Do You Need To Buy PhotoPass?
A question we see often in the Walt Disney World Adults Only Facebook group is “Do I need to buy PhotoPass?” What the member usually means is, “Do I need to buy a Memory Maker photo package”? I get why the terms are confusing. PhotoPass sounds like a pass to get photos when it’s actually the name of Disney’s photography service. Personally, I love having Memory Maker, and wouldn’t visit the parks without it, but it might not make sense for all guests. Let’s look at all of Disney’s photo services so you can make the best choice for you and your travel party.
Disney PhotoPass Service
While you’re soaking up the magic of your WDW vacation, Disney’s PhotoPass Service is there to capture unforgettable moments. PhotoPass photographers are located at more than 175 locations around the parks and resorts. They’ll capture the perfect shot of you and your group at iconic park locations, with your favorite characters, on select rides, and at the PhotoPass photography studio at Disney Springs. With a tap of your park ticket, Magic Band, or Magic Mobile pass, your photos are ready to review in minutes your photo gallery, on the My Disney Experience app, or on the website.
Additionally, Disney’s PhotoPass photographers can add Magic Shot digital elements to make your photos even more magical. For example, you might pose as if you’re holding balloons, blowing out candles, or surprised at something in your hands. The magic is revealed when you review your photos! Note that Magic Shots take a bit longer to show in your photo gallery than regular photos. You pay for only the photos you wish to download. Current pricing is $16.95 per photo. It’s a terrific way to go if you want to only buy a couple special photos.
Want free photos? Disney’s photographers are happy to snap pictures with your phone or camera if you’d like. You’ll lose the ability to have Magic Shots, but the photos are still likely to be particularly good, and way better than a selfie!
Memory Maker
If you’re thinking that at $16.95 each, capturing your vacation memories might get expensive, Disney PhotoPass Memory Maker might be for you. Memory Maker is an all-inclusive photo package that lets you download all the photos and videos taken of you and your family and friends during your vacation. Friends and family need to be linked to you on My Disney Experience. On the app they will see photos with watermark. You simply download and email or text photos to them and they’ll have their own copies of your shared vacation memories. Memory Maker is $210 and includes all your Disney PhotoPass photos and videos from within 30 days of your selected start date. You can save $25 by buying Memory Maker at least 3 days in advance. Only spending 1 day at Disney World, or only want photos from one day? A one-day Memory Maker is available for $75. Note that with select vacation packages offered to guests from United Kingdom, Memory Maker may be included. Check with your travel planner for details. Additionally, Walt Disney World Annual Passholders (at all levels) can add Memory Maker to their annual pass for $99.
Capture Your Moment
If you’re at Disney World for a special occasion, you might want to consider a commemorating the celebration with a special PhotoPass service, a private Capture Your Moment photo session. With locations at all four theme parks, you and your group (up to eight people total) can reserve a personal 20-minute session for just $99. If 20 minutes isn’t enough, you can book two sessions back-to-back. You’ll be assigned a dedicated photographer and an assistant who will snap pictures of you at beautiful spots such as Batuu at Hollywood Studios, Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom, World Showcase at Epcot or Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom. Things to know before you book Capture Your Moment: Park admission is required and is not included in the session price. Photo downloads are not included in the session cost, but if you purchase Memory Maker, you’ll have them included.
I’ve booked Capture Your Moment at all four parks for birthdays, a girls’ trip, and a special trip with my sister. The photographers are fantastic and will take the time to understand what you want, whether it’s a special pose, action shot, or close-up. If you’re in a large group, they’ll offer group shots, individuals, and any other combinations you’d like. They provide simple props, or you can bring your own. Disney states that typical session usually results in 25-30 photos you’ll want to save, but significantly more may be taken, depending on the photographer’s style. Personally, I usually come away with closer to one hundred shots.
Whether you have the PhotoPass team take photos with your phone, you download a just few special photos they take, you buy Memory Maker, or you book a Capture Your Moment session, don’t walk by a PhotoPass spot without stopping for a pic…Disney memories are meant to be saved, and you never know what magic will be captured. See you in the parks!
PhotoPass® is a registered trademark of The Walt Disney Company.
I wouldn't be without PhotoPass. It was great when we were Annual Passholders, but only one of us had it and so I have to send the photos to my partner. With the UK ticket, it is included in the price and so we will both have it. It makes thing a little easy.
We have also done the Capture Your Moment for our engagement and I was super happy with the service we received from Stacey and Ethel at Magic Kingdom.
Love the Photpass option as a whole, a great way to save your Magic memories. The photopass CMs are so creative and always capture some great shots. Excited for the new holiday Magic shots!
I've never done this, but would like to some day. I do appreciate that the CM will take photos with my phone! 💖
in my experience, the photopass photographers are so vested in getting great pictures. I think it is a great addition to creating forever memories of your Disney vacations.
Before Covid I didn’t have photopass with my annual pass. I renewed December of 2019 adding photos to my pass. I was excited as the anticipation of character photos and what not. Then the world paused. Very disappointing.
I still have it in my pass as an add on and never looked back. I can’t wait to take pictures with my mom in May. She hasn’t been in 30+ years !