So ready to go ... But what about memory maker?

[danc18]

I want this to be a very memorable trip .... Kids and grand kids. I'd gladly pay for memory maker but I'm not sure well have many opportunities for pics. Spending three full days on site (WL) and 2 days in MK (prob half days / young kids). For rides, we only plan two that are on the memory maker list plus chef mickeys as a character lunch which is included. Any advice on how to make this worth it?
1) Can all 6 of us use it for rom one account? I set up the trip for our two families.
2) How long do you typically wait for photographer availability?
3) if we just use our cameras, won't any CM take pics of us (although not posted online)?

 

[imthemamahere]

1 - Yes, you can link to each other via My Disney Experience and the photos can all be gathered together there.
2 - It all depends on the time of day, the flow of foot traffic, etc. We've waited for a group or two to have their photos taken before us, and we've also just strolled up to the photographers and found them twiddling their thumbs.
3 - Yes, the photographers will take photos with your camera. But they won't do any setup, so if you have a nicer (DSLR) camera, you'll have to do the settings yourself or set it to auto... They also can't add "magic" to photos taken with your camera. But there are Magic Shots that you can request from most Photopass photographers. If they don't have a HUGE line, they'll happily pose you for a magic shot taken with their cameras. You never know who'll pop into your magic shot photos.

How to make it worth it? Make stopping at the photographers a part of your day at the park. You don't have to stop at every. single. one. But the more you stop, the more photos you'll have taken, and the more likely you are to get a great one. Ask for those Magic Shots. Are you going to do any meet & greets with characters? Assuming things are still the same as on my last trip (about 2 years ago), many of the character meeting spots will have a Photopass photographer hanging around. They are good at catching those fun moments of interaction between kids and the characters. (Plus they'll have everyone gather in the frame and smile for a quick posed photo before you all move on.) Also, when are you going? If it's during the holiday season, there should be a Photopass photographer hanging around the lobby at the Wilderness Lodge at least part of the time. They'll take posed shots of your family by the beautiful (and enormous!) tree. Lovely.

As for the rides + character lunch - if you order individual photos, I believe they're $15 each. So if all you'll want is the two ride photos + the character meal photo, you'll save by just buying the individual images.

I won't do a Disney vacation without Memory Maker. But I can't tell you whether it would be worth it to YOU.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Just our perspective, but it's a must for us. I never would have had that opinion before going and experiencing it myself. Some of our most valued/treasured photographs in our Disney travels to date were from Photopass photographers. For sure some are duds, but others are perfect. It's also a rare time for all four of us to actually be in a photo, which almost never happens in real life.

As PP said, if you do it, make sure to ask for magic shots.

 

[Klayfish]

As previous post said, Photopass photographers will use your camera if you want, but I'd recommend springing for Photopass if you don't mind spending the money. It's so easy and convenient. We've never waited more than 5 minutes, very often you walk right up. In crowded areas, such as Main St in MK and Hollywood Blvd in HS they have one every 30 feet.

 

[nicolemb]

In crowded areas, such as Main St in MK and Hollywood Blvd in HS they have one every 30 feet.

We saw one long line shortly after RD, and kept walking... 30 feet later, another photographer with a much shorter line. I even wish we had kept walking and gone to one of the ones near the statue, to be able to see the castle better!

 

[LIPeter]

I did the memory maker one day plan which cost $59 a day. I went as a single adult, and stopped at every photographer I saw. Some of them had lines, but some were just hanging around. I also did it on a MNNSHP night. I had about 200 pictures taken. If your planning on doing a lot of character shots, I would def do it. And the "magic shots" are great. Just ask the photographer if they do them.

 

[mountdew1]

Anyone who is either on the same reservation (for kids and the like), or linked as "friends & family" (and set to share photos) will have their pictures show up in the Photopass account of the person who has the Memory Maker entitlement. (They will show up in each others account as well, but we only care about the person who has Memory Maker. The person who has the entitlement needs to be the one to do the edits and download, but all the original pictures (no edits) for everyone in the party will show up.

Photographer availability can range. I've walked right up, and also had to wait 5-10 minutes. For whatever reason in places like Main Street, where there are literally photographers every 20 feet, one can have a huge line, while the next two will have no wait.

