Photo packages at restaurants?

[LoveMyBoys]

Could someone explain to me how the photo package works. This is our first trip to wdw and I have read about photo packages at Chef Mickey's and now at PSB. If they take your picture do you have to buy the package, can you opt out of having them take your picture. Which of the character meals have the photo packages. Thanks.

 

[MariDisney]

Last 2 times we were at Chef Mickey's they sent us to have our picture taken right after we checked in at the podium. A CM brought the photos to us later in the meal and we had the option to buy or not (we never did...$$$). I am sure you can opt out of having it done. I can't imagine they'd force you to have a pic taken. But, we'll do it again even if we won't buy them just to kill a few minutes while we wait for our table.

 

[HLAuburn]

How much are the pictures?

 

[dcgrumpy]

I think the package at CM was about $28, it includes 2 5x7's and 4 wallets in clear plastic magnetic frames

 

[PrincessTrisha]

At the Ohana's breakfast you get the pictures as well. They were $27 something. You got 2- 5x7, 2 wallets, a magnet and a key chain. Although I am not a "photo" person I ended up buying them for a souvenier.

 

[MickeyP]

They also take them at the Hoop-dee-do review. They do make nice souvies or pics for your scrapbook.

 

[LoveMyBoys]

Thanks, I guess we'll see how we feel about it once we're there. My husband has a thing about buying every picture anyone takes of us (whenever we're at these kind of places) and after a while it gets really expensive. We have ADRs for CM's, PSB, and Ohana's, and I don't know if I want a package from all of them. Thanks again.

 

[triplefigs]

Last week it was: Cinderella package at CRT, Belle in the Yellow gown at PSB, Chef Mickey, 'Ohana. They were all $31 (including tax). We did not take one at CM or 'Ohana. Bought the CRT but opted not to buy the one at PSB. At all 4 places they let us use our own camera to take photos as well.

 

[dcgrumpy]

We go to Chef Mickey's every trip just because of the pictures. It's become a tradition, we have them all on the fridge, it's cool seeing the kids grow.

 

[scorpad99]

We had bought the package at Chef Mickeys 2 years ago, even though I thought it was a little high for what they gave us, but it was a great family picture! We didnt have many of all of us together from that trip.
But this year we asked the photographer if she wouldnt mind taking one with our own camera and it came out so good! I turned down their package and panicked the rest of the day if mine would come out just as good, and it did!
At CRT we took our own with Cinderella also, which came out very nice, but I do regret not buying the package, b/c it was so nice in the framed card they gave it to you in....................My daughter is the most photographed child in the world , I am running out of room for my albums! So I guess I shouldnt feel that bad!

 

[landmark]

We just purchased the package at Breakfastosaurus and the package from CM last March. 1. Because I too like to put the magnet framed ones on the fridge and 2. they turned out good. I end up splitting the package with my mother usually giving her one of the 5x7's etc. DD likes to take the keychain.

That being said I also noticed this year that the same photos taken at the breakfast package showed up on my photopass account. So if you chose not to purchase the package I believe you could purchase the individual photo later in the day or from the website. (maybe this is because DH gave the photographer our card?)

I'd say definitly have the picture taken you aren't obligated to purchase. It just might end up being a great picture! In March there was 6 of us including my mom and dad and I thought there would be no way that a picture would come out that all of us would end up looking good, but it turned out great!