Recent Photopass experiences?

[M5ward]

We got back about ten days ago. We had PP+ using the red card and additional cards that we had transferred to the red card. All of our pictures from ETWB were missing as well as Stitch in the magic shot. I filled out the form on the website and included pictures of the kids. They found everything quickly and added them to my account.

 

[Kat016]

We went from 10/26-11/2 and had PP+. When we got home I used the old website to upload my pics. I didn't know about the new website. The old website had all of my pics but no magic shots. The new website had my magic shots but not all of my pictures. So after being on hold for an hour and a half, I spoke with CM Justin. He was awesome. They put the magic in my magic shots for me. But once I finally went through my pictures I noticed that during one of the Pirate tutorial shows my kids were in, there were about 6 copies of each picture. So the new site may not have been missing my pictures. I will most definitely put the money out for PP+ again because it is worth the money. IMO.

 

[elkkthunder]

Is it worth noting time and place of pictures so if lost they know these details
Years ago I preordered the photopass cd and was happy and there were no real ride photos included
It seems like a pain, but if I use the notepad in my iPhone I assume they could find them quickly with date, time, location?

 

[smitch425]

Is it worth noting time and place of pictures so if lost they know these details
Years ago I preordered the photopass cd and was happy and there were no real ride photos included
It seems like a pain, but if I use the notepad in my iPhone I assume they could find them quickly with date, time, location?

Yes, I highly recommend doing this, and also snap a quick photo of your family each day with your phone as well. You can attach a photo to the online missing photo form, so that will help them know exactly what you were wearing.

 

[fsupharm77]

We were there the first week of November with PP+ and had about a dozen pics missing. We called up and they had the pictures added within 30 minutes. We pretty much only used the card. I believe we had 5 sets with the bands because of hearing that those aren't always showing up. All me MB photos showed up.

 

[chip611]

Do the resorts still have photopass photographers?

Not as much as they did years ago. This time of year I recommend visiting both GF and AKL. They usually have photographers out in the morning and early evening for the Christmas decorations. At AKL it's usually the same hours that their photopass desk is available. I'd imagine it would be similar at GF. Talk to the concierge at your hotel and see if they can contact those resorts and get specific times.

 

[Pooh2]

Not as much as they did years ago. This time of year I recommend visiting both GF and AKL. They usually have photographers out in the morning and early evening for the Christmas decorations. At AKL it's usually the same hours that their photopass desk is available. I'd imagine it would be similar at GF. Talk to the concierge at your hotel and see if they can contact those resorts and get specific times.

That is great! Thanks! Have early supper reservations at AKL, and planned on heading to GF to see the gingerbread house. Appreciate the info!

 

[marie8461]

We used PhotoPass + for our 10/31-11/6 stay. We were missing several photos, but they were able to locate them. We had four magic shots with "no magic." I was told that in order to view them with the magic, I had to go to their new website which would be available on Nov. 18, but if I did not claim by photos before Nov. 18, all the edits I had done would be lost in the new website. I chose to give up the magic shots rather than redoing the edits.

 

[sweetnjmom]

Just came back... all photos but 2 ride pics are showing up (one is in my DH's account, trying to switch to mine) and they are looking for the other. We did the pre-order for PP+. We had nearly 300 photos in 5 days but no magic shots, which I remember from my trip in May 2009. Kinda bummed about that.

While not as good as 4.5 years ago, I am happy that we did PP+. It was worth the $149 to me to have 250 photos (plus all the ones from ETWB) of our family, especially when our camera's battery died at AK (our own fault for forgetting to charge it). We got great pics from PhotoPass of our DS with Pooh, Tigger, Chip and Dale, Baloo and King Louie that we would never have gotten with our iPhones. There are zoom limitations with smartphones.

We got the printed photos from Tusker House included, too.

 

[Scotch]

Are "magic shots" supposed to be automatically offered by certain CMs or are you supposed to request them at the time of taking the photos?

Glad to hear some positive recent experiences. We're still on the fence for the next trip.

 

[Tormania]

After reading many of these threads you would think that the PP CMs that have to deal with the CONSTANT stream of people having lost or missing photos would be the first in line complaining about the shotty system that is used. They must spend hours every day doing nothing but manually finding pictures that are missing from people's accounts. How can this be such a constant issue?? It appears that using MB or the cards doesn't make a difference, both methods result is lots of lost photos for folks?

I just don't understand how this level of incompetence is allowed to persist for so long and nothing is done to fix it.

