*updated 1/17/2020 to reflect current pricing and PhotoPass offerings...
Yet another decision you get to make before your trip to the Walt Disney World Resort is “Do I want to purchase the Memory Maker?”
So what’s this Memory Maker all about, and do you need it? The answer is…maybe. Let’s take a look.
The Memory Maker is a way to receive the ability to share and download all of the photos taken of your party by the PhotoPass photographers located through Walt Disney World Resort. It includes digital downloads of all these photos as well as on-ride photos. What’s this PhotoPass business? The PhotoPass photographers are Disney cast members, easily identified by their khaki vests and fancy cameras, who are stationed at various locations and will take your photos at your request, for free. Some are in front of iconic locations such as Cinderella’s castle in Magic Kingdom, the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood Studios, and the Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom, to name just a few. Others are provided at character meeting locations. When you have your photo taken, the photographer will scan your Magic Band (assuming you are staying at a Walt Disney World resort). Some are Magic Shots, in which you will see a character appear in your photo- perhaps Tinkerbell will be in your hands, or Stitch will be sitting next to you on a bench… Once you have your magic band scanned, these photos will automatically appear in your My Disney Experience Mobile App.
Within the App you can view your photos, and add custom borders and special effects to them. While you can view any of the photos taken without purchasing the Memory Maker, you cannot download them or print them without a rather large watermark, without paying $15 per photo you wish to download.
How much is the Memory Maker? If you purchase the memory maker at least 5 days BEFORE your trip, it costs $169, which is a $30 discount. If you wait to purchase it after that time frame, it will cost $199.
So is that worth it? Here is my opinion. It is obviously best, if you are considering the Memory Maker, to do the advanced purchase to take advantage of the $20 discount. If you are staying longer than 4 days, and if you plan to meet a lot of the characters, and if you plan to ride many of the attractions which offer the on-ride photos (see list below), and/or have dining reservations at locations that offer PhotoPass (again, see list below), then yes, I think this is a good value. It is also an excellent way to have the entire party in the same picture without having to stop and ask a stranger. If your stay is shorter than 4 days, and aren’t planning to meet characters, you can get by without it, and just pay per print.
Attractions with on-ride photos:
Magic Kingdom- Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Enchanted Tales with Belle
Hollywood Studios- Rock’n Roller Coaster,Tower of Terror, and Slinky Dog Dash
Animal Kingdom- Dinosaur and Expedition Everest
EPCOT- Test Track, Frozen Ever After
Restaurants with PhotoPass photography:
1900 Park Fare
‘Ohana (Breakfast only)
Spirit of Aloha Dinner
Chef Mickey’s
Cinderella’s Royal Table
Tusker House (Breakfast and Lunch only)
Akershus
Artist Point
Be Our Guest (Dinner Only)
Hoop Dee Doo Review
Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue
* subject to change