We may go to Disney World over and over again, but there are just some things that we HAVE to do each time.

Seriously, did you even go to Disney World if you didn’t ride Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, or Big Thunder Mountain Railroad? Does it count as a trip to Disney World if you didn’t eat 3 Dole Whips, 2 Mickey Pretzels, and a giant Turkey Leg? But let’s be honest, we have all started documenting our age and growth through pictures at Disney World. Like babies on those month-by-month blankets, we have pictures in front of Cinderella Castle at varying ages. So did you really go to Disney World if you didn’t take these 14 pictures? (We need the PROOF!)

There are just some things you HAVE to take pictures of in Disney World, or it didn’t happen. Please, tell us we’re not the only ones who have hundreds of these pictures on our phones!!

Before we get into the fun of these picture spots, please know that we think these are all excellent pictures to have as memories for your family. And if you’re looking to plan your Disney vacation (whether it’s your first or your hundredth), we recommend checking out our friends at Small World Vacations! They can help you plan the perfect Disney trip.

Ok, on to our list of photo spots!

Cinderella Castle

Probably the most popular (and we have to admit, basic) Disney World picture is right smack in the middle of Magic Kingdom. Cinderella Castle towers over everything and shines like a beacon of magic. It is the most iconic Disney symbol and if you didn’t get a picture with (or of) this majestic piece of architecture, there’s no way you went to Disney World.

We have pictures from every angle imaginable under every lighting possible (and we’re NOT ashamed of it). Some love to see it in the daytime, while others prefer it glowing in the dark. Either way, we ALL have a picture of this beauty in our galleries.

Entrance into Disney World

While Cinderella Castle may be the most popular and iconic picture spot, the first picture any of us have ever taken in Disney World is of the entrance sign. You clearly have not been to Disney World if you didn’t pass under (and take a picture of) the entrance sign (duh).

These pictures are also probably your blurriest pictures from your Disney World trip. You knew you were getting close, but that sign snuck up on you and you scrambled as fast as you could to get your phone, pull up your camera, and focus to get the whole thing into the picture. But you’re driving (or hopefully someone else is) and can’t stop so you get what you get and can’t go back.

And the result…a little bit blurry but salvageable picture that we all have in our phones.

Main Street, U.S.A

You’re home. You step through the turn styles and make your way under the train bridge onto Main Street, U.S.A. Obviously, you have to take a picture because it’s been like 3 days since you’ve been there. But seriously, Main Street, U.S.A. is another one of those iconic Disney World spots that exude beauty and magic.

The only way everyone on our Instagram is going to know we were in Disney World is if we have a picture in front of the Emporium. Plus, as an added bonus, you’ll probably get your mandatory castle pic with it! It’s a two-for-one Disney World picture deal! (We’re always looking for a deal in Disney World.)

Purple Wall

If you’re looking for the most Instagrammable photo spot in Magic Kingdom (we all are, obviously), you’ll have to walk away from the giant castle and head towards Tomorrowland Terrace. The purple wall here has become another favorite spot to snap some photos (and even DisneyBound as).

It is a pretty cool concept and it has several different background options in one wall. You can get just a plain purple background or opt for the geometric purple pattern. The creativity with this random wall in Magic Kingdom is endless.

Spaceship Earth

As we all know (probably), EPCOT is ALWAYS (sometimes) the park to hop to! So after you’ve gotten all your Insta-worthy pictures in Magic Kingdom, it’s time to visit the big shiny ball.

Contrary to what all our picture captions say, this ball is Spaceship Earth (not EPCOT) and we have to have a picture of it or we didn’t go to EPCOT. Yes, this icon is more than just a photo op. It is in fact a ride! While it’s not a requirement to ride Spaceship Earth, it must be required to take a picture of it (why else would we ALL have one?).

Pandora

So many people have varying opinions about Animal Kingdom, but there are some things we all agree on in the wild park. YOU MUST GET A PICTURE OF PANDORA. There, we said it. This land is just SO photogenic. It’s stunning.

The out-of-this-world beauty that Disney has created here must be photographed. Looking high and low, you’ll find gorgeous picture opportunities. And we’ve been taking pictures of it since it opened in 2017.

