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Disney’s PhotoPass Guide • Walt Disney World

Disney's PhotoPass Guide from themouseforless.com #DisneyWorld #Vacation

Disney’s PhotoPass gives guests the opportunity to have great high-resolution photos taken by Disney Photographers who are using state-of-the-art digital equipment, taking photos in some of the most picturesque locations. The best part? The whole family can be included in these professional shots, since Disney is taking the pictures! It’s a great way to get every member of your family in a few photos, even the typical cameraperson, and will allow guests the opportunity to create wonderful family memories. Go ahead – give it a try!

Once you return home, your photos can then be accessed, shared, as well as ordered online. Our PhotoPass page includes information for Walt Disney World resorts.

Photopass Locations How it Works Accessing Photos PhotoPass Studio Capture Your Moment  Memory Maker  Disneyland Photopass+  Other Camera Services

PhotoPass Quick Link Reference:

What services does Disney’s Photopass offer?

There are two main services that Disney’s PhotoPass offers to guests. They include Disney’s PhotoPass and Disney’s Memory Maker .

  • Disney’s PhotoPass: Guests can choose to get their photos taken by Disney PhotoPass photographers in the parks and buy those that they want when they arrive home. This can be done either as individual photo downloads or all together for a single price. Purchasing photos after the trip can be more expensive than pre-paying.
  • Memory Maker: Pre-pay for up to 30 days of unlimited photos ahead of time. With this service, guests will be able to get not only all of their Photopass photos, but they’ll also get any attraction and dining photos all available to download digitally. Memory Maker can be purchased in advance of your trip at a savings, either separately OR as part of a Disney Vacation Package. Memory Maker is included with an Annual Pass.

How Disney’s PhotoPass Service Works

Photopass Figment

The first time a photograph is taken, you’ll either be given a PhotoPass card with a unique 16-digit barcode or your MagicBand will be scanned. Disney Photopass photographers will scan the bar code or band each time they take a photo. Keep your Disney PhotoPass card safe and accessible at all times in the parks. Present your PhotoPass card to the Disney Photographer each time a photo is taken.

  • First, you’ll need to locate a PhotoPass Photographer. They are pretty easy to spot, as they will be carrying professional camera equipment and usually can be found wearing a green shirt and blue pants or shorts. Guests will be able to find them throughout Walt Disney World Resort’s four theme parks, water parks, Disney Springs, at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, as well as a few other locations.
  • Guests will have a couple of options available to them when they get their photos taken. One option will be that guests can use their MagicBand. The Disney PhotoPass photographer will simply scan the Mickey logo on your band and your photos will be linked to your MyDisneyExperience account. The other option is that guests will be given a PhotoPass card. This plastic card is free and will have a 16 digit barcode. The PhotoPass photographer will scan that and then hand it to you. Any time you get your photo taken by a Disney’s PhotoPass photographer, you will need to get either the MagicBand or the PhotoPass card scanned.
  • With Disney’s PhotoPass, you are under no financial obligation to purchase the photos the photographers take. Even if you don’t purchase any photos after your vacation, you can still share them online with friends and family for up to 30 days.
  • If you receive a PhotoPass card, make sure to keep the card safe and accessible at all times during your stay because you will need to present your card to the Disney Photographer each time a photo is taken.
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MouseForLess PhotoPass Park Tips:

Write down your 16-digit number and keep it safe in case your PhotoPass card is lost. Using your cell phone to text or email your 16-digit number to yourself is another great way to keep track of it, or take a photo of it with your camera. If your PhotoPass card is misplaced, just ask any Disney Photographer for a new card. Multiple cards can be combined later online. As long as you have the number, you can still access the photos on the missing card on Disney’s PhotoPass site.

For convenience and easy access, store your PhotoPass card in a clear plastic sleeve attached to a lanyard around your neck. No need to remove the card from the sleeve each time you would like to use it; it can be scanned right through the plastic.

