Theme parks are magical, inspiring, and—if you know where to look—downright hilarious.

Whether the humor is carefully crafted by designers or completely unintentional, these parks are packed with moments that can catch you off guard and leave you smiling long after you’ve left. As a photographer, some of the most memorable images in your portfolio may not be epic sunsets or technically perfect ride shots—but the ones that made you laugh when you clicked the shutter.

Comedy by Design

Some theme park lands are built to make you laugh. From pun-laden shop names to zany signboards, there’s intentional humor baked right into the bricks. Certain intellectual properties lend themselves especially well to this kind of comedy. I still smile when I think about the gift shop that used to sit outside the MuppetVision 3D attraction at Walt Disney World. The Muppets’ famously offbeat humor extended beyond the show itself—amusing signage above and beside the merchandise brought the entire shop to life with that uniquely Muppet wit. It was an immersive, laugh-filled experience before you even got to the cash register.

Live Laughter: Improv in the Parks

Some parks take humor to the streets—or the stadiums. SeaWorld, for example, features mimes who entertain the crowd while guests are filing into their large stadium shows. These performers silently follow, mimic, and interact with guests, creating hilarious improvisational comedy that’s never the same twice. If your camera’s ready, these moments can lead to some of the most authentic, joy-filled candids in your collection.

Wild Encounters: Animal Antics

Parks and zoos with animal encounters can surprise you with some unscripted hilarity too. Whether it’s a mischievous lemur, a bird swooping unexpectedly, or a sea lion mugging for the crowd, animals are natural comedians. Stay observant and quick with your shutter—these moments are gone in a blink but remembered forever in a photo.

Guests: The Wildest Card of All

Of course, no visit is complete without the unpredictable charm of other guests. One of my favorite amusing captures was a stroller abandoned next to a Grad Nite event sign. It was a visual metaphor for the full academic journey—from diapers to diplomas—crammed into one unintentionally comedic composition.

And who could forget the iPad photographers? A few years ago, it was common to see guests hoisting full-size iPads above their heads to snap photos—completely blocking their own view in favor of a live feed. Capturing a sea of glowing screens from behind, especially when those screens were iPads, was a humorous trend I couldn’t resist documenting. Fortunately (or unfortunately), the rise of excellent phone cameras has mostly ended that era.

Costume Comedy: Halloween and Beyond

Halloween is a golden time for finding funny photo ops in the parks. It's the only time of year it's acceptable to see characters from all genres and intellectual rights holders get to mingle. Guests in costume often create surreal juxtapositions, like Fred and Wilma Flintstone strolling through Tomorrowland towards Space Mountain, or my personal favorite—a couple dressed as a classic Star Trek landing party examining a food menu outside a restaurant at Disney California Adventure like it was alien text.

Even outside of Halloween, kids in costume often steal the show—especially when they're face-to-face with the character they’re dressed as, or better yet, their storybook rival. A toddler Snow White nervously approaching the Evil Queen is a once-in-a-lifetime image. And while I’d never recommend traumatizing your toddler, those raw emotional moments—joy, fear, awe—can be priceless. They’re the stuff great memories (and great photos) are made of.

Adults get their chance too at after-hours events with relaxed costume rules. Star Wars Nite, for example, brought out a creative couple in rebel pilot jumpsuits as Belle and the Beast—mashing up Disney romance with galactic rebellion in an unforgettable way.

Shoot What Makes You Smile

The most important tip? If something amuses you—shoot it. That fleeting moment of humor can live on for years in your photo archive, bringing back the joy each time you see it. You don’t need the perfect settings or the perfect light. You just need your camera ready and your sense of humor switched on.

Want to start capturing theme park magic and laughter more intentionally? Download my free ebook guide at FairyTalePhotoAcademy.com and learn how to improve your theme park photography, whether you’re using a smartphone or DSLR. Your best shot might just be your funniest.