Photoshare not 'worth' the bargain

[drmommy]

I wanted to share my recent experience so that others may use it to make their own decision on whether to participate. It went down like this: I joined an early June photopass share group. My family happened to be one of the first to go on vacation. The leader for the group purchased the CD a couple of days after we returned. The pictures taken before the date of purchase were not included in the CD...my family's pictures. And now, my family's pictures have expired from the website.

There is a small glimmer of hope that I may be able to recover them...but I'm not counting on it.

For those who may feel so compelled to say, 'I told you so'...FLAME AWAY! Nothing could hurt as much as the guilt I feel for my family's potentially lost memories. That's a risk I'm willing to take so that it doesn't happen to someone else.

 

[Gantu]

I'm SO sorry!


I'll just add that I didn't have the greatest experience either with a share~

Next time, I'll just save up for it!


I really hope you can get the pic's back!

 

[vicki_c]

I hope you got your money back from the leader. That stinks.

Did she not pay attention to when you were leaving, or didn't know that was the rule now (that you have to prepurchase before any photos are taken)? Seems like the leader should have had a better handle on things.

I've only done a share once for a 3 day trip for DH and I. Other than that, I purchase it myself. It's worth it to me.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

I'm sorry this happened to you. I really hope you get your family's pictures!!!

Thank you for sharing your experience - I'm sure your post will help others.

 

[msmayor]

I hope you got your money back from the leader. That stinks.

Did she not pay attention to when you were leaving, or didn't know that was the rule now (that you have to prepurchase before any photos are taken)? Seems like the leader should have had a better handle on things.

I've only done a share once for a 3 day trip for DH and I. Other than that, I purchase it myself. It's worth it to me.

Since when you you have to pay for a CD before any pictures are taken?

Right on the Photopass site it says "we suggest you review all the photos in your account and make any edits prior to purchasing your Disney's PhotoPass PhotoCD to ensure your photos include the borders and signatures you desire."

 

[sydneysmom]

That just stinks. I'm sorry that this happened to you. I sure hope you can get your pictures recovered.

 

[vicki_c]

Since when you you have to pay for a CD before any pictures are taken?

Right on the Photopass site it says "we suggest you review all the photos in your account and make any edits prior to purchasing your Disney's PhotoPass PhotoCD to ensure your photos include the borders and signatures you desire."

For the $99 prepurchase CD - all your photos must be taken AFTER you purchase it to get them on the CD. Photos taken before the purchase will not be added to the CD. This is a new requirement/stipulation that was put into place when they brought back the pre-purchase CD offer for the general public this year.

If you are paying full price for the CD ($150) after your trip, then it's not an issue (and by default, you meet the rule anyway).

 

[Happy Mom2]

I am so sorry this happened to you. My heart just breaks for you. I know how devastated I would be. I considered doing a share, but this was my fear. It was worth the peace of mind to purchase it myself. I hope you are able to get your pictures.

 

[dreamin_disney]

That really Sucks. I went in 2008 and i didnt buy the cd before i left because i didnt think it would be worth it for a few pictures. Well we went photo nuts and took a ton!!!!!!!!!!!! We got two cd worth. When i got home i was able to purchase the pre cd for $99 thanks to the info on this board. I really hope you can get your photo. Sometimes saving a few bucks isnt worth the chance of losing your precious family memories, especially when someone else is in charge. We've only been to WDW once and maybe someday if we were to have another child maybe go back but if not then maybe not. Thank goodness for the pictures we got . Good luck

 

[disney*mom*82]

That really stinks. I first looked into this and they decided that I didnt like the fact of trusting others with my memories.
Our last trip there was 3 families that went (mine, in laws, and friends) we all split the cost. That way it was worth it, but I cant say Ide pay for it on our own. Only thing we dont get is the borders, they are not worth 100 plus IMO.
I know it doesnt help with what happened now, but just so you know for the future, just bring a decent camera.

 

[bumbershoot]

I do hope PP can help you. Especially since you're going to be spending MORE money with them.

I had an issue that was my own fault *after* a share was finished, where I used the same card. Of course, that card was linked to the share owner's account...

So I first wrote the owner to explain why pictures were on her account, then email PP to tell them what I had done. Said that I'd been part of a group of friends, and then I'd re-used the card, and I wondered if they could move the pictures over. They were able to add the pix to a *second* account and I was able to order my full price (for Disneyland, which is cheaper, but it was more expensive then than it is now at Disneyland for PP).

Now, your situation is different, but I know that they keep pictures hidden away on accounts for well after. How? Because that second trip was in December. The first trip was in September. And when the card was pulled over to MY account in December, after our trip once I'd figured it out, all my pictures from September were on my account again. Sept 18th was our first day in the parks, and our December trip started around the 4th I believe...much longer apart than your trip is from now. So I really hold out hope for you!!!!!

Just be clear, make sure they remember that you'll be spending more money with them than you were going to, and that you will really really really appreciate the help they can provide!


And by the way, I didn't know that the rules had changed for the prepurchase, either.

 

[maggiew]

Have you contacted Disney? I have read many times here on the DIS that people have been able to get their pictures back after they expired.

Sorry this happened. I had a really great experience with the Photopass share. Although, I also took my own pictures so that I wouldn't lose all the memories if the share didn't work out.

Maggie

 

[Dorisk3]

I am very sorry this happened to you-I would be heartbroken as well if this happened to me. But, thank you for posting this- it really is a cautionary tale for everyone here on the budget board.

 

[phorsenuf]

I thought these weren't allowed anymore.

 

[vicki_c]

I thought these weren't allowed anymore.

Not on the DIS, but there are a lot of shares that take place on Facebook.

 

[drmommy]

Thank you to everyone that replied for your 'condolences.'

From what I can gather, I don't think the leader was aware of the new rules regarding prepurchased CD's (that it must be purchased before the first picture taken).

The good news? My pictures have magically reappeared on the Photopass site. And fortunately, those weren't the only pictures we took during our trip...but they were some of the best and had everyone in them.

This experience has stressed me enough that I certainly won't gamble it again. The only photoshare I'll be conducting for our trip in December is with my in-laws, who will be joining us.

And by the way, it was a share on FB.

 

[bumbershoot]

The good news? My pictures have magically reappeared on the Photopass site. And fortunately, those weren't the only pictures we took during our trip...but they were some of the best and had everyone in them.

Woohoo!

Order that CD asap! Wait, they were on the share owner's pp page, right? Not on your own. So if you are ordering the CD, make sure the address it's sent to is yours, not the share owner's.

 

[maggiew]

I'm so glad it worked out for you!

I know that I really enjoyed our photopass pictures because they are the only ones that I am in!! I am normally the photographer, so I don't get in many pictures. Some times I wonder if I was even on the trip!!

Maggie

 

[kirbsam]

not to be a smart alec, but in the last two years, you have spent thousands of dollars staying deluxe, and you try to save a few buck doing a photopass share? i dont get it.

 

[dhdozier]

not to be a smart alec, but in the last two years, you have spent thousands of dollars staying deluxe, and you try to save a few buck doing a photopass share? i dont get it.

Geez....that was def. off topic and unwarranted.
I for one appreciate her retelling her experience to save others from making the same mistake.