Here's hoping OUR PP+ isn't as big a mess for our trip in 3 weeks.

 

[chip611]

After reading many of these threads you would think that the PP CMs that have to deal with the CONSTANT stream of people having lost or missing photos would be the first in line complaining about the shotty system that is used. They must spend hours every day doing nothing but manually finding pictures that are missing from people's accounts. How can this be such a constant issue?? It appears that using MB or the cards doesn't make a difference, both methods result is lots of lost photos for folks?

I just don't understand how this level of incompetence is allowed to persist for so long and nothing is done to fix it.

Here's hoping OUR PP+ isn't as big a mess for our trip in 3 weeks.

It is a constant problem for all PP CM's. Not even just when you get home and contact PP but even in the parks, when guests look at their photos and realize there's some missing.

There is a long list of technical problems between the camera and the scanners. A lot of it has to do with the new program that was created to be able to scan magic bands. The program doesn't always connect properly and if you get in a groove and forget to check, you might lost connection and the photos don't get attached properly. It didn't help that they launched a new website (also not working well) in the middle of all of it.

Before I left PP in July, they were still trying to fix all the connection issues and had even hired new IT guys to try and figure it out. But from the sounds of it, they still have some work to do.

 

[chip611]

Are "magic shots" supposed to be automatically offered by certain CMs or are you supposed to request them at the time of taking the photos?

Glad to hear some positive recent experiences. We're still on the fence for the next trip.

Technically, magic shots are supposed to be offered at any icon location, not on a tripod. However, this doesn't always happen. In peak seasons sometimes you'd get busy enough you'd either lose peoples attention or just forget to do them. And of course, there's always some CM's that are just kinda lazy.

I always advise people to ask, wherever you go. Different locations and parks have different magic. You'd hit the jackpot if you find a PP CM with a trainer pin on. They're trained on several magic shots that some CM's are not.

 

[Scotch]

Technically, magic shots are supposed to be offered at any icon location, not on a tripod. However, this doesn't always happen. In peak seasons sometimes you'd get busy enough you'd either lose peoples attention or just forget to do them. And of course, there's always some CM's that are just kinda lazy.

I always advise people to ask, wherever you go. Different locations and parks have different magic. You'd hit the jackpot if you find a PP CM with a trainer pin on. They're trained on several magic shots that some CM's are not.

Thanks for the tip! Now I just have to talk myself into getting the PP+.

 

[chip611]

Thanks for the tip! Now I just have to talk myself into getting the PP+.

Are you planning on doing any character dining? Or even riding 2 rides with photos? The price difference between the 2 CDs is $30. The cost of one dining photo or two ride photos. Either way, a good value.

 

[Scotch]

Are you planning on doing any character dining? Or even riding 2 rides with photos? The price difference between the 2 CDs is $30. The cost of one dining photo or two ride photos. Either way, a good value.

We were definitely going to buy it in advance because of the good value. But after reading so many threads here in recent months re lost photos, the hours spent trying to locate them, and related headaches, I'm not sure I want the stress. It sounds like ride photos are commonly lost; and I've read of some lost character meal photos, too. That's why we're now on the fence. We're wondering if we shouldn't just go the old fashion way and just take our own pics or ask park guests/CMs to take photos for us.

 

[JediBonas]

We were definitely going to buy it in advance because of the good value. But after reading so many threads here in recent months re lost photos, the hours spent trying to locate them, and related headaches, I'm not sure I want the stress. It sounds like ride photos are commonly lost; and I've read of some lost character meal photos, too. That's why we're now on the fence. We're wondering if we shouldn't just go the old fashion way and just take our own pics or ask park guests/CMs to take photos for us.

I got back a few weeks ago and will say we had no problems with pp plus, no lost photos (and we had a lot from rides), and our pics turned out great. I was a little worried about getting it since my kids are so young I wasn't sure we'd get a lot of pictures, but in the end I definitely think it was worth it.

 

[Tormania]

Technically, magic shots are supposed to be offered at any icon location, not on a tripod. However, this doesn't always happen. In peak seasons sometimes you'd get busy enough you'd either lose peoples attention or just forget to do them. And of course, there's always some CM's that are just kinda lazy.

I always advise people to ask, wherever you go. Different locations and parks have different magic. You'd hit the jackpot if you find a PP CM with a trainer pin on. They're trained on several magic shots that some CM's are not.

Great info!! Thanks for all the background you have provided us. This type of info and post is what makes DIS actually useful.