Photo Pass...Yes or No?

[chinablessings]

Thinking about purchasing Photo Pass but wanted to hear from others first. I don't have a problem handing my point and shoot camera to a stranger to snap a family photo and I'm often volunteering to take pictures for other families. Is it really worth the $$$ or should I just count on others?

 

[PacoDF]

I did purchase PhotoPass both at WDW and Disneyland Resort, and I think is totally worth it. Specially if you plan on doing at least one character meal (even more if you plan to do more than one) and if you like to get all the rides photos you can (as we do ).

I try to use Photo Pass for whole family shots, character interaction (both dinning and meet & greets) and rides. I still use my own camera for more candid shots of my girls or to make some clips of video.

 

[darcie2000]

It's something that I really wish we had of done on our last trip. We are definitely doing it next time!

 

[MommyWithDreams]

I miss being able to go in with groups on photopasses. A huge $ saver.

 

[ImDMous]

We go to Disney a lot, but on two occasions we have gotten the Photo Pass when we are staying multiple days and have a character meal. Most of the photographers took a ton of pictures if they saw we had the lanyard and it was great to get all our ride photos added to it.

 

[Ratherbeatdisneyland]

Yes!! 100% worth it! You don't have to ask someone, or be missing someone from the picture to get family photos! It's absolutely the best souvenir you can buy!

 

[figment_jii]

I did PhotoPass+ for the first time back in mid-November and did enjoy having it. We did a character meal, lots of attractions with ride photos, and lots of character meet and greets, so it was "worth it" in that sense. On a normal trip, I probably wouldn't do PP+ because we don't do character meals or character meet and greets, so we'd be far less likely to be able to use the service. So, to me, it all depends on whether you think you'll be doing many of the things where PP+ would be applicable.

 

[Lauren in NC]

If you're doing at least one character meal, it's probably worth it. If you preorder (at least 2 weeks ahead of time), it's $70 instead of $100.

We've been three times since November '13 and I've bought PP+ every time. Depending on the photographer, you do get preferential treatment and they do take a lot more photos! Every time I'm planning a new trip, I've debated over not getting it, but it's been worth it to us. Our first trip, the photographer got the most adorable shot of my son giggling with Mickey and Minnie. The next trip, we basically got a personalized family photo shoot in Carsland. The last trip they got photos of him dancing with Mickey and running up to give Woody an enormous hug (and then later giving Buzz a very skeptical side eye). In some cases, my husband (who's a decent photographer) was taking photos at the same time and missed these shots, either due to positioning or lighting (I'm looking at you, Mickey's House!).

It would not be worth it if you're not into characters (so no character dining or meet & greets) or you just generally hate getting your picture taken

 

[DahliaRW]

If you're interested in ride photos, characters, etc, then yes, it's worth it. Otherwise, probably not. For us, it was our neice's first trip, and it was worth it just for the ride photos, even more so because we did Ariel's. We also got some magic shots done which was fun!

 

[minneylovesmicky]

We have booked two character meals - PCH grill and Goofy's Kitchen, how do we use the Photo Pass+ there?

 

[PacoDF]

We have booked two character meals - PCH grill and Goofy's Kitchen, how do we use the Photo Pass+ there?

You just should let them know you have PhotoPass+ when you arrive. Your photo package will be included and will be delivered to your table during your meal.

 

[ktlm]

We love it! We have gotten some terrific family shots by the photopass photographers at DL. Carsland has some great opportunities, and you can get some great night shots there. Also, if you plan to see characters, a lot of them do have the photopass photographers with them. We also found that at DL, if the photographers know you have pre-bought photopass plus (which you will have the card so they will), they go out of your way to make sure you have a bunch of photos. We had a photographer on our last trip tell us where she was going to be a few hours later and that it would make for some great pictures if we would come see her. We had another one walk us to 3 or 4 locations on Buena Vista Street to get shots as he knew we had already bought the photos and wanted us to get our money's worth.

If you buy the photos individually, they are about $15 each, so it doesn't take many to make up the cost.

 

[jsebsirois]

Another yes here! As others said, if you're planning on doing one character meal and get a few attractions pictures, it's totally worth it. We always end up with thousands of photos!

 

[mrsbicewdw]

We plan to preorder one just so I don't feel like I have to behind a lens on our trip. We plan to take a video camera for short snips of interactions and things, but I don't want to also tote a regular camera. Less to carry in the park, more moments captured, and I can relax and not worry about catching or not catching the perfect shot. We will most likely do one character meal - don't know about ride shots...I don't know which rides have photos at DLR (first trip there) but my kids are not big enough for the thrill rides. DS1 might be tall enough, but we just have to see how much we grows over this year.

 

[PacoDF]

We plan to preorder one just so I don't feel like I have to behind a lens on our trip. We plan to take a video camera for short snips of interactions and things, but I don't want to also tote a regular camera. Less to carry in the park, more moments captured, and I can relax and not worry about catching or not catching the perfect shot. We will most likely do one character meal - don't know about ride shots...I don't know which rides have photos at DLR (first trip there) but my kids are not big enough for the thrill rides. DS1 might be tall enough, but we just have to see how much we grows over this year.

The attractions that have PhotoPass system are:

Splash Mountain and Space Mountain at Disneyland
California Screamin', Radiator Springs Racers and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at California Adventure.

 

[kirstie101]

I do it for our trips where we're doing character meals or during Christmas time where I want them to take our photo with the lights in the background and stuff. I actually forgot to order it for this weekends trip and I'm kicking myself a bit.

 

[PacoDF]

PhotoPass is great for after dark shots. They have the proper equipment, tripods, and everything is needed to get great shots of the castle, cars land, etc by night

 

[TheChapman6]

Yes, I love the magic shots we got also. It's worth it to have them all there and ready to view. The number of photographers is awesome too. We never had to really wait to have our pics taken!

 

[DreamIsaWish]

Photopass is so much cheaper in California (I think $69 pre-purchase) than Florida ($169 prepurchase) so to me it's a no-brainer. Three ride photos and you've paid for it.

Having said that, I would not use it as a substitute for your own camera. I've never done dining in California, but in Florida the only picture you'll get with photopass is the posed shot before the meal. The characters do NOT have photopass photographers coming to the tables with them. So you'd miss what to me is the best stuff -- the candid moments.

Get it for the ride photos, magic shots, and nighttime icon shots. Some of the interior meet and greets have better pictures from photopass than what I can get on my camera (i.e. princess hall, Enchanted Tales with Belle in Florida). Don't use it as a replacement for your own camera.

 

[disneychrista]

Not worth it for us. We do not do Character M&G or character meals. Plus they will take photos on your camera/phone.