Photo strategy in the time of masks

[Skywalker3]

I didnt' mind pictures in masks, as they will mark this time in our Disney history, and make our trips extra memorable, but I do understand wanting some pictures without. we went in Oct and Nov, and DD is so into Instagram and pictures.
We found some great, less congested spots in Epcot. We would stop and snack, got some good ones in the back of Morocco (and very few people,) on the side of Katsura Grill in Japan (lanterns and water background,) and in the back of France, near the boulangerie early in the AM, some on the far right side. Didn't do this trip, but I think you could get some good ones in Canada with those gardens/buildings in the back. and the back of England near the gardens seemed good.
Found several good spots in AK too, snacking near Everest, and RoL old theater.
Got some good pictures at the pool, BCV.
Might be tricky, but there may be places in Black Spire to. I usually have my Ronto wrap outside, so could hopefully get some around there if sipping blue milk. Areas are crowded though, so harder to get pics w/o a lot of folks in the background.

 

[SL6827]

I got some by the wishing well there is legit no one around and we stopped and had a quick snack.

Right. We were very quick and done. And not close to anyone at the MK that day.

I will say that in October of last year, I legitimatley forgot my mask at the Yacht Club one day and got almost to the pool before I remembered. I was a a bit ashamed and went direclty back to my room to get it. But nothing was said to me at all, and I was seen by cast members.

 

[SL6827]

Got some too in October at Pop Century. It can be done.

 

[Dakota731]

Yeah I don’t really want the memories of this year - it just makes me sad and not a thing I want to be reminded of. So I will be using some of your tips. Thanks!

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Please follow the rules and don’t take mask off! Even for pictures it’s against the rules of Disney during Covid

 

[Krandor]

Please follow the rules and don’t take mask off! Even for pictures it’s against the rules of Disney during Covid

yhea when I was there in Jan I saw a couple (well mainly the guy) argue with a photo pass photographer over that. Looked like the lady finallly got him to agree To wear the mask.

 

[Skywalker3]

I am not at all advocating for taking off masks for pictures. That was absolutely never done unless we were sitting and eating. Every picture spot I referenced were when we were sitting at tables, eating, or drinking. I even kept my mask on in a couple of table service restaurants when not actively eating. The places I referenced in Epcot were while I was eating a snack from Food/Wine in Morocco, ramen from the Japanese booth and kids eating food FROM KATSURA GRILL, and while I was eating a Napoleon I'd ordered from the Boulangerie. The kids are sitting at tables actively eating.
The pictures I took in Animal Kingdom were sitting IN THE RELAXATION station at the Rivers of Light theater, where you are allowed to take masks off. and drinking my night blossom near Everest. I even kept my mask on on all walking paths between resorts, unlike a lot of people, i did not seek out places, and pull down mask for a bite/picture. Only when stationary AND away from as many people as possible.
I always sit on the curb or a bench and eat my Ronto wrap, because there's often not room inside the restaurant.
I wear masks all the time everywhere I go at home. and wore them everywhere I went in Disney, in all lines, in all rides, in all photopass pictures, etc. except actively sitting and eating/drinking, and I didn't mind it at all.

 

[Skywalker3]

Please follow the rules and don’t take mask off! Even for pictures it’s against the rules of Disney during Covid

I would never advocate for taking off masks for pictures. Not only do I believe it's a good rule, I didn't mind it at all. It didn't at all affect our vacation fun. They are more strict than my state, and I wish there was more compliance at home. I only answered the question based on where I got a few nice pictures while actively eating without masks, Never, ever took any pictures on Disney property w/o masks, unless we were sitting and eating, or standing at the tables in Epcot. I don't want anyone thinking I was advocating for sneaking maskless pictures or encourage people to do that where not allowed.

 

[SL6827]

No one was around for this one. Two cast members did see us when we were done but didn't seem interested at at all.

 

[cgattis]

No one was around for this one. Two cast members did see us when we were done but didn't seem interested at at all.
View attachment 554880

That’s so cute! Where is that?

