Is Universal's Photo Pass worth it?

[PollyannaMom]

Hi! Planning for our upcoming Universal trip. Immediate family has been a few times, but the last was about 5 years ago. It will be me, DH, DS(22) and nephew(20). (It will be nephew's first time there.) I'm wondering whether to spring for the Photo Pass? (If I do, it would likely be the 3-day one.)

If you've used it, do you feel you got your money's worth?

Any particular tips to share?

 

[DisneyMom93]

I think it depends on what you want from the photos. I like them for the reactions on the rides since you can't take pics yourself. Seeing the fear or joy on faces was worth it to me. You also get a video clip on Hagrid's. Not sure about other rides.

Here was my Nov 2022 experience (I posted in another thread):

I bought mine online. I bought the one year one so it was an external link. When I got to Universal they called it a “third party.” Not sure why. It seems like it’s My Universal Photos, the same as the other.

Anyway, I went to guest services (for something else and asked them about it) and they told me to go to the Universal Photos store inside the park just past the entrance. I went there and he told me to go to guest services. But I told him they told me to go there and showed him my email purchase receipt on my phone and then he said Oh okay that one I can do. Then he made an announcement to everyone on line that they had to go to guest services to print out a voucher or something like that. It seemed a little odd in this day and age with all the technology they use.

He then told me to forward my email to him and gave me an email address (a gmail address which I found weird), which I did. Then he gave me the card with the QR code on it and a lanyard and I asked for a couple more for the rest of my party and he gave me more cards (not more lanyards).

I think you’re supposed to print out the email and bring it with you. Read your email and see what it says. I forgot to print mine but it worked out okay for me.

 

[Dawn Peterson]

We have an annual pass and we buy it each year. I love the family pictures we get. the best are the pictures from Jurassic River Advemture and Men in Black. The look on my kids faces is priceless.

sometimes there is an AP discount and sometimes not. I can’t honestly figure out the difference. At $99 I love it, at $139 I almost didn’t get it this last year.

 

[Squirlz]

We always have the year-long pass. Worth it for the ride photos alone.

 

[Amirah95]

Nope. There are only photographers at the entrance of each park. I went for 5 days Halloween week, busy time. If you use Express pass, you can’t get a pic on Forbidden Journey at all. I was disappointed as there was no way I was waiting in the regular queue for this ride to get that pic…very long wait if you don’t have access to the ride on the early days (8am) which we did because we stay at PB, but we are never up early.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

For a first time visit, the photos are nice to have. Lots of ride photos available.

They also have some posed photo stations, some in ride queues & some automated stations throughout the parks.

If you use Express pass, you can’t get a pic on Forbidden Journey at all.

Do you mean Gringotts? The FJ photo is on the ride, it shouldn't make any difference which line you use. I have definitely gotten that photo from the single rider line.

Gringotts is a posed green screen photo in the queue, and at least in 2021 you could ask to do it from the EP line. We were able to cut across the standby queue for the photo, then went back through to to the EP line when done. It isn't obvious that you can do so, you have to ask.

 

[AJA]

Are you a family that gets the photo pass every time you go to Disney? If so then yes, especially for a first visit, the on ride photos really are great.
Unlike Disney there are not a ton of photos around the parks though.

 

[tony67]

I would not purchase the short term one - I think its a but pricey for what you get - and there are not a lot of photographers around. For example they had that chucky booth set up at HHN and no photographer - that is ridiculous.
Also right now the photo booth is closed - I know they are just moving it - but still kind of annoying.
What is cool as they have a bunch of green screens you take photos in front of and they usually have one for whatever the current season is so HHN, Grinchmas, Madis Gras etc... - I think there are a total of 8 different screens.
I think the ET photo is included as well - I do like that.
Also - if you are a solo traveler its nice to get these shots.

I have purchased the annual one and that is a good value if you go to the parks a couple of times a year.
Also if you can get a package that includes extras it might be worthwhile.

