Memory Maker info - Please help!

[Sjb9792]

Hi, It is our first time going to WDW and being from England I can't begin to think about all the wonderful things that we are going to see! We wan't to capture as many moments as possible so we were thinking about purchasing a Memory Maker - but I have a few queries I can't seem to find answers to! (probably not looking in the right places!)
But I was wondering if you all could help with some questions?
1) Is it worth the money?
2) Do you have to purchase magic bands separately? and how do we get them? (We are staying at Lake Buena Vista not WDW itself)
3) And just any information possible about it would be great and how it works thanks

 

[BethG]

Whether or not it's worth it is subjective. For me, it is definitely worth it.

You don't need a MB, but it makes things easier. For ride photos, they will automatically be applied to your account (no need to stop). You need them for SDMT, though, because they don't have a separate photo desk.

You can buy MB all around WDW. They are $12.95.

 

[UncleMike101]

We're using MM again this year.
The ease of collecting pictures of our group from dozens of areas in WDW is well worth the cost.
The cost is reduced by $30.00 USD right now if you order it online.
Here's the link which also explains how MM works; https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/memory-maker/
The Magic Bands do make the process seamless but if you don't have them you will receive a credit type card with your information encoded in the magnetic strip and in the computer QR symbol.
All the photographer has to do is scan the card.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

If you have a large party and/or a long stay, it becomes much more "worth it." My wife and I have been to WDW loads of times as a couple and never bothered with a photo package but we'll be getting it this time for our first visit with our daughter. We figure we'd rather have it and risk losing a few dollars than NOT have it and regret it. If we don't get our money's worth, we'll skip it on future trips.

 

[UncleMike101]

If you have a large party and/or a long stay, it becomes much more "worth it." My wife and I have been to WDW loads of times as a couple and never bothered with a photo package but we'll be getting it this time for our first visit with our daughter. We figure we'd rather have it and risk losing a few dollars than NOT have it and regret it. If we don't get our money's worth, we'll skip it on future trips.

I'll bet you like it......
For our first half dozen trips to WDW I took the vast majority of the pics.
Which meant that I wasn't in them and I had to carry the SLR and accessories all day, every day, in the parks.
Now we let the Disney photographers do the camera lugging, shot composing, and camera setting chores.
We still have our cell phones for candid shots and I sometimes put a point & shoot camera in my day pack.
Most of the photographers are camera buffs and love making special request shots that add some "magic" to your vacation pics.
Just be sure to ask them for Magic Shots and they'll come up with something special for you.

 

[Tim Lohr]

Well it's only worth it depending on how many photos you want/need...

If you have a large group, and you want pictures on all the rides that offer photos, with characters at meet and greets, and at the "Photo Spots" around the parks (like in front of the Castle ect..) I think it's worth it, it's certainly cheaper than buying photos for each of these things separately

But if you have paper park tickets with the imbedded RFID chips, I don't believe need to get the Magic Bands for Fast Passes or Ride Photos, and if you ask the Disney photographers at the Photo Spots and Character meets, they will take your picture with your own camera for free, and you can by individual ride photos on the rides that offer them

 

[Goofnut1980]

I get it every trip. It is well worth it. Always ask for "magic" shots.

 

[thomas998]

Even if you buy it don't rely solely on it. The quality of the photos that are taken will range from good to horrible as in why did you cut off the top of mt head. It does make it reasonable if you like ride photos and you can get your moneys worth in those alone if you normally get them. But take your own camera and use it too, we have used the Disney photo passes in the past and have even had photos take by them never show up so dont assume they are foolproof.

 

[yedliW]

I'm a fan of it for special trips. If you are an annual (or more often) visitor, you probably don't want/need it every time.. but for special trips (first trip.. birthday.. anniversary.. etc..) it can be worth it. Last time we got it, we got close to 500 pictures, then I spent some time editing them (cropping.. adding signatures/boarders/captions etc..) and ended up with nearly 200 more.

A lot of time, they are uploaded in almost real-time. One night, we got some pictures in front of SSE on our way out of the EPCOT, they were uploaded to our MM account before we got to the bus stop!

It may be better now, but last time we got it, they had just made the transition to the new camera brand (I forget if they went to or from Nikon..) and some of the pictures didn't make it to the account, but a couple of emails to the MM group, and they found them and were able to find them and add them to our account.

 

[12_Ears_Dad]

We have a group of 11, will they take time out to take pics of the whole group and also partial group or individual photos as well? Also is there often a wait for some of the more "magical" photos?

 

[UncleMike101]

We have a group of 11, will they take time out to take pics of the whole group and also partial group or individual photos as well? Also is there often a wait for some of the more "magical" photos?

We had a group of eight a couple of years ago and they were very accommodating as to how we wanted the pictures grouped. Also the Magic Shots are done electronically when the pictures are taken so they show up almost immediately in your Memory Maker account.

 

[SAV]

I doubt that I will ever buy it. It's too expensive for me. We have always taken our own pictures and haven't ever said "I wish I had that shot from the photo pass".