Top 5 Tips for Great Photos at Disney Parks During a Capture Your Moment Session

Originally published at Disney Parks News

Let’s start with my unofficial first tip: Knowing what Capture Your Moment is!

Now available at all four Walt Disney World theme parks, Capture Your Moment is an experience offering dedicated time with a Disney PhotoPass photographer. Following a consultation with your photographer (which usually lasts around 10 minutes or so). Your party of up to eight guests can enjoy a 20-minute personalized photo shoot with some pretty unbeatable backdrops.

I’ve enjoyed a few Capture Your Moment sessions. (My profile photo seen here on the blog was actually captured during a session at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!) So I’d love to share my top five tips about this experience. Whether you’ve already booked a session, are thinking about booking a session, or have just learned what Capture Your Moment is.

1. Ask about available photo locations 

When picturing your photo shoot location, backdrops like Cinderella Castle or the Tree of Life probably come to mind. And these are great photo spots you can enjoy during a Capture Your Moment session!

But there are also many other beautiful and unique spots available to you during a session that you might not even realize.

Our photographers are happy to help you pick a great location. While you’re guaranteed one photo location per session, most sessions end up visiting a few locations to take photos.

Before booking, note where Capture Your Moment sessions can go within each park:

• Disney’s Animal Kingdom: on and nearby Discovery Island. (Including Africa, Asia, DinoLand U.S.A., and the Tree of Life Trails)
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios: near the entrance of the park. (Including Hollywood Boulevard, Sunset Boulevard, the Hollywood Tower Hotel, and Echo Lake)
• EPCOT: select World Showcase pavilions. (Germany, Italy, the American Adventure, Japan, and Morocco)
• Magic Kingdom: around Cinderella Castle. (Including Main Street, U.S.A. and all four sides of Cinderella Castle)

2. Arrive on time

Stay with me here, I know this one seems obvious, but it’s really important.

Make the most of your session by arriving at your check-in location at least 10 minutes prior to your start time. Because this experience is very popular with photo shoots running continuously for much of the day, sessions cannot be extended due to late arrival.

Pay close attention to where the Capture Your Moment check-in locations are in each of the parks:

3. Have fun with props

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or achievements like an engagement or birthday, taking family photos, or just excited to be at Disney, we’ve created props specifically for these sessions and uniquely themed to each park. Let your photographer know what you want to celebrate or capture so they can help pick the best props.

If you’ll be orchestrating a surprise moment during your session – such as a proposal – we know that keeping the secret until you’re ready is crucial, but we also want to be prepared with the right props. If you fall into this category, I recommend letting us know in advance by calling 407-939-7758 so we can make a note about the surprise on your reservation. Or, you can visit the check in location the day of your session to ensure your photographer is in on the surprise.

You’re welcome to bring your own props, but please make sure they comply with the Walt Disney World Resort Property Rules, found by clicking here. That webpage is also great for reviewing the Attire Policies. An important one to note is clothing that drags on the ground is prohibited in the theme parks.

4. Don’t give up on finding an opening

As I mentioned before, these sessions are very popular. Reservations open 60 days in advance, but even then, some sessions, especially those in the morning, can book up very fast. If you can’t find the session time you wanted, don’t give up!

Check online or in the My Disney Experience app the day before and day of for reservations that could open at the last minute. No guarantees, but I know this has worked out well for some guests.

Also, don’t forget Capture Your Moment is available at all four theme parks. If one park is fully booked, I highly recommend checking the others for openings. I’ve experienced a session at all four parks, and my favorite wasn’t the one I thought it would be.

5. Know how to download your photos

While photos are not included in the price of your session, those who have Memory Maker, Memory Maker One Day, or a Walt Disney World Annual Pass with the Disney PhotoPass Downloads add-on can download Capture Your Moment photos at no extra cost.

You can purchase Memory Maker or Memory Maker One Day in the My Disney Experience app or online before, during, or after your visit. Click here for more information.

No matter how you download your photos, be sure to do so before they expire.

To learn more about Capture Your Moment at each park or to make a booking, click on these links: Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Magic Kingdom.