If you are traveling in a group, you can get the same photo added to more than one card and after your trip each member of the group can set up his or her own account.

Get as many photos taken as you want! There’s no limit to the number of photos you can have.

If your party is likely to split-up, ask for a card for each family member; multiple cards can be combined online later into one account.

Ask for multiple poses. It’s free and Disney photographers are glad to oblige. You can also ask the Disney PhotoPass photographer to take similar poses with your own camera.

Disney will often superimpose characters into one of your PhotoPass photos. These characters can vary by location. Ask what characters might be available at each location.

Did you know you can ask Disney’s PhotoPass Photographers to take specific shots for you? If you want a “silly” photo, for example, just let them know – they may even have some suggestions for you!

Don’t leave your own camera behind. While PhotoPass photographers are usually available on main walkways (especially where main park icons like Cinderella Castle, Tree of Life, Spaceship Earth, etc are in view) and at character meet & greet areas, sometimes they are unavailable, especially on rainy days. Don’t take chances and miss that “special moment.”

Feel free to ask the photographers to take a photo using your camera. Most often they will be happy to oblige, and you will have a copy of a great picture with your whole party!

 

PhotoPass Magic Shots

Disney PhotoPass Service is famous for taking a few “magical” photos. Magic Shots are a special service of Disney PhotoPass Service that adds a special touch of magic to Guests’ photos by using props and include other special elements such as Disney characters or other surprises. These unique photos can be taken at several different locations. If a Photopass Photographer asks you to stand in a strange pose or look at an area where there is nothing to look at, you will likely have a Magic Shot to check out on MyDisneyExperience later.

Guests can also receive animated magic shots.  These pictures come alive with animation when viewed on the MyDisneyExperience app and can be shared online. There are a few locations for these animated pictures. Be on the lookout for other animated magic shots for special events or seasons.

  • A shot featuring Mickey as a magician is available at outside Crystal Arts on Main Street or at the entrance of Magic Kingdom Park.
  • A shot adding a picture of your family to Ariel’s undersea collection can be found on the bridge outside of Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid.
  • Your group can join the resistance with a special shot near the X-Wing and A-Wing fighters in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
  • Also in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, your pictures are added to a slideshow that showcases Hollywood, and can be added in multiple locations, including Outside of Tailors to the Stars and Keystone Clothiers on Hollywood Boulevard, in front of Mickey’s Runaway Railway, near the pathway to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster on Sunset Boulevard, and from the photographer closest to the Hollywood Tower Hotel on Sunset Boulevard
  • When you meet Cinderella before dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table or visit her at Princess Fairy Tale Hall in Magic Kingdom Park, you’ll be welcomed with an Animated Magic Shot featuring Jaq and Gus.
  • Guests with Memory Maker will be able to enjoy animated shots of their attraction photos on several attractions including: Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger SpinSeven Dwarfs Mine Train, and Tower of Terror.

Magic Shots change frequently and you never know what you’re going to get! Always ask the Disney PhotoPass Photographer if they have a special Magic Shot for that location.

How To Access Photos

Disney PhotoPass Service has opened the doors to an online experience for Walt Disney World Resort guests at MyDisneyPhotoPass.com. This web site will work in conjunction with MyMagic+ and Magicbands.

Via the website, guests will be able to organize photos in a timeline that allows them to relive vacation memories as they happened. The website also offers guests the chance to edit their photos, changing them from color to black and white or sepia, as well as adding unique options to include on the photographs such as Disney borders, stickers featuring Character signatures and Disney icons.

If it is your first time visiting MyDisneyPhotoPass.com, you will need to register for an account in order to be able to access your photos. If you already have a My Disney Experience account, you will simply need to enter your username and password.

Keep in mind that if you are attempting to access photos from Disneyland Resort, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex (Gameday Photos) and Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, you will need to do so via a separate website links at MyDisneyPhotoPass.com.

