Memory Maker for Shorter Trip

[jessiesgurl]

Would you get memory maker for a shorter trip? We will be in the parks for 4 days. I love how the ride pics (& videos!) are included as I know my husband will most likely want some of those pics. I've only seen reviews for the longer 6+ day trips.

Also, if we have an ADR (1900 park fare) on one of our non-park days, will we get pics for that meal?

If it matters, we are staying offsite.

Thoughts?

 

[Kimosabe]

If you end up getting it, make absolutely certain to get in well enough in advance (at least three days, I think) to get the $50 discount. Obviously, that helps significantly in justifying the cost. As for the MM itself, if you are planning to ride things that include a ride photo, and if you tend to stop for PhotoPass photographers on a regular basis (or are willing to do so), then it can end up being a pretty good deal. $149 for a bunch of ride photos that would otherwise cost you at least $20 a piece (assuming you'd otherwise be buying them, of course), along with tons of other photos, whether with characters or just around the parks or (and this ended up being our kids' goals) trying to find as many "magic" photos as possible...and we/they found a bunch.

You then have the option of going online and "doctoring" your photos with borders, zooming, color-to-b&w, "stickers" and customizing to the proper size that you might later print (4x6, 5x7, 8x10) and making sure everything is exactly as you'd want it before printing. You can easily turn 100 photos into anywhere from 200 to 500 with different sizes, borders, etc., which further helps justify that cost. Sounds like I'm trying to talk you into it, but it's really up to you as to whether you think you would take enough photos in four days to justify it. We had an unusual summer in that we ended up going twice, and we were somehow able to manage the timing of downloads, etc., to get both trips on one MM, so for us, it was almost a no-brainer.

I will tell you that we were not able to download the Tower of Terror video. It showed up on our account, but never gave us the option to download it. Maybe that has changed (or will change) but unless you can get Disney (or someone else on these boards) to confirm a way to do that, it's neat to watch, but not something you can save. (For our own future trips, I hope this has changed...otherwise, I don't see much point in even having the video).

I don't recall how 1900 Park Fare does its photos, so I'm not much help there. I remember that, at one time, there was a place for pictures before you went into the restaurant, but I don't remember how formal it is and whether there is still even a PhotoPass photographer there.

 

[jessiesgurl]

Thank you for your input! I am really considering it only because I know from past experiences my husband has wanted to buy ride photos before (never been to WDW..other theme parks/attractions) ...I could care less about those pics - but I would love to have the "magical" photos of the kids and be able to edit, put borders, etc. Thanks for the 3 day info...looks like I have more time to think it over than I thought, we're going in January.

 

[KateDinVA]

I think MemoryMaker can still be a great investment on a shorter trip, but it really depends on what your family likes to do with pictures.

I knew that there were some shots that would turn out better with PP+ (Storytime with Belle, night castle/ball/hat shots, Jedi Academy), and some ONLY from PP (Magic Shots).

Further, we love pictures. We make bound photobooks from every vacation, as well as a "yearbook" every year (I am a designer and DH has a background in desktop publishing on the hobby side, too).

Meeting characters is a huge joy for our family, and looking at pictures of us with them (and autograph books) is a fun pastime for our kids. My DH makes it a mission to get really fun ride shots. If you don't spend much time doing PP activities, it's not as good a fit, even if you're there 2 weeks.

Think also on when you will get another chance to get pictures - do you go often? Will you be taking a longer trip where you would have more days for pictures (and more time to "take out" for pictures)?

So, for us, it would be worth it for a 4 day trip. But this is one of those YMM(W)V (Your Mileage May WILDLY Vary) sorts of things ;-)

Whatever you decide... have fun on your trip! We're going in January, too!

 

[Frozen2014]

Good question. We're debating on getting MM too, and one of the downsides is that we'll only have 4 full park days. Would be nice if they had a cost/day, but it's all theh same whether you stay 1 day or 10. We're still deciding but are probably leaning towards getting it as I've heard so many wonderful things, and for us, this is likely a one time trip so want to caputre the moments. Also a bonus not having to carry our good camera around.