(and Parents Who Hate Posing)
If your family is anything like mine, “Let’s take a picture!” is immediately followed by:
- a child who suddenly forgets how to smile,
- a parent who feels awkward holding their hands like they’re about to present a weather forecast,
- and one blurry photo where someone’s eyes are closed and someone else is chewing.
Good news: you don’t need perfect poses to get adorable photos at Disneyland. You need prompts—little mini-games that make kids (and adults) forget the camera exists.
Here are my favorite Disneyland photo prompts for camera-shy kids and parents, plus easy pose ideas and where to try them in the parks.
The Secret to Great Photos: Prompts, Not Poses
Instead of saying, “Smile!” try saying something that gets a real reaction:
- a silly mission
- a quick action
- a tiny story
Prompts create movement, giggles, and natural expressions—aka the photos you actually want.
Quick Tips for Camera-Shy Families
- Use “3…2…1…GO!” instead of “Hold still.” Motion feels less intense than posing.
- Let them do something with their hands: hold a snack, a bubble wand, a map, Mickey ears, or a balloon string.
- Take 10 rapid photos and pick the best one later. (This is the way.)
- Don’t force eye contact. Some of the sweetest photos are looking at the magic, not the camera.
Photo Prompts That Work Almost Every Time
1) “Pretend to eat the castle”
Perfect for: Sleeping Beauty Castle photos
How to do it:
- Stand far back with the castle in the background.
- Open your mouth like you’re about to take a giant bite.
- Bonus: have kids “feed” the castle sprinkles with their fingers.
Variation: “Pretend the castle is an ice cream cone.”
2) “Show me your ‘about to ride’ face vs. your ‘just got off’ face”
Perfect for: any attraction entrance + exit
How to do it:
- Photo 1: “Make your bravest face!”
- Photo 2: after the ride: “Now show me your ‘I survived’ face!”
This is gold for:
- Big Thunder Mountain
- Space Mountain
- Matterhorn
- Guardians (DCA)
- Incredicoaster (DCA)
3) “Whisper a secret to Mickey”
Perfect for: character meet-and-greets, statues, murals, or any Disney decor
How to do it:
- Have your kid whisper to the character/statue.
- You snap the candid moment.
- This avoids the “stand still and smile” pressure.
Works great at:
- Partner statue area
- Character greetings
- Pixar Pier decor spots
4) “Point at your favorite thing like you’re giving a tour”
Perfect for: Main Street, Cars Land, Pixar Pier, Galaxy’s Edge
How to do it:
- “Show me what you’d tell Grandma about!”
- “Point to your favorite snack/ride/store!”
Kids love feeling like the expert. Parents look natural. Everyone wins.
5) “Freeze like a statue… now melt like Olaf”
Perfect for: anywhere with space (walkways, castle hub, Radiator Springs)
How to do it:
- Photo 1: “Freeze!”
- Photo 2: “MELT!”
This gets movement and real laughs without anyone feeling like they’re posing.
6) “Look at each other like you’re about to burst laughing”
Perfect for: couples, siblings, and whole family shots
How to do it:
- “Don’t look at me—look at them!”
- “First person to laugh loses!”
This is my favorite for parents who hate posing because it looks real and sweet.
7) “Show me your ‘royal wave’”
Perfect for: Castle, Royal Hall area, Fantasyland
How to do it:
- Teach kids a dramatic princess/prince wave.
- Parents do it too (yes, commit).
- Take the photo mid-wave.
Bonus prompt: “Now do your villain wave.”
8) “Run to me like you just spotted a churro”
Perfect for: long pathways, castle hub, Pixar Pier
How to do it:
- One adult stands with camera.
- Kid starts a few steps back.
- “Ready… set… RUN!”
You’ll get joyful action shots. Even camera-shy kids forget to be shy when they’re moving.
9) “Hold hands and pretend you’re in a parade”
Perfect for: Main Street, parade routes, wide walkways
How to do it:
- “Wave to your fans!”
- “Bow like you’re famous!”
- “Blow kisses!”
It’s silly, it’s easy, and it makes a posed moment feel like play.
10) “Show me your most dramatic gasp”
Perfect for: in front of rides, seasonal decor, big landmarks
How to do it:
- “Gasp like you just saw Mickey!”
- “Now do a tiny gasp.”
- “Now do the biggest gasp ever.”
Great for kids who won’t smile on command—because gasping is way more fun.
Snack-Based Prompts (Because Snacks Fix Everything)
11) “Take a bite and give me your review”
Perfect for: churros, popcorn, Dole Whip, cookies
How to do it:
- “Is it a 10/10 or a ‘never again’?”
- “Show me your fancy food critic face.”
This gets natural expressions and a cute memory of what you ate.
12) “Cheers your treat like it’s New Year’s”
Perfect for: any snack moment
How to do it:
- Everyone clinks churros / drinks / popcorn buckets.
- Snap mid-cheers.
It’s quick, doesn’t feel like posing, and works for the whole family.
Ride-Themed Prompts (Low effort, high payoff)
13) “Show me your ‘we are brave’ pose”
Perfect for: spooky rides or thrill rides
Ideas:
- thumbs up + serious face
- superhero stance
- “hands on hips, brave face”
Great before:
- Haunted Mansion
- Indiana Jones
- Guardians
- Incredicoaster
14) “Do the ‘hands up’ practice shot”
Perfect for: before a coaster
How to do it:
- “Show me how you’ll put your hands up!”
- Take the photo mid-practice.
Kids LOVE rehearsing. Parents get a cute shot without awkward posing.
Parent Prompts (Because Parents Need Help Too)
15) “Act like you’re not posing”
Yes, I know. But it works.
Try:
- “Walk toward me and talk about what we’re doing next.”
- “Fix their ears / adjust their backpack / hold their hand.”
- “Look at the castle like you’re seeing it for the first time.”
Candid > perfect.
Best Photo Spots for Prompt Photos
You can do these anywhere, but these areas make it extra magical:
- Sleeping Beauty Castle + hub (classic, open space, iconic background)
- Main Street U.S.A. (great lighting, pretty storefronts)
- “it’s a small world” facade (colorful, fun perspective shots)
- Cars Land (especially near sunset—insane vibe)
- Pixar Pier (bright, playful, lots of movement shots)
- Galaxy’s Edge (dramatic angles, great for “serious” faces and stances)
A Mini “No-Pressure” Photo Plan for Your Day
If photos stress your family out, do this:
- Morning: 1 quick landmark prompt (castle “bite” photo)
- Midday: 1 snack prompt (food review face)
- Afternoon: 1 ride prompt (“about to ride” vs “just got off” face)
- Evening: 1 cozy candid (walking hand-in-hand, looking at lights)
That’s it. Four moments. Zero pressure. Real memories.
Final Thought: The Best Disneyland Photos Aren’t Perfect—They’re Yours
Camera-shy kids don’t need a forced smile. Parents don’t need a model pose. You just need a prompt that turns “taking a photo” into a tiny moment of fun.
And if all else fails? Take the picture anyway. Someday you’ll look back and think, “We were there. We did it. And wow… that churro was huge.”
