Memory Maker Tip!!!

[fauntleroy53]

Having bought Photopass+ back in Nov and MM for our 2/2-10 trip earlier this month, I've learned something....
First, MM IS better than PP+ because of the CD/Download/Buying Pics issue and more important

Make a note of your ride pics!!!!!!!
When you ride Space MTN, TOT,Buzz,etc. ALWAYS write down the following info -Ride
Date
Time
Picture Number
There is a definite and real problem with some of the ride pics downloading to your MM account. Especially Space Mountain!!! Those pics are deleted from the system sooner than other pics because of the number of pics that are taken and they "need the room" for more. We had some problems with PP+ last year, but nothing compared to this year and it wasn't just us. The majority of people standing on those lines to talk to MM CM's at their computers were due to not getting their ride pics and almost everyone in line had an issue with SM.. We had MB's in Nov and again this month, and EVERYTIME, we pressed our MB's against the little machine and the Mickey Head flashed green and the CM said, Great, it's downloaded, but nope......lost SM & TOT this time, but was able to retrieve Buzz, because it was still in their system (in fact,my Nov pics were still there and no CM could figure out why they weren't gone yet..so some glitches..).
You have to give it about 24 hours for your ride pics to show up in MM. If you don't see them, go see a MM CM asap. They might tell you to wait ANOTHER 24 hours, but don't wait longer than that for SM pics, as they disappear the quickest.
If you have the above info I told you to write down, they can immediately access your pics and re-download them, which always worked for us, downloading from their main MM computers.
Just don't want you all to be disappointed. We trusted the system and lost a few pics. I guess MM still needs some working out the glitches time....

 

[to be tink]

Thanks for the info! We will be there on Saturday and have Photopass+. We will write down everything!!!

 

[fauntleroy53]

Hopefully,things will work out for you,but it pays to err on the side of playing it safe.Have fun!!

 

[Rindercella]

Thanks for sharing your experience and providing tips! We'll be heading to our first park this Sunday; I'll be sure to have a pen and paper handy!

 

[fauntleroy53]

Oh, I forgot to add -Don't forget to ask for the "Magic Shots". Most photographers can do them. For some reason, the photographers with their cameras on a tripod cannot.
You can have one with you "holding" Tinkerbell, standing on your hand, or Stitch coming up through the ground, or you holding balloons (as if they're carrying you away),or Mike(the monster) making a scary face in front of you or Stitch eating an ice cream cone(this has to be done sitting, so doing this near the inside entrance of DHS is easiest, many benches there. I added a Mike autograph sticker). The "Magic" is done in the camera and shows up complete in your MM account quickly.

Oh,I remembered one more thing. Don't assume the photographer knows what you want in the pic. We thought we were getting the Tree of Life in the background. We were positioned in front of that beautiful trunk and it looked like the leaves were coming out of our heads. We thought we were getting BOTH Mickey & Walt in the picture,in front of the statue,but nope, no Mickey. We were standing in front of him. On Main Street, I asked to have a picture taken with just the balloons behind us,they were so colorful. Well,they were behind us..high up in the air and a gazillion people behind us. I didn't think of turning around to check where the balloons were. I thought what I said was enough. Needless to say,we had some pictures retaken during the week. My fault,not theirs.
So be specific!! Let the photographer know exactly what you want!

 

[Fueledbycoffee]

I have PP+ and was going to plan on using cards instead of MBs. Are the problems with just MBs or PP cards too?

 

[fauntleroy53]

We had MB's in both Nov & this month. Never were given cards, so I'm sorry that I don't know about how they worked with MM. It appeared that everyone I saw online with issues had MB's.
I would assume there may be glitches with the cards and record the information for ride pictures. At least you won't run the risk of disappointment if some pics don't download. You'll be prepared for it.

 

[whitepicketfence]

I would recommend taking a picture with your phone each time you have a MM picture taken. Then you have a time stamp and location as well as a picture showing what everyone is wearing. We had MM in December and lost too many pictures to justify the price. Also, make sure you scan at the rides or at least take a picture of your picture so you have the number. I have spent enough time on the phone trying to retrieve lost photos that I am reluctant to purchase MM again.

