Select photopass locations to be replaced by automated cameras

[Animal]

This sounds like a perfect application. At the meet & greet locations there's no issue about what angle to pick for the best picture. Its simply go ahead and click.

The best pics are the ones where the little ones are running to the character. I doubt AI will be able to get the zoom just right for closeups and whatnot.

 

[AurumPunzel]

This is an absolutely ridiculous idea. Does Disney not realise that by replacing PhotoPass CMs with robots, they'll end up degrading the character M&G experience? PhotoPass CMs capture moments that computers can't, and they're an essential part of the whole Disney experience. I hope they reconsider.

 

[OSUZorba]

I sent it to WDW Guest Communications (wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com) and to George Kalogridis, CEO of Walt Disney World (george.kalogridis@disney.com)

I agree with you about the "only 9 locations" - they didn't develop this technology to only replace 9 locations. At a minimum this is a test to see how it works and if ok they will roll it out further

Funny thing is, I actually like the concept and think it could work in other applications - like around Animal Kingdom or something where there are spots you just standing in one spot to get you and the background .......but character meets are the LAST place I would think this would work

I think it would be great as a "force multipier" put in places you wouldn't normally have a life photographer like in front of the imagination fountain.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I think it would be great as a "force multipier" put in places you wouldn't normally have a life photographer like in front of the imagination fountain.

exactly! And probably some spots you could replace a photographer ... like the one spot in Animal Kingdom on the bridge near the Finding Nemo Theater looking back on Expedition Everest - it's really just that one angle that everyone gets so that they get the mountain in the back, I am sure an automated thing there could do an adequate job. But not a character meets

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

This is the email response I got, for what it's worth:

Angela Brooks (Disney)

Nov 16, 12:18 PM EST

Dear *******,

Thank you for your writing to George Kalogridis regarding Disney PhotoPass Service at the Walt Disney World Resort. Your message was shared with me so that I could personally respond to you.

I appreciate the time you took to share your thoughts on this adjustment, and I am delighted to see our Disney PhotoPass Photographers have captured such fun memories for your family. Regarding your future visits, I want to personally assure you that the Walt Disney World Resort will continue to have more than 100 locations where Disney PhotoPass photographers will be there to capture these personalized and customized photos for our Guests. We know our Guests enjoy the interaction with our Cast Photographers and Characters and we will continue to create those magical, one-of-a-kind memories. Beginning in early 2019, we will be installing automated cameras at nine locations that will continuously capture moments of the experience from start to finish to allow guests to receive a wider variety of photos from which to choose. All photographers will continue to support other Disney PhotoPass locations across our parks so they can use their creativity to capture personalized photos for our Guests.

******, our Guests' comments are invaluable, and we truly appreciate the time you took to share your thoughts with us. We hope to have future opportunities to entertain you at our Resort.

Best regards,

Angela Brooks
Executive Correspondence Specialist
Walt Disney World Resort

 

[TheMaxRebo]

@PrincessArlena'sDad - I just got an e-mail as well, and amazing Sarah just happened to use very similar language to Angela who wrote back to you


I must admit I am intrigued by the part that says: "We will be installing automated cameras at nine locations that will capture moments of the experience from start to finish to allow guests to receive a wider variety of photos from which to choose" .... so does that mean multiple cameras or that it can really pivot and swivel and move and stuff so that pictures are captured form when my kids start to walk up to the characters, etc.?

Guess have to wait and see on the actual results

**************************************

Dear Philip,

Thank you for your inquiry regarding Disney PhotoPass Service at the Walt Disney World Resort.

The Walt Disney World Resort will continue to have more than 100 locations where Disney PhotoPass photographers will be there to capture personalized and customized photos for our Guests. We know our Guests enjoy the interaction with our Cast Photographers and Characters and 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 guests to receive a wider variety of photos from which to choose. All photographers will continue to support other Disney PhotoPass locations across our parks so they can use their creativity to capture personalized photos for our Guests.

Philip, our Guests' comments are invaluable, and we truly appreciate the time you took to share your thoughts with us. We hope to have future opportunities to entertain you at our Resort.

Best regards,

Sarah Merrick
Guest Experience Services
Walt Disney World Resort

 

[recmouse]

@PrincessArlena'sDad - I just got an e-mail as well, and amazing Sarah just happened to use very similar language to Angela who wrote back to you


I must admit I am intrigued by the part that says: "We will be installing automated cameras at nine locations that will capture moments of the experience from start to finish to allow guests to receive a wider variety of photos from which to choose" .... so does that mean multiple cameras or that it can really pivot and swivel and move and stuff so that pictures are captured form when my kids start to walk up to the characters, etc.?

Guess have to wait and see on the actual results

**************************************

Dear Philip,

Thank you for your inquiry regarding Disney PhotoPass Service at the Walt Disney World Resort.

The Walt Disney World Resort will continue to have more than 100 locations where Disney PhotoPass photographers will be there to capture personalized and customized photos for our Guests. We know our Guests enjoy the interaction with our Cast Photographers and Characters and 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 guests to receive a wider variety of photos from which to choose. All photographers will continue to support other Disney PhotoPass locations across our parks so they can use their creativity to capture personalized photos for our Guests.

Philip, our Guests' comments are invaluable, and we truly appreciate the time you took to share your thoughts with us. We hope to have future opportunities to entertain you at our Resort.

Best regards,

Sarah Merrick
Guest Experience Services
Walt Disney World Resort

Yes - everyone got the same response from a different representative. That's why I emailed the woman I got the response from and copied george.kalogridis@disney.com on it again. I got a phone call today from the woman who wrote my email and I was able to kindly vent to her.

