Memory Maker - Many Questions

[Yorel]

Hi. We're going to disney in 3 weeks. I purchased the advanced memory maker. I want to link it to my MDE account.

MDE asks me to enter a number but I don't have a physical card or anything yet. My email confirmation says that it's delivered digitally, so I'm guessing I won't receive a card, so how am I supposed to link it?

I see a photo pass option that allows me to activate memory maker. Is that how I link it to my account? I'm afraid that once I activate the memory maker the 30 or 45 day clock starts ticking and I don't want to activate it prematurely.

Also, if I'm sharing it with members in my party, how will they be able to use it if I'm not present? Will it automatically be linked to their and my magicbands if they are part of my reservation party?

I like the idea of the digital props. We've done tinkerbell and Stitch. Are there others? I don't want to keep doing the same two.

We're celebrating our 20th anniversary. Can anyone suggest any unique picture locations/backdrops for such an occasions.

The children (2 boys & an adult girl) will be celebrating graduations, ranging from elementary school to college (ages 11, 13 & 21 respectively). So of course their tastes and interests range.

Lastly, are photographers also at Disney Springs or animal kingdom resort? We're staying at Kidani village.


Would love to see any of your unique picture experiences.


Thank you

 

[Skjhjb]

We're celebrating our 20th anniversary. Can anyone suggest any unique picture locations/backdrops for such an occasions.

Our 2014 trip was for our 20th anniversary. In addition to Memory Maker (I'm sorry, I am no expert and can't answer your other questions!) - we purchased a package with Disney Event Photography. We booked the Mini Session, as our kids were older, so we didn't need to worry about wasting time trying to get a baby to look in the right direction. It was a 20 minute package, one location only (we chose Beach Club) but I swear we were there for a good hour/hour and a half. You also got a memory stick on the spot, with all your photos on it along with the photo release.

It was worth the extra money - we found Memory Maker awesome as well, we got so many great park photos. But we hadn't had family photos done in a long time, so we co-ordinated outfits and had a private session. It was awesome!

 

[RJstanis]

If your party is linked to your account as Family and Friends you all can share the MM, they just have to scan their bands with photos like you do. Whomever buys it is the only account that can edit and download pictures though, so you will have to share your login afterwards.

There should have been a number when you bought it that you type into your memory maker option at the bottom of your Reservations screen to link it up. If you purchased the MM while logged in, they usually automatically link, or at least mine has. It shows that it's there.

I thought it activated after the first time you scan your band for photos or add a card but that part I'm not 100% about. The MM is a great buy though if you can share and disperse the cost over the group. We get it every year.

 

[RJstanis]

Even though mine automatically linked, there was a confirmation number on the receipt of purchase page that I could have used but since mine linked I didn't save it. You shouldn't need to wait for a card. Call Disney if you can't find the number and they can look it up for you too

 

[Serenebean]

I agree with RJ - any time I have bought MM I did it logged in already so it was automatically on my account. I also agree that it activates itself when you take the first picture. ANyone linked in friends and family can use it (make sure everyone has the box checked off that says your MDE can view and purchase their photo pass pictures)

As for the magic shots (tinkerbell, stitch) there are SO many of them! They can put Chip or Lumiere in photos taken by BOG restaurant on the bridge and I think in France in Epcot, in AK they do a lion king thing with Pumbaa and Timon, In Epcot they do a cute thing with balloons, there are butterflies, you can get fairy wings, in DHS I think they can put in Mike Wizowski back in Pixar Place, in AK they also do Pascal (which is one of my favorites), there are a bunch of videos now as well (there was a Zootopia one in MK not too long ago), at Christmastime we got a ton of videos like with Sven and some random elves. Really there are SO many of them...just ask the photopass person if they have any magic shots and they will do them. I hear its usually ones that have tripods

 

[mountdew1]

To clarify how the sharing works - anyone who is set up as your friend in MDE, and is set to share pictures with you will have their pictures show up in your account. You would then need to do the editing, and once you activate Memory Maker, do the download. The other members of your party cannot do the actual editing/download themselves, that needs to be done through the account that has the Memory Maker entitlement attached to it.

You don't want to activate Memory Maker at this point. Once you click "activate" it will start the 30 day timer that entitles you to the unlimited downloads. You really don't want to activate it until you are at least done with your trip and have started to do your editing (ideally wait until you are done) unless you need the picture NOW for some reason.

