Walt Disney World Memory Maker PhotoPass, Disney Photo Downloads

One of the best souvenirs you can have from your Walt Disney World vacation is a full album full of pictures to help transport you back to the magic anytime you wish! Walt Disney World has professional photographers stationed around iconic locations in the theme parks ready to take your picture. You can purchase these photos in bulk for your entire drop or on a daily basis. Let’s breakdown the full cost of Memory Maker and PhotoPass at Walt Disney World including areas to find photographers and answer the question of whether it is worth it.

Discount Walt Disney World Tickets

Our favorite Disney-approved re-seller, Get Away Today, offers the best Walt Disney World discount tickets around. In addition to great discount prices, their customer service and easy support is absolutely fantastic. They have an entire department dedicated to making sure every order has a wonderful experience and they are on-call to help you during your vacation if you need them.

And at no additional charge, you get FREE concierge Walt Disney World services! These services include having Get Away Today’s Walt Disney World expert Brooklyn take care of all your dining reservations, FastPass+ reservations, and more! This really takes all the stress out of planning a Walt Disney World vacation. Rather than waking up at odd hours of the night to book all your reservations, why not let their travel agents take care of it for you- for free!

Find discount Walt Disney World tickets here!

Buying tickets from Get Away Today is easy and convenient since all their tickets are sent electronically. You can take their vouchers and head straight to the gate without needing to wait in any ticket booth lines. They also offer layaway plans so you can pay off your vacation over time.

Walt Disney World Memory Maker Price Increase

In a price increase that impacted Walt Disney World annual passes, theme park parking plus large increases of Disneyland multi-day tickets, a price increase also went into effect for Walt Disney World Memory Maker.

Memory Maker Price 

• Memory Maker Advance Purchase: $185 (was $169)
• Memory Maker During Trip/Post Vacation: $210 (was $199)
• Maker Maker One Day: $75 (was $69)

There hasn’t been an increase for Memory Maker in quite some time and this increase is pretty small in comparison to other increases we have seen. As always, you save the most by purchasing Memory Maker in advance of your trip- at least three days prior. If you plan on using PhotoPass at Walt Disney World, this is the best way to maximize your savings as the pre-purchase prices is still lower even with this increase than it was to purchase it during your trip or after.

Memory Maker Cost and Purchase Details

Memory Maker is a way to purchase your Walt Disney World photos in bulk thus saving you money in the long run. If you plan on buying the photos that are taken in the park, then this is the best way to do it. You get unlimited PhotoPass photos and videos for one price with Memory Maker.

Memory Maker includes:

• Unlimited digital downloads of all your Disney PhotoPass photos and videos
• Select Attraction photos and videos
• Select Character dining photos
• Discounts on prints of your photos
• Magic Shots – featuring Disney Characters and more, added to your photos
• Digital borders and stickers to personalize your photos

You have two price options for Memory Maker. When you buy Memory Maker in advance at least three days in advance, you save money and pay $189. If you decide to buy it at the resort you will pay $210. To purchase your photos for just one day, then the cost is $75.

Here are additional details you need if you are interested in purchasing Memory Maker:

• Memory Maker Waiting Period– if Memory Maker is purchased at the advance purchase price, any photos taken within 3 days of the date Memory Maker is purchased are not included and must be purchased separately.
• Remember to Save Your Photos– please download all your PhotoPass photos and videos before they expire (45 days from the date they’re taken). Once they expire, they can no longer be purchased or downloaded.
• Memory Maker Is Accessed Online– if you’re signed in when you purchase Memory Maker, it can be accessed by visiting Disney PhotoPass. If you’re not signed in, you’ll first need to claim your Memory Maker by visiting My Disney Experience.
• Download Family & Friends Photos-you can not only download your own Disney PhotoPass photos, but also those of up to 25 members of your Family & Friends who share media with you.

You have 30 days to download all your photos after they were taken. Memory Maker is the best way to pay for your photos if you know you’d want to be able to keep them!

You can also purchase photos individually: 

• $18.95 – 5×7 Print
• $18.95 – 2- 4×6 Prints
• $20.95 – 8×10 Print
• $16.95 – Digital Download

As you can see, it makes sense to buy Memory Maker because $16.95 a pop will add up quick!

Is Memory Maker Worth It?

You will get a lot of high-resolution photos (see the one above of me and my son in front of Cinderella’s Castle!) which are great keepsakes from your trip. But this definitely is a costly expensive to add to your trip whether you opt for the trip long purchase of $185 or the single day of $75.

