Do I really NEED a PHOTOPASS??

[JSG]

This is a half an answer, but I hope it helps a bit.

We just returned from a five-day trip. I pre-ordered the CD, which I'll be doing as a share with a cousin who's traveling next week. (Waiting to see our pix so I can delay the 30-day countdown until she returns is hard!)

I'll admit that while my eyes were always open for Photopass photographers, I also didn't go searching for them in every corner of that parks. That said, except for one very perfectly located photographer we found near the Muppet fountain at DHS, I'd say 99% of the Photopass photographers we found were on Main Street (or whatever the equal entrance area was for that park) . . . and always lots of them. I hope we got a few nice family pictures, but it wasn't much variation. We didn't do any special shots because DS 2.5 was squirmy enough, without trying to also pose him.

But the pre-order (especially when shared) is going to be totally worthwhile for the character greetings. DS was very intent on doing character greetings in every park and it moves SO fast, that I was really relieved to have someone totally ready, poised, used to the character poses, etc. just ready to get some shots for us. It makes me hopeful that we'll get some really nice pix, and took away some of that stress. They were especially amazing in the Camp Minnie Mickey greeting area at AK, where they were always ready for those wide-eyed "approach" shots, etc. Those were the most involved and invested Photopass photographers we met. But generally they were all very nice, and always offered to also take shots with my own camera.

Hope that helps!

 

[bumbershoot]

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!

If you check out stitchkingdom.com's section on photopass, he discusses the photo shoot. It's not free, but for something like only $25 you can get it included.

 

[puffkin]

We preordered the CD, but I didn't feel like we got enough pictures to make it worthwhile so I cancelled that. We did however do the photomovie with the photopass pictures and my own photos. My son loves it and we watch it at least weekly. It is such a cute souvenir.

We usually buy one group shot every year. It is nice to have everyone in the picutre and you can add some cute effects. It is also nice to go home and decide what you want rather than be pressured on the spot.

Its FREE, so give it a try!

 

[timmac]

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...

Last month, we used photopass, and I'd say it was worth it. Even more so if you can get in on a photopass share. (see the budget boards for more info)

I should first point out that it's not so much that you look for a photopass CM to take your picture, but rather that they are stationed at various locations (all the 'typical' places you might expect, to get a pic with the castle in the background, stuff like that), and in fact sometimes you have to "seek them out" a bit. A tip I recently heard is that you can actually ask them to take your picture at locations that are close to where they're working as well... they're supposed to stay within a radius (100 feet maybe? my memory doesn't serve me perfectly) of their assigned location, but have some mobility upon request.

On a very positive note, I found it was great that they were almost always in droves at character meet and greet locations and places like that, so when I was there with my four kids (when my wife and MIL went to do some shopping, lol) I didn't have to worry about getting my camera out or anything else, and I was free to just jump in the picture with them.

Also, you can find the thread on the Year of a Million Dreams board, but when my son tried to pull the sword from the stone (which he did!), the photopass guy auto-magically kind of materialized out of the pavement and got over a dozen shots... much nicer and quicker than I could have.

 

[rt2dz]

Last month, we used photopass, and I'd say it was worth it. Even more so if you can get in on a photopass share. (see the budget boards for more info)

I should first point out that it's not so much that you look for a photopass CM to take your picture, but rather that they are stationed at various locations (all the 'typical' places you might expect, to get a pic with the castle in the background, stuff like that), and in fact sometimes you have to "seek them out" a bit. A tip I recently heard is that you can actually ask them to take your picture at locations that are close to where they're working as well... they're supposed to stay within a radius (100 feet maybe? my memory doesn't serve me perfectly) of their assigned location, but have some mobility upon request.

On a very positive note, I found it was great that they were almost always in droves at character meet and greet locations and places like that, so when I was there with my four kids (when my wife and MIL went to do some shopping, lol) I didn't have to worry about getting my camera out or anything else, and I was free to just jump in the picture with them.

Also, you can find the thread on the Year of a Million Dreams board, but when my son tried to pull the sword from the stone (which he did!), the photopass guy auto-magically kind of materialized out of the pavement and got over a dozen shots... much nicer and quicker than I could have.

That just reminded me, when my kids were meeting with a bunch of various characters and getting autographs, DH was taking pictures of them. We’d put DS2 in at the end since he wasn’t getting autographs and wasn’t going to sit around waiting. The photopass guy took a ton of candid pictures of DS2 getting all excited at seeing the characters and there also a few were he was snuggled up with me and giving me a hug. Those were some of our favorite photos. It was a group meet and the photopass photographer moved with you through the group rather than switching photographers with each new character.

 

[jjjmranch]

We used Photopass and I'm so happy we did. Like many, me "the mom" never seems to make it in any photos. I had to have my 6 year old son take my picture, because my DH never thinks about it. I loved it just for that. Mom does get to be in some pictures at the World too. I especially loved it when we met characters and the photopass photographers got shots of my DSs' walking in to a surprise character meet and greet. Well worth preordering the CD.

 

[Barb D]

When we were there over Spring Break (busy time) last year there were Photopass photographers all over the place. We got tons of great pics, and bought the CD. When we were there in May this year (slower time) we hardly saw any photographers, and only got a few pics. This time I'm only going to get a couple of 5X7s.

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.

Yes, you can upload your own photos to the Photopass site and include them in the book if you want. They also have some good "stock" photos you can use (the castle with fireworks behind it, etc.) Some of the stock photos are outdated though; for instance some of the pics of the Epcot ball still have the hand in them even though the hand got taken down last year.

 

[madysmom]

Thank you!!

 

[MickeyP]

Can anyone direct me to where the Grand Floridian photo shoot comes w/ the pre-order? TIA