I'd suspect that Photopass is asking you to enter a card as you don't have any pictures currently associated with your account. They will still pass out plastic cards when you get pictures taken if you don't have a Magic Band, so since you don't have pictures it assumes that is the case.

Disney Springs and AKL/resorts are a toss up. Both will have photographers at the holidays, DS at Santa and AKL Jambo for a few hours each evening by the tree. I have seen photographers there at other times, but don't count on it. Since Photopass handed over the resort photo sessions to Disney Fine Art Photography (wedding group) I have rarely seen roaming Photopass at any of the deluxe resorts when we used to see them there very regularly.

Basically, stop any time you see a photographer. While there are pretty much guaranteed to be some by the icons (castle, tree, etc), they may also pop up randomly around the parks. Some times there will be Photopass assigned to just roam, so you have no idea where you will find them. I've had my picture taken on the gorilla trail in AK, and I ran into a guy in the New Fantasyland area that was only taking pictures of your shadows. (Which was actually really cool) They all have their own ideas and technique. Some will just do the 3 ordinary pictures, others will do 15-20 shots, or things that are really cool and creative. It doesn't cost you any more to stop and get extra pictures taken.

 

[burberryplaid]

Here's a list of magic shots. It hasn't been updated in a couple months but should be pretty accurate:

http://capturingmagic.me/a-guide-to-disney-world-magic-shots

 

[Yorel]

As for the magic shots (tinkerbell, stitch) there are SO many of them! They can put Chip or Lumiere in photos taken by BOG restaurant on the bridge and I think in France in Epcot, in AK they do a lion king thing with Pumbaa and Timon, In Epcot they do a cute thing with balloons, there are butterflies, you can get fairy wings, in DHS I think they can put in Mike Wizowski back in Pixar Place, in AK they also do Pascal (which is one of my favorites), there are a bunch of videos now as well (there was a Zootopia one in MK not too long ago), at Christmastime we got a ton of videos like with Sven and some random elves. Really there are SO many of them...just ask the photopass person if they have any magic shots and they will do them. I hear its usually ones that have tripods

Wow. I didn't realize there were so many. Thank you!

 

[EdmondD]

OT, but can you request a particular magic shot, assuming it's available in a given area? We just ask if they do them and when they say "yes," we are then later surprised with what you get. I'd love to request the Hitchhiking Ghosts, for example.

BTW, is it just me or when you request these have you gotten an eye roll or at least a bit of attitude from MM CMs? Also, about 20 percent of the time the "magic" doesn't actually work, and the resulting picture is a very humorous one of the four of us looking in shock at the plain sidewalk, or at my wife's shoulder.

 

[Yorel]

Here's a list of magic shots. It hasn't been updated in a couple months but should be pretty accurate:

http://capturingmagic.me/a-guide-to-disney-world-magic-shots

Wow! This is great. Thank you!!!

 

[lizard1]

OT, but can you request a particular magic shot, assuming it's available in a given area? We just ask if they do them and when they say "yes," we are then later surprised with what you get. I'd love to request the Hitchhiking Ghosts, for example.

BTW, is it just me or when you request these have you gotten an eye roll or at least a bit of attitude from MM CMs? Also, about 20 percent of the time the "magic" doesn't actually work, and the resulting picture is a very humorous one of the four of us looking in shock at the plain sidewalk, or at my wife's shoulder.

If the magic isn't in the shot, you can call and ask if they can add it for you. I have had some success with doing this in the past.

 

[EdmondD]

If the magic isn't in the shot, you can call and ask if they can add it for you. I have had some success with doing this in the past.

Thanks!

 

[frank430316]

I agree with RJ - any time I have bought MM I did it logged in already so it was automatically on my account. I also agree that it activates itself when you take the first picture. ANyone linked in friends and family can use it (make sure everyone has the box checked off that says your MDE can view and purchase their photo pass pictures)

As for the magic shots (tinkerbell, stitch) there are SO many of them! They can put Chip or Lumiere in photos taken by BOG restaurant on the bridge and I think in France in Epcot, in AK they do a lion king thing with Pumbaa and Timon, In Epcot they do a cute thing with balloons, there are butterflies, you can get fairy wings, in DHS I think they can put in Mike Wizowski back in Pixar Place, in AK they also do Pascal (which is one of my favorites), there are a bunch of videos now as well (there was a Zootopia one in MK not too long ago), at Christmastime we got a ton of videos like with Sven and some random elves. Really there are SO many of them...just ask the photopass person if they have any magic shots and they will do them. I hear its usually ones that have tripods

It has been a while, but I sort of remember that it was the photographers without tripods that could take magic shots. Those with a tripod were fixed on a particular landmark and could not move the camera for a magic shot.

