Somewhat confused about Photo Pass and Memory Maker - help!

[Minkishly]

Here's a bit of context! My fiance and I will be going to WDW for our honeymoon (28 Nov - 14 Dec). We're staying off-site and will most likely be spending 6 to 8 days at Disney. We'll be travelling from Singapore so I'm looking to get everything purchased online (if possible) before we fly.

Since this is our honeymoon, I'm really hoping to get as many photos of our trip as possible, which is why I'm considering Memory Maker. I've already created an account at the Disneyworld website, so hopefully that's a good first step.

I just have a couple of questions because I'm a little confused by the overload of Disney information. We haven't visited WDW for 6 years, so I'm pretty bamboozled by everything. I spent hours plotting our meals for the dining plan before realizing that it was only available to on-site guests -- so that gives you an idea of how clueless I am!

I'm especially confused by the official website because a lot of the time, it talks about the magic bands, which we can't get since we're staying off-site.

(Photo Pass and Memory Maker are available for off-site guests... right?)

See. Totally clueless.


1. How do I go about acquiring the Photo Pass card?

Is this something that I can purchase online or do I have to approach someone at the park?

The impression I get is that when I approach a Photo Pass photographer for the first time, I will be issued a card with an ID on the back. So, I'm guessing that I'll be holding on to that one card for the entire trip and have my subsequent Photo Pass pictures... scanned into it? What about ride photos though?

2. How do I link my Memory Maker to my Photo Pass card?

I'll most likely be purchasing Memory Maker online before the trip. If I can only acquire the Photo Pass card at the park, how do I link Memory Maker to the card? I'm assuming that this can be done either via the app (which I must get down to downloading) or at the photo pass website?

3. What happens if I'm an idiot and I lose my photo pass card?

If I acquire a new card, can I re-link Memory Maker to the new card or do I have to purchase Memory Maker again?

4. If we don't have many character encounters and don't look very spiffy in ride photos, is there any point in getting Memory Maker?

I'm mostly looking to get scenery photos like the ones in front of the castle or around World Showcase. My fiance isn't really into posing with characters (mostly because he hates waiting in lines and would prefer to save that form of torture for his favorite rides).

On previous Disney trips from a long time back, I remember those horrible "free for all" sessions where people just generally take turns running in to take photos with a character and there is no queue system at all. Are those a common occurrence? If so, the likelihood of us getting a shot with characters would be close to zero. We're very shy and passive and would probably not get a chance to have our photo taken.

We also tend to find ourselves in rather unflattering poses for the candid shots captured during rides so those aren't really a high priority. It'd be good to have, but we're okay not having them.

If we don't get many character shots and ride photos aren't much of a priority, would it be a waste to get Memory Maker?


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Sorry for the onslaught of questions, and thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to read and respond!

 

[Disney_Alli]

1) the first photographer you see will give you a card
2) You don't link MM to your Photopass card, you link both to your MDE account (easily done through the app)
3) Take a picture of the back as soon as you get it or link it to your account right away either way you just need the numbers on the back to link it on MDE. If you lose one just get another, if your card isn't handy grab another. You can link as many cards as you like to your account.
4) every character meet at a set time has a line, there's no pushing and shoving. If you want to meet characters without lines a character meal is a great way to do that. They come to you so again no pushing or shoving. To get ride photos you scan underneath the photo where they are displayed or if you get magic bands they should link automatically. I think it's worth it for a trip as long as yours especially celebrating something as special as your honeymoon!

HTH

 

[kmb584]

Also, while you won't get a MagicBand because you're staying offsite, you can purchase them in the parks. The basic colors are, I believe, $12.95 + tax. Then, instead of having to carry the PhotoPass card with you and risk losing it, the PhotoPass photographers can simply scan your band instead.

 

[MareSINY]

I've used Photopass for years, with the switch to Memory Maker I missed out on a lot of the ride photo things (videos) because we didn't have Memory Maker (we didn't have Magic Bands). We're going back this year and I purchased (through Disneystore.com) the Magic Bands for all of us. I'm going to link Memory Maker to all of our bands so we'll be sure to get all the perks of using Memory Maker. The basic bands were $12.95 each. Well worth the cost for us!

