Scenes from Disney Parks: “Regular” Disney World
It’s time for more of my Disney photos in this installment of “Scenes from Disney Parks”! This time, we’re heading to Walt Disney World, with a set of new photos of the parks looking “normal.” I almost opted to dig into the archives and edit some new Christmas photos, but I know not everyone is excited for Christmas as I am, so I’ll spare you that…for at least another week! 😉
I’ve been photography at Walt Disney World has been a hobby of mine for 6 years now, and I’m still amazed at how I keep finding new subjects to photograph and new ways to compose familiar subjects. This is not meant to boast–I’ve been to plenty of non-Disney locations and found myself lacking any variety in my photos outside of the weather after only a handful of visits. It’s more a testament to how photogenic, thoughtfully designed, and inspirational the parks are in terms of photography.
Some people might roll their eyes and think another Cinderella Castle, Spaceship Earth, etc., photo?!, but I feel like there’s an infinite number of ways to come up with interesting and unique photos of these oft-photographed subjects. The Disney theme parks really are a photographer’s playground, and taking good photos in the parks is sort of like shooting fish in a barrel. Not only is it great hobby, but I feel like it’s a great way to absorb and appreciate more of the detail in the parks (I know there were a lot of things I missed prior to getting serious about photography). So, if you’ve ever thought about taking up photography, and you’re a Disney fan, I’d highly encourage you to give it a try. Sorry for the random-ish odd thoughts there, but it was just something that struck me while going through photos from this particular trip, and I figured I’d share here…
As for these photos, after each photo I’ll share some technical stuff like which lens I used for the photo. All photos in this post were captured with my Nikon D810 DSLR—check out my full Nikon D810 Review for more details about the camera. I also have more sample photos from the D810 here. You can click on each photo to view it larger in my gallery and to see EXIF data on it. Hopefully other photographers find this useful.
If you’re a casual reader not interested in photo jargon, hopefully you still enjoy this new set of photos from Walt Disney World!
This is one of my favorite photos from the trip. For a while, I’ve been trying to capture a new photo that effectively conveyed the solitude of the Hub when the Magic Kingdom is empty, but not just by taking another generic shot of the empty hub. I think I finally got that here, with the low angle and the lines of the bricks leading to Cinderella Castle. I used the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 lens (read my review of this lens) because originally this was going to be @ f/1.4 to make the bricks out of focus foreground bokeh, but that photo was too distracting that way. There was no real reason why I stuck with that lens for this version of the photo other than laziness, I guess.
I managed to sweet talk my way into Be Our Guest for lunch without a FastPass+ reservation, and then I waited another 10 minutes for a table to open up in the West Wing. It was totally worth it as I went wild with photos in there. Although I did get some weird looks, but probably not just because of all the odd angles I used to capture photos…I also purchased enough food for about 3 people, and ate it all myself. On the one hand, having so many plates of food spread on the table in front of you makes you feel a bit like a king…on the other hand, it makes you feel a huge pig. (I haven’t had a chance to update the review again yet, but my opinion of Be Our Guest Restaurant at lunch continues to increase.) This photo was shot with my Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 lens (read my review of this lens).
In the first installment of “Scenes from Disney Parks,” I shared a couple of photos from an amazing sunset at Epcot. Here’s another, shot with the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 lens. I really ran around like a madman during that sunset, and it was probably one of my most fruitful hours of photography ever. World Showcase epitomizes that Disney photography is like shooting fish in a barrel, and when you add a gorgeous sunset to the mix, it’s more like…I dunno, fishing with a stick of dynamite? The point is, you would have to try really hard to take a bad photo of World Showcase that particular evening…
From the Villains Unleashed party, here’s one of Hades with some foreground fire bokeh. I got lucky with the way the fire frames him here, although I’m not sure whether it’s distracting. It would be a pretty boring shot without it, I think. This was shot with the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 lens.
I shared this on my Instagram account the other day, but it’s still new to here, so I hope it counts. the Imagination pavilion at Epcot is really beautiful, but I think the way things are spaced out can make it more difficult to capture good photos than it seems like it would be. In this case, I used the budget Zenitar fisheye lens (read my review of this lens) emphasize these often-overlooked jumping fountains, with the main fountain, monorail, and Spaceship Earth all just being “icing” in the background.
I don’t expect anyone to say “wow” over a photo of a walkway, but I like this type of shot that captures the ambiance of a scene. There’s no gorgeous or eye-catching subject here, and I think that probably works in favor of this photo, because instead of focusing on that, you allow yourself to be drawn into the scene (or maybe I’m just making excuses for a dull photo?). I know when I look at this, it takes me right back to walking along the Rivers of America at night.
I love photographing the Haunted Mansion Stretching Room, mostly for the challenge it poses. Here, I opted to make one of the gargoyle candle holder dudes the subject, and go for some symmetry.
Want to learn more about photography to take great photos in the Disney theme parks and beyond? The best place to start is Tom’s Photography Guide, which covers a variety of topics from links to tutorials, tips, and tricks to recommendations for point & shoots, DSLRs, lenses, and more!
If you do want to purchase new photography equipment, we recommend the following trusted & authorized retailers. Buying from these retailers helps support this blog, and doesn’t cost you a thing:
Amazon
B&H Photo
Adorama
For other photography equipment recommendations or photography tips in general check out a few of my top photography blog posts:
Best Books for Improving Your Photography
5 Indispensable Tips for Better Vacation Photos
Choosing the Best Travel Tripod
Choosing the Best Camera Bag for Travel
Your Thoughts…
What do you think of these Walt Disney World photos? Any favorites? Have any additional questions about how I captured these shots? Please ask or share below, and I’ll offer my feedback!
I love that photo of the Frontierland walkway. We often walk it at night, and I always take a crummy photo of it because I want to remember the ambiance. It’s nice to see a photo that captures that with more technical skill than I have.
Speaking of technical skill, I’m pretty sure I took some bad photos of World Showcase the night of that sunset. Shooting in manual takes more thought for me than a sunset allows time for. I *may* have slipped into scene mode for a few shots… :/
Just wanted to let you know that this series of posts is awesome!! I love your photography so periodic posts that are picture heavy are some of my favorite ones. Thanks for everything you do, your site is the best!! 🙂
Kim, I am not authorized to speak for Tom but since you are new to the blog I can confide that Tom randomly enlists readers to accompany him on trips who then get to carry his equipment, much in the manner that Teddy Roosevelt acquired numerous indigenous folk to make possible his daring explorations. We get to wear costumes discarded from the Adventure’s Club and on extremely hot days are even permitted to carry Sarah aloft in a palanquin. He will get inspired by a particular shot and call for whatever lens he then requires. Whoever is bearing that lens will step forth and deliver. None of us get to go on the rides because the equipment must always be guarded. But we do not mind. The honor of being in this entourage is just that great. As one of the perks we get to shout “make way, make way!” to disperse the crowds. Tom is a modest gentleman and will of course deny all this.,..
Great photos! I am heading to Disney World for New Year’s Eve, with a brand new Canon Eos Rebel. I hope to capture amazing photos of the magic! Thanks for the inspiration and great reads! I’ve based a few of my ADR picks on your reviews.
Absolutely love the shot of the walkway on Rivers of America. Definitely takes me there! I also think you nailed the empty hub shot.
Thanks so much for sharing your gift!!
great photos! I have only read a small portion of your blog so far on photography, I plan to read the rest in time, but I did have a few questions for you…how do you typically carry your equipment around the parks? Does it create a problem when trying to go on rides? Do you bring a tripod? I do a lot of landscape photography overseas but the challenge of carrying everything at disney is much different and I would hate to be weighed down!
Also, for your parade and show shots at night do you use any flash or tripod or just your faster/prime lenses? Love the Hades photo. I typically do still/landscape and haven’t done much with dark moving subjects in years so want to be prepared with the proper equipment.
Thanks for all the great info!! I am really quite tempted to check out Tokyo disney after seeing all your posts!
I love the fountain photo! I have overlooked or rushed past that area for many years but now I try to ‘slow down’ to enjoy it.
I use the RX100 and remember you writing a review on that. Would love a ‘scenes from disney parks’ with that camera. But if not I look forward to more of these with the DSLR 🙂
That’s a good idea! I really need to give that a try with a point and shoot soon…
I second Ashley’s request! I bought the RX100 recently based on Tom’s recommendation and would love to see photos in the parks with that camera. I’m sure it would be helpful for many people who only have point and shoot cameras.
You always seem to capture the moments that we miss in our hurry to get from one attraction to another. How many times have I walked over Rivers of America to get from point A to point B and never noticed how beautiful and serene it is…until now. Thank you for sharing your gift of sight with us.
Thanks! Next time you’re there, slow down while on that walkway and pan your head from Splash Mountain to the Haunted Mansion. You won’t regret it! 🙂