PhotoConnect StarCard

[strycker]

We used the 3 day pass so we could get some pictures of our first trip to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. We were disappointed to not find a single photographer inside the park the entire day. We made two complete trips around each park and the ONLY photographer we encountered at all was at the front gate upon entering. They are there to get you to sign up for the cards I guess. We had already booked ours in advance for the discount. We were told they would be in each of the areas and specifically in the Hogsmead and Hogwarts areas. Not a single person did we find taking pictures. When asked upon leaving, they told us that they "short staff" for the slow season. That doesn't explain not seeing a single photographer in the entire park. We did get the ride photos which is nice, but expected a few others around the park throughout the day. Just an FYI for those that may be utilizing this pass during your trip in the fall. Anyone else encounter this?

 

[Marquibiri]

Unfortunately, I have to agree with you..

I have the Annual PhotoConnect Card and renewed it for this year's trip (few weeks ago).

Practically non-existent.. I only saw the photographers at park entrance, at Transformers photo spot, and maybe one other during my whole stay.

For HHN, saw two photographers chatting by Mel's Dine-In during my first night, then no more the other two event nights. Last year, for HHN, there were quite a few (like 3 or 4 ) and I got great pics.

This year I added several attractions photos to the card but I can honestly say it was not worth it this year.

Cheers!

Marquibiri

 

[strycker]

It was amazing that they told us specifically they would be posted on the bridge to Hogsmeade for photos. Two trips through that area and multiple looks while in Hogsmeade yielded ZERO photographers. It was disappointing. Was used to the Disney PhotoPass people who were everywhere in the Magic Kingdom. Even the character spots in IoA were take your own pictures. That I thought they would at least utilize the photographers for. We met Captain America. Very chaotic line and people would just stand al talk forever while everyone waited. Had one person there for line control (kind of) but not photographers.

 

[johde]

I have not used Photo Connect yet. I won a free star card on another site so I'll be trying it for the first time this January.

From the research I've done, It was primarily started as a ride photo service and even though it's been a few years their still working on their other photos. First like you saw, other than out front, there are not the roaming photographers like with photopass. But, there should have been some photographers at certain "fixed spots" around the parks. For example, the Simpson Couch Gag and E.T. photo spots should have had photographers. Not all of the Meet and Greet have photographers but Transformers, Minions (in Despicable Me Dance Party after ride), and Spider Man should have had photographers. Finally, the standard lines of some of the rides without on ride photos usually have photographers (depending on wait times) those include Gringotts, Transformers, and Spiderman.

If you google "Universal Star Card FAQ", the first link is to the official Websites FAQ's but the next 5 links are to a web site that can't be directly linked here that gives great up to date information about the Star Card. The link that starts forum.xxxx.xxx is their message boards. They have also been discussing recent issues with Photoconnect but more from getting photo edited.

 

[hpriamson]

Man, that sucks. I know when we used it in April 2013, there were plenty of photographers in the parks - I think we got the Hogsmeade bridge picture every day we were there. I probably won't even bother with the card next year if it's just ride photos only now.

 

[marypoppins81]

Same for us. We purchased after getting a photo coming off of minion mayhem. The sales advisor assured us they'd me multiple opportunities across both parks but we found ourselves wasting time trying to seek out photographers. We found a total of 2 and didn't even want those pictures. None of the character meets had one present.
I called upon returning home to request a refund as felt I'd been mis sold they refused. I ended up disputing with my credit card provider and getting a refund that way.

Planning another trip across the sea for October 16!

 

[strycker]

Does anyone know where I can get a photo release to print the photos? I've contacted their customer service, but if anyone has one they could email me, I will give you my information. I'm afraid they are going to give me the run around about printing from their website as I saw someone ask why their photos don't look good printed and they responded that the downloads are for social media sharing and not intended for prints due to the lowered resolutions. Why would you do that? The sites automatically resize the photos you share and upload. Just their way again to get more out of the customer I'm sure.

 

[modegard]

We used Photo Connect last week for two days and were happy with the ride photos, but the photographers we did find took horrible pictures. A couple of the minion photos I am only half in the frame and a few others are so dark (on a nice sunny day) you cannot make out our faces. The photographer clearly had the settings on her camera set wrong. I was very disappointed overall. This was our first and last time purchasing their photo package. We also have one photo where the photographer had the kids hold out their hands like there was something in them, but then never added the 'magic' to the photo. Just looks like a stupid picture now. Oh well.

