For a great into on Photopass in general, check out the guide at Stitchkingdom.com That will give you a good rundown on how it works.
Basically there are three product names that people tend to use interchangeably which leads to confusion.
1)The Photopass Service. This is the service where Disney has photographers stationed around the parks. They will take pictures of your with their camera, as well as yours, for no charge. The pictures from their camera will then be tagged to a Photopass card. You can then claim the photos from the card, to your Photopass account. Once claimed you can edit them or order products (this is where they make their money).
2)The Photopass+ program. Purchasing the Photopass+ will give you a special Photopass card, a voucher for a Photopass CD (see #3), and a few other small things. This card will tell CMs at the attractions with on ride photo, as well as the dining locations that have photos, that you can get those pictures for no extra charge. If you don't have Photopass+, you can purchase those photos. Some of the purchases will include a number so that you can claim them on your account to do additional edits. You can also use this Photopass+ card like a normal Photopass card, any of the Photopass photographers can add the pictures they take to it.
3)The Photopass CD. This CD is one of the products available from the Photopass website. When you order this, you will get a copy of every photo and edit in your account at the time you place the order. You can buy this by itself, or use the voucher you get as part of your Photopass+ purchase. Included on the CD will be a limited release letting you print copies of the photos at your local photo place.
The current CD preorder is $119.95 vs $169.95. The current Photopass+ pre-order is currently $165.95 vs $195.99 At $14.95 a print from the Photopass website, the pre-ordered CD tends to break even at 8 prints or so, full price about 10. If you were already considering the CD, the Photopass+ would break even with 2 dining pictures, or 3 ride pictures.
I am considering purchasing the PhotoPass+ package for our trip in December. My son and I are traveling together and I wanted to be sure to get all of the special moments we have. We will be attending the Candlelight Procession and Micky's Merry Christmas Party. Are there special moments during these events where we can get photos taken? As well, are there holiday related moments, etc. that can be taken by the PhotoPass photographers throughout all of the parks?
For the Christmas season, yes and no. Nothing at Candlelight Processional. MVMCP will have Photopass photographers out, but unlike MNSSHP I don't recall any party specific photos, beyond those with the party exclusive characters (7 dwarves is always a big hit). They do have Photopass taking pictures by most of the Christmas trees in park, as well as at some of the Deluxe resorts with awesome trees. And they also have some setup for the Osborne lights at DHS.
Is this purchase worth it? If I'm reading it correctly, it would include certain ride photos that we would normally have to pay extra for?
Currently you get Space, Splash, Buzz, ToT, RnRC, Expedition Everest, Dinosaur for rides with Photopass+. You don't get prints, you just get the photo added to your card to claim later.
He just officially became an adult but want to capture all of this trip in its glory, even if it makes him blush
Then definitely stop for photos with Santa. You can usually find him on Main Street next to guest services, at American Adventure, and also at DTD. Mrs. Claus may show up for pictures during the party.
