Where can we get a family photo done in Disneyland?

[Poptart]

Is there anywhere to have a family photo taken in a studio type of place in DL, and if so - which one do you like best?
Cost?

[Noah]

There used to be a photo studio on main street (where the porch with the chairs that everyone likes to sit on is) the studio is sadly no longer there. As far as I know there is no picture studio available at Disneyland any longer. Check "Google Local" for a listing of nearby portrait picture studios or try Sears.

[MammaSilva]

If your goal is a family photo IN Disneyland, there are CM's armed with cameras in several locations and they are more than happy to take group pictures. If you have a specific "background" in mind and don't see a photographer I would go to City Hall and ask about it. I have family pics with the standards of Floral Mickey and the castle but I also have a couple with the Matterhorn as the background that I especially like.

[going2disneyAZ]

you might try sending a private message to DaddyB.......;)

[I love Peter Pan]

For the 50th anniversary, my mom and my little sister got a picture infont of the flowers in the entrance. The CM had them hold out one hand, and they digitaly put Tink in your hands. It tured out very good. Also they do pictures infront of the GG bridge, the castle, and the waterfall on the other side on GRR. If you want more of a studio one, you might have to have a character in it also, like in Mickey's Movie Barn.

[Poptart]

Thank you for all the replies! I think the Mickey's Movie Barn sounds good, wherever that is????
I'll find it!

[I love Peter Pan]

It's in ToonTown. It's in Mickey's house. There are a few different scenes they have in there. The one I'm always put in is the Stemboat Willie room, which is my favorite Mickey! The set is all black and white, and Mickey is dressed as Steamboat Willie.

[TTFN92]

I was going to post a question similar to this so I guess I'll just ask here. Does anyone know if they have a CM taking pics in front of the Christmas trees? I like the idea of Tink in it, but would like it to be for our family Christmas picture.

I miss the portrait studio on Main St. We got a family pic taken there in '94 with Mickey & the Gang all around us. I think they took it out shortly after that because the next time we went I wanted one and it wasn't there :( .

[I love Peter Pan]

I'm not sure about the Christmas tree picture. I'm going next week, so I'll find that out for you.

[DaddyB]

Sometimes yes, sometime no.

Just like in front of the floral Mickey just past the turnstiles. Sometimes there's a photographer there, sometimes not. Soemtime you can ask a photographer that's standing in one place to take your picture somewhere else and they'll follow you over there (within reason, of course... they're not going to go from the castle to Toontown for you)

Another alternative is to take your own camera (digital is best only because you get to decide if one or the other is 'perfect', so a film camera is fine too) and ask someone passing by to take a couple pictures. Then after they've helped you and walk off, regroup yourself for your next pic and ask someone else. You can even ask the Kodak photographer to use your camera (they'll want to take a couple pictures with their camera too, because they get tracked on how many shots they take per hour) It's a lot cheaper that way, and since you want them for your christmas cards, you won't be trying to make copies of copywritten photography, which is what those portraits that the kodak employees make for you are.

[bassett1976]

I just got my new camera and my wife and I went last Friday and got a CM to take a picture of us in front of the 50th floral display. It turned out great. I would also recommend getting a picture with one of the characters. We got a picture in the Reindeer roundup with reindeer pluto. It's our Christmas card picture!!!

[Poptart]

Bassett 1976 - Reindeer Roundup is a great idea too !
Now I'm leaning toward that one for our Christmas cards.
but like the idea of the 50th florals too. Hmmmm.....

[TTFN92]

I'm not sure about the Christmas tree picture. I'm going next week, so I'll find that out for you.

We'll be there on Fri., so I'll be able to find out then. But thanx anyway. I am sooo excited!!!

[sjcivilady]

A couple of nights ago, a BIG family all dressed in red disney shirts and sweatshirts were posing in front of the Xmas tree and 3 characters came out and posed with them - I don't know if it was just coincidence or not - but looked like they got a fun photo.

[Disneymomma]

Great ideas. I hate trying to book family photos, so that is what we will do too!

Maybe one in front of the castle, or the Partners statue

[Alice Fan]

Last November (day after Thanksgiving), the first thing we did when we entered the park was head over to the Christmas Tree. There were three or four CMs armed with cameras, eager to take our picture! The pictures came out beautifully, with the Chrsitmas Tree as the background...it's hanging here in my office and people always compliment me on it!

[SandraVB79]

Well, since people take pictures of everything at the park, and since Disney makes a lot of money from the pictures they sell, I don't see a reason why a CM with camera will not take a picture of you in front of the Christmas tree.

