Should you add on Memory Maker?
- Feb 10, 2025
- 3 min read
What is Memory Maker?
Memory Maker is a photo package that can be pre-purchased during your Walt Disney World vacation booking that is linked to your My Disney Experience(MDE)account. Any photos taken on select attractions or by professionally trained Disney PhotoPass photographers will show up in the "My Photos" section on your MDE account. In order to get these photos on your account, Cast Members will either scan your Magicband or a barcode in your My Disney Experience app at photospots. On rides, ride technology can automatically link to your account by sensing your Magicband and if you have Bluetooth permissions enabled on your phone it can automatically scan that too. Anyone can view their photos regardless of purchasing Memory Maker, however, in order to download those photos and view them without a copyright logo on them, you either need to purchase Memory Maker before, during or after your vacation.
How much does Memory Maker cost?
That depends on which of the three options you'd like to chose from if you plan on purchasing this add on. Advance purchasing of Memory Maker at least three days in advance of your vacation is the option I personally like to go with, it costs $185 and will include all of your Disney PhotoPass media taken within 30 days of activation. You can also purchase day of use for $210 and it also includes all media taken within 30 days of activation, you can purchase this option after your vacation as well if you want all the photos that were taken during your trip. The third option is Memory Maker One Day, this includes all your Disney PhotoPass photos and videos from a single day of your choosing. PhotoPass media does eventually expire on your account, so make sure you download everything you want before 45 days pass after the photos were taken. If there are just a few photos that you'd like to get you can also purchase photos individually through your MDE account.
How is Memory Maker used around Walt Disney World?
There are a ton of ways to utilize PhotoPass opportunities around Walt Disney World property. There are currently 15 attractions across the theme parks that will take photos while you ride, my personal favorite is the video that you'll receive after riding the Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios.
PhotoPass locations are also spread around the parks with professionally trained PhotoPass photographers. Take a look around park icons such as Cinderella's Castle at Magic Kingdom and the Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom and you are sure to see a cast member holding a camera nearby, this is your PhotoPass photographer. They'll help you pose for photos and sometimes sprinkle in a little bit of extra Disney magic with Magic Shots. You'll also find PhotoPass locations spread around each park, so keep your eyes peeled!
Character meet and greets can also have PhotoPass photographers and some of them have a box with a special hidden camera that will take photos of your whole interaction with the character. Sometimes you'll get to a character greet without any photographer, however the attending cast member will always be happy to take your photos and the characters love a selfie!
Is memory maker worth it?
Well, that depends on you and your traveling party's preferences. For my family, we love grabbing as many professional photos as we can at PhotoSpots that we come across around the parks. I personally love the convenience of not having to whip out my phone at every character interaction or feel I need to take a photo during each ride and I can just enjoy the moment. However you can also easily ask a Cast Member during a character greet or a PhotoPass Photographer at a PhotoSpot to use your phone to take pictures instead. Overall if you are on a budget or photos aren't a huge deal for you, I'd suggest skipping Memory Maker. However, if you love family photos and you can afford the extra convenience than I'd say go for it! For my family it works really well and we love it as we use it on every trip.
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