Top 5 Places to Take a Family Holiday Photo in Disney California Adventure Park

If you're planning a trip to Disney California Adventure this holiday season, there are several amazing holiday photo opportunities throughout the Park.  Most of the locations are staffed with a Disney PhotoPass Cast Member who will not only use their own Disney cameras to take pictures that you can purchase on site or online, but they will also use your own personal camera to capture the same photos for no additional charge. Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity and stop by at least one of these locations on your next trip!

One particularly festive photo opportunity is the Buena Vista Tree, which stands 50 feet tall and is located in the heart of Buena Vista Street.  The tree is beautifully decorated with vintage inspired ornaments, lights, and garland.  The wrapped boxes, toys, and train are vintage reproductions created specifically by and for Disney.  There are several different vantage points and photo opportunities in and around this area (try a sitting pose on the bench that circles the tree, a close-up near the toy train, or a standing pose at any of the walkway openings).  

While visiting the Buena Vista Street Christmas Tree be sure to stop by the beautifully decorated Elias & Co. department store to meet Santa.  This is the perfect, quiet setting for the kids to talk with Santa, visit with Santa's elves, take a photo, and pick up a special treat.  During the visit pictured here Santa and Evan had quite a long discussion about their favorite Pokemon cards and Emma and Santa compared notes on the best Princess costumes and accessories.  Santa was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the kid's selections that our visit with him turned out to be a truly priceless moment.

Parent Paparazzi Tip #1:  To get the most of this photo opportunity be sure to visit this location in the morning or after the sun sets behind the Carthay Circle Theater to avoid squinting smiles and unwanted or excessive bright spots of light (aka lens flare) in your photo.

The bright color and holiday garland of the Red Car Trolley make for a bright and stunning photo backdrop.  If you're arriving early to get in line for Radiator Springs Racers FASTPASSes, take a quick photo detour just to the left in Hollywood Land where the Trolley is parked.  If you aren't an early bird you can also snap a quick picture later in the day when the Trolley is picking up or dropping off passengers.   

The holiday decorations in Cars Land make just about any place along Route 66 a great place to take family photos.  Some of my favorite locations are:  Snowy the Snowcar, Santa Mater, and the hubcap Christmas Tree at Town Hall.    

The Christmas Tree located on Paradise Pier is beautifully decorated with orange and gold glass ornaments with several Mickey shaped ornaments hidden throughout that my kiddos loved finding and counting.  The base of the tree is decorated with poinsettias and ivy and make an excellent backdrop for a traditional holiday photo.

      

Parent Paparazzi Tip #2:  Clothing and accessories (i.e. sweaters, holiday character shirts, or Santa hats) can add an extra touch of holiday spirit to your photos and make a non-holiday photo location fun and festive.

If you've been procrastinating and haven't yet sent this year's Christmas Cards or want to get a headstart on next year's cards, head over to Disney California Adventure this holiday season to take advantage of the beautiful decor and backdrops.

 



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