Has anyone actually used the prepaid photopass?

[Lisa808]

That thread is WAY too long to look through, anyone have first hand experience yet? or can sum up how this works and if it's worth it?

 

[Jkpark]

Whether it is worth the $ probably is different for each person. If you buy ride photos, or do a character meal and get the photo package, it is probably easier to answer yes. If you don't go that often, if you take longer trips, if you go in large groups - I think all of those things add to its value. We tried it out for the first time this weekend. I liked that we have several family photos taken by a real photographer and not the random stranger (who are sometimes great photogs!) Out of our 4 ride photos, Splash came out great. DD6 and DD4 are 42" but not over 45". You can't see their faces on RSR and DD6 and I had the back row on Space Mtn - so you can't see her their either. We did dine at Goofy's Kitchen and the picture did come out pretty good - but I don't usually buy those unless it is a special trip (birthday, trip with Grandma, etc.).

CMs are more used to it now than the earlier reports. I was in and out of the photo store at DCA exchanging my voucher within 2 minutes. At the dining and ride locations, no questions were asked about what it was - and all of those photos did appear on my card. Only snag was they are supposed to stamp the date, so at the rides they know you are within the 14 day window - and this wasn't done. It was asked about 2 of 4 times and at RSR they called someone to ask if they should still give me the photo (which they did). The photogs out in the park definitely did more with us having that lanyard than with families without.

For me (we go a few times a year and only stay 2 1/2 days) I wouldn't do this every trip. But we are going back in November with Grandma, 2 SIL and BIL and 4 cousins and we already purchased it for that trip! Hope this helps - feel free to ask any specific questions you might have.

 

[silence]

We used ours last week, no issues. I just spent an hour adding all the borders and editing pics. Now, I think we only had a total of 30 pics (ride and photopass) on our card. My kids hate standing in lines! However, with the ride pics and character meal pics (Goofy's and Minnie's) it was still well worth it for us. We have numerous photo CDs from over the years, and we always end up buying at least 1 ride photo, so having them all in one place is an added bonus for us.

 

[Lisa808]

I see, see we have a little one, 2.5 and we plan on character meals and seeing the characters but I don't think any of the rides he can actually get on take pictures. so this prepaid pass does work with character meals? that long thread was sooooo confusing on that point

 

[Lisa808]

We used ours last week, no issues. I just spent an hour adding all the borders and editing pics. Now, I think we only had a total of 30 pics (ride and photopass) on our card. My kids hate standing in lines! However, with the ride pics and character meal pics (Goofy's and Minnie's) it was still well worth it for us. We have numerous photo CDs from over the years, and we always end up buying at least 1 ride photo, so having them all in one place is an added bonus for us.

cool! we are doing goofy's and minnies too so I am happy to know it works! the site is blocked at work so how does it work, you show your pass before they take the picture? this is the same pass everyone is talking about in that huge thread right?

 

[Jkpark]

It does include both the digital download and the printed package at the character meals if you get the Photo Pass +. But note they can also take those pictures with your camera - so if you have a decent camera and are mostly thinking of character pictures/character meals, I would probably just capture those on my own camera and save the $.

 

[silence]

I see, see we have a little one, 2.5 and we plan on character meals and seeing the characters but I don't think any of the rides he can actually get on take pictures. so this prepaid pass does work with character meals? that long thread was sooooo confusing on that point

At Goofy's and Minnie's: They have photo sets that you can purchase. They take your picture before you enter with Goofy and then at the Plaza Inn, they take a family photo.

At Minnie's we got a printed 5x7 and 4 printed 4 x 6 photos in a nice folder. At Goofy's we got the same thing, in a folder with some recipes and a picture/postcard of Goofy, Pluto, Chip & Dale. I believe these normally cost $34? I dunno, it's been a while since we have bought the package. They took a picture of our photopass card and brought these to our table with a $0 charge receipt.

 

[Melissamg08]

Can you buy the photo pass at the park or online only??

 

[silence]

Can you buy the photo pass at the park or online only??

You can buy it in the park for $99, online it is only $69, but you must order 14 days before your trip.

 

[Melissamg08]

Thank you so much! I am leaving for Disneyland Friday so I will be buying it in the park

 

[teachU2]

We ate at Minnie and Friends last Thursday...to answer the question about character b-fasts.
We used our PhotoPass + card and received the printed picture package for free plus the pictures were placed digitally on our pass. Our pictures were taken on the porch right when we arrived. Poses: family and one with my son alone and the "magical" balloons were added to it. They are no PhotoPass photogs inside so you take your own pictures with the characters.

 

[martinolichfamily]

That thread is WAY too long to look through, anyone have first hand experience yet? or can sum up how this works and if it's worth it?

We are here right now and using it...I think that the $70 was worth it. They are selling it here for $99 I think I over heard?! We ate at Goofys Kitchen and used it...we got the picture package....if you usually buy those ..we do...so..just two of those and the prepay is paid for Already!

