Memory Maker is a photo package that can either be added to your Walt Disney World Package or purchased separately.
If you purchase it separately, you may receive a PhotoPass card. You may scan your card, instead of your MagicBand, in the Parks. But, in order to view your photos, you will need to link that card to your My Disney Experience account online.
Is Memory Maker Worth The Cost?
How does Memory Maker work?
There are PhotoPass photographers scattered throughout the entire Walt Disney World Resort.
Think of the places you want to have a picture taken. Chances are there is a photographer stationed there.
Popular Photopass locations include:
- Iconic Theme Park Landmarks – Cinderella’s Castle, Spaceship Earth, Tower of Terror, Tree of Life
- Character Meet and Greets
- New Areas of the Theme Parks – Pandora, Toy Story Land, Galaxy’s Edge
Once your photos are taken, the Photographer will scan your MagicBand. You will be able to view your photos on My Disney Experience in a matter of minutes.
What is included in the cost of Magic Maker?
Unlimited Photos and Videos
It’s not uncommon for families to go home after a week at Walt Disney World with 1000+ photos in their My Disney Experience account.
There is no limit to the amount of photos and videos that can be added to your account.
There are Photographers scattered throughout the entire Walt Disney Resort, including some Resorts. So, it’s extremely easy to get many pictures of your family over the course of vacation.
Attraction Photos and Videos
Select Attractions take photos and videos of your family while you’re on the ride. All of these on-ride photos and videos are free with the cost of Memory Maker.
Older Attractions – If the attraction has has photo and video capability for awhile (like Tower of Terror), you will need to tap your MagicBand on your way to the exit.
Newer attractions – If the attraction is brand new, or is an older attraction that has recently added photo capabilities (like Pirates of the Caribbean), your photos may automatically be added to your account, thanks to technology in the MagicBand.
While easier, the only issue with this system is that riding with multiple members of your family will result in multiple copies of the same photo added to your account.
Magic Shots
Magic Shots are only something you can get when you purchase Memory Maker.
A PhotoPass photographer may ask you to pose a certain way. These poses will enact the Magic Shot. When you view your photo on My Disney Experience, there will be a special character or special effect added to your photo.
If the photographer doesn’t automatically ask you to pose, just ask them if they have any Magic Shots. Not all photographers have them and each photographer may have a different Magic Shot.
Character Dining
Character Dining is a great way to see multiple characters in a short period of time.
They don’t appear at all Character Dining locations, but when they are, PhotoPass Photographers are there to capture the moment…even if they walk up when your mouth is full of Mickey Waffles.
Is Memory Maker Worth it?
In the end, it’s completely up to you and the type of vacation you are planning.
If you are trying to do Walt Disney World as cheaply as possible, maybe this is something you skip. But, if this is your once-in-a-lifetime chance to go to Walt Disney World, I do recommend purchasing Memory Maker.
From my understanding, if you opt to purchase individual photos, it will cost $15 per photo.
This means that in order to make the cost worth it, all you need to find is 12 photos that you love.
When you are getting hundreds or thousands of photos taken by these photographers, who wouldn’t be able to find 12 pictures they absolutely love?
Do we use Memory Maker?
We first purchased Memory Maker based on the recommendation of my Travel Agent. She had nothing but great things to say about the Photo Package, so I went with her judgement.
We have purchased it every single time since them. and this included my recent 3-day trip to Walt Disney World.
I’ve seen the benefit of having it. So, at this point, I don’t think I could ever go to Disney and NOT get Memory Maker.
I know that I can take the same pictures on my own camera (and I do!) But, there is one big difference between my photos and the photos on Memory Maker…I’m actually in them!
I’m usually the gal behind the camera. So, when I purchase Memory Maker, I know I’m getting awesome Disney photos that I’m actually in.
Normally, I’m not someone who enjoys getting her picture taken. But, who wants to go to Disney and not have any pictures of themselves to show for it?
Save Money By Purchasing Ahead Of Time
As of 2019, the cost of the Memory Maker is $199. But, if you purchase it ahead of time (at least 3 days beforehand), then you can pay the Advance Price of $169, for a savings of $30.
But, how would you like to pay even less than that?
Are you traveling with family or friends? Connect your friends and family to My Disney Experience and split the cost of the Memory Maker. You get all the perks for half the cost (or even less if you split it with even more people).
How do I know this works? My sister and niece were getting their photos taken with Tinkerbell while my sons and I were having our photos taken with Mickey Mouse. We stayed in different rooms and scanned different Magic Bands. But, since we were traveling together, and linked together, all of our pictures were added to the same account.
