Universal Orlando Resort's Photographic-phobia

[Parkscope Joe]

If Universal doesn't want photos taken, highten the fences and install visual barriers. Sending your security guards around telling people to delete photos because of your own incompetence with fences is stupid.

 

[Themeparkvigilante]

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.

What tripod rule are you reffering to? Are you meaning what you can do/not do with it? On there policies & restrictions page, they tell you what you can or cannot bring, & there is nothing there that says tripods are prohibited.

 

[Vyrus]

The other you could always do, is make sure your DSLR has 2 SD cards, set to dual write, and when asked to delete pictures, just delete from one SD card

 

[Felipe]

To join in and vent a bit...

I understand that Universal, like an artist with a piece that is half finished, doesn't want anyone to see it until it's ready... BUT, on the other hand, they can't expect everyone to ignore this huge construction project that is so very noticeable; we can't just pretend like it isn't there. People get curious, and people take pictures. They shouldn't be going on a witch hunt for something that's part of paid admission, and it's not a health or safety or liability issue. If they don't like it, they should build a taller wall, as mentioned, or maybe a huge tent over the area Yes, I know these are ridiculous ideas, but so is harassing guests for taking pictures from a guest area :bonk:

Universal is in a way biting the hand that feeds them... Not only because we're paying guests and their biggest fans, but also because fan sites, forums, social media, etc... basically the Internet community, we're are a HUGE part (if not the biggest part) to thank for the success of the WWoHP, and consequently the success of the resort as a whole today. I doubt they would've had the turnout that they did if the Harry-Potter and theme-park fan sites didn't cover Phase I and hype it up as much as we did. There were thousands upon thousands of construction pictures taken during WWoHP Phase I, and see how that turned out for them... Buzz >>> Money!

Today, Universal should try to find a happy middle, where they keep as much as they can a secret, but not at the expense of the guest experience. And if they can't find a way, don't spoil the guest experience! Intimidation tactics are just in really bad taste, and I don't know in what business model that would make for happy customers eager to come back.


Anyways...

Choose your battles wisely, there is always another day.

Yessir! :thumbs:

 

[Teebin]

Ah, anyone that has some of the plans can just send them to TMZ, WSJ, and Sentinel. One of them will publish whatever they receive with impunity. Their legal team will just have to eat it. UC might not want to anger those in possession of such material. God forbid the campaign concept art has been leaked. irate:

 

[Miketheboss]

....and disney puts windows in there fences. lol, Universal hop of the stick.

 

[TheMackMachine]

When they announced TF was there still guards telling people to delete the pictures?

 

[ThemeParks4Life]

When they announced TF was there still guards telling people to delete the pictures?

Yeah, but it was pretty rare.

 

[Felipe]

....and disney puts windows in there fences. lol, Universal hop of the stick.

Different companies, different M.O.s. The two extremes

Disney released a full scale model and a bunch of concept art of New Fantasyland, so the windows in construction fences, that just follows their M.O.

Universal is different in that they keep their projects under wraps. And that's cool, for the surprise element... But, their measures against photography of construction from guest areas, it's a tad on the extreme side

 

[maxairmike]

What tripod rule are you reffering to? Are you meaning what you can do/not do with it? On there policies & restrictions page, they tell you what you can or cannot bring, & there is nothing there that says tripods are prohibited.

Short story is that I went to take pictures one night at CityWalk, no sooner got my tripod out and legs out (all behind one of those Pastamore signs, next to a trash can so as to stay out of the walkway and minimize my impact, I'm very mindful of such things when I can be) than a security guard came over from the other corner and told me I had to put it away. I inquired a bit, complied, but made it fairly obvious I wasn't happy and had used it for at least 3 hours prior in both parks with no issue. Proceeded immediately to the Guest Relations window in CW and two of the three people were about to say they weren't aware of such a rule that requires a media pass and escort to use a tripod, then the third chimed in right before and said that yes, there is a rule and it is a general NBC-Universal rule. Proceeded home, talked to several friends who work at Universal, none of them have a clue. Write a comment using their online form, receive a call saying that yes, it is a Uni-NBC rule across all their properties. Double checked all websites, scoured the park sites top to bottom, no rule posted.

At least a few other photographers have gotten hassled before for tripod use (not in the parks, though), and some even just for having DSLRs in general. Universal really needs to get their phobia under control, and I know several photographers/enthusiasts who would be happy to help with their counseling.

 

[Hockeyman55]

Mike, I've lucked out thus far and have yet to be harassed in City walk. I just walked around Saturday night and had nobody bug me.

