The MousePros agents recently shared the items on their packing lists. Did you notice what wasn't on anyone's list? A camera. Yes, part of the reason for that is that most of us carry smartphones for quick snaps. But the bigger reason is that Walt Disney World® and Disneyland® offer the Disney PhotoPass® service, making it so easy to leave your camera at home.
Disney PhotoPass® is a free and convenient service provided to all Disney Parks® guests. Disney PhotoPass Photographers can be found throughout the parks, at designated character meet-and-greet areas, and at some dining experiences, ready to capture your vacation memories. (While there is no charge for your photos to be taken, you must purchase Memory Maker or purchase each photo individually).
I love this picture of my four-year-old desperately trying to pull the sword in the stone captured by a Disney PhotoPass photographer.
No more pictures that look like Mom or Dad wasn't there or stopping a stranger to take a family picture and praying that they don't drop your phone! Simply find a Disney PhotoPass Photographer, pose as directed, and smile! Before you say goodbye, make sure the photographer scans your MagicBand, park ticket, or annual pass so that you can easily find your pictures later!
You can find Disney PhotoPass Photographers by using the My Disney Experience® or Disneyland® apps. They are also easy to spot in the parks. They wear white t-shirts and khaki vests and carry DSLR cameras. You'll find them in many iconic locations, including in front of Cinderella's or Sleeping Beauty's castles, by Spaceship Earth in Epcot®, or down Sunset Boulevard at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Be sure to ask your photographer for a Magic Shot and see what - or who - winds up in your photo!
Look who surprised us in this photo!
PhotoPass Photographers can also be found at character meet and greet locations. This way you can enjoy watching your little ones hugging Minnie Mouse while the photographer captures the moment for you. Certain dining experiences will also have Disney PhotoPass Photographers on hand to capture character encounters before your meal.
I'll never forget this moment thanks to the Disney PhotoPass photographer.
Attractions that take your picture during the ride also appear in your Disney PhotoPass photostream. If you're wearing your MagicBand on the attraction, the photo will be automatically sent to your Disney account. If you don't have a MagicBand on while riding the attraction, visit the photo preview wall immediately after exiting the ride and scan your ticket, annual pass, or Memory Maker card to load the picture to your account.
You can view your photos a couple of different ways. You can go to https://mydisneyphotopass.disney.go.com/ or you can view them on your My Disney Experience or Disneyland app. From there, you can use your photos to create products such as greeting cards, photo books, magnets, prints, and more.
If you're like me and can't easily make these types of decisions, you should consider purchasing the Memory Maker product. Current Memory Maker pricing is $169 if you purchase 3 days prior to check in and $199 if you purchase it once you've checked in or started using the Disney PhotoPass service. Memory Maker gives you access to all of the images taken over your vacation. You can download them and create your own prints, photo books, and other products through your choice of service.
My family has purchased Memory Maker for each of our last four trips to Walt Disney World®. I appreciate that it allows both me and my husband to be in as many of the pictures as we want and gives us the chance to be present for all of the character encounters with our boys.
One of my all-time favorite photos of my family, taken by a Disney PhotoPass photographer in Epcot's Morocco.
Your MousePros agent can provide you with all of this information, as well as any Memory Maker price changes when you book your Disney Parks® vacation. Your agent can also help you decide if Memory Maker is a good fit for your family, and if you ultimately decide that it is, they can help you make the payment and secure the advance purchase price.
Do you take advantage of Disney PhotoPass when in the parks? Is Memory Maker a must-do for your family? Visit our Facebook page to tell us why and share your favorite Magic Shot!