Memory Maker, yes or no? Tell me your experience.

[jacksgirl]

My parents are going with us this time. It's their first trip. I'm purchasing Memory Maker and plan to do a big scrapbook/photo book when we return for a Christmas gift for them.

 

[sugarbobbin]

100% Yes for me.

My mother and I took a vacation to Colonial Williamsburg and in hindsight we realized we didn't have not one photo with both of us together. Getting Memory Maker was a huge priority in our vacation budget. So when we were at the parks we stopped at every photographer and got over 300 pics over the week. It was also handy that all of our ride photos were included. I think we stopped for more characters than we would of because of MM.

Besides the convenience, they were beautiful pictures that we've framed around the house. I was really surprised about how great they were!

 

[Karin1984]

Im in the minority. I don't get enough pictures to justify it.
First, I hate " posed" shots. They look phony. Especially the ones that have you do a fake emotion. Yuke.

Second I love "scenery" pictures. Space mtn, resort shots, Epcot ball at night tree of life. You get the idea, so I always have my dslr anyway. You dont get those shots with mm

I purchased 5 pictures total from my 10 day trip.

I take pictures so I can Photoshop and edit my own picks

I agree,I hate pictures of myself, and especially the posed ones of MM annoy me. But I am glad I have them for the memories that come with making the pics. The truly posed ones are only a small portion, we have dozens of unposed (with characters) or fun poses (in front of landmarks).

To add, we didn't use MM as a substitute, we both also brought our own cameras, for everything the photopass people don't do. I also have a thing for making pics of details. Next to the MM, I have made over 2,100 pics and my friend about 1,500 (I think, I haven't received hers yet). Together with MM we came home with at least 4,500 pictures.

 

[eliza61]

Op, just wanted to add.
You don't have to get MM to get photos with everyone in them.

I simply waited in the photopass line and had the pictures taken. they scan them onto your FP+ easy peasy. At the end of my trip I purchase maybe 4 group photos of my family for less than 70 bucs I think.

So if you just want a few with the entire family and y ou don't think you'll purchase 200 worth of pictures just have the photographer snap a few shots.

 

[tracee22]

We loved the photopass and took full opportunity of it. I would 100% recommend it. We got great pics on rides, with characters, magic shots. We were into it.

However, I accidentally let some pictures expire before I remembered to hit the order button. I can't think about it for too long because I will honestly start to cry. So, just make sure you take care of business when you get home. I think you have 30 days.

 

[JasonMouse]

No we do check our photo pass each trip and only see 3 or 4 photos in there, but then again it's just the two of us and we don't meet the characters. I don't feel like posing in front of something and smiling makes the best picture. I'd rather take my own photos and save that money for another night at Disney! I'm amazed people are able to get 100's of photos! At the most we got about 20 for our 5 night honeymoon trip. We tried really hard too! We do have many hours of video and 100's of our own photos though. We just have more fun doing our own thing.

 

[mickeyfanachey1999]

We love MM and would never do a long trip without it again. We didn't get it a few times early on and now wish we had. We ended up with 600 pictures on a 7 day trip in May and when I got them printed for my DM who was there with us the tech said she had never seen pictures that looked that good. We went ahead and got the cd so we can print them out whenever we want to if we need to. Reliving the trip through the pictures and editing the pictures was great fun.

 

[epcotty]

I say just bring a camera and take photos/video when you really want to. It's not like you have to lug around a huge camcorder anymore

 

[Karin1984]

No we do check our photo pass each trip and only see 3 or 4 photos in there, but then again it's just the two of us and we don't meet the characters. I don't feel like posing in front of something and smiling makes the best picture. I'd rather take my own photos and save that money for another night at Disney! I'm amazed people are able to get 100's of photos! At the most we got about 20 for our 5 night honeymoon trip. We tried really hard too! We do have many hours of video and 100's of our own photos though. We just have more fun doing our own thing.

I wondered myself how we ended up with so many pictures, so I checked our first day in MK. This is what the result was, 153 pics, of which 25 stock. Castle is on the list twice, one time by day, one time by night.

