A Guide to Taking Pictures at Walt Disney World
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There aren't many places that are as beautiful or as photogenic as Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. From the iconic castle to the immersive lands that offer nighttime spectaculars and daytime dreaminess, there's always something there that should be snapped with a quick flash of the camera. Whether you're using a smartphone or a professional camera to do the job, there are a few things you should know when it comes to taking photos during your Walt Disney World visit. Here's a quick guide!
When is the best time to take photos at Walt Disney World?
There's no right time to take a photo at Walt Disney World. As long as your camera or smartphone is able to take great pictures at all times of the day, you'll be able to catch some amazing moments on film (or memory cards these days, haha!). Anyway, here are some tips for taking pictures at Walt Disney World during different times of the day...
Morning
First light is a great time to take pictures at Walt Disney World. It's often dubbed Disney's "Golden Hour" for picture taking. Why? Because the crowds are smaller, the temperatures are cooler, the lighting is softer, the backgrounds are cleaner and the attraction queues are shorter. Main Street, USA is especially beautiful in the light of the morning sun.
Midday
The sunlight in midday can be harsh and glaring. In fact, it can prove to be more of a hindrance than anything. This is why, when taking pictures at Walt Disney World during the height of the sunshine, you should take pictures in shaded areas, use buildings to block direct sunlight, snap shots from sheltered or covered walkways, take photos indoors or focus on particular colour details. Try your best not to stand in direct sunlight during this time of the day when snapping your pictures at Walt Disney World.
Evening
The hour before the sun sets is a gorgeous opportunity if you want to take pictures at Walt Disney World. This is because the sun is beginning to fade, but it's still bright enough to illuminate the park in a magical and warm way. It helps to soften the shadows and makes skin tones all the more beautiful.
Nighttime
As soon as the sun sets, the parks light up and it becomes all the more magical. This is one of the best times of day to take pictures of iconic landmarks, like the Castle, Spaceship Earth, The tree of Life, Hollywood Boulevard and the resort hotels.
Where are the best photo locations at Walt Disney World?
There's so much to see at Walt Disney World, and it's all so beautiful and magical. As such, it can be tough to decide what's worth taking a picture of. While you don't want to miss out on photo opportunities, you also don't want to fill up phone or memory card space only a few days into your holiday. So, what should you make a priority when it comes to photo opportunities at Walt Disney World?
Magic Kingdom
There are loads of things you can take pictures of in Magic Kingdom. The first and most obvious one is the Cinderella Castle at the bottom of Main Street, USA. But while you're looking at the castle, don't forget to look around and appreciate how beautiful Main Street, USA actually is.
This one might sound silly, but the Tangled bathrooms are also stunning. While it might be weird to take a photo of them while people are in there, it's worth a snap if no one is about because they really are stunning, as bathrooms happen to go that is, haha!
Finally, Liberty Square and the Haunted Mansion show building are both gorgeous. I know that they've removed the lake and the river boat, but even then, with your back to the hoarding, you can always appreciate the beauty of Liberty Square, with backdrops like Columbia Harbour House looking stunning, as always.
EPCOT
Just like Magic Kingdom, there are loads of places to go and get some amazing photos. The obvious one would be Spaceship Earth, fondly referred to as the EPCOT Ball by many. Also, snapshots of World Showcase will provide some stunning shots, especially throughout the different countries, like Japan, China, Italy, France and the UK. The new Walt Disney statue is also worth a picture, especially if you sit next to him.
Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios has a totally different vibe when compared to the other parks, mainly because it's based on the marvel that is Hollywood and LA. While it's not the most beautiful park in Walt Disney World (IMO), it's definitely one of the most interesting and detailed. I love the look of the Chinese Theatre, the Tower of Terror, Sunset Boulevard and Galaxy's Edge.
Animal Kingdom
Some of Walt Disney World's most memorable and stunning landmarks are located right in the heart of Animal Kingdom. This includes getting pictures of the Tree of Life, Pandora, Expedition Everest, Gorilla Falls and the Maharajah Jungle Trek.
What about character photo opportunities?
Walt Disney World is known for getting up close with some of our favourite Disney characters. But how can you get the most out of your character meet and greets and catch the moment on camera? The first thing I would suggest is utilising the Photo Pass.
I know that for us, as British guests, the Photo Pass is included in our ticket, but it's worth the extra money if that's how you have to do it so that you can get some professional photos taken. Alternatively, if you're going with your family or friends, ask them to take a picture for you.
Usually, the character meet and greets are held at some great locations with fantastic lighting, so you just need a phone to be able to get some great photos if you don't want to add the Photo Pass to your visit.
Firework photos
Magic Kingdom is known for its firework displays, so it's important that you catch all of the pictures you can of the fireworks before you head home. While it can be tough to get some good firework pictures, there are some tips you can use to get some amazing firework photographs for your album.
Using a camera
- Use a tripod (check with a Cast Member beforehand)
- ISO 100-400
- Aperture around f/8
- Long shutter speed (1-4 seconds)
Using a smartphone
- Enable night mode
- Hold the phone as steady as possible
- Avoid zooming in excessively
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I hope you enjoyed this blog post and that you found it useful. Let me know in the comments below if you have any tips for snapping photos at Walt Disney World and I'll see you all again soon with some brand new content!
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