Park policies have been updated

OMG, we broke the rules...we fed ducks! Sorry, ducks, but that was your last free meal from us.

there was in independent film shot in the MK, without permission, a little over a year ago. The whole thing shot on iPhones. It's not that great, but the guerrilla film maker in me thinks this is nothing short of brilliant while at the same time understanding why Disney would take issue and make the rule change.

It's available on Netflix. Search for "Escape from Tomorrow."

Hrmmm... interesting.

I wonder where that leaves all the bloggers and guidebooks in regards to the photography and videography.

I was just about to say(type?) the same thing There are SO many blogs and websites that rely very heavily on Disney photos and videos. Also, what about the thousands of people that post Disney pictures to Facebook, forums, and other social media. I find it hard to believe that Disney would expect people not to post, email, tweet, Instagram, etc....... Photos in this day and age of social media.

So by personal use, I assume social media accounts like Facebook or Instagram or a personal YouTube channel or vlog would be fine. But for monetary gain is probably what is prohibited. I mean, I kinda assumed Escape From Tomorrow had a huge part in altering the policy....

Like oooooh, this one.
I'm reaching out to Brad to see if this is going to make my life difficult.

I don't think we can assume that social media outlets are ok. While it is true that I don't make money off my own Facebook page or twitter account, some people certainly make a lot of money from them. I hope it doesn't happen, but the Disney cooperation may decide someday that they are tired of Mark Zuckerberg making money off the thousands of people that post pictures of their Disney vacations on Facebook.

I would be really surprised if that were the case. Disney has it's own site disneyside.com and encourages people to share pictures on there or Facebook and Twitter with #disneyside and it's a huge free marketing plan for them that would be taken away.

My opinion: I expect the rules will be interpreted such that online posting of photos or videos on social media sites will be allowed because it helps Disney promote its parks. People who see our photos on Facebook or videos on YouTube of all the fun we had meeting Mickey Mouse or posing in front of the Castle or riding Dumbo might decide they want to visit a Disney park, also, and Disney knows it. It's free advertising. Same with WDWFG, the Disney food blog, etc. - free advertising; even though we occasionally complain about something or other, usually we're talking about how much we love the Disney parks and can't wait to get back there.

Edited to add: That goes for the guidebooks, also, and their associated websites. As long as it helps promote a Disney vacation, Disney isn't going to stop it even if people are making a living off the guidebooks and websites.

The legalese will always state it more "severe" than it really is. I'd like to see Disney going after their guests who post photos and videos of their trips online. Think of how many there will be, and these are some of their most loyal fans, like me!

Nope. The new policy simply gives them means to go after those who make commercial products on their premises without their consent. This is always the case when someone abuses some privileges, or someone takes advantage of something, and the rest of us have to pay. Recall the use-disabled-person-to-get-to-front-of-line trick.

This isn't the first, nor will this be the last, time we all suffer because someone thought he or she was smart enough to get away with doing something.

Zz.

Exactly!

Agreed. The change is most certainly to curb "Escape from Tomorrow"-type activity. I just checked their site the other day. I'm amused by their counter listing how many days their film has been available and they have NOT been sued by Disney.

Disney is certainly not going to limit the gobs of free advertising that they receive from FB, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, blogs, etc.

Funny about feeding the animals rule.

I figured out the fish below the bridge on the way in to the WWOHP have learned what throwing food looks like.

if you lean over and see the fish down there, put your arm over the hand rail and pretend to throw something. Watch what the fish do. I laughed and laughed. Lol

I had read it was shot using full frame DSLRs. I've noticed quite a few people running around with full frame cameras and large lenses in the parks and they do draw attention to themselves due to the sheer size. However, it sounds like these guys weren't using large telephoto lenses, but rather small/fast primes.

"The film was shot using the video mode of two Canon EOS 5D Mark II and one Canon EOS 1D Mark IV digital single-lens reflex cameras,"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escape_from_Tomorrow

Funny- I had heard it was shot on iPhones & given the crappy look of the film, I assumed that to be the case. I shoot on 5dMII & 7d and couldn't imagine getting anything that terrible looking.

Yeah, in fact, I think they did incorporate some iPhone footage for certain scenes to give it that "special" effect.

Any Star Wars (Lucas Arts) fan or Firefly/Serenity(Fox) fan knows the meaning of a cease and desist letter letter from a lawyer. The language is there to protect their intellectual property. They can opt to act on it at any time.

For example: Firefly - Jayne Cobb Hat

I completely understand why this rule is in place. The animals (birds, squirrels etc.) have become so used to being fed that they've not only lost their fear of people but have become aggressive about getting food from people. Trying to fend off the native wildlife while eating your lunch or snack isn't an enjoyable experience but can be a bit scary and if you need to go get more condiments, silverware etc. and you aren't with someone who can stay with your food chances are you'll come back to at least one if not several birds or possibly a squirrel enjoying your food if you leave it. I've even seen birds getting food left in a stroller. It was an open bag of something left on the seat of an empty and unattended stroller.

We have seen squirrels attacking unattended strollers at AK while they were parked at Bugs Life. They ripped the food out of pockets and bags. They were like gangs. They went to town. I always say something to people when I see them feeding the birds. I know Vettlover & Ken love to share with the animals!

Haha! This made me laugh. I still remember the look on Ken's face when that seagull stole his cronut!

Yes, well seagulls love and need pizza as well as we do Ya know.