Debating Memory Maker

[LaurEm378]

Hi everybody!

I'm about 3 weeks away from my trip and I'm having trouble deciding if I want to get Memory Maker or not. I can fit it into my budget, but there are some things I still don't understand.

I'll be with my son, dad, and brother. None of them are too good at taking photos (neither am I, to be honest). But I'd be the default picture-taker, and I'd have hardly any decent pictures with me in them--and it's my son's first visit, so that's a concern.

I've read the forums like crazy but I'm still confused. I'm not really trying to figure out if it's worth the money, I'm just trying to figure out if it will be what I want it to be. Any help with my questions would be appreciated.

1) In general, are the lines long for photos in the parks? Does getting MM photos turn into just another thing to wait in line for?

2) We're doing Chef Mickey's, 1900 Park Fare, and Ohana breakfast. I think pictures are included at these places, but are they just photos taken outside the restaurant before the meal starts? Or are there photographers actually taking pictures in the restaurant while you're eating/meeting characters?

3) Regarding character photos in the parks: Are photographers only at the meet and greet "attractions" or is there one around if you happen to randomly meet a character around the parks? Basically, is there a photographer around every time you see a character anywhere?

4) On-ride photos: How difficult/time-consuming is it to get ride photos added to your Memory Maker account? I keep reading that you still need to link the photo at the end of the ride. Most on-ride photos will be of my dad and brother doing the wilder rides, and they'll just get annoyed if they have to wait in long lines to link the photos.

5) Are there any photographers at the resorts?

6) I know the photographers will take pictures with your own personal camera if you ask, but my camera is just a basic point and shoot. Do they use better cameras?

7) Can you view the photos in the Disney app or only on a computer? I'm concerned about photos getting lost and would like to be able to check that they're being properly loaded while we're still in WDW.

That's all I can think of (at the moment!). Thanks to anyone who can help me make this decision!

 

[Cais]

Hi everybody! I'm about 3 weeks away from my trip and I'm having trouble deciding if I want to get Memory Maker or not. I can fit it into my budget, but there are some things I still don't understand. I'll be with my son, dad, and brother. None of them are too good at taking photos (neither am I, to be honest). But I'd be the default picture-taker, and I'd have hardly any decent pictures with me in them--and it's my son's first visit, so that's a concern. I've read the forums like crazy but I'm still confused. I'm not really trying to figure out if it's worth the money, I'm just trying to figure out if it will be what I want it to be. Any help with my questions would be appreciated. 1) In general, are the lines long for photos in the parks? Does getting MM photos turn into just another thing to wait in line for?

Not usually. I rarely have to wait more than a family or two. Depends on how crowded it is of course.

2) We're doing Chef Mickey's, 1900 Park Fare, and Ohana breakfast. I think pictures are included at these places, but are they just photos taken outside the restaurant before the meal starts? Or are there photographers actually taking pictures in the restaurant while you're eating/meeting characters?

Photographers are located outside the restaurant. There are no photographers inside - think bull in a china shop.

3) Regarding character photos in the parks: Are photographers only at the meet and greet "attractions" or is there one around if you happen to randomly meet a character around the parks? Basically, is there a photographer around every time you see a character anywhere?

Many have photographers but not all do. Some they are not allowed to take photos of - Mary poppins poses only for your camera. Ditto the Tarzan characters. Most characters have a photographer but not all.

4) On-ride photos: How difficult/time-consuming is it to get ride photos added to your Memory Maker account? I keep reading that you still need to link the photo at the end of the ride. Most on-ride photos will be of my dad and brother doing the wilder rides, and they'll just get annoyed if they have to wait in long lines to link the photos.

It's usually taken me a few seconds. Depends on the ride of course but I've never waited more than a few seconds.

5) Are there any photographers at the resorts?

Very rarely. Maybe at Christmas.

6) I know the photographers will take pictures with your own personal camera if you ask, but my camera is just a basic point and shoot. Do they use better cameras?

PhotoPass photographers use Nikon d90s, dslrs. They're fairly decent cameras.

7) Can you view the photos in the Disney app or only on a computer? I'm concerned about photos getting lost and would like to be able to check that they're being properly loaded while we're still in WDW. That's all I can think of (at the moment!). Thanks to anyone who can help me make this decision!

