Convince me I do NOT need memory maker

[mommymanda]

Check in 30 days

I've planned this trip for 7 years. We are not going 'all out extreme' but we are considering this a once in a lifetime trip for my kids....well sort of DD went with DH and I when she was 4 and an only child...and if I get my way we'll go again in four more years, but just in case we'll say it will be a once in a lifetime for the younger two.

Now we are a family of five. 11,5 and 3year old. Last trip with DD I used only my own camera. I can take okay shots, its a point and shoot, but a quality one. However I of course had no ride photos and personally was only in 3 of the bazillion pics I took.

I am going through the devil on my shoulder right now as whether I should add MM to my package or not. One side is saying just do it its a once in a lifetime the other side is saying, you've already spent enough don't do it

I do scrapbook so the idea of extra photos especially ride ones excites me, but how long will the family put up with me saying "oh look a photographer quick lets get another picture".

We are not planning many if any character meets as we are booked at a number character dining spots. I can't remember if a MM photographer escorts characters at the dinners.

Lol I can go on and on with my pro/con list that runs through my head, but I'd love to hear first hand information from others who've used the system. Is it worth it? Why or why not?

Oh and how easy is it to switch the photos from your account onto a USB at home when the trip is over? Do they charge for that? Do I have to order the prints from the site or can order locally after? Sorry I did read through a few other MM threads, but didn't find exactly what I'm looking for in answers.

 

[Aliceacc]

My husband works as a photographer in a local studio when he's not teaching. He's GOOD, and the walls of my home are lined with his pictures of the kids.

That said we've gotten Photpass/Memory Maker every trip, including the one that starts next week.

Yes, he will still bring his HUGE camera case and bajillion lenses... hey, it's part of what he enjoys. But having MM means he can be selective about what he brings along, and when he stops to get a picture. (I won't lie. It also gives him time to talk photography with the MM photographers.)

And, of course, it means he is actually IN the pictures. And that we get a number of "trick" shots, where the MM photographer inserts a character into the photo. The kids know their dad, and know that we'll be taking lots of pictures. It takes a minute or two to stop and pose.

With all the money we spend on a WDW trip, we figure this as just another expense. For us, it's part of the price of a WDW vacation.

As to the details, things have changed since the last time we were there. But, as I understand it, you get a free download. From there, you either print the pictures yourself or take them somewhere local.

Also, just FYI: you know that it's $50 cheaper to pre-order, right?

 

[mommymanda]

My husband works as a photographer in a local studio when he's not teaching. He's GOOD, and the walls of my home are lined with his pictures of the kids.

That said we've gotten Photpass/Memory Maker every trip, including the one that starts next week.

Yes, he will still bring his HUGE camera case and bajillion lenses... hey, it's part of what he enjoys. But having MM means he can be selective about what he brings along, and when he stops to get a picture. (I won't lie. It also gives him time to talk photography with the MM photographers.)

And, of course, it means he is actually IN the pictures. And that we get a number of "trick" shots, where the MM photographer inserts a character into the photo. The kids know their dad, and know that we'll be taking lots of pictures. It takes a minute or two to stop and pose.

With all the money we spend on a WDW trip, we figure this as just another expense. For us, it's part of the price of a WDW vacation.

As to the details, things have changed since the last time we were there. But, as I understand it, you get a free download. From there, you either print the pictures yourself or take them somewhere local.

Also, just FYI: you know that it's $50 cheaper to pre-order, right?

Yes this is why I am trying to figure things out now. I know I wouldn't justify an additional $200, but for some reason $150 seems almost okay

 

[Aliceacc]

You've been planning for 7 years. That's $22 a year towards MM.

Does that help?

If this does turn out to be a "trip of a lifetime" won't you want those pictures as a momento?

 

[nugov2]

We went last year when it was photopass plus, but we loved it. I would have regretted not getting it. It is nice to have all the great photos with all of us in it. We did a lot of character meals, but the ride photos and the special effect photos are our favorites!! I'd get it even if it wasn't a once in a lifetime!!

 

[Happyjen27]

There are 2 main reasons I don't get it.

1. I'm not going to put these on a wall and turn them into an amazing gallery of memories. I also scrapbook, so I get having pictures for that purpose, but I had hundreds of shots just from our point and shoot.

2. I don't want to change my touring style, essentially my vacation plans themselves to "get my money's worth" out of Memory Maker. I just want to go and be and not worry about making sure to get enough shots of family fun to make it worth the money.