 

[maxairmike]

I've thought about going around midnight on a weeknight since most of the places besides the clubs close then and the place is almost a ghost town, figure they may not care since there's less people. I just don't like to go somewhere that late, and don't feel like waiting around 3 hours after I leave the park just for that reason. Maybe one of these days...

I've never had an issue at bag check, though I was expecting one on Saturday given the concert (as if you could manage to use a tripod in that mass anyway!). Heck, I think I could have walked through with it still on my back like I can usually do at Disney that night and the guys there wouldn't have cared. I should have tried CityWalk that night, but knowing my luck I would have run into the same guy as before.

 

[TheMackMachine]

Yeah, but it was pretty rare.

I have a feeling that once they actually announce something, then they can really care less. This security craziness must be temporary.

And how do people get in trouble with a tripod at CITY WALK? What are people going to take pictures of? Sad to hear about that mike.

 

[Jakemeister]

I've heard of people having crazy issues during Halloween Horror Nights. Getting questioned about DSLR lens and the likes.

 

[King_K.]

I've heard of people having crazy issues during Halloween Horror Nights. Getting questioned about DSLR lens and the likes.

That was a situation with the hired event security though, not Universal security. In fact Universal security cleared most situations right up from what I heard. I did know about the no-tripod rule for a few years now, I believe that some that are under a certain height are allowed, but not all. That's not something new.

 

[UniversalCityFL]

I'm going to be technical here. Universal Orlando is private property. Just as you could have the police remove me from your yard/house, NBCUniversal can have you removed for objectionable conduct or breaking rules as someone here has already shown with language from their annual pass.

Unless you're standing on Turkey Lake Rd, Kirkman, or flying at a certain height, you are not on or in public space.

And this happened to too many people that I trust and /or work withto believe it's a serious problem right now. I can only imagine how normal guests feel when they are attacked by the "tourists" in Amity or security around ss44

You're correct, ReelJustice.

Universal can absolutely tell you that you can't take photos of a certain area. It's private property -- they can do what they wish. They can also kick you out for wearing orange if it's a "No Orange Day". They can pretty much have whatever rule they wish to have as long as it's not discriminatory.

I know a lot of us have an entitled "It's a free country, I can do what I want, or else let me speak to a Manager" attitude, but unfortunately, it's just not the case.

Listen, in construction of new theme park attractions, there are new technologies and trade secrets being put into action. You, taking pictures and posting them online, can alert the competition to what Universal is doing. I'm sure you wouldn't like it if park XYZ also opened a similar attraction nearby. It makes it not as special. This is the theme park equivalent of you going to Apple headquarters and taking a picture of the next iPhone.

Sure, there's also security risks with third party vendors and whatnot. But ultimately, Universal (and any smart company) must protect their millions of dollars of investment, and try to minimize any breaches of their intellectual property -- including you taking pictures of the construction activity.

And the "Any press is good press" philosophy does not apply here. The pictures posted on this site are not drumming up publicity and selling tickets -- everyone here is a theme park fan and is already going to the parks.

I'm not shunning the picture-takers and information-sharers on this board. I love it. But just don't have an aire of entitlement when someone asks you to stop taking pictures in their backyard.

 

[Millionaire2K]

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)

Your joking right!! Replying to a quote I made over 8 months ago!! Please stop :horse:

Thanks for the LATE tips!!

 

[Brian G.]

Your joking right!! Replying to a quote I made over 8 months ago!! Please stop :horse:

Thanks for the LATE tips!!

You don't need to be a jerk about it...

 

[Hockeyman55]

I've thought about going around midnight on a weeknight since most of the places besides the clubs close then and the place is almost a ghost town, figure they may not care since there's less people. I just don't like to go somewhere that late, and don't feel like waiting around 3 hours after I leave the park just for that reason. Maybe one of these days...

I've never had an issue at bag check, though I was expecting one on Saturday given the concert (as if you could manage to use a tripod in that mass anyway!). Heck, I think I could have walked through with it still on my back like I can usually do at Disney that night and the guys there wouldn't have cared. I should have tried CityWalk that night, but knowing my luck I would have run into the same guy as before.

I used my tripod to get pictures of the floats over by Shrek in the mass of people I did have the legs folded in but all the way extended length wise so I could get a shot over everyone's head. I was only there for about 5 min and behind everyone and as soon as I was done we booked out of there.

 

[captainjack]

This is why I only carry my GS3 with me when I go to the parks....I'm a ninja I got those pics of the new Screen Play posters over by the HP expansion and I wasn't more than 20 yards from a security guard ound: