Photopass photographers are amazing! Had a moment in Disneyland where Minnie had just come out of the Cast Member Only entrance and saw me. I called out and was trying to wheel myself to her, Minnie ran and gave me a hug. Photopass caught that moment and that's a moment I will remember forever.
i can't say enough how magical and welcoming photopass photographers were on all of our trips to WDW. From the first steps thru the gate to the exit at the end of the day, there were always helpful friendly and outgoing PP cast members who were there to help capture our memories, and not the money in our wallets. We always trusted PP photographers over our own cameras and equipment, because we knew they knew how to compose, and create the best shot. Disney invested wisely in reinventing the in park photography experience :) Kudos for all you PP cast members did- you'll never know how magical and special you made vacations like mine :)
Thank you for sharing your experiences! It is interesting to hear the evolution of photos and photo pass at Disney. Fantastic busy decision on their part.
wow, that was quite an insight. Especially about the transformation and the way business changed, it's a history lesson nobody has talked about before (at least I don't know about it). So well done!
That was a great video! I love the idea of Photo Pass because after the vacation ends memories fade until I see those pictures again. I also love that they add the Pictures from the rides to Photo Pass as well.
Lol man you're old school you still have a house phone! Loved the video! Great work on really like the way Disney has their photopass system setup very easy to just go around take a bunch of good professional pics and them pick out the ones you like the most
Now that you mention it, I do remember the phalanx of photographers on entering parks. I know in my saved ephemera from the 1990s Orlando visits, I still have some of those numbered slips for pics. We just found it easier to let them take our picture and be done with it; we bought one or two over the years, which i why I still have some slips. In all my experiences with Photopass, I'm the one who has asked the photographer to take our picture, even some who we kibbitzed with for a few minutes before asking them to pic us. We've only purchased Photopass pics the last couple of trips, one which was included with our AP. Thanks for your hard work in making these videos!!!
I remember when Kodak had their stuff on the back of the Disneyland maps, and the kodak picture spots around the park. I don't remember them taking pictures, though. I do remember when Photopass started at Disneyland...it was just with characters like Mickey and now they're everywhere. I love working with most Photopass photographers. My last trip to Disneyland, there were a lot fewer photographers, however, which was disappointing. For a time they jacked up the price at Disneyland and lots of people complained. they've changed it again so it's a lot more reasonable. My family went to the San Diego Zoo last summer and MAN those photographers were pushy. It was so frustrating and irritating. Love Disney!
I remember visiting WDW in the late 90s and seeing all the Kodak Moment spots around the park marking where it'd be a good idea to take a picture. I might have even bought a roll of film or a disposable camera from one of their shops. At the end of the 90s, I had one of Kodak's publicly available digital cameras, a DC120. It was fun to use but awkward to hold. Even though someone at Kodak invented the digital camera in the 70s, they failed to keep up with the times. Later when I worked at Target, selling electronics, Kodak was not a camera brand I remember recommending very often.
StormyForest try clearing your cache and refreshing the page and it should fix it. I didn't realize the typo until I was in France, and the internet was so horrible I couldn't get it fixed until I was getting back into the states.
This is one of the best things they have ever done and I wish more places would adopt this practice. For people like me..this is a godsend. I'm an avid photographer and no matter where I go. I take a couple hundred pictures..at least. Problem is...I'm never in the picture. Always my fiance and dog..never me. We're getting married and honeymooning in Disney this October. Were getting married in Hilton Head and staying at the Disney resort there. So I'm guessing I will take between 5000 to 6000 pictures. I'm a crafter so they go in memory boxes, scrapbooks, journals, etc. And I would like to be included! I have the nice $700 camera and even my "cheap" camera was $250! So I'm not to keen on the idea of handing over my camera to a stranger. Not to mention I'm 5'4 while my fiance is 6'5. One of our heads ends up partially cut off. So when I had my friend book our trip, he didn't even have to ask if I wanted memory maker. People have ask me if I didn't think $169 was a bit steep. But for me to be in pictures..its worth it.
SirWillow..we will be there at Halloween and I already have our MNSSH tickets so I want that headless horseman picture. And I'll be stopping by as many photographers as I can find. I will have my $169 worth of pictures!
That’s something I’ve noticed since becoming a coaster enthusiast is that basically, Disney is kind of like the “father” of theme parks, whatever they do will eventually end up in the other parks. Fast pass for example although Disney is the only one I know of that is doing the fast pass free with your tickets.
I love this video, thanks for all the info! I was wondering, do you have any sources (online or print) with some more information? I am doing an essay on this topic for a class and need some sources. Thank you!
Unfortunately I dont. Most of it would be company information that they wouldn't print or post for the public but would be internal company documents. Outside of those who have worked for the companies, especially during transitions from one to another, I'm not sure if there are other written sources
Went to Universal Studios didn't see a single photographer badgering for pictures. But when I was younger yeah they tried to get my family to buy or take pictures.
I recently left my job at another photo company that works within Disney and they have the same terrible, outdated tactics that they still practice with Disney guests. We'd spend so many hours harassing guests to take our photos and would be difficult to make enough for the store overall. We had to keep a spreadsheet of how many photos taken and reprimand those who didn't do well. I recently switched to Photopass. It's nice working in a place where you don't have to harass and beg people to try out or buy our products. If you're doing your job and selling a worthwhile product, the guests should come to you. You shouldn't have to try so hard and basically talk people into trying it out.
I've definitely experienced that "attack of photographers". Anytime I go into Worlds of Fun with more than one other person it's a guaranteed picture lol. It certainly has gotten better from when I was younger though lol
The Photopass - well, specifically the on-ride photos - was one way Disneyland Paris felt very "off" compared to the American parks... I'm used to the American on-ride photos being shown pretty clearly, and you get the message "Sure, snap a quick pic - look at your faces on the ride! But you know, if you buy the photo it'd be so much better quality..." Whereas in Paris it read like "WATERMARK! WATERMARK! Don't try to steal the photo you must PAY FOR IT!" - having all that across the screen meant you couldn't even tell if it was a fun ride photo or not! Like you say, making it about guest experience makes for happy guests, happy guests spend more. Hopefully Disneyland Paris will get on board with this in the future... we didn't buy any ride photos because we couldn't see if they were worth it!
If you walk up to the registers at the rides they can show you the photo without the watermark as well as make any adjustments, zooming in, etc. We did this several times on the trip. While they don't have anywhere near as many photographers, we found the on ride photos to be very good quality, and I'm very pleased with the ones that we got.
Had a friend that did photos at Busch gardens Tampa and she told us how they had to meet the minimum number of pics every day and it drove her to quit. I haven't been by to the park in a few years but last time I was there I didn't see as many picture takers and it was kinda nice not to be followed around by those guys lol.
I can't count how many times, if I even checked the photo tickets after the front gate ambush - the photo was either bad, but more often they were taken right inside the gate - which instead of turning you 180 degrees to a focal point, they got you with the front gate behind you. (Worse than that is when they put you in front of a green screen to take a photo that never really happened, in my mind) I caught the Disney approach in 2005 and yes was amazed the photopass photographer was willing to take the photo on my camera. At the time I thought I had found a way to cheat the system.
Elitch Gardens still does it the old way and it's annoying to have them right in your face the second you walk in. I know Universal used to do it but I don't know if they still do. It's one reason why I wouldn't apply for that job
I have to find a way to share this video with SFOT. They mean well but they are at the entrance of the park and not at other beautiful places in the park.
Its the Universal Studios family shirts. Its a whole series... mother of all things etc. they come in blue/red and kids get numbered... traditionally in birth order ... thing 1, thing 2 etc
I live in the Home of Kodak and they did their hometown dirty. When the economy went down they thew us under the bus. George is spinning in his self done grave.....
they used to give good jobs for life with awesome benefits, contribute to charity like crazy, and inovate in their products. Then the economy tanked in the 90s and they started laying off right andf left, instead of inovating, they were jumping on trends and as for charities- please.
also they missed out on the first chance at instant, thus opening the window for polaroid, and they shot down the first digital cam ever made. it was made by kodak people, but "there is no market for that" till there is twenty years later made by someone else that you fired.....
Photopass photographers are amazing! Had a moment in Disneyland where Minnie had just come out of the Cast Member Only entrance and saw me. I called out and was trying to wheel myself to her, Minnie ran and gave me a hug. Photopass caught that moment and that's a moment I will remember forever.
i can't say enough how magical and welcoming photopass photographers were on all of our trips to WDW. From the first steps thru the gate to the exit at the end of the day, there were always helpful friendly and outgoing PP cast members who were there to help capture our memories, and not the money in our wallets. We always trusted PP photographers over our own cameras and equipment, because we knew they knew how to compose, and create the best shot. Disney invested wisely in reinventing the in park photography experience :)
Kudos for all you PP cast members did- you'll never know how magical and special you made vacations like mine :)
Kodak didn't keep up with the times and disappeared. Disney, always the innovator rules!
Thanks for a very informative video Sir Willow!