All Disney’s PhotoPass photos, dining photos and attraction photos in MyDisneyPhotoPass.com accounts will now expire 45 days from the date the photos were taken. This means that the expiration date of all of your photos may vary, depending on the date each photo was taken. (For example, if you went on a vacation Monday through Friday, your Monday photo will expire first, and then four days later, your Friday photos would expire.)

Guests who would like to extend their photos expiration date to 60 days from the date the photos were taken may purchase an expiration extension if they wish. If purchased, all photos in guest accounts as of the day the expiration extension is purchased will then expire 60 days from the date the photos were taken. Please keep in mind that expiration dates of photos may only be extended once. (So you will need to make sure that all of your photos are edited and ordered by the expiration time, because once they are gone, they are gone.)

You will also be able to share photos with family and friends online. You can also purchase specialty prints; photo greeting cards; Photo Books, and other photo products for an additional cost.

To view the expiration date of a photo in your album, click to enlarge the photo. Beneath the enlarged photo, the expiration date will appear. You will receive a notification email prior to the removal of the images. Please ensure your email address is valid and that if you use a Spam filter, you check your Spam folder for this message. You can also add DisneyPhotoPass@ecommserv.com to your accepted email senders list to help ensure these important emails reaches you. Disney reserves the right to not upload photos which are deemed to be of poor quality and/or contain content that might be deemed to be offensive. No complimentary extension will be granted on the 30 days you have to view, share, and purchase photos.

 

MouseForLess Photo Accessing Tips:

Disney offers an extension on your PhotoPass time for a price. A photo storage extension can be purchased for $19.95 for 15 days. If you need more time to decided which photos to purchase, watch the PhotoPass “Special Offer” area as sometimes discounts on storage extension are offered.

Once you access your photos you can view and share them, as well as order prints of your photos and create Disney keepsake products before they are deleted. Be aware that photos are deleted at midnight on the day of expiration. This means the day before your expiration date is the last full day to access your photos.

The PhotoPass site has e-cards you can make and send, personalized from photos in your account and music. Plus, you can share your PhotoPass photos three ways: via email, post to a blog or even publish directly to your Facebook news feed. Friends and family are only able to view your vacation photo albums and order prints. They are not able to make edits to your photos. Click here to learn more about sharing photos from your account.

If you have Internet access (all Walt Disney World resorts and parks provide free WiFi access to guests) and would like to share your photos with family and friends while on vacation, you can do so by registering your PhotoPass card(s) right away. This can be an easy and simple way to involve everyone in your vacation via PhotoPass’ free photo sharing options, email, ecards or Facebook. Just remember, once you log-in after the first photo has been taken, you will only have 30 days from that point to make enhancements and purchases.

If you have more than one Disney’s PhotoPass ID when you register, simply click the “Add another ID” under your account information to combine cards onto a single account.

Disney’s PhotoPass website keeps track of all of the PhotoPass numbers (cards) that you enter indefinitely. You can re-use a PhotoPass card from a previous vacation, but be sure you can still access the card before leaving home. You can find your card numbers under your account information. And, remember that you have 30 days to log-in once you start adding new photos to claim them.

If you lose your PhotoPass card and don’t have the number for the card, Disney may still be able to help you find your photos. Just fill out a Lost PhotoPass Form online with as much info as you can remember. Disney can only find photos taken within the last 30 days. If you discover you’ve lost your card in the park, you can also stop by one of the photo centers for assistance.

When you have your Disney’s PhotoPass photo taken at select Character Meet and Greet locations in the Walt Disney World theme parks, Disney will magically add a selection of incredible stock photos of your favorite Characters from your encounter. These stock photos are all available for you to view, share, or use in any of PhotoPass online photo products. You can use them to spice up your Disney’s Photo Book, Calendars, Greeting Cards and best of all, when you purchase Disney’s PhotoCD they are also included as high-resolution files on the disc for your personal use at home, for printing or social media.

PhotoPass Locations at Walt Disney World Resort

Here is a list of some common Photopass locations. Check the MyDisneyExperience app under the Photopass tab to find specific locations on the day of your visit to the parks.

