MK photo shoot let-down

[vitani88]

I just got off the phone with Disney Fine Arts Photography. First of all, they are NOT nice and amazing like all of the other Disney employees I've ever talked to on the phone. Second, apparently you cannot have a MK shoot between August and January. So, apparently we can come back and do it at another time. I'm pretty bummed out about the whole thing. They said I could still do Epcot, so I'll probably be doing that one.

 

[qtsugarangl]

August of this year? Did they say as to why, are they all booked up that you could go on a waiting list? At least if you go back next year Ariel and Belle's areas should be open for you to get pictures there as well!

 

[vitani88]

August of this year? Did they say as to why, are they all booked up that you could go on a waiting list? At least if you go back next year Ariel and Belle's areas should be open for you to get pictures there as well!

No, they aren't booked. Apparently due to MK's holiday schedule, they can't do photos in the park during these months. There's a waiting list just in case they change their minds...

 

[DisneyShamrock]

I wonder if the expanded blackout times this year may have something to do with the new Fantasyland expansion. They keep saying it will be open by holiday time. Maybe they want to not have to break work for brides so they can be done on time?

I know Halloween is big at Disney, but there's no way they need two months to prepare. I can see blocking out the week of Halloween, but not two whole months.

 

[vitani88]

I wonder if the expanded blackout times this year may have something to do with the new Fantasyland expansion. They keep saying it will be open by holiday time. Maybe they want to not have to break work for brides so they can be done on time?

I know Halloween is big at Disney, but there's no way they need two months to prepare. I can see blocking out the week of Halloween, but not two whole months.

According to the [rather rude] lady I spoke to, they're still going to be under construction in December!

 

[DisneyShamrock]

According to the [rather rude] lady I spoke to, they're still going to be under construction in December!

The mine train definitely will be, but the rest of it *should* be open.

This construction seems to have up-heaved everything.

 

[princesswendy720]

I was told last year (in November) that the end of October, all of November and December, and part of January would be blocked out. I think there is a short blackout in August for putting up the Christmas lights, but I know other people have booked shoots for other times like earlier October. I hope they aren't cancelling the shoots that people have confirmed!

 

[qtsugarangl]

At least if they do block out October it gives me another reason to come back next year and get dressed up again

 

[Evi]

Not sure who op spoke with but I called today and person I spoke with explained that because of the expansion in Magic Kingdom they had limited access but that it should open back up in the future early 2014. She also said that they are letting Disney Brides come back whenever they want in the future to take those pictures. I know its not ideal but I was planning to do an engagement shoot before our wedding since we won't be able to do a Magic Kingdom bridal shoot until a later date anyways. Its a shame they didn't explain it better to you but don't be upset its not just happening to you its happening to everyone and all you can do is make the best of it and look a the other options or wait until the dates open up again.

I hope it all works out.

 

[vitani88]

Not sure who op spoke with but I called today and person I spoke with explained that because of the expansion in Magic Kingdom they had limited access but that it should open back up in the future early 2014. She also said that they are letting Disney Brides come back whenever they want in the future to take those pictures. I know its not ideal but I was planning to do an engagement shoot before our wedding since we won't be able to do a Magic Kingdom bridal shoot until a later date anyways. Its a shame they didn't explain it better to you but don't be upset its not just happening to you its happening to everyone and all you can do is make the best of it and look a the other options or wait until the dates open up again.

I hope it all works out.

So do you know if there's some kind of a discount or some way they're making up for the inconvenience of brides having to make a separate trips down to WDW? I love WDW and I love going as much as possible! But it is kind of inconvenient to have to take time out of another trip, take my dress to be steamed again, etc.

 

[DisneyShamrock]

So do you know if there's some kind of a discount or some way they're making up for the inconvenience of brides having to make a separate trips down to WDW? I love WDW and I love going as much as possible! But it is kind of inconvenient to have to take time out of another trip, take my dress to be steamed again, etc.

Not to blast or dishearten, but I'd say no to them giving a discount. I've seen ladies put up a hard fight when catastrophe strikes and barely get anything.

I've already been planning the second trip for a year now since the holiday time first started early last year.

It sucks, but if you really want the photos, there aren't a lot of options.

 

[Evi]

So do you know if there's some kind of a discount or some way they're making up for the inconvenience of brides having to make a separate trips down to WDW? I love WDW and I love going as much as possible! But it is kind of inconvenient to have to take time out of another trip, take my dress to be steamed again, etc.

No I don't know...I think that perhaps you should bring your complaint to Disney photography. I was just trying to share what I was told so as to make you realize that you are not the only one this is happening to. Honestly I know I'm going to have to make another trip in the future to do my photos and yes it will be a pain but its not the end of the world as I see it. If its terribly inconvenient perhaps you can take photos at another park or resort and try to get the castle in the background. Just a suggestion you need to do whats best for you. But like others have pointed out stuff like this happens and considering its a theme park first wedding photos are a second for them.