The CM will gladly take a picture with your camera as well, but it tends to be 3-5 posed (IE Cheese!)/spontaneous (IE everybody Jump or make funny faces) photos with the Photopass camera, and one posed picture with yours. I have had photographers take 20-30 with mine (I usually carry a high end DSLR with me) and I've had some be inspired and take 20-30 with theirs in all sorts of poses and such. If you want to do kids, grandkids, grandkids with grandparents, parents, everyone etc, they will usually gladly do those with theirs, but often will just do the everyone shot with yours.

 

[Nancyg56]

With a group, I think MM is well worth the money. WE used it last year, and even though we did not utilize it as much as we had anticiupated that we would, we felt it money well spent.

 

[danc18]

Sold! The mention of photographers 'every few feet' on Main St struck a chord. I had originally seen the list below for locations. I now see that there are multiple photographers at each and the Disney site lists over 30 spots in MK. No brainier then.

• Magic Kingdom:
  • Main Entrance/Train Station
  • Town Square
  • Main Street
  • Castle Hub
  • Adventureland
  • Frontierland
  • Fantasyland
  • Tomorrowland

 

[Flamingomo]

I did the memory maker one day plan which cost $59 a day. I went as a single adult, and stopped at every photographer I saw. Some of them had lines, but some were just hanging around. I also did it on a MNNSHP night. I had about 200 pictures taken. If your planning on doing a lot of character shots, I would def do it. And the "magic shots" are great. Just ask the photographer if they do them.

How does this work? I am going for the party on Tuesday and then just Wednesday for the day but don't want to pay $149 for memory maker. I enjoy the photopass disc they used to offer and all edits done online it was $99. Is this no longer available? I can't see paying so much but don't want to miss the magic shots with me and my 6 year old at the party.

 

[siskaren]

How does this work? I am going for the party on Tuesday and then just Wednesday for the day but don't want to pay $149 for memory maker. I enjoy the photopass disc they used to offer and all edits done online it was $99. Is this no longer available? I can't see paying so much but don't want to miss the magic shots with me and my 6 year old at the party.

The option to purchase the one day Memory Maker will show up in your MDE after you've had your first picture taken.

 

[TJDisneymama]

Sold! The mention of photographers 'every few feet' on Main St struck a chord. I had originally seen the list below for locations. I now see that there are multiple photographers at each and the Disney site lists over 30 spots in MK. No brainier then.

• Magic Kingdom:
  • Main Entrance/Train Station
  • Town Square
  • Main Street
  • Castle Hub
  • Adventureland
  • Frontierland
  • Fantasyland
  • Tomorrowland

Yeah, theres many more photogs.....pretty sure there is one at every single character meet.

 

[LIPeter]

How does this work? I am going for the party on Tuesday and then just Wednesday for the day but don't want to pay $149 for memory maker. I enjoy the photopass disc they used to offer and all edits done online it was $99. Is this no longer available? I can't see paying so much but don't want to miss the magic shots with me and my 6 year old at the party.

After they take your picture, have the photographer scan your magic band. When you do this, the pictures will show up in your MDE account. When you click on the picture you want, you will be given the option to buy the full MM, or just the one day MM. If you buy the one day MM, all the pictures for that day will then be available.

 

[GeneralTso]

This is one thing that I think is worth every penny. It's fun when everybody gets into it and wants to stop when they see a Photo Pass photographer. The magic shots are well.....magical!
They have some really cool ones right now. My favorite is the one where you are dangling a spooky caramel apple on a string, over a boiling cauldron. Haunted Mansion has a few with the ghosts that are fun too.

 

[scrapquitler]

I want this to be a very memorable trip .... Kids and grand kids. I'd gladly pay for memory maker but I'm not sure well have many opportunities for pics. Spending three full days on site (WL) and 2 days in MK (prob half days / young kids). For rides, we only plan two that are on the memory maker list plus chef mickeys as a character lunch which is included. Any advice on how to make this worth it?
1) Can all 6 of us use it for rom one account? I set up the trip for our two families.
2) How long do you typically wait for photographer availability?
3) if we just use our cameras, won't any CM take pics of us (although not posted online)?

Everyone you have listed in your MDE account can use it
I've never waited more than a few minutes for a photographer, unless it was with a character
Any CM, including the photographers will take pictures with your phone or camera if you ask them

 

[Flamingomo]

I saw somewhere that the PP photographers are at Mickeys BBQ. Is this true or did they used to be?

 

[SeeDisney]

I'd say DO IT!!! have you seen the magic shots?! Have you seen the on-ride videos?! It's very worth it and all of you will be in the pictures.

 

[danc18]

Def going to do it. But it would be cool if someone could post their fav magic shot. Or point me to samples.