Disney World is one of those locations where you absolutely need to be taking photos. Of course, this does pose an interesting question, more specifically, what kind of camera should you take to the “happiest place in the world”? To find out, check out our comprehensive overview of the best camera for disney world.
Can You Bring A Camera To Disney World?
You can aboslutely take a camera to Disney World. When you do however, it is important to take into account the rules and regulations where photography in Disney World is concerned. So, if you are heading to the famous Disney park and don’t want to get in trouble because of photography, be sure to read through the rules and regulations below first.
Unapproved commercial purposes
It is no problem for families to take photos at Disney, but businesses who want to use photography taken at the Disney park cannot take any photos. As you may know already, photos taken at the Disney park cannot be used for unapproved commercial purposes.
Tripods and monopods
You are allowed to take some tripods and monopods, but keep in mind that they need to fit into a standard backpack. As a general rule, tripods and monopods shouldn’t be any longer than 182 centimetres for all Disney theme parks.
Selfie sticks and other handheld extension devices
All sorts of selfie sticks and extended handheld devices are not allowed in the park, so you will not be able to take photos with them. Drones are also not allowed to take photographs.
Can I Take A dSLR Or Mirrorless Camera To Disney Parks?
You can. As long as you stick to the rules in regards to photography inside Disney parks, you can take any kind of camera you like. Of course, be sure not use any of the photos you take for commercial purposes, as this is prohibited by Disney parks.
In addition to taking photos outside of the rides, Disney also allows you to take photographs on certain rides. When you take one of your best cameras on a ride, just make sure you attach it to your body so you don’t lose it on the ride.
Please note that some rides do not allow you to take photos due to licensing reasons. The same applies for filming. These rides are usually clearly marked, so be sure to check before you attempt to film or take photos with your camera on the ride.
What Is The Best Camera To Take To Walt Disney World?
For Walt Disney World, we recommend something compact and quick. While you could choose an advanced DSLR camera, this kind of camera can be a little bulkier than most. Some DSLR options can also be very expensive, so a point shoot camera will be the better option for most families. Here are some of our suggestions.
1. Sony RX100
The Sony RX100 is a brilliant choice for the Magic Kingdom. The reason for that is the versatility of this particular camera. During your Disney trip, you will be taking photos during bright sunlight as well as in some darker environments. With the Sony RX100, this will be easier than ever!
Please note that there are different versions available for the Sony RX100. The higher the version, the more features. Of course, the latest version is also more expensive than the earlier versions of this camera. That being said, you do not need the latest version to benefit from this camera, as a basic Sony RX100 will be more than enough to feet your point shoot camera needs in the Magic Kingdom.
Sale 
Sony RX100 20.2 MP Premium Compact Digital Camera w/ 1-inch sensor, 28-100mm ZEISS zoom lens, 3” LCD
- Approximately 20.1 megapixels , Exmor CMOS Sensor, 28-100mm equivalent F/18-49 lens, ISO 125-6400 Expandable ISO 80, 100, and 25,600, 3-Inch LCD screen with 12M dots
- Operating temperature:Approx. 0°C to 40°C (32F° to 104F°).1080p video, Steady-Shot image stabilization,Rear control dial and customizable front control ring
- Burst Mode (shots)-Approx10 fps,(VGA) Moving Image Size -640×480 30fps Approx3Mbps. Flash range:ISO Auto: approximately 0.3 meter to 17.1 meter (W), approximately 0.55 meter to 6.3 meter (T)
- Bright F18 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lens with 36x zoom, Full HD 1080/60p video with manual control and dual record, ,Ultra-slim, sophisticated aluminum body. Extensive features in a sleek camera
- Dimension: 1016 mm x 581 mm x 359 mm, Weight: 213g (75 oz). Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV, 1/3 EV step
2. Canon Powershot G9 X Mark II
When you want to make sure you are getting the highest quality images in Disney World, then be sure to have a look at the Canon Powershot G9 X Mark II.
The Canon Powershot G9 X Mark II is a good choice for the more inexperienced photographer. The point and shoot camera comes with a bunch of pre-set styles, which means you can select a style for your photographs before you even start shooting.
