Memory Maker-Worth it?

[cubuffalo36]

We have a D90, same as what's used in the parks and usually get great pics ourselves. We have always had someone in a stroller throughout the years, right now it's our 2yr old, so have always put the camera in a camera bag and put in in the basket under the stroller. However, it would be nice to not have to worry about it. We are going in December and will be attending one of the MVMCP events, so will bring our own camera anyway to take advantage of some good photo ops where CMs are not present taking pics. But what about the rest of the trip, is it worth it to buy the memory maker? What are some experiences you have all had with it? Also, it is my understanding that you will get the actual file to store on your computer with all your other pics is this true? Any all feedback appreciated, thanks!

 

[poooh]

My sister and I had bought Photopass Plus for our trip in January right as it was switching over to Memory Maker. We had done it because it was just us two on the trip and we wanted photos of us together. We thought it was a great value and had gotten 300 or so photos. It wasn't hard to find the Photopass people as they were all over but there was usually a line of a couple people waiting. This was the only thing that bothered us. People in line ahead of us who just had their own cameras and hadn't actually bought Photopass but wanted the camera person to use their camera for them would sometimes take quite a while. But you're not paying to get ahead of a line or anything so I guess I can't really judge the whole service based on that.

A lot of the photographers were really funny and suggested all sorts of poses for us to do. Also, due to a late dinner reservation one night, we got to walk through the empty park after closing. The photographers along Main Street were all still there though packing up and we had asked if they could just take a couple photos before we leave. We ended up getting a bunch of great ones in a totally empty park all long Main Street. I doubt they would have done this for us if we didn't actually have Photopass but just our own camera. And again, this way both of us were in the photo.

The last great thing would be the ride photos. Instead of buying the photo or taking a picture of it with your camera you just scan your band and the photo is saved. Really easy.

I can't really comment on the file thing because this might be different with Memory Maker but the photos were hooked up with our Disney account and we had the choice of downloading a file or getting a CD with all the photos on it mailed to us with free shipping. We got the CD and it came in a couple days with everything on it.

We thought Photopass was well worth the price and would definitely buy Memory Maker for a future trip.

 

[cubuffalo36]

Thanks Poooh! Were you able to download them off the cd? Or were they locked or restricted to just printing off of that?

 

[carly3592]

I was wondering the same thing. I'll be in WDW this September with my boyfriend and I'm considering Memory Maker- though I'm not sure if it's worth it since I don't know too much about it. I only have a simple point and shoot Sony Cybershot at the moment; it's a good little camera and takes very good photos though I am considering upgrading (it's probably 4-5 years old at this point).

I guess my question (and poooh sort of already answered this with their experience), is Memory Maker worth it for just 2 people? I've read elsewhere that it's a great investment for larger parties. Since I'll be there in September the crowds will be smaller so maybe it will be easier to get various pictures with Photopass photographers (not many lines)???

 

[SabresFan]

we've used the Photo Pass package for the past 5 years, and have loved it. We upgrade to Photo Pass + once they started offering that. Memory Maker sounds a lot like the old Photo Pass Plus, where you get the regular photo pass picture, plus the ride pictures.

If you learn where the ride picture is taken, you can prepare yourselves and do a pose when it goes off. Like on Space Mountain (the camera is at the end of the long lighted tube, to the right as you make the tight turn, near the beginning of the ride). We'll all look to the right and give a salute, or all give thumbs up, or all pretend like we're sleeping, or whatever. You can usually ask a cast member where the picture is taken, although some times even with that advance warning you still won't figure it out until you have been through a couple of times.

Not sure if these are tied to the magic bands now - in the old system, everybody could have their own Photo Pass card, and as long as you entered the number into the web site, you could get pictures from multiple cards. So even if your group splits up (or you forgot your card that day) you can still get pictures.

We usually get at least 300 pictures trip just on Photo Pass pictures alone (and we certainly do take plenty of our own pictures too). But without Photo Pass, it always seems like your family is missing one person (whomever that photographer is).

To me, it is easily worth $149.

 

[SabresFan]

Thanks Poooh! Were you able to download them off the cd? Or were they locked or restricted to just printing off of that?

We've always had the CD mailed to us when we are done. The pictures are in JPG format and you can do pretty much whatever you want with them (subject to the limited use license they provide). Also, if you want to add any of their borders, do so before you order the CD. And make sure you order the CD before the pictures expire.

Another thing is some times your pictures don't make it into your account for whatever reason. If you remember you were in front of Everest at around 10 AM on Tuesday and don't see any pictures there, you can contact Photo Pass, tell them when and where you got the pictures taken, who is in the party (it helps if you have other pictures from the same day you can provide) and what they are wearing and they will hunt them down for you. I've had them do it a couple of times for me and always had success with that.

 

[Luvscrappin]

I am so on the fence about MM. We leave in less than a week. We did photopass plus the last two trips and while it was great I haven't printed out one photo...my bad I know. However, I have since gotten back into scrapbooking and I think this time may be different. I am also the family photographer and this is the only way that I am in the family pictures unless I want to haul a tripod around and that isnt happening. I don't think you get the CD anymore just the digital download option. We are only doing one character meal....Talk to me! Help me decide! We are a group of seven if that makes any difference.