Disney is set to roll out automated cameras to take your photo instead of PhotoPass photographers at select meet and greet locations. Instead of a PhotoPass Cast Member, an automated camera will be located in the room to take photos of your interaction with the character.
For whatever reason, Disney has decided that a static camera will be able to capture your cherished memories better than a physical Cast Member. At the moment, we’re told that there will be 9 different meet and greet locations that will utilize the technology. The automated cameras are expected to debut in early 2019.
UPDATE (11/15 – 6pm): A Disney spokesperson has offered the following statement regarding our story.
We will continue to have over 100 locations where Disney PhotoPass photographers will capture photos. We will be installing automated cameras at nine locations that will capture every moment of the experience from start to finish to allow guests to receive a wider variety of photos from which to choose.
UPDATE (11/16 – 1pm): A second Disney spokesperson has reached out again with a longer statement regarding our story. Here it is, in its entirety.
The most special part of a Disney vacation is the treasured memories our Guests take home, which is why our Disney PhotoPass photographers play a key role throughout our parks. Whether it’s capturing the moment when a family sees Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom Park or when Grandma, Grandpa and the grandkids pose behind animal print frames at the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park or when a young girl asks for a picture with Sebastian and he magically appears online when she views the photos in the My Disney Experience app, Disney PhotoPass photographers use their creativity to capture customized photos of our Guests every day.
Walt Disney World Resort continues to have more than 100 locations where Disney PhotoPass photographers will personally capture these moments, and we know our Guests enjoy the interaction with our Cast photographers and characters to create those magical, one-of-a-kind memories. We will be installing automated cameras at nine character greeting locations with the first location in use beginning in early 2019. Multiple cameras will capture numerous memorable moments during a character interaction, allowing guests to choose from a wider variety of character photos. While Disney PhotoPass Cast Members will no longer capture photography at these nine locations, photographers will continue to support the more than 100 other Disney PhotoPass locations across our parks so that they can use their creativity to take personalized photos for our Guests.
More people without jobs. I disagree with this, no longer able to hand off your camera to a castmember to take a picture in case you didn’t purchase photopass or an AP.
Bob Chapek?I hate doing selfies where photopass photographers no longer available. Like Alice in Wonderland in UK pavilion.
It takes some magic away. It’s not natural. The photographers are super nice and can capture ‘angle and close-up’ that a static camera can’t do. My favourite pictures from meet and greet are beautiful because a professional took time to take them.
No!!!!!!!!
This is a shame, and sad to see that a little more of the magic of Disney is,gone. there is no way a static camera is going to capture the magic of the moment when a one year old spontaneously runs and hugs a character because they are so excited. Or when a little one starts to dance with the interaction, only a cm can adjust to the spontaneous moments and capture them on film. Now all pictures will be cookie cutter posed pictures…..again a little more if the Disney magic gone. And with all that said, now that you announced this knowing people plan their trips well in advance are you going to refund or discount the Memory maker cost for those who have purchased it for up coming 2019 trips? I’m sure those who spent the money were not doing it with expectations of having stationary camera taking the photos.
I will not be purchasing the memory maker anymore if this is the case. Disney is suppose to be magical and filled with happy people interactions not machines if you take away the personal touches your destroying the magic. Hugely disappointed in you Disney
This is maddening! We spend a lot of money to get to Disney and we are expecting our precious memories to be treasured. Photopass captures the magic with the help of the wonderful photographers. There is no way that their skills and expertise can be replaced. Is this what Walt would’ve wanted?
The email address for commentary is [email protected]. Make sure Disney hears your opinion!
No Disney! We do not want this change. Keep the photographers.
You have got to be kidding!!! Disney management training is all about customer service, greet the client, attend to their needs, solve the issue and then YOU , Disney are not going to practice what you preach. Shame on you. With the increase in ticket prices, guest expectations will be higher and yet, Disney, is considering providing less. The photopass cast are an integral element to the magic. Next you’ll be replacing the characters with cardboard cutouts.
I’m a Florida resident and my children and grandchildre all live here. Disney’s method of improving profit is to cut jobs and raise prices. I’m recommending my family and friends go to Universal or any park except Disney. When are all your characters going to be robots?
The best memories captured at Disneyland were Photopass Photographers, they were flexible and could adjust to both the situation and number of people.
The second very good point, they made sure everyone go their turn and managed queue jumping very well and thus was bit witnessed a few times.
This is not an impressive outcome or will it be and improvement by itself; however, I can see augment the current Photopass Photographers with static photo station the way to go.
Come on people, this is only at 9 spots. None of us have any idea how it’s going to work so the knee jerk reactions feel a little over dramatic.
What if it takes photos continuously until your turn is up. Then you’d basically have a video of the entire interaction where you could pick any still you wanted. How is that a bad thing? There would still have to be an attendant in the room to help with the line.
Maybe it’s just me, but Disney seems to know what they’re doing.
You say it’s only 9 locations but those 9 locations have multiple character’s. For example, one of those locations is Red Carpet Dreams and it has 4 characters that it will be affected. This is not a good thing for the guest, character, or attendent. An automated camera can’t take photos from the heart.