Memory Maker - Yay or Nay

[BudgieMama]

Oh, I should say: they should link automatically if you are wearing a magic band, not if you have other ticket forms!

 

[Kobey]

My last trip I was so concerned with trying to get pictures of everything that it sucked some of the fun out of my trip. This time I'm getting MM so I know I'll have photos of us together on rides and in important places. I want to see the parks through my eyes this time, not through a viewfinder or LCD screen.

 

[Frozen2014]

Definitely good to purchase once. We got it for our first trip last October and got close to 300 pictures. It's especially good if you're doing meet and greets, extras like BBB, Jedi Training. But even if not, just stop every time you see a photopass photographer and you'll make great use. You'll also want to use your phone camera (or other) for pictures where the photographers are not located (e.g. inside character meals when they come around, resort, etc). When we got home, I used all those pictures to create my own Disney photobook....so great souvenir.
We probably wouldn't get it on our second trip though.

 

[Frozen2014]

I think I've made up my mind and it's a firm yay!

Question - in regards of ride photos, do I need to go up to the counter each time, or as we have MB will they automatically update?

Thanks everyone for your help.

There are a few cases like Jedi Training, Enchanted Tales with Belle, BBB, where you will get a photopass card. You can then go to the counter to have those added to your Memory Maker account so they show up with all other photos.

 

[JimmyBean42]

100% worth it, especially if you don't have a good camera with you. You get to keep your ride videos and you can share the purchase with people in your group so only need to buy one. We downloaded over 700 pics last trip from a group of 11.

 

[jcvalenti]

I was skeptical about this, but we had a large group going last year (4 families, 21 people) so we all pitched in $40. It was completely worth it. I am a bit of a photography fan, so from time to time I bring my DSLR and lenses and get some great pics - much better and more artistic than what standard Disney park photographers take. But the downside is in 12 trips to Disney, I was in about 20 out of 1000 pictures. With memory maker I was actually able to get some pics with my kids and wife for the first time. Factor in all the ride photos, dining photos, etc and it was totally worth it. We even rode Tower of Terror on the day they were testing some of the custom videos and got those as well. It was super cool - and we all loved it so much we're doing it again this year.

My only complaint - and it's minor - is that many of the park photographers are either poorly trained, in a rush, or just don't care - so unless you make a conscious effort to mix up your poses or ask for something more artistic (like a close up portrait with an out of focus background), you tend to end up with a few hundred shots that look very, very similar.

 

[EdmondD]

Agreed with the others, and yes, try to do something different than just gather together in a group with some nice backdrop. Otherwise the pics get boring.

AN IMPORTANT NOTE ON MINE TRAIN - If you are in the back car, the video of you in this ride will barely show you. They slow the video down to slow motion so you get a good view of each car, but by the time the last car comes into frame they speed it back up. You'll still get a good still shot, but the video will be worthless. We were making some GREAT faces and looking right at the camera, but it was all lost on the video. So request to not be in the back car, if that's important to you.

 

[luvallprincesses]

Oh, I should say: they should link automatically if you are wearing a magic band, not if you have other ticket forms!

Just for clarity: do you have to be staying on site with a Magic Band or as long as you have a magic band linked to MDE, the ride photos will (usually) be automatically loaded to the account via the band?

 

[MataHari22]

Just for clarity: do you have to be staying on site with a Magic Band or as long as you have a magic band linked to MDE, the ride photos will (usually) be automatically loaded to the account via the band?

Don't need to be on site. Just have a Magic Band linked to your MDE. Yes, as you ride anyone with a band linked to that account will have the ride photos automatically show up in that account.

 

[soniam]

One thing that I didn't realize until recently, is that the price is the same, barring the pre-purchase discount, no matter how many days you are staying/going to the parks. So, it may not be worth it for a just a few days. Another tip: we were walking on the path between Poly and GF after eating at Victoria & Albert, so we were really decked out. A photographer was out there and took our photo. So, if you are dressed up, try to find a photographer.

I am curious how difficult it is to find the photographers, especially non-meet & greet ones in the parks. Is there usually a wait to get pics taken? How much time does it use up trying to get all of these pics?

Also, what character meals are included? I know the Star Wars Weekend ones were. That's when we will be going next. Breakfast at 1900PF is also included, but that's just a backdrop photo, not a character pic. So, it seems you still need to take pics with the characters that come to the table at meals.

Also, what do people do with their pictures? I don't scrapbook. We used to put stuff up on the web for the family, but have really slacked a lot lately. We also sometimes do a calendar for family through Costco. Would we be able to use the MM pics in that? What file format and resolution do they store as? Any suggestions for good photo displaying sites, besides facebook?

I am really on the fence. I don't like having my picture taken. Plus, we always have a really nice camera. However, I am more of an artistic photographer and really don't like doing people shots/snapshots. It shows too, because they usually look boring.

Thanks

 

[MataHari22]

One thing that I didn't realize until recently, is that the price is the same, barring the pre-purchase discount, no matter how many days you are staying/going to the parks. So, it may not be worth it for a just a few days. Another tip: we were walking on the path between Poly and GF after eating at Victoria & Albert, so we were really decked out. A photographer was out there and took our photo. So, if you are dressed up, try to find a photographer.

