Thoughts on Memory Maker, with the cost increase....still worth it?

[brad813]

I am planning two trips to Disney, about 2 and a half months from each other. I noticed the price of Memory Maker 30 Day went up to $169/$199. Would this be viable for two short trips, given the price, and would I be able to use Memory Maker one for both trips?

My dates for the first trip are 9/23/17-9/28/17, and that will be MNSSHP, DHS, Epcot, and MK. The other will be early December and will be AK only.

I am still relatively new to Disney, so I don't know how all this work(though at current prices, Memory Maker has risen to double, or just below double, the cost of a one day ticket.

 

[Allie B]

I'm not sure if you can use for both trips. From my understanding the 30 days is just the time the pics are available for download before they disappear. I do think the cost is definitely worth it especially if you plan on doing a lot of character meet and greets. There is a photopass photographer at almost all of them. They take the most amazing pictures that are better than a family member standing to the side can get.
Also make sure when you see a photographer take the time to stand on the short line and have pic made.

Also, if you do not purchase memory maker ahead of time you can still have pics made and see them on MDE with option to purchase them during or after trip if you would like

 

[brad813]

I'm not sure if you can use for both trips. From my understanding the 30 days is just the time the pics are available for download before they disappear. I do think the cost is definitely worth it especially if you plan on doing a lot of character meet and greets. There is a photopass photographer at almost all of them. They take the most amazing pictures that are better than a family member standing to the side can get.
Also make sure when you see a photographer take the time to stand on the short line and have pic made.

Also, if you do not purchase memory maker ahead of time you can still have pics made and see them on MDE with option to purchase them during or after trip if you would like

My friend at Disney PhotoPass did confirm they stay in your account for 45 Days. This is going to be a complex decision to make, whether to get the advance purchase and then a one day for December or to plan it out so I can use one for both(which, as it turns out is possible, though very tight(I would have to review photos as I went). The September trip will be a solo trip, so I don't know how many character photos and the magic photo things I will get, but I will also be attending the Halloween party. This will be my first visit to any of the four theme parks, and will make my decision on whether to get an annual pass next year(though I think some people will consider it just for the savings on Memory Maker now).

 

[Kirk]

One of the perks of Annual Pass is "All your Disney PhotoPass photos are now included...", just a thought.

 

[brad813]

One of the perks of Annual Pass is "All your Disney PhotoPass photos are now included...", just a thought.

I am still new to Disney, so I am still looking at whether I will enjoy it enough to make several trips to Disney a year(about a 10 hour drive for me). The December trip is a side trip before a cruise. If they allowed payments on them for out of state guests, it would be an easier decision. For now, at least, I am having to cobble everything together.

 

[MommaBerd]

I am still new to Disney, so I am still looking at whether I will enjoy it enough to make several trips to Disney a year(about a 10 hour drive for me). The December trip is a side trip before a cruise. If they allowed payments on them for out of state guests, it would be an easier decision. For now, at least, I am having to cobble everything together.

Have you really sat down and done the math? It may make sense. You can get a discount on your MNSSHP tickets, free parking off off-site, room discount on-site, through the end of September (maybe later?) you get 20% off of many counter service and table service meals AND Memory maker. You can buy a discounted ticket from Undercover Tourist or ParkSavers (so you can make your FPs) and then upgrade to an AP once you get there. Since Disney only charges the difference between the "gate price" and the AP, you retain the savings you got by buying discounted tickets (there is a sticky on the TPAS forum that can explain in more detail). Also by doing it this way you don't have to shell out the money for an AP all at once.

ETA: It could prove to be a savings even just for these two trips!

 

[brad813]

Have you really sat down and done the math? It may make sense. You can get a discount on your MNSSHP tickets, free parking off off-site, room discount on-site, through the end of September (maybe later?) you get 20% off of many counter service and table service meals AND Memory maker. You can buy a discounted ticket from Undercover Tourist or ParkSavers (so you can make your FPs) and then upgrade to an AP once you get there. Since Disney only charges the difference between the "gate price" and the AP, you retain the savings you got by buying discounted tickets (there is a sticky on the TPAS forum that can explain in more detail). Also by doing it this way you don't have to shell out the money for an AP all at once.

ETA: It could prove to be a savings even just for these two trips!

It would make sense if I had the money now, but I have a preexisting ticket I am adding days to for now. I am on a tight budget so a pass will have to wait until next year sometime. My financial situation demands that. I already have my MNSSHP ticket as well.

 

[danygirl]

I don't buy memory maker... instead I make a photo book from the photos for about half the price. Even if you do not buy memory maker you can view your photos and purchase individual downloads. make a calendar or make a photo book.

 

[Mamabun]

I think your two trips with one Memory Maker is an interesting question. I've done this a couple times, but not with trips spread this far. As I understand it, you could pre-purchase MM for $169 sometime BEFORE 9/20/2017. Then collect photos in your account from 9/23/2017-9/28/2017 and just let them sit there, don't download any and don't activate MM. You could then download all those photos right before they hit the 45 day mark and expire on 11/7/2017. That will activate MM and then MM will continue to allow download of any new photos for 30 days, so until 12/7/2017.

I think I've got that right, MM gives you all photos in your account the day you activate it and then lets you collect for 30 more days right? Basically you can download anything that's in your account for 30 consecutive days. It's not that you can download photos taken on 30 consecutive days, right?

 

[brad813]

I think your two trips with one Memory Maker is an interesting question. I've done this a couple times, but not with trips spread this far. As I understand it, you could pre-purchase MM for $169 sometime BEFORE 9/20/2017. Then collect photos in your account from 9/23/2017-9/28/2017 and just let them sit there, don't download any and don't activate MM. You could then download all those photos right before they hit the 45 day mark and expire on 11/7/2017. That will activate MM and then MM will continue to allow download of any new photos for 30 days, so until 12/7/2017.

I think I've got that right, MM gives you all photos in your account the day you activate it and then lets you collect for 30 more days right? Basically you can download anything that's in your account for 30 consecutive days. It's not that you can download photos taken on 30 consecutive days, right?

That is my understanding, though the 45 day mark occurs 11/8, precisely 30 days before I leave out of Miami for the Bahamas, directly after my two days in Orlando, only one of which would be at Disney. The reason I posted this question on the budget board is due to developing a budgetary strategy with the new prices, if I can find enough value in the MM package.