Thank you for sharing your experiences! It is interesting to hear the evolution of photos and photo pass at Disney. Fantastic busy decision on their part.
wow, that was quite an insight. Especially about the transformation and the way business changed, it's a history lesson nobody has talked about before (at least I don't know about it). So well done!
That was a great video! I love the idea of Photo Pass because after the vacation ends memories fade until I see those pictures again. I also love that they add the Pictures from the rides to Photo Pass as well.
Lol man you're old school you still have a house phone! Loved the video! Great work on really like the way Disney has their photopass system setup very easy to just go around take a bunch of good professional pics and them pick out the ones you like the most
I enjoyed this video. Very informative. Thank you!
Now that you mention it, I do remember the phalanx of photographers on entering parks. I know in my saved ephemera from the 1990s Orlando visits, I still have some of those numbered slips for pics. We just found it easier to let them take our picture and be done with it; we bought one or two over the years, which i why I still have some slips. In all my experiences with Photopass, I'm the one who has asked the photographer to take our picture, even some who we kibbitzed with for a few minutes before asking them to pic us. We've only purchased Photopass pics the last couple of trips, one which was included with our AP. Thanks for your hard work in making these videos!!!
I remember when Kodak had their stuff on the back of the Disneyland maps, and the kodak picture spots around the park. I don't remember them taking pictures, though. I do remember when Photopass started at Disneyland...it was just with characters like Mickey and now they're everywhere. I love working with most Photopass photographers. My last trip to Disneyland, there were a lot fewer photographers, however, which was disappointing. For a time they jacked up the price at Disneyland and lots of people complained. they've changed it again so it's a lot more reasonable. My family went to the San Diego Zoo last summer and MAN those photographers were pushy. It was so frustrating and irritating. Love Disney!
I just realized, his shirt could also be talking about Kodak with photography at parks! 😂😂
Great video. 🙂👍❤
I remember visiting WDW in the late 90s and seeing all the Kodak Moment spots around the park marking where it'd be a good idea to take a picture. I might have even bought a roll of film or a disposable camera from one of their shops. At the end of the 90s, I had one of Kodak's publicly available digital cameras, a DC120. It was fun to use but awkward to hold. Even though someone at Kodak invented the digital camera in the 70s, they failed to keep up with the times. Later when I worked at Target, selling electronics, Kodak was not a camera brand I remember recommending very often.
I heard you mention Photopass but did not know what it rally was. Now I know that the next time I go to Disney that I will defiantly want to use it.
I love photopass!
Please correct the misspelled word in your title. :-) Kokak?
I can't unsee this. Even hours after seeing this video, I still can't unsee it in my sub feed.
Got it fixed now. LoL didn't notice until I was in France and couldn't fix it there
StormyForest try clearing your cache and refreshing the page and it should fix it. I didn't realize the typo until I was in France, and the internet was so horrible I couldn't get it fixed until I was getting back into the states.
"It cost you a smile. I think you can afford that one"
"No I'm sorry, I even cannot pay respect" =D
This is one of the best things they have ever done and I wish more places would adopt this practice. For people like me..this is a godsend.
I'm an avid photographer and no matter where I go. I take a couple hundred pictures..at least. Problem is...I'm never in the picture. Always my fiance and dog..never me.
We're getting married and honeymooning in Disney this October. Were getting married in Hilton Head and staying at the Disney resort there. So I'm guessing I will take between 5000 to 6000 pictures. I'm a crafter so they go in memory boxes, scrapbooks, journals, etc. And I would like to be included! I have the nice $700 camera and even my "cheap" camera was $250! So I'm not to keen on the idea of handing over my camera to a stranger. Not to mention I'm 5'4 while my fiance is 6'5. One of our heads ends up partially cut off.
So when I had my friend book our trip, he didn't even have to ask if I wanted memory maker. People have ask me if I didn't think $169 was a bit steep. But for me to be in pictures..its worth it.
and when you consider that I was able to put on over 350 photos in 4 days in the parks, it quickly can become more than worth it.
SirWillow..we will be there at Halloween and I already have our MNSSH tickets so I want that headless horseman picture. And I'll be stopping by as many photographers as I can find. I will have my $169 worth of pictures!
That’s something I’ve noticed since becoming a coaster enthusiast is that basically, Disney is kind of like the “father” of theme parks, whatever they do will eventually end up in the other parks. Fast pass for example although Disney is the only one I know of that is doing the fast pass free with your tickets.
I love this video, thanks for all the info! I was wondering, do you have any sources (online or print) with some more information? I am doing an essay on this topic for a class and need some sources. Thank you!