I also ask for pictures with my own camera to just any CM walking around, not only those armed with those big camera's. Cms have more time than other families (since the other families are trying to get to Space Mountain in time for their FastPass you know) and they don't mind taking a couple of them while you pose in different settings

[bassett1976]

If you want a picture with some characters I have another suggestions. During my honeymoon a park photographer gave us this great tip. During the first hour (or so) after the park opens Toon Town has not opened yet but they send a few characters out to greet people. During our honeymoon, we got a great picture with Mickey, Minnie & Pluto. We also got a picture with Goofy (he had just walked away from the other 3 characters). The great part is that no one really knows that they are back there at that time so very few people actually make it back to the Toon Town entrance. The same is true for the Winnie the Pooh and friends just after park opening. We've gotten some great picture with Pooh, Eeyore and Tigger together a few times.

[Poptart]

Thanks, that is a great tip. Are the characters in holiday costumes by now? Or will we need to go to Reindeer Roundup for that?

Anyone know if any characters will be posing on Main Street by the tree?

[Wishful]

99% of the professional photographers you see are Kodak Main Street Photo employees but the shooting locations are everywhere, not just on Main Street. There are sometimes other photographers there for various reasons. Make sure you ask where to pick up your photo. If you want to know when and where the Kodak Main Street photographers are staffed, pop into the store and speak with a Kodak manager or lead (not a cashier) for a rundown as the schedule changes daily.

In general (and this will change):

The floral display at the entrance is staffed from park opening until about 8pm
The front of the castle is staffed from park opening until the castle is cleared for fireworks
The holiday tree is a tricky one, there are currently 3 parades going on most days as well as various programs in Town Square, so it can get pretty crowded and you may not see the photographer or they may in a less crowded location. Ask at the store if you don't see a photographer there.
Mickey's barn is staffed from about 10am to 8pm but note that Mickey films different movies in different rooms, so if you are in a room with no photographer, ask a host if they can locate one for you or tell you what room a photographer is in
Minnie's house is usually staffed from 10am-6pm
Ariel's shell is usually staffed from 11am till whenever she needs to swim in a parade
Small World sometimes has a photographer in front of the plaque - the photos look awesome!
New Orleans Square has a photogrpaher at the now beautifully decorated staircase on some weekends - ask about weekdays - photos there are great!
I know nothing about Santa and the reindeer except it closes around 7pm and that you must buy your photos there, as they are not available at Main Street Photo like all the other ones are.
Sometimes there is a photographer at the hub where the Walt and Mickey statue is located
Pooh has a photographer from about 11am to 6pm or until it gets really dark


Again, the Kodak store manager will know where the photographers are more than anyone else as they made the schedule for that day, and if they can they will do their best to make sure you get the photos you want. And yes, it does take at least 2 hours from the time you take your photo to the time you can see it in the store, give it 2.5 hours or come back the next day if you are pressed for time the day you take your photos as they are kept for 48 hours. Also please note that photographers are location/theme based and are costumed for their areas: a photographer on Main Street cannot unfortunately walk over to Toontown to take your photo, but they will see if there is someone who can, it's our...ooops...their job ;)

PM me if anyone has questions for their trip.

p.s. bring sunglasses if you don't want squinty photos, take your kids out of their strollers if you can, don't wear all white shirts or your faces can wash out if you are fair-skinned, baseball cap brims will throw a shadow on your faces, and put down your sodas, churros and bags!
p.p.s. the Kodak photographers are happy to use your camera to take photos of you
p.p.p.s there are also photographers at DCA
p.p.p.p.s please do not feed the photographers :)
p5.s. please do not take photos of the viewing screens in the store when your photos are on the screen, it's tacky and annoying and they won't look good anyway. You'll see what I mean when you get there.

[potzbie]

I don't think anyone mentioned Ariel-on-the-half-shell (i.e., the photo-op near King Triton's Garden/Fountain).

They are set up, in the shade, in a stable environment.
So I bet the quality of the photos are better than those taken in front of Sleeping Beaury Castle.

I hope you don't mind red-headed fish-tailed half-humans posed between the family members.
:)

For gag photos, the DCA Paradise Pier area has at least one photo area where you are posed in front of interesting backdrops.

[asharpcook]

When I was there this past weekend there were photographers at the front floral display, the Christmas Tree, the Castle, In CA Adventure, and around the hub. King Triton's fountain was closed unfortunately...and I really wanted a picture there! I think it depends on the time of day and the parade schedule, but they definitely do pictures at the tree. We did this 2 years ago as our family picture.
AS