Have a Photopass Question? Ask me!

[Cirlonde]

Hi, ChanaC!

Thanks again for answering all of our questions so patiently! I've got another one having to do with character poses. I've been trying to come up with some "outside the box" ideas for character photos. Since I work for the University of Oklahoma and it's kind of a "thing" to make the OU symbol using your arms (you know, think YMCA song/dance) I was wondering about posing like this with a character.

I'm envisioning myself making the O (arms over my head in a circle, fingers touching) and the character making the U (basically arms straight up, perhaps bent at the elbows a bit). Do you think this could be problematic? Either from a "physically not capable for a costumed character to do it" reason or from a policy reason (like...Disney affiliated folks aren't allowed to do that kind of thing).

I'm terribly shy and honestly a little worried about approaching characters for pictures as an adult with no kids anyway, so I'm trying to be as prepared as I can possibly be so that I will (hopefully) not look too terribly foolish!!

 

[AngiTN]

Pete's Silly Sideshow doesn't have rooms. And honestly- I don't think this is something that should be discussed (I know I would be annoyed if I was at TST or Fairytale Hall, and a guest came up asking questions about "separate rooms"

I always assumed the multi room M&G were extremely common knowledge and not anywhere near a secret.

 

[ChanaC]

Hi, ChanaC!

Thanks again for answering all of our questions so patiently! I've got another one having to do with character poses. I've been trying to come up with some "outside the box" ideas for character photos. Since I work for the University of Oklahoma and it's kind of a "thing" to make the OU symbol using your arms (you know, think YMCA song/dance) I was wondering about posing like this with a character.

I'm envisioning myself making the O (arms over my head in a circle, fingers touching) and the character making the U (basically arms straight up, perhaps bent at the elbows a bit). Do you think this could be problematic? Either from a "physically not capable for a costumed character to do it" reason or from a policy reason (like...Disney affiliated folks aren't allowed to do that kind of thing).

I'm terribly shy and honestly a little worried about approaching characters for pictures as an adult with no kids anyway, so I'm trying to be as prepared as I can possibly be so that I will (hopefully) not look too terribly foolish!!

That should be ok and I know I've seen some similar poses (like Ohio). The photographer may offer to use your camera only since some poses or signs might compromise the character's "look" and thus can't be photographed by us. For examples, the characters can't hold trademarked signs, newspapers, or sign non-Disney things. There is usually no problem if you use your own camera and make sure it is family appropriate.

If you really look at a character during an interaction you can see how their arms are. Characters like Mike, Sully, King Louie, or Wreak-it-Ralph don't have "real" arms, as in the performers arms are not or barely in the arm pieces, making moving them too hard or impossible.

If it makes you feel better, adults always jump in character photos. I would say 30% of the groups in any character line have no kids with them. You are not going to look weird. Just make sure to communicate with the character and respect their time.

 

[Joanna71985]

I'm sorry, but I feel character integrity should be kept (especially from a CM)

 

[m3retired]

Oh my goodness. I'm pretty sure anyone on this board knows that's NOT the "real" Cinderella, and that no one Cinderella works all day, every day, all year. C'mon now.

 

[ChanaC]

Update on Magic Shots:

Simba magic at Animal Kingdom is going away! It will be replaced with another not announced Lion King related shot. This will happen around the end of the month.

Olaf magic is now done at Epcot as well as Studios! Look for him in World Showcase and some Future World locations. Rumor is he will also be introduced into Magic Kingdom but as of what I know there are no dates announced yet.

Wings magic is also done in Magic Kingdom. In my original magic shot post I only listed it in Epcot since I don't know MK well, but a cast member mentioned that they can do it.

I'll end with a picture of Olaf magic! Once again, this isn't mine, just found on Google.

 

[kevin75]

Hello Chana (and everyone else)...

My wife and I are going in Nov. for the first time since Jan. 2011 and so things have changed. If nothing else, we will be taking our two children (DD 3/DD 1) for their first trip. The last two times we went, we purchased photopass and used it as well as our own camera. In researching the MM as opposed to the photo pass, I am curious about a couple of things.