No photos in the app. You MAY be able to see them on your mobile device but the site is not designed for mobile devices. Photos also take 24-48 hours to make it to the website so if you check each night it's possible they haven't been approved yet. You can always visit a PhotoPass view station to view the photos.

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[imthemamahere]

Got some good answers just above.

I'd add that the Memory Maker package is only worth it if it IS what you want... and if you're willing to make it work. If you don't mind waiting for a family or two to have their photos taken before you, if you don't mind stopping as you walk along to pose for a minute... if that's going to drive you nuts, I wouldn't recommend spending the money.

For me, it's worth it - we did the PhotoPass+ (which came before Memory Maker) on our last vacation, and I am *in* the photos, which is so incredibly rare, as I'm always the one BEHIND the camera. But then, we didn't mind pausing along the way to pose for pics at just about every photographer we passed....

 

[Aliceacc]

My husband works part time in a local photographer's studio when he's not teaching. The walls of my home are lined with wonderful pictures of my kids-- we joke that we need a larger house with more wall space.

So getting quality pictures is not an issue for us.

But we ALWAYS get Photopass/Memory Maker. For us, it's part of the cost of the trip, right there with park tickets.

My husband is actually IN the pictures. And, while I'll never convince him not to bring a camera, he actually does feel comfortable sometimes hitting the parks without EVERYTHING.

I try to convince my family to stop as often as possible if we see a photographer. Obviously there are times when we're too hungry/tired/cranky, when someone is on the way to the bathroom or whatever. But we stop a lot. It takes about 3 minutes to get everyone posed and the pictures taken. (Actually the longer wait is when my husband insists on talking cameras with a photographer who doesn't have a line.)

Sometimes they'll do trick shots-- they'll have you hold your hands a certain way and act suprised or something. When you get the pictures, you'll find that you're holding Tink or Stitch.

Again, we're spending thousands of dollars on a vaction we've saved two years for. The extra money for Memory Maker is simply part of the cost for my family, and one that's well worth it for us.

 

[csmith041177]

This is great information!!!

 

[AngiTN]

I want to mention, since their site does not make it clear, you can still get the Archive Disk from Photopass site, for $119. This option does NOT include ride photos or meal photos that usually cost extra, or PL photos. But, if you are not doing the meals that have photos that cost extra, or are not going PL or like ride photos then the $119 version is a very feasible option. However, if you want photos taken at even 1 character meal or want a couple ride photos, or do PL and want that photo, then doing MM is the better option.

Now, in your case, since you are doing 3 meals that have photos that are extra, it would probably pay for you to go with MM. Though in the case of the meals you mention, none of those are with a real character, they are with backdrops. So they may not be as appealing to you.

 

[karabeunso]

I want to mention, since their site does not make it clear, you can still get the Archive Disk from Photopass site, for $119. This option does NOT include ride photos or meal photos that usually cost extra, or PL photos. But, if you are not doing the meals that have photos that cost extra, or are not going PL or like ride photos then the $119 version is a very feasible option. However, if you want photos taken at even 1 character meal or want a couple ride photos, or do PL and want that photo, then doing MM is the better option. Now, in your case, since you are doing 3 meals that have photos that are extra, it would probably pay for you to go with MM. Though in the case of the meals you mention, none of those are with a real character, they are with backdrops. So they may not be as appealing to you.

I'm not sure I'm understanding this correctly. Does MM include ride photos? Meal photos? Is it just the disc that doesn't include those things? Thx!

 

[AngiTN]

I'm not sure I'm understanding this correctly. Does MM include ride photos? Meal photos? Is it just the disc that doesn't include those things? Thx!

Memory Maker always includes digital download of all photos, including those done at meals, rides and Pirate League.

You can still purchase what is thought of as the old Photopass Disk. A non-digital option, called the Photo Archive Disk. That option does not include rides, meals or PL. It will mail you a physical disk, just like it always did.

Many people are under the impression that the old Photopass disk is gone and it is not. It's hard to find on their site but it's there and it's still the same $119 that it's always been. I was only trying to mention that for some, it's a good option. If you don't want ride photos and are not doing meals with photos then no need to get Memory Maker if you don't want it. Save the $30

 

[alexpgoldman]

In the past using the old photopass system we would get offers after our trip when our photos were going to expire. Has anyone not gotten the memory maker and received an offer for it after the trip at a reduced price? Was the offer better then the $50 off you get now if you get 3 days before you use?

