Do I really NEED a PHOTOPASS??

[tkmmc]

I take A LOT of pictures myself. Do I really need a Photopass? I have a decent digital camera so I'm not sure about the benefit of the Photopass? Does it provide some amazing photo quality that I wouldn't otherwise have. I'm not sure about looking for a CM when I want my family's picture taken rather than just taking it myself. The biggest perk I can see is having more pictures of the whole family rather than the kids and myself or husband and kids. One of the photosessions at the resorts is out for us - my kids and husband already think I'm camera crazy in my own right. They'd really hate having to take time out of our vacation for a professional photosession. Please help me decide...

 

[LadyShea]

We found the photopass easy to use, and nice shots, but way, way too expensive for us to buy the CD or any prints. Most people find it worth it, but we did not.

 

[tinkgirl2007]

We personally don't ever use the photopass. You can always have the pictures taken and then decide on whether you like the pictures when you get back and then order the cd. Also, any of the photographers will be more than happy to take pictures with your camera as well. Often times when we are taking pictures if a CM is looking they walk up and ask if we would like a group shot anyway. For our family no, but I am sure someone will say that it is a must do. Also, if I was going to get it I would make sure to stop at each place and have a picture taken just to make sure I got my moneys worth. To me this would be a hassel. JMO though.

 

[Wildflowerz]

Preorder it. When you get back, if you look at the pics and don't like them, you can get all your money back and you're out nothing. If you like them, then you've saved $25 by preordering.

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

No, you don't need photopass. They give you some cute shots with add-ons like baby Simba and Tinkerbell ... but nothing that spectacular.

 

[rt2dz]

Using the photopass service doesn't cost anything, so I don't understand the question if you "need" it or not. Have photos taken. If anything strikes you as a must have, purchase. If not, don't. It's not really a big deal.

Now, if you are asking if it is necessary to buy the photopass CD, of course not. We pre-purchase it. If we have enough photos that we want, we keep it. Otherwise, we get the money refunded.

We use photopass to get some of the cuter shots, like having the ghosts in at HM. We also use it for full family photos. But like I said, getting those photos doesn't mean we buy those photos. It's giving us options. I'm an options girl.

 

[JustinsMommy07]

I think the great thing about it is that it doesn't cost anything to have your picture taken and you don't have to make a decision about buying the pictures on the spot. The photographers will also take your picture with your own camera if you want. If you get back and you like the pictures you can buy them. We were never big photopass people, but it never failed that when we got back I liked alot of the shots and wanted them. The order would end up costing a ridiculous amount of money. So finally, after reading about it on these boards, I pre-ordered the photopass cd for our upcoming trip. Now we have to hunt down the photopass people!!!!

 

[Disneychix]

I've never done the photopass. I'm not the type to wait around and seek out photographers so I'd probably end up with about 10 pictures on it.

That being said, this year I did preorder as it will be the first year with my DS. My Dh thinks I'm crazy. I just might be. Haven't decided yet.

Hanging out on these boards sometimes makes you do crazy things

 

[ekball]

Two things I especially liked about getting the Photopass CD last year....
1. Mom was actually represented during the vacation!!! I made it into our family shots for the first time ever! My children will someday be able to look back and remember that yes, mom did indeed join us for our family vacations.
2. We did the GF photo shoot last year, since it was free with the pre-purchase. It didn't take that much time at all (we stayed at the Poly so it was convenient for us to get there), we got some great shots, and (most importantly) we didn't have lug the kids to the mall at holiday time to try and get the annual Christmas card shot! DH and I absolutely hate the hassle of getting their picture made at the mall for card time, so this was HUGE for us. I ended up with at least 6 or 7 darling shots of the kids to choose from. Chose my fave 3, and used them to make a very cute card on shutterfly. SOOOOO worth it for that alone!!

 

[xipetotec]

I take A LOT of pictures myself. Do I really need a Photopass? I have a decent digital camera so I'm not sure about the benefit of the Photopass? Does it provide some amazing photo quality that I wouldn't otherwise have. I'm not sure about looking for a CM when I want my family's picture taken rather than just taking it myself. The biggest perk I can see is having more pictures of the whole family rather than the kids and myself or husband and kids. One of the photosessions at the resorts is out for us - my kids and husband already think I'm camera crazy in my own right. They'd really hate having to take time out of our vacation for a professional photosession. Please help me decide...

I just went a couple of months ago with a brand new Canon SLR, took *SO* many pictures ( talk about camera crazy, I took over 2000 shots. Hey! It's hard to get that perfect fireworks picture! ).

