MK Photo session price increase?

[osxgirl]

All right, I'm pretty frustrated now. We were having some trouble figuring out what we wanted to do about our photos as it is, given the price of buying the cd from Disney ($750, or wait 3 years for it to be $99).

Either way, we were going to want the cd eventually, because what I was told by someone I talked to in photographic services is that the cd will include ALL of our pictures from the wedding. That means any photo shoots we do will be on it. And the one thing I wanted, regardless of whatever else we decided to do about our pictures, was the MK photo session. We agreed $800 was kind of high, but I really, really, REALLY wanted pictures in our wedding clothes in front of the castle.

We've been doing all our budgeting based on the wish pages. The wish pages had the MK photo session on it for $800. Everything indicated the session was $800, and that none of the sessions were more than $800.

We just got our first e-mail from our wedding coordinator with the pdf files with all the information to start filling out for our Intimate wedding. Included in that was the brochure for the photographic packages, explaining what you get with the Jasmine package (which is what comes with the Intimate wedding), what upgrades you can purchase, and what each costs.

And the Portrait sessions were listed. They are all listed as being a formal portrait session in bridal attire before the park opens, and lasting for approximately one hour in length, not counting travel time. Each package includes pickup in the lobby of your Walt Disney World Resort hotel, a contact proof book with images for your selection, and 4" x 6" keepsake prints from your Portrait Session.

Then there were two Magic Kingdom sessions listed as follows:

Magic Kingdom Portrait Session
Package also includes:
- Portrait session at Cinderella Castle and Cinderella's Golden Carousel
- a twelve (12)-print 8"x10" white Disney-themed album containing your selection of images

$1,250.00


Magic Kingdom Portrait Session
Package also includes:
- Portrait session at Cinderella Castle and Cinderella's Golden Carousel
- a twelve (12)-print 4"x5" white Dixney-themed folio chosen by photographer

$1,000.00

The Epcot session went up too. The difference is - the Epcot session went up $25. The Magic Kingdom session went up $200. And for what? Nothing. There's nothing added on. For $450 more than it used to be, you can get a better album. For $200 more, you can get the same thing. This is what it has been advertised on the page as all along. What it is STILL up on the page as.

I had my heart set on this. But at $1000. For an hour? To get 12 pictures? How can I justify that? When they want another $750 if I want the cd so I can actually print off more pictures. Or pay through the nose to get more prints.

I thought $800 was bad, but hey, it's a one-of-a-kind commodity and they know it. I guess that's why they figure $1000 will work too. But come on.

I am so upset right now.

 

[dmslush]

Holy Smokes!! I had my heart set on this too.. but, I will be rethinking it at those prices!

 

[ForKeeps]

To be honest, even at $800 the MK portrait session was too pricey for me. It's funny, in the beginning I really found that I got caught up in everything...having to have it all...you know...the MK session, the coach, the whole darn fairytale.

But once I started adding up the costs....I had an idea as to how much I wanted to spend on our wedding and we didn't go over that. The first thing off the list was the MK shoot. Then at the last minute we even cancelled Mickey and Minnie. The whole day was magical, and the fact that I didn't have the MK session, Mickey & Minnie, or the coach didn't even enter my mind. I saved over $4000 by not having them and to me, that was a lot more satifying.

So if you need someone to convince you not to do the MK session (and give you reasons why you'll not even notice the difference) feel free to PM me

 

[aprincess72]

To be honest, even at $800 the MK portrait session was too pricey for me. It's funny, in the beginning I really found that I got caught up in everything...having to have it all...you know...the MK session, the coach, the whole darn fairytale.

But once I started adding up the costs....I had an idea as to how much I wanted to spend on our wedding and we didn't go over that. The first thing off the list was the MK shoot. Then at the last minute we even cancelled Mickey and Minnie. The whole day was magical, and the fact that I didn't have the MK session, Mickey & Minnie, or the coach didn't even enter my mind. I saved over $4000 by not having them and to me, that was a lot more satifying.

