As we reported months back, automated cameras are replacing photographers in some character meet and greet spots throughout the Disney Parks. The latest is at the Mickey and Minnie character spot in the Town Square Theater on Main Street USA in Disney’s Magic Kingdom.
Let’s take a look at the setup:
You enter the Mickey and Minnie character spot just as usual and are in a queue leading up to your character moment with them:
Like this everything looks normal still with Mickey and Minnie posing with guests:
What’s different is that when you look on the wall facing the characters and the guests, there is a bookshelf with cameras built into it which take your picture:
There is still a cast member that directs your attention to the bookshelf and tells you to watch there, but there isn’t a photographer anywhere in sight:
A flash appears when taking the photo and about 3 to 4 photos are done:
I have mixed feelings about the whole thing. It seems pretty efficient, probably the same as before as the cast member still tells you to line up and where to look as if there were a photographer there taking your picture.
But I just feel like there is something missing and it’s difficult for a box to be able to capture some of those special moments in the same way or change angles the way a photographer can.
I’ll need to have a bit more experience with it to form a better opinion, so we’ll keep testing it out and get back to you with our thoughts.
Once you are done with your pictures, you go to this box on your way out to scan you MagicBand so the photos will be dropped into your My Disney Experience.
That’s it so far, we’ll keep you updated when these machines are rolled out to more locations across Disney World. Please let us know your thoughts below…
Your Thoughts:
I want to know what you think about the change to using automatic cameras at the character meet and greets…
- Do you like the change?
- What type of cameras or shots should be available for character meet and greets?
Let us know in the comments section below!
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My name is Ziggy and I love Disney, everything Disney! I grew up on Disney and it has and continues to be a huge part of my life. I started young when my parents took me to Disney World when I was 18 months old. Little did they know that would be the first of an uncountable number of trips we would take. I have so many amazing memories going to Disney with my family and friends and it has been interwoven into my DNA.
Kathy
Monday 23rd of September 2019
I’m not a fan of this idea. I will be there on Friday to check this out for myself. Will the cast member still take a photo with your phone?
Lauren W.
Tuesday 17th of September 2019
I don't like this at all. You didn't pay all this money for a premium theme park and all that goes with it to have a photo booth style picture experience. If they need to cut costs, this in NOT the place to do it. It's so cold and impersonal. Many candid shots are missed in this plan for only posed pictures. Disney decision makers have a big miss on this turkey of a decision.
Jenni
Sunday 15th of September 2019
I didn't like this feature. The camera takes a lot of pictures but so many of the really good ones someone was blinking... It also takes away from a real person capturing that initial excitement of seeing the child's face when they see the characters. Or that extra special moment when the child gets to hug the character.
Kim
Friday 13th of September 2019
It’s VERY SAD. That camera can’t capture the special moments of fun things kids do. The price they want for you to be able to get the pictures they should have a photographer. It’s all about the money. Walt would be ashamed.
Orangeanna
Friday 13th of September 2019
I hate this idea for so many reasons. Randomized flashes cannot capture what a human can. Eliminating cast member photographers is just cheap.
Helen Howey
Saturday 14th of September 2019
I absolutely hate this! I had one experience with the box camera with Tinker Bell and it was so uncomfortable standing looking at the wall waiting to hear the click. It was just awkward. The new cameras will not get that first interaction which is sometimes the most precious.