Have a Photopass Question? Ask me!

[mmfox316]

Do you pre purchase PP+ or do you buy it after your stay?

 

[siskaren]

Do you pre purchase PP+ or do you buy it after your stay?

PP+ isn't available anymore; it was replaced by Memory Maker. You can either purchase MM before your trip (and save $50) or buy it at the parks after you arrive.

 

[mmfox316]

MM is being offered to me for $149 . But then there is the PP for $169. That is where I am confused. I want to go to the park, have pics taken and then get all of them on a cd or by download so I can have them printed.

 

[CaryHaven]

OK. I've been reading these boards for a while, now, and never felt the need to ask a question, because I could always get the answer by reading other posts. But now I just HAD to register and ask, because I keep reading contradicting information. Leaving for WDW in 2 days ( ) and we have purchased MM. We're a party of 6 adults: Me and DH, my brother and SIL, and my parents. We have three separate reservations, but we've linked all our My Disney Experience accounts. When I look at my family and friends list, every one says "X can view and purchase your PhotoPass photos"

If my dad (who is the Memory Maker "owner" is not with us on a particular ride, can I scan my band and will he be able to download it as part of his MM? I've seen posts that say yes, posts that say no, Disney's website is confusing... Help!

From what I understand, YES he can download everyone's pictures and distribute them as he likes to each of you. Anyone can add pictures to the MM as long as they are linked in MDE. I think (someone correct me if I'm wrong) when it says "X can view and purchase your PP photos" it is meaning something separate and in addition to MM.

 

[siskaren]

MM is being offered to me for $149 . But then there is the PP for $169. That is where I am confused. I want to go to the park, have pics taken and then get all of them on a cd or by download so I can have them printed.

Memory Maker includes all ride and dining photos as well as all the pictures taken by PhotoPass photographers and is available as download only. The PhotoPass CD (PhotoPass is the photo-taking service) is just the regular PhotoPass pictures (no ride or dining photos) and can be pre-ordered for $119 here:

https://mydisneyphotopass.disney.go.com/wdwsave

 

[ChanaC]

. With that said I do actually have a question. Are you guys still doing the frame prop. I saw that alot on our last trip which was March 2013. And I thought the pictures would turn out great, but they didn't. I had envisioned that the photographer would angle the picture if possible to place Disney icon in the frame and it didn't happen. Maybe it isn't even possible, it's just that I thought it looked like the coolest thing when we took the pictures and then was so upset when I saw the pictures.

Hi there! Yes, the frames can be misleading. It all depends on the photographer. As of now I know the most popular locations with frames is one location on Hollywood Blvd in Studios and at Everest in DAK. Personally, I hate using them. Why? Because when you pull it out all of a sudden you hear a million family scream, "A FRAME!" and run in your direction. It's supposed to be used as a "secondary" photo, so we get the family and the icon THEN add the frame. Too many people insist on using just the frame and get mad when I try to get a normal photo or worse, people will literally grab it for their own photos. It's madness.

When I am forced to use it and decide to be nice and not hide it behind a bush or something (don't tell my leaders!), I try to use it for a nice family shot. I try to get everyone's face in the fame, ignoring the icon behind them. For example, the castle can be too large to include it inside. If I'm at Everest, the angle DOES allow me to get low enough to get the mountain in the frame. I've seen some creative shots where the photographer will get the kids to hold up the frame from the outside and have the inside be just the icon, as if they are showcasing it.

Good example:

I believe this is in Epcot behind Spaceship Earth. It's not perfect but the focus of the photo is the family

Bad example:

Same location, but now you have no idea what to look at. The couple? The ball? It seems unnecessary, bulky, and overall distracting.

Unfortunately, many photographers are either not trained well enough, are not creative enough, or just don't care enough to make those frame photos actually look good. It looks like the guy taking that frame photo didn't do a great job. This just proves that even if you see a frame and want to use it, it doesn't mean it will be a great, or even good, photo. At least you have some other good photos!

Note: Both photos are not mine. They were found in a Google search.

 

[ChanaC]

Hi!

I was wondering if it's the norm for Photopass photographers to not take pictures when it's sprinkling. Not raining, but misting. Someone refused us last time while it was barely sprinkling and wouldn't come out from the Main Street awning, but not far ahead was another photographer clicking away. I was wondering which is the usual? DH was pretty upset at the guy's attitude, but I don't know. Maybe it's a rule? And we did end up going to the next photographer. She just had a line waiting which is why we asked him in the first place.

It depends on the rain. If it is misting (very light rain, just occasional drops) I will usually stand out but have my rain jacket covering the camera. That way I can grab a photo but keep the camera covered in between families. When it is sprinkling (a consistent but still light rain) we do have to step off because even taking the camera out for a minute will get it too wet. What we can sometimes to is stay in a covered area and shot from there. For example, look at the entrance to Epcot - there is a covering and if people don't mind getting wet we can still get some ok photos.

