Do You Really Need The Memory Maker At Walt Disney World?

​Some of the destinations and events mentioned on this post were complimentary or a media rate was extended as part of my attendance to the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration–an invite-only conference held by Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line.

You just booked the vacation that will get you so many magic memories with your family. All that pixie dust has to be recorded with videos and pictures. You know you can take your own pictures but you want to make sure you get great shots. Did you know that you can get the Memory Maker at Walt Disney World and get awesome pictures from your vacation? What is the catch? It is not free, actually it is a little expensive. Keep reading and find out if it is worth the price.

What do you get with the Memory Maker?

One of the reasons I chose to get the memory maker was for the pictures of the rides. However there are so many cool things you get with the memory maker:

• Unlimited digital downloads of all your Disney PhotoPass photos and videos
• Select Attraction photos and videos
• Select Character dining photos
• Discounts on prints of your photos
• Magic Shots - featuring Disney Characters and more, added to your photos
• Digital borders and stickers to personalize your photos

When to buy it?

You can buy the Memory Maker at the parks the same day you visit, however, you can pre-purchase (which saves you $30), but you need to buy it at least 3 days before your trip to get the savings.

How to use it?

Once you purchase your Memory Maker you will get an email and you can link the Memory Maker to your My Disney Experience account. Once you get to the park, the photographers can scan your Magic Band or photo card. If you are on a ride you can scan your Magic Band under the ride photo screens before leaving the attraction. 
Depending on the type of photo you can see them linked to your Walt Disney World app (and account online) in a matter of minutes. Some videos might take longer. 
After you see them on the application you can download them and share them on social media if you want.

What attractions offer photos on the rides?

• Magic Kingdom - Buzz Lightyear, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Pirates of the Caribbean
• Epcot - Test Track, Frozen Ever After
• Hollywood Studios - Rock ‘n Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror
• Animal Kingdom - Dinosaur, Expedition Everest

There are two attractions that offer videos

• Magic Kingdom - Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• Hollywood Studios - Tower of Terror

It is worth it?

I do believe it is worth it if you are planning on stopping where the photographers are and ask to have your picture taken. Some spots might have a line for the picture. Here are the reasons I think it is worth to buy the Memory Maker

1. Picture quality: The photographers have great cameras and the picture quality is much better than the pictures you can get with your cell phone
2. Several pictures at the same location: The photographers usually take several pictures to assure you get a great picture. That means you get close-ups and more than one pose if you want to.
3. You can be in the picture: normally when I travel with my son, I have pictures of him. With the Memory Maker, I was in the pictures with him. 
4. Disney Magic Shots: You can ask the photographers if they have any magic. They can add characters to your pictures, they are pretty cool
5. Disney Magic Videos: You get cute videos both during some rides and with characters.

Here are some examples of what you can get with the Memory Maker

Ride Photos

Videos

Character greetings

Photos with magic

​Memory Maker One Day

Memory Maker One Day provides you with many of the same benefits as Memory Maker, but you have to pick a specific day for  PhotoPass photos taken at Walt Disney World Resort. That means for one day of your choice, you’ll get digital downloads of all your Disney PhotoPass photos linked to your account that were taken on that day. 

You’ll have 45 days to link and download all of your photos from the day of your choice. Memory Maker One Day is available for $69 in the My Disney Experience mobile app once you’ve linked at least one Disney PhotoPass photo to your account from the day to which you plan to apply the entitlement. You’ll also find Memory Maker One Day at Walt Disney World Resort theme park ticket windows and Disney PhotoPass Centers.

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