New Bridal Portrait Times

[Krysssyann]

Hi everyone

I am getting married Sept of next year so I am stuck with the 7:30am time for MK photos I am hoping that the castle still at least has the lights on (even if it is after sunrise) My sunrise time is like 7:06am. Does anyone know how long after sunrise the lights come off? I wish they would let us do at least 7am for lighted castle pics

 

[kjg5]

I wonder when these new times take effect- we booked our photo session for 5/20/11 back in the beginning of October and we got the 5am time slot. Normally I would assume Disney would let me know if something had changed, but my wedding coordinator is always MIA

 

[neener3]

I asked my planner if ours had changed - I'm sure she hates me because as soon as I hear something good or bad on these boards I'm asking if they apply to me!

She replied:

Yes, the Magic Kingdom sessions will be limited to 1 per day. Photography will be contacting you directly if they need to move your time. They are contacting brides in date order, so it may be a bit before they call you if it's necessary.

We're JUST less than 3 months out - haven't heard anything yet!


I also wanted the dark pictures....in fact, we debated having a non-DFTW (Swan or Buena Vista), but the only reason we went with DFTW is because I fell in LOVE with the dark castle pictures. Sigh. After seeing Kelly and Adrian's light pictures though, I'm okay with it!

 

[kjg5]

I asked my planner if ours had changed - I'm sure she hates me because as soon as I hear something good or bad on these boards I'm asking if they apply to me!

She replied:

Yes, the Magic Kingdom sessions will be limited to 1 per day. Photography will be contacting you directly if they need to move your time. They are contacting brides in date order, so it may be a bit before they call you if it's necessary.

We're JUST less than 3 months out - haven't heard anything yet!


I also wanted the dark pictures....in fact, we debated having a non-DFTW (Swan or Buena Vista), but the only reason we went with DFTW is because I fell in LOVE with the dark castle pictures. Sigh. After seeing Kelly and Adrian's light pictures though, I'm okay with it!

I'm so jealous- the cruise coordinator takes weeks to return emails (even ones from my TA and she used to answer those right away).

I too want pictures in the dark, so if they move us, I'm pretty sure we'll cancel. I hope they don't move your time, and thanks for the info!
It sounds like the later time only applies to MK. Maybe we'll save some $$ and switch to Animal Kingdom- I've heard the park is breathtaking at night, but we always go in May and it isn't open late enough to see for myself. That is of course, assuming AK even does photo sessions that early. I work at a zoo, and I know that any slight interruption or change in the daily routine causes all sorts of problems/delays, so these photo sessions probably drive the animal care staff bonkers.

 

[sambycat]

We had booked and confirmed AK and MK for our portraits 1/26. AK pics must occur, we were told by dara with DPS, in the daylight. Period. So, we have had to cancel AK(what I wanted most) because in the winter, since MK is now more than an hour delayed, if you fall on a day with EMH in a park, you can't get in and done before the park opens. Very dissapointing. But things happen.... Our annoyance was less that it was happening than the fact that, at LESS than 3 months out, we instigated finding out if the changes applied to us, not Disney, and, DUH, already had appointments, make up, travel plans etc, booked that we have had to change. It seems to be working out otherwise, just bummed about all the last minute changes. We could have done AK another day but 3 early mornings in wedding get ups seems ridiculous. And now it's making me wonder if they would then TTY to make me buy ANOTHER bouquet as well.

GAH!!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

You know, when we decided to have our VR at the Swan instead of going through DFTW, my one (slight) regret was that I would have liked the MK shoot in the dark. However, now I am so glad we didn't base our decision on this, as we would clearly have had our time changed and no pictures in the dark. From what I am reading, all MK photo shoots (even if already booked) are being re-scheduled to 7.30am and, since only one is allowed each morning, some people will have to change not only their time, but also their date.
I agree that it seems that AK portraits can only be done in daylight.
I think there will be some disappointed brides out there!!!
I hear a lot of frustration with brides waiting ages for replies from co-ordinators too!!!
I must say the planner I have for our VR is brilliant. I never wait more than a couple of days for replies to e-mails and she has helped and advised me in so many areas. I was having problems contacting somebody at the Dolphin re. our 'Morning After' brunch and she even sorted that for me.
I have never yet regretted my decision to have my VR at the Swan instead of going through DFTW. I feel I am getting all the benefits without all the hassle!!!

 

[lurkyloo]

Just to offer another perspective, we actually tried to schedule our MK shoot for as late as possible and didn't feel we got enough pictures in daylight. But then we're not big fans of the whole flash-in-your-face thing they have to do when it's still dark out.

Many photographers prefer to shoot in the morning or the afternoon because the light is best for pictures. So while this new later time may preclude you from getting tons of shots of the castle lit up, you may get more really great daytime shots because of the lovely morning light.

 

[daisygirl902]

I also wanted the dark pictures....in fact, we debated having a non-DFTW (Swan or Buena Vista), but the only reason we went with DFTW is because I fell in LOVE with the dark castle pictures. Sigh. After seeing Kelly and Adrian's light pictures though, I'm okay with it!