People need to not accept that cookie cutter response and send another email

 

[rteetz]

I must admit I am intrigued by the part that says: "We will be installing automated cameras at nine locations that will capture moments of the experience from start to finish to allow guests to receive a wider variety of photos from which to choose" .... so does that mean multiple cameras or that it can really pivot and swivel and move and stuff so that pictures are captured form when my kids start to walk up to the characters, etc.?

I believe there will be multiple cameras but I am not sure if they will move.

 

[AurumPunzel]

I believe there will be multiple cameras but I am not sure if they will move.

I'm still sceptical about them, because I'm a photographer, and I seriously doubt machines will ever be able to match the skills of a competent photographer, especially the PhotoPass CMs. What can machines do that photographers can't?

 

[tink2]

This is the email response I got, for what it's worth:

Angela Brooks (Disney)

Nov 16, 12:18 PM EST

Dear *******,

Thank you for your writing to George Kalogridis regarding Disney PhotoPass Service at the Walt Disney World Resort. Your message was shared with me so that I could personally respond to you.

I appreciate the time you took to share your thoughts on this adjustment, and I am delighted to see our Disney PhotoPass Photographers have captured such fun memories for your family. Regarding your future visits, I want to personally assure you that the Walt Disney World Resort will continue to have more than 100 locations where Disney PhotoPass photographers will be there to capture these personalized and customized photos for our Guests. We know our Guests enjoy the interaction with our Cast Photographers and Characters and we will continue to create those magical, one-of-a-kind memories. Beginning in early 2019, we will be installing automated cameras at nine locations that will continuously capture moments of the experience from start to finish to allow guests to receive a wider variety of photos from which to choose. All photographers will continue to support other Disney PhotoPass locations across our parks so they can use their creativity to capture personalized photos for our Guests.

******, our Guests' comments are invaluable, and we truly appreciate the time you took to share your thoughts with us. We hope to have future opportunities to entertain you at our Resort.

Best regards,

Angela Brooks
Executive Correspondence Specialist
Walt Disney World Resort

My email from Guest Relations was basically this exact same email with my name inserted instead of yours. I haven't received a response from George Kalogridis as of yet. Exact. Same. Email.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

My email from Guest Relations was basically this exact same email with my name inserted instead of yours. I haven't received a response from George Kalogridis as of yet. Exact. Same. Email.

It's nice to know Disney is still the master of the personal touch.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

My email from Guest Relations was basically this exact same email with my name inserted instead of yours. I haven't received a response from George Kalogridis as of yet. Exact. Same. Email.

We're going down for our daughter's graduation, as you are (from your banner)!

 

[AurumPunzel]

It's nice to know Disney is still the master of the personal touch.

Let's hope that personal touch remains with PhotoPass. Sooner or later, they will have to reconsider those ridiculous plans.

 

[Farro]

What email address did you use if you don't mind me asking? Those pictures @Farro posted are just.... something else. My mom is planning to buy us the Memory Maker package for Christmas so I feel the urge to email them about this, because that's just a plain crap move.

And they say "Oh it's ONLY 9 locations..." now but if not enough people make a deal about it you know they're going to expand it.

Thanks, aren't they special??? I about died when we got to our room that night and looked at our Memory Maker. In fact I used those photos (and there were more) to convince other people that Memory Maker is worth it.

This is a true loss if it really comes to fruition.

 

[Malyficent]

I emailed guest relations today and was similarly not pleased with the response. I wrote back and expressed my displeasure with the initial response. I added that this seems to be a pilot program and all about shareholder - not customer - value.

We're at the point where Disney could make us repeat customers for many years but decisions like this will have us spending our vacation dollars elsewhere. I added that I get they may not need to create return customers as another one will come along. Not a decision I think Disney should make, as inevitably that will erode the brand, but that seems to be the decision they're making for now.

ETA: Luke Hartsfield responded to my follow-up email:

Please be assured that your feedback has been appropriately shared with our Executive Leadership, and we truly appreciate your thoughts. Additionally, please also know that the planned upcoming changes to the select nine locations will not impact your upcoming visit in December as these changes will not be implemented until early 2019.
​

So not until 2019 - not sure if this was already disclosed. I also hadn't mentioned in my emails when we were visiting Disney so I guess he looked us up. Now I'm wondering if my account is flagged as a troublemaker (kidding...hopefully).

 

[OSUZorba]

What can machines do that photographers can't?

The more important question is what can't the machine do:

1) Join a Union
2) Expect a wage for it's labor

Who cares if any of the photos are good.

 

[EveDallas]

It appears this will begin 11/26 and be at 9 indoor photo locations. There will still be over 100 regular photopass photographers out and about. The automated systems will take photos throughout the entire experience. Universal also does this already at some of their photo locations.

Universal does this at two places in their parks (not sure about Volcano Bay). One of a dinosaur from JP and one of the car from BTTF. I don't think any of the character meet and greets have these.

 

[Doug M]

Parking fees drove us offsite, we always have stayed onsite. Cheapening photopass will mean we do not buy it again, we have always bought that. Every little thing they are doing is removing the special place they had in our hearts. Soon a normal 7 day stay will be 3 or 4, and their competition will get the remainder.

 

[AurumPunzel]

The more important question is what can't the machine do:

1) Join a Union
2) Expect a wage for it's labor

Who cares if any of the photos are good.

Unless they join the Skynet Union.

 

[anthony2k7]

Parking fees drove us offsite, we always have stayed onsite. Cheapening photopass will mean we do not buy it again, we have always bought that. Every little thing they are doing is removing the special place they had in our hearts. Soon a normal 7 day stay will be 3 or 4, and their competition will get the remainder.

We've just returned to wdw after a 9 year break. It felt like a different place to 9 years ago, so much of the magic has gone. Perhaps more regular visitors don't notice it so much but after a long gap it's very noticeable.