[PhotoPass is a fantastic system Disney offers that allows the entire family to be in the photo so nobody is left out. I get a lot of questions about how this works, so I put together a “Know Before You Go” type of list of information to help you on your next trip!
How it Works
There are PhotoPass Photographers located all over the parks, with characters and at some character meals. Anybody can walk up to a photographer and have their photo taken. If you’re wearing a MagicBand, the photographer will scan your band, linking your photos to your My Disney Experience account. You can then view your photos using the My Disney Experience app. If you aren’t wearing a MagicBand, the photographer will give you a card with a website and 16-digit code listed. You can save this card and use it to link all of your photos taken around the parks. You can log on to that website and enter your 16-digit number to view all of your photos and purchase the ones you want.
There are also some rides that take photos and video. When on the rides that offer a photo or video, Disney uses a little magic to automatically link your photos to your My Disney Experience account through your MagicBand. It’s always a good idea to look for your photos on the screens when you’re exiting the ride and scan your card or band just to be sure the photo gets linked.
PhotoPass Studios
There are PhotoPass Studios at the Marketplace at Disney Springs, Sir Mickey’s at Magic Kingdom Park, and on the second floor of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. You can walk in and have photos taken against a basic backdrop without a reservation. The virtual backdrops available exclusively at the Disney Springs studio provide a unique experience to capture family photos with a fun Disney twist. There are even festive virtual backdrops that make for excellent Christmas card photos!
Special Experiences
Photographers are also located inside the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Pirate League, Enchanted Tales with Belle, at special parties and events and at deluxe resorts during the holidays.
Magic Shots
Magic Shots are photos that have characters or animated characters added to them by the PhotoPass Photographer. You can ask the photographer what Magic Shots they have available. If you are looking for a specific Magic Shot, just ask around and a photographer will point you in the right direction.
Disney recently added a limited time Super-Zoom Magic Shot in Magic Kingdom. During daylight hours, you can find a photographer in the East Plaza Garden at Magic Kingdom Park who will help capture two one-of-a-kind photos and a super-zoom video from a unique angle above the theme park.
Everybody who takes Animated Magic Shots can preview them in their My Disney Experience account, but only those with Memory Maker or Memory Maker One Day can download and share them.
How to Get Your Photos
Your photos will be available online at the website listed on your PhotoPass card or in your My Disney Experience account. You can add borders and stickers before purchasing your photos. You can also purchase photo books and items with photos on them like mugs and Christmas ornaments.
Memory Maker
Memory Maker gives you a way to receive all of your PhotoPass photos without paying for them individually. When you purchase Memory Maker, you pay one price and receive unlimited digital downloads of your Walt Disney World vacation memories including all photos taken by Disney PhotoPass photographers around the parks and at character experiences, character meals, special experiences, Magic Shots, attraction photos and videos and exclusive extras like Animated Magic Shots. There is no limit to the number of photos you can have on your Memory Maker.
All of the parks have a PhotoPass Center, which you can stop by and ask any questions you may have about your photos. If a photo is missing, they can help you locate it.
This handy PhotoPass Guide will help you locate all of the photographers and rides that are included. You can save $30 on Memory Maker by purchasing it more than 3 days before your Disney vacation. Just ask your Starts With A Wish Travel Advisor to add it to your vacation package!