Walt Disney World stations PhotoPass photographers ALL OVER the parks and there are often so many available that even lines for popular photo ops go really quick. There are plenty of opportunities to take advantage and get a great selection of photos. If you plan on prioritizing your time in that way then yes, I believe it is worth it.

Cast members will also take a photo of you with your own phone at these spots so you can also go that route rather than purchasing Memory maker. Since many of us have high quality cellphones these days with great camera quality, this can also be a fine alternative.

If you are interested in taking advantage of the Magic Shots (more on this below!) this is only available for those that pay to download their photos. You can also get your photos taken first and decide later if you want to purchase although the price will increase by $21 to do so. But for some families, you might want to wait until after your trip and see how your photos turn out before committing.

It also easy to get caught up in the hustle of a Walt Disney World touring plan and not end up taking the time to do many photo ops! In that case, purchasing Memory Maker might not be worth it. It’s really up to each individual family and their own preferences. If you want a large variety of photos, you can easily get them with Memory Maker.

Walt Disney World PhotoPass Locations and Magic Shots

PhotoPass is the name of the photo service at Walt Disney World- you will find cast members placed strategically around the theme parks ready to take your picture. Here are the most well-known locations for finding PhotoPass photographers at Walt Disney World:

Magic Kingdom:

• Main Entrance
• Town Square
• In front of Cinderella’s Castle
• Locations in Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland
• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

Epcot

• Spaceship Earth
• Character Spot
• World Showcase
• MISSION: Space
• Test Track

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Hollywood Boulevard
• Sunset Boulevard Attractions
• Sorcerer Mickey’s Hat
• Al’s Toy Barn
• Avenue of the Americas
• Animation Courtyard

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• Main Entrance
• Tree of Life
• Expedition Everest
• Character Boat Landing
• Africa

Both water parks, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, also offer Walt Disney World PhotoPass photographers to capture your picture. You can pull up the Walt Disney World My Experience App to track down photographers.

Disney PhotoPass photographers will also take your picture with your own phone as well which can be a great way to get that perfect picture without the cost.

Walt Disney World Attraction Photos

• Space Mountain
• Splash Mountain
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
• Rock ‘n Roller Coaster
• Slinky Dog Dash
• Expedition Everest
• Dinosaur
• Frozen Ever After
• Test Track

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will also have a video added to their account of guests who have purchased Memory Maker.

Walt Disney World Character Dining Photos

• Be Our Guest Restaurant (Dinner only)
• Chef Mickey’s
• Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue
• Mickey’s Backyard BBQ
• ‘Ohana (Breakfast only)
• Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (Picture included in price of the meal)
• Cinderella’s Royal Table (Picture included in price of the meal)

Walt Disney World Magic Shots

One of the cool things about using the PhotoPass photographers is their ability to add ‘Magic Shots’ to your pictures. Basically, they can add cool special effects and characters to your photos. They can make for some great images, here are a few examples of available Magic Shots to try:

These Magic Shots are so much fun- be sure to ask your PhotoPass photographer if you can do a Magic Shot. Sometimes they will offer them to you but you can always ask too!

Walt Disney World PhotoPass Tips

These are photos you’re going to cherish for a lifetime! Make sure that you take the time to ensure you’re getting the best photos to take home with you. Here are some tips for getting that perfect PhotoPass photo.

Assume the Character Pose

Ask the characters for pose ideas, they will be more than happy to show you their signature pose for the camera. Rather than having 20 pictures of simply standing next to the characters, incorporate some matching poses for added fun. Kids, especially, love to do this.

Let Your PhotoPass Photographer Guide You

Remember, these PhotoPass photographers are professionals! Ask them for advice on how to pose or stand for your pictures. They will be more than happy to oblige. This is always easier though when there’s not a huge line behind you for a photo so make sure you take that into account.

Dress for the Occasion for Walt Disney World PhotoPass

We always recommend being comfortable at the parks because of all the miles of walking you end up doing! However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t also dress savvy for your park pictures! If you’re staying in a close by hotel and have multiple days to take advantage of, you can always dress up a bit in the morning for your pictures and dress down in average park clothes for the evenings. You’ll be happy you did if you have a few pictures of your group looking fresh and nice first thing in the morning. And don’t forget to take off your sunglasses for a few photos so your face is visible!

Remember: Kids WILL Be Tired

It’s always best to get those perfect PhotoPass pictures first thing in the day with kids. Your kiddo will be happier, cleaner, and it makes for a better experience for everyone. Trying to force your overheated, sticky, and cranky toddler for a picture at the end of the day will not end in a glorious picture. Although, it may be a funny one!

Let Us Help You Plan Your Walt Disney World Vacation!

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