 

[SL6827]

That’s so cute! Where is that?

Contemporary.

 

[Pyxie]

I have seen custom masks that look like the bottom half of your face. There was a family who posted their pics on that "other site" and they were all wearing these. Of course you can still tell they are masks, but you can at least kind of see your "face" and the pics actually turned out great.

 

[starousse]

The majority of all our family's good pictures are either in restaurants or the pool anyway. I agree w the above poster that having a few pics of us in front of the castle or coming down Splash Mountain in our masks will add some fun and allow us to remember this trip and time even more.

 

[LeeLee'sMom]

I am not at all advocating for taking off masks for pictures. That was absolutely never done unless we were sitting and eating. Every picture spot I referenced were when we were sitting at tables, eating, or drinking. I even kept my mask on in a couple of table service restaurants when not actively eating. The places I referenced in Epcot were while I was eating a snack from Food/Wine in Morocco, ramen from the Japanese booth and kids eating food FROM KATSURA GRILL, and while I was eating a Napoleon I'd ordered from the Boulangerie. The kids are sitting at tables actively eating.
The pictures I took in Animal Kingdom were sitting IN THE RELAXATION station at the Rivers of Light theater, where you are allowed to take masks off. and drinking my night blossom near Everest. I even kept my mask on on all walking paths between resorts, unlike a lot of people, i did not seek out places, and pull down mask for a bite/picture. Only when stationary AND away from as many people as possible.
I always sit on the curb or a bench and eat my Ronto wrap, because there's often not room inside the restaurant.
I wear masks all the time everywhere I go at home. and wore them everywhere I went in Disney, in all lines, in all rides, in all photopass pictures, etc. except actively sitting and eating/drinking, and I didn't mind it at all.

I totally understood what you were saying.

 

[cobright]

I'm of several minds here.
I really don't see how or why a mask has to be a detraction from any photos. I have usually picked one day on each trip to bring along a (or buy a new) set of Mickey ears for everyone in the group. They cover up a portion of our heads in each photo but add some opportunities for fun in those photos as well. We had a trip a few years back with a wild cold snap, like into the low 50s and breezy, so in all the pics from that day we were all covered up by jackets. Nobody's looked at those pics yet and said they were less Magical. On the other hand... the face mask I wear for the pandemic is incredibly comfortable but I actually don't think WDW allows its use in the parks because it's not a cloth mask. So I do sympathize that wearing a mask isn't always comfortable, or that obtaining comfort in a mask can take effort.

But from a purely visual appreciation... I don't see why having a cool Disney mask on is a downer.

 

[Wendy12]

My favorites from our December trip were the ones from behind. No smiling faces but no mask either.

 

[MATTERHORN]

Consider these masked pictures a once in a lifetime photo opportunity. Depending
on your skill level you could make coordinating masks to outfits, parks, characters, etc. I made these for a recent trip.

That's what I say! It's unique and a certain memory. That's like saying I want to skip my kid's toothless smile, etc. I feel like it's going to be a part of your story and your history and what we lived through and masked pictures belong in their scrapbook just like all the rest.

 

[Ohiostatefan606]

Consider these masked pictures a once in a lifetime photo opportunity. Depending
on your skill level you could make coordinating masks to outfits, parks, characters, etc. I made these for a recent trip.

I had masks made and with the extra fabric, I am making matching ears! One set left to go. I better hurry, we leave Thursday morning!

 

[JFox]

I had masks made and with the extra fabric, I am making matching ears! One set left to go. I better hurry, we leave Thursday morning!

I may have bought more fabric for more masks for our trip next month. I make them with 2 layers of fabric and interfacing inside. We also double mask with disposable masks.

 

[cgattis]

That's what I say! It's unique and a certain memory. That's like saying I want to skip my kid's toothless smile, etc. I feel like it's going to be a part of your story and your history and what we lived through and masked pictures belong in their scrapbook just like all the rest.

No, it’s not the same because a toothless smile is still a smile. You can’t see the smiles behind a mask, period. We have to wear them; we don’t have to like it.