WDW Family Picture

[kimwim8]

I'd like to get a family picture taken in WDW this December, but I'm pretty sure I can't afford the "official" WDW photographer.

Is there somewhere that we can go for a fake backdrop of the castle or something? I seem to remember they used to have a place like that at DTD.

Thanks for any info!

 

[kizmac]

Yes! Epcot still has this in the Imagination Pavillion where the Figment ride comes out. We just got ours done in September there. I don't know where else they may do it because they did away with it in some places. We have done it ever year since 2000 and I was so sad because they discontinued it in MK when my SIL went to get one done there in June. She didn't get to have one done since no one informed her they still did it in Epcot. I was thrilled they still did this. It was about $18.99 for an 8 x 10 I believe. I love looking at all our past photos!

 

[ainmama2001]

There is a great photo spot on the side of the castle leading into Liberty Square I believe. Also, you can get an WDW photographer to take your picture with YOUR camera in front of the castle in Main St. They'll take it with THEIR camera too, but you're under no obligation to buy anything.

 

[bjakmom]

Don't forget to use Photopass and let the photogs take pics of the whole family in front of all the parks and with the characters - it's great for me to finally be able to (easily) have some family pics with me in them !

 

[goofy4tink]

Have to agree on the PhotoPass. This is the only way anyone will know that I actually went to WDW!!!! I'm usually behind the lens!! I love my PhotoPass shots.

 

[kimisabella]

If you are going to crt or crystal palace before the park opens, you can take photos in front of the castle w/no one else around. The pic below was taken last week before we went to our crystal palace adr at 8:25 a.m.

 

[kimwim8]

If you are going to crt or crystal palace before the park opens, you can take photos in front of the castle w/no one else around. The pic below was taken last week before we went to our crystal palace adr at 8:25 a.m.

We actually do have an early ADR at Crystal Palace, so that might work out well! Are the photpass people out that early? Or someone else that took your picture?

Thanks for all of the suggestions! My DS took a picture with Brother Bear & my DD took a picture with all of the princesses last year at the Imagination ride (as one poster mentioned). I didn't realize there is a castle backdrop option!

I may look into the professional WDW photographer - just to get an idea of prices. We want to get a family portrait done, and that would be a "one of a kind" type of portrait.

Thanks again for all of the posts/ideas!

 

[Shooby doo]

Getting a pic done with the back drops probably costs as much as getting an Official pic taken inside ( I believe they are all part of Kodak anyway) as mentioned though just ask one of the CMs to take a picture with your own camera.I would get an Official one taken as well as I hear that with the photopass you can view your pics up to 30 days after they've been taken.
Sd aw:

 

[agotta]

All of the parks offer those fake green screen shots. You can get some really cute ones. Check out the Exposition Hall at MK. I still agree that a real photo done with photo pass would be better though.

 

[kizmac]

All of the parks offer those fake green screen shots. You can get some really cute ones. Check out the Exposition Hall at MK. I still agree that a real photo done with photo pass would be better though.

They quit doing it in Exposition Hall.....I did both the Photopass and the green screen shot. Both are nice for different reasons. Be sure to check your photopass pics before you leave for the day if you really have your heart set on the pics because we did quite a few and some were really crappy and some didn't even show up. We didn't check ours till we got home. Thankfully one was really good so I orderd it. I was very glad to have done the back drop castle picture though.

kimwim8- are you talking about the photo sessions with the photographer that does the family portraits and wedding shots? They do the hour or so photo shoot? If so that is going to be much pricier than Photopass or the green screen. Would be awesome if you have the time and the money though.

 

[eeyore45]

FYI on the early photopass - dont take the first photographer - there are 6 or 7 positioned up the street - we went to the last one, waited a minute then did that photopass... dont be shy in asking for a Tinkerbelle shot - and you should also be critical on how you are positioned - for example dh was "hugging" dd, but the position of his hand looks overwhelming, like he's holding her from falling forward!! BUT I had asked for several shots, and asked that we move and to take another 2 or 3!! There are even a couple of photopass people on the walkway over the castle too, before rope drop!!

We also got our photo taken in Epcot, I was not impressed with that photographer, we were there 20 minutes waiting (it was our first ride after getting a fastpass for Soarin) I couldnt believe it, and I was not impressed at her lack of attention - my mom's head was in front of my head, she just kept saying 4 adults is too many... um excuse me??? I finally stepped out positioned my mom, told her not to move, stepped back in told her to snap it... and it looks fine!! My next step might have been to use the stool and sit some down, but I dont like that angle!!

 

[kimwim8]

kimwim8- are you talking about the photo sessions with the photographer that does the family portraits and wedding shots? They do the hour or so photo shoot? If so that is going to be much pricier than Photopass or the green screen. Would be awesome if you have the time and the money though.

Yes, I was considering looking into how much. But like you said (and I assumed) it is probably too much money.

Thanks to all for the hints on using the Photopass photographers. I will definitely do that. And ask them to use my camera too.l

Thanks again!

 

[kimisabella]

We actually do have an early ADR at Crystal Palace, so that might work out well! Are the photpass people out that early? Or someone else that took your picture?

Thanks for all of the suggestions! My DS took a picture with Brother Bear & my DD took a picture with all of the princesses last year at the Imagination ride (as one poster mentioned). I didn't realize there is a castle backdrop option!

I may look into the professional WDW photographer - just to get an idea of prices. We want to get a family portrait done, and that would be a "one of a kind" type of portrait.

Thanks again for all of the posts/ideas!

Photopass people were out there, but they actually were busy so we had another family take the pic for us.

 

[Poohs Pal]

Kizmac, How did you check your photos before leaving? Susan

 

[MOmousefan]

We found that the Photopass photographers were only too happy to take pictures of us with our cameras. We purchased one official picture and had a dozen good ones from our cameras.

 

[kizmac]

Kizmac, How did you check your photos before leaving? Susan

Well, I didn't have a chance to check before we left, but I really wasn't too concerned about my photos so I risked it and waited till I got home. Only one was missing of the boys with Mickey on MNSSHP night but DH still had a good shot so no biggie.

There is a place in every park that you can check them though and they print them out right there. I am not sure of the exact locations. I'm pretty sure the camera place on Mainstreet. I did see some photo place in the Toon Town tent. Someone else probably knows some exact locations.

If the pictures are important to you, do check them there! My SIL had them done on her last day at MK and when she checked them before leaving, none showed up! They ended up retaking them for her and giving her free 5 x 7's for the hassle. She was disappointed though because it was getting dark and the photo the retook was further up on maintstreet and the castle isn't in it.

Definitely do several different shots with different photographers. There was one over by Crystal Palace which would of probably gotten a nice view of the castle. If you stop too early on Mainstreet, the Castle really isn't in very good view in the picture and depending on the time of day, the shadow is pretty bad and the picture can be rather dark. The girl that was taking shots over by the Mickey and Minnie topiaries got some awesome shots of us. The sky was such a deep blue and the castle looked so beautiful. I was almost sad that me and DH was blocking some of the castle,LOL.