Universal Orlando Resort's Photographic-phobia

[figment1986]

Listen, Mousesteps, Theme Park Review, and another site who's name escapes me were told point blank at the special Despicable Me press event with the Universal Creative lead that they were not to take or post any pictures of SS44. This is fact. A manager told them this. It's policy.

And they can make you leave, it's private property.

Probably Mickey Updates since I know they were in that group...

Universal actually had not told me personally no photos... though my site apparently isn't getting press release emails anymore, hmm :inquisitive:

Hard to hide semi trucks rolling down the street.

discuise them like autobots or decepticons.. oh wait that would be worse :look:

I think this really just boils down to the TM that is on duty at that time. Some of them might not really mind the pictures and others will stop you instantly.

This may be why I havn't been talked to yet...

 

[Brian G.]

Neither did we.

 

[figment1986]

Universal copter shots are $35, Disney copter shots are $85.

http://www.orlandounited.com/forums/payments.php

Can we share the chopper?

Yup. Which is a lifetime VIP pass... :look:

that means I get one copter ride free :rofl:

 

[Paul9251]

They were very friendly, but they made sure I deleted my pics.

It infuriates me that someone would make another person delete pictures off of their own camera. What if you didn't? What were the pics of? How come they didn't make you delete the other ones too?

 

[maxairmike]

I guess I got lucky taking pictures last week, although I did have the event TMs eyeing me suspiciously.

When it comes to photo policy at Universal, it really is entirely about the TM that see's you. One night I had my tripod and not a word was said to me by the multiple managers and leads that walked by in both parks (actually had a few TMs and a manager that wanted to see how they were coming out and complimented them!), but the moment I started putting my tripod up right behind a ground sign for Pastamore (i.e. out of the way and flow of traffic so as not to cause an issue), a security guy approached and told me no tripods were allowed on Universal property. Nevermind that security looked at it and the bag it was in coming in earlier that day... It is evidently an NBC-Universal rule across all properties after talking to a Guest Relations TM, but it isn't posted on any of their websites or in any rules anywhere. I haven't brought my tripod back, but probably will soon for some awesome RockIt and Cinematic pics since the park people didn't mind.

 

[Swiminn6]

If anyone has a phone with a camera button on the side, do the talking/capturing a pic trick! All you do is hold up your phone like your talking but instead take some pictures! Works good for me.

Or, try to put a GoPro on your head and walk around Take a video or something and most likely you won't get approached. If you do, be like I LIKE TO VIDEO MEMORIES FOR MY KIDS! He he!

 

[John321]

I'm not buying any of this. They will not do anything to you. You can take pictures of anything you want. Just don't stick your camera over the wall.

If someone asks you to stop... Why would you not ask to speak to a manager? I don't get this.

Also if they told me to "put the lens cap on" I would say “no”. They can't tell you what to do with your stuff. What if they told you to “pull your pants down” or “take off” or “put on your hat”.

I DON'T BUY IT!!

Next time someone is asked to stop taking pics take a pic of the guy right as he starts talking. Then ask for a manager. Then take a pic of the manager.

Until I see pics of the people telling people to stop I do not buy that this happens. And with the great shots we got the other day I again don’t buy it.

Believe it because it's true. It has happened to me a couple times at jaws and SS44. They asked me what I was taking a picture of an I said " stuff " they told me no taking pictures of construction. Another time the minute I went to take a picture those stupid tourists by Jaws came up to me an started doing the whole spiel as 2 security guards walked behind me. When I take pics now I just bring my Iphone an act like i'm texting.

 

[Octobers Fade]

There will be a lot of photos taken over the course of any construction project.
Just don't be Captain Obvious and there shouldn't be any real problems.

 

[bobwadd]

There will be a lot of photos taken over the course of any construction project.
Just don't be Captain Obvious and there shouldn't be any real problems.

