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PhotoPass Yay or Nay
- Thread starter BCohen89
- Start date
I think the ride photos themselves are worth it. The wife and I try to create poses for the rides that take them and if we had to pay for each individual one it would be far to costly. It is entertainment for us to come up with the poses while we wait in line.
We also usually go during Christmas and there are many holiday pictures that we get because of having the photo pass.
If you don't care about the ride pictures and you have a camera, even if that camera is your phone, any photo pass photographer will take your photo with it. This way you don't need to pay for photo pass and you can get the whole family in the picture.
We also usually go during Christmas and there are many holiday pictures that we get because of having the photo pass.
If you don't care about the ride pictures and you have a camera, even if that camera is your phone, any photo pass photographer will take your photo with it. This way you don't need to pay for photo pass and you can get the whole family in the picture.
mousehockey37
Well-Known Member
I hand my camera to the photopass people/character handlers when it's my turn. I have my camera set up for the pictures ahead of time. We've noticed that on our past couple trips that shots were missing and such on the memory maker, but... they were on my card in my camera. We don't need the ride photos, so that's not a big deal to us.
Yes, you can go through Disney and have them hunt down files and such, but I like being able to walk out of a photo op and be able to see right away what the pictures look like.
Yes, you can go through Disney and have them hunt down files and such, but I like being able to walk out of a photo op and be able to see right away what the pictures look like.
Legendary
Active Member
If this is the one trip that you make every couple of years it is worth it. There is no limit on the number os pictures that you can take. Pictures come out really nice and so much better than any smart phone. Ride photos are included which is really nice. Photo booths are included too, we found one in the Test Track and Space Mtn gift shops. Also, the photographers with camera stands have the ability to add Magic Shots to your pictures. Some will add them for a surprise or you can just ask for a Magic Shot.
BoarderPhreak
Well-Known Member
It depends. Last year we took our DD to WDW for the first time. We knew she wouldn't remember it, and wanted to document it - and actually have the whole family in the pictures for a change (it sucks being the photographer of the family sometimes). We didn't get the all-inclusive option - rather we picked by park day after the fact because of the meet-n-greets we attended on certain days, only wanted two of the three parks, etc. so it worked out cheaper.
We have used it for every trip in the last 6 years and I absolutely love it. We do character breakfasts every day and get those pictures, all of the ride photo pictures, the ones ones with the photographers in the park, and I especially love all the magic shots. The hardest part is to get everyone to stop and take the pictures. LOL, we have got that down now so that when we are in line everyone knows to get to their places and smile. It's great to get home and take a look at all of these special and extra pictures. Last trip, a year ago, there were about 300 extra pictures. It's expensive, but not so much if you would purchase those extra pictures on the rides or the breakfasts.
Monty
Brilliant...and Canadian
- In the Parks
- No
An option to consider, if you'd buy PhotoPass. An Annual Pass for one member of your party. At $169 for PhotoPass [which is included with an AP], that effectively reduces the cost of your AP to $680 from $849. Still more than your park ticket probably, but also gives you access to discounted meals, discounted resorts room and discounts on purchases at Disney stores and a few others.
Sometimes it's worth doing the math.
Sometimes it's worth doing the math.
BoarderPhreak
Well-Known Member
The sad thing about PhotoPass is that you're getting charged a premium for a photographic product - produced by rank amateurs. That is to say, photographers aren't taking the picture as much as it is a CM with a camera... With little actual experience as a photographer, if any. Pictures are timed badly, horizons off, many (literally) unusable shots, etc. As an actual photographer, I was largely horrified at the resulting images. But this isn't just a Disney thing. This happens on cruises as well (this happened to me on Princess Cruises in 2006). I suppose it could be argued that there's no time to take carefully considered photos, but still...
If you're not picky about your photos, I suppose it's great. They'll have the authentic look-and-feel of Uncle Joe (who just got his camera) family photos.
If you're not picky about your photos, I suppose it's great. They'll have the authentic look-and-feel of Uncle Joe (who just got his camera) family photos.
The photo pass being included in the annual pass purchase is something I did not know about and could be very useful as when we go to Disney it is usually for 8-9 days. The question I would have is if you have an annual pass would you be able to purchase a package for the rest of your party, or would you have to purchase their tickets separably?
Monty
Brilliant...and Canadian
- In the Parks
- No
You'd have to purchase tickets separately. As I said, you have to "do the math".
Gitson Shiggles
There was me, that is Mickey, and my three droogs
It’s still better than most pictures the average person can take with their phone. Little things like crooked horizons, I can fix. The only thing that irks me is when I have a photos where a polarizing filter could have been used.
When PhotoPass first rolled out, I was under the impression that all the photographers were hobbyists, adept at taking the photos. There was a wide variety of camera makes and models being used initially. Now Nikon is used exclusively. I suppose Disney is now handing a camera to just anybody with little training afterwards.
I have photo envy for those who can easily compose great picture. I get lucky every now and then. Sad to say most of my pictures are average, so the special touches, the ride pictures and character pictures for me are great. It's like everything, I think we tend to be more critical of what we are good at. Additionally, getting everyone to stop and stand still for me is a lot harder than having them take the "pose" for the photographer, so I end up with more pictures.
It is worth it because we do not have to carry a camera around. We pick the photos we want and put them in large frames in our hallway and It is memory lane of DW trips for us to enjoy often.
Walt Disney1955
Well-Known Member
No, I don't think it is worth it. Heck, when the photographer voluntarily takes a picture of your family with his camera and your OWN camera, it means you've got a free one right there. Yeah I know, his picture will be of better quality, but by how much?
NelleBelle
Well-Known Member
We bought it ahead of time so got the discount on it. We had a ton of pictures that were actually really nice quality (must've lucked out and photographers who knew what they were doing). All our pictures showed up like they were supposed to. We had a ton of ride pics, which got a little old on SDMT after awhile. Plus, disney threw in some stock pictures of parade and firework pictures as well as recipe cards. We definitely plan on using it on our next trip!
BoarderPhreak
Well-Known Member
You can even extend that to 60 days; typically at cost... But if you call them and tell them you dropped the ball, they'll extend it for free.
