Warning Of Things to Come for Photographers

[CRO-Magnum]

If Disneylands policies are an indiciation of what's to come at WDW, we will no longer be allowed to bring tripods into the park. For the few that don't know, tripods are used by photographers to hold a camera still during a picture (commonly used for night shots, self portraits, high zoom shots).

At Disneyland last week I was notified, after having passed the security checkpoint and having spent 2 hours using the tripod in DCA, that tripods are not allowed in either park for "safety" reasons. Ignore the safety implications of the 500+ strollers or those people who stop and talk in the middle of ride exits and walkways, Disney is concerned about the tripping hazard. Monopods "may" be acceptable as no problems have been reported per James at Guest Relations. I am guessing that somebody set one up in an inappropriate place or left one unguarded and an injury resulted. I asked Guest Relations if they would ban umbrellas as they pose a greater risk and when pressed they admitted there are more reports of injuries from umbrellas than tripods.

As a "safety" issue I would not be surprised to see this implemented at WDW if not already. Needless to say I am very disappointed in the policy, the lack of prior notification, and the inconsistency among cast members. I querred 20 cast members over my two days and only 2 correctly stated they were banned.

Coming soon...no taking pictures because of the "safety" hazard of not being aware of your environment while taking the picture.

Demonstrating once again there is no limit to human stupidity...

 

[Tim G]

Well I've seen people been sweeped of their feet because of people carrying those tripods over their shoulder... demonstrating there is no limit to guest stupidity

Greetz

 

[CRO-Magnum]

Well I've seen people been sweeped of their feet because of people carrying those tripods over their shoulder... demonstrating there is no limit to guest stupidity

Greetz

Interesting point that underscores it's the individual's responsbility to be respectful of others in a crowded environment. I don't think banning tripods resolves anything. There are plenty of weapons left: strollers, cigarettes, camera bags, backpacks, wheelchairs, running children and adults, umbrellas, and diaper bags. I've been asaulted by each at one point or another including three complete knock-downs (and I'm 6'2" 280lbs) but never sought the elimination of any of those items. I would argue a tripod is no worse than anything else in it's potential to harm. Those electric carts are about the worst; having been run over before I can speak from experience (well, knocked down and had my foot broken when I was a cast member, not exactly run over, perhaps run down, and I was standing still!).

I've never been hit with a tripod or seen it happen. I'm not arguing it doesn't, I'm just arguing it's lower on the list than many other issues.

 

[DigitalDisney]

That's why we have the mini, collapsable tripods

Seriously, I hope this doesn't happen. If people are respectful to each other, than this won't be an issue. I don't know about anyone else, but I don't like to be intrusive. I'd much rather have a tripod setup off to the side than somewhere in the middle. Not only is it courteous to those around me, but it gives me more freedom, and it give me non-standard shots.

Anyone that sets up a tripod down in a busy intersection or on a busy walkway is asking for trouble anyways. Let darwin sort em out

 

[Tramp]

Well I've seen people been sweeped of their feet because of people carrying those tripods over their shoulder... demonstrating there is no limit to guest stupidity

Greetz

Yep...this year I saw a guy get cracked in the head from someone carrying a tripod after the show in front of the castle. But, even more dangerous because of their apparent increased preference to slickers is the damn umbrella. I was hit several times in the face by people walking past me with an umbrella in a congested area no matter how hard I tried to avoid them. I think I'm the perfect height to get hit. I'd say ban those things! :wave:

 

[Atta83]

I'd rather show me fireworks or parade when they used a tripod rather than their shaky hand...LOL.. At least some people with tripods know how to walk with them properly other than people with storllers who like to run into people and push them out of the way....LOL JK

 

[PhotoDave219]

True that. They can try....

 

[Scooter]

I'm not sure if tripods come with a safety rule book or not, but until they do, I think they shouldn't be allowed in the Parks.

Some people just can't handle them properly or don't have enough training or common sense to set them up without posing a danger to others.

I saw one guy set up a tripod right in the middle of the steps going up to Canada. It was crowded and he set the thing up so fast that people didn't see it and began running into it which almost caused them to fall down the steps.

