News PhotoPass at some character locations being replaced by automated cameras

[mikejs78]

That may be true, or they left off the "right now" -- no one is losing their job "right now". Who knows?

If they want to experiment with whether this might actually be better in some respect, I'm surprised they're starting with 9 locations and not one or two just to see.

Look -- I hope I can eat my words and that this is fantastic, IF they're moving to it regardless! Machines still can't replicate people in every role... at least not yet...

Yeah, I hope so too. Like I said above, it *could* be really good if they get the ML right. But Disney hasn't shown that Software Development is their forte....

 

[drizgirl]

Not to thrilled about this either.

However, in that regard, hasn't Universal been doing this for a while now, not with character meets, but Photo Spots?

And speaking of which, this was trialed last year to negative reaction. Seems like they fixed the kinks or made improvements.

A photo spot is completely different. You don't interact with a photo spot.

 

[drizgirl]

Maybe the number of people willing to pay for photopass (and by pay I mean those who pay for it directly and not have it included in the AP price) is declining?

Maybe not yet, but give it a moment.

 

[drizgirl]

This would only apply to indoor locations (more than likely), it's been mentioned once, and I can mention this AGAIN.

Doubtful. I think the outdoor locations have too many variables. Lighting changes minute by minute. People get in the way, characters shift around. Not enough room for permanent camera box spots.

 

[networkpro]

From a product consistency standpoint, I think I'll side with the hated viewpoint: I'm for it. Some people don't do well with change but for me its part of everyday life. I began visiting WDW when it was just the Magic Kingdom and park photographers were few and characters roamed randomly.

 

[Jon81uk]

So if no one is losing their job, what's the motivation behind this? Add more Photopass spots without increasing staff? Or do they really believe this can be a better experience?

Don't need to recruit any more. Many will just leave the company anyway and as they do, they just don't replace. So in the short term they may have extra photographers out and about, but longer term as some leave and don't get replaced, its a cost saving.

 

[kong1802]

Didn't Disney get about $2 billion from the tax cuts?

So I think we can dispense with the, "they need to automate to save labor on taking quality photos" nonsense......

 

[DisAl]

Here’s the response I got from Disney. They sure had this canned one ready to go:

Luke Hartsfield (Disney)
Nov 15, 4:22 PM EST
Dear (redacted),

Thank you for your email to George Kalogridis regarding the Walt Disney World Resort. Your correspondence was forwarded to me so that I may personally respond to you on behalf of our Executive Leadership.

Thank you for your feedback regarding Disney PhotoPass at the Walt Disney World Resort. Please know, the Walt Disney World Resort will continue to have more than 100 locations where Disney PhotoPass Photographers will be available to capture personalized and customized photos for our Guests. We know our Guests enjoy their interactions with our Photographers and Characters, so rest assured that we will continue to create those magical, one-of-a-kind memories. We will be installing automated cameras at nine locations that will capture moments of the experience from start to finish to allow our Guests to receive a wider variety of photos from which to choose. Please note, no one is losing his or her job as a result of this. All Photographers will continue to support other Disney PhotoPass locations across our Theme Parks so that they can use their creativity to capture personalized photos for our Guests.

Thank you again for writing to us. We look forward to future opportunities to entertain you and your family.

Warmest regards,

Luke Hartsfield
Executive Correspondence Specialist
Walt Disney World Resort

Other than the first sentence and the name at the end this is the exact same email I received when I emailed the photopass group.
Even their email is either a canned cut and paste or automated!
I have decided not to purchase Memory Maker for an upcoming trip in March. That would have paid one photographer for one day.
THINK TDO, if just nine people per day decide not to purchase Memory Maker you will be loosing money.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

Remember the days when you could use YOUR OWN CAMERA to just take pictures instead of just being lazy..Boy I sure do..

 

[Missing20K]

Remember the days when you could use YOUR OWN CAMERA to just take pictures instead of just being lazy..Boy I sure do..

 

[Mr Ferret 75]

Remember the days when you could use YOUR OWN CAMERA to just take pictures instead of just being lazy..Boy I sure do..

So how do you get a photo of your whole family ? Without asking a passer by.

 

[kong1802]

Remember the days when you could use YOUR OWN CAMERA to just take pictures instead of just being lazy..Boy I sure do..

Yeah you lazies....Pay for the product and then also don't be lazy......(if you had an AP, the raised the costs and then "threw in the memory maker" to squash the complaints) so you paid for it...

Same thing when you order food...taking too long at Casey's, don't be lazy! Get back there and work the frier! In my day, we made our own hot dogs!

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

So how do you get a photo of your whole family ? Without asking a passer by.

You simply ask a CM to take a photo..I did it when I worked in the Theme park industry as character escort in the early 00's prior to laziness..

 

[kong1802]

You simply ask a CM to take a photo..I did it when I worked in the Theme park industry in the early 00's prior to laziness..

Same thing about you lazies wanting a night time parade...

Put on some light up necklaces and march down Main Street!

When we wanted a parade in my day, we did it ourselves.

 

[lazyboy97o]

You simply ask a CM to take a photo..I did it when I worked in the Theme park industry as character escort in the early 00's prior to laziness..

Is it lazy to expect a waiter to bring you your food instead of getting it yourself? PhotoPass is a paid service.

 

[natatomic]

Don't need to recruit any more. Many will just leave the company anyway and as they do, they just don't replace. So in the short term they may have extra photographers out and about, but longer term as some leave and don't get replaced, its a cost saving.

And they can cut hours for all those cast memebers. Full timers have to be givena certain number of hours, but part-timers are guaranteed any number of hour nor a certain number of days a week.

 

[Mr Ferret 75]

You simply ask a CM to take a photo..I did it when I worked in the Theme park industry as character escort in the early 00's prior to laziness..

No you said you took the pictures yourself . Asking a cast member is no better than having a photpass person .

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

Is it lazy to expect a waiter to bring you your food instead of getting it yourself? PhotoPass is a paid service.

And a character handler is a paid service (since you paid to get into the park) to watch said character, and also assits guests if they'd like to get their photo's taken with the character..I bring my camera all the time and they are more than happy to have them take a photo with your own camera..

 

[kong1802]

Is it lazy to expect a waiter to bring you your food instead of getting it yourself? PhotoPass is a paid service.

Yes. Also, want a refill? Get it yourself. Line for Mickey to long? Go buy some ears and up the pitch in your voice.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

No you said you took the pictures yourself . Asking a cast member is no better than having a photpass person .

At least I don't have watermarks and a deletion date when I use my camera..