Photopass Questions

[SixUnderSix]

Hi friends!

I had a quick question about the photopasses.

My little man is getting a Wish through MAW. I want to get the photopass and have as many professional looking pics made as I can (we've always just taken our own). My question is, are they good about taking the time to get my son into an area where we can take a good picture - he's in a manual wheelchair? OR should I plan on bringing my good camera (very bulky, etc.).

I see some of the nice shots that people have gotten but I was worried that the photographers might be in too big of a hurry to try to get a good photo with a bunch of children and one in a wheelchair?

Experiences? Thanks

 

[buffettgirl]

It really depends on the photographer, IMO. Some have far more training than others and some are more professional than others. On a slow day you might have someone take more time but mostly we are rushed as there are usually people waiting.

I've participated in 3 photopass "share" groups and so I've literally seen thousands of photopass photos and I've never seen anything that looks all that professional or that I say "wow what a GREAT photo." The quality is pretty much as good as you could get if you have a good camera and know even the slightest bit about how to take a good photo, AND, your child will probably respond better to you. Most of the photos are all very generic; even the ones where they have people pose in "special poses", the poses are all the same. Seeing not just my own family's photos but those from multiple other families I can say it's not just my photos.

However you might get more attention from the photographs being that you're on MAW but again, many of them aren't "trained" photographers.

 

[Disneydragonfly]

If you are staying at Give Kids the World village, you won't need to buy a photo pass. They give you one as a part of your stay there.

 

[Fueledbycoffee]

Another thought.... If want some family shots in Disney Mode, you could always stop in at the Photo Studio at Guest Services in Downtown Disney. It will be a basic background but should be less chaotic & another spot to have pictures taken.

Hope you have an awesome trip!

 

[SixUnderSix]

If you are staying at Give Kids the World village, you won't need to buy a photo pass. They give you one as a part of your stay there.

Oh wow - I didn't realize that. I'm not sure if we're staying there yet or not (we are hoping too) but haven't gotten dates yet.

 

[SixUnderSix]

It really depends on the photographer, IMO. Some have far more training than others and some are more professional than others. On a slow day you might have someone take more time but mostly we are rushed as there are usually people waiting.

I've participated in 3 photopass "share" groups and so I've literally seen thousands of photopass photos and I've never seen anything that looks all that professional or that I say "wow what a GREAT photo." The quality is pretty much as good as you could get if you have a good camera and know even the slightest bit about how to take a good photo, AND, your child will probably respond better to you. Most of the photos are all very generic; even the ones where they have people pose in "special poses", the poses are all the same. Seeing not just my own family's photos but those from multiple other families I can say it's not just my photos.

However you might get more attention from the photographs being that you're on MAW but again, many of them aren't "trained" photographers.

I agree that many photos due tend to look the same on the photo passes; however, I also know when Mommy takes all the pictures, I tend to be in very few and I'm desperate for some with all of us on this trip

I think I'll likely bring my camera and take some and let them take some as well. I didn't realize that we would get a photopass. I just didn't want to have to keep track of my camera in addition to everything else but small price to pay I guess to preserve the memories.

 

[SixUnderSix]

Another thought.... If want some family shots in Disney Mode, you could always stop in at the Photo Studio at Guest Services in Downtown Disney. It will be a basic background but should be less chaotic & another spot to have pictures taken.

Hope you have an awesome trip!

I will check into it, thank you

 

[buffettgirl]

I agree that many photos due tend to look the same on the photo passes; however, I also know when Mommy takes all the pictures, I tend to be in very few and I'm desperate for some with all of us on this trip

I think I'll likely bring my camera and take some and let them take some as well. I didn't realize that we would get a photopass. I just didn't want to have to keep track of my camera in addition to everything else but small price to pay I guess to preserve the memories.

oh yeah, yeah, totally. That's a given. Unless I hand my own camera off to the photo pass person I never appear in any photos. So it is nice to have some family photos and not have to lug your own camera.

 

[TwilightGoddess]

I found that pictures I took with my own camera were better for the most part, but I'm always behind the camera so it was nice that it looked like I was there too! lol And the magic shots are so much fun. Also, when they are uploaded to the site you can add borders etc.. that you can't to your own pictures. I'm very creative with areas, I would find photographers that weren't very busy and asked them to take shots from different angles. You can do this with the roamers. you can also ask the photographer to take pictures with your own camera. If you're not staying at the village than buy your photopass on line before you leave as it's cheaper. I had over 800 pictures when it was all said and done, it was worth my money that is for sure! Also, try going to the photographers when there are events going on like parades (especially if there are two the same that day) you can scoot over to characters like Mickey. We did this and my son had one on one with Mickey for 20 minutes! It was an amazing memory! They danced, chased each other, hugged, it was fabulous. We were lucky to have this with a few characters. Also, from what I noticed is that the photographers for the most part and the characters pay extra special attention to children with special needs. Best of luck to you! Hope you get your dates soon and that you have a fabulous time!

 

[blondietink]

We were not given a photopass when we were at Give Kids the World. We had to purchase our own. Maybe this is new. There was a day/time when some of the characters did come over to Give Kids the World and a photographer took pictures that we were given later.

 

[2012bella13]

On your Make A Wish Trip you will be staying at Give Kids The World or if they do not have a Villa available Wish Trippers usually stay on site at Disney World. Now you will be given a Free Photo Pass for Disney World, so I would take advantage of all of thier P.P., and Give Kids The World will be taking Pictures at the village, at anything that your family does there & you will recieve the CD on your check-out day, if you are staying offsite from the GKTW village, you will need to go back there & check out. They will give you all of this info when you have your orientation (spelling?) at GKTW when they give you your tickets for the parks.

 

[2012bella13]

We were not given a photopass when we were at Give Kids the World. We had to purchase our own. Maybe this is new. There was a day/time when some of the characters did come over to Give Kids the World and a photographer took pictures that we were given later.

When was your trip?
We went in May of 2011, if you was just there, maybe they quit doing it.

 

[maroo]

When was your trip?
We went in May of 2011, if you was just there, maybe they quit doing it.

I think it is probably the opposite - I think the previous poster probably went on their MAW trip before they started doing the Free Photopass for MAW families - that just started in the last few years - I can't remember exactly when they made that decision - maybe in 2010?

But current families going on their wish trip through Give Kids the World (even if they are staying on site because GKTW is full) will get a Free Photopass code during their Orientation.

They will even give you a special card (I think) that shows you are a MAW family - If not, you will have your button and GAC - and the Photopass photographers have been trained to know what that means - so they will (hopefully) take their time with the MAW families and really try to capture the moment for you guys. Of course the photographers capture magical moments for everyone - but I would take a decent camera, but not your great one - the Photopass photographers are not always there and you will want a camera with you.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

bring a camera that is easy to operate for pics at Give Kids The World. they have angels who will use your camera so whole family is in the pics there. lots of pics. we had 2 different MAW trips in 2011 and got the CD from Disney from both. you are going to want camera at the Village. lots of characters, horse back riding and parties just for the families there. esp loved having Mayor Clayton and Miss Merry tuck the kids in one night lots of pics just from that. check out the schedual from GKTW when making plans

 

[2012bella13]

We were there last month, & if we did not have our own camera's, we would not have gotten any pics of Vidia-Tink's Fairy Friend, I missed having the photo pass scanned, but I did get Tinkerbells scanned.

 

[SixUnderSix]

Awesome info - Thank you guys. I think I need to start looking around for a decent camera that's small enough to fit in my pocket or in my bag so I can use both options PP or personal photos depending on where we are and who is available to take pics.

Thanks so much