Good luck and have a great trip! Congratulations on your wedding!

 

[Minkishly]

1) the first photographer you see will give you a card
2) You don't link MM to your Photopass card, you link both to your MDE account (easily done through the app)
3) Take a picture of the back as soon as you get it or link it to your account right away either way you just need the numbers on the back to link it on MDE. If you lose one just get another, if your card isn't handy grab another. You can link as many cards as you like to your account.
4) every character meet at a set time has a line, there's no pushing and shoving. If you want to meet characters without lines a character meal is a great way to do that. They come to you so again no pushing or shoving. To get ride photos you scan underneath the photo where they are displayed or if you get magic bands they should link automatically. I think it's worth it for a trip as long as yours especially celebrating something as special as your honeymoon!

HTH

This is very helpful indeed, thank you! I finally downloaded the MDE app and I see what you mean about linking both. It looks easy enough! Taking a photo of the card is a nifty tip, I'll definitely be doing that. Good to know about the character meets! I think I'm remembering stuff from at least a decade ago, so it's nice to know that everything is so organized now. I'm planning the honeymoon a little last minute, but I'll try and see if I can manage to snag a couple of ADRs for character meals. Thanks again!!

Also, while you won't get a MagicBand because you're staying offsite, you can purchase them in the parks. The basic colors are, I believe, $12.95 + tax. Then, instead of having to carry the PhotoPass card with you and risk losing it, the PhotoPass photographers can simply scan your band instead.

Oh! This is good to know, I always assumed that the MagicBands for sale were just customized versions of the ones that on-site guests got. I'll definitely look into picking up a couple of those when we get to the park. I can foresee it being a lot easier to handle than the PhotoPass card. Thanks so much for the information!

I've used Photopass for years, with the switch to Memory Maker I missed out on a lot of the ride photo things (videos) because we didn't have Memory Maker (we didn't have Magic Bands). We're going back this year and I purchased (through Disneystore.com) the Magic Bands for all of us. I'm going to link Memory Maker to all of our bands so we'll be sure to get all the perks of using Memory Maker. The basic bands were $12.95 each. Well worth the cost for us!

Good luck and have a great trip! Congratulations on your wedding!

The Magic Bands definitely sound like a good thing to have with Memory Maker! I'm sure they make lovely souvenirs too. c: I'm already eyeing up designs, can't wait to get them for my fiance and me. Thanks so much for replying and for your lovely wishes! c:

 

[ElizabethG]

We are staying onsite, but I also purchased magic bands from the Disney store website. I got an 'Orange Bird' band. I love the cute ones with pictures. I just wanted to add that you need magic bands to get the picture and video from Mine Train. They don't have a place to scan after the ride.

Also, there are plenty of photographers around that just take 'scenery' photos. There are really short waits for them. Also, many can do 'magic shots'. So they take a picture of you doing something and then there will be a surprise in your photo when you see it.

 

[Minkishly]

We are staying onsite, but I also purchased magic bands from the Disney store website. I got an 'Orange Bird' band. I love the cute ones with pictures. I just wanted to add that you need magic bands to get the picture and video from Mine Train. They don't have a place to scan after the ride.

Also, there are plenty of photographers around that just take 'scenery' photos. There are really short waits for them. Also, many can do 'magic shots'. So they take a picture of you doing something and then there will be a surprise in your photo when you see it.

The Orange Bird band is adorable! I'm currently contemplating the Minnie Mouse Polka Dot Band for myself. I think the fiance is eyeing the Pirates of the Carribean one. Or maybe we'll go the classic route and get a Pink and Blue pair.

The magic shots sound really fun! We'll definitely be looking out for those, thanks for the tip! ♥ Really looking forward to Photo Pass-ing our way around the World now!

 

[FePena]

Too bad that they dont ship international...
We could have the bands before the trip. Right, MINKISHLY?

 

[bffdisney]

Just letting you know most character meals don't have photographers at them -- you take those pictures and they won't be on memory maker. But meals are a great way to see characters! And just make sure and stop to get pictures, it will be well worth it! Also, as for magic shots wherever you can. Those are really fun and you can't get them with a regular camera.