Thanks so much!! I love our pics, and they are all in the light...

 

[PinkSleepingBeauty]

Thanks so much!! I love our pics, and they are all in the light...

Hope you don't mind but had to look at your pics after reading your post...they are beautiful!

 

[daisygirl902]

Hope you don't mind but had to look at your pics after reading your post...they are beautiful!

I certainly don't mind...I am happy to share them as I LOVE them!! I worried about many things with regards to the shoot, including time of day, shots I wanted, whether it was worth the money, etc etc....what I finally decided was to just let go of any preconceived notions I had from the boards and just go with what I thought would work for us...I took it in stride, suggested a few shots I wanted...but when it came to lighting, workers in the parks, the crane, and other things I couldn't control I just let it go...and it worked out great!

 

[PinkSleepingBeauty]

I certainly don't mind...I am happy to share them as I LOVE them!! I worried about many things with regards to the shoot, including time of day, shots I wanted, whether it was worth the money, etc etc....what I finally decided was to just let go of any preconceived notions I had from the boards and just go with what I thought would work for us...I took it in stride, suggested a few shots I wanted...but when it came to lighting, workers in the parks, the crane, and other things I couldn't control I just let it go...and it worked out great!

I can't wait for our shoot! We've got to have our shoot four days after the wedding because of the new time restrictions but atleast it's another chance to get the dress on again! Lol. I'm not too fussed about it being daylight, just excited about getting pics by the castle!

 

[Firefly09]

I'm actually quite happy that the MK shoot has changed. Being very much a nightowl versus a morning person the idea of waking up at 3AM to start getting ready for the 530 shoot was daunting. My concern was that the couple who originally had the 630 slot would want the new time but luckily I was told I got to keep my date.

I agree with the above posters in that the recent daylight shots that have been posted are beautiful and I really hope mine comes out just as good!

 

[Jules~Marie]

I just canceled our MK pictures today. I really wanted some pictures with the castle and rides lit up, but now that the times have changed I don't feel like it's truly worth the $1100.00.

Also, my planner/assist. planner never told me about the time change. Today is exactly 2 months until our wedding, and I had to email them and ask if our time was being changed. She said "There has been some time adjustments for the special photo sessions. You should be receiving a call from Photography this week regarding the scheduling." I guess it's a coincidence that they were supposed to call me the same week that I finally decided to ask if our time had changed. It's all OK with me though. I know they're crazy busy, I just wanted to make sure I should cancel the pictures so I could go ahead and cancel the hair/makeup appt. that I also had scheduled.

 

[kjg5]

Just to offer another perspective, we actually tried to schedule our MK shoot for as late as possible and didn't feel we got enough pictures in daylight. But then we're not big fans of the whole flash-in-your-face thing they have to do when it's still dark out.

Many photographers prefer to shoot in the morning or the afternoon because the light is best for pictures. So while this new later time may preclude you from getting tons of shots of the castle lit up, you may get more really great daytime shots because of the lovely morning light.

Words of wisdom from lurkyloo herself! That's a wonderful point- I never thought of it like that!

Personally, I want night carousel pics more than ones with the castle, and I'm hoping they'll do some in Tomorrowland- it's so pretty lit up!

I finally received a reply from my wedding coordinator- she has heard that there have been some recent updates with the photo sessions, but as of right now our pictures are still set for 5/20 at 5am! She said she's looking into it to be sure, and as an aside, she's going to find out if we can add AK Since, so far, it seems that we're getting our MK photos in the dark, might as well take advantage of that morning sunlight as well!

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

but when it came to lighting, workers in the parks, the crane, and other things I couldn't control I just let it go...and it worked out great!

lol, the crane.

it was the joke of our vacation last/this week. when we were watching wishes from the CG we were like ooooh look at the crane, then when we toured the WP i was like look at that view... i love that crane!! and we continued to speak of the crane as if it were a real attraction, lol. it really did stick out!!

i'm assuming that beauty will be photoshopped out of pictures, lol.

 

[April Elizabeth]

I just canceled our MK pictures today. I really wanted some pictures with the castle and rides lit up, but now that the times have changed I don't feel like it's truly worth the $1100.00.

Also, my planner/assist. planner never told me about the time change. Today is exactly 2 months until our wedding, and I had to email them and ask if our time was being changed. She said "There has been some time adjustments for the special photo sessions. You should be receiving a call from Photography this week regarding the scheduling." I guess it's a coincidence that they were supposed to call me the same week that I finally decided to ask if our time had changed. It's all OK with me though. I know they're crazy busy, I just wanted to make sure I should cancel the pictures so I could go ahead and cancel the hair/makeup appt. that I also had scheduled.

I agree. I really wanted my pictures in the dark with the castle lit up. I also like the carousel pictures I've seen with the lights on. I also like the ones in the daylight but I'm just not sure it will be worth the money to just get those when the others were so important to me.