 

[MandiC]

I am sure some don't mind not getting it, for us, we'll never go without it. We took TONS of pictures on my P&S and our phones but only ONE of those was our whole family and we felt bad stopping someone to ask to get a picture together (an area there weren't MM photographers) I would have felt like I was bothering people to have to ask often. With the MM we have over 100 pictures of us as a family, we got some magic shots of the kids and some pretty great character shots too. We have all our meal pictures and all our ride pictures. We also did Enchanted Tales with Belle so we have all the pictures from that (which one of our daughter's participated in, both could have but one was just too shy). They also took some nice pictures of my husband and I, which just never happens for us. We had our oldest take a picture of us in DTD one night and you can tell it was taken by someone shorter than us We will always build it into the cost of our Disney vacation, it's no more expensive than trip insurance

 

[Ginny Favers]

Oh, gosh, if I was planning this trip for 7 years I would DEFINITELY get Memory Maker.

I do not think you will be changing your touring style much with MM. It takes a couple seconds to ask a photographer to take your picture as you're walking through. And honestly, I ended up with so many shots I never would have gotten without photopass. Usually there's always one member of my family missing-- the person who takes the picture-- but that's not an issue with MM. Add to it all the ride photos... I have this AWESOME shot of my kids the first time they went on Dinosaur that alone made it worth the price.

And I did not create a wall of memories, either-- I just put them into a nice scrapbook (with the photos I took on my camera), and we look at them over and over.

So sorry, I am not able to convince you!

 

[MandiC]

Oh yeah, it did not change our touring style at all. If a photographer was busy we'd walk right past them and I'd make my mental note to go back later. When they weren't busy it was so quick. They pose you, take the pictures and scan your band...done. Doesn't take more than a few seconds, I never felt like it got in the way or that I was trying to get my money's worth.

 

[Aliceacc]

Oh yeah, it did not change our touring style at all. If a photographer was busy we'd walk right past them and I'd make my mental note to go back later. When they weren't busy it was so quick. They pose you, take the pictures and scan your band...done. Doesn't take more than a few seconds, I never felt like it got in the way or that I was trying to get my money's worth.

I agree, absolutely.

I'm not one to "get my money's worth." The money is spent, I do as I choose. So if that means I order a salad for dinner instead of a steak because that's what I'm in the mood for, then that's what I do, regardless of the cost of the DDP. (though I've done the math after the fact, and we always DO get our money's worth!)

Likewise, the time we spend getting those pictures is miniscule; if the photographer is too busy or if someone isn't in the mood or whatever, we just don't stop. It doesn't effect our touring style or interrupt our day.

 

[mommymanda]

Oh, gosh, if I was planning this trip for 7 years I would DEFINITELY get Memory Maker.

Lol yes that's how its worked out. When we returned from our 2007 trip I told my husband we'd go again in 2009, but my 2nd child was than not even a year so I figured too young. Decided we'd go in 2010, he'd be little still but at least he'd be free admission. Nope I ended up being pregnant again. Okay 2012 we can do it with a one year old after all. Than both boys would be free (see saving $$). Never mind DH decided we were living in sin long enough with three kids we got married and that sucked up all our $$$. 2013, bought our first home to fit that expanded newlywed family. AT LAST 2014 we are heading back. Hubby has not been able to convince me of babies, weddings or houses to stop my vacation this time.

That's why we are getting the DDP and staying at a suite in AOA. Still not the most expensive trip you can book at Disney, but a lot for our budget.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

We didn't get photopass on our first trip. I did have photo pass photographers take pictures of us and ended up spending about $60 when we got home to buy our favorites. We also got a picture with breakfast at Akershus, a couple of pictures from the Disney Visa Character Spot, and paid for the picture at the Spirit of Aloha dinner show. Now $60 is a lot less than $150 and there were honestly a lot of pictures that didn't turn out good enough to purchase, but I might have printed a few more if they were already paid for. I'm still trying to decide if I want to purchase Memory Maker this trip... Sorry I'm not much help!

 

[Aliceacc]

I'm pretty sure the money is refundable..at least Photopass used to be... If you don't think it was worth it. Maybe someone else knows?.

