Disney Magic Kingdom Portrait Session Advice

[EmmaInWonderland]

Hi Everyone,

My partner and I have just booked a memories wedding in Disney Land Florida for October 2016. We are so excited!

We're considering booking a Magic Kingdom portrait session and I was really hoping to get some advice from others that may have done this before! I have loads of questions and would love to see people's photos of possible.

Any help any one could provide would be so appreciated!

Thank you,

Emma.

 

[lurkyloo]

Hi! What kinds of questions do you have?

You can see lots of examples of Magic Kingdom bridal portrait sessions here: https://www.pinterest.com/jonlynch188/disney-fine-art-wedding-photography/

 

[EmmaInWonderland]

Hi,

Thank you for your reply and the link! I guess I want to know how others have found the experience, was it worth the money? Were you happy with the photos? I have seen some people say they were really disappointed with their photos which is a bit worrisome!

Also, can you request specific photographers? And how much do they really help you get interesting shots and can you come with suggestions?

Disney are also offering 3 routes around the Magic Kingdom and I was wondering what people thought of the different routes and the pictures you can get on each one?

I probably have more questions but I think that's enough for now!

 

[lurkyloo]

Thank you for your reply and the link! I guess I want to know how others have found the experience, was it worth the money? Were you happy with the photos? I have seen some people say they were really disappointed with their photos which is a bit worrisome!

From what I've seen, these days most people are happy with their portrait sessions. Disney uses better equipment now than they did when we had ours done, and there are certain photographers who get really great reviews. You can see all of their work on their individual Pinterest boards.

Also, can you request specific photographers? And how much do they really help you get interesting shots and can you come with suggestions?

Yes, you can request a photographer, but s/he is not guaranteed. They have a lot of favorite places they shoot, but some of them are also open to ideas. That's where looking at the Pinterest boards will help. You can see which photographers you'd like to try for based on how they've shot the different areas.

Disney are also offering 3 routes around the Magic Kingdom and I was wondering what people thought of the different routes and the pictures you can get on each one?

All routes include back-of-the-castle shots. So far I haven't seen anyone complaining about any of the routes in particular, just that they wish they could combine spots from different routes. The one with the Tangled bathrooms seems very popular, and the one with Ariel's Undersea Adventure (or whatever they call it Back East).

 

[EmmaInWonderland]

From what I've seen, these days most people are happy with their portrait sessions. Disney uses better equipment now than they did when we had ours done, and there are certain photographers who get really great reviews. You can see all of their work on their individual Pinterest boards.



Yes, you can request a photographer, but s/he is not guaranteed. They have a lot of favorite places they shoot, but some of them are also open to ideas. That's where looking at the Pinterest boards will help. You can see which photographers you'd like to try for based on how they've shot the different areas.



All routes include back-of-the-castle shots. So far I haven't seen anyone complaining about any of the routes in particular, just that they wish they could combine spots from different routes. The one with the Tangled bathrooms seems very popular, and the one with Ariel's Undersea Adventure (or whatever they call it Back East).

Hi,

Thanks so much for your reply, we've gone with the route with the carousel and tea cups because as much as I'd love the Tangled tower I don't want the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean! I would have quite liked the route with Ariel's Grotto etc. but that's already been booked unfortunately.

I wonder if any one has any recommendations for Disney photographers?

Main Street also doesn't appear to be on the route for the photos, does any one know if it is possible to have photos in that area?

 

[lurkyloo]

I think the park has nixed Main Street as a location because so much work goes on there before the park opens. I know we had to avoid a lot of it when we did our photos there.

Stephanie seems to be one of the most popular photographers for Magic Kingdom shoots. You can hear my interview with her here: http://disneyweddingpodcast.com/2015/02/11/magic-kingdom-bridal-portrait-sessions/

 

[dp911]

Where can you park for a MK session? I couldn't imagine in a ball gown parking in the lot or even the walk from the contemporary.

 

[lurkyloo]

You don't park. Your photographer picks you up at your Disney hotel in a van and drives you backstage.

 

[miste2blue]

I absolutely loved our Disney Wedding Photo shoot....I would 100% do it again. Don't 2nd guess it. Enjoy it & be creative....your photographer (no matter who you get) will work with you as much as they can, but have a Plan B & Plan C on location shots in case you can't get your 1st choice (though let them know if there is something that you have your heart set on....). Get your hair & makeup done professionally.....100% worth the money. And it's EARLY......get good sleep a few nights before....your night before will be hard to sleep.....most importantly....don't forget to take a moment to take it all in...it will be over before you know it.

 

[epcotcenter1982]

We had our shoots done at Disney Hollywood Studios and EPCOT in February 2016 the day after the wedding. I had early morning hair and makeup redo which was a blast and getting dressed with my now hubby was lovely. The park choices was a timing thing because I want the Streets of America and the what will be "old" DHS
If I were doing it now that things are shut down? I'd do Magic Kingdom and EPCOT (have you considered doing a double park shoot? It's not much more than just Magic Kingdom alone?)