In the past, we've never really been ride picture people, and with this trip, we may not be riding those rides much as our daughters may or may not be tall enough (or brave enough) to ride them. So that may not interest us much....

However, we will be doing some character meals and so those pics do interest us. On the other hand though, we are wondering if we could just get by with handing our camera to someone to have our picture taken. We think that for the day shots this might work, but we aren't really sure about night pictures, readily admitting that the Disney pics would most assuredly be better.

That being said, am I correct in my thinking that if we were to try this approach, if we did not preorder at $149, if we get back and decide that the MM pics are better, we would have to order it at $199?

Also, if we aren't interested in ride or character meal pics, we could still order the PP+ CD for $119? And with that, we still get the pictures, just on CD instead of downloaded?

Thank You for your help!

 

[AngiTN]

Hello Chana (and everyone else)...

My wife and I are going in Nov. for the first time since Jan. 2011 and so things have changed. If nothing else, we will be taking our two children (DD 3/DD 1) for their first trip. The last two times we went, we purchased photopass and used it as well as our own camera. In researching the MM as opposed to the photo pass, I am curious about a couple of things.

In the past, we've never really been ride picture people, and with this trip, we may not be riding those rides much as our daughters may or may not be tall enough (or brave enough) to ride them. So that may not interest us much....

However, we will be doing some character meals and so those pics do interest us. On the other hand though, we are wondering if we could just get by with handing our camera to someone to have our picture taken. We think that for the day shots this might work, but we aren't really sure about night pictures, readily admitting that the Disney pics would most assuredly be better.

That being said, am I correct in my thinking that if we were to try this approach, if we did not preorder at $149, if we get back and decide that the MM pics are better, we would have to order it at $199?

Also, if we aren't interested in ride or character meal pics, we could still order the PP+ CD for $119? And with that, we still get the pictures, just on CD instead of downloaded?

Thank You for your help!

Yes, if you wait till you get back you will pay $199 for the MM package

The item that you want that gives you a CD and does not include rides or meal photos is called the Photopass Archive disk. PP+ no longer exists.

Which character meals are you doing? That makes a difference as to if MM is beneficial or not. CRT and Askerhus are included with the meal.

Those that you can have put on MM are
'Ohana breakfast
CM
HDDR
1900PF
Tusker House
Probably 1-2 more I'm overlooking

Interesting thing about all those that are NOT included with the price of the meal, no character is included in the pic. Those interest me even less so it's worth pointing out since maybe others are less interested in them too

 

[siskaren]

That being said, am I correct in my thinking that if we were to try this approach, if we did not preorder at $149, if we get back and decide that the MM pics are better, we would have to order it at $199?

Also, if we aren't interested in ride or character meal pics, we could still order the PP+ CD for $119? And with that, we still get the pictures, just on CD instead of downloaded?

Thank You for your help!

Actually, you can't purchase MM after you get home. You can wait until you get there to purchase it, which would cost you $199. What you can pre-order for $119 is the PhotoPass Archive CD - the PhotoPass + CD is no longer available - and yes, it does not include the ride and dining photos, and you do get them on a CD. (I think you can get them downloaded instead if you prefer.)

 

[ChanaC]

The other two commentators pretty much covered it. You can pre-purchase MM or buy it in the park (for more) at the beginning of the trip. You can get the CD before or after. You can also do a direct download to your computer after. However, in most cases, you will only get your attraction or dining photos if you purchased MM so you will not get them with a CD. As for the ride and dining photos:

The rides with photos are:
- Buzz Lightyear Spaceranger Spin (MK)
- Splash Mountain (MK)
- Space Mountain (MK)
- Test Track (Epcot)
- Rockin Roller Coaster (Studios)
- Tower of Terror (Studios)
- Everest (AK)
- Dinosaur (AK)

Those are all pretty intense rides for a toddler (except Buzz). Unless you do a child swap or take some time for yourself you may not use this feature much.

