Memory Maker

[Kristin44]

Thoughts on getting the memory maker?

 

[HumblePie]

We loved it. The ride photos and character photos made it 100% worth it!

 

[minniemous]

We never purchased memory maker but this year a friend we were going with at the same time purchased and asked if we wanted to share the cost and get in on it. It was being split 3 ways so I figured it was our chance to try to for $50 so why not.

We really ended up liking it and I will be hard pressed to not get it next year even with the extra cost. I found that I was less time behind my own camera and more time enjoying. You do end up waiting on lines for pictures but we would just go when see saw not much of a line.

Of course if you are already waiting for a character it is perfect because the professional photographer was always there. We got some really nice family shots which never happened in the past.

Also you can ask all photographers you encounter in the parks if they have magical enhancements which are cute. We did not know what was going to happen until we got home and some of the pictures of my daughter were great holding "chip" in her hand or olaf and Sven show up in the picture.

The videos are fun...short but really cool to have. I think it was well worth. Especially if you will end up purchasing a could photos anyhow because then the added cost is really so little it is definitely worth it.

 

[dwbrewster]

Thoughts on getting the memory maker?

I think it depends on how long you are going to be there and how much you plan on taking advantage of it. We were there 5 days and made sure to stop at the photographers and have pictures taken "just because" and ended up with some GREAT pictures of our family.

In addition, if you plan on doing many character M&G's they have photographers at nearly every M&G and they capture some great pictures and it gives you a chance to just enjoy the moment! Another point about if you're going to M&G's, some of the settings (Merida comes to mind) are pretty tough to get a good picture in with your standard camera and they are set up for the lighting and capture some great shots where mine looked like garbage.

 

[Quellman]

We didn't do meet and greet with characters this time. But on a whole of 168 photos taken there were only about 6 that I would display in my house or add to a scrapbook. Too many photos were blurry or over/underexposed. On ride photos from 7D Minetrain do not show up at night. The video doesn't work very well at night. Some photographers do a really great job of suggesting poses and working to make it a great photo (we had three great ones) while others were very uninterested in being there. But the same can be said of any position.

Only get it if you have a special reason to celebrate or will be having lots of character interactions. I would only ever pay in advance.

 

[GGTF1214]

I did not want it at all. The night before our trip I bought it. I will never go without it. It was the best thing. We got great pics and as far as I am concerned it paid for itself. It was so nice not to take my big camera around and I could just iPhone anything I wanted to post to my family right way. GET IT!

 

[ZephyrHawk]

It really depends. I normally would not get it (although I would always take advantage of photopass photographers). This next trip, however, I'll be traveling with 3 other families who can share the cost, and who I want pictures of regardless of whether they're touring with me at the time. So, I'm going for it.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I enjoyed having Memory Maker when I was there but it's the after when I'm home that's annoying.

I finally got the website to allow me to add borders but now I'm trying to download and half the time, I can't open the .zip file once downloaded so I have to do it again.
And then last night I was comparing my downloads with the website and not everything downloaded so I need to choose those files to download again.

It was worth it money wise since I kept a log of the pictures I wanted to get and made sure I did those so it would be worth it.
But the time it's taking to actually get the pictures from their website to my computer is driving me nuts.

I had these same issues the first time too so I guess that says something since I got Memory Maker again. LOL

 

[wareagle57]

The longer the trip, the more worth it, but I would say yes. Ask Photographers without a tripod for Magic Shots as often as you can. it was always fun checking our phone throughout the day or that night at the hotel to see what they would be.

 

[Frozen2014]

I voted yes but guess it depends. We got it on our first trip in October with our kids and we loved it. Ended up wtih almost 300 pictures for 5 park days, and included ones with all of us (i.e. usually I am taking the pictures). Got them all over the park including rides, with characters, etc And have since created an amazing photobook to capture the memories. If/if we come again however, we probably won't purchase.