GO to Pinterest and see what style you like. What kind of photography? I fell in love with Beth's approach and we gelled really well on the day... but Amy was my second choice and Stephanie also looked lovely. (Jacob assisted and I actually really like him too but he is a bit quirky. So it depends what you like...)
I gathered together different images from both pinterest and from Disney fine art website and sent that through to my coordinator with notes on what I liked and what kind of photos I wanted. If there's going to be something you really want TELL them so they can see if they can do it and try and work it in. [This helped big time on the wedding day photography as Beth just knew what to do...]
All that my coordinator sent through to Disney Fine art. We went back and forth for a bit...and the day itself I was SOOOO calm it was the BEST day short of the wedding.
It did help I'd had Beth do my Wedding day shoot too so we knew each other by Park shoot day. All my photos are amazing. I'm having a terrible time choosing for the albums.

https://flic.kr/s/aHskx8byF5

 

[EmmaInWonderland]

Thank you all so much for your replies! I am tempted to do a 2 park shoot, as you said epcotcenter1982 it's not that much more expensive. Your photos look wonderful as well! How does a 2 park shoot work? Do you get an hour at each park? You must have to get up SO early to do 2 parks which I'd be a little worried about.

Did you get to see what the photos were looking like on the day? I hate that you have to wait for so long until you can see them. Will the photographers take a few photos with your own camera if you ask them to?

Does the transport also take you back to your resort? And is it dead on an hour as soon as you step through the gates of the park or is it a little more flexible than that?

 

[Erzengel]

We had a photo shoot at Magic Kingdom and Epcot.

At Epcot, we shot in front of Italy, Japan, UK and Morocco.

In Magic Kingdom, we did in front of and in the Castle. They were doing construction at the time, so they angled the photos around landscaping or did tighter shots. That couldn't be helped. We really wanted a moat shot and were disappointed that construction prevented that. We took some pictures in front of the Haunted Mansion, on the Carousel and in front gate near where Beauty and the Beast Castle. Our favorite shots were in front of the Castle, as well as on the Carousel. The photographer probably spent a little too much time for my liking at the front gate.

The photographers pick you up at your resort and then take you the back entrance into MK and drive you through the park. We then packed up and when we did Epcot, actually drove us through the World Showcase. Then they brought us back to our resort.

When we finished up at MK, we were racing the crowd, who were coming up as we were finishing up. Epcot is great because they don't open until later. The photographer was great as we got more than 2 hours at both parks even without the driving.

Sometimes the photographer showed us some of the pictures he just took. And we didn't ask about taking your own photos with their camera. I would assume they wouldn't allow that because you would think that would make you choose less pictures that they chose.

Edit: Actually, I had my cell phone out and was "jokingly" warned not to take pictures.

 

[epcotcenter1982]

Thank you all so much for your replies! I am tempted to do a 2 park shoot, as you said epcotcenter1982 it's not that much more expensive. Your photos look wonderful as well! How does a 2 park shoot work? Do you get an hour at each park? You must have to get up SO early to do 2 parks which I'd be a little worried about.

Did you get to see what the photos were looking like on the day? I hate that you have to wait for so long until you can see them. Will the photographers take a few photos with your own camera if you ask them to?

Does the transport also take you back to your resort? And is it dead on an hour as soon as you step through the gates of the park or is it a little more flexible than that?

How does a 2 park shoot work? Do you get an hour at each park?
We had at least an hour at each park. Because of the demolition work around DHS catastrophe canyon they were having issues parking after we drove from ToT to there so it would have been an hour of shooting plus that. DHS was first and then we packed up and drove round the back of EPCOT world showcase. We started at Italy then drove back down to Canada then walked up to grab a couple shots in the UK. For the last part there were people who had made it to World Showcase by then because Future World had early entry that day but they just cheered us on. They weren't on a mission to a ride and didn't at ALL get in our way or shots.

You must have to get up SO early to do 2 parks which I'd be a little worried about.
Hair and makeup was at 5am. We were picked up from the front of AKV at 7am. It's early but it was exciting and fine and we had a great time. We got dropped back to Grand Floridian as we had a ADR for 1900 Park Fare to get some photos with the characters (and eat...) They will drop you anywhere on Disney property after the event which was great for us.

Did you get to see what the photos were looking like on the day?
NO....But when we got in the car we were handed photos from the previous wedding day shoot. There were 4 prints in little cardboard folders and I nearly burst into tears they were so perfect. I know it's hard but I had such a trust and respect for my photographer and I just let it all happen.

Will the photographers take a few photos with your own camera if you ask them to?
It never occurred to me to ask...but I guess you could ask.

I hate that you have to wait for so long until you can see them.
We did get a brag book preview link before we left Disney (so within 7 days) which had mainly ceremony photos and then Beth would notify me on Pinterest as various Park shoot photos got posted on her pinterest board. I think about 4 of our Park shoot photos made the Disney wedding pinterest board. And one for Mike who was the second shooter on the wedding day. This was all long before the website.

