Originally Posted By karlg On my first trip on Pirates at WDW I was in a boat with 4 people taking flash pictures constantly, including turning around and shooting the flash straight into my face. A said "No flash" and they stopped for a while but then started up a few minutes later. Then the guy in front of me turned around and aimed his camera in my direction and I waved my arms to stop him/ruin his picture. The flashing was so constant through the ride that I didn't see much of the new items because every time there was anything new is was 4 cameras going flash flash flash to blind me. I when on Pirates 4 times during the week at WDW and never got through it without many flashes going off from just about every boat. It was an absolutely lousy show they put on at WDW. They gave a lecture inside the Hall of Presidents about flash photography, but in Pirates they did nothing (I'm still livid over a week later). The Pirates attraction was out of control and the cast member did nothing to stop it. This was the worst attraction experience (with the attraction operating normally) I can remember had in 45 years of going to DL and WDW. I went to on DL Pirates a week later (on business) worried the same thing would happen, but I noted that there was a warning at the dock, the cast member verbally told people no flash photography, the skull of course warns people. There was the occasional flash but nothing like WDW. Then on my last trip there were some people that started taking repeated flash pictures and a voice came on to warn people not to use flash an when they started up a few minutes later the warning was repeated and that put an end to it. As Walt Disney taught, if you keep the place clean to begin with, people will follow suit and help keep it clean, but if you let litter build up then, the whole place will become a trash can. The management at WDW has, figuratively, let Pirates become a dump. I came home from WDW wondering if I would ever want to go back there was so much done so poorly. Visiting DL the next week resorted some of my love of Disney Theme Parks. KarlG
Originally Posted By CMDad I had a similar experience a few years back, but at the HM. In the Doom Buggy directly ahead of me, a young man - in his early 20's? - had very obviously just gotten a new camera and was still learning how to use it. And try he did. In just the time it took for his flash to recharge, he snapped one picture after another. With absolutely no break in the onslaught! When we got to the unload area, I stepped out of my Doombuggy and he was walking back towards the interior to get one last picture. As he reach directly in front of me I looked at him and said "Thanks jerk - for totally ruining the ride for me and everyone else inside!" A number of guests started applauding, and my wife and daughter, who usually would have castigated me for do that, we pleased with my action. The young man? He acted as if he couldn't understand why I (we) were upset!
Originally Posted By ChiMike COOL! See, I should have kept my advice to myself! --- >>The attraction was out of control and the cast member did nothing to stop it. << Well, that's what happens when you rely on college interns. Some who look at their gig as extended spring break in FL. Disneylanders should be very grateful that they do not rely on the college program. Karl, I personally appreciate your response VERY much! I have encountered the same thing and if it isn't flash photography it is incessant dinner party chatting. Especially the ones who feel they are 'qualified to give the director's commentary. I hope you let DL know what a better experience you received. That is the best way to encourage it to continue. They never get tired of hearing how they do things better than in Orlando, that's for sure. And the front-line CMs are to be commended for staying on top of it, boat after boat, and not just simply ignoring it. This story speaks volumes. >>I found little "magic" at WDW (to the point I'm wondering if will ever want to go back) but felt it many places at DL (and I'm thinking of returning soon). << I came to that conclusion in 2004/2005. Since then I have diverted almost all energy to the West Coast and take a few fun weekend trips scattered throughout the year.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 I had a similar instance at WDW ... but it was on Nemo where they seem to encourage guests to flash away. And it does greatly diminish/ruin others enjoyment of the attractions. I also was recently on PoC at DL and they did remind you and then when guest started taking pics they came on the PA and said 'no pictures' ... unfortunately that (and another reminder) did no good as the person continued to snap away. I am growing increasingly weary of dealing with the boorish behavior of the masses, but realize it's management that needs to do something. As a guest, saying something to another guest could result in a physical confrontation if not just an ugly incident and I won't subject myself to that. I also admit I don't understand the whole philosophy of 'I'll videotape my entire vacation' that seems so 'in' today. I was reminded of this a few weeks ago while standing behind dozens of folks on Main Street taking video of Wishes ... who the heck wants to watch videotaped fireworks? I mean, really ... these folks seem awfully low on the evolutionary scale.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<As Walt Disney taught, if you keep the place clean to begin with, people will follow suit and help keep it clean, but if you let litter build up then, the whole place will become a trash can. The management at WDW has, figuratively, let Pirates become a dump. I came home from WDW wondering if I would ever want to go back there was so much done so poorly. Visiting DL the next week resorted some of my love of Disney Theme Parks. >> I said it in another thread, Karl, but I'll repeat it here. In one month's time I visited DL, DLP and the MK. I couldn't help but feel that after being at Saks and Neiman Marcus that I suddenly was at Super WalMart.
