Group Photos at Disneyland

This time last week I offered tips on where to pose groups of Guests and who would be willing to take the photo so you can be in it as well, at Walt Disney World. Now it’s Disneyland visitors’ turn to learn and hopefully they won’t get burned by…the sun. Ahem. Yeah so, there are a few things that remain the same no matter what side of the country you’re on such as who’s available to take photos so I’m going to give you the condensed version, just add water.

Who

A Disneyland Resort PhotoPass Cast Member’s job is to take photos of Guests. Ideally, Disney wants you to buy photos from them but you don’t have to. Heck, you don’t even have to look at them. Feel free to ask any PhotoPass CM to take photos for you with your camera(s).

Character Hosts will also help you by taking photos of you meeting heroes, villains, and everyone inbetween. Face characters like Mad Hatter may not have a Character Host because they can control a crowd themselves. They also make for hilarious conversations and moments like when I ask Jasmine to take a photo of Aladdin and I. Good times. Good times. Grab an entertainment schedule for a listing of most meet and greets. If you’re looking for someone specific, ask at the attraction time board located just beyond Coca-Cola Refreshment Corner.

As is true at Walt Disney World, any Cast Member (including suits) will be happy to snap a shot or two of your crew at Disneyland and/or California Adventure. Don’t forget about other moms and dads. They too might be willing to set up your shot, afterall, they’ve been through the very same situation.

Where in Disneyland

Be careful that you’re not blocking any paths. Disneyland does have lots of turns and bottlenecks that lead to being run over by strollers. My foot knows from experience.

Innoventions’ exterior ramps make for a great view of both what’s in the distance and below, meaning this location has dual possibilities. You could smush your gang together on a ramp and have someone take a photo, perhaps with the Matterhorn in the distance or stand on the ground close to the building and have someone shoot down. Of coure you could reverse this and have someone take the photo from the ground aiming up but it’s not generally a flattering angle.

Depending upon how long the line is at Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, there’s a great spot along the fence that places the subs and waterfall in the background. Matterhorn will be behind you, foliage to your left and down the incline on your right, Tomorrowland Terrace.

Dive! Dive! Dive!

On Main Street, U.S.A. there’s a small porch with seating. If you’re heading towards Sleeping Beauty Castle, it’ll be on your right. It’s a very popular place to sit, eat, people watch and to view the parade. If by some miracle you find it unoccupied, set up your group using the furniture, stairs and all the space inbetween. Remember to make rows or layers so everyone can be seen.

Where in California Adventure

There’s far more open space in CA Adventure and very few traffic jams. There’s also little shade so remember to use your flash to eliminate harsh shadows.

As you make your way up the pier into Paradise Pier, you’ll get to a flat surface with a shop on your left and Ariel’s Grotto restaurant on your right. Pass them both and you can get everyone together over in a sort of corner with California Screamin’s loop in the distant background.

In Sunshine Plaza you’ll see a few large icons such as the Golden Gate Bridge and the sun that make for popular backdrops. Thinking outside the box a bit, I’d like to offer this suggestion, the silver train that houses Bur-r-r Bank Ice Cream and an entrance into Engine-Ears Toys could make for a fun location. The front of the train faces some seating but also the rocks supporting the sign for Condor Flats.

Over at A Bug’s Land, there’s a small stage that looks like part of a barn. Flik and Atta perform Ugly Bug Ball here. There are crates you can move around and picnic tables that you can’t. It’s a cute out-of-the-way setting and there’s lots of stuff to look at and possibly climb on in the area as well and it’s called Bountiful Farm. Don’t offer milkshakes to the plastic cows, it’s just cruel and will make you laugh so hard that ice cream will come out your nose or so I’ve been told.

Happy picture taking. Now where did I leave my posse?