Pre Pandemic I got a package that included Shutterbug, the Rip Ride Rocket Video and 18 months of photo pass
Because of the pandemic it was extended out for the time the parks were closed and I have got my value out of it, Although I was never able to get around to Shutterbug or the Rip Ride Rocket Video - I will purchase again

BTW - I think the problem with this (and several things Universal) its not run by universal - its outsourced

 

[Dawn Peterson]

I would not purchase the short term one - I think its a but pricey for what you get - and there are not a lot of photographers around. For example they had that chucky booth set up at HHN and no photographer - that is ridiculous.
Also right now the photo booth is closed - I know they are just moving it - but still kind of annoying.
What is cool as they have a bunch of green screens you take photos in front of and they usually have one for whatever the current season is so HHN, Grinchmas, Madis Gras etc... - I think there are a total of 8 different screens.
I think the ET photo is included as well - I do like that.
Also - if you are a solo traveler its nice to get these shots.

I have purchased the annual one and that is a good value if you go to the parks a couple of times a year.
Also if you can get a package that includes extras it might be worthwhile.

Pre Pandemic I got a package that included Shutterbug, the Rip Ride Rocket Video and 18 months of photo pass
Because of the pandemic it was extended out for the time the parks were closed and I have got my value out of it, Although I was never able to get around to Shutterbug or the Rip Ride Rocket Video - I will purchase again

BTW - I think the problem with this (and several things Universal) its not run by universal - its outsourced

The photo booth is closed? Any word on reopening? That is one of my favorite things.

 

[tony67]

The photo booth is closed? Any word on reopening? That is one of my favorite things.

Yeah - they are moving it over by MIB as I understand it - this is now the Tribute store along with the prop shop and that general area

 

[Amirah95]

For a first time visit, the photos are nice to have. Lots of ride photos available.

They also have some posed photo stations, some in ride queues & some automated stations throughout the parks.

Do you mean Gringotts? The FJ photo is on the ride, it shouldn't make any difference which line you use. I have definitely gotten that photo from the single rider line.

Gringotts is a posed green screen photo in the queue, and at least in 2021 you could ask to do it from the EP line. We were able to cut across the standby queue for the photo, then went back through to to the EP line when done. It isn't obvious that you can do so, you have to ask.

Yep. I meant Gringotts. sorry!

 

[Lashed34]

We went in December 2019 and got the pass online, we got hundreds of photos from all over Universal Orlando. Would absolutely buy it again when we next go back. As well as on photo rides and from Universal cast throught the parks we also loved The Dark Room at USO where we posed for tons of green screen pics.

 

[tony67]

The photo booth is closed? Any word on reopening? That is one of my favorite things.

I meant to say the The Dark Room not photo booth - I think we are talking about the same thing - but just to clarify

 

[Dawn Peterson]

I meant to say the The Dark Room not photo booth - I think we are talking about the same thing - but just to clarify

The room in the camera store where there are 2 sides of green screen. You pose your family and it takes your picture. They have holiday back drops, etc. That is what we are talking about right?

 

[Lashed34]

The room in the camera store where there are 2 sides of green screen. You pose your family and it takes your picture. They have holiday back drops, etc. That is what we are talking about right?

I just checked on this and yes, it has closed BUT will be re-opening around Men in Black area, though I cannot find any dates or confirmation information as to when it's likely to open. But it hasn't gone for good apparently.

 

[tony67]

The room in the camera store where there are 2 sides of green screen. You pose your family and it takes your picture. They have holiday back drops, etc. That is what we are talking about right?

Yeah

 

[UOAP-Naples]

Any ideas when/how to negotiate the $99 annual rate? We're taking our nephew this year and will buy a 3 day pass at least but I'd rather pay $30 and have it for HHN and Christmas stuff later this year. We asked last year and they wanted $159 or something and wouldn't budge from that.

 

[Squirlz]

Any ideas when/how to negotiate the $99 annual rate? We're taking our nephew this year and will buy a 3 day pass at least but I'd rather pay $30 and have it for HHN and Christmas stuff later this year. We asked last year and they wanted $159 or something and wouldn't budge from that.

You can get an AP discount, but there is no haggling.

 

[tony67]

Any ideas when/how to negotiate the $99 annual rate? We're taking our nephew this year and will buy a 3 day pass at least but I'd rather pay $30 and have it for HHN and Christmas stuff later this year. We asked last year and they wanted $159 or something and wouldn't budge from that.

They are not going to negotiate - you just have to watch for a deal - it usually comes up in the pinned thread - I think typically there is a deal on Black Friday

 

[cdh]

We bought the photo pass and I didn‘t think it was worth it. IMO, Disney‘s photo pass gives you the opportunity to get much better pictures but I’ve never really liked the pictures taken on rides.