Whether it is your first or fifteenth trip to Disney World, PhotoPass and Memory Maker are great opportunities to capture moments and memories that you just can’t get when you are the one behind the camera lens. The Memory Maker package is an add-on to any vacation that my family and I feel is worth its weight in gold. Vacationers can pre-purchase Memory Maker before their trip and save some money. It can also be added on during or after your vacation as well. The Memory Maker package gives you access to all the PhotoPass photos taken during the length of your stay.
We have found that if we pre-purchase Memory Maker, not only does it save us some money, but we go out of our way to seek out opportunities during our vacation to get as many photos taken as possible. Many of our favorite family pictures were taken by PhotoPass photographers. Memory Maker and PhotoPass photos let our entire family be in the photo, rather than one of us being on the opposite side of the camera.
So what kinds of photos can you expect with PhotoPass? You can expect quality photos that are taken by trained professionals in the parks and around Disney property. Let’s look at some of the “do not miss” experiences and memories that PhotoPass can capture.
The Park Icons
If nothing else, you need to walk away with PhotoPass photos in front of the park icons. These include Cinderella’s Castle in Magic Kingdom, Spaceship Earth in Epcot, the Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom, and the Chinese Theatre that houses the Great Movie Ride at Hollywood Studios. Photographers are easy to find in all of these locations. There is almost always more than one and you can usually get varying angles and perspectives from the different photographers in these areas. Getting a picture in front of Cinderella’s Castle from different spots along Main Street USA can render all sorts of varying details. Stop for more than one!
Cinderella’s Castle
Spaceship Earth
Tree of Life
Sorcerer Mickey’s Hat (no longer in place)
Park Entrances
Your PhotoPass opportunities can start before you even swipe that MagicBand for the day! There are often times photographers at the park entrances. You can get some beautiful photos with the title of the park or an icon in the distant background.
Welcome to Magic Kingdom!
Adventure awaits you at Animal Kingdom
Dining Experiences
Some dining experiences, like Chef Mickey’s or Cinderella’s Royal Table, have PhotoPass photographers on site to capture your interactions with the characters during meet and greet times or upon entry into the restaurant. Not all character meals have PhotoPass photographers. You will need to do a little research to find out which restaurants have photographers before you dine.
Chef Mickey’s
Character Meet and Greets
PhotoPass photographers are located at almost all character meet and greet locations and will capture some wonderful candid shots as well as posed shots. This is especially helpful for parents with children. The parent can fully focus their attention on the character interaction and their child’s experience rather than looking through a lens or screen the entire time. The adults can easily jump into the photos as well.
A quick kiss from Rapunzel
The Amazing Donaldo
Hiro and Baymax
Ride Entrances and Exits
You can find PhotoPass photographers at some of the ride entrances and exits. The ride queues have some magnificent themes and make for beautiful backgrounds. Just be sure that your hair is back in place if you are exiting!
The Seas with Nemo and Friends
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Magic Shots
Magic shots are amazing! The PhotoPass photographer will pose you in a certain way that, at the time, seems silly and doesn’t make sense. But later, when you view your photos, all sorts of special surprises will be a part of your photo. These can include pop up characters, balloons, etc.
Tinkerbell spreading some Pixie Dust
Up Up and Away
Sneaky Stitch!
On Ride Photos
I will be the first to admit it. On ride photos are seldom flattering. However, what I do love about on ride photos is that they capture a feeling that you don’t find anywhere else. When I look back at our on ride photos, I get to relive that feeling all over again. People get very creative with their poses for on ride photos. There are lots of great ones out there!
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith
Expedition Everest
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
My family and I have pre-purchased Memory Maker before every Disney World vacation and I have never once regretted it. The photos that we have are priceless and capture the pure joy we experience on vacation and the immense love we have for each other. Snag that Memory Maker option before your next trip, watch for those PhotoPass photographers everywhere you go, stop frequently for photos, and be sure to smile and say MICKEY!
What are your thoughts on Disney’s PhotoPass and Memory Maker? Share in the comments.
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Such good information! Thanks for sharing your awesome pictures!