jarmor Posted February 21, 2005 Share Posted February 21, 2005 Do you ask the ride ops or do you..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted February 21, 2005 Share Posted February 21, 2005 ^ It depends on the park. Some parks you need to go through the public relations dept, like we did at Dollywood, Hersheypark, IOA, just to name a few, others it depends on the ride ops, for example Great Adventure, and other parks have no restrictions at all, for example Knoebel's. Over time I've developed a good relationships with the parks and I've gotten pemission to do a lot of interesting stuff. For example we got to wander around the coaster at Cliff's and Martin's Fantasy Island to get some good shots, Holiday World let us take our "Water Cam" rig on their water slides, and quite a few of our parks have used our footage in their promotional materials. It's taken me many years to build these relationships, and it's not something you can do overnight. --Robb "And yes...we've heard all the rumors people have said about us and taking our cameras on rides...none of them are true...." Alvey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoasterCrazy Posted February 21, 2005 Share Posted February 21, 2005 It depends on the park. Some parks you need to go through the public relations dept, like we did at Dollywood, Hersheypark, IOA, just to name a few, others it depends on the ride ops, for example Great Adventure, and other parks have no restrictions at all, for example Knoebel's. I hope Great Adventure doesn't put any POV restrictions on KK. It's taken me many years to build these relationships, and it's not something you can do overnight. If you don't mind me asking, how do you start to build relationships with the parks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted February 21, 2005 Share Posted February 21, 2005 When we started the site, we sent out press releases, we contact all the parks each year and inform them of our updates. When we are in town, we'll contact parks to arrange a meet, etc. It's not something you can just do overnight. You also need to have some to offer the parks. Just another 'website full of park photos' doesn't always cut it these days. For example, all the raw video we shoot we make available to the parks for them to use in their B-roll if they want to. Many parks have taken our footage and used it in thier promotional material. This is one of the reasons why we have gotten some special permission to film on rides where normally you would not be allowed to. Keep in mind, our site has been around for *nine years* now! (Wow, I can't believe it's been that long!) And some relationships take YEARS to build. There is a whole 'professional' side of the site that no one actually sees. We do mailers to the parks, send out email press releases, have buisness cards printed up, etc. And also remember that a lot of what I do for the site coat tails on my professions experience as I've worked on developing and marketing electronic entertainment in my day-to-day job for the past 17 years. So yeah, in short, there isn't any quantifiable 'forumla' that I can tell you to build a relationship with a park, it just kind of 'happens' over time. --Robb "Hope that helps." Alvey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasters 4 me Posted February 24, 2005 Share Posted February 24, 2005 when i am in florida, i want to take on ride videos, but can you just not ask the people on IOA? or just sneek the camera on and start to shot? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathan h Posted February 24, 2005 Share Posted February 24, 2005 Yer, I was thinking about that also for when I go to Florida at Easter. Should I just ask a ride op before I get on or contact the parks (disney, IOA, sea world) etc. in advance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted February 24, 2005 Share Posted February 24, 2005 ^ If you sneak a camera on a ride, you have to be prepared to deal with the consequences if you are caught. Just like line jumping, putting your hands up on coasters, standing up, faking kids heights, riding when you have a medical condition, etc, are all rules that have consequences when they are broken. Yes, many people do these things, but that doesn't make it right. Remember, just because many people speed on the interstate, doesn't make it right, and if you get pulled over, be prepared to pay the fine. If you get caught and thrown out of a park, you have no room to complain. Just remember that. --Robb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nemmy Posted February 24, 2005 Share Posted February 24, 2005 Hands up...that's one I've never heard. Unless you mean the kind where people are extending their arms out to the side and annoying the crap out of everyone, kicking people out of the park because they put their hands up is a bit harsh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted February 24, 2005 Share Posted February 24, 2005 ^ I agree...but technically it is a rule at most parks to "Keep your hands and arms inside the vehicle." --Robb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathan h Posted February 24, 2005 Share Posted February 24, 2005 Yer, I mean putting your hands up on coasters I don't see a problem with and throwing you out the park for doing it is a bit over the top. So ou suggest i email PR at the parks before I go Robb? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted February 24, 2005 Share Posted February 24, 2005 ^ You can email then and ask, but you have to remember that unless you are representing an outlet of the media (TV, film, newspaper, major website) they probably won't be able to help. --Robb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nemmy Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 Technically, putting your arms up is keeping them inside the vehicle. The only time I wouldn't is on Colossus, when you pass under those supports and see the "keep the hands down" sign. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 ^ Not from the park's perspective. I can tell you MANY photo shoots I have been on at parks where they have asked all the riders to not put their hands up because it is against park policies. I'm not saying I agree with it, I'm just saying that when it says "keep your hands and arms inside the vehicle" or "hold on to the grab bar at all times" it means "no hands up." --Robb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorCalEMT02 Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 You guys need Press passes, they get you into everything! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoasterCrazy Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 (edited) What do you have to do to go to Media Day of a new ride? Edited February 25, 2005 by CoasterCrazy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasters 4 me Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 Thanks for the help robbavley, i will contact them. Putting your hands up on Big Thunder Mountain In WDW is kind of freaky, you think you are going to hit the rocks. Maybe thats why they have the signs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoasterEricHP Posted February 25, 2005 Share Posted February 25, 2005 when i am in florida, i want to take on ride videos, but can you just not ask the people on IOA? or just sneek the camera on and start to shot? At IOA we are really strict with camera's. Not really sure how other rides are but due to Dueling Dragons being a dueling coaster where its a very real chance that any bag or camera could be dropped at a duel point and cause really bad injury to another guest, we are A-holes about it. So we keep an eye out for that. Usually we'll catch people in the station or when it goes out into the transfer track and we'll take it from them and then give it back.. but if they do it more than once or are an ass about not being able to film, then they can deal with security. Those video cell phones have been a problem lately. However, with enthusiasts... esp. those I know on message boards.. I never see anything. Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasters 4 me Posted February 26, 2005 Share Posted February 26, 2005 ok, thats of the list then, sneeking a camera on! But the way you mention that it could be drop at a Duel point, you can get these straps to put around your wrist that connect to your phone or camera, so then there is no chance of dropping it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nemmy Posted February 26, 2005 Share Posted February 26, 2005 Wouldn't a camera be too heavy for that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathan h Posted February 26, 2005 Share Posted February 26, 2005 I've had an idea. All cameras have straps on that you slide your hand in. So you get a clip, like one mountain climbers and absailers use. Put that on the strap and then hook the clip round the grab bar on the restraint, do it up and wala. The camera ain't going anywhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasters 4 me Posted February 26, 2005 Share Posted February 26, 2005 Digital Camera's are not big, they are small and compact. Infact, there are some very small ones out nowadays! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BurritoKing99 Posted February 26, 2005 Share Posted February 26, 2005 that sucks, all parks should just let you take your camera on, i kno disneyland does Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoasterEricHP Posted February 27, 2005 Share Posted February 27, 2005 ok, thats of the list then, sneeking a camera on! But the way you mention that it could be drop at a Duel point, you can get these straps to put around your wrist that connect to your phone or camera, so then there is no chance of dropping it. Yeah.. I would trust you guys.. but as far as our "average guest" having a camera flailing around.. NO!! All anyone would have to do is be a coaster person (who are usually easy to pick out of the crowd) and I could care less.. as long as you can hide it until ure on the lift.. Then we have the guests who swear they just got off of the other side.. in the front.. with an old VCR taping video camera... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Volcano Posted February 27, 2005 Share Posted February 27, 2005 when i am in florida, i want to take on ride videos, but can you just not ask the people on IOA? or just sneek the camera on and start to shot? At IOA we are really strict with camera's. Not really sure how other rides are but due to Dueling Dragons being a dueling coaster where its a very real chance that any bag or camera could be dropped at a duel point and cause really bad injury to another guest, we are A-holes about it. So we keep an eye out for that. Usually we'll catch people in the station or when it goes out into the transfer track and we'll take it from them and then give it back.. but if they do it more than once or are an ass about not being able to film, then they can deal with security. Those video cell phones have been a problem lately. However, with enthusiasts... esp. those I know on message boards.. I never see anything. Eric Ive seen alot of nasty things happen on/at Dueling Dragons, not from the ride operators but stupid people being annoying... I see alot of people go through the baby swap on long lines, and I guess they finally closed that door off, but I see this happen quite frequently when they will sneak around the door and jump ahead of everyone (which really isn't fair, basically line jumping)... If I want to wait to ride it again or the other Dragon I have to go around and wait through the regular que, so its not cool knowing that they hopped in front of so many people without waiting their turn... I also have seen alot of complaints from cell phones the most (put them up!) and alot of responses like "No, Im going to keep it..." etc.. etc... -Justin "its funny how I haven't heard people be brats on any other rides, but Dueling Dragons attracts alot of angry peeps?" :shock: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoasterEricHP Posted February 28, 2005 Share Posted February 28, 2005 We have so many problems its not even funny... Line jumping is a huge issue. We've tried using Baby Swap tickets but that didnt work, we cant get one way locks on the other doors you are talking about because it's a fire hazard.. the list goes on and on. A lot of its stems from Universal being so strict about not even being able to put bags off to the side and we have ZERO signs that say that.. I've had some nice talks with supervision this week so hopefully things will change (rrrright) Anyways, we have been dealing with line jumping lately. It's really hard to do that when there are so many different ways into the queue.. but at least last Saturday we had 7 people kicked out of the park. Another attendent and I basically shut down one side when they got back into the front of the line until our supervisor came up and took them away with security who then kindly escorted them off property. There are some new plans for baby swap too for this summer, and a pre-show. People are really annoying though. I could go on... and on.. and on.. with stories about stupidity and just thinking we're the stupidest people alive. Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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