTD. I personally lost a Casio Exilim Z3 on the Wicked Twister, not because I was using it. It came out of my (buttoned) cargo short pocket.

I will say that IMO, there is far less chance of losing a camcorder on a ride than a bottle of water. When I tape on an attraction, my hand is through the hand strap quite tightly. Additionally, I have a small wrist strap on my camcorder that gets cinched around my wrist. My camcorder isn't going anywhere..

My 2c.

 

[PaulD]

Nevertheless, accidents happen, straps break, unexpected jarring motions cause you to lose your grip, etc. I'm sure nobody goes on a ride expecting their belongings to go flying into the air. So, I'm glad you take extra precautions and that means you're less likely to drop your stuff. But, that does not mean that it is impossible. And the person more likely to be harmed is the person behind you or below you. The bottom line is that you are deciding to introduce additional risk for other people who have no say in the matter.

I don't mean to be argumentative but I think it's important that people consider another perspective and appreciate the potential consequences of their actions. I work in a job where I have to witness the the outcomes of risky behavior. Nobody ever thinks it'll happen to them. But it has to happen to someone.

Ok, I'll get off my soapbox now...

 

[t-and-a]

There also seems to be some exceptions to them telling you. On Star Tours @ MGM, the CM specifically said no flash photography (and something else, I don't remember what it was, but it wasn't no video). I was video taping and half way through the ride, an announcement came over the speakers that said "Video taping is not permitted, please stop video immediately".

There are a few others that I'm sure are the same, Soarin' I would guess also. They don't say no taping, but I'm sure you're not allowed.

That is so funny LordAthens! My DH got busted for the same thing on Star Tours in 2003. We listened very closely and there was NO MENTION of no video taping, just no flash photography until we were on the ride. We still laugh when we watch the video!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

I think anything that has something to do with copying a video is illegal (taping Star Tour's video display, Soarin' display etc). It's a copyright thingie.

 

[t-and-a]

I think anything that has something to do with copying a video is illegal (taping Star Tour's video display, Soarin' display etc). It's a copyright thingie.

We really try to adhere to all of the rules of the parks, and he wouldn't have started taping if they would have said no video taping. All they said was no flash photography, so we thought it was OK. I can see the copyright thingie, but we didn't think of it, and it was our first time riding it.

 

[Anewman]

So nobody ever downloaded Captain EO?

Dont think it was shot with a camcorder cuz it was a very good version floating around about 2 years ago.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

t-and-a,

don't get me wrong, I don't care either way (and I'm the one who lives off copyright residuals), I'm just stating that that is the reason they don't want you to tape it (which retospectively, they should give a heads-up prior to the show)

 

[t-and-a]

t-and-a,

don't get me wrong, I don't care either way (and I'm the one who lives off copyright residuals), I'm just stating that that is the reason they don't want you to tape it (which retospectively, they should give a heads-up prior to the show)

Oh no, I wasn't taking it as a flame or anything of that sort, I was agreeing that I saw what the problem must have been. Yes, they sure should give a heads-up! It's no wonder that there was someone else on this board that video taped and got called for it!

I also know that they will let you video on Haunted Mansion because we asked prior to riding on our last trip. They didn't say anything about it, so we were sure to ask and they said it was fine. We have found out that if they say no flash photography, you should ask if you can shoot video.