So if you need someone to convince you not to do the MK session (and give you reasons why you'll not even notice the difference) feel free to PM me

I'm like you in that I really wanted the coach, M&M, etc. However, I opted for the MK & Epcot photo shoot. You get a discount if you do both together. I decided that I would rather have pictures for a lifetime over 30 minutes with M&M or the coach. I would love to have characters at the wedding but at $40 a minute I can't justify it!

 

[KingdomHearts]

My DH and I just got married in July and we were working with a small budget. We ended up opting to do the MK portrait session, and the Coach. Both were truly amazing and once in a lifetime events. The photographer picked us up at the GF at 6 am, he drove us behind the scenes of MK, then right onto Main Street, USA. The whole park was ours, and the photographer was awesome. We even got pictures on top of the balcony of the castle!!! It actually lasted longer then an hour, because he took alot of different pictures of us around the castle area. I dont know your budget for your big day.. but i really recommend doing the portrait session... and just for the braggin rights alone... when I got home and showed people my pictures they were breathless!

 

[osxgirl]

For me, having the characters was never a consideration really. Cute, and yes, you get them in the photos, but I was never willing to spend the money on that.

Although the coach would be a great photo op, as soon as I saw the price, it was never a consideration. And, it was never really a big one for me anyway.

But the pictures in front of the castle.... as aprincess said, the pictures will last forever, and it really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

$800 was kind of pushing it. DF and I agreed on it though, because I really did want it. But now that it's $1000? It isn't DF putting on the brakes here, it's me!

I'm just very, very frustrated at this. Angry really. I got my expectations set based on all of this all along being priced at $800. It still is on the web site. And really, $800 is pretty outrageous as it is. And why a $200 increase? Near as I can tell, because it's popular, and they feel they can. And unfortunately, the only way to get across that enough is enough is to refuse to pay the price... which means not getting what I want either. I'm mainly mad because I feel like they changed things on me at last minute.

And upset, because this is really the only real indulgence I wanted in the whole thing. For the rest - I'm just happy to be with DF, happy to be with my family, and happy to get married at Disney.


The big thing for us is - we were having a lot of trouble with the idea of paying $800 for just a photo session, then turning around and paying $750 to get the cd of the pictures for that photo session (and granted, all the rest of our wedding pictures too, but...) We don't want to have to wait 3 years to make more pictures and for our families to get pictures. Besides, this just makes me more afraid of what bothers me most about waiting 3 years to get the cd for $99. What if they change their policy in the meantime. What if, in three years, they decide to charge $500 for it? Or they can't find it? Or decide they aren't selling it anymore at all, but will be happy to sell us reprints? Or.... They say NOW that we can buy it in three years for $99, but will that be the story in three years?

And instead, we can (if, I hope, I hope, he is still available) get Randy to do the photos, pay around $600 or so, have the cd, have it pretty much immediately, and all our photos, and an album. And beautiful pictures.

The attraction to staying with Disney photography was the MK portrait session with us. If we were getting that, we wanted the pictures on cd. If we were paying for that cd, we would be getting all the wedding pictures on cd, and it seemed silly to pay another photographer on top of that - we might as well just stick with Disney.

If they price us out of my castle pictures, and charge outrageous prices for the cd of the wedding pictures, why am I bothering with them at all?

So, I think we've pretty much decided that we'll contact our wedding coordinator and let her know that we are shocked and upset by this pricing change, and what is behind our reasoning on our decisions for photography. And that they'll probably be losing photo purchases from family that couldn't come to the wedding since we decided to make this an intimate wedding - there's plenty of family that will still want pictures even though they couldn't come, and we would have given out the web page. If they can do something reasonable for us, great. If not, we'll definitely be getting outside photography.

Oh, and just to give you all a point of comparison - I know I said the Epcot shoot went up $25. So did the resort photo session and the dvd video shoot. The black and white package and the honeymoon shoot went up $15 each.

On the other hand, Ariel's package and Cinderella's Collection A went DOWN $275, Cinderella's Collection B went down $185, and Cinderella's Collection C went down $350. And those are packages where you are actually getting additional time, albums, and prints for the extra money, unlike the portrait sessions where you are mainly paying for the location. Guess they were having trouble getting anyone to pony up money for the enhanced packages. They just don't get it, do they? I'm guessing the MK package is the one package that's actually making them some money, so they are going to squeeze it so hard that most people will end up having to drop it too.