That's all I've been trying to say. :thumbs:

 

[montu2u]

I too was asked to stop taking pictures and leave by Universal Security when I was on top of the parking garage about a year ago. And I was taking pictures of the hotel I worked at then. Facing East, away from the parks. The security team reminded me of Brundon in Night at the Museum. I kinda got tickled at their arrogance and they were not happy with me. So I left and went back to work.

 

[TheMackMachine]

I think for now Universal wants their construction workers not to be bothered by our curious cameras, even though I think it will lead to a bad reputation. By the time the projects is almost complete, then they won't care. Don't worry, this situation will die down eventually.

 

[Cecilia]

I think once they realize that this is getting them good publicity, they might chill a bit. If they don't, then I am embarrassed to say that they are quite ignorant.

 

[John321]

I think it's going to take a while for them to chill. LOL

 

[ReelJustice]

Bump due to recent events and to get the discussion out of the WWoHP Phase II thread.

 

[Eric]

The fact that UOR security is telling guests to delete photos or get thrown out of the park is ridiculous. I think it may be a little bit different if they had signs in the area stating that no pictures could be taken in the area, but there's absolutely no reason for this.

It's already too late, the information is out there. If a guest wants to know what's coming, they can easily find it. Construction pictures taken in guest areas aren't going to hurt UOR attendance or really anything for that matter.

 

[Hockeyman55]

I'm not buying any of this. They will not do anything to you. You can take pictures of anything you want. Just don't stick your camera over the wall.

If someone asks you to stop... Why would you not ask to speak to a manager? I don't get this.

Also if they told me to "put the lens cap on" I would say “no”. They can't tell you what to do with your stuff. What if they told you to “pull your pants down” or “take off” or “put on your hat”.

I DON'T BUY IT!!

Next time someone is asked to stop taking pics take a pic of the guy right as he starts talking. Then ask for a manager. Then take a pic of the manager.

Until I see pics of the people telling people to stop I do not buy that this happens. And with the great shots we got the other day I again don’t buy it.

Here's your picture :horse:


DSC00113-Edit by Mike Sperduto, on Flickr

 

[Shadow Carelli]

"We start carrying semi automatics, they buy automatics, we start wearing Kevlar, they buy armor piercing rounds. "

Commissioner Gordon if I'm not mistaken?

 

[Nitro_230]

I'm not buying any of this. They will not do anything to you. You can take pictures of anything you want. Just don't stick your camera over the wall.

If someone asks you to stop... Why would you not ask to speak to a manager? I don't get this.

Also if they told me to "put the lens cap on" I would say “no”. They can't tell you what to do with your stuff. What if they told you to “pull your pants down” or “take off” or “put on your hat”.

I DON'T BUY IT!!

Next time someone is asked to stop taking pics take a pic of the guy right as he starts talking. Then ask for a manager. Then take a pic of the manager.

Until I see pics of the people telling people to stop I do not buy that this happens. And with the great shots we got the other day I again don’t buy it.

I know I already touched on this over in the potter thread, but they can definitely throw you out for not following instruction. It's private property and if they don't want you to take pictures of something from their property they can ask you to leave. It's not the greatest PR policy but they can do it.

Also I would not recommend the tell them no, take pictures of them and then take pictures of the manager idea. Taking a picture of the employee who is enforcing a policy they did not create, and then the manager is simply going to get you trespassed. If you don't agree with it I would strongly suggest telling them you understand their request, but don't agree with it and you would like to speak to a manager about it. And once the manager is there explain to them your issues with the policy and if need the your issues with the team members enforcing the policy.

If you treat them with respect you'll get a lot further. If you go nuts on them guest services will know about you well before you get up there (assuming they let you stay in the park)

 

[bobwadd]

As the source of this renewed interest I thought I would give my opinion.

And it is . . . Choose your battles wisely, there is always another day.

 

[maxairmike]

Yep, this is not something to get so worked up about...at the moment. I'm sure it will end up biting them in the rear at some point (along with their tripod "rule" that no one but three people at the resort apparently know about), but until then, it isn't a battle to pick.