 

[shellsd]

How soon can you look at your MM to make sure they are there? They won't give me a hard time for taking a picture of the picture?

 

[DisneyMomma2000]

THANK YOU! We are going in May to celebrate my oldest DS graduation. This will be our first time using the MM. I was about to post regarding any tips.

 

[fauntleroy53]

How soon can you look at your MM to make sure they are there? They won't give me a hard time for taking a picture of the picture?

No, I don't think anyone will care that you're taking a picture of a picture. If you already bought MM,it's not like you're trying to get a free picture-they're already yours.

By the time we got back to the resort in the evening,most of my day park pics were already loaded. Some took a little longer than others,but I was satisfied with the timeline to see my pics.

 

[RSWA2]

When I was there a couple months ago, when I added my ride photos to my card, I asked for a receipt, the receipt showed my picture # and had the data/time and ride.

 

[Networth]

We used PP+ in December and had zero problems besides a few crappy photographers. Just make sure the card(band now I guess) gets scanned. For attraction photos just remember the last 3-4 digits and the CM can easily add the photo to your MM. Overall we were very happy with the service and will use it again.

 

[Pamnkevin]

Oh, I forgot to add -Don't forget to ask for the "Magic Shots". Most photographers can do them. For some reason, the photographers with their cameras on a tripod cannot. You can have one with you "holding" Tinkerbell, standing on your hand, or Stitch coming up through the ground, or you holding balloons (as if they're carrying you away),or Mike(the monster) making a scary face in front of you or Stitch eating an ice cream cone(this has to be done sitting, so doing this near the inside entrance of DHS is easiest, many benches there. I added a Mike autograph sticker). The "Magic" is done in the camera and shows up complete in your MM account quickly. Oh,I remembered one more thing. Don't assume the photographer knows what you want in the pic. We thought we were getting the Tree of Life in the background. We were positioned in front of that beautiful trunk and it looked like the leaves were coming out of our heads. We thought we were getting BOTH Mickey & Walt in the picture,in front of the statue,but nope, no Mickey. We were standing in front of him. On Main Street, I asked to have a picture taken with just the balloons behind us,they were so colorful. Well,they were behind us..high up in the air and a gazillion people behind us. I didn't think of turning around to check where the balloons were. I thought what I said was enough. Needless to say,we had some pictures retaken during the week. My fault,not theirs. So be specific!! Let the photographer know exactly what you want!

They can really do this...any of the photographers will except for the ones using tripods??? I would love to get my daughters picture where it looks like tinkerbell is in her hand.

 

[shellsd]

When I was there a couple months ago, when I added my ride photos to my card, I asked for a receipt, the receipt showed my picture # and had the data/time and ride.

Excellent!

Thanks to all! Kind of hard for me to leave my DSLR at home but I think we will be much happier not lugging it around or worrying about it

 

[GenieCat]

Is there anywhere to preview MM photos if you don't have a smart phone?

 

[fauntleroy53]

They can really do this...any of the photographers will except for the ones using tripods??? I would love to get my daughters picture where it looks like tinkerbell is in her hand.

Most of the MM photogs can do Magic Shots. Just ask them. If they can't, they'll point to the photog who can.

You just hold your hand out flat and look at your hand as if there's something there. You can either face the camera with both hands in front of you or you can face sideways holding your hand out, with a person across from you pointing at your hand. In the MM site,I put a Tink sticker with the banner "Where Dreams Come True", along the bottom of the pictures. It does look really amazing!!!!

 

[wmpenguin]

So were you downloading that day's photos every night back at the hotel during your trip?

 

[fauntleroy53]

I was checking the photos about every other night on my laptop back in my room(you can also check them in the parks and, I think in 3 of the deluxe resorts).
But I did not download them until about a week after we arrived back home. I preferred to wait until I had all the pictures and had gone through them to delete the ones I didn't like and put stickers and borders on others. I find it's easier to do that with ALL the pictures in front of you.

 

[Zeebs]

Is it just me but if I am paying $149 for a item/service then I expect it to work without having to take a note of each photo I have taken, or have to take a screen shot etc. I feel if the system doesn't work properly 98% of the time then they shouldn't put it on the market.

That said I am glad you have found a way of ensuring you get everything.

Kirsten