Onride Media Policy

[Steve K]

In our effort to follow park policies and encourage others to do so as well, RCPro will no longer be allowing on-ride photography and videos to be posted on our website and forums to include trip reports. All on-ride content posted on the forums will be promptly deleted.

RollerCoasterPro.com and it's staff does not encourage users to film on-ride or take still photos without prior consent from the Public/Guest Relations offices at the park. Consent from a ride operator, ride mechanic, or the Lemon Chill guy, DOES NOT QUALIFY as proper authorization. Any operator that allows you to film or photograph on the attraction should be turned into Public/Guest Relations.

All on-ride photography and film footage on RCPro's website were taken by professional photographers with the proper safety equipment and proper authorization by the park. For your safety, and the safety of others, please do not attempt to take photos or videos on the rides without proper authorization.

[Jake]

Even at parks such as Magic Mountain and Disneyland where it is allowed?

That's a little ridiculous in my opinion.

[GeorgeBC]

Even at parks such as Magic Mountain and Disneyland where it is allowed?

That's a little ridiculous in my opinion.

Thing is, it's been prompted on by parks, if you want special treats and events, things like this have to be done, it may sound harsh but if RCPro is to continue good relationships with the parks then it has to be done.

Also if it's allowed at certain parks, just contact their PR department, get permission (If it's allowed then it should be pretty easy) then once you have that and show it to Steve you can post it onto the forums.

[sirloin]

John, you bring up a good point, though last time I checked, SFMM was not a park that permitted it.

You see, Knoebel's permits it as well, but I suppose that perhaps in the interest of preventing confusion, it may be better to avoid it altogether. It avoids graying the line for those who don't always know what parks do and don't permit it.

A big reason for this decision was that by allowing illegal photos to appear on the site, it can give off the impression that we promote it, or at the very least condone it. That's not an impression we'd like to cultivate. It damages the relationships between the site and the parks who have relations with us, and it hurts our chances of getting new parks to work with us. If they're going to talk to us, they better know that we support them and their policies.

Oh, and Steve, it's Lemon Chill, not Lemon Ice. ;)

[Jake]

^ It's Jake.. see? Username? Jake? Whatever.

Why should I have to get permision if it's already allowed? Than all I'm doing is bothering the public relations department of the park I am contacting, right? Also, last I checked it was cool at SFMM. I have never seen a sign heard a spiel, nothing that would lead me to believe that it isn't allowed.

I understand this is your decision to make, just giving my opinion on it.

[Thrill Reconnoiter]

Why should I have to get permision if it's already allowed? Than all I'm doing is bothering the public relations department of the park I am contacting, right? Also, last I checked it was cool at SFMM. I have never seen a sign heard a spiel, nothing that would lead me to believe that it isn't allowed.
It's not allowed.


Cameras are not permitted on rides.
You can read about it here: http://www.sixflags.com/magicMountain/info/policies.aspx

[thatdancingbear]

Ouch.
Gone the way of TPR I see.
Now I have to figure out what I am going to do, and not posting my PTR's here at all is looking to be a possibility.

I guess if its better for RCPro, then that is fine.


Would it be ok if I linked to my website that had onride photo's in my ptr's?

[Steve K]

RCPro cannot control what other sites include in their content, and linking to off-site unauthorized photographs and footage (although not encouraged) is acceptable.

Links do not constitute endorsements by RollerCoasterPro.com and may be followed solely at the viewers discretion.

But seriously, do you really feel a need to defy park policies, and site policies, to find ways around rules for unauthorized content? Hopefully one day you will mature enough to realize rules are there for a reason, and its not to break them.

[Maxamillious]

All on-ride content posted on the forums will be promptly deleted.Will linking to or suggesting the viewing of onride photos and/or video violate these new policies?


Edit: Never mind. Steve answered my question.

[Jake]

Darn you Ryan, so much for on-ride pics at SFMM next month.

Oh well, it's allowed at Disneyland so it's all good.

[thatdancingbear]

^^^, It wasn't a rule last night.

I've always taken POV pictures, and I can't see myself not taking them at SFMM.
I follow the rules at other parks, and still haven't taken a onride photo outside of SFMM.

[JD71]

Billy, just follow the rules for once. I've stopped taking POVs, but then again, I've only had my C-3000Z, which doesn't take video, and is way to big to sneak on anyways... :p

Well, I for one vow to never post onride pics or video on this site again, and my PTRs will still be RCPro exlcusive.

[sirloin]

I find it hilarious that some of you can't bring yourself to follow the rules. Are blurry, low-quality on-rides taken with a handheld camera that overly necessary to you? I'm really sorry if they are. Call me crazy, but I'd rather enjoy the ride. Least I know that when security is waiting at the exit of a ride, it won't be for me. ;)

Oh, and try to picture me wearing a smug, arrogant grin while reading this post. It really boosts the effect.

[jolash]

Guys, it's just best not to argue on this one. This policy has been set up to better the site's relationship with the parks and industry. Continue on with your POVs... I will. You just have to keep them to yourselves, or to other sites.

[The Storm Runner]

Is this strictly for roller coasters? Or what about observation towers, trains, monorails, sky rides, and ferris wheels?

[Mike T]

If you abide by the park's rulings, then you are going to be just fine. Thats all thats being asked. Don't post things on RCPro that represent infringement with park rules... Plain and Simple

[apsterling]

Billy, just follow the rules for once. I've stopped taking POVs, but then again, I've only had my C-3000Z, which doesn't take video, and is way to big to sneak on anyways... :p

Well, I for one vow to never post onride pics or video on this site again, and my PTRs will still be RCPro exlcusive.

My C-3000Z does... odd. :P
I've never bothered, the offride photos are sexy enough for me anyways.

[JD71]

Well it does take video, just not enough for a POV or anything really thanks to my small memory card. Sorry bout that.

[thatdancingbear]

^^^^^^, I believe my onride pictures are my best. Its like an art form, a division of photography that takes certain skills to get right. I also currently have some of the best POV's on youtube, and are great fun to make. Going to a park is fun and all, but it seems that taking pictures is the real reason Im going anymore. I'm currently considering getting an even more expensive camera just to improve those pictures and video's even more.

Im with Delirium here, and I will continue taking onride pictures and videos.
I wont post them here, but I would still like to.

My POV's and onride photo's mean allot to me, and if they are wrong, please help me make them right.
Where can I start on making "legal" POV's?

[Mike T]

Art doesn't justify wrong doing. Some of the greatest artists in the world have been arrested for putting their art before the state of law...

Like its been said before, contact your Public Relations department. Rules and regulations vary by state and by park...