The current recession has all sorts of strange and interesting repercussions in the travel industry. Depending on your age, gender — and perhaps how twisted your sense of humor is — you may or may not be pleased with Disney’s latest cost-cutting move.
The change has to do with what some guests have referred to as “Flash Mountain.” At certain attractions, Disney cameras snap a picture just before a big drop. When guests depart the ride, they see the pictures shown on preview screens, and can purchase copies.
Some guests, especially young women, couldn’t resist the temptation to show a little more than a smile. So for the past ten years, Disney has employed people to scan the photos before posting them, to ensure that guests departing the ride aren’t treated to more than a “G” rated experience.
Now, that scanning position has been eliminated as part of general cost-cutting. But a Disney spokesman said “actual inappropriate behaviors by guests are rare.” Well, they have been rare, but one wonders how much of that is because word has gotten out that such pictures will not be shown on the screen.
The new policy affects Splash Mountain, the Hollywood Tower of Terror and Space Mountain in both California and Florida. And the California Screamin’ adventure at Disney’s California Adventure.
I am sure that no Tripso.com readers would ever engage in inappropriate behavior at an amusement park. But those travelling to Disney now might want to either distract their children, or, depending on interest and sense of humor, pay extra close attention to those photos at the exits.
No doubt Disney will review their new policy at some point based on customer feedback. And I wonder, will there suddenly be a surge in fathers willing to do ride duty with their children?
In any case, for now, it’s up to individual visitors to cover the bare necessities.