 

[chrism444]

Just talked to the PhotoPass dept. The MM contains the rides and meals photos. The archive disc does not contain the rides and meals photo, you have to purchase them separately.

It sounds like MM would be best for you.

Have a great trip.

Chris

 

[sretav]

We only got the rider photo for Splash Mountain but it was quick. Just tell the cashier your number and that you have MM, scan your band and done. At character meals, it only works at the pre-meal photo op if there is one. There are no Photopass photographers inside the dining room when you're meeting the actual characters during your meal.

We ended up with about 300 pics in our account over 6 park days and all 4 parks. I took at least 5 times as many on my own throughout the parks, during meals and at character greets. The pics were always in our account by the time we got back to the hotel each night though I think the official line is 24 to 36 hours.

 

[nltroxell]

O

 

[Cais]

In the past using the old photopass system we would get offers after our trip when our photos were going to expire. Has anyone not gotten the memory maker and received an offer for it after the trip at a reduced price? Was the offer better then the $50 off you get now if you get 3 days before you use?

No. 50 off will be the most you could realistically expect it to be discounted other than the free with package offers they've been doing.

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[AaronInWI]

I want to mention, since their site does not make it clear, you can still get the Archive Disk from Photopass site, for $119. This option does NOT include ride photos or meal photos that usually cost extra, or PL photos. But, if you are not doing the meals that have photos that cost extra, or are not going PL or like ride photos then the $119 version is a very feasible option. However, if you want photos taken at even 1 character meal or want a couple ride photos, or do PL and want that photo, then doing MM is the better option.

Sorry, probably a dumb question. But what is PL? We don't do character meals, and don't really care about ride photos, so as long as I don't care about whatever "PL" is, I could save myself $30. Thanks!

 

[Cais]

Sorry, probably a dumb question. But what is PL? We don't do character meals, and don't really care about ride photos, so as long as I don't care about whatever "PL" is, I could save myself $30. Thanks!

pirates league

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[AaronInWI]

pirates league

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Yep, certainly don't care about that. Thanks again!

 

[BellsFam]

Got some good answers just above.

For me, it's worth it - we did the PhotoPass+ (which came before Memory Maker) on our last vacation, and I am *in* the photos, which is so incredibly rare, as I'm always the one BEHIND the camera. But then, we didn't mind pausing along the way to pose for pics at just about every photographer we passed....

This...this is why I'm going to add it.

That and the ride photo aspect... I have always waited around 3-5mins just to look at my photo from the rides, then you only get like 3 minutes of deciding whether or not to buy it... I don't know that I want all the ride photos but having the option later when I get home and I'm relaxed viewing my photos, seems worth the $149 I'll spend in a few weeks...

 

[LaurEm378]

Thank you all SO MUCH for sharing your info and experiences with me!

I'm 99% sure I'll get Memory Maker now. I was really concerned it would be more of a pain in the behind than you guys have indicated. I don't mind stopping here and there to get the photos, and I'm happy that none of you reported issues with missing photos.

It sounds like it's totally worth it for me for $150, especially since it's my 4-year-old's first trip and we'll definitely want the on-ride photos and photo backdrops at the restaurants.

Again, THANK YOU! I would have been waffling on this decision for the next 3 weeks without all your help (and probably would have not gotten MM, and regretted it).

 

[coley444]

1. Are there photo pass/MM photographers inside CRT? Or is it just the Cinderella entrance photo that has a dedicated photographer?

2. What about Beast in BOG? Is a Beast photo included w dinner?

3. What is average cost of a ride photo?

Would appreciate any insight. Thanks!

 

[Cais]

1. Are there photo pass/MM photographers inside CRT? Or is it just the Cinderella entrance photo that has a dedicated photographer? 2. What about Beast in BOG? Is a Beast photo included w dinner? 3. What is average cost of a ride photo? Would appreciate any insight. Thanks!

You won't find any photographers wandering the restaurants. They tested it a long time ago and there just isn't enough room

The beast is a regular meet and greet inside the restaurant not a dining photo.

Ride photos are like 15-18 bucks.

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