I am curious how difficult it is to find the photographers, especially non-meet & greet ones in the parks. Is there usually a wait to get pics taken? How much time does it use up trying to get all of these pics?

Also, what character meals are included? I know the Star Wars Weekend ones were. That's when we will be going next. Breakfast at 1900PF is also included, but that's just a backdrop photo, not a character pic. So, it seems you still need to take pics with the characters that come to the table at meals.

Also, what do people do with their pictures? I don't scrapbook. We used to put stuff up on the web for the family, but have really slacked a lot lately. We also sometimes do a calendar for family through Costco. Would we be able to use the MM pics in that? What file format and resolution do they store as? Any suggestions for good photo displaying sites, besides facebook?

I am really on the fence. I don't like having my picture taken. Plus, we always have a really nice camera. However, I am more of an artistic photographer and really don't like doing people shots/snapshots. It shows too, because they usually look boring.

Thanks

1. It was not difficult for us to find Photopass Photographers. They are at several locations around all of the major photo taking spots like the castle, SSE, Tree of Life.......along Main Street, Sunset Blvd, the character meet and greets and throughout the parks.

I didn't find it to be much of a wait. Maybe at most a couple of people in front of us. Didn't take long at all for the photos. Not really much more time than if you were just going to take the photos yourself. We usually go in October, so idk if things are different when it's busy.

2. I know you get a photo at Tusker House, but it's outside. Also Hoop De Doo Revue. Someone else will have to tell you the rest, I cannot think of them right now.

You will need to use your own camera for photos with the characters that come around.

3. I make digital scrapbooks, and they are a bit more involved, but you can make photo books by just uploading the photos. Or if you want a Disney theme with out all the work like I do, shutterfly has Disney templates. You can get photos or products printed anywhere you'd like, (shutterfly, snapfish, Walmart....) can make things like mugs, calendars, a thermos, big prints to hang on the wall, throw pillows, cards, and many other products. They include a release so that you can take them anywhere to get them printed or whatever you want to do with them.

I am not good at technical stuff, so someone that knows those details will need to help you. I think they downloaded in zip files and the size is pretty large, like 3000x4600 and jpegs I think? Other than that, idk. Someone who knows what they are talking about will hopefully let you know. Lol

Instagram, photobucket, flicker???


I'm not that fond of having my photo taken either, but I really do love all the books and things I've made and I'm glad I made myself get out of my comfort zone. Also never met the characters either, and this made me do that, too.

 

[TinksMyGirl]

Definitely.... a must have.
I got the MM last Disney trip...... being the family photographer I'm usually not in the pics. Loved that the whole family was in the picture. I do carry my little point and shoot for those other occasions when a Disney photographer isn't around. Planning next trip in Sept... will be purchasing the MM again (in advance of course).

 

[mshanson3121]

I think MM is definitely worth it - depending on what you're doing.

If you're doing lots of character M&G, shows like Jedi, Bibiddi Bobbidi Boutique etc... then to me, MM is a MUST. It doesn't matter how good your camera is, for those special things (especially Jedi), their photographers are allowed in for shots that you'll never get. Also with BBB you get to do a photo shoot after. We ended up with over 500 photos of our trip.

But, if you're only going to do a couple M&Gs, no shows and basically you're just looking for those "iconic" photos or ride shots, then no, I wouldn't spend the money. I'd buy the ride shot if you want it, and ask a passerby to take the photo of you in front of the castle.

 

[mickeyfanachey1999]

We were skeptical at first until DM decided she would get it for one of our extended family trips. Now, if we are going to be in the parks for 5 days or more we will always get it. The magic shots are great. The editing you get to do with the picture with borders etc. is really cool. It's also a great way to ease that post vacation depression while you look at/edit/print all the great shots that the photographers took. I know this may not mean much to the top notch photographers on the board but when we got our pictures printed out the employee said "these are the best pictures I have ever seen printed here."

 

[soniam]

@MataHari22
Tusker House doesn't seem to do the outside pic anymore. At least they didn't at the character meal at dinner during March.

 

[NashvilleMama]

We were really on the fence about it but LOVED having all the pictures - and the magic pictures are some of my favorites. It's so rare that the 4 of us are all in pictures together! (and especially me, since I'm always the one with the camera). I'd definitely recommend.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

Best photo of our trip is in front of the train station. The welcome show just ended and Mickey is face on, waving in the background along with several of the residents of Main Street. We would never have gotten that shot if not for MM, because it forced us to stop and take advantage of the photographers when we saw them. We went to Chef Mickey's and got photo mats signed. The plan was take a family photo with Mickey on Main St. and put that in the frame, but that all changed with that one amazing shot. MM is totally worth it.

 

[Palaura]

can you download the files to your computer? sorry---total rookie here

 

[MataHari22]

@MataHari22
Tusker House doesn't seem to do the outside pic anymore. At least they didn't at the character meal at dinner during March.

Oh, really? That stinks. When we went in October we had our photo taken there.

 

[MataHari22]

can you download the files to your computer? sorry---total rookie here

Yes, memory maker is a digital entitlement only, so you download the photos to your computer. I am super lame when it comes to computers and I was able to do it, so you should be able to.