Hi Kim!
Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! One of my favorite Disney pictures of me was taken on Main Street U.S.A. at 1:50 A.M. The Castle is beautifully lit, as are the storefronts around me. And most magical of all, I'm literally the only person in the shot. The photographer (a Security Cast Member, who I'm sure wanted me to leave so he could go home) even took one from a distance to really highlight the fact that I shut Magic Kingdom Park down. It was one of my top Disney Bucket List items, and I was successfully able to cross it off.
This type of magical moment is only reserved for those who we on the Disney Parks Moms Panel refer to as "Team No Sleep." While the park technically isn't open at this time, and guests aren't allowed back in to take these pictures or bask in the beauty, these moments are achieved by being one of the last guests to leave for the night.
Disney's Theme Parks have listed closing times, and guests are allowed to jump into a ride queue all the way up until the last possible second before that park closes for the night. To allow those last-minute guests time to get through the queue and enjoy the attraction,
Disney's Bus Transportation runs until two hours after each park's closing. So technically to get one of these shots you just have to wait around until the park clears out. If you don't catch a last-minute attraction, some stores near each park's entrance are usually open for 45 minutes after closing, as is usually one Quick-Service Dining Location, like Casey's Corner in Magic Kingdom Park.
Do note: While you're welcome to take all the photos you'd like, once you make your way to the front you won't be allowed to go back to any of the lands.
I hope this helped, Kim, and We'll See You Real Soon!
~Kristen