Ultimate Guide to Walt Disney World PhotoPass & Memory Maker: Everything You Need to Know BEFORE You Buy It! 

Does the Walt Disney World PhotoPass system confuse you?

The Disney PhotoPass service has been a staple at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland theme parks for years!

The service allows you to get your photos taken on attractions and at iconic spots in the parks without someone having to be left out of the photo, and with a professional-grade camera.

When it comes to traveling to the theme parks as a single rider, or even a small group, Disney PhotoPass is a great way to be sure your memories are preserved forever in the form of fantastic photos.

Topolino’s Terrace at Disney’s Riviera Resort Mickey Mouse Character Dining. Keep reading to find out all you need to know about Disney PhotoPass.
Topolino’s Terrace at Disney’s Riviera Resort

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Walt Disney World PhotoPass & Memory Maker at a Glance: 

  • One of the best parts of Disney PhotoPass is that everyone in your group gets to be in the photo without having to swap people out to take multiple pictures 
  • Getting unlimited downloads of all of your photos taken at Walt Disney World or Disneyland for 45 days gives you the flexibility of getting back home and settling in from vacation without losing your Disney memories 
  • Memory Maker can be pricey at $210 for some guests who have already spent a lot of money on vacation  
  • Buying Disney´s Memory Maker in Advance will bring you some savings at a cost of $185 

Keep reading this ultimate guide to find out all you need to know about Walt Disney World PhotoPass and the Disney Memory Maker. 

What is Disney PhotoPass?

Disney PhotoPass is the service that allows you to have as many photos of you or your group taken at various points across Walt Disney World or Disneyland.

The photos are linked to your Disney account through your park ticket (Walt Disney World and Disneyland) Annual Pass, Disney PhotoPass card, My Disney Experience Mobile App, or MagicBand.  

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What is Memory Maker?

Disney’s Memory Maker is a package where you can download unlimited amounts of photos from your Disneyland or Walt Disney World vacation for ONE price.

There are three different Memory Maker packages to choose from in which ALL are nonrefundable.  

Buying Disney´s Memory Maker in Advance will bring you some savings at a cost of $185.

This will include all your videos and photos within 30 days of the activation.

It is noted that it does not include photos that are taken prior to or within 3 days of your purchase of your Memory Maker.  

Disney Magic Kingdom at Christmas Cinderella Castle with Chip n Dale 50th Anniversary Statues. Keep reading to discover more about Disney PhotoPass and Memory Maker.
Chip n Dale 50th Anniversary Statues

If you choose to buy Memory Maker during your vacation or after your Disney vacation it will cost you more at $210.

As with the advance purchase, this package includes all your vacation videos and photos within 30 days of activation.  

The last option is cheaper at $75. However, Memory Maker One Day will allow you to choose only one day and all the photos and videos from this date.  

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Where Can I See My Photos?

After taking hundreds of photos with actual PhotoPass photographers and having your ride photos automatically added to your account, you might be wondering where you can actually see your photos.

Disney World Hollywood Studios with NikkyJ in Toy Story Land with Woody and Bo Peep Characters in Disney. Keep reading to find out all you need to know about Disney PhotoPass and Memory Maker.

For both Walt Disney World and Disneyland you can check out your photos through the park’s dedicated app. You can also take a look on any of the PhotoPass kiosks throughout the parks.

You will need to link your photos once inside the app. Look for your unique ID that is located on your Disney PhotoPass card and enter this into your account.

This will allow you to preview your photos in your gallery.  

If you are viewing your photos in the app and have not purchased Memory Maker your photos will have a PhotoPass watermark over the photo.

2020 UPDATE PER DISNEY: The Disney PhotoPass photographers will not handle Guests’ personal devices such as cellphones and cameras. Before the photographer takes your photo, please have your MagicBand or Card ready for the photographer to scan so they can quickly link your photos to your account. 

What Rides Have Disney PhotoPass?

At both Walt Disney World and Disneyland there are multiple rides with PhotoPass cameras ready to capture the excitement on your face as you blast off on a roller coaster or experience falling through the Twilight Zone!

Magic Kingdom (Walt Disney World)

Tron Lightcycle Run at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World Resort Florida Tomorrowland entrance one of the best thrill rides at Disney World. Keep reading to find out all you need to know about Disney PhotoPass.
Tron Lightcycle Run at the Magic Kingdom

Hollywood Studios (Walt Disney World)

Epcot (Walt Disney World) 

Disney’s Animal Kingdom (Walt Disney World)

  • Expedition Everest
  • Dinosaur

Disneyland Park (Disneyland Resort)

Disney California Adventure (Disneyland Resort)

  • Radiator Springs Racers
  • Incredicoaster
  • Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout
Disneyland Resort Guardians of the Galaxy Mission Breakout at Disney California Adventure. Keep reading to find out all you need to know about Disney PhotoPass and Memory Maker.
Disneyland Resort Guardians of the Galaxy Mission Breakout at Disney California Adventure