 

[figmentfan814]

I just heard about the increase too. I talked to Disney photography on Friday about booking my session for 2008. She told me that there hadn't been an increase for several years and that it will start next year. Unfortunately even though Disney can do amazing things there is always a price attached.

 

[Maggimus]

Wow and I skipped on it before because it was too high. Now its really steep!

 

[osxgirl]

FigmentFan -

They told you the increase would start next year?

See, this is where communication is crucial. So now I have this question - does this price increase I see apply to me or not? My wedding is in October. You would think that if it doesn't, the coordinator would have made sure to say in the e-mail that the prices were wrong, and to make sure to give me the correct prices.

And especially if some prices are going down... you wouldn't think they would want to give out this brochure and then have to tell me that I have to pay a HIGHER price than is in the brochure.

Argh!!!!!!

Either way, I think they need to hear some opinions on this pricing anyway. It's ridiculous!

 

[figmentfan814]

FigmentFan -

They told you the increase would start next year?

See, this is where communication is crucial. So now I have this question - does this price increase I see apply to me or not? My wedding is in October. You would think that if it doesn't, the coordinator would have made sure to say in the e-mail that the prices were wrong, and to make sure to give me the correct prices.

And especially if some prices are going down... you wouldn't think they would want to give out this brochure and then have to tell me that I have to pay a HIGHER price than is in the brochure.

Argh!!!!!!

Either way, I think they need to hear some opinions on this pricing anyway. It's ridiculous!

That's what I was told on Friday, but that could have just been because my wedding is in 2008. I don't know if the increases go into effect any sooner. She just said that next year prices will have been increased. Sorry I can't provide any more clarification

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

I'm getting married Aug 20th and I am doing the MK Photo Shoot and having an outside photgrapher (Randy) I had the MK Photo Shoot at $800 and that is what I have been quoted. i would have thought with your wedding being so close to mine, it would have been the same price. This is the only thing I really, really want. I initially wanted Mickey and Minnie, but I definately couldn't justify the cost, but the pictures however, when else would I get the chance to have pictures in my wedding atire in front of the MK Castle? Every pic I have seen of these are absolutely gorgeous and this is something I have always budgeted on doing. But as others have rightly said, it's all about what you think is a necessity, others have decided against the MK Photo Shoot and it hasn't decreased their enjoyment of their wedding one bit.
Maggimus and ForKeeps both hired Randy and never opted for the MK Photo Shoot and they have wonderful photos, and if I were them I wouldn't be disappointed either for never having done the MK Shoot, they have ended up with brilliant photographs and treasured memories either way.
This is my first time to WDW, and I don't know when I can go back again. I'm kinda going over the top on photos as I don't have many with my DF. I've booked the MK photo shoot, Honeymoon shoot (trade) Randy Chapman (Ceremony, Resort and Wishes) To me these are all worth it because of that.

 

[Sparkles9306]

I'm really curious about this. I booked an MK session for my wedding in October. I was quoted the $800 price. I wonder if it will go up or not.

 

[WDW72]

I think prices are not guaranteed until 6 months outs. So if you wedding is October, the new prices I think would apply. Just check with your EM to make sure.

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

Well all I know is my MK Photo Shoot better be $800, as that is what I was quoted and I booked it based on that price. I think if you're quoted something they have to honor it.

 

[Swmhc]

My experience has been that once they quote you the price, they will honor it, even if the price later increases. I had that issue on some of my items. When I talked to my WP in the beginning, I was given some prices on items, but then we didn't proceed with the contract for a couple months. During that time I noticed some prices had increased and we were prepared to pay the higher price, but when my contract came, the lower price was on them. I emailed my WP to confirm the price difference and she said she was honoring the price we initially discussed. So my advise is that if you are interested in something let your WP know and they can put it on your plan. If you later change your mind, you can remove it. This way you can secure the "current" pricing. I would assume if the cost has decreased, you could talk to them about that and get the lower cost as well.

