Photo Session Shoot - Help Me pick a Resort!

[forever a child]

I have a little over 2 weeks to decide which Resort to pick for my Disney Photo session. I have never been to any of the Deluxe resorts before so I am having a hard time deciding which one would be best. I believe GF is the most common and may be the most limiting in terms of options for backgrounds (mostly white everywhere). Please give me some feedback and help me decide before my 30 day window to book arrives! Thanks!

For those who are interested...here is the info on what a photo shoot covers.

Disney's PhotoPass Professional Portrait Sessions

Preserve and personalize your fond Walt Disney World memories by scheduling a special 20 to 30-minute session with a Disney PhotoPass Photographer (special sitting fees apply). Can be scheduled 30 days in advance. Call (407) 934-4004 to book a session at 5 select Resort location: Grand Floridian, Beach Club, Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge, and Animal Kingdom Lodge. Available times are from 8 am until 7 pm or sunset, whichever comes first, and sessions can be scheduled up to 30 days in advance.

The price for the Professional Portrait Session is $49.95 for one of 3 available photo packages. Package choices include the following:

Two 8x10 and three 5x7 (up to 5 different poses)
Two 5x7, four duplicate sets of 4x6 (up to 6 different poses)
Seven 5x7 (up to 7 different poses)
For $99.95, you can purchase all of the photos taken during the session (approx 60 photos) on a single CD. The price also includes your choice of one of the above photo packages and a license granting permission to reproduce your photos.

Portrait photos are separate from PhotoPass photos and can not be added to your PhotoPass card, photopass.com account or PhotoCD.

[KylesMom]

I would take a look at photos of the resorts on line & see what "flavor" best fits your style. For example, the Poly is a lush tropical setting, while WL is the waterfalls, rocks & pine trees. For us, it would be difficult to choose between these two, but I think WL would win out just because it's our "home" resort.

[forever a child]

I am leaning towards the Polynesian Resort because I would love to have some greenery, waterfalls, beachfront type photos and the flowers are beautiful. But it is so hard to decide when you have never actually been to any of the locations.

Which ones have the best view of MK's Cinderella Castle? Because I think that could be a strong deciding factor too.

[KylesMom]

The only resorts that may potentially have a background with the castle in it would be the Poly or GF. It all depends on where the photoshoot takes place. I know that at WL, it's predominately around the interior of the resort and the courtyard area . . . we've watched from afar on occasion.

[forever a child]

I know that at WL, it's predominately around the interior of the resort and the courtyard area . . . we've watched from afar on occasion.

That's helpful. Sounds like that takes WL out as an option since I definitely want outdoor photos. I am pretty sure these "professional" photographers are not that "professional" and since outdoor lighting is a lot harder to mess up...I'm playing it safe. I will photoshop them myself after we receive the cd

[KylesMom]

Sounds like that takes WL out as an option since I definitely want outdoor photos. I am pretty sure these "professional" photographers are not that "professional" and since outdoor lighting is a lot harder to mess up...

Actually, the courtyard of WL is outdoors - and is quite beautiful with a meandering stream which cascades down a mountainous-looking landscape . . . there is also a beach which is down at Bay Lake. I would definitely do an online search for resort photos so that you have a better idea of what each resort is like. You should be able to find a ton of them.

[DisneyCouture]

I would def do the Poly with the lush tropical backgrounds and the beach. I love that resort and you may be able to get the castle in the background with the right arrangement. Best of luck with your pictures.

[tgmousechick]

We did ours last March at the Poly- even in the drizzle and the rain, we got some fabulous photos. The lush greenery goes a long way!

[forever a child]

We did ours last March at the Poly- even in the drizzle and the rain, we got some fabulous photos. The lush greenery goes a long way!

Just sent you a PM with my email address. I was hoping to see a few examples of your photos from the Poly! Thanks

[tinktude]

We had ours done at Animal Kingdom lodge, and I think our photos turned out really well. I can send you a PM with my email address if you want to see some of the pics.

[forever a child]

We had ours done at Animal Kingdom lodge, and I think our photos turned out really well. I can send you a PM with my email address if you want to see some of the pics.

That would be great. I have not see any examples from AK! Thanks. I'll send you an PM.

[forever a child]

Today is our 30 days out for the day we wanted to get our Professional Photo shoot taken. I choose the Poly! I am so excited!!!!

[DadTriton]

Nothing says "I am on vacation in the tropics" like the Poly. Good choice.

[forever a child]

Just wanted to let everyone know that we had our photo session at the Poly and loved it. I would share some of the photos on links...but I don't know how. Anyway, if anyone is interested PM me and I can send you a couple.

Our photographer was Melissa and she spend a good 40ish minutes or better with us. She got some of me I could tolerate and some beautiful ones of my daughter! I couldn't be more happy with the experience and loved our visit to the Poly!

[btown]

Where can you get the info about this photo shoot? I just read this and we are going in 3 weeks. My boys and I have not had a real family photo in 3 years. We may need to buy cordinating outfits, lol. thanks! We are staying at AK. Please PM me if you can send samples.

[forever a child]

Where can you get the info about this photo shoot? I just read this and we are going in 3 weeks. My boys and I have not had a real family photo in 3 years. We may need to buy cordinating outfits, lol. thanks! We are staying at AK.

I just sent you two emails with the info and some photos. We had not had a photo together in about 4 years. We had a lot of fun doing this together.

[Disney_Barbie]

This may be a stuipd question, but does anyone know the cancelation policy? I mean, we would NEVER be rude & cancel last minute or anything. But it would be preferable, if we had the option to cancel up to like 3-4 days in advance. Because honestly, for us, if they're predicting rain that day, I would say it wouldnt' even be worth it for us to try

[forever a child]

This may be a stuipd question, but does anyone know the cancelation policy? I mean, we would NEVER be rude & cancel last minute or anything. But it would be preferable, if we had the option to cancel up to like 3-4 days in advance. Because honestly, for us, if they're predicting rain that day, I would say it wouldnt' even be worth it for us to try

I don't recall ever seeing any info on a cancellation policy. I am pretty sure they would not expect you to photograph in the rain though if it were a weather issue. Actually, I would assume they would not want to take their camera equipment out into the rain as they are rather expensive cameras. I would think some places, like the Poly might still be able to do some photos indoors but I don't think it would be worth it still.
They do ask for a phone number which they called me on the day before to remind me of my appointment, I would think they might call to reschedule if weather was an issue too. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

[BugeyedMuggy]

We did ours at the Poly and our favorite pic the photographer did for us was on the swing on the beach with us looking at the castle. He took the pic from behind us with us looking at the castle. We have had many compliments on that one.Very romantic

[minnie-mouse]

I would reccommend the Poly, the grounds are so lush and would be beautiful backdrop for photo session.