If you’ve ever strolled down Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland, you’ve probably noticed the tiny Silhouette Studio tucked away with guests gathered around watching an artist work their magic.
Most people associate this spot with getting portraits done of their kids. And yes, it’s adorable. But on my most recent trip, I finally did something I’d wanted to do for so many years: I had silhouettes made of our pets.
How It Works (For Pets, Too!)
You don’t need to bring your pet with you. Instead, you can bring a photo or pull one up on your phone. A cast member will take a photo of your image for the artist to use as a reference.
From there, you wait your turn. And just a heads up, this isn’t a quick in-and-out situation. It takes a little time, so you’ll want to plan for it.
Once you’re up, the real fun begins.
Using nothing but a small, but long pair of scissors and paper, the artist cuts the silhouette completely by hand. No tracing. No sketching first. Just pure skill. And you get to watch the whole thing happen right in front of you.
When they’re finished, they’ll show you the piece before it’s mounted on a white backing. Frames are available if you want one, but they’re optional and sold separately for $19.99.
A Little Emotional… and a Do-Over
I brought a photo of our cat, Laverne, who we lost back in December. She was a beautiful Russian Blue, and I had been meaning to do this for years.
The photo I had wasn’t a perfect side profile, but it’s one of our family’s favorites, so the cast member managing the line checked with the artist first to make sure it would work. Once they gave the go-ahead, we stepped into the line and went for it.
Watching it come together was incredible. I’ll be honest, I got a little emotional seeing it take shape like that.
But when we got back to the hotel and really looked at it, something felt off.
The artist had picked up on those tiny, wispy whiskers above her eyes and included them in the silhouette. It was a thoughtful detail, but in silhouette form, it looked like there were whiskers sticking out of the top of her head.
Once I noticed it, I couldn’t unsee it.
So two days later, I brought it back. I wasn’t sure how it would go, but after chatting with a couple of cast members and a manager, the artist working that day offered to redo it, so back into the line I went.
And this time? It was perfect. The wispy eyebrows are still there, but they’re far more subtle. Also, she hand-drew the whiskers on the other side of her face with a white pen, which I think was the brilliant completion that was needed.
Don’t Skip This Experience
We also had one made of our 12-year-old Akita, and that one turned out beautifully on the first try, thanks to a great side profile photo.
Now I just need to actually hang them up alongside the silhouettes we had done of our kids years ago.
If you’ve walked past the Silhouette Studio before, thinking it was just for little ones, it’s worth a second look. Whether it’s your kids, your pets, or even a loved one, it’s one of those simple, classic Disneyland experiences that ends up meaning a lot more than you expect.
