Post
by Ianto Jones » Tue Apr 22, 2014 5:01 pm
This thread begs a question for the two of us.
We are two disabled chronological adults, but both a bit - young for our age.
We also use assistive devices (powerchair, long leg braces, and rollator walker, most often).
We *love* the characters! and treasure any moment we get to spend with them here and there around DL/DCA -- one of my best park memories is of Pluto randomly "pouncing" me, at a bench in DCA, or the time he helped our service dog with his fear of the horses on Main St.
(Pluto was done with his autograph line, and on his way back to Toontown for his kibble, toward the big white picket gate between Mad Hatter and that other big store where they do the "big"/special embroidery? Anyhow, our pup got scared of the horses, and the attendant helping Mickey with his line, called out "Hey, Pluto - come help your cousin!"
Which he *did* - spent several minutes puppy-playing with our pup, kissing his nose, etc! Memories don't *get* more magical than this!)
Anyhow - we are lucky enough to have AP's for the first time this year, and so are very aware that we have more opportunities for park joy than someone who might be on their only trip to the Park.
This means, that unless there is basically no line, we are hesitant to get in line for characters, because the lines get cut off, and someone with no other chance, might not get to meet that character _ever_ again.
(The exception was the Valentine visit when my wife had made fabric hearts for everyone -- *including* the characters, attendants, and PhotoPass photographers -- she went to as many as her health permitted, that visit...)
But we still love them all, and so my wife will sometimes stand out of the way and try to catch a quick photo of someone *between* other guests - just the character, alone, in the instant between the other guests walking up to them.
She isn't taking pics of other Guests, at least not on purpose (tries hard to avoid them!), and it isn't about avoiding lines - it often takes far longer, with many blurry pics of peoples' backs/shoulders, to catch, say, Pooh or Tigger. And our camera is an ancient iTouch, no flash or such.
We do this to leave spots in line for other Guests, not to be weird or creepy.
Are we bothering Cast Members/ PhotoPass people / characters? She is careful to be well behind everyone, and not interfere or slow anyone down.
Separately, she does like playing with the camera, and takes random pictures around the Parks, when she sees something cool - and sometimes there are "crowd shots" in that process.
Almost never could you even make out a face - iTouch at a distance! - but we thought that was okay too (like someone above said, expecting privacy in 'public') -- is *this* considered weird or wrong?
Thanks, guys!