Is photopass worth it?

[momof2chipmunks]

My family (me, DH, DD4,DS2) will be making our first trip this November. I was deadset on buying the photopass option--thinking it would be nice to have ample opportunities to have our family picture taken in all of the parks. However, a few friends have told me that their pictures were terrible and a complete waste of money. I need some DISer's opinions on this. Any info would be appreciated.
TIA

 

[tam626]

I was'nt real impressed with it. I guess if you seek out the photographers & get lots & lots of photos, it might be worth it. I had trouble getting their attention alot of times.

 

[tjbaggott]

We had nurmerous photos taken on our first and last trip 3 years ago, never knew about the pre-ordering of the photo pass. Once home, and checking our photos online, most were SO much better than the ones from my own camera, but I could not afford to buy all them. It was really difficult picking and choosing which ones to order and which ones to pass on.
This year I've done the pre order CD and will have tons of photos taken and know we will have many good photos!

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Pre-Ordering the CD is worth it if you are going to order at least 8 of the pictures. Whether it's worth it other than that is a matter of personal preference. We always get the CD because for me...I always want more than 8 of the pictures, I'm into photography so pics are important to me, AND my DH does not know how to use my DSLR so I would never be in any pics except for photopass.

There are always going to be people who tell you that their photos came out lousy. But you simply can look around on TRs and see that most people get beautiful family pictures. Certainly, there are always a few bad ones!

I have never felt like I need to seek up PP photographers but that is because we got WDW yearly and know where they are. If it's your first trip, you may have to look around a bit.

We typically get over 200 pictures every year with edits/borders so that is why it's always worth it to us

 

[LWatson]

I loved our Photopass and we bought the CD after the trip (werent aware of prepaying) and an extra for like $10 or so (I cant remember). We had over 200 pictures. We usually got them taken whenever we saw a photographer. Its nice because then I can be in the pics too instead of behind the camera.

 

[smkiya]

I loved our Photopass and we bought the CD after the trip (werent aware of prepaying) and an extra for like $10 or so (I cant remember). We had over 200 pictures. We usually got them taken whenever we saw a photographer. Its nice because then I can be in the pics too instead of behind the camera.

I intend to pre-purchase the photopass, because like the pp I'm never in the picture because I'm always behind the camera. There are only a total of a few pictures that me and dh are in together for the 12 years we've been together. For $99, it's worth it to me to have someone else snap.

That said... I will be bringing my own camera with an extra memory card, and will not be shy about asking CM's to take our picture too. I'm currently on Weight Watchers and hopefully will be at goal by the time we leave, so I want plenty of "skinny" pictures to keep me motivated.

If I feel that I am satisfied with the pics taken with my own camera, I think the photopass is refundable. Correct me if I'm wrong. I'd rather pay $99 and change my mind later for a refund, instead of deciding once we get there and pay the full $150.

 

[scootch]

All the extra's they can put in the pictures makes it so worth it. Do a search of stitch kingdom photopass and you will some of them(tinkerbell, simba, ect....) I also just enjoyed the time my kids were with the characters and let the photographers do the work. So for me, the cd is well worth it.

 

[FloridaPixie]

In my opinion the Photopass is a great thing to get, but make sure to preorder the CD before you go for $99. I didn't know about it before our trip (and we go to Disney at least 3 times a year) and I just purchased one for $150 (still a bargain because I wanted to order so many photos). I'll know better next time for sure. Not all of the pictures turn out great, but most do and the ones of us at night with the castle in the background look so nice--much better than my camera could take. I also love all of the options to put special borders, dates and characters on the photos.

 

[MomTo4+more]

How far ahead to you need to pre-order?

 

[tjbaggott]

I ordered mine in June for our October trip. Although there is no expiry date on my coupon code, from what other dissers have said, I may need to call photo pass to have them re activate the code. You can wait to order it days or a week before your trip. They email you the code which you won't use till you are back from your trip. THey send you several emails to make sure you are getting it, to keep you informed. Be sure to print off a copy or two, put them somewhere you won't forget (mine is pinned to our bulletin board above my computer moinitor), and keep one or more on file on your computer (this is all complete loss prevention!) LOL

 

[KelleyD]

When i went last year with my husband and 1.5 yr old son, I knew I wouldn't take many and the ones I did take, I wouldn't be with my son.

The photopass was way worth it for me, though I was in a share. I was able to make our disney book on snapfish and a poster for my sons wall. The character spots with photopass photographers are great and like I said, I was able to get in the photo with him.

We got some shots with our camera, but the photopass ones were nicer. Too bad they dont allow the share boards anymore...

 

[bankgirl05]

Sorry to jump on someone else's thread, but are there photo pass photographers at the character meeting places and the character dining experiences too? or just in random "scenic" spots around the parks?

 

[kerstfan1]

there at the characters meeting places but to my knowlege not at the dinning

 

[Justsyd2]

It was completely worth it to us! It was just DH and I on our first trip, and we have pictures (400) of both of us - together! Most vacation pictures don't have the whole traveling party together. I would so do it again -- and will, on our next trip!