 

[kelly gartland]

Hello, we have just booked our wedding onboard the Disney Dream, however we love the idea of booking a Magic kingdom portrait session for after we return. The problem is we are from the UK, have 2 children and no guests travelling with us. Has anyone else been in this predicament, do hotels provide babysitting services at this time of day?

 

[lurkyloo]

You can check with the service that Disney uses, Kids Nite Out: https://kidsniteout.com/

 

[GabBeFit]

How does a 2 park shoot work? Do you get an hour at each park?
We had at least an hour at each park. Because of the demolition work around DHS catastrophe canyon they were having issues parking after we drove from ToT to there so it would have been an hour of shooting plus that. DHS was first and then we packed up and drove round the back of EPCOT world showcase. We started at Italy then drove back down to Canada then walked up to grab a couple shots in the UK. For the last part there were people who had made it to World Showcase by then because Future World had early entry that day but they just cheered us on. They weren't on a mission to a ride and didn't at ALL get in our way or shots.

You must have to get up SO early to do 2 parks which I'd be a little worried about.
Hair and makeup was at 5am. We were picked up from the front of AKV at 7am. It's early but it was exciting and fine and we had a great time. We got dropped back to Grand Floridian as we had a ADR for 1900 Park Fare to get some photos with the characters (and eat...) They will drop you anywhere on Disney property after the event which was great for us.

Did you get to see what the photos were looking like on the day?
NO....But when we got in the car we were handed photos from the previous wedding day shoot. There were 4 prints in little cardboard folders and I nearly burst into tears they were so perfect. I know it's hard but I had such a trust and respect for my photographer and I just let it all happen.

Will the photographers take a few photos with your own camera if you ask them to?
It never occurred to me to ask...but I guess you could ask.

I hate that you have to wait for so long until you can see them.
We did get a brag book preview link before we left Disney (so within 7 days) which had mainly ceremony photos and then Beth would notify me on Pinterest as various Park shoot photos got posted on her pinterest board. I think about 4 of our Park shoot photos made the Disney wedding pinterest board. And one for Mike who was the second shooter on the wedding day. This was all long before the website.

ooo! Question! Your ADR at 1900 park fare. Were you still in your wedding dress? That is such a cute idea to book a character breakfast for right after the shoot! I also didnt even think that 2 parks would be doable, so that is so exciting to hear!!

 

[epcotcenter1982]

ooo! Question! Your ADR at 1900 park fare. Were you still in your wedding dress? That is such a cute idea to book a character breakfast for right after the shoot! I also didnt even think that 2 parks would be doable, so that is so exciting to hear!!

Yes We went to 1900 Park Fare in complete wedding attire. I've been there a few times before as it's a fav and just told hubby what I wanted and he collected. So I didn't actually go to the buffet myself. But I did certainly eat and didn't get ANYTHING on the dress despite the Mad Hatter calling me brave. The server was wonderful. We got great memorable photos.
Top tip...remember you want to both be in the photos...so go with someone. We went with my parents. They also drove us back to our room so we could change to then continue our day after brunch.
The Park shoots are worth EVERY penny. Seriously...I would scrimp anywhere but that. It was so much fun and the photos are just such a beautiful memory.

 

[DismeyDad]

Hi Everyone,

My partner and I have just booked a memories wedding in Disney Land Florida for October 2016. We are so excited!

We're considering booking a Magic Kingdom portrait session and I was really hoping to get some advice from others that may have done this before! I have loads of questions and would love to see people's photos of possible.

Any help any one could provide would be so appreciated!

Thank you,

Emma.

Forgive my naivety, but do you have to have booked a W]Wedding through Disney to be able to have the in park portrait session, or is that organized via the photographer at individual cost? Thx!

 

[GabBeFit]

Yes We went to 1900 Park Fare in complete wedding attire. I've been there a few times before as it's a fav and just told hubby what I wanted and he collected. So I didn't actually go to the buffet myself. But I did certainly eat and didn't get ANYTHING on the dress despite the Mad Hatter calling me brave. The server was wonderful. We got great memorable photos.
Top tip...remember you want to both be in the photos...so go with someone. We went with my parents. They also drove us back to our room so we could change to then continue our day after brunch.
The Park shoots are worth EVERY penny. Seriously...I would scrimp anywhere but that. It was so much fun and the photos are just such a beautiful memory.

That sounds so wonderful!! I love this idea. Great tip. We would probably have our family meet us there. Grab some cute photos with them as well.

Ya! The photo package is one thing I wont give up. 100% a must! Thanks so much for your reply

 

[fifthdimensiondweller]

I'll try to remember to post some pictures of ours tonight, but we were very happy with it! For me it was more about the experience than anything, being inside MK when it's dawn is the most amazing feeling! We had a great photographer and I felt like they took so much time with us- not rushed at all!