I would say that photopass doesn't HURT to have taken. I mean I wouldn't schedule a session or anything, but it's a free service. So go ahead and take the card. The added bonus is the photopass photographers will be happy to take pictures with YOUR camera as well so you can be in the shot.

When you get home, it's still fun to log on to the photopass site and see what the pictures they took looks like, and who knows? Maybe you'll se a shot there that you didn't get? And if you don't, it doesn't cost you anything.

 

[clorenzen]

You can also join a photopass share which reduces the cost of the prepurchased CD as long as you don't mind a few others seeing your photos. My other thought is that you don't really have to "seek out" CMs for this. They are usually in all the photo op spots anyway.

 

[1rockinmamato2]

We love doing Photopass. It is so simple and easy and I don't have to worry about my own camera, especially when meeting characters.

Actually, and dare I say this and not get flamed, the people handing over their own cameras for the Photopass photographers to take pictures with really held up the lines because then they'd want Photopass pictures done too.

 

[scootch]

I didn't think it was worth it.... till they came out with the 99 dollar preorder... then last year that is what I did and I didn't take photos when the photographers did.. I just sat back and watched and/or videotaped. I also got in a TON of pictures. We ended up with over 300 in 5 days! I would tell my kids to jump out of the stroller and just smile quick. I really liked all the extra photos too(tinkerbell in hand, simba, stitch) and the borders you can add..... so for us, it was well worth it.....

I did make a book at shutterfly with my pics, if you would like to see it, pm me your email address and i will send you a link to it.

 

[CTmommyx3]

We did not get too many shots in April but it was still well worth it for me. We got a few nice shots with all of us in front of the castle, my dd had tons from the bbb.
But while we were seeing the princesses I was holding my 16 month old and the diaper bag! So to have those great moments captured for me was great. I asked the photopass girl to take lots since I could not and she got some great shots! So I figured I would have bought at least the 3 princess ones, the one with the kids with Mickey and Minnie, the castle 1, and at least 1-2 of the bbb makeover/. So for me to have the rights to print them and have all I want for each kids rooms, plus to give to grandparents. It was well worth the 99!!!
Next trip I will preorder again!

 

[SweetPeasMom2]

Being the picture person I am, I will be all over this. Even though they will take shots with your camera, there are some things you can get done with the photopass cds. I can never have enough photos. I also am not in many pictures because I'm normally the one taking them.

 

[littleteapot]

I loooooooooooovvvvvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeeeeeee photopass. My dh took 1200+ pictures on our 10 day vacation, but I still love the photopass pictures. We got some wonderful family pictures that wouldn't have been possible if photopass wasn't available. We were there 10 days and had 100 or so photopass images on our cd. Totally worth it for us. The photopass guys were always happy to take a few with there camera and then some with dh's.

 

[JuliaK+3]

I got an e-mail about the photopass preorder the other day. I thought $99 was crazy but now it's starting to make sense.

Does anyone know how much the pics are a la carte? In other words, how much 4 - 8x10s or something cost? I ALWAYS take tons of pics so it would be a hard sell to DH but like so many others posted, I'm not in any pics either.

Do they take pics at the resorts also? We're planning on have a hotel day during our trip.

 

[bumbershoot]

I got an e-mail about the photopass preorder the other day. I thought $99 was crazy but now it's starting to make sense.

Does anyone know how much the pics are a la carte? In other words, how much 4 - 8x10s or something cost? I ALWAYS take tons of pics so it would be a hard sell to DH but like so many others posted, I'm not in any pics either.

Do they take pics at the resorts also? We're planning on have a hotel day during our trip.

A 5x7 is 12.95.

Part of the cost in the CD is that you get the official permission to have the pictures printed anywhere you want. You don't have to buy the prints from Disney, but you can upload them to shutterfly, take them to costco pictures, go to a fancy schmancy photo place, wherever you want! And you can make multiple prints to send to all your family members, vs just having one and having to make prints somewhere without the permission to do so. That's the main part of the expense for me, to have that permission.

I don't think they have photogs at the resorts, except for the Grand Floridian photoshoot, and you can read about that under the appropriate section on stitchkingdom.com.

 

[JuliaK+3]

SOLD!!! Thanks Bumbershoot!!! One of the best pics DH and I have together was taken at Epcot during the Millenium Celebration. All we need is 6 great pics to break even I guess.

 

[madysmom]

Has anyone purchased a photo book through the photopass service? I am wondering if I will be able to include photos from my own camera in the photo book or if I have to use only photopass photos.

Also, someone mentioned a free photo shoot if you prepurchase...was this a special offer or is a free photo shoot included for anyone who pre-purcahases?

Thanks to anyone who can help!