The dining photos are:
- Chef Mickeys
- Ohana (Breakfast only)
- Spirit of Aloha dinner show
- 1900 Park Fare
- Hoop De Do Revue dinner show
- Tusker House

Like the previous commentator said, Cinderella's Royal Table and Askerhus pictures come with the meal. Those pictures include Cinderella and Belle respectfully. The other dining photos are just family pictures with no characters. Tusker House used to include Donald but not anymore. Here are some examples:

Chef Mickey's

1900 Park Fare

Hoop De Do

As you can see, they are group photos rather than character interaction photos. They can be nice but chances are you can get just as nice of a photo in the parks. If you aren't planning on visiting these restaurants than MM might not be for you. Even if you do visit, a CM will use your camera too if you ask.

My advice to you might be to use a regular photopass card of magic band to collect photos and than take a look at them when you get home. The CD or download is $169, but since toddlers and babies can be finicky who knows how many good photos you will get. I know when I was little I was terrified of the characters so we never did any character interactions. If there are a few photos you like you can go al la carte and just get a few. In the parks there is a "Capture the Magic" photo package that includes a stock photo, 2 5x7's and 2 sets of 4x6's (they print out as doubles). That's four poses, six prints for $29.95.

Overall, its your choice. Take a look a few pages back, I wrote a guide to getting the most out of a MM. Hope this helps!

 

[AngiTN]

Actually, you can't purchase MM after you get home. You can wait until you get there to purchase it, which would cost you $199. What you can pre-order for $119 is the PhotoPass Archive CD - the PhotoPass + CD is no longer available - and yes, it does not include the ride and dining photos, and you do get them on a CD. (I think you can get them downloaded instead if you prefer.)

Good point. I don't know what I was thinking. Of course you can't prepurchase at home. You wouldn't be able to add your ride photos. You can get the archive disk after you get home but not MM.

 

[ChanaC]

Ok guys, now I have a question for you! I never get to see the photos that I take unless I go out of my way to look them up (which, depending which park your working at, can be challenging). That's why I'm asking everyone to post one or two really good photopass photos you have had taken. It's for no particular reason, just to see what other photographers are doing and to get some ideas for later. Also, I like hearing the stories behind photos which a lot of times I just miss because it can be so busy in the parks. Let me know if you have a special photo you don't mind showing!

 

[AngiTN]

I have hundreds of great shots. I'm one that will hit up every Photographer we see that doesn't have a line of guests.

Here are a couple I have on Photobucket

This photographer took some time to get some really close up shots that I thought came out really sweet.

And as you have mentioned, some of the best shots with characters are the candid ones

Anastasia making kitty noises with Marie

Ariel always gets a kick our of DGD because she and Ariel's daughter share a name

Talking tattoos with Rapunzel

Dancing with Pooh

Kisses for Pluto

And this one caught the joy in the moment DGD saw Mickey for the very first time.

 

[preemiemama]

I cannot post pictures but my profile picture is one taken last year in Epcot. My DS is 14 and had years in his eyes when Pooh hugged him!

We had several from last year that I love- the best ones are the candids like this when the person is taking pictures during the initial interactions like you said in one of your initial posts. Not everyone does that- I appreciate that you do!

If anyone can tell me how to post more I would be glad to! Maybe I don't have enough posts?

 

[siskaren]

I cannot post pictures but my profile picture is one taken last year in Epcot. My DS is 14 and had years in his eyes when Pooh hugged him!

We had several from last year that I love- the best ones are the candids like this when the person is taking pictures during the initial interactions like you said in one of your initial posts. Not everyone does that- I appreciate that you do!

If anyone can tell me how to post more I would be glad to! Maybe I don't have enough posts?

You need to have your pictures on a site like Photobucket or Flickr. You only need to have 10 posts to post pictures.

