Capture Your Moment at Walt Disney World
Everything You Need to Know Plus Honest Reviews from Every Disney Park
As a photography geek, slight narcissist and lover of all things photo, the Capture Your Moment photo shoot was an immediate must-do I heard it was coming. We had done a resort shoot on the big kids’ first trip, and I was pumped to try them in the parks!
I originally planned to wait until we had a big family group, but my 39th birthday at Walt Disney World seemed like the perfect excuse to finally book one.
Spoiler alert: We loved it enough that one session turned into a mission to try them all.
Over several trips, we’ve done Capture Your Moment sessions at Hollywood Studios, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom. We’ve done birthday celebrations, Disneybounds, holiday outfits and even a deeply meaningful remembrance session. Every session has been different, and I’m here to break down what you need to know before booking your own.
What is Capture Your Moment?
We are big fans of PhotoPass because, let’s be honest, the person taking all the pictures is usually missing from all the pictures. (Hi, moms. We see you.)
Capture Your Moment takes PhotoPass one step further by giving you your own private PhotoPass photographer and assistant for a 20-minute photo session for up to eight guests inside a Walt Disney World park.
The assistant helps with crowd control and creative ideas while the photographer focuses on capturing your family, celebration or special moment.
Before your session starts, you’ll chat with your photographer about what you’re hoping to capture. You can share ideas for:
- Family groupings
- Individual photos
- Celebrations
- Disneybounds or special outfits
- Must-have locations
- Any special moments you want documented
Then the clock starts and you strike a pose!
How Much Does It Cost?
Currently, Capture Your Moment costs $99 for the 20-minute session. If you’d like extra time, you can book a back-to-back session but will still pay $99 for each time frame.
The session fee includes the photographer experience only. Photos are included with Memory Maker or can be purchased individually.
When it first debuted, the price was lower (and yes, I noticed 😂), but for our family this has still been completely worth it.
How Do You Book?
Reservations are highly recommended and can be made via My Disney Experience (online or in the app).
The best availability is typically around 60 days before your trip, but availability can change constantly. I have grabbed sessions weeks before a trip and have even seen availability pop up close to the travel date and sometimes even day before.
If you aren’t able to get one ahead of time, you can check with the PhotoPass location in each park for same-day availability.
What Should You Know Before Your Session?
A few things I learned after multiple sessions:
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Have ideas, but don’t over plan. Your photographer knows the park and will often see opportunities you might miss. I usually go in with a few must-haves and then let them work their magic.
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Speak up about what matters to you. This one is important. Want photos of the whole family? Say it. Want mom to have some solo shots? Say it. Want more sibling photos? Say it. Your photographer is talented, but they are not a mind reader.
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Your photographer can make or break the experience. This is probably the biggest thing I learned from doing multiple sessions. The location matters, but the photographer’s creativity, personality and experience matter just as much.
We have had sessions that were absolutely magical and one that was…fine. (The photos were still cute, but the experience was different.)
What Park Should I Choose?
There isn’t one “best” park. The right choice depends on the kind of photos you want to take home. Or plaster on Insta.
Choose Magic Kingdom if…
- This is your first Walt Disney World trip.
- Your inner royal has always dreamed of castle photo shoots.
- You want classic Disney images that instantly say “We went to Disney!”
Choose Hollywood Studios if…
- You love old Hollywood style or vintage vibes.
- You’re a big Toy Story or Star Wars fan.
- You’re hoping for photos that feel stylish and cinematic.
Choose Epcot if…
- You prefer beautiful architecture over Disney icons.
- You’re visiting during a festival and want seasonal décor in your photos.
- You love traveling the World Showcase.
Choose Animal Kingdom if…
- You want something completely different from the typical Disney family photo.
- You love vibrant colors and lush natural backgrounds.
- You want your photos to feel adventurous and playful.
But honestly…
Choose the park that feels like your Disney. If your family’s happiest place is riding Tower of Terror five times in a row, don’t feel like you have to book Magic Kingdom just because it has the castle.
Magic Kingdom Tips
- Although you’ll see differentiation in our original reviews, you no longer book specific areas. Simply reserve a Magic Kingdom session and work with your photographer to decide where to shoot.
- Remember to allow yourself about an 60-90 minutes to get into Magic Kingdom if your shoot is the first stop of the day. A monorail delay could possibly have you cutting it pretty close to your appointment. Ask me how I know.
- Be realistic about how much ground you can cover in twenty minutes. It’s better to have several great photos in a few locations than spend the entire session walking.
- Cinderella Castle is iconic, but don’t overlook quieter corners if they fit your family’s style.
- If your session is tied to a meaningful celebration or remembrance, tell your photographer. Our team handled one of our most emotional sessions with incredible kindness and gave us space when we needed it.
Epcot Tips
- Choose your pavilion intentionally. World Showcase gives you a huge range of looks, from the warm architecture of Morocco to the clean lines of Japan and the European charm of Italy. Your location choice will completely change the feel of your photos.
- Consider the time of year you’re visiting. Epcot’s festivals can add extra layers to your photos with seasonal flowers, artwork, food booths and special décor.
- Think about your outfits with the backdrop in mind. Epcot’s architecture and color palettes can either complement your look beautifully or compete with it. This is a great park for coordinating outfits with your surroundings.
