Trying to decide if memory maker is worth it...

[Islandmom71]

Hi all

Trying to decide if the $169 is worth it for the memory maker which as I understand means that I would get every image that is taken by a photographer or on a ride and that ride photos automatically show up in our account through our magic bands. Does anyone know how much each image costs if I don't have memory maker and purchase them individually. In other words, what is my break even? Thanks for the assistance.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

We get Memory Maker every time and we love it. Eliminates cameras.

 

[FelisLachesis]

Each picture costs $14.95, one day of pictures costs $59.00.

Once you hit 12 pictures, pre-paying for Memory Maker is the better value.

 

[dbavis]

we get memory maker each trip. it's just a really nice way to pretty easily get a lot of pictures from the trip. plus, you get some videos and magic shots which are cool.

 

[Wild4Walt]

I was on the fence the last time I was there too. I got it and it was the best purchase of the trip. Since it was only 2 of us, it allowed us both to be in pictures together. We were there 10 days and had over 100 pictures and we were pretty conservative about getting them done. Easily could have been 3 times that amount so it was well worth the cost.

 

[kniquy]

Love the memory maker and I went through the same uncertainty before my last trip. It is a lot of money. We took advantage of many photographers and were able to get some wonderful family pictures. The ride photos are the best! especially when you ride tower of terror 3 times. I would never think of buying ride photos, but those were the best addition to my photo books.

I have to say -It is what you make of it. My husband was not quite on board at the beginning of our trip, especially when they made us pose so they could add the magic shots, after he saw the pictures he definitly got more into it and was actualy excited to stop for photos. It sometimes takes a little time waiting for the photographers, but worth the wait.

 

[wdwlver]

I always wondered why people would spend $$ for MM. But we got so many great pictures last year that I didn't buy....decided to do it this year. Best money we spent. So many funny pics and videos

 

[mousehockey37]

Well, I'll go against the grain here...

We don't get the memory maker. We aren't interested in the posed photos with "special effects" added. On ride photos aren't a thing for us either. I take my DSLR and hand it off to the CM's when it's our turn to meet the characters. I've gotten plenty of awesome photos from them. Sure, we get our bands scanned and we'll look on the MDE to see what pics are there, but so far, we've had no reason to want to buy any of them.

 

[KimBean]

It is worth it.

 

[AliceNDinah]

Well, I'll go against the grain here...

We don't get the memory maker. We aren't interested in the posed photos with "special effects" added. On ride photos aren't a thing for us either. I take my DSLR and hand it off to the CM's when it's our turn to meet the characters. I've gotten plenty of awesome photos from them. Sure, we get our bands scanned and we'll look on the MDE to see what pics are there, but so far, we've had no reason to want to buy any of them.

I think I am with you on this one.....I don't plan on getting the Memory Maker when we go in a week. I LOVE taking my own pictures, and am looking forward to that!!!!

 

[mousehockey37]

I think I am with you on this one.....I don't plan on getting the Memory Maker when we go in a week. I LOVE taking my own pictures, and am looking forward to that!!!!

There is always the option to still buy it AFTER your vacation as well. So make sure to get your band scanned at every photo stop (even when handing off your camera to a CM) and just check things out when you get back. As I said, we haven't seen any pictures that I (or a CM) couldn't get with my camera or add to them using photoshop or whatever.

 

[Islandmom71]

If I don't get the memory maker, will the ride photos show up in our account through our magic bands?

 

[mousehockey37]

If I don't get the memory maker, will the ride photos show up in our account through our magic bands?

Yes, granted they get it right in the system. Some have been known to find pictures of other people/families in their photos...

But anything that can grab your band info and snap a picture, should show up in your MDE account.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Totally worth it. Just the ride pics and videos make it worth it.

 

[Shelbizzles]

I 100% love memory maker. We didn't get it our first trip and I wish I would have. I ended up paying around 50 bucks for 3 pictures. I just think it's worth the money then I can get high quality, nice pictures of our whole group. The photo pass photographer will take it with your own camera/phone but I always prefer theirs.

 

[loves to dive]

Another one who will go against the grain, I get it included in my AP and every once in a while download a ride photo and have done one posed picture in front of the castle at Christmas, that's it. Through the years we have bought a picture or two but it was always less to pay for the individual picture than do all the different versions of memory maker. I'll add, now that my son is grown he doesn't like having his picture taken and I've never been a fan so even back in the day when I toted a camera around, the pictures were of him as a kid and the place itself, there are maybe 10 pictures of me during the course of over 30 years of going. My son and I used to always get a picture taken in front of the hat at HS, he would even wear the same shirt, we went every other year back then. That was the only pictures I'm in and the only ones we bought. After they removed the hat we just couldn't find a location we liked as well so haven't done it again except for, like I mentioned, in front of the castle at night at Christmas.

 

[erinch]

We found getting one AP and getting the AP discounts plus memory maker more than made up for the cost of the AP over a 10 day ticket.

 

[kniquy]

I take my DSLR and hand it off to the CM's when it's our turn to meet the characters.

I don't trust someone else with my expensive camera. 1 if something happens to it and 2 they may not quite know how to operate it. I like that they know their cameras, settings, the lighting etc to get a good pic. Plus no magic shots with my Nikon.

there are maybe 10 pictures of me during the course of over 30 years of going

precisely why I love this option when vacationing at Disney otherwise the only pics with me in it are because I set the timer and jumped into the picture. I love that a semi trained photographer can capture those rare family photos.

For the money if you get some ride photos and stop at some photographers at each park it is worth the money. The other considerations is the length of your trip. If you are doing a shorter 3-4 day trip then might not be worth it. But for a longer trip the opportunity to take more pictures is there thus more rides and more stops at the photographers.

Would I get it every trip- most likely not. But for our once in a life time trip with grandparents and my daughters first trip - it is a must. When we return again in a couple years I'll have to decide at that point but I feel like I would lean towards getting it.

 

[verleniahall]

there are two things I will never do disney without: Dining Plan and Memory Maker

 

[mousehockey37]

I don't trust someone else with my expensive camera. 1 if something happens to it and 2 they may not quite know how to operate it. I like that they know their cameras, settings, the lighting etc to get a good pic. Plus no magic shots with my Nikon.

These photopass folks (and character handler CM's) do very well with other peoples equipment. Most of the CM's I hand off my camera to, the first thing they do is put the strap around their neck. I always have my camera set for them and I don't worry. There's obviously some that don't know Canon or don't know Nikon, but for the most part, they all take great pictures.

If you have photoshop or lightroom, you can easily make whatever magic shot you want.... it's what they do, and then you don't have to pay through the nose to get it.