I've also seen people set up tripods to get pics of Illuminations and they have no respect for the people around them who just want to see the show.

I have nothing against Tripods..I own one myself.
I just think there are too many people out there who bring them to the parks that don't care about others or don't have the brains to use them properly and safely.

It's a shame how a few idiots can spoil things for everyone.

 

[Merlin]

Wow! That's really a shame. If they're going to start banning everything that causes injuries, I guess that means they'll have to start banning their own roller coasters! :brick:

 

[Hawkwind]

Wow! That's really a shame. If they're going to start banning everything that causes injuries, I guess that means they'll have to start banning their own roller coasters! :brick:

Merlin, that is pure genius-Thanks for the laughs

 

[mkt]

I wish they'd ban strollers.

If the kid isn't old enough to walk, and whines when they walk for more than 10 minutes... then maybe they shouldn't go to WDW this year.

Medical strollers are A-OK though

 

[EpcoTim]

What a load of garbage. Its a small percent of people who carry tripods around the parks, and if theyre stupid enough to set them up in an aisle or somewhere congested, let their cameras get knocked down. A tripod is a neccesary evil sometimes, unlike the strollers carrying 12 year olds or 200lbs of junk. How about banning the flags that group leaders wave around like morons sometimes? Or the leashes weird parents keep on their kids that end up tripping people? I for one am not sure Id ever go back if they told me I couldnt go in with my tripod. Seems to me Disney is on a anti-guest wave. Good work.

 

[KevinPage]

Disneyland is in California = the land of wacky crazy laws.

 

[xfkirsten]

Ban strollers? How about ECVs first! I can't tell you how many little kids I saw nearly run down by pushy people in ECVs... :brick:

But back on topic, I didn't even know that DL had banned tripods. That's really annoying, because they're great for fireworks and night shots. Ah, well, now I have to start dragging their trash cans (at least the non-wobbly ones) to the locations from which I want night photos... *evil laugh*

-Kirsten

 

[MKCP 1985]

I wish they'd ban strollers.

If the kid isn't old enough to walk, and whines when they walk for more than 10 minutes... then maybe they shouldn't go to WDW this year.

Medical strollers are A-OK though

hmmm. Get back to us when little Rob is 2 and you're trying to get him in while you can for free before he turns 3. Don't get the stroller and your little guy will be whining before he gets to the end of Main Street, USA - "Carry me! I'm tired."

That's okay, MKT. You'll learn. Bwaaahaaaaahaaaa. :drevil:

 

[mkt]

There will never be a little Rob

 

[mikebrakes]

I went to Walt Disney World two years ago, and while using a tripod in Epcot a castmember told me Disney policy is that only tripods "this big" (holding her fingers about twelve inches apart) meaning only table-top models, are allowed in the parks, and something about having to wrap your leg around it or something like that. So this is nothing new.

Incidently, my tripod was set up out of the way and there wasn't anybody near me for twenty feet! I used it the night before, set all the way on the lowest level while sitting behind it, and had no problems recording SpectroMagic. As far as carrying it around, I slipped it through the strap on top of my camera case so there was no danger of anybody getting hurt by it. It's only about eighteen inches long when fully collasped and the way I was carrying it into the parks, I had no problems getting it in.

I wound up leaving it in the resort the rest of the trip. For the few times I used it, it was too bulky to carry anyway. Try using a tapletop model next time and set it on top of something if you need the elevation. They may not have an issue with that.

 

[brich]

Banning strollers? You can't be serious. Kids ARE Disney. Some of you should be thankful that Disney has allowed tripods up to this point. Banning tripods would only just add a challenge to those shooting in certain conditions. Welcome the new challenge of shooting in low light without the help of a tripod... hehe

 

[WDWFREAK53]

Nooooooo say it isn't so!!!

Without tripods...we have no... CONSTRUCTION WALL VAULTING!!!

Erik...what will you do?!?!?!?

 

[speck76]

Banning strollers? You can't be serious. Kids ARE Disney.

Really? I thought it was "families" :lookaroun