If you've ever looked into planning a Walt Disney World vacation, you'll know that there are optional add-ons offered at an additional cost. One of those is the Memory Maker for PhotoPass. Is this add-on worth it? Or no?
I'll be up front with you, I absolutely think that Memory Maker is worth it. In the grand scheme of all things Disney, the pre-purchase price of $169 for is a steal for the service that you get with it. If you wait to purchase, the price increases to $199.
First, what IS Memory Maker?
You can find more info out HERE but simply put, Memory Maker is a photography service that Disney provides that allows you to utilize PhotoPass photographers, cameras on various rides and at many locations throughout the Disney World property. All the photos are stored on your Disney account for quick access to download at the end of your trip. (There is a time limit on how long the photos are stored so keep an eye on that if you purchase Memory Maker)
I love a good pros and cons list so let's break it down a little bit. (Though I'll be honest, this is one of my favorite add-ons at Disney so the pros list will far outweigh the cons)
PROS
1. Professional photographer + professional camera + no awkwardness
Have you ever gone on a vacation and wanted everyone in your travel party to be in the same photo at the same time? I mean, all together so no one has to spend hours watching YouTube tutorials on how to Photoshop the person taking the photo into the group photo? Or if you're on a solo trip and want a picture of you that's not a selfie?
If you have, you know that getting the perfect group shot requires what I like to call "The Uncomfortable Approach." With this approach, you scope out the crowd to find someone you can hopefully trust to give your phone (or camera) to. Then hope they know how to use it, hope they don't drop it and hope no one blinks because you're probably going to get just one shot at the picture.
Memory Maker takes all the awkwardness out of getting that photo! Disney photography professionals can be found in many different places around the Disney World property. These photographers have professional cameras, experience and are the absolute best at getting that perfect shot. They're able to engage children who otherwise may not want to have their photos taken and are great at finding fun phrases to keep the adults laughing and smiling after a long magical day.
2. On-ride photos and videos
When my 7 year old asked me to go on Seven Dwarf's Mine Train, I knew there was no way that I could say no. Seven Dwarf's Mine Train has a PhotoPass that accurately captured all the emotions of us on the ride. My son and I now have this wonderful memento of the time we overcame our nerves and got on a roller coaster. The rest of my family has something to laugh at us for because as you can see, this photo is not making the Christmas Card list. (If you need help finding us, we're in the second row trying not to panic. I was singing out loud and my son was just groaning loudly and growling "I don't like this." He actually loved it!)
3. Fun magic shots.
Throughout Disney there are many fun and special magic shots that are available through Memory Maker. Peter Pan might sneak into one of your photos outside Magic Kingdom. Or you can get a memento photograph of your mission to fight Zurg on Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. There's some pretty cool magic shots in Galaxy's Edge and outside of the castle among many others. There's also a great photo studio in Disney Springs where you can utilize Memory Maker too!
4. You get to enjoy the experience.
There are a ton of magical experiences at Disney. One of my favorite pieces of magic is seeing my kid's eyes light up when they meet their favorite characters or experience a new ride. With Memory Maker, I don't have to worry about whether I have my phone or camera ready to try capturing the perfect shot. I simply leave it to the professional photographer who realistically, can get a much better smile out of my kids than I can. Or just enjoy whatever ride we're on and hope that I was smiling when we passed the ride's camera.
*Just a note: due to Covid-19, character meet and greets are temporarily put on hold. There are still many ways to utilize Memory Maker though!
5. Group sharing
One thing that I absolutely love about Memory Maker is that it is able to be shared among members of a travel group. For example, our last trip to Disney had three families (three separate reservations). Instead of each reservation having to purchase a Memory Maker, we were able to link our reservations and share the Memory Maker. This was great from a financial standpoint because splitting it three-ways was great.
CONS
1. You see your entire group's photos.
If you're on a group trip and are sharing the Memory Maker, it can sometimes be tricky to sort through the photos to find your own. For my family, this isn't a big deal because it's a lot of fun to see what the other members of the family were doing while we were off doing our own things. (It was fun to see my daughter meeting some characters with my husband while I rode rides with my son.) There is an option to sort by just the photos from your specific Magic Band. It just takes extra time.
2. Might not be ideal for shorter trips
If you're going for a shorter trip, $169 (early purchase) might not be worth it if you're not planning on having a lot of photos taken or going on rides/experiences where the PhotoPass cameras are. Good news though! You can purchase a one-day Memory Maker ($69) at the parks if you have a short trip and want to capture one of the days.
3. You might have to wait
Probably the biggest con I can agree with is that sometimes, the PhotoPass lines can get long. Especially in the morning in front of the castle. However, right now with limited capacity at the parks, it doesn't seem to be as big of an issue. (and the lines are socially distanced) Once things get back to the Disney norm, you can expect to spend some time in line waiting at some locations. (Pro tip: Don't go to the first photographer on Main Street or the photographers closest to the castle. Head to the middle point and you'll usually find some shorter lines!)
I hope that this helps you decide whether Memory Maker is the right fit for your next trip!
As always, if you have any questions or need help planning your next vacation (Disney or somewhere else), reach out to your Hiatt Magical Vacations travel professional. If you aren't currently working with a travel professional, you can check out agent profiles at www.hiattmagicalvacations.com or fill out our information form and someone will be in touch with you!
Thanks for reading and have a magical day!
-Nancy
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