Like the previously mentioned Sony point and shoot camera, there are multiple versions of this camera available; this includes the mark III. Evidently, the later versions are more expensive, but they come with some extra features for your point and shoot camera. So, you will have to make a choice between budget or additional features for your Disney World camera.
- 1.0 Inch, 20.1 Megapixel High sensitivity CMOS sensor
- Digic 7 image processor. Compatible with iOS versions 8.4,9.3 and 10.2 and Android smartphone and tablet versions 4.1,4.2,4.3,4.4,5.0,5.1,6.0,7.0,7.1
- Ultra slim, lightweight and pocket size camera
- Features: Touch screen panel (capacitive type)
3. Sony DSCW800
If you are looking for the most affordable camera equipment to to take to Disney World, then the Sony DSCW800 could be the right camera for you. This is the best camera for people on a really tight budget, but also for those who want something just a little better than the average smartphone camera.
Please note that the Sony DSCW800 camera does not have the same advanced features as our previous two suggestions. However, the image quality is far from poor and you will be able to take photos around Disney World without worrying about your settings too much.
Sony DSCW800/B 20.1 MP Digital Camera (Black)
- MP Super HAD CCD sensor for beautifully detailed images. Blink Detection
- Sony Lens w/ 5x Optical Zoom and 360 sweep panorama
- Reduced blur with SteadyShot Image stabilization.Recording Format:Still Images: JPEG , Movie: AVI (Motion JPEG)
- Capture your videos in 720p HD Movie mode
- Simplify camera menu with Easy Mode; Digital Zoom- Still images: 20M approx.10x, 10M approx.7.1x, 5M approx.9.9x, VGA approx.40x, 2M(16:9) approx.13x, Movies: Digital Zoom approx. 10x (*1)
Which Photography Accessories Are Allowed At Disney Parks?
Having the best camera might not mean a lot without the right accessories to improve image quality. So, which photography accessories are allowed at Disney parks.
Camera bag
You are allowed to take a camera bag with you in Disney World. Most photography cameras automatically come with their own bag. In case you don’t have one though, you can find a number of photography bags online for a very affordable price these days.
Additional lenses
A lot of people invest in some of the best photo lenses over the years, but they don’t know if they are allowed to take those to the Disney park. As far as we know, you can take as many lenses with you as you want.
Since some rides require a photography lens that caters to dim light, we do recommend taking this as a spare. Another great option to take the best photos at Disney is a good fisheye lens.
Telephoto lens
Even though this kind of lens is most commonly used for commercial purposes, you can still use one of these at various Disney parks. Of course, photos taken with a telephoto lens cannot be used for commercial purposes.
Image stabilizer
One of the most useful and best accessories is the image stabilizer. Fortunately, you can use this accessory in Disney parks as well.
While the use of an image stabilizer is not illegal in Disney parks, don’t forget that there is security in these parks and that the best photography equipment will stand out considerably.
While you may not intend to use your taken photos for commercial purposes, security is bound to ask you what you need all that expensive equipment for. So, to avoid problems, try to keep your equipment to the essentials if you can.
Shotgun microphone
If you are thinking about recording some film while you spend time in the park, you may want to capture the best audio. One way to get better audio is by using a shotgun microphone, which can be attached directly to your camera.
GoPro
Some people do not like to drag a camera around with them all day and prefer to wear it on their head instead. So, the GoPro can be a nice change for those who don’t want to lug a camera around.
The GoPro and some of its accompanying accessories are allowed in Disney Parks. You can use the accompanying strap, the housings, and the Karma grip. However, please remember that you are not able to use anything extendable, so any accessories that extend will not be allowed in the park.
Why You Shouldn’t Pack Too Much Camera Equipment
Firstly, too much camera equipment will look bad in the eyes of security, even if you don’t intend on using your photographs for commercial purposes. Aside from that, there is an even bigger reason why you should not pack too much camera equipment, and that is simply weight.
