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The Disney World Photo That You Need

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Cinderella Castle – the first thing that springs to mind when Walt Disney World is mentioned. The view that you long to see as soon as you’ve arrived in Lake Buena Vista. The Walt Disney World icon that you peek around the end of Main Street, U.S.A. to see before you leave Magic Kingdom for the final time.

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Credit: Disney

There’s no denying that Cinderella Castle creates so many beautiful emotions. Complete joy and happiness as it symbolizes never having to grow up whilst you are inside of the Walt Disney World Resort. Tears and homesickness as you say goodbye once again from the place where you feel like you truly belong. Pure magic as you gaze at the sky above it as it’s lit with a stunning display of fireworks every evening. A sense of wonder as you experience younger Guests seeing her for the first time. The feelings created by something as simple as a fairytale castle at the end of a storybook street are endless, yet everyone is filled with magic.

Other Disney Icons

Of course, Cinderella Castle isn’t the only Beacon of Magic that creates magical feelings in Disney Guests.

Spaceship Earth is, as Dame Judy Dench says, ‘grand and miraculous.’ She’s the icon that comes to mind when EPCOT is mentioned. The view that symbolizes the future and moving forward in life. The big ‘golf ball’ that is Spaceship Earth offers an incredible view, whether you are in World Showcase, circling her and World Celebration on the Disney Monorail, or when entering EPCOT.

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The Hollywood Tower Hotel stands tall in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Whilst its story is of something rather sinister, you cannot deny that it offers a stunning view. It’s a must to stop on Sunset Boulevard to get a photo with The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. It’s also a view that you search above the Morocco pavilion for when entering World Showcase.

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And the last Disney Park icon, but by no means least, is the whimsical Tree of Life that offers the perfect centerpiece to the lands of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. A beacon that couldn’t possibly be real but blends in seamlessly with the luscious greenery that surrounds it. 

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Credit: V Mills

It’d be rude for us to ignore the stunning views that Disney Springs offers Guests too. You can’t help but stop when crossing the bridges over the Springs between The Landing and Town Center. The water tower is also an icon that we love to admire when reaching the Disney Transportation System Bus Stop.

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A photo of just you and Cinderella Castle

Going back to the centerpiece of Magic Kingdom Park, a Disney vacation must involve a photo with Cinderella Castle at some point. You could say that you need at least two photos really: a daytime photo; and one during the evening when she’s lit up against the night sky.

And then, of course, there’s the photo that most Disney Guests probably long for: a photo of just them and Cinderella Castle. The photo that’ll look like you’ve had Magic Kingdom exclusively to you and your party only. But how do you get that photo? Well, let us help you out in planning how you will do just that during your next Walt Disney World vacation.

Early Dining Reservation

If you’re hoping for a daytime photo with the Castle herself, then you’ll want to score the earliest breakfast reservation possible. Ideally, you’ll want to secure a reservation at 8:00 a.m. or as close to that as you can. Currently, breakfast is only available to book an advanced dining reservation at Cinderella’s Royal Table. We’re hoping that The Crystal Palace will offer breakfast again soon.

Guests with breakfast reservations can enter Magic Kingdom at 7:45 a.m., providing Guests with an advanced dining reservation the opportunity to enter the theme park and hopefully secure that empty Main Street, U.S.A. photo, before breakfast.

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Credit: V Mills

End your evening in Magic Kingdom

If you want a photo with Cinderella Castle from Main Street, U.S.A. in the evening, then you’ll want to stay in the Disney Park until after Park close. This may seem obvious, but it’s something that can require a little patience, as you will likely have to stay over an hour after closing to secure that photo. The wait will absolutely be worth it, though!

This could be a great time to join the line for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train just before Park close. Not only will you get to ride the ever-popular attraction, but it will also ease the waiting you have to do so that you are amongst the final Guests inside of Magic Kingdom. Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, and Pirates of the Caribbean are other attractions to enter the line for, just ahead of theme park close.

If you’d prefer not to wait in line, then find a seat and do a little people watching as you wait for Guests to leave. We love to sit on the benches just inside Liberty Square. Or maybe even have a Purple Wall photoshoot whilst you wait for the crowds to empty out! Alternatively, take a seat on the Hub grass, and enjoy the view. You’ll also get to experience several viewings of the Kiss Goodnight at Cinderella Castle. Have some tissues ready, though! It gives you all of the magical feels!

Soon enough, you’ll be one of the few Guests in Magic Kingdom, and you’ll have your opportunity to get that sought-after photo. Begin just in front of Cinderella Castle before working your way back to get a photo with the Partners statue too. Eventually, you’ll have to head up Main Street USA, but make sure to stop and get a photo here too!

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Credit: V Mills

Extended Evening Theme Park Hours

If you’re a Walt Disney World Resort hotel Guest during your vacation, extended evening theme park hours are another great way to help you secure that magical photo. You’ll need to be a Guest at a Deluxe Disney Resort hotel to take advantage of this, though. You may not have to wait as long as you think to get that snap of you and the beauty that is Cinderella Castle.

Late Evening Dining Reservation

Another way to help you secure that empty Main Street photo is to eat a late dinner in Magic Kingdom. This is a perfect idea if you and your party don’t mind eating very late into the evening. A reservation from 8:30 p.m. onwards should mean that you’re in Magic Kingdom after other Guests have left. Secure an advanced dining restaurant in one of the following restaurants:

  • Cinderella’s Royal Table
  • Tony’s Town Square Restaurant
  • Liberty Tree Tavern
  • The Plaza Restaurant
  • Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen
  • Be Our Guest
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Credit: V Mills

Whichever suggestion you decide to take to get that magical photo of you and Cinderella Castle, enjoy the moment! It’s a beautiful thing to be standing, enjoying the view, with no one else around!

About Victoria Mills

Victoria is a Disney-loving, tea-drinking, Math teacher from Liverpool, England. Her motto is 'work hard, Disney harder'! Having taken part in the Disney College Program back in 2010, Victoria's love and appreciation for Walt Disney World only grew, and it's the place where she feels most herself - it's home!