Top 5 Reasons to Get 'Memory Maker' at Walt Disney World

One of my absolute favorite souvenirs from a Walt Disney World vacation is pictures!  I love to take them and looking at them helps keep the magic of the vacation alive!  It might come as no surprise then, that Disney’s Memory Maker and PhotoPass services are one of my favorite services offered on a Disney vacation.  Why?  Well let me just explain why this service is so top-notch!

First of all, let me explain a little about what is offered in this service. 

All throughout the parks and certain meals or events at the resorts you will notice Disney photographers.  It is free to you to have them snap a picture of you and your family!  These photographers not only complete training to become one of Disney’s famous Cast Members, but they also complete training on becoming a Disney photographer!  They are there with the goal of helping you capture the memories of your vacation without you experiencing it from behind the lens! 

​You can purchase the photos in a variety of ways, my absolute favorite being the Memory Maker!  It is $149 if purchased prior to your vacation.  It allows you to view your photos on the My Disney Experience App and gives you unlimited downloads for 45 days! 
 
I know you are probably thinking, “But I will take my own pictures anyway.  Why would I pay that?”  Let me tell you why I think this service is one of the best values you can find at Disney World!

1)  Their pictures are always better than mine!

As I mentioned earlier, I love to take pictures!   I have the fancy camera and several different lenses.  However, I am not good with changing the settings to get the best pictures.  For example, Fairytale Hall has some very strange lighting!  So does The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique located in the castle.  Guess what!  The PhotoPass photographers are in that location for an extended period of time and their cameras are set to the optimal settings for the lighting.  Here is the same picture.  The picture to the right was taken by me while the picture on top of the post was taken by one of the PhotoPass photographers.

​Which one would you frame?

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2) They capture the moments I miss

As parents, when it comes time to meet a character, my husband and I are busy juggling a camera, a video camera, autograph books, and bags.  There are always photo opportunities I miss.  I don’t worry though because the majority of the time, the PhotoPass photographer captured it for me!  Here is one of my all time favorite Disney pictures of my daughter that a PhotoPass photographer captured for me! 

We also had a photographer capture a rainbow near Cinderella Castle in a picture that we did not notice until we were out of the park! It is to the right of the picture.

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3) They go the extra mile to make your experience magical!

One of my favorite memories from my daughter’s first trip to Disney World was when we were meeting Minnie and the gang in the circus area.  We had already met Minnie and Daisy and were over meeting Goofy and Donald.  Next thing we know, we turn around and here comes Minnie and Daisy over to see my daughter again!  You know who had the idea?  That’s right!  The PhotoPass photographer!  He was trying to get a picture of my daughter with all four characters, but unfortunately another family came in to meet the them!  What a special memory though!

There was also the time my camera wouldn’t work when we were meeting Merida.  The PhotoPass photographer took the time to look at it and fixed it for me!  I was so grateful to him!!!

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4) Magic Shots!

Magic Shots are just that – magic!  The photographer will ask you to pose in what may seem a strange way, but when you get ready to view and download your photos there will be a special little surprise waiting for you in your picture!  I don’t want to spoil the fun, so no sneak peeks here!  The last couple times we have gone we have also gotten some Magic videos on our Memory Maker!

5) Ride pictures and videos!
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So these are not taken by a PhotoPass photographer, but are part of the fun included when you purchase the Memory Maker.  Certain rides throughout the parks (like Splash Mountain, Tower of Terror, plus several more) offer a photo of you while on the ride.  Seven Dwarfs Mine Train offers a photo and a short video.  We have gotten some priceless photos from this service! 

I hope I have helped you see how valuable both these cast members and this service is for you on your vacation.  It is the one “add-on” that is never a question in my house!  I would never go to Disney World without purchasing my Memory Maker first!  Happy snapping!

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About the Author

Morgan Scully, Travel Advisor
Morgan is passionate about all things Disney. From an early age she loved taking in the magic of Disney World, but its when she became a mom and she saw life through her daughter's eyes that she truly understood how amazing a Disney vacation can be for a family. Morgan is well versed in all things Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line. She also serves as Whitney World Travel's Military Vacation Specialist-- helping the brave men and women who serve our country and their families get the most out of their vacations. Morgan is a graduate of Texas A&M University.