 

[danceintherain]

I didn't get married at Disney, but I was extremely unhappy with my wedding photos. A friend took me out for a "Bridal Shoot" 6 months later. The backdrop was completely different, because I got married in January and the pictures were taken in June, but it was lots of fun to get dressed up in my dress again, and really do pictures right. I just wish I would have convinced DH to go out with me.

I know it's expensive and frustrating to deal with, but it will get you back to Disney later!

 

[JenelleJo]

My date is Jan. 10 2013...does this mean MK isn't going to be an option for me?

I need to call them tomorrow!

I can't say I wouldn't be incredibly disappointed if I couldn't do an MK shoot...but I'd rather find out now rather than get my heart REALLY set on it and then be crushed.

I'm trying to stay as relaxed as possible about this whole wedding and so far it's working. (Although I did get a little worked about about the glitter on my save the dates...it was just so pretty, I couldn't sleep that night. lol) So I suppose an Epcot shoot would still be fun.

Sometimes things can be frustrating and there's NO way everything is going to work out how you'd plan, so it's best to try and stay positive...and plan the things you've missed for your 10 year VR!

 

[CityGirlLost]

I'm really bummed that we're not going to be able to do a MK shoot but I keep seeing pictures like these:

And while they're not exactly what I wanted, I could be happy with them.

 

[Tink-erbell78]

Whilst the photos above are beautiful, I also had my heart set on the in park photos (even after reading all the not so great reviews) - for us, the MK shoot was 50% the reason for a WDW wedding. We are planning an Escape Wedding for the end of August 2013, all guests have booked accomodation so we are just waiting for the 8 month date- we are coming from the UK so a trip back to WDW after the wedding will cost thousands. I actually started to cry when I saw the thread, and my DF said we could have the carriage instead (which he has been against due to cost), but that's not even something that would compensate- I have my dress and the whole point of that was also for the MK shoot (which DF doesn't realise). I'm devastated by this news, so totally understand how others must be feeling.

 

[mb187143]

Whilst the photos above are beautiful, I also had my heart set on the in park photos (even after reading all the not so great reviews) - for us, the MK shoot was 50% the reason for a WDW wedding. We are planning an Escape Wedding for the end of August 2013, all guests have booked accomodation so we are just waiting for the 8 month date- we are coming from the UK so a trip back to WDW after the wedding will cost thousands. I actually started to cry when I saw the thread, and my DF said we could have the carriage instead (which he has been against due to cost), but that's not even something that would compensate- I have my dress and the whole point of that was also for the MK shoot (which DF doesn't realise). I'm devastated by this news, so totally understand how others must be feeling.

i understand your feelings, but i think you might be worried pre-maturely. The blackout dates are not all of August through mid-January. There are a couple dates in August, and then a firm black out from the end of October 2012 through January 2013. it's very unlikely that all of August 2013 will be blocked out. I know of many couples getting MK bridal portaits in August, Sept., and October this year. Availability is limited, but it's not 100% blacked out.

 

[JenelleJo]

I'm really bummed that we're not going to be able to do a MK shoot but I keep seeing pictures like these:

And while they're not exactly what I wanted, I could be happy with them.

You're right. They're not quite the same, but they are still very pretty and I think I could be happy with something similar.

 

[JenelleJo]

Ok, I just got a hold of someone at Disney Fine Art and she told me the blackout will be lifted on January 13. Our wedding is January 10 and we are planning on being in Florida until about the 17 so I might just get my MK shoot after all!

I was going back and forth on whether or not I wanted to spend the extra money, but as soon as I read I might not be able to get a close up castle photo I was pretty disappointed...guess my mind is made up.

Now just to sign our contract so that we can actually book it! It's supposed to be emailed to us on Monday.

(Ok, I'm trying not to be too excited, because just my luck they will extend the blackout or something. Like I said, things are bound to go wrong and I still think missing out on certain things just gives a good excuse for a ten year VR!)

 

[princesswendy720]

Ok, I just got a hold of someone at Disney Fine Art and she told me the blackout will be lifted on January 13. Our wedding is January 10 and we are planning on being in Florida until about the 17 so I might just get my MK shoot after all!

I was going back and forth on whether or not I wanted to spend the extra money, but as soon as I read I might not be able to get a close up castle photo I was pretty disappointed...guess my mind is made up.

Now just to sign our contract so that we can actually book it! It's supposed to be emailed to us on Monday.

(Ok, I'm trying not to be too excited, because just my luck they will extend the blackout or something. Like I said, things are bound to go wrong and I still think missing out on certain things just gives a good excuse for a ten year VR!)

Will you be using Disney as your wedding photographer? They have a rule where if you don't, you can't book the MK shoot until 45 days before. They weren't forthcoming with this information with us at first (after we had booked our outside photographers).