The only explanations I can think for the MK situation could be that:
- The rain was either just beginning or just ended so some photographers were still transitioning to the weather.
- One photographer was on a tripod and had to set it up
- The photographer shooting really shouldn't have been shooting but had a line and didn't want to turn people away. Once the line went away they may have ran for cover.

 

[claryche]

Thanks ChanaC. I might have to keep a lookout for the one in AK, to see if we could get a picture with the frame like I see it in my mind. Because ours turned out like the one I posted at MK and our Epcot ones were just like the bad example that you posted.

 

[m3retired]

I gotta say-- the frame pictures are my least favorite. They ALL look kind of awkward.

 

[Cais]

I gotta say-- the frame pictures are my least favorite. They ALL look kind of awkward.

I've seen a few decent ones but it's a really tough shot to pull off.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[ChanaC]

The same is true (in my opinion) with most photos taken on a tripod. People always run towards a tripod when they see it but sometimes you just get some awful photos. For example:

- A photographer doesn't properly place the group so they are off center.
- The tripods are set up at adult level, so if you want just a kid they will look too small compared to the icon or there is too much space in the photo.
- Large groups make the photographer zoom out, making the photo wider and the icon smaller.

If you want an individual shot of a smaller child or a large group photo, go to a photographer without a tripod, unless it's dark and that's your only option. Also, tripods mean no magic shots!

Personally, I hate tripods. Nothing is more irritating than people who will just stand in front of the camera without saying anything! I'm a human, you need to communicate with me!

 

[seshat0120]

I've been learning a lot from reading this thread and will continue to follow along with it. Thanks!

 

[emilymad]

Is it possible to still get the old photopass card even though we have MBs? MM is included with our reservation in June but we don't want to actually use MM until our September trip. Guest Services said this wasn't a problem as long we didn't download any pictures. I was wondering if I got an old fashioned card for the June trip we could get pictures that way? Or since we would still have to add that to our MDE it would still "activate" the MM? Does any of that make sense?

Thanks for all the wonderful information!

 

[lizard1]

Is it possible to still get the old photopass card even though we have MBs? MM is included with our reservation in June but we don't want to actually use MM until our September trip. Guest Services said this wasn't a problem as long we didn't download any pictures. I was wondering if I got an old fashioned card for the June trip we could get pictures that way? Or since we would still have to add that to our MDE it would still "activate" the MM? Does any of that make sense?

Thanks for all the wonderful information!

I would liike to know this too...my mom was told that if she bought a MM it would automatically be used on her next trip, not the trip she would choose to use it on.

 

[Cais]

Memory maker isn't activated until you download your first photo. Until then... It lurks.

Yeah you can use PhotoPass cards. Site doesn't care how you collect photos, you can do it any way you like. I have an original PhotoPass card I use sometimes - it still refers to MGM studios

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Cais]

Memory maker isn't activated until you download your first photo. Until then... It lurks.

Yeah you can use PhotoPass cards. Site doesn't care how you collect photos, you can do it any way you like. I have an original PhotoPass card I use sometimes - it still refers to MGM studios

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[ChanaC]

Yes you can still get a card. We still give away tons of them. Every photographer should have a stack on them at all times. Some people with band still prefer to use the cards. I would say about 40% of people still use them. I'm not sure what will happen once you get online though. What you can always do is by prints in the park if you really like some of the photos. You can also buy a CD/DVD in the park of all your photos for $169.

 

[Alicatt]

This may already have been answered, but we did this last time. We didn't do BBB but wanted to get some "one year old" pictures while we were already getting PP. It's next to BBB and according to CMs, the princesses are given first priority, but yes anyone can use them. They only have one area that I saw and it's just a plain backdrop. There is a couch for the BBB princesses to lounge on if you want to use that. Otherwise, expect a no frills photo shoot or bring props.

Thank you!!

 

[RunDisney Crazy]

[[[Quote:
Originally Posted by MomOfWesAndNorah View Post
How many pics do I need to have taken to make the memory maker "worth it?" As in, cheaper than buying individual pics rights?

Individual pictures are $15, so 10 pictures. ]]]

I'm sorry if this has been asked or answered or both, just scanned through all the post but want to double check.

---I just came in January, and we would take a photo and they would scan the magic band afterwards. I probably purchased 8 pics at $15 a piece, so $120 -but you got two copies of each.
We are coming in October. Do I need photopass or magic maker??? I know at the Run Disney Expo they offered $30.00 off last time, good deal???

--- As mentioned earlier, we never had a card, they just scanned the magic band. Is the card used if you don't have the magic band????

---If we plan on ordering 10 or more pictures, it's a no brainer, correct????

--- Was the areas listed that have photopass photographers and those special magic pics (sorry, forgot the name)????

--- Didn't I read that you have to purchase the photopass or magic maker early, cause once purchased photos taken within three days will not show up???

--- And any other useful info you Disney pros may have.

Thanks everyone and especially the one who started this thread!!!!!

 

[RunDisney Crazy]

Also, I did the Dopey in January and you had to buy each race separate, you couldn't get one CD with all the pics unless it was the top package that had a bunch of added merchandise. Is this Photopass or do they use Marathon photo?