There is loads to see and do during your visit to the park and the last thing you want is be exhausted from dragging around all that equipment. So, keep it compact and light to ensure your visit to the park is a good and memorable one.
What Are Some Of The Best Places To Get Photos In Disney World?
Most people take ages to explore the entire park. In fact, a full visit to the park will take several days. So, having so must-see spots for yourself and your camera is recommended. If you don’t know which of the spots to visit, you might miss out. So, here are our recommendations.
Cinderella Castle
Cinderella Castle is the most iconic place in the park and often a popular background in countless photographs. In fact, the first picture you see when you google the park is the castle. Even if you do not photograph anything else, Cinderella Castle is an absolute must!
Tom Sawyer Island
Looking for a good shot near the end of the day? If so, then you should try capturing Tom Sawyer’s Island at sunset. Keen photographers will find the best angle from the walkway near the Riverboat.
Gaston’s Tavern
Every Beauty and the Beast fan needs to visit Gaston’s Tavern and the matching fountain in the front. The bronze fountains are a sight to behold, and make a wonderful background for family snaps too.
Rapunzel’s Tower
Fantasyland is packed with amazing locations, including Rapunzel’s Tower. Even those who are unfamiliar with this timeless fairy tale will find the sight of the tower absolutely stunning. Much like Cinderella’s Castle, it is a snap you cannot afford to miss out on.
The Beast’s Castle
There are many beautiful castles in Disney’s fairy tales. Aside from Cinderella’s beautiful castle, you will also encounter The Castle of the Beast. Much like Gaston’s Tavern, this location is a true must for Beauty and the Beast fans.
When you take a photograph of the Beast’s Castle, always use a wider zoom lens. The castle is somewhat removed in the distance from the path, so make sure you have the appropriate lens to capture this sight correctly.
The Tangled Restrooms
Every bit of Disney World is designed to provide the total experience, even the restrooms. In fact, the Tangled Restrooms provide an amazing location for some photographs. In other words, visitors can even take great photographs when they need a bathroom break.
Thunder Mountain Railroad
Once you hit Frontierland, be sure to check out Thunder Mountain. Did you know that this railroad is modelled after Monument Valley in Arizona? So, when you make your way along Thunder Mountain, you will find several locations where you can catch some stunning snaps.
The Floating Mountains
We have to admit that our favorite spot in Disney World are the Floating Mountains. Even though it is an artificial spot created in The Oasis, it is a sight to behold.
For this particular spot, be sure to have a good zoom lens on you. There are different animals that crawl up the tree and look simply amazing. Of course, you will need some decent zoom to capture all the detail there.
The Floating Mountains look so amazing, it may take some time for you to capture every single corner of this magnificent place. If you are spending several days in the park, make sure not to pass through this location too quickly.
More locations to check out
We have only covered a fraction of the various locations to check out at Disney. However, if your time is limited, then the recommendations above should give you the best photos to look back at your time in the “Happiest Place in the World”.
Still, if you do have some time to check out additional locations, be sure to take some photographs at Ariel’s castle, the statues on the hub grass, storybook circus, the tree of life and Futureworld.
Before you leave for your day in the “happiest place in the world”, always make sure you have some spare batteries on your person. There are so many photographs to take in this park, so running out of battery is likely. If you have a spare battery or two on your person, you make sure you don’t miss any important snaps.
Main Things To Remember Before Going To Disney World
Compared to some other theme parks, Disney World is remarkably open when it comes to photography and taking photos and film. Most cameras and accessories are allowed and you can even use your camera on most rides. However, equipment that is too professional will attract the attention of security, so you must have a good reason to have all that equipment on you.
Before you head to the park, do not carry all your equipment with you. Select a maximum of three lenses, your preferred camera and maybe a single non-extendable tripod. Also, make sure the camera bag does not exceed the allowed size.
We also listed a lot of cameras you could use in this article and their prices were quite variable as well. Still, you do not need the most expensive model of camera to end up with some great photographs from your visit. Simply choose one that matches your budget, read the manual and practice a little before heading off. You will notice the results will be amazing!