 

[krispin41]

My husband and I just got back, and we used the PP+ card. Loved it. We ate are Minnie's and Ariel's, rode all the rides that had pics several times. Not to mention everywhere I saw a PP photographer we stopped. I'm not one to hand my camera off to random people, so this was perfect for the pics of my DH and I together.

 

[teachU2]

Not to mention everywhere I saw a PP photographer we stopped. I'm not one to hand my camera off to random people, so this was perfect for the pics of my DH and I together.

I tried to do this as well, but sometimes my poor DS (5) said, "Aw, mom, another picture!!!" It was nice to have pictures taken of all of us together not just one parent with DS while the other takes the picture. I'm hoping to use some of the pictures for our Christmas cards.

 

[Happy 2 B Me]

We had one last year for our family trip ----- PHOTO PASS IS SOOOOOO WORTH EVERY PENNY----- I would pay even more for this service.

We learned a lot from using it last year.

1. make sure you get every adult one of the photo cards as they can add photos to the one photo pass using any of the numbers. Make sure at end of evening that pictures were indeed added. The only places you have to have the original pass number is on the rides like screaming, tower of terror, and the character meals. Make sure you carry it. It can be used for all memeber in the party though. ( These are the pictures taken at a certain spot on a ride and for restaurants were pictures are taken before meal)

2. get a list of all the photo pass areas where a photo cast memeber is located. There are lots.

3. get a list of all the photos that the cast member takes a picture that you can add items to the photo. This is like acting like you are holding ballons -- or holding a child that you appear to be holding down while the balloons seem to be pulling the child up. Tinker bell sitting in hand is another.

4. Photo CM is located in the meet and greet areas of toon town. We got some great Photo pass prints of Pooh and friends.

5. Have the CM take lots of pictures--- as you can add boarders, dates, holiday icons -- so many things to the pictures. You can take your christmas picture in summer for use at christmas time.

6. Best tip is TAKE LOTS AND LOTS OF PICTURES!!!!!

 

[Lisa808]

We had one last year for our family trip ----- PHOTO PASS IS SOOOOOO WORTH EVERY PENNY----- I would pay even more for this service.

We learned a lot from using it last year.

1. make sure you get every adult one of the photo cards as they can add photos to the one photo pass using any of the numbers. Make sure at end of evening that pictures were indeed added. The only places you have to have the original pass number is on the rides like screaming, tower of terror, and the character meals. Make sure you carry it. It can be used for all memeber in the party though. ( These are the pictures taken at a certain spot on a ride and for restaurants were pictures are taken before meal)

2. get a list of all the photo pass areas where a photo cast memeber is located. There are lots.

3. get a list of all the photos that the cast member takes a picture that you can add items to the photo. This is like acting like you are holding ballons -- or holding a child that you appear to be holding down while the balloons seem to be pulling the child up. Tinker bell sitting in hand is another.

4. Photo CM is located in the meet and greet areas of toon town. We got some great Photo pass prints of Pooh and friends.

5. Have the CM take lots of pictures--- as you can add boarders, dates, holiday icons -- so many things to the pictures. You can take your christmas picture in summer for use at christmas time.

6. Best tip is TAKE LOTS AND LOTS OF PICTURES!!!!!

who and how do you ask for these types? sounds so fun!

Do the hotels have photo ops? I am so buying one right now!

 

[mmoon]

SO worth it! I think it may have been the best purchase of the whole trip. We had so much fun with it, got GREAT memories with no hassle, tons of ride photos and Ariel's lunch print. The photographers were so cute and sweet with our girls, getting smiles and giggles and most importantly so many photos of the whole family together having a great time and making magical memories. I'm going through the photos right now and just so glad we went for the PhotoPass plus. As an extra note, from the reactions of the photographers as i handed them the card I get the feeling that they are encouraged to shoot more freely and encourage more poses with the plus. Almost every photographer seemed excited to the see the Plus card and really went all out.

Anyway, that was our experience with it - I'm going to go look at all the rest of the great photos (oh, and extra updated stock photos of Carsland and other places/characters in case that hasn't been mentioned since I know many felt the Gallery CD was outdated, and also the ride photos we took were available for download when I looked at my account this morning (got back last night).



-MM

 

[Lissame]

We really got a lot of value from it as well. We ended up with 260 photos on it all told--there are SO many more PP photographers there this year than in previous years. It seemed like many of the characters out and about had one, even the more obscure ones like Mr Incredible.

For us, they are totally worth the value for the night/dark photos alone. We have a great camera that takes wonderful photos in the daytime, but at night you just have to have a tripod to get clear shots. The ones around RSR at dark--amazing.

 

[Lisa808]

So I buy it online then trade it in at the park for a card?

Thanks again, you sold me!

 

[Lissame]

If you prepay and buy it online, you save some money. They send you a voucher, which you take to the photo shop and exchange for the Photopass Plus on a lanyard.