How to Take Cute Candid Disney Pics: Magic Kingdom Edition

"I hope that we don't lose sight of one thing..."

Greeting guests and old coworkers at the Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom

Twice in my life, I have worked for The Walt Disney World Company via internship. Both of these internships inspired me to stay on with Disney through an operating participant, or third party, and I currently work at Wetzel's Pretzels at Disney Springs part-time. This allows me to still get into the parks for free. That means I am able to roam freely around all four parks on my days off and experience non-traditional things to do at Disney. During my second program and even now I take many pictures every time I visit, each time trying to make them unique and eye catching. Since one of my programs was completed in Magic Kingdom at the Crystal Palace, MK will always hold a special place in my heart. Here are some of the photos I managed to snag inside Magic Kingdom.

If you are a cast member at Disney, there is a good chance that you know of the casting door on Main Street U.S.A., the prominent street that is the only entrance and exit of the park for guests. Here you can shop at the Emporium gift shop that runs the entire length of one side of the street, buy sweet treats from the Main Street Bakery with a Starbucks in it, swing by the Confectionery for some cotton candy or even stop by Uptown Jewelers for some Mickey bling. Cast members also love to stop by and take pictures with the door adorned with a mock casting agency sign. While unfortunately you cannot apply for a job on Main Street (there is an actual casting building on Disney property) you can take some cute photos trying to open the door.

Location: Main Street U.S.A.

Now of course you can't go to Magic Kingdom without a castle photo! There are a thousand ways you can pose for one and I have probably tried 9,999 of them. This one was taken from a faraway perspective so as to include my main dudes Walt and Mickey.

Location: Cinderella's Castle 

After you have strolled down Main Street and stopped by the castle, try checking out Tomorrowland for some more photo ops. The famous purple wall located right next to Tomorrowland Terrace restaurant and right off main street has exploded as a popular location for people to take pictures. It has become so popular there have been hashtags, hats and even Halloween costumes dedicated to it. 

Location: The Purple Wall in Tomorrowland, mom got in on the action too!

The next one was taken right next to the People Mover ride in Tomorrowland and houses the entertainment equipment for the nightly dance parties Magic Kingdom holds on the stage beside it. 

Location: Tomorrowland next to the People Mover ride

I was also lucky enough to grab some pictures with the construction walls that were up at the time. Though these might not be in that exact location anymore, there is always progress going on at Disney and if you run into construction zones it can make for a great picture!

Location: Tomorrowland construction area last spring

If you keep walking through Tomorrowland you will eventually find yourself strolling along down a...what's that word again?.. street! That street will lead you to my all-time favorite Prince and Princess, Eric and Ariel. Their sea side castle makes for the best picture spot, as shown below (check out my Ariel bow bought at Disney Springs a few weeks prior.)

Location: Ariel's Under the Sea - Journey of the Little Mermaid ride in Fantasyland

If flipping your fins isn't for you, try the grey stuff, it's delicious! Over at Be Our Guest restaurant inspired by none other than Beauty and the Beast, there is an abundance of picture opportunities. Though this one requires a reservation at the restaurant, the lunch is great and they sell cupcakes with the famous grey stuff for dessert! Spoiler alert if you're on the fence about the name, the grey stuff is actually an Oreo styled icing. Super yummy! This picture was taken just before the exit.

Location: Be Our Guest restaurant in Fantasyland

Storybook Circus is nestled in the back corner of Fantasyland and is home to the next stop on the list. This is a character meet and greet location but to see Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Minnie you can stop by their circus and hang out for a few. Goofy is decked out in his stunt performance gear and Donald is a snake charmer. 

Location: Storybook Circus at Pete's Silly Sideshow 

This next picture may be for the truly dedicated because it is located in the gas station of the Magic Kingdom parking lot. However, I truly enjoy this photo since it is a giant map of the place I call home. If you happen to leave the park in the day time, you can stop by the gas station and take a picture of the wall just around the corner from the front of the store.

Location: Magic Kingdom gas station

If you do not leave the park before dark though, you can and should stay for the new night time show, Happily Ever After. Replacing the show Wishes, after over a decade of running, Happily Ever After is a truly touching 18 minute show with fireworks. I took this photo about a month or so after the show debuted.

Location: Cinderella's Castle at the end of Main Street

While these pictures do not even cover half of the park, they are some pretty fantastic shots. Someday soon I will venture to Magic Kingdom to explore deeper into Adventureland and Frontierland which I am honestly surprised I have not done already.

"...that it was all started by a mouse." 

- Walter Elias Disney

To anyone reading this, all positive and constructive opinions are welcome! Disclaimer: I am by no means a professional at writing or vacation planning so if you read my blogs or take my advice do so with a grain of salt.