Magic Kingdom Park

      • Agrabah Bazaar Meet and Greet – photo opts with Aladdin, Jasmine and the Genie
      • Ariel’s Grotto Meet and Greet – have your photo taken with Ariel
      • Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
      • Be Our Guest Meet and Greet – meet the Beast
      • Cinderella Castle, near Crystal Palace
      • Enchanted Tales With Belle – Have your photo taken with Belle
      • Fairytale Garden Meet and Greet – photo op with Merida from “Brave”
      • Fantasyland Bridge
      • Fantasyland Teacups Meet and Greet – Alice and Wonderland characters
      • Fantasyland Thoughtful Spot Meet and Greet – meet Pooh and Tigger
      • Gaston’s Tavern Meet and Greet – meet Gaston from “Beauty and the Beast”
      • Journey of the Little Mermaid Bridge
      • Liberty Square Meet and Greet – Get a photo with Mary Poppins
      • Liberty Square Bridge
      • Magician Mickey Meet and Greet – stop by Town Square Theater for photos with Mickey
      • Main Street USA, near Emporium
      • Main Street USA, near Guest Information Board
      • Main Street USA, near Main Street Bakery
      • Main Street USA Train Station
      • Partners Statue
      • Pete’s Silly Sideshow – meet either Daisy/Minnie or Goofy/Donald
      • Princess Fairy Tale Hall – meet either Rapunzel or Cinderella, each joined by a Princess friend
      • Tinker Bell’s Magical Nook – meet Tinker Bell
      • Tomorrowland Bridge
      • Tomorrowland Meet and Greet – meet Buzz Lightyear
      • Town Square Meet and Greet – Disney characters often stop by here in the morning
      • Tangled Restroom Area

EPCOT

      • China Meet and Greet – meet Mulan
      • Epcot Entrance
      • France Meet and Greet – meet either Belle or Aurora
      • France Fountain
      • France Fragrance Gardens Meet and Greet
      • Fountain of Nations Courtyard
      • Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
      • International Gateway Bridge
      • Italy Pavillion
      • Japan Torii Gate
      • Germany Meet and Greet – meet Snow White
      • Mexico Meet and Greet – meet Donald dressed ready for Fiesta!
      • Morocco Meet and Greet – meet Aladdin and Jasmine
      • Norway Meet and Greet – meet Anna and Elsa from Frozen
      • The Seas with Nemo and Friends
      • United Kingdom Meet and Greet
      • World Showcase Overlook

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

      • Disney Junior Meet and Greet
      • Disney’s Hollywood Studios Arch
      • Echo Lake
      • Hollywood Banner
      • Hollywood Blvd
      • Hollywood Blvd Meet and Greet – Meet with popular Disney characters like Donald, Goofy, and Chip n’ Dale.
      • Hollywood Studios Entrance
      • Hollywood Tower of Terror
      • Mickey and Minnie Meet’n’Greet – Red Carpet Dreams
      • Olaf Meet’n’Greet – Celebrity Spotlight
      • Star Tours Speeder Bike
      • Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge: A-Wing
      • Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge: Galaxy’s Edge Entrance
      • Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge: Kylo Ren’s TIE Echelon
      • Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge: Millennium Falcon Overlook
      • Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge: X-Wing
      • Sunset Blvd
      • Toy Story Land Entrance
      • Toy Story Land Meet and Greets

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

      • Adventurers Outpost Meet and Greet – meet with Mickey and Minnie
      • Dinoland USA Service Station
      • Discovery Island Trail – meet Pocahontas and friends
      • Donald’s Dino Bash – Meet Donald, Daisy, Chip and Dale
      • Expedition Everest Overlook
      • Everest Bridge
      • Jungle Ruins
      • Main Entrance
      • Pandora Entrance
      • Pandora Floating Mountains
      • Tree of Life
      • Tree of Life Garden

Other Locations:

      • Disney PhotoPass photograhers are available at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Disney’s Blizzard Beach water parks on a seasonal basis, and may not be available during the late fall/winter/early spring months. Look for cool miniature PhotoPass cards that you can wear on your wrist.
      • Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique – get photographs before and after the magical transformation.
      • Select Dining Locations – If you dine at any of the following locations AND purchase the photos offered tableside, those photos can be added to your Disney’s PhotoPass account. If you have purchased Memory Maker these photos will be included
        • Cinderella’s Royal Table at Magic Kingdom Park (photos included with meal price)
        • Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
        • Storybook Dining at Artist Point
      • Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Locations
        • Check our MNSSHP page beginning mid August for specific character locations
      • Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Locations
        • Check our MVMCP page beginning sometime in late November for specific character locations
      • Other Holiday Locations
        • Deluxe resort lobbies next to the Christmas trees.
        • Christmas trees located outside of the park entrances of Animal Kingdom & Disney’s Hollywood Studios and inside the park at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT.
        • Tour Guide Gardens in the Magic Kingdom Santa Meet & Greet
        • The Odyssey Pavilion in EPCOT Santa Meet & Greet
        • Disney Springs Marketplace Santa Meet & Greet at Christmas Chalet
        • Tour Guide Gardens in the Magic Kingdom Easter Bunny Meet & Greet

In addition, PhotoPass locations are marked on all theme park maps. Just look for the PhotoPass icon.

MouseForLess Photo Locations Tips:

At Walt Disney World, Disney Visa offers cardholders a free private meet & greet daily between 1:00 and 6:30 pm at EPCOT’s Imagination pavilion and at the Animation Courtyard in Hollywood Studios from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.

During holiday parties in the Magic Kingdom, such as Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, make sure to get a PhotoPass card if you don’t have a MagicBand with you. You can add your party PhotoPass card to your other PhotoPass cards online when you get home.

Don’t overlook using Disney PhotoPass photographers at Disney water parks. Photographers are position in some unique locations to get shots you would not normally get, like at the bottom of select water slides or in the wave pools.

The small-sized PhotoPass card you get at Disney’s water parks come attached to a stretch bracelet you can slip round your wrist. These cards are so cool and handy, you may want to consider using it as your main once you get one. They work in the theme parks as well!

The time of day can make for completely different photos. Trying capturing some gorgeous nighttime versions of the photos you took earlier in the day.

For some fun or unique photo opportunities that don’t involve a PhotoPass photographer, try these ideas: 1) . Families with children can locate the Cigar Shop Indian on Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom. Have the kids take an annual photo next to him. The Indian makes a unique pictorial measuring stick to see your children’s growth! 2) Would you love to have some photos of Main Street USA and Cinderella’s Castle without all of the people? The Magic Kingdom opens Main Street around an hour before the park officially opens. Get there and beat the crowd. If you have an early reservation you might be able to get in even earlier.

When taking your own photos at the theme parks, look for the Picture Spot signs that mark great backdrops for your photos. Look for the camera icon on your guide map to locate them.

 

MouseForLess Photo Purchase Tips:

Disney often offers special promotions on individual items. Just click the “Special Offer” tab on any online Disney PhotoPass page to see what is currently being offered. PhotoPrints are usually discounted 20-25%.

Follow PhotoPass on Facebook and Twitter. Occasionally special deals are offered just for fans!

DisneyPhotoPass.com accepts Visa, MasterCard, and American Express credit cards for payment. You can also make purchases with the Disney Gift Card and the Disney Rewards Card.

For those taking a Disney cruise, PhotoPass offers a Disney Cruise Line photo book cover and set of 20 ship-themed pages. To create the book, you must upload your own photos or photos purchased on the ship.

PhotoPass Studios

A Disney PhotoPass Studio can be found the Marketplace at Disney Springs. Here, guests choose from a standard background or virtual background of Disney scenes and take a photo. This is a great spot for a family photos.