Tree of Life

Another thing we all agree on, regardless if Animal Kingdom is your favorite or least favorite Disney World park, is that you have to have a picture of the Tree of Life. There are just some things you have to take pictures of or it didn’t happen and each park’s icon is one of those things.

The greens, browns, and animals are just amazing. It’s larger than life and yet, it is life. It captures everything we believe about nature and the circle of life. And we all take this picture immediately. And just like Cinderella Castle and Spaceship Earth, it might be even more beautiful at night.

Tower of Terror

Disney had to go and tear down the iconic, brilliant blue, sorcerer’s hat in Hollywood Studios several years ago, so now we’re left with the Tower of Terror as the icon of the park. But we’re not (too) mad about it because the Tower of Terror is SO photogenic!

Nobody would believe us if we told them we’d been to Hollywood Studios if we didn’t show them a picture of the Tower of Terror. It’s sad, but true (probably). That’s why we always grab a photo as we wander down Sunset Boulevard. Bonus points if the picture is at night!

Millennium Falcon

We run to the Millennium Falcon in less than 12 Parsecs so we can get pictures of it with no galactic creatures in the way! Don’t tell us the odds of not having at least one person in our picture. We will get the perfect Falcon picture.

How epic is it that we can stand next to, fly, and take pictures with the Millennium Falcon?! It’s a dream come true for Star Wars fans. And a good Star Wars fan knows that it didn’t happen if they don’t have a picture.

Picture with Mickey

It can be REALLY challenging to get a picture with the main Mouse, himself. So we’re going to broaden this picture category to just any character in general. Even those of us who swear we don’t need to wait in line to meet a character, still get giddy when we have our picture taken with them.

Meeting Disney characters is like a rite of passage in Disney World. And, clearly, Disney’s PhotoPass photographers agree that it didn’t happen if you don’t have a picture.

Animals on Kilimanjaro Safari

If the Safari guides told us there was an ant on the road, we would have our cameras clicking away so fast that we would be taking a million pictures of it. Any animal that is pointed out on the Safari needs its picture taken by us, amateur photographers.

We’re pretty sure that taking pictures of the Safari animals is just as crucial as them getting the right nutrients in their diet. That’s why they take us on the tour over and over, right? Disney has had us pay them to be the animal’s paparazzi. And we would pay to have this job every day of the year (actually, we do pay for every day of the year ).

Mickey Pretzel

Any Mickey-shaped food item NEEDS to be photographed. Mickey pretzels, Mickey beignets, Mickey ice cream bars, and anything else Mickey-shaped will be photographed. These might be the most Instagrammable food items in the world (or maybe we’re just biased).

Not only should the Mickey-shaped foods be photographed, but literally all Disney foods. The colors, textures, and toppings that Disney adds to their food are astounding. The food is art and art needs to be displayed…on our Instagram, Facebook, and X/Twitter.

Picture in Minnie/Mickey Ears

Not only is buying at least one pair of Minnie or Mickey ears a necessity, but so is getting a picture of you wearing them.

Ears may be the cringiest or most exciting souvenir you can buy (depending on who you are), but either way, you know you have a picture of yourself in them at Disney World. It’s ok to admit it, we’re right there with ya.

109473 Fireworks Pictures

Just like on the 4th of July, we all take too many pictures (and videos) of the fireworks that nobody is going to care about. But it’s an urge we just can’t fight! The heart those pink fireworks just formed needs to be shown to the world.

We will be the first to admit that we have a bazillion fireworks photos in our gallery that we will probably never look at again. But we knew that if we didn’t get the pictures, there would be no evidence that we had been to Disney World! (Side note: please be courteous to the people around you trying to enjoy the show!)

All joking aside, pictures are wonderful memories for you and your loved ones on a Disney World vacation. When we say we have tons of each of these pictures, we’re being 100% honest with you. It’s just so hard to go to Disney and not take them because everything around us is so magical and beautiful. We hope you enjoy your special time in the Most Photographed Place on Earth.

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Do you have any other favorite picture spots in Disney World? Let us know in the comments!

The post Did You Even Go to Disney World If You Didn’t Take These 14 Pictures? first appeared on the disney food blog.