 

[magdog79]

What I have seen it that no matter what has or hasn't been said from Disney is the price will go up and yes some people will not get it because of that reason. Disney also know there still will be people who will pay the increased price regardless. They will still make money in the long run. It just hurts the people like us who are on budgets trying to live our fairytale.

 

[Maggimus]

I always heard if disney quotes you a price and sends you the info then they honor that price from then forward. That was what happened with my dealings anyway...

 

[osxgirl]

Magdog -

I don't know... given the fact that they are reducing the prices on the upgrade packages where you are actually ordering pictures, I think they DID pretty much price themselves right out of that market.

The difference with the MK PS is that you can't go to an outside vendor to get it. But, like with anything else, there's a tipping point where charging more money actually brings them LESS revenue. If they charge enough that too many people turn down the service, the added money they make from the price increase won't make up for the money the lose from all the people who would have bought the service at a lower price.

And, as I said, they aren't going to JUST lose the $800 from the PS. The likelihood is that given the situation, that might have been enough to lock us into staying with Disney instead of going to an outside vendor for our wedding photos. And our families are going to want wedding pictures. So there's picture reprints. There's the Wedding photo cd. We would have wanted to buy that one way or another if we had the MK PS, even if we waited the three years. But, if the only thing on it is our honeymoon shoot - we'll probably just take the contacts and the folio and call it good. We'll take our own pictures beyond that. Maybe do the Photopass and end up with a lot more photos in a lot more places for basically the same price without waiting 3 years.

I don't think they have anyone who has studied this stuff doing a real analysis for them either. Psychologically, there's a much bigger barrier to $1000 than there is to $800 or even $900 for that. It went up $200, but mathematically, it went up an order of magnitude. Going from 3 digits to 4 digits in price.... they'll lose a lot of people.

And again... yes, I understand it's a very unique setting you can't get anywhere else. It's a dream location. But look at it. A one-hour photo shoot, at MOST. And you get a folio (not an album, a folio) of 12 4"x5" pictures. And all the contacts from the shoot. And how many shots do they take? Probably depends completely upon the photographer. I'm guessing you don't get more than around 30 though.

That's all you get. And it's $1000. If you want any more copies of those pictures, you have to pay MORE! Does this not sound crazy? You would think that if they were going to raise the price like that, they would at least throw in some extra prints to make you feel like you were getting something for it, since it would cost them very little to do that.

 

[sarah_n_brian2006]

Do you get proofs? I mean I know you can buy the disc with the pics, but does the pics go for both wedding and MK? Does anyone know? I would rather spend themoney on the cheaper MK and buy a disc with every pic on it. Can you do that?

 

[osxgirl]

Oh, and Maggimus...

I think I'm caught right on the edge here...

We signed our contract in the middle of February (I don't remember the exact date.)

I knew from the start I wanted the MK PS - had it in the wish book and everything. And I've been TRYING to get it in there, but I had to wait until they assigned a wedding coordinator and got the ball rolling and all, because I really didn't know where to go or what to do next.

So even though I had it in the Wishbook, and I called last week and scheduled the PS, we don't have the contract in place for the PS yet. So we don't have an actual price quote - just what is still plastered on the web page and in the wish book. Which is different than the PDF brochure we just got. DF said that he saw somewhere in very small print on the PDF brochure that the new prices were as of 3/3.

I have to admit, I don't know for sure what the answer will be yet. We have to talk to our WC. But I can't imagine her sending that brochure with those prices in it without clarifying unless we were going to be charged those prices.

Funny enough, I think the disgust over the pricing on this is such that even if we do get the $800 and I do get my castle pictures, I think what we may end up doing is instead of spending $750 to get the cd of our wedding pictures, we'll spend $575 to get Randy (if he's available - I gotta call him soon, but I don't want to book him until I know for sure we want him either!) and then we'll get the cd too, and just figure we'll wait the 3 years, spend an extra $100, and get the castle pictures then.

Before all this, we were leaning towards just sticking with Disney photography and spending the $750 on the cd from them. But now... I really want to use my dollars to voice my opinion. I may not be able to change things for me, but maybe I can help change it for someone else. Even if they are offering a unique product (the castle setting), there comes a point when they price themselves out of competitiveness.

And with the cd and getting digital copies of the pictures, they aren't even close!