Major change coming to Disney World indoor character meet and greets

Disney World is planning to replace PhotoPass photographers with an automated camera system eventually at all indoor character meet and greet locations.

The change is expected to begin Nov. 26, 2018 with a few locations, including the Tinker Bell meet and greet at the Town Square Theater in the Magic Kingdom.

In the place of a person, a stationary camera will be in position. A kiosk will be on hand showing the images that were captured and a touch point to scan with a MagicBand or card so you can get your image. This is similar to what you find on rides like Buzz Lightyear and Splash Mountain.

Plans are eventually that this will roll out to most, if not all of the interior meet and greets.

Disney has not yet made the official announcement on this.

It is unknown why this would be done. One reason is that Disney might be finding most people are taking their own photos and not purchase Memory Maker or the individual photos taken by the PhotoPass photographers.

In addition, Disney has introduced a large number of special Magic Shots being taken by outdoor PhotoPass Photographers and that might be more profitable. There was also a push earlier this year for more PhotoPass Photographers to roam the parks seeking more candid photos to take of guests.

The immediate backlash online has been fierce, with many fans, including many Disney World Annual Passholders taking the company to task for removing a human from the experience to get those real candid photos.