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>I also admit I don't understand the whole philosophy of 'I'll videotape my entire vacation' that seems so 'in' today. I was reminded of this a few weeks ago while standing behind dozens of folks on Main Street taking video of Wishes ... who the heck wants to watch videotaped fireworks? I mean, really ... these folks seem awfully low on the evolutionary scale.<< I hear ya! If they wanted a recording they could have spent MUCH less and bought something professionally done. I don't get it either, especially the fireworks. I mean, live life a little. Experience things, enjoy the wonder and beauty. They probably look forward to making reservations 180 days out too...
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ^^Probably do, Mike. I don't understand how you can enjoy, or even experience, your vacation when you're spending the whole time with a camera in it.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ I found that I have so much more fun with the camera in the bag in the room. Yes, we do take a few pix -- but few being the operative word now. maybe 2 days out of 8-10 we will bring a camera with us to the parks - and never the recorder..
Originally Posted By rockcow1 I just got back 4 days ago and had the same experience on PoC. I thought it was just due to the new Jack Sparrow. But they took pictures through the whole ride. My husband too shouted out NO FLASH PICTURES. It fell on deaf ears. I did notice that the audio telling you not to was very soft and bearly audible.
Originally Posted By hopemax > was reminded of this a few weeks ago while standing behind dozens of folks on Main Street taking video of Wishes ... who the heck wants to watch videotaped fireworks? Because someday people aren't going to believe that they did fireworks like that, and accuse the people who say so of "wearing rose colored glasses." I don't have a video camera, but a lot of the photos I take now are for documentation. I wish they had digital cameras 30 years ago.
Originally Posted By Dlmusic <<I don't understand how you can enjoy, or even experience, your vacation when you're spending the whole time with a camera in it.>> I do just fine. I love to videotape everything, and I do watch old shows sometimes. I'm sad that I never got a clean recording of Festival of Fools at Disneyland or the entire World According to Goofy Parade. Now I don't believe in using flash photography, unless for some reason I get lucky enough to be alone in an attraction with empty ride vehicles in front and behind me. BTW, in the Haunted Mansion there is no way for a CM to know that there is flash photography being used due to their being no cameras inside (although that's due to change during this rehab). From what I understand the Pirates CMs are supposed to make announcements about flash photography, but working tower at Magic Kingdom is much more complex than working tower at Disneyland and they often get distracted.
Originally Posted By ChiMike To document ..... ? The Pooh Playground, JIYI WFV3.0M-VIII? I am hoping it's for an eventual before and after kind of thing, right Hopemax?
Originally Posted By hopemax Someday it might be "remember when Disney used to have good themeing like when they had that Pooh playground?" ;-)
Originally Posted By vbdad55 if and when that day happened I would have already stopped going would be my guess....... or they'd be closed
Originally Posted By ChiMike ^ Don't underestimate the American consumer. I did and am living to tell the tale of autograph books, playgrounds, turkey legs.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 Last year we sat on the beach at the Poly, and I took pix of the fireworks with my cell, until I realized the pix were nothing like the real thing and I was missing the real thing. Won't make that mistake again.
Originally Posted By karlg >> From what I understand the Pirates CMs are supposed to make announcements about flash photography, but working tower at Magic Kingdom is much more complex than working tower at Disneyland and they often get distracted. << Well I went on Pirates 4 times over 9 days and I never heard squat other than the very muffled recording at loading. At DL, the Cast members on the dock were telling people, but at WDW I never heard one cast member. Obviously this must have been going on for a long time and the managment must know it. So I can only assume that the management does not care about the SHOW (which used to be one of the 4 "Keys" for a Disney cast member). I came away from WDW thinking, that it had really gone down hill and not just because of Pirates, It was so obvious with Pirates.
Originally Posted By DLFAN1979 Telling guests at Pirates not to take flash pictures is like yelling at a wall. But i dare DARE them to take pics in my Manse. ESPECIALLY when it reopens. And i actually got in a fight w/a guest about it! Guess who won Lemme tell you, they need hearing aids by the time im though w/ them. muahahaha!.....
Originally Posted By dennis-in-ct <<< In one month's time I visited DL, DLP and the MK. I couldn't help but feel that after being at Saks and Neiman Marcus that I suddenly was at Super WalMart. >>> I still love that line !!!
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Last time I rode Haunted mansion, there was this stupid woman taking pics with flash. Other guests were screaming at her "NO PHOTO CON FLASH!!!" several times but she never stopped. Typical memememememe! attitude that prevails in the western World now-a-days.. I don't fight it anymore. Speaking of photos.. Dennis-in-CT, did you get my photos from the P-House this evening?? They were taken without flash!!!