- World Showcase is suited well for certain photo styles. If you want romantic, elegant, travel-inspired or more “grown-up” Disney photos, Epcot is a great choice.
- Don’t expect the same type of photos you’d get at Magic Kingdom. Epcot shines because it feels like a vacation within your vacation — less “Disney icon,” more storytelling through the setting.
Hollywood Studios Tips
- Sunset Boulevard gives you incredible variety without walking very far. You know, in case you decided three-inch heels were a good idea in a theme park.
- Tell your photographer if you have favorite attractions. Ours incorporated Tower of Terror in creative ways because he saw my Tower tat.
- Speaking of ink… If you have tattoos, accessories or details that tie into your Disney style, point them out. Our photographer built several shots around my ink, which made the gallery feel incredibly personal.
- Take advantage of the park’s cinematic feel. It’s the best choices if you want photos that feel a little more styled, dramatic or nostalgic rather than traditional.
- Star Wars fans, Batuu sessions are a special booking. Make sure you are reserving that specifically and not the general Hollywood Studios session.
Animal Kingdom Tips
- Be mindful of your outfits. Animal Kingdom is HOT, so choose something breathable or bring a change of clothes.
- Book your session as early as possible. We always grab one right after park opening to avoid the strongest midday sun and the hottest part of the day.
- Use the details of the park. Animal Kingdom is one of Disney’s most detailed parks (thank you, Joe Rohde). There are tons of nooks, textures and hidden gems that can make your photos feel unique.
- Ask your photographer about lesser-known spots. On all of our Animal Kingdom shoots I’ve been introduced to a corner I’ve never seen! They know the park well, but if there is a specific area or detail you love, speak up.
- Embrace the greenery and natural backgrounds. Animal Kingdom offers a completely different look from the other parks.
Our Capture Your Moment Sessions
Tap to be taken to the full session and review, then take a peek at our TikToks of several sessions. And go ahead and give us a follow there, too! 😉
Magic Kingdom
Disneybounding fun before Mickey’s Not-So-Scary
Epcot
GamGam joined the crew for a beautiful session in Morocco
Magic Kingdom
Celebrating Jess’s 40th at the Most Magical Place on Earh
Hollywood Studios
Our first shoot, the glam that started the accidental series
Magic Kingdom
Remembering our precious Jewels and sweet grandparents
Hollywood Studios
The sweetest session at Toy Story Land, grab your tissues.
Epcot
Celebrating Mo’s 7th birthday with a session in Italia
Animal Kingdom
Embracing all the colors of the wind and our outfits
Epcot
Commemorating our first FARTs with a shoot in Japan
Animal Kingdom
Channeling our inner Moana, HeiHei and Pua
@magicmemoriesmayhem My grandparents experienced the magic of Walt Disney World with us many times. ✨ Our precious Jewels never made it. We had hoped to celebrate her successful heart transplant at the Most Magical Place on Earth. 🩷 Instead we remember them lovingly with photos and magic. #SparkleStrong #ChildLoss #GriefJourney #DisneyWorld #HeartWarrior ♬ Inside Out Joy - Sweet Dreams & D'Michel Leb
@magicmemoriesmayhem We are borderline obsessed with the Capture Your Moment photo shoots at Walt Disney World. We had another great one this weekend, this time at Epcot. It definitely outweighed our meh experience last year. 📸🎨🩷✨ ##CaptureYourMoment##CaptureYourMomentEPCOT##EPCOTFestivalOfTheArts##PlusSizeFashion##PlusSizeStyle##FamilyStyle##FamilyFashion#D#DisneyStyle ♬ Live Your Beautiful Life - Gray Griggs
@magicmemoriesmayhem Toy Story Capture Your Moment photo shoot at Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World 👢🚀 #Disneytrip #disneytips #Disneyworld #bereavedmother #childloss ♬ Amigo Estou Aqui - Augusto Toy Story Ofc
@magicmemoriesmayhem If you’re looking to plus your trip, consider being the star of your own photo shoot! 📸 Lots more about Disney’s Capture Your Moment on our blog at MagicMemoriesMayhem.com! #DisneyVacationPhotos #DisneyPhotography #DisneyPhotoPassTips #DisneyTripTips #DISNEYMom #DisneyTravelAgent #CaptureYourMoment ♬ Good Vibes (Instrumental) - Ellen Once Again
Is It Worth It?
Capture Your Moment may be worth it if you:
- Love having vacation photos beyond quick snapshots
- Are celebrating a milestone
- Have outfits, Disneybounds or special details you want documented
- Want a slower, more personalized PhotoPass experience
You may want to skip it if you:
- Would rather spend that $99 on food, souvenirs or another experience
- Aren’t interested in posed photos
- Have a party larger than eight
- Are hoping for a full professional portrait session
For Me, Though…
After multiple Capture Your Moment sessions across Walt Disney World, my answer is a resounding yes.
For Disney, the $99 session fee is a pretty small investment — especially when compared to other vacation add-ons or even local photographer mini sessions. The photos make an amazing addition to our vacation memories, and I love having professional pictures where everyone (including mom!) is actually in the frame.
And honestly? I just love feeling like a star for 20 minutes. 😂
If you love having your vacation memories documented, want everyone included in the photos or are celebrating something special, I think Capture Your Moment is absolutely worth it.
Let's start planning your trip full of Magic, Memories and maybe even a little Mayhem!
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