So I would say overall, it's worthwhile is some of the following are true:

• you have kids (although can see getting it as well if you are coming as a couple)
• first trip (i.e. I wouldn't get it again a couple years later)
• you plan on going on the rides with MM (e.g. Splash Mountain, Buzz, Test Track, 7DMT, etc)
• You do character meets
• You attend BBB
• You attend Jedi Training
• You attend a special event (e.g. MNSSHP, Flower Festival)

PS - Make sure to bring your own camera too since MM won't capture everything (e.g. characters/ princess during meals, at resort, other scenery or moments)

 

[Mikie]

Im a huge fan of it. . . Especially if:
-you have a long trip 6+ days
- you have a big group (family, friends together)
- you love to scrapbook or otherwise collect trip photos
- you'll meet at least a few characters
- you plan to do Jedi training or participate in a Enchanted tales with Belle (they take lots of pictures at both of these)
- you'll make the time to stop at photographers for a pic and sometimes ask for magic shots
- you'll ride many of the rides with photos

My group was all of the above, so it was fabulous. The more items that don't apply to you, the less value you may see in it. I really love the ride photos - something I've never thought of buying otherwise (usually just glanced at them on my way out of a ride) but it's a shot you can't duplicate with your own camera and makes such a fun addition to other posed shots.

ETA: Haha! Posting at the same time as the PP, I see we had the same general list idea! Put them together and there you have it! The definitive opinion

 

[MaleficentEvilSister]

We had it for our October trip and we LOVED it. It was well worth the money since we got almost 500 pictures, including almost every magic shot possible and videos from our Tower of Terror rides and Mine Train.

 

[Dr Gevil]

Im a huge fan of it. . . Especially if:
-you have a long trip 6+ days
- you have a big group (family, friends together)
- you love to scrapbook or otherwise collect trip photos
- you'll meet at least a few characters
- you plan to do Jedi training or participate in a Enchanted tales with Belle (they take lots of pictures at both of these)
- you'll make the time to stop at photographers for a pic and sometimes ask for magic shots
- you'll ride many of the rides with photos

My group was all of the above, so it was fabulous. The more items that don't apply to you, the less value you may see in it. I really love the ride photos - something I've never thought of buying otherwise (usually just glanced at them on my way out of a ride) but it's a shot you can't duplicate with your own camera and makes such a fun addition to other posed shots.

ETA: Haha! Posting at the same time as the PP, I see we had the same general list idea! Put them together and there you have it! The definitive opinion

Couldn't agree more with this and PP. We also ended up with 300+ pics that turned into a great Photo book back home. I also loved that we had photos of all 4 us together - rarely happened before unless a nice person offered to take our pic. AK especially gave some some fantastic pics together.

 

[Dis703]

We got it last trip but I was on the fence this trip. Honestly, we don't get that many great pictures. Partly because we are so busy we don't always remember to stop and get them done and partially because with 3 little boys it's impossible to get them all facing the camera. And we don't do all of the thrill rides or restaurants that are included.

That said, we have had some recent savings on our trip that brings us enough under budget I am considering it again. I don't think it's a must have but if you can afford it I'd say go for it.

 

[Kristin44]

I think I'm sold! I love putting albums together back at home but am always the one taking the shots and it's annoying. Going for 6 days so I think we'll see the value

 

[kittyab]

I love having tons of photos of the whole family. Photos from the rides, dinners, BBB etc.

I made a cool photo book with all my photos.

 

[Mikie]

To those who make photo books - digital or traditional scrapbook? I made one for my parents of our recent trip and was crunched for time. I looked at doing the digital book on the photopass site, which I liked because of all the disney-specific pages and clip art you can use. However, the site was so slow I didn't have time to get proficient and also upload my personal photos to add. Downside, the shutterfly process I love and am better at doesn't offer any Disney pages or art. . . My shutterfly turned out great, just wish I could find something more Disney-fied.

 

[Meriweather]

depends.....we never get it when it is just the 2 of us. DH doesn't like posing for all the photos. We don't do meet and greets

However, we went with 7 people for 2 weeks, DGD's first trip, and we did get it.
That time it was well worth it. I think we got 600 photos.

 

[jsebsirois]

Another yes here!

It's a great way to have amazing souvenirs from your trip!

It's especially worth it if you're planning on staying for a long trip. We always do 10 days trip and we end up with lots and lots of great pictures. Totally worth it for us!

 

[Moonwolf]

I like MM for the ride photos and the magic shots. It's also great for getting an entire group in a photo or full body photos if your alone. And the Photopass people are usually in good locations in front of the icons and have a nice clear area for their photos.