On the portrait side of the studio the backgrounds is now going to be updated throughout the year to match the season! There will be different sets and props so you can enjoy a different photo experience each season. With the virtual backdrops on the other side of the studio, tere are so many options, and Disney is always creating new virtual backdrops to make things unique.The Studio also has view stations where guests can easily preview, purchase and print all of the vacation memories linked to their Disney account.Reservations are not needed to visit the Disney PhotoPass Studio. Photos taken at this location will be linked to your My Disney Experience account. Studio photos are also included as part of an active Memory Maker entitlement.

Capture Your Moment

Are you looking to have a special moment photographically captured while on your Walt Disney World vacation? Well, currently, there is a great way to have a private photo session, at any of the four Walt Disney World theme parks called Capture Your Moment.

Guests who book the Capture Your Moment photo package will be given more time with a Disney PhotoPass photographer for a personalized photo session. This is available during regular park hours and is the perfect option for those looking to capture celebrations and milestones. (Like a proposal, baby announcement, graduation, anniversary, family reunion, first visit, birthday, etc.)

At the start of your session, your photographer will share available photo shoot locations and discuss with you what you’d like to capture before escorting you to your photo shoot location. Once you arrive at your photo shoot location, you will have the opportunity to capture photos for up to 20 minutes and your Disney PhotoPass photographer will customize your photo shoot to your needs.

The cost of the Capture Your Moment session is $99. But if you need additional time, you can choose to book two Capture Your Moment sessions back-to-back. This will give you up to 40 minutes with your photographer and you’ll have the option to visit at least two photo locations.

Prints and digital downloads are not included with the price of a Capture Your Moment session. However, those who have purchased Memory Maker, Memory Maker One Day, as well Annual Passholders can download the photos from their Disney accounts at no extra cost.

To book one of these sessions, call 407-939-7758.

Memory Maker

Walt Disney World has a great way to keep up with all your Disney photos – the Memory Maker package. This  package allows guests to collect, view, download, and share all of their Walt Disney World vacation photos that are linked to My Disney Experience. This system contains the exact same access to photographs that was once available with Disney’s PhotoPass+. The main difference is that this system is 100% digital, making it easy to use right from your smartphone. Guests will be able to enjoy unlimited downloads of digital photos that were taken during their stay at the Walt Disney World Resort. No longer will you have to purchase each photo individually! You can relive all your memories, as well as have the ability to share them with family and friends.

Here is a video that explains in detail what Memory Maker offers and you can also check our Memory Maker page for more info.

Contacting Disney’s PhotoPass

You may contact the Disney PhotoPass support team by emailing disneyphotopass_support@disneyworld.com, via online contact form or by calling 407-560-4300 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. ET. For lost photos, use the Lost Photos form.

Comments From MouseForLess Members

The Disney Photographers wear a green shirt that says something about photoPass on it. Just look for the bright green and make your way over to them. ~ Diane

Send your Photo digital prints to Walmart, etc, to be printed. It’s a heck of a lot cheaper than paying the $12.95 for a single print at Disney! My local store runs specials the week after any holiday and it’s usually 3 cents for a 4 x 6 print. ~ Jan

You can’t fill up a card! The photos aren’t stored on the card itself, so there is no space issue to worry about. The number on your card works more or less as a file number – when you enter it online, all of the pictures associated with that number will show up. It doesn’t matter if you have 5 cards with 25 photos each or 1 card with 400 photos. If you leave your card in the room or one person wanders off with it, you can just get another. You can have as many cards as you need or want. If you’re going to one of the seasonal Magic Kingdom parties, they often have special PhotoPass cards that make great keepsakes. I get those whether I need them or not.

The fun part on line is adding the embellishments. You can add Mickey’s signature that says something like “Your Pal Mickey” or Minnie’s that says “Hugs and Kisses”. All of the characters have special signatures. With the flower power at Epcot there are characters you can add to the lower right of the picture. The dated ones have the characters coming out of the numbers. It is a lot of fun!

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