 

[preemiemama]

You need to have your pictures on a site like Photobucket or Flickr. You only need to have 10 posts to post pictures.

That would be why- I don't have them on a site like that. Thanks for the insight!

 

[Joanna71985]

Oh my goodness. I'm pretty sure anyone on this board knows that's NOT the "real" Cinderella, and that no one Cinderella works all day, every day, all year. C'mon now.

That wasn't what I was referring to (but cast members should still be careful what they post, as I know for a fact that Disney has people following message boards)

 

[kevin75]

The other two commentators pretty much covered it. You can pre-purchase MM or buy it in the park (for more) at the beginning of the trip. You can get the CD before or after. You can also do a direct download to your computer after. However, in most cases, you will only get your attraction or dining photos if you purchased MM so you will not get them with a CD. As for the ride and dining photos:

The rides with photos are:
- Buzz Lightyear Spaceranger Spin (MK)
- Splash Mountain (MK)
- Space Mountain (MK)
- Test Track (Epcot)
- Rockin Roller Coaster (Studios)
- Tower of Terror (Studios)
- Everest (AK)
- Dinosaur (AK)

Those are all pretty intense rides for a toddler (except Buzz). Unless you do a child swap or take some time for yourself you may not use this feature much.

The dining photos are:
- Chef Mickeys
- Ohana (Breakfast only)
- Spirit of Aloha dinner show
- 1900 Park Fare
- Hoop De Do Revue dinner show
- Tusker House


My advice to you might be to use a regular photopass card of magic band to collect photos and than take a look at them when you get home. The CD or download is $169, but since toddlers and babies can be finicky who knows how many good photos you will get. I know when I was little I was terrified of the characters so we never did any character interactions. If there are a few photos you like you can go al la carte and just get a few. In the parks there is a "Capture the Magic" photo package that includes a stock photo, 2 5x7's and 2 sets of 4x6's (they print out as doubles). That's four poses, six prints for $29.95.

Overall, its your choice. Take a look a few pages back, I wrote a guide to getting the most out of a MM. Hope this helps!

Thanks for all of the responses everyone! Our character meals are going to be Crystal Palace and Hollywood and Vine Lunch buffet. Also, most of the rides posted above, we will be doing single rider or child swap and so, I think that the best bet we have is going to be the Photopass Archive disc. All we really care about is the pictures in the park. We are also good with a CD instead of downloads. We will still have the rights to print the pictures if we get the CD correct?

 

[ChanaC]

Thanks for all of the responses everyone! Our character meals are going to be Crystal Palace and Hollywood and Vine Lunch buffet. Also, most of the rides posted above, we will be doing single rider or child swap and so, I think that the best bet we have is going to be the Photopass Archive disc. All we really care about is the pictures in the park. We are also good with a CD instead of downloads. We will still have the rights to print the pictures if we get the CD correct?

Of course. Once you buy the photos you own the rights to them so you can print them, email them, burn a CD or anything else you want to do.

When people in the parks ask me about the archive disc, I always tell them that there are three options (if you didn't pre-purchase). For $169.95, you can:
1. Go to the camera centers/view stations on property and ask for a CD/DVD to be burnt.
2. Go to the center/station and get the Value Pack. In the VP is a gallery CD with 350+ stock photos and a voucher to go online and make a CD. You can add borders, signatures, stickers and essentially triple your photos (since you get a copy of the original photo plus I think 3 copies with borders). Then the CD/DVD will be mailed to you.
3. Go online and play with all the photos than download them.

They are all the same price, to my knowledge (apparently random deals and specials pop up online). The options all depend on if you want to walk away with a CD or if you feel like playing online with the photos and borders. Once again, it's up to you! I do agree the MM might not be for you since it seems that most of your group wouldn't be on the rides and because the restaurants you are going to don't take photos. Good luck!

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

Hope that helps and doesn't ruin too much magic. I also hope I don't get in trouble...

Don't worry... I'm pretty sure around here everyone knows this "secret" haha