This is my third installment in a series where I’m sharing my best photos of the decade. Be sure to check out my first installment here, featuring photos I took in and around my hometown of Saratoga Springs, NY, and my second installment here, featuring my best equine photos of the decade. In this installment, I will share my best photos taken at Disney Parks and Resorts in the last decade.
Glorious Light in Fantasyland: April 19, 2011
Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort
I loved the way the sunlight was poking through the clouds in this photo.
The Main Street Philharmonic: April 1, 2013
Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort
I loved capturing the Main Street Philharmonic with my 50mm lens, allowing for a very shallow depth of field.
Be Our Guest Restaurant: April 1, 2013
Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort
I loved photographing Be Our Guest Restaurant the first time I visited. The ballroom is just stunning!
Clang Clang Clang Went the Trolley!: February 17, 2014
Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort
One of my favorite parts of Main Street USA is catching the Trolley Show.
Come Embark on the Voyage of the Little Mermaid!: February 17, 2014
Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort
One of the shots I took on a Flickr meetup with a bunch of talented Disney local photographers. This ended up being chosen as the cover photo for The Unofficial Guide: The Color Companion to Walt Disney World.
Fireworks Friday: Colorful Wishes: February 17, 2014
Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort
I took this unconventional fireworks photo while on that same Flickr meetup.
What Great View…Before You Drop!: February 18, 2014
Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World Resort
I can’t remember the last time I rode this ride and I DIDN’T have my camera with me! This was my first time with the fisheye though. I love taking a picture of the view you see on Tower of Terror before you go plunging.
Fireworks Friday: IllumiNations Over Japan: February 18, 2014
Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort
Some of my Flickr friends recommended this location for IllumiNations, so I decided to give it a try. What I love most about this spot is that I only had to get there about 15 minutes before the show and there was no one behind me trying to push in front!
The Magnificent Lobby of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge: April 7, 2015
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Walt Disney World Resort
I’ve only stayed at a handful of resorts on Disney property, but it had been a dream of mine to stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The lobby is something magnificent.
Gotta Love That View Down Hollywood Boulevard: April 7, 2015
Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World Resort
With the Sorceror’s Hat that blocked visitors’ view of Grumman’s Chinese Theater at Disney’s Hollywood Studios gone, Hollywood Boulevard in the park has been restored to its vintage glory.
A Gorilla Lost in Thought: April 8, 2015
Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort
Probably one of the most thrilling things to photograph at Disney’s Animal Kingdom are the gorillas at the Pangani Forest Trail.
Pink IllumiNations: April 9, 2015
Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort
Another fireworks shot, this time a view of EPCOT’s IllumiNations from Future World. From here you miss the crowds but still get a great view of the bursts.
Welcome to the Happiest Place on Earth!: April 10, 2015
Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort
One of my favorite things about Disney World is the welcome ceremony they do before they open the park. Here, I captured the bursts that go off at the end of the ceremony.
Wishes from Tomorrowland Bridge: April 10, 2015
Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort
Bridges are a great place to photograph fireworks from since no one can stand in front of you. This view of Wishes at the Magic Kingdom is from the bridge to Tomorrowland. I used a 3 stop neutral density filter to allow me to capture more bursts in one shot.
Riding Magic Carpets of Aladdin at Night: April 10, 2015
Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort
Night time is the best time to ride outdoor rides at Disney World. You get a great view of the park! The Magic Carpets of Aladdin hardly has any line at night. This photo was chosen as the cover photo for The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2017.
Main Street USA at Night: April 10, 2015
Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort
The middle of Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom is an awkward place to set up for a photo at night. As the crowds are exiting the park, they are headed right for my camera! I got a lot of stares and people thinking I was a PhotoPass photographer, but it made for a neat photo.
Neon Reflections: February 17, 2016
Disney California Adventure, Disneyland Resort
Flo’s V8 Cafe, a staple of Cars Land at Disney California Adventure, is reflected in the large rain puddles. Walking around in the rain isn’t fun, but I think it’s worth it for shots like this.
Main Street After the Rain: February 18, 2016
Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort
The colorful buildings of Disneyland’s Main Street USA after a rain shower.
Partners at 50mm: February 18, 2016
Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort
Walt and Mickey seem to look out at the many guests at Disneyland on a cool winter evening.
Disneyland Forever Fireworks Series II: February 19, 2016
Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort
The fireworks at Disney Parks never fail to disappoint. These Disneyland Forever Fireworks were captured near it’s a small world, which is a little less crowded than Main Street.
Main Street USA at Night’s End: February 19, 2016
Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort
I took a similar photo to this at Walt Disney World which I also selected as a best of the decade. After the fireworks at Disneyland, searchlights light up the sky behind the castle, making for a beautiful photo.
The Lion Sleeps Tonight: February 19, 2019
Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort
The highlight of my 2019 trip to Walt Disney World was getting to photograph this majestic lion on Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Maybe someday I’ll get to photograph a lion in the wild. Until then, I’m quite happy with this photo.
Rivers of Light: February 19, 2019
Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort
Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s Rivers of Light show is a feast for the eyes.
Happily Ever After: February 21, 2019
Transportation and Ticket Center, Walt Disney World Resort
I photographed Magic Kingdom’s Happily Ever After fireworks from the nearby Transportation and Ticket Center across the lagoon. It makes for an interesting perspective.
Riding Astro Orbiter at Night: February 21, 2019
Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort
Riding Astro Orbiter at night gives one a unique view of the Magic Kingdom!
Stay tuned for my next installment, where I’ll share my best photos from travel in the Eastern United States!
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