Reviews of Theme Park Photo Pass
Reviewed by vkreed56 Review Date: 05/05/2015
Rating: (6) Recommended
This is our second year using Memory Maker, and all in all, it's a great service. We thoroughly enjoy not having to worry about getting great shots ourselves. But this year, we had a few complaints:
- We had trouble finding photographers; they just didn't seem to be around very much, and certainly not at many of the common places we've seen in past years. Last year, there were at least 2 or 3 right there when you entered the Magic Kingdom and they seemed to be there all day long; we got lots of shots on different days. This year, we only saw 1 one time, and none at all after dark.
- Many of the photographers were not overly friendly; very few of them really went out of their way to create a fun experience. They seemed to be just out there doing a job they were getting paid to do, which is very unlike Disney.
- On several different occasions we observed larger families with kids were getting many more shots and poses, including magic shots, than just myself and my husband were getting. I had to point blank ask one time if we too could get a magic shot, and the girl rather grudgingly did one and then asked to scan our bands meaning she was done with us. The family with 2 kids in front of us got four magic shots, and numerous poses. It really angered us because we paid our money too for this service, and several times we got a much shorter session than others did.
- I just finished downloading our pics, and while many of them are really good, I'm also a little disappointed to see that a lot of them are close-ups in a manner that you can't see the background at all - some of them I have no idea where they were taken! But on the upside, they've added some new features such as video clips.
Memory Maker was a great experience last year, but I'm not quite as impressed this year. I recommend it if you've never done itbefore and want some good pics, but I rather doubt we will do it again in the future.
Pros:
generally good picturesCons:
not enough photographersReviewed by bellebookworm9 Review Date: 04/10/2015
Rating: (7) Recommended
If you're going with a large group, I feel this is a better value when the cost can be split up. No way did my friend and I take enough photos to justify the $170 price on our own. We did get photos from almost all the rides that offer them (did not ride the Mine Train this trip) and those were a nice thing to have. We did get some beautiful shots on Main Street at night.
I was disappointed that as two adults, we were not offered any "magic" shots, or the magic videos that I see other people getting. They also lost one of my sets of photos with the Anna & Elsa topiaries at the Flower & Garden Festivals. I would not be so upset if it was one of the other more common pictures that I have many, many copies from over the years, but this was new, unique one. Filled out the lost photo form but they could not find it for me.
Pros:
Some nice pictures and border/sticker optionsCons:
Missing photos, no magic shots or videosReviewed by DisneyDucksNoVa Review Date: 04/01/2015
Rating: (8) Recommended
We bought the Memory Maker package for our trip the first week of March 2015. It was our first trip bringing our 1 year old daughter and we wanted an easy way to get all three of us in the shot. Based on prior reviews about missing photos, I looked at the Photo Pass site each evening or next morning during the trip to make sure we had all the photos, but we didn't have any missing. Hopefully the newer Magic Bands are solving that issue.
The downloaded images are larger resolutions so they are suitable for larger prints. I have a large format inkjet printer (up to 11 x 17) so I'm able to print 11 x 14 pictures and the image is still very sharp. Downloading with the package also allows for us to use the photos however we want to as long as personal use so we are not restricted to only viewing on their website or buying their prints for the limited time.
From looking at our photos, we could tell there were some photographers that were experienced, but I believe many are not very experienced. They are using fairly expensive DSLR cameras, but many photos just seem to have been taken on full auto mode, which produced similar quality photos as our smartphones that we handed to the photographer. However, some photographers took very good pictures that were much better than what a smartphone or a point-and-shoot camera could do and the photos are good enough for hanging in our house as a larger print. We were able to get good quality photos without lugging around our DSLR all through the parks all the time.
The package price only comes two ways: regular price and advanced purchase discount. The package is then good for 14 consecutive days, but we were at the resorts for only 5 days. It would be nice if they had a less expensive one week option. With the current pricing, the longer you stay the more value you get. I would get this product again, but only if we are staying at least a full week.
Pros:
Getting everyone in the shot; easily linked by Magic BandCons:
Inexperienced photographers; one price regardless the length of visitReviewed by bellebookworm9 Review Date: 12/21/2014
Rating: (9) Recommended
While I didn't get as many photos taken on this trip as in the past, I was still pleased. There were photographers all over the place in Epcot and Magic Kingdom. We only got one photo at Hollywood Studios. All the locations at the Osborne Lights had very long lines, and they don't have a photographer out by the tree in the entrance plaza during EMH.
Only one magic shot was done for us, but we also didn't ask for any. At MVMCP, one of the photos on Main Street had a special border that made it look like we were in a snow globe, which was very cool and unexpected. Our photo from Hoop dee Doo is cute. We did Test Track and the Mine Train, but no other rides with photos. I think the quality of the mine train photos could be better; the camera seems to be placed in a weird spot and many photos I've seen are blurry or sun streaked.
Pros:
—Cons:
—Reviewed by Ronniedawg01 Review Date: 11/14/2014
Rating: (4) Not Recommended
Well, I posted a review for Photopass from our December 2013 trip saying I would never again use this service. For our October trip, I went against my judgement and purchased it once more. Three separate times, I have emailed their help center to seek out photos. This is unacceptable. To ask for $150.00 and then lose at least 10 photos, is ridiculous. Today, I am certain . . . I will never use this service.
Pros:
Nice PhotographersCons:
They lose picturesReviewed by bellebookworm9 Review Date: 08/23/2014
Rating: (9) Recommended
This was my first time using Memory Maker. I was pleased at the abundant number of photographers I saw throughout the theme parks and water parks. Nearly every character I met (and that was a lot of characters!) had a photographer with them. I encountered some new magic shots, such as one with Chip the tea cup, that I absolutely adored.
The long range RFID readers are great on the rides. I never had to stop at a photo counter as all the photos (except one) showed up automatically. I think the new on ride video for Tower of Terror is cute but not as cool as it was hyped up to be.
It seems there are fewer options for borders on the website than in the past. The website is also notoriously slow, particularly when there are many pictures in the account. This has always been a problem, even on the old Photopass site, but there has to be a way to improve it!
Pros:
Many opportunities for photos, RFID readers on ridesCons:
Lack of borders, slow websiteReviewed by bellebookworm9 Review Date: 04/02/2014
Rating: (8) Recommended
I was very happy to find out that even if you didn't spend the money for Memory Maker, your Magic Band can still be used to link Photopass pictures to your account. This made it very easy for everyone in my party to get photos taken throughout the park and have them in one place. We got some very nice pictures at the Main Entrance of Epcot, and my friends also got some on the bridge near France and at the Character Spot. While we may only pay to download one, it's nice to be able to screenshot all of them, though this obviously doesn't result in a very high quality.
The website gets horrible marks in my opinion. I thought the old website was bad but the new version is even worse. It's slow and temperamental-I've been trying to share pictures with my friends who are IN the pictures for two days and I can't get it to cooperate!
Pros:
MagicBand compatible, good photographersCons:
Horrid websiteReviewed by BacksideOfWater1971 Review Date: 01/26/2014
Rating: (9) Recommended
I love Photopass. I have had luck with cameras at Disney. I lost 3 of them (only getting 1 back) and had one memory card break. I do all my character photos with Photopass now so I don't use anything irreplaceable.
Photpass photographers are everywhere at Disney. Simply walk up to one, pose with the character, icon, of whatever, they take the picture, scan your magic band or card and you see the pictures online later.
With Photopass everyone can be in the picture and you can add cool borders later on.
The downside is to get your pictures you have to buy the CD. Also you used to get something special in some photos like Tinker bell in your hand or Stitch popping out of the ground but in all the years I've been going to Disney and using Photopass I've only had one "Magic Shot" Maybe it's something you have to request. If so kinda takes the fun out of seeing if anything random was added.
Pros:
Everyone can be in the pictures, easy to replaceCons:
Lack of Magic ShotsReviewed by dandnmom Review Date: 01/07/2014
Rating: (9) Recommended
Never thought I'd be saying this.... but... Photopass is my source of memories from vacation b/c my camera was stolen the evening we got home (Ohio) - lost all the pictures except a few I took on my camera to text back home to grma and grpa! What a relief - the pictures are irreplacable so thank goodness for the ones I did get thru Photopass....!! Between the disc I got from Disney of standard issue shots and this program, I can salvage some semblance of vacation pictures -priceless.
I do wish the photographers did more candids as well as sought to offer "special" pictures (where one can photoshop in Tinkerbell, Stitch, etc.).
Also- found some photographers to be super friendly and helpful and some a bit less so but that's to be expected - different personalities, different photo opportunities. (PS: Anyone offered a Nikon D40 SLR - battery but no charger; blue and black camera bag- might be mine!! Sigh)
Pros:
captures a lot of pictures- esp valuable if you lose your personal onesCons:
failure of photographers to seek out "special" photo opportunitiesReviewed by Ronniedawg01 Review Date: 12/28/2013
Rating: (4) Not Recommended
We purchased PhotoPass Plus for our granddaughter's first trip. Although the photographers were very pleasant and professional, the customer service end of this process was severely lacking. I placed my order for the CD that I had already paid for and a storybook that I spent literally 48+ hrs. making for my granddaughter's Christmas gift. I also checked 4 day shipping, which would have given me just enough time to receive the CD and book. The book was mailed one day AFTER the CD. The book arrived well within the 4 day window; the CD which was mailed one day earlier, again using the same 4 day shipping method, has yet to arrive. It is now 10 days after I received notice the CD was mailed, and still have not received it. Christmas has come and gone and still no pictures. In addition, I also noticed that several pictures were missing, so I emailed and called. They found all but one. It has never been found. I have pleaded with them to send me another CD and to mail it with tracking information. They do NOT answer my emails. Totally unacceptable and unprofessional. Never Again.
