Overwhelmed by the options for capturing your memories on a Walt Disney World vacation? This blog post is a good place to start!
PhotoPass refers to all of the guest photography around Walt Disney World. This includes Cast Member photographers taking photos in the parks, automated photos taken on rides, and photos at character greetings. If you're visiting Walt Disney World, you can take advantage of any of these types of photography! Photos are available for purchase individually or via Memory Maker packages (see below).
Memory Maker is a paid photo package. For a set price, you can download all the PhotoPass photos taken on your trip, and keep the downloads forever! Memory Maker can be purchased in the My Disney Experience app or website. There is a discount for buying at least 3 days in advance of the start of your vacation. You'll have 30 days to download your photos after you start using the service. Although only the person purchasing Memory Maker can log in to download, you'll see the photos taken of anyone you're connected with in your Friends & Family list - and then you can share the downloads. So it's an especially good value when large groups are traveling at the same time.
There are several unique types of photos offered at Walt Disney World:
Ride Photos: These include photos (and videos!) with special frames and effects.
Magic Shots: These are posed photos where the photographer instructs you to look or point in a certain direction - and then characters or other effects are magically added to your picture. There are also special panoramic and zoom videos you can take throughout the parks.
Character Greetings: When you meet characters in the parks, a PhotoPass photographer or automated camera will capture images.
Portrait Studio: At Disney Springs, you can have your picture taken with a variety of Disney backgrounds and props, free of charge. The images are included with Memory Maker.
Capture the Moment (additional cost): Book an exclusive session for your group with a Disney PhotoPass photographer. The images are included with Memory Maker.
TIPS
-The easiest way to make sure you get all of your photos is by wearing a Magic Band. Then, many ride photos will automatically appear in your My Disney Experience account as soon as you finish riding. If you want to be extra sure to get your ride photos, you can tap your Magic Band where your photo is displayed at ride exits. And you'll always be asked to tap at Character Greetings or when posing for a PhotoPass photographer. If you don't have a Magic Band, a card key can be used for this purpose.
-Some rides (including Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind) use Bluetooth technology instead of Magic Bands, so keep your eyes peeled for instructions about your phone settings before riding!
-Many PhotoPass photographers will be happy to grab some shots with your cell phone as well as their cameras.
-Missing a photo in My Disney Experience? There is an excellent team at each park whose job it is to find it! Fill out a form in My Disney Experience, describing the time of day you were at the attraction, what you were wearing, etc. Or stop by the PhotoPass booth at the park, and they can find your photo right there.
Have more questions about Memory Maker and PhotoPass? When I plan your vacation, I can help you make the most of Disney's photography services.