 

[mountdew1]

OT, but can you request a particular magic shot, assuming it's available in a given area? We just ask if they do them and when they say "yes," we are then later surprised with what you get. I'd love to request the Hitchhiking Ghosts, for example.

BTW, is it just me or when you request these have you gotten an eye roll or at least a bit of attitude from MM CMs? Also, about 20 percent of the time the "magic" doesn't actually work, and the resulting picture is a very humorous one of the four of us looking in shock at the plain sidewalk, or at my wife's shoulder.

You can ask, but a given photographer needs to be trained in a particular shot. So if they haven't been trained, then they cannot do it.

The "magic" gets added by hand (at least I believe it used to and I imagine it still does), so it's very possible that a shot gets missed. Just contact Photopass support and they can correct it for you. Years ago the photographers at DLR would always take a shot of the ground/feet just before they did the magic shot. I imagine it was easier for them to spot to add the magic that way, not sure why WDW never did that.

It has been a while, but I sort of remember that it was the photographers without tripods that could take magic shots. Those with a tripod were fixed on a particular landmark and could not move the camera for a magic shot.

It more tends to be that the tripods come out at night. And that the settings for the camera are specific to the light for that particular area during the night. So sometimes if you get a picture of say the castle during sunset, it may come out wrongly exposed because the CM is set for when it gets dark. The photographers aren't supposed to deviate from the settings they are given for a particular photo spot, even though they may know how to take pictures. Even if it only took them 10 seconds to change the settings over and another 10 to change back, that is still time that gets eaten up where they aren't servicing a guest.

And yes, the photographer isn't supposed to leave their tripod. Since most magic shots, for whatever reason aren't taken with the park icons in the background (at least in my experience) they wouldn't really be able to maneuver without leaving their tripod.

 

[MataHari22]

I've had magic shots by the icons. Tinkerbell.

I haven't seen the Hitchhiking Ghosts outside of the MNSSHP. The night I was at the Halloween party, no one could tell me where I could find the photographer for the hitchhiking ghosts and I went everywhere in search of it and didn't get it. I ended up photo shopping them in myself into a memory maker shot I had taken outside the Haunted Mansion. Lol.

Basically, every time I stopped for a photo, I told them I had MM and asked if that had any special photos or magic shots.

 

[mountdew1]

I've had magic shots by the icons. Tinkerbell.

You had a magic shot with Tink and the full castle in the background? I'm very surprised. The Main Street photographers most definitely will do Tink shots, as well at the ones at the other 3 parks by the icons, but they usually zoom way in on you, or have you move to the side so the icon isn't behind you, or if it is, it isn't enough of the icon for the average person to immediately know what it is. Now the new magic video type shots (I forget the actual name) where they take the picture and add a quick video clip to it may indeed show the icon, I think we did get one with the castle and the FoF Lost Boys last trip. But out of the hundreds of magic shots I've accumulated over the years, I can't think of any that included the full icon shot with the magic shot.

 

[MataHari22]

You had a magic shot with Tink and the full castle in the background? I'm very surprised. The Main Street photographers most definitely will do Tink shots, as well at the ones at the other 3 parks by the icons, but they usually zoom way in on you, or have you move to the side so the icon isn't behind you, or if it is, it isn't enough of the icon for the average person to immediately know what it is. Now the new magic video type shots (I forget the actual name) where they take the picture and add a quick video clip to it may indeed show the icon, I think we did get one with the castle and the FoF Lost Boys last trip. But out of the hundreds of magic shots I've accumulated over the years, I can't think of any that included the full icon shot with the magic shot.

Well, that bolded bit, is not what I wrote or meant. I just remembered that I knew I had photos taken by the icons with magic shots. Which is why I wrote that, "I've had magic shots by the icons." I looked through my iPad, and this is what I found. I would swear I also had a Tink fly over photo and little movie like I have for animal kingdom, but I cannot find it. It might be on my old laptop, and I cannot access that anymore. Anyway, these are the few I could find that are on my iPad. I am totally missing all my pix from 2013, so I don't know if any were in there.