No Flash Photography

This is a topic that hits very close to home for me, how many of you have been on a dark ride in Walt Disney World and someone is snapping flash photos? It completely ruins the illusion of the ride. At the beginning of many rides, there is a recording that says that flash photography is not allowed. Please, please, please follow this rule!!

In 2009, my husband Jason and I visited Walt Disney World for the first time together. It was during March so there were a LOT of teenagers and kids there on spring break. We got in line for Pirates and unfortunately we were behind a gaggle of cheerleaders who were quite loud and annoying. We had no idea what we were in for.

We boarded our boat and Jason and I were the only ones who were not a part of the huge group that had been in front of us in line. I hoped for the best but the best was not to happen for us on that day. When the ride started, it was apparent that this was going to be the most annoying ride on Pirates that I had ever taken. The cheerleaders were very loud and one of them started taking flash photos immediately and continued throughout the ride. In the second scene, Jason got fed up and said very loudly "NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY!!" Now I understand maybe we could have handled this better, perhaps asked them in a nicer way but we were both SO annoyed. But, what happened next was completely unacceptable.

The girl taking the flash photos actually turned around in the boat and snapped a flash picture...OF US. The chaperones did nothing. We were so mad I'm surprised smoke wasn't coming out of our ears. But, what were we supposed to do? We were stuck in a boat with these people and the situation was already uncomfortable. We just sat there stunned for the rest of the ride.

I know now that after we got off the ride, we should have spoken to a Castmember about it and they would have put us on another boat straight away. But instead, we left angry. I think it might have helped if we had said "No flash photography, please". I have learned from my new Castmember friends that they are trained to always say "Please" and "Thank you" to diffuse a situation. I am still learning and I hope that I am able to diffuse situations like this a little bit better in the future.

Now, if you are on a dark ride and it is empty, I don't see a problem with taking flash pictures. Or, at the very least ask the people in your boat if they mind if you take flash pictures. I understand that not everyone gets to go to Disney World as often as I do and they want to capture their memories. But please take into account that a flash going off on a dark ride will destroy the illusion for everyone else around you. So, no flash photography please! Thank you.