 

[slzer0]

I read MM was nonrefundable if bought ahead at the discounted $149

 

[ncurley]

I read MM was nonrefundable if bought ahead at the discounted $149

I think it is absolutely worth it. Especially if it includes the shots on all the big rides like it did when I went about a year ago. I know they are always tweaking things. It included Thunder Mtn Railroad, Expedition Everest, Splash Mountain, etc. They just have us a coupon # associated with the car we were riding in, and we took it to photo shops (in each park) to upload the pictures. It was very cool to have all those shots included. Do they still offer that?

Also remember to ask the photographers if they have any magic shots! Those are fun. Especially for MNSSHP if you happen to be there around Halloween.

 

[Monykalyn]

We had MM for our trip-definitely worth it for us (family of 5). Was so nice having all our ride photos, and character photos, and our SOA dinner photos. Was fun being able to put borders and character signatures on the photos too. I agree it doesn't take long to get a picture-be sure to stop at different times of day too (ie in am and pm in Epcot-Spaceship Earth lit up at night is very cool as is the Castle in MK.) Plus some of the Magic shots are just plain cool! We had my inlaws along for a couple days this trip and we have some great whole family photos-including one of my DS and his grandad looking at each other and screaming on ToT! that pic alone is worth the price

We got MM knowing we would take the time to stop for the pics though...

 

[mommymanda]

I still haven't purchased my package, but looking more and more like I will. A few more questions I hope someone can help me with, rather than starting a new thread.

We are having character meals at O'hana, Hollywood and Vine, and Akershus. From what I am seeing O'hana definitely participates. Akershus is most likely? They already include a photo, but will also add to your MM? Does this mean at Hollywood and Vine there is nobody to take photos but me? My boys are still Disney Junior ages so that is where they will recognize the characters. Due to all the character meals, we don't plan to wait for many character greets.

Is there a list somewhere with all the magic shot options around and where to look? All three of mine want the baby Simba picture, but if I'm going to get my $$ worth with MM I want as many as I can get.

Most recent ride list? The ride photos are what I was really excited about, it will be my kids first time on any type of roller coaster/fast ride. I really want to be able to see their faces (especially since I will not even be riding most, but waiting with my littlest). However the only fastpass+ we booked that are included is Test Track and Buzz Lightyear. I'm not saying we won't try others, but only if the stand by line is reasonable. We are also booked for Thunder Mountain and The Mine Train, any chance they've been added?


Finally how difficult is it to download the photos? From the resort? At home? I will only have my Iphone with me, but of course will love to check out the pictures on it each day. At home I plan to transfer them all onto a USB drive. Is this an easy thing to do, or will I need to research it?

Thanks

 

[nerderella]

I know you want people to convince you NOT to get it, but let me offer another view:

Each photo download/print is $14.95 if purchased individually on the website when you get home.

On our last trip at Christmas, DH and I went to every resort to get a photo in front of every tree for this year's Christmas card, we stopped just about every time we saw a photographer, got tons of character photos, and had tons of ride photos that were amazing-- all without altering our plans or how we spend days in the park (well, other than the great Christmas tree hunt). Since we did not have MM, we only purchased 6 downloads from this trip and it cost us $90. While we probably didn't need all 80-something photos taken of us, buying the photos after the fact really limited what we got due to cost. We left behind some great photos I would have kept otherwise.

For us, the up-front cost of $150 for unlimited photos and ride photos is so much more palatable than spending $15 per photo after you've come home. If you know you're going to want at least 10 photos from this trip, it's worth it.

 

[BlueHippo]

I have a good camera and take a lot of pictures. Never have gotten photopass before. Besides taking so many pictures myself the photopass photographers will take pictures with your camera (so I could be in some)...so I always felt like buying the whole package wasn't worth it. I've always come home and ordered a few photopass pictures (@ $15 a piece) that I liked better or had the special effects.

I WILL be ordering memory maker this time before we leave... for the last 2 trips there have been enough that I wish I could order but couldn't justify the after trip price. Still will bring my camera and take my own pictures.

 

[quakechicago]

I have the best reason in the world. Ours did not work in February. Anything scanned with my magic band showed up, but EVERYTHING my DH scanned disappeared never to be found again. And of course DH was gallant and scanned his the majority of the time. We ended up with about ten pics.

Never got a refund. Just a half-hearted sorry. Nothing we can do.

Nevertheless, I got suckered into buying it again. I'm too afraid we'll lose a phone or something before I get to back up everything.

And this time we're double scanning.