Unfortunately I dont. Most of it would be company information that they wouldn't print or post for the public but would be internal company documents. Outside of those who have worked for the companies, especially during transitions from one to another, I'm not sure if there are other written sources
Went to Universal Studios didn't see a single photographer badgering for pictures. But when I was younger yeah they tried to get my family to buy or take pictures.
I recently left my job at another photo company that works within Disney and they have the same terrible, outdated tactics that they still practice with Disney guests. We'd spend so many hours harassing guests to take our photos and would be difficult to make enough for the store overall. We had to keep a spreadsheet of how many photos taken and reprimand those who didn't do well. I recently switched to Photopass. It's nice working in a place where you don't have to harass and beg people to try out or buy our products. If you're doing your job and selling a worthwhile product, the guests should come to you. You shouldn't have to try so hard and basically talk people into trying it out.
I am now very interested in the history of Disney and Kodak.
I've definitely experienced that "attack of photographers". Anytime I go into Worlds of Fun with more than one other person it's a guaranteed picture lol. It certainly has gotten better from when I was younger though lol
Awesome to hear about the success of photopass, it's certainly the Disney way haha.
The Photopass - well, specifically the on-ride photos - was one way Disneyland Paris felt very "off" compared to the American parks... I'm used to the American on-ride photos being shown pretty clearly, and you get the message "Sure, snap a quick pic - look at your faces on the ride! But you know, if you buy the photo it'd be so much better quality..." Whereas in Paris it read like "WATERMARK! WATERMARK! Don't try to steal the photo you must PAY FOR IT!" - having all that across the screen meant you couldn't even tell if it was a fun ride photo or not! Like you say, making it about guest experience makes for happy guests, happy guests spend more. Hopefully Disneyland Paris will get on board with this in the future... we didn't buy any ride photos because we couldn't see if they were worth it!
If you walk up to the registers at the rides they can show you the photo without the watermark as well as make any adjustments, zooming in, etc. We did this several times on the trip. While they don't have anywhere near as many photographers, we found the on ride photos to be very good quality, and I'm very pleased with the ones that we got.
Fantastic
Notification squad lol, did you get my comic picture I sent you?
Not sure. I've been in France. Did you mail it, email it, or what?
Had a friend that did photos at Busch gardens Tampa and she told us how they had to meet the minimum number of pics every day and it drove her to quit. I haven't been by to the park in a few years but last time I was there I didn't see as many picture takers and it was kinda nice not to be followed around by those guys lol.
I can't count how many times, if I even checked the photo tickets after the front gate ambush - the photo was either bad, but more often they were taken right inside the gate - which instead of turning you 180 degrees to a focal point, they got you with the front gate behind you. (Worse than that is when they put you in front of a green screen to take a photo that never really happened, in my mind) I caught the Disney approach in 2005 and yes was amazed the photopass photographer was willing to take the photo on my camera. At the time I thought I had found a way to cheat the system.
Carowinds still has the wall of photographers asking to take your picture 🤪
do you remember the drive thru photo booth s??!
OMG yes! The first 1 hr photo things were Kodak booths. I feel old lol
tjt072 we are all getting older
Elitch Gardens still does it the old way and it's annoying to have them right in your face the second you walk in. I know Universal used to do it but I don't know if they still do. It's one reason why I wouldn't apply for that job
I have to find a way to share this video with SFOT. They mean well but they are at the entrance of the park and not at other beautiful places in the park.
where is that awesome shirt from?
One of my viewers sent it to me in my last mail call!
Its the Universal Studios family shirts. Its a whole series... mother of all things etc. they come in blue/red and kids get numbered... traditionally in birth order ... thing 1, thing 2 etc
This story show says better to attract more flies with honey than it is with vinegar
I'm a photographer for shows in Vegas we do a mix between Disney and Kodak Style of pictures
and how's your trip
It's been an awesome trip. Just waiting at my last airport before heading home.
SirWillow well I hope and pray you get home safe to your family for Easter
What's Kokak? I thought it was Kodak.
LoL fixed now
I live in the Home of Kodak and they did their hometown dirty. When the economy went down they thew us under the bus. George is spinning in his self done grave.....
George Eastman Not the george in this video
they used to give good jobs for life with awesome benefits, contribute to charity like crazy, and inovate in their products. Then the economy tanked in the 90s and they started laying off right andf left, instead of inovating, they were jumping on trends and as for charities- please.
also they missed out on the first chance at instant, thus opening the window for polaroid, and they shot down the first digital cam ever made. it was made by kodak people, but "there is no market for that" till there is twenty years later made by someone else that you fired.....