MK Bridal Shoot Blackout dates 2015

[lauf]

Hello all,

We want to get married during the Christmas season 2015.
I understand that there are quite a few blackout dates during the holidays when the shoots are not available in the Magic Kingdom.

Can it still be possible to have Magic Kingdom Bridal Portrait Session at the start of December?
Have some couples managed to get a date during this time?

I have seen a few photos in Magic Kingdom with brides next to the castle when decorated with holiday lights. (Disney Fine art Photography)

I wondered if I may have a better chance if I booked the whole photography package ( ceremony etc) with Disney Fine Art Photography?

I'd really appreciate any info/ tips!

Many thanks,

Lauren x

 

[lurkyloo]

Using Disney Photography for your wedding does allow you to book a Magic Kingdom bridal portrait session as soon as your wedding is booked (vs. 45 days out for those who use non-Disney wedding photographers). But right now Disney Fine Art Photography has not been told yet by park management which dates in 2015 they can book the MK sessions. They are putting interested parties on a waiting list, but nothing can be done until the park releases the photo shoot dates for 2015.

(Also, there is never any guarantee that the holiday Castle Dream Lights will be turned on during your photo session.)

 

[Dagny]

Using Disney Photography for your wedding does allow you to book a Magic Kingdom bridal portrait session as soon as your wedding is booked (vs. 45 days out for those who use non-Disney wedding photographers). But right now Disney Fine Art Photography has not been told yet by park management which dates in 2015 they can book the MK sessions. They are putting interested parties on a waiting list, but nothing can be done until the park releases the photo shoot dates for 2015.

(Also, there is never any guarantee that the holiday Castle Dream Lights will be turned on during your photo session.)

My daughter is getting married on January 2, 2015 and she is STILL on a waiting list The inability to schedule a photography session in the MK is higly dissaspointing to us considering that this restriction was not disclosed before we put the non-refundable deposit down for her Wishes wedding.... and even if they did not know of the restriction a year in advance (giving DFTW the benefit of the doubt), I find it, at a minimum, extremely unprofessional that we had to learn about the restriction from sources outside of DFTW. My DD is really upset right now since this was one of her main reasons for choosing a destination wedding at WDW. We are 5 months away from her ceremony and the inability to make definitive choices is really stressing her out (rightfully so in my opinion).

With your wedding over a year away, I feel that you will at least know well enough in advance to make alternate plans, etc. I believe I read that the MK shoots are blacked out during the last two weeks of December so if you are getting married in early Decemer 2015 you should have a fighting chance!

Sorry to vent... getting off my soapbox!

 

[lauf]

Using Disney Photography for your wedding does allow you to book a Magic Kingdom bridal portrait session as soon as your wedding is booked (vs. 45 days out for those who use non-Disney wedding photographers). But right now Disney Fine Art Photography has not been told yet by park management which dates in 2015 they can book the MK sessions. They are putting interested parties on a waiting list, but nothing can be done until the park releases the photo shoot dates for 2015

Thank you for your advise! It’s much appreciated.
Has this happened before?
Is it likely to be soon when they release the availability?
Do you know the reasons of the delay?
Sorry for all the questions!
Thanks again,
Lauren

 

[lauf]

My daughter is getting married on January 2, 2015 and she is STILL on a waiting list The inability to schedule a photography session in the MK is higly dissaspointing to us considering that this restriction was not disclosed before we put the non-refundable deposit down for her Wishes wedding.... and even if they did not know of the restriction a year in advance (giving DFTW the benefit of the doubt), I find it, at a minimum, extremely unprofessional that we had to learn about the restriction from sources outside of DFTW. My DD is really upset right now since this was one of her main reasons for choosing a destination wedding at WDW. We are 5 months away from her ceremony and the inability to make definitive choices is really stressing her out (rightfully so in my opinion).

I am sorry to hear this.
Having the photoshoot is my dream, it is one of the main reasons I want to get married at Disney World! It’s devastating!
Is your Daughter using Disney photography?
Is the Wedding planner keeping your Daughter updated with the situation?
I hope everything works out for your Daughter & your family.
Lauren

 

[lurkyloo]

Thank you for your advise! It’s much appreciated.
Has this happened before?
Is it likely to be soon when they release the availability?
Do you know the reasons of the delay?
Sorry for all the questions!
Thanks again,
Lauren

They've had blackout dates before, usually just the times of year when they put up and take down the castle dream lights. During construction of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train they added a lot more blackout dates but still allowed photo shoots most days. The current delay is caused by the construction of improvements to the Hub area, which is the main photo spot for bridal portrait sessions. I don't think they realize that many brides would be happy to have their portraits taken just about anywhere inside the MK.

 

[katiebride2015]

I too was extremely frustrated to hear about the renovations to the MK that are causing the black out dates from my DFTW wedding planner. Finding out about this after paying the deposit for my wishes wedding package was very frustrating especially after explaining to the wedding planner that my photos are EXTREMELY important to me.

After speaking with my DFTW wedding planner this was her offer--
If the MK is not available for a photo shoot I could schedule, FREE OF CHARGE (how many times does disney offer something for free) a 2nd photoshoot date when the MK is available but I would of course have to plan ANOTHER trip to WDW, like i need an actual reason to plan another trip to WDW.

hope this helps other disney brides.

 

[mb187143]

I too was extremely frustrated to hear about the renovations to the MK that are causing the black out dates from my DFTW wedding planner. Finding out about this after paying the deposit for my wishes wedding package was very frustrating especially after explaining to the wedding planner that my photos are EXTREMELY important to me. After speaking with my DFTW wedding planner this was her offer-- If the MK is not available for a photo shoot I could schedule, FREE OF CHARGE (how many times does disney offer something for free) a 2nd photoshoot date when the MK is available but I would of course have to plan ANOTHER trip to WDW, like i need an actual reason to plan another trip to WDW. hope this helps other disney brides.

Did that offer come from Disney fine art photography? Because that's who you ultimately pay when you do a park shoot, not DFTW. If the shoot is the day of or the day after your wedding it can count toward your minimum expenditure (or, I guess enhancement minimum now), but since they have already relaxed the rule with letting brides come back any time to do the shoot (instead of within one year), it's surprising that they would offer a free MK shoot, and not something I would expect them to do for many brides.

When we originally scheduled our MK shoot for the march after our 2012 wedding (since MK shoots were blacked out during our wedding), we went through Disney fine art photography and they would have charged us directly, DFTW not being involved since our wedding was over.

If your planner made you that offer I hope you got it in writing.