MK Photo session price increase?

[osxgirl]

Sarah -

When I was booking my MK PS, I also asked the CM at photographic services some questions, including about the photo cd. He told me that if you buy the cd, it will have on it all the pictures from the wedding, including pictures from any of the packages you add on. I asked if that meant the MK PS, and he said yes, that, if you did a honeymoon shoot, all of it. Any Disney photography done as part of your wedding package is included on the cd if you buy it.

And it's a Hi-res cd, which he said they've printed pictures as big as.... 30"x40" (I think?) from. So I do have to say, at least they are giving you everything on the cd. I just think the premium you have to pay to get it immediately, on top of what you have to pay for other things, is kind of high. Especially if you are paying to get the MK PS.

And, as I said before, they told me the cd is $750 if you purchase it immediately (I didn't get complete clarification on that.... I don't know if you HAVE to do that when you are ordering the elements for your wedding, or if that can be done anytime in the first three years after you get married.) If you wait until 3 years after the date of your wedding, it is $99. (Of course, me being cynical about it at this point, keeps saying that that assumes they don't raise the price, change the policy, or lose your pictures in the meantime!)

Oh, and as far as proofs - so far, everything I've seen seems to indicate that for all photography, you get the contact sheets for all photos taken.

 

[Maggimus]

GL with your decision! Since she sent you a PDF file I would say that those are the prices you will be paying. If you decide to book Randy thats cool too-- hes a great photographer and did wonders for me and my DH on our special day! We love him!

 

[lurkyloo]

osxgirl - keep us posted on what your WC says about this. I would feel exactly as you do if this happened to me - what a joke!

 

[osxgirl]

Oh, and just for fun, I just took a look at the PDF....

The date on the PDF was 3/3/07 (probably the date it was finalized).

The printing on the bottom of the pages, however, say the pricing is in effect January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2007.

Huh?

Yes, this appears to be more of the Disney consistency we've all come to know and love.

I think it's luck of the draw what I'll be quoted here. What ANYONE coming up will be quoted on this. Maybe they decided not to put these prices in effect until 2008, and someone forgot to tell whoever was creating the PDF for photographic services?

But none of it seems like very sound business strategy to me.

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

I'm a bit confused now I've booked the MK Bridal shoot but it doesn't say in my PDF that Disney get to pick my 12 shots, am I right in thinking that we get to pick them? Also I'm sure I read somewhere that you get all of your MK Bridal shoot shots, in the way of CD or something, I can't quite remember, can someone confirm this or not?

 

[dee slack]

Oh no! I really wanted the MK ps and at $800 thought it was expensive, but I was gonna ask for money for my 40th to put towards it to soften the blow, but $1000 is just ridiculous and I really can't justify that for the amount of photo's you actually walk away with so I'll have to go without

 

[osxgirl]

Summer -

First, since you know you have the $800, you definitely have the old package that is still up on the DFTW website. Nothing anywhere (and you've said not in the PDF you got either) said who picks the photos. I would assume that means you get to pick them too. The PDF I got actually has two MK PS sessions. For $1000, you get a folio containing 12 4"x6" photos picked by the Disney photographer. For $1350, you get an album containing 12 8"x10" photos that you pick. But I would contact photographic services and ask, just to be sure.

As far as getting all of the bridal shoot shots on a cd - yes, it's possible, but you don't just get it. You have to pay for it. That's the cd I've been talking about, and it's $750 to get it, but it will have all of your bridal shots taken by Disney on it. The only thing you will get as part of the packages you have already paid for is contacts (proofs) of all shots, but no digital copies. That's extra. Wait 3 years, and the cd is $99.

 

[Swmhc]

My planning kit info didn't state whether disney chooses the prints for the folio or if you do (12-4X5 prints) I know that has changed back and forth, so I am not sure which ours will be. Guess I need to clarify that ! It also states that we get a contact sheet with all photos taken. It says about six photos per page and that they are wallet sized proofs. Hope that helps you guys.

Initially my DH and I were set on the MK PS. Then we started looking at prices adding up, we considered eliminating it....then I found the Dis and started looking at everyone's photos and convinced my DH that we would seriously regret it later if we didn't do this. So, we are doing the shoot, even though it is pricey...you guys are right...Disney has the market cornered for this and can charge what they want. Some of us are silly enough to proceed regardless...I am one of them !

Good luck on your decisions everyone ! Remember when in doubt, check with your WP/WC.

S-C...as a UK bride, yours are probably already added into the CD they are giving you. In the US we have to pay extra for the CD, so you should be okay.