 

[djmeredith]

We used Photo Connect last week for two days and were happy with the ride photos, but the photographers we did find took horrible pictures. A couple of the minion photos I am only half in the frame and a few others are so dark (on a nice sunny day) you cannot make out our faces. The photographer clearly had the settings on her camera set wrong. I was very disappointed overall. This was our first and last time purchasing their photo package. We also have one photo where the photographer had the kids hold out their hands like there was something in them, but then never added the 'magic' to the photo. Just looks like a stupid picture now. Oh well.

I had similar bad photos a couple weeks ago. The backup character photos I took with my phone were usually better than what they took. As for the "magic" shots, I was told you have to stop by the photo place and specifically ask for the "magic" to be added. Apparently they don't add it automatically like Disney does. The two magic shots we got we weren't worth the wait at the photo place. The kids like their ride photos, that's the only reason I would recommend buying the pass.

 

[macraven]

Does anyone know where I can get a photo release to print the photos? I've contacted their customer service, but if anyone has one they could email me, I will give you my information. I'm afraid they are going to give me the run around about printing from their website as I saw someone ask why their photos don't look good printed and they responded that the downloads are for social media sharing and not intended for prints due to the lowered resolutions. Why would you do that? The sites automatically resize the photos you share and upload. Just their way again to get more out of the customer I'm sure.

The only person I know that understands hype info on this star card is Bluer101 on these boards.
Send him a pm or ask him when you see him on the threads.
I go to him on the star card questions

Tell him Mac sent you

 

[Pirate1+Princess4]

Found them at park entrances in AM and at closing (early close for HHN). Also at Transformers and lucked out finding one just outside Hogsmeade on the bridge from Jurassic Park. Oh, and also at the Minions Dance Party at the ride exit. Minions are my FAVORITE family pictures. Otherwise, I loaded it up with ride photos.

Also inside Gringott's. My family went through and got the photos. Then they insisted I go (not keen on motion) and there was no photog. So we asked a TM at the front of the ride and she walked us back through the queue to the photo site and a guy take our pic. FYI they won't print HP photos outside of HP areas. And the FJ shop couldn't access the Gringott's photos.

We didn't go to ET or the superhero character sites, so can't comment. I think I saw a photog with Spidey.

I was disappointed and didn't realize until I was in bed on our last night that EVERY photo has logo or border. I'd like to have JUST the photo with no embellishments. Not sure if you can ask for that. AND they put the date on all the photos. I had to ask them to remove the date.

Ended up with something like 150 photos over 3 days. So not a bad haul. Got my free 4x6 and 5x7 for the package AND a free 5x7 for purchasing with AMEX. But by the time they add in the borders, your 5x7 is more like a 4x6. Not worth paying the big bucks for prints.

 

[wellesleyprincess]

We'll be doing two days in the park. Initially I was thinking do the 3 day pass even though we'd be a day short, but now I'm leaning towards the 1 day and just make sure we hit the rides we want photos from

 

[JumpingJack]

I know that for certain shots, like the Simpson's couch gag, that you have to get the funny borders added in later. But, for the ride photos, are the borders (like the fire and mummies on RofTM) automatically put in?

 

[captaindavidhook]

I purchased this for my February trip and I hope this doesn't end up being a waste of time. February isn't exactly a prime time of season for them. I will be really mad if I can't find any photographers all day.

 

[Marthasor]

I'm so glad I came across this thread! I was just about to pre-purchase the Star Card package for our upcoming trip. The pre-purchase price of $60 sounds pretty good, but not if there aren't any photographers around.

If we do pre-purchase it, I'm just wondering how it works? Do we have to stop at a photo connect place everyday to do something with our photos? Or can we just view them online?

 

[elaine amj]

Going to pay attention to this. I love my Photopass pics and was strongly considering PhotoConnect for my upcoming trip. but if there are not enough photographers around - I don't know that ride pics are enough to draw me in. I did read a trip report that talked about green screen photos. Now that would be cool!

Is there anywhere that talks about the differences between Photopass and PhotoConnect for a newbie?

 

[lilkarebear]

We did this for our last trip, we did the Annual Pass card. It was well worth it for us. It's just me and my bf so it's hard to get photos together without asking strangers. Also, well worth it for the ride photos - we got some great ones by the end of the trip.

There aren't a ton of photogs around and some of them are pretty bad. Main places to get pics are the entrances of the parks - there is always someone there. Some of the character meet & greets will have a photog but most don't. There is a list somewhere online of all the places to get pictures - I don't remember where I found it though.

Make sure you stop in the photo store everyday, even to just get a better border on the picture, this way the correct date is on the photo. They can also add some extra "magic," you could be holding something, on MIB ride, they can add aliens and lazer rays, etc.