 

[V2000]

I wondered myself how we ended up with so many pictures, so I checked our first day in MK. This is what the result was, 153 pics, of which 25 stock. Castle is on the list twice, one time by day, one time by night.

There is a photographer at BOG??

 

[Karin1984]

At dinner only, for the pics you can take with The Beast afterwards.

 

[BarbieGal457]

We LOVED it! We went for 8 days and had almost 400 photos including lots of candids. I loved that all the ride photos were included and even the 7DMT video! We never waited more than 5 minutes for a Disney photographer and they got fantastic and fun shots. If we were the only ones around they spent a ton of time with us too! It was well worth the purchase and my boyfriend and me both agreed wholeheartedly that we will purchase it for every upcoming trip. Even on our 1-day MK trip last New Year's Eve we ended up with tons of photos. It was great and we are ordering it again for December.

 

[Baklava]

I hate taking pictures. I'm bad at it and I always feel like I'm missing the cool thing happening by only seeing it through a tiny box. My little one is hysterical at meet and greets and those alone are worth the money. We like ride photos too, and those get expensive fast!

 

[ecclescake]

We weren't sure either, as we've never got it before, but just got back from a trip and really glad we got it. We're 2 adults, and it meant we got loads of pics with us both in. Even though it meant not getting the discount for buying it ahead of time, we decided to just get the photos taken when the opportunity came up, and then if there were more than 20 we liked we'd get it. About 5 days in we went past 20 so I bought it! Got some great ones with characters, and coming down the Crush n Gusher at Typhoon Lagoon.

 

[Boo Bear]

When do they expire? How do I know how many days I get to use it for? Is it linked to your stay?

I believe it's 45 days.

 

[siskaren]

When do they expire? How do I know how many days I get to use it for? Is it linked to your stay?

Once you download your first picture, you have 30 days to add pictures to your account. Pictures expire 45 days after they're taken. It's not linked to your stay.

 

[msmama]

Yes, but with a caveat.

What are you going to do with the photos afterwards? If they're just going to sit on your computer, I probably wouldn't splurge for MM. If you print pictures or make a photobook (that's what I do) then it's worth it for me.

My son is a HUGE fan of magic shots so we always have TONS of those. And we've always had really good luck finding photographers in out of the way places that have spent a significant amount of time with us (it's not something I've ever searched out, but has happened several times). Since it's just my son and I usually, it's totally worth it to me to have pictures of both of us.

 

[DMCastner]

Our first experience with Memory Maker was 2014. Prior to that trip we would have never bought it, but it was new in 2014 (converted from PhotoPass) and it was on sale. Also in 2014 I had my parents on the trip and it was their first time at WDW so we decided to do it. In short, I wish we would have done it for every single trip because it was AMAZEBALLS (excuse my potty mouth). It forced us to take more pictures than we normally would and for that I am grateful. I have over 200 photos from our trip and I didn't need to fumble with my phone or regret later for not taking enough photos.

 

[barbaraann]

I love Photopass/MemoryMaker, but hate the price. Now that it is a digital download, I am so glad that I purchased a hard copy CD from my last vacation. I got the Memory Maker free with my vacation package last August. I found the downloads confusing, and so I went online immediately after my trip, and purchased the CD. So glad that I did. I recently got a virus on my computer and lost all my pics. I had almost 350 pics from 5 days at WDW. I find that the Photopass people will take more shots when they see that you have Memory Maker. I love the Magic Shots. My next trip is in February with a first timer, and I just might have to bite the bullet, and spend the money, so that we can get lots of pictures everywhere. I will again order a CD, although I guess last time, I could have also burned my own, once I finally figured out the download process.

 

[V2000]

Once you download your first picture, you have 30 days to add pictures to your account. Pictures expire 45 days after they're taken. It's not linked to your stay.

Wow really?!? So I can go to Disneyland in my hometown the following week and use memory maker still?
Sounds like a good deal.