 

[osxgirl]

Dee -

I know I've been pretty negative through this thread. But if you really want it, don't necessarily give up. I haven't (completely) yet either. We are still going to talk to the WC and Disney photographic services and check on all this. As many people here have found out, Disney is just not consistent on things. It seems extremely strange to me that this brochure I was sent says the pricing is for all of 2007, yet all of the brides so far this year that have done the MK PS have been charged $800, and that the website and the wishbook both still say $800.

Believe me, they are going to get an earful about it if nothing else! And probably about the fact that they will be nuts to raise the price to $1000, even if I do get the $800 price.

So you may want to at least check before you give up. And I'll be giving an update here once I know something. I haven't been able to do anything about it yet because DF and I need to regroup, write down our list of what needs to be done, get all our questions together, and get this figured out. And since we only get two planning sessions, we probably want to start this out with an e-mail for now, and escalate to phone if we need to.

 

[osxgirl]

SWMHC - Duh, thanks! I completely forgot that Caitlin is a UK bride.

Yep, you get your cd, and the way the CM from photographic services described it to me, if its a photo done by Disney for the wedding, it goes on the cd. So yes, your MK PS will be on there.

I'd gripe about how it's hardly fair you get the cd for free, but then you could beat me over the head with how much your plane fare (and plane fare for anyone coming over for this) is, and exchange rates, and who knows what else, so I'm not complaining! I'm actually amazed to see people coming from overseas to get married at Disney too. But then, it is Disney, huh?

Even when I get mad at Disney, the corporation, I still love the magic of Disney, you know?

 

[dee slack]

SWMHC - Duh, thanks! I completely forgot that Caitlin is a UK bride.

Yep, you get your cd, and the way the CM from photographic services described it to me, if its a photo done by Disney for the wedding, it goes on the cd. So yes, your MK PS will be on there.

I heard this before, but thought I'd better not count on it, as Disney change things so often! I agree with you - it would be annoying to me if I was a US resident too.
What if a UK bride uses someone other than Disney (ie Randy!) for their wedding, but has the MK photoshoot and the honeymoon shoot (as the swap for the wedding) - would they still get the cd?
I think the reason they give us the CD is that it's so expensive to post out the photo's if we ordered them, and also to save us paying import tax etc - Our customs wanted almost $20 in taxes/charges from me to accept a demo DVD from a US company as it was valued at $100

 

[osxgirl]

You'd probably have to ask your WC, or maybe if there's another overseas bride around that has had that situation - you might need to post another thread to get a response on that one though.

If I had to guess, I would think that they probably would put it on the cd for you though, because those pictures aren't really any different than the actual wedding shots, right? If you want more prints, you would have to order them, and then you would be in the same situation with the shipping and taxes and such.

And I would imagine that the cd you get is the exact same thing that we are allowed to buy - it would make it easier for them. All or nothing, no figuring out custom cds that way.

 

[Maggimus]

I heard this before, but thought I'd better not count on it, as Disney change things so often! I agree with you - it would be annoying to me if I was a US resident too.
What if a UK bride uses someone other than Disney (ie Randy!) for their wedding, but has the MK photoshoot and the honeymoon shoot (as the swap for the wedding) - would they still get the cd?
I think the reason they give us the CD is that it's so expensive to post out the photo's if we ordered them, and also to save us paying import tax etc - Our customs wanted almost $20 in taxes/charges from me to accept a demo DVD from a US company as it was valued at $100

YIKES-- thats high in taxes right there! I always thought that Disney gives them to UK brides for added advertising. If you have the CD you are more apt to get photos out to friends and family for good advertising-- whereas here in the states the commercials and word of mouth do WDW justice enough.

I hope everyone gets it worked out-- i would hate to have to pay the additional money especially after knowing that just weeks ago it was 200+ dollars cheaper.

 

[sarah_n_brian2006]

I just got an email from Karen at Disney Photo. She says the price will be raising, but as of right now the website and wishbook are correct. No one knows for sure when they are raising the price, so those of you who have not heard this from their WP, it's coming, just not yet. For those of you brides getting married soon, past the 6 month mark, you're fine. It's people like me (1 year till) that will be feeling the heat. So unless you hear it from your WP, don't worry just yet.

 

[osxgirl]

Thanks Sarah!

Well, ours is October 29th. So maybe I'm ok? Especially since I have our date on the calendar already? I have a call into photographic services, and I'm waiting to get a call back to find out.

Still, I'm kind of disturbed by all this. First of all, that they sent the brochure with the higher prices and no explanation at all. And second, as I said before, at the price hike anyway. Even if it doesn't end up affecting me, I think this one is a ridiculous increase to an already overpriced package.

Maybe this is a test - to find out what kind of outrage and almost-cancellations, or if they get no reactions, from the brides already in the pipeline that were planning on doing the MK PS when they see the price increase.

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

Okay, this thread made me email Disney photography with a few questions re the MK Bridal Shoot. I am not at all happy witht the response from them. Here it is:

Hi Summer

Can you give me your event name. (Bride/Grooms last name) & phone number. I need to talk to you about the Magic Kingdom Bridal Portrait.

Are you going thru a Travel company?

1. Yes, a Disney photographer will choose your prints that will go into the folio.
2. Yes, as a UK bride you will receive a Hi Re CD of all the events at no extra charge.
3. Sorry, to say that the MK/BP went up on Jan.1st 2007 to $1000.00.


I have responded saying that I expect Disney to honor the price I was quoted $800 at time of booking and I also complained about Disney choosing the 12 final shots, even at the $800 price, I am not happy with this, for that amount we should get final say. Plus it doesn't state this anywhere on the PDF I was sent.

I have also emailed Tanis and told her I am very concerned about this and I will likely cancel if they attempt to charge me $1000 for the Shoot.

This is what my PDF says:

Magic Kingdom Portait Session

$800
Package includes:
#Pickup at 06.00am in the lobby of your Walt Disney World Resort Hotel
#Portrait session at Cinderella's Castle and Cinderella's Golden Carrousel
#A 12-print '4x5' white Diney-themed folio (Wedding atire for bride and groom)

Also the prices are valid according to my PDF from Jan 01 2006- December 1st 2007

I am now very, very confused!!!!

 

[georgiajaimie]

To be fair to Disney, written quotations are valid 28 days from issue in most cases, and all through our planning, costs were classed as estimates which are subject to change at any time.
If you really have your heart set on the photos and money isn't too much of an issue, dont be put off by not being able to pick your albumns. I think they have select shots which they put in this. Getting the hi res cd is a bonus we've been able to make copies for relatives and print our own piccies as it suits us. Also its good for editing colour/crops etc.

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

My problem is mainly with the price increase and at no point have they even had the courtesy to notify me of this even though they know I booked it at $800. Why does it say in the PDF that prices are valid from Jan 1 2006 - Dec 1st 2007, if they aren't? I'm just so annoyed, this wedding is costing alot of money and I had my heart set on the MK Bridal Shoot, it's an extra $200 now, which is a lot when you are trying to budget. It basically means I have to cut something else out, if I want the shoot

 

[ForKeeps]

Well everyone,

This is just a stinky situation. (I've got to use DIS friendly language here ) I hate that Disney keeps changing the prices for everything. It all seems so random. I remember last year waiting for the new 2007 prices to come out and couldn't understand why the WP went up disproportionately AGAIN.

It's so furstrating. Especially since they really seem to be pricing some of the elements out of reach.

I really agree with the OP that whoever came up with the new prices did them a disservice. More and more brides won't even consider a MK session because it's just too pricey. Unfortunately I guess the only way we can make a statement (as consumers) is to not buy the product.

I really sympathize with you all, and I hope that Disney wakes up and smells the coffee. You know, if you make enough noise, they just might.

My problem is mainly with the price increase and at no point have they even had the courtesy to notify me of this even though they know I booked it at $800. Why does it say in the PDF that prices are valid from Jan 1 2006 - Dec 1st 2007, if they aren't? I'm just so annoyed, this wedding is costing alot of money and I had my heart set on the MK Bridal Shoot, it's an extra $200 now, which is a lot when you are trying to budget. It basically means I have to cut something else out, if I want the shoot

Summer,

Your case is a bit different. I'm glad to see you're not dropping this because you should get the $800 pricetag period. You booked the shoot based on a PDF sheet providing the "offer terms". As far as I'm concerned that's offer/acceptance. You have a contract. Period. They need to be reminded about the way contract law works. Sounds like a job for a law student

 

[TinkBride]

I just had my MK shoot on March 10.

dont do it.....yes it was a neat once in a lifetime experience, but the photographer and pictures were NOT worth the $800.00 we spent.

DH was SO angry that we spent that kind of money for what we got. I was on the fence about my feelings, but my advice is that it is not worth the $800.00.

Check out my TR tommorow and I will have more details from my experience.