Tips about PhotoPass and Souvenirs

Do take the time to take your children out of the strollers when taking pictures with the PhotoPass photographers! It can be a hassle (especially when you're in a hurry), but the pictures come out so much better. Half the time you couldn't see my kids' faces because of the shade from the stroller, or their head was under the canopy. The few pictures for which we took the time to take them out are the best... and we'll cherish them forever! - Sarah Barnes

Wilderness Lodge - Just returned from a week at WL and they now have a photopass counter in the hotel as well as sessions (for a fee) with photographers for pictures around the lodge - Lesley

Another use for the flashing hoops, other than hanging them around your neck -- We attracted smiles and positive comments when we attached the light-up/flashing hoops to the wheels of my husband's wheelchair. We fed them through the spokes and as he wheeled along they added a bit of fun and uniqueness. As an added bonus, when moving around the parks after dark (we used them in the Studios and Epcot) they make the chair very visible, especially in crowds. Because they can be turned off, the power cell is fairly long lasting and we have been able to reuse them on our second visit. We're taking them with us to Hong Kong Disneyland in early September, which we are very much looking forward to. - Jo Cowan

As regulars to WDW with two children (12 trips and counting), we have amassed quite a collection of light spinners and Disney lights. Many of these we acquired off eBay, consignment stores, and yard sales, often for a dollar or two each (versus the park prices of 10-15 times that much). My tip is to always bring DIFFERENT light spinners than what are being sold in the parks. The older the better. Here's why: 1) They get lots of attention from kids and fellow Disneyheads, 2) they prevent impulse buying, and 3) they are VERY easy to see! I have actually spotted my wife and children from almost all the way across the Seven Seas Lagoon just because of the light spinners they had. If you only have the new ones sold, you "blend in" with the rest. If you bring unusual ones, you stand out! My favorite is a Sorcerer Mickey standing on a pile of gray stones that I got at a consignment store for $1.50. He says "Allekadabra... AllekakaZAM!" then spins. He seems to be the children's favorite as well. Another nice vintage one is the Mickey with an old-fashioned light bulb and spinning mirror that throws the light like old-fashioned police cars. Spinning lights make GREAT collectibles, too! If you start looking at yard sales, you'll be amazed at how many you will find. - Dwayne Owens

We happened to go to Typhoon Lagoon on our first day and they use a smaller Photopass card with a springy bracelet. It was great, I wore my Photopass to all of the parks and never had any problem finding it when it was time to have the card scanned. - Joy Palmer

For those who hate using all of those plastic bags that you get every time you go to buy another souvenir at the gift shops, Disney is now selling a reusable option. For $5.95, reusable tote bags (that come in a variety of colors) are now an option. I saw them being sold at multiple parks and at Disney Springs. These tote bags come in a small pouch with a clip attached for when the bag isn't in use. It's easy to keep with you, and it's a way to reduce your plastic waste. Go Disney! - Jennifer B

Going through the metal detectors at the park entrances, you have to remove celebratory buttons and put them in the little bins with other metal objects. This can be a pain, especially if you're park-hopping! Consider wearing buttons on a lanyard or bag strap to make it easier to take them on and off. - Gilly R.

Going through the metal detectors at the park entrances, you have to remove celebratory buttons and put them in the little bins with other metal objects. This can be a pain, especially if you're park-hopping! Consider wearing buttons on a lanyard or bag strap to make it easier to take them on and off. - Gilly R.

When we go to WDW we keep the kiddie meal Mickey-shaped plates as souvenirs. They wash up nicely (top-rack dishwasher) and have three compartments. I usually use one of the "ears" to put their cups into so that they don't tip them over. They last long, too. We've had ours since the summer! - Kari Svinarich

Remember when you're purchasing merchandise at Walt Disney World and using Disney's shipping to send it out of state, sales tax should not be charged. Sometimes new cast members don’t know this or long-time veterans simply forget. Be sure to check your sales receipt. - Jack Spence

I print out clear labels with all of our information and bring along extra to label everything that we get new at the parks, from our cups to our PhotoPass. The extra labels are great in case you do forget to label something before you leave and the clear labels blend right in. - Cara Martin

If you lose your PhotoPass card, as we did this past week on our vacation, don't despair! A cast member in the PhotoPass place in Magic Kingdom (Exposition Hall) was able to locate all the pictures that were on the lost card and transfer them to another PhotoPass card that we had. How? By using the time and date stamp on my digital camera, I was able to tell the cast member the exact date and time that we were at a certain place with a certain character and they were able to find all of our pictures in no time at all. Of course the best thing to do is to either take a picture of the back of all your PhotoPass cards or write down the numbers, but if you forget to do that those photos don't have to be lost! - KTiede8587

If you go to the water parks early in your trip and you have pictures taken, your PhotoPass has a stretchy bracelet so that you can wear it on your wrist. Use this pass for all of your photos in the parks. The bracelet clicks open and can be put on your lanyard, or you can wear it around your wrist for the whole trip. - Tim Banic

If you happen to have a clear plastic holder for your Keys to the World Cards, put your PhotoPass card with the scan showing through the clear plastic. Whenever you get your photo taken by a PhotoPass cast member, all the CM has to do is scan your card and it can be done without even taking the card out. After many times fumbling for our PhotoPass card, I'm so glad a CM saw me and told me about this. It sure saved some time and was so easy. I had the clear plastic holder attached to a lanyard around my neck, which made for even easier scanning! - DawnMaree Welch

I traveled with a group of 14 this past June. We ended up with three sets of photos to view. Don't buy three CDs of pictures; just email Guest Services and tell them the email addresses and passwords that were used, and all the PhotoPass numbers. They will set up one site and you'll be able to order one CD of pictures. This process took us two weeks to complete with emails to Guest Services and questions for us to answer, but it was well worth the savings. Guest Services will extend the expiration dates of passes so you won't lose any pictures. Always contact Guest Services when in question about anything, as they really do help. - Karen