So as I scanned the interwebs looking for anything that would catch my eyes I came across this story of a guest who recently visited one of the Disney parks. This guest was attending the Flower and Garden festival, this is an event in which the park plays host to different vendors of plants, seeds, topiary artists and pretty much everything else garden related. The gist of the story is that as this guest was on his way of the park he began to admire some of the plants/sculptures on display. Part of his admiration for the work included taking photos of the works. After shooting a couple snapshots the guest was attacked and verbally harassed by a vendor at the festival for "violating copyright laws" by taking these pictures.
I really wish I was kidding.
Don't get me wrong I am not encouraging copyright infringment on any piece of art but the part of me that is baffled by this person is that is never seemed to occur to them that they agreed to be a vendor in a theme park. Theme parks are perhaps one of the most, if not the most, public venues in existence. For this ignorant fool to run at someone in a theme park taking pictures and promptly start to scream causing a scene really makes me pity the level of common sense of some people.
First off, lets try to have controversy with civility. Maybe the next time this guy gets his knickers in a twist he may want to try approaching the situation in a very cool, calm, and collected manner. As the saying goes, you will catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. Second reason for lack of faith, if you are in a theme park expect that you/ your work will appear in some family photo albums. Yes you may be camera shy or very protective over your creative ideas but pictures will be taken. Deal with it.
The best part of this story is the end. After being yelled at and embarassed the guest went to guest relations to just alert management to the situation. No complaint, just letting someone know what some raving lunatic was doing to patrons. The guest provided some information on a standard guest relations form and was later apologized too and sent a specially crafted candy statue from an artist in the park. And so the magic lives on.
*If you have any good stories of theme park employees, both positive and negative, I would love to hear them*
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Theme parks have some of the best public relation officials in existence. They always deal with complaints in an appropriate manner. I've only had good stories from theme parks. Employees have been nothing but nice to me when I'm at the parks. Sometimes they can be a little annoying when it comes to safety measures, but I understand they have to do that.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more with this blog. Theme parks are so public, one has to be sure not to pick their nose for fear that someone might get an accidental snap shot.Even if the pictures are unintentional, the vendor's plants will show up in someone's photo album. If you ask me, they should just enjoy the free publicity. There really was no excuse to go off on the innocent theme park go-er. Let's just justify the vendor's behavior by blaming the Florida summer heat.
ReplyDeleteI was at a theme park once when somehow or another, I sprained my ankle! The employees around me at the time of the injury were probably the nicest people I have ever met in my life. Ever since then, I've never met a park employee who makes me think otherwise. I hope that I never will :)
ReplyDeleteAs funny as it may be, it is also sad. Good thing the verbally assaulted guest wasn't a violent person, else the headline would have read "Disney guest shoves camera down a vendor's throat, details on page 2" I would love to see this on you tube. I could only imagine the scene.
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