Photo Package. Is it worth it?

[Jonny_Duck]

I had the annual pass one last year and on my last trip I decided to renew. I got a discount for renewal otherwise I wasn't really planning on it. I'll say Disney generally does a much better job getting pictures done well by comparison to what Universal does. I've had some good ones but others are not great(talking image quality, sun exposure, being in frame,etc) and iirc the resolution downloading them is much less than Disney as well. A lot of the character interactions at Universal don't have their own photo pass ppl there. Generally they'll have a handler that will take a picture with your own camera which for the most part is likely good enough if you have a smartphone made within the last few years. Where it is good is some of the ride photos. Gringotts has a great photo that is worth getting imo. I think for a year pass I'm maybe getting my money's worth with a good amount of trips....For something like 3 days then I'd say unless you're gonna purchase about 3 ride photos or more than it probably isn't worth your money.

 

[Disney Ron]

I found out that if you have annual pass, you can get the picture package for the whole year for the same price as 3 days.

The entire year picture package is the same price as the 14 day package, not the 3 day package.

 

[robl45]

The entire year picture package is the same price as the 14 day package, not the 3 day package.

I see what you are saying, but thats not what Universal is saying on that site. I just repeated what I read.


Annual Photo Pass$139.99Unlimited Digital Downloads for a year. Requires a Universal Florida annual pass, will be converted to a 3 day package if you do not have annual pass.

 

[123SA]

I am also have a hard time deciding. I found this article useful.

https://orlandoinformer.com/universal/my-universal-photos-universal-orlando

Does anyone have any experience with the ride photo check out desks? (I'm spoiled by Disney Magic bands. I like not having to stop at the desk.) Is the wait typically short? If I buy the package, I'll want to stop and get the photos, but if I have to keep waiting in a line for this, it will irritate me. Hmmmm.....

 

[macraven]

Based on the threads from last year, the link in your post is accurate

Need to go thru the pictures before you leave the park that day

One family talked about their experiences with the photo pass in the trip forum (Lebeau)

 

[Disney Ron]

The AP Appreciation price of $99.99 for the year is tempting.

 

[bobbie68]

Hi I just got back and purchased the photo package. I got a summer special for a 5 day pass. At VB there are three selfie stations. You scan the photo card or your tapu tapu if it is linked and it takes the picture. There are no photographers in VB. At IOA you have a couple of ride photos and there is a selfie camera in Jurassic area. I found that the Studios has the most photo options. There are some photographers in the front and quite a few ride photos.

Overall I don't think I would purchase the package unless I got the great deal I got. Some of the pics were lost and the quality was not that good.

 

[Jonny_Duck]

I am also have a hard time deciding. I found this article useful.

https://orlandoinformer.com/universal/my-universal-photos-universal-orlando

Does anyone have any experience with the ride photo check out desks? (I'm spoiled by Disney Magic bands. I like not having to stop at the desk.) Is the wait typically short? If I buy the package, I'll want to stop and get the photos, but if I have to keep waiting in a line for this, it will irritate me. Hmmmm.....

Some rides have a selfie station where you can scan and pick your photo to add to your account. Sometimes it works, and sometimes for some reason the picture is off. I'd say most times there are some lines as they usually only have maybe 2 photo ppl after each ride. How long you wait would just depend on what the person in front of you are doing....I've waited 10 mins or I've walked away in 15 seconds.

 

[yaya74]

Just left The park and I bought a 5-day photo pass for $60 back in May. I got over 80 pictures during the 4 days. Here are my reviews on the pass:

Pros:
- price: for 80 pictures at the price tag of $60 for 5 days, it was a bargain. I spent $169 for photopass for 5 days at WDW (though the Pass actually gave me 14 days but I only used 5 days)....
- family photo opportunity: without the photopass, it's hard to take a decent pic with my whole family.
- photographers locations: we ran into photographers both inside and outside of the park. There was one in front of the Universal globe as well as one in front of the IOA tower. There were photographers at various Character meet and greet. Though there were not as many photographers at UO comparing to WDW, there were enough of them floating around.

Cons:
- missing/mixed up pics: we missed pic from HP rides and found other ppl's pic in my folder. I believe you could go to the photo store to fix the problem but we didn't have the chance to fix it.
- quality: the photo itself is not as good as those from WDW. It might be due to the skills of the photographers. Our Spider-Man picture shows the green background without the special effect. Again the store would fix it but I just didn't get to go back. I didn't have these problems with WDW.

Overall: I would recommend getting the photopass especially if the pass is on sale. A picture worths a thousand words. You don't look at your best in those ride photos but you will definitely hang them on your wall next to your wedding pictures, or on your fridge along with your family's Christmas cards.

 

[yaya74]

Here is another photo taken by the photopass photographer...

 

[macraven]

very nice photos!

 

[123SA]

Grreat photos. Thanks for posting.

I am sooo mad I missed that sale. I didn't realize it would be offered for such a short time.

 

[CoachZ]

Here is another photo taken by the photopass photographer...View attachment 259603

Thanks for the review & information! I think I recognize your family from your YouTube video.