When did ToT become a Cell Phone Experience

[DizzyStitch]

We love riding ToT. It is a great ride, it changes every time and you never know what to expect. And it is a dark ride. The dark makes those drops even more fun. But on our last trip I don't think we rode it once without someone running their cell phone the whole time trying to capture the experience. And there are no rules to not do it, but it certainly does change the experience. Has anyone else noticed this trend?

 

[Amelia :)]

Ergh I'm so bored of people "vlogging" on this ride, they just come out rubbish anyway, mostly just pitch black! The photopass videos are awesome, wish people could just be happy with those.

 

[cvjpirate]

Seeing this trend on so many experiences now and seems to be getting worse.

 

[Sparkly]

Seeing this trend on so many experiences now and seems to be getting worse.

"I HAVE to take the perfect shot of Pirates, forget anyone else! My video will get 100,000 views on youtube darn it!"

 

[cvjpirate]

"I HAVE to take the perfect shot of Pirates, forget anyone else! My video will get 100,000 views on youtube darn it!"

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggggggggggggggg

 

[Micca]

So you're saying it's now the "Cell Tower Of Terror?"

 

[disneyvoice]

I agree it can be very annoying if someone is using their cell phone to video/vlog while on a dark ride but I guess I have been lucky that when people have done it when I am riding things, they keep the phone close to their body instead of holding it out for the rest of ride vehicle to "experience." Actually, last week we were on FEA (for the first time) and a girl in the front was using her phone to video - I only noticed because of the obnoxiously rude guy sitting behind us. Throughout the entire ride he kept LOUDLY shouting at the woman that there was no "flash photography" (semantics, I know, but she never took a picture - just videos), that no one could enjoy the ride because of her phone, etc. Seriously. Like 15 times he kept shouting at her about how rude she was. His wife was appalled and kept telling him to stop. He was one of those types that didn't like to be told what to do by his wife so he INCREASED his LOUD complaints after she told him to stop. At the end of the ride they started arguing and his LOUD point was that the girl missed the entire ride because she didn't watch it, she videoed it. Well the rest of us thought we ALL missed the ride because he wouldn't shut up!!

 

[OSUZorba]

I wish they would ban video recording on all rides, but it should really be banned on ToT since the phone could be flying debris and someone else. This is why the vast majority of parks don't allow recordings on roller coasters or any other ride with a lot of movement.

 

[cnavarrete]

I had a girl in front of me on Space Mountain video the whole thing on her phone. It was all I could look at - so bright 2 feet in front of me with darkness all around.

 

[si-am]

These are probably the same people who have their phones out in movies. Inconsiderate and infuriating.

 

[LSUfan4444]

it certainly does change the experience

How did it change your experience?

 

[wilkeliza]

My fiance usually takes a selfie on Tower of Terror. Hope that isn't considered ruining it. It is during the fall when not in pitch black any more. He does it on a lot of rides then promptly puts it away. He usually has the back light turned down super low on his device though so it isn't as much of an eye shock. I'll admit I have facebook lived a ride or two but always with the screen turned down super low and held to my chest so it isn't making any light for others. I mostly do that so my grandparents and family who can't come can see a small ounce of Disney magic. I try to be as aware of others as possible and purposely make sure no extra light is coming from the phone or camera so that it doesn't take away from anyone else's experience.

 

[maltdizzy]

It's not to record it, that's passé.

This started a few years ago with people using Facetime, or similar, to share the experience with love ones back home. This leapfrogged to using Periscope and FB Live to share the experience with a person's followers around the globe. And the trend is just picking up steam, it'll get worse in coming years.

The funny thing is they think they are being generous sharing the experience, but it's just one big selfish act that screams, "look at me!"

 

[OKW Lover]

How about just politely asking them to stop because its distracting to you?

 

[bladiator]

How about just politely asking them to stop because its distracting to you?

While I like the sentiment, we all know that we've tried that at least once, thinking that doing it very nicely and politely would make the other person say "Oh, sorry about that!" and you being like "OH, no problem! Thanks for understanding!" but instead you get the guy/girl that yells back "DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO THIS IS A FREE COUNTRY YOU GOTTA PROBLEM WITH IT TAKE IT UP WITH MANAGEMENT I CAN'T BELIEVE IT IN ALL MY YEARS AT WDW THAT blah blah blah blah....." and then you wish you hadn't said anything at all because the confrontation is so awkward.

 

[OKW Lover]

While I like the sentiment, we all know that we've tried that at least once, thinking that doing it very nicely and politely would make the other person say "Oh, sorry about that!" and you being like "OH, no problem! Thanks for understanding!" but instead you get the guy/girl that yells back "DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO THIS IS A FREE COUNTRY YOU GOTTA PROBLEM WITH IT TAKE IT UP WITH MANAGEMENT I CAN'T BELIEVE IT IN ALL MY YEARS AT WDW THAT blah blah blah blah....." and then you wish you hadn't said anything at all because the confrontation is so awkward.

I guess I'd rather give them the benefit of the doubt before I escalated it. Not afraid of confrontation if polite requests are ignored.

 

[Shanti]

I wish they would ban video recording on all rides, but it should really be banned on ToT since the phone could be flying debris and someone else. This is why the vast majority of parks don't allow recordings on roller coasters or any other ride with a lot of movement.

That's always been a concern of mine on coasters & other high-speed attractions. That someone will drop their phone & it will injure someone else during the ride. I'm surprised people are allowed to have their phones out on those kinds of rides, actually.

 

[BigAlsGal]

So you're saying it's now the "Cell Tower Of Terror?"

Groan!!!!

 

[Catvondita]

As long as their screen brightness isn't too bright and they aren't talking the whole time it doesn't bother me.

 

[Shoshana]

The photopass picture of me and my daughter showed her face and two arms holding up a cellphone where my face should have been. The man in front of me was recording.