Father and son walking through BOG
  • On Jan 3, 2026
    Meagan from PA Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    I have a capture your moment for the end of January scheduled for 9 am will I have a problem getting clear shots with the castle without scaffolding or should I change my reservation to later in the afternoon?

    Hi there, Meagan, and welcome to planDisney! 

    Capture Your Moment is one of the best ways to celebrate milestones, special occasions, and even everyday life joys. Walt Disney World is my family's Happy Place and having professional Disney PhotoPass photos taken there is pretty special to us. I can imagine that you want your photos in front of the iconic Cinderella Castle to be practically perfect, too. 

    As you've heard, the castle is receiving its own little Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo makeover this year. It will return to hues of blues and golds by the end of 2026. But this means that the work has to begin soon, which could be as early as your upcoming trip. Although there have been reports online about a January start and morning-only work schedule, after speaking to a Cast Member, Disney itself hasn't released its official timeline or plan yet.

    Because we haven't seen the set-up for the paint job yet, it's hard to say if the scaffolding and/or equipment would be distracting in castle photos. However, when the castle was being painted for the 50th Anniversary, the cranes were noticeable in far-off shots but could be strategically avoided in closer shots. From my own experiences, I can say that the Capture Your Moment photographers are pros and will do their best to give you the experience that you desire. Be clear about what type of shots you want at the beginning of the session. 

    There are so many areas of Magic Kingdom that will make for excellent backdrops. From Main Street U.S.A. to Liberty Square to Fantasyland (the Prince Charming Regal Carrousel--swoon!), you'd be surprised how many spots there are to choose from. My family wanted images from as many locations as possible, so we like to book back-to-back sessions to maximize our time (and to do outfit changes).

    AN EXTRA GEM: If you move your photo shoot to an afternoon session, and it's a sunny Florida day, the natural light may be harsher. The sun was high in the sky for my last Capture Your Moment shoot and a handful of photos were very bright. But the photographer took us to more shaded areas that still had the essence of Disney World. Some of our favorite photos from that shoot were in a tucked away cove near the Little Mermaid ride in Fantasyland.

    Meagan, I hope that you have so much fun at your photoshoot and that you feel like a star in every image. If you have any other Disney vacation planning questions, please revisit us here at planDisney. I'm all ears! 

    Magic always, 
    LeAndra
thumbnail image for LeAndra

Meet the Panelist: LeAndra, Florida

Hey, Mouseketeer! I'm LeAndra, a wife, mom of two, and educator from beautiful Central Florida. I've lived near The Most Magical Place on Earth for my entire life; so, I like to say that I'm a Guardian of this galaxy! My love of all-things-Disney has also taken me on multiple cross-country road trips to Disneyland Resort and on a few flights over to Disneyland Paris. I am oh-so-grateful to be a part of your world by helping you plan your magical vacations. 

Learn More About LeAndra

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