• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Traveling Mom

Traveling tips, deals, info from moms and families

  • Road Trips
  • Destinations
  • Disney
  • Packing
  • Outdoors
  • Travel Resources
  • Search
  • Road Trips
  • Disney
  • Free Things to Do
  • Destinations
  • Outdoors
  • Packing
  • Travel Resources
  • About TravelingMom
    • Privacy Policy
    • Website Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us

Mobile Menu

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
You are here: Home / Walt Disney World / Must-See Places to Take Photos Outside of the Disney Parks
There are tons of stunning options for family photos at Walt Disney World. We've rounded up the best WDW locations that don't require park admission!

Must-See Places to Take Photos Outside of the Disney Parks

June 28, 2017 //  by Jennifer Kaufman//  5 Comments

FacebookTweetPinLinkedIn
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and buy, TravelingMom may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.

Walt Disney World is one of the most photographed places in the world, and for a number of years Cinderella Castle topped the list of most photographed structures anywhere. It’s a given that visitors to WDW will take a picture (or 17) in front of the castle; Wayfinding TravelingMom Jennifer Kaufman has some suggestions of other places you and your family should go for some stunning family portraits or fun candid photos at Disney World – outside the parks.

There are tons of stunning options for family photos at Walt Disney World. We've rounded up the best WDW locations that don't require park admission!
Some of our favorite family photos ever have been taken at Walt Disney World, like this one in Epcot’s France Pavilion. There are plenty of great spots outside the parks though, too! Photo credit: Jennifer Kaufman, Wayfinding TravelingMom

It’s well known that there are countless opportunities to take magical photographs in each of the four Walt Disney World parks. Character interactions, Cinderella Castle, live animals on a savanna, reactions to spectacular parade floats, your children enjoying a Mickey bar as it melts all over their faces – in this era of digital and cell phone photography, you won’t be coming home from a trip without a plethora of captured memories.

What often gets overlooked though, is the opportunity for amazing photos – and memories – outside the parks! I could probably just tell you to go to any and every Walt Disney World Resort hotel, and you would be able to find beautiful options. Here are some (slightly) more specific places you should check out for your next family portraits, engagement pictures, or just some fun pictures of your kids taking in the magic that is abundant in all areas of Walt Disney World.

Where to Take Family Photos Outside the Disney Parks

There are tons of stunning options for family photos at Walt Disney World. We've rounded up the best WDW locations that don't require park admission!

Animal Kingdom Lodge

The colors at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge make for some really amazing portraits. You also can’t go wrong with the landscaping out along the savannas. And who knows? You may just get a giraffe in your family photo!

There are tons of stunning options for family photos at Walt Disney World. We've rounded up the best WDW locations that don't require park admission!
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge has gorgeous colors both inside and outside the hotel, and beautiful landscaping. Tons of great spots for photos! Photo Credit: Jennifer Kaufman, Wayfinding TravelingMom

Art of Animation Resort

Whether you prefer to visit under the sea with Ariel, sing Hakuna Matata with Timon and Pumbaa, or stop for a breather in Radiator Springs, the Art of Animation Resort is so, so much fun for pictures of the kids – or the whole family!

FREE Download: Disney Packing List Printable

Download our (3) page packing list!

    By signing up to receive this packing list you will be added to our newsletter.

    ​

    Two girls get their picture taken in front of a giant statue of Ariel and Flounder in the Little Mermaid Section of Disney's Art of Animation Resort
    Larger-than-life statues at each of the Walt Disney World value resorts make for some very fun photo spots!

    If you prefer a different theme, larger-than-life icons are also available (and fun to photograph) at each of the Value Resorts. Pop Century offers cultural icons from a variety of decades, and Disney’s All-Star Music, All-Star Sports, and All-Star Movies Resorts offer instruments, sports equipment, Disney movie characters, and more.

    Beach & Yacht Club Resorts

    The beautiful, muted colors of the Boardwalk, Beach Club, and Yacht Club Resorts are especially stunning in the early and late hours of the day, but this area is one of our favorites no matter the time!

    a walkway, gazebo, fountain, and lake at Disney's Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts
    The colors, landscaping, and architecture of Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club resorts are beautiful backdrops for pictures! Photo Credit: Jennifer Kaufman, Wayfinding TravelingMom

    Even inside the Beach Club Resort, the materials used throughout make excellent portrait backdrops. We have a photo of our daughter that looks like it could have been taken inside a portrait studio, but it was taken just outside the gift shop and quick service snack counter at Beach Club Marketplace. If you’re looking, there are often beautiful backdrops in the most random places!

    There are tons of stunning options for family photos at Walt Disney World. We've rounded up the best WDW locations that don't require park admission!
    Photo Credit: Jennifer Kaufman, Wayfinding TravelingMom

    When you find lush places like the one below – located throughout most of the resort properties – you can get photographs that nobody will necessarily even know were taken at Walt Disney World. You’ll always know, though, and that will make them extra special.

    A family portrait with a lush lake background, taken at Disney's Beach Club resort
    This photo was taken at Disney’s Beach Club resort, but anyone who sees it in our house would likely never be able to guess. Photo Credit: Jennifer Kaufman, Wayfinding TravelingMom

    Disney’s Boardwalk

    Disney’s Boardwalk is a favorite spot for many photographers. There are so many wonderful colors and elements you can include in your photos!

    A bench on Disney's Boardwalk, with Crescent Lake and Disney's Yacht Club Resort in the background
    Shooting along Disney’s Boardwalk gives you plenty of options for photographs, including some like this one with the beautiful Yacht Club in the background. Photo Credit: Jennifer Kaufman, Wayfinding TravelingMom

    Shooting from the Boardwalk, you can also capture great memories with the picturesque Yacht & Beach Club Resorts in the background.

    Disney Springs

    “Downtown Disney” always had must-do photo opportunities for us, but those were always more about nostalgia and whimsy. Now, however, Disney Springs is a legitimately gorgeous location for your shoot – especially the Town Center and Springs Overlook areas!

    Join our Private FB Group for more travel inspiration and tips! JOIN HERE

    A bridge and beautiful architecture in the Disney Springs town square area
    The new updates to Disney Springs created several truly beautiful places that would make lovely picture backdrops! Photo Credit: Jennifer Kaufman, Wayfinding TravelingMom

    Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

    There are tons of stunning options for family photos at Walt Disney World. We've rounded up the best WDW locations that don't require park admission!
    The Grand Floridian, like many Walt Disney World Resort hotels, offers beautiful views both inside and out! Photo Credit: Jennifer Kaufman, Wayfinding TravelingMom

    All throughout the beautiful, sprawling grounds at the Grand Floridian Resort are locations just perfect for photographs. Whether you opt for the grounds or the breathtaking lobbies – or some pictures in both – you can’t go wrong!

    Polynesian Village Resort

    The entire Polynesian Village Resort exterior looks like it was made to be photographed. Lush greens, dark woods, tiki culture (done in a classy way)… it’s almost like being in Hawaii for a photoshoot. Almost.

    Family photos at Disney World with leis and a lush, beautiful background, taken at Disney's Polynesian Village resort
    This photo actually prompted several people to ask if it was taken in Hawaii. Instead, it’s at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort… which is almost as beautiful! Photo Credit: Jennifer Kaufman, Wayfinding TravelingMom

    Saratoga Springs

    One of the reasons we love Saratoga Springs is for the upscale feel and upkeep of the grounds. Marble and granite, beautiful woods, large lakes, and fountains, make this perhaps one of the most overlooked areas for family portraits.

    Where to take family portraits? Lake, fountain, and foliage, with Disney's Saratoga Springs resort in the background
    The beautiful Saratoga Springs Resort is super photogenic, isn’t it?! Not pictured: a long bridge that just cries out to be the center of family photos, with this fountain in the background. Photo Credit: Jennifer Kaufman, Wayfinding TravelingMom

    BONUS!

    beach at Walt Disney World's Beach Club and Yacht Club resorts, with a swing, and Disney's Boardwalk in the background
    The beach at Disney’s Beach Club Resort is stunning, but you have a lot of options when looking for beach photography at Walt Disney World. Photo Credit: Jennifer Kaufman, Wayfinding TravelingMom

    Don’t forget about the beaches! Obviously beach photography is a popular choice for family portraits around the world, and for good reason. You can find beautiful beaches on which to take pictures at several of the resort hotels, including: Yacht & Beach Club Resorts, Caribbean Beach Resort, Contemporary Resort, Coronado Springs Resort, Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin, Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Old Key West Resort, and Polynesian Village Resort.

    Have you ever had portraits taken at Walt Disney World? Or just captured a beautiful candid shot during your vacation? I’d love to hear your favorite photo spot!

    FacebookTweetPinLinkedIn

    Category: Walt Disney WorldTag: free

    Previous Post: «Mom and son suited up and flying at Flyaway Indoor Skydiving in Pigeon Forge, TN 7 Indoor Family Adventures in Pigeon Forge
    Next Post: 7 Free Things to Do in Raleigh, NC Andy and Opie aren't from Raleigh, but it's free to visit them in Pullen Park. Read on for more free things to do in Raleigh, NC»

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    5 Comments on “Must-See Places to Take Photos Outside of the Disney Parks”

    1. Michelle says:
      January 24, 2018 at 1:17 am

      At the Polynesian Village did you have to bring the leis with your or can you get them there? I would love to do a photo like the one you have. It’s beautiful!

      Reply
    2. Christine Tibbetts says:
      July 1, 2017 at 3:45 pm

      You broaden my thinking about iconic photo moments. Thanks for the specific tips.

      Reply
      1. Jennifer Kaufman says:
        July 3, 2017 at 10:12 pm

        Thanks for reading and commenting, Christine! I always love going back and looking through some of our favorite captures, especially when the kids were little. So many lovely memories, and even some of the candids are beautiful!

        Reply
    3. Anonymous says:
      July 1, 2017 at 3:45 pm

      4.5

      Reply
    4. Anonymous says:
      July 1, 2017 at 2:00 am

      5

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Ask Us!
    • Privacy Policy
    • Website Terms and Conditions
    • Manage Push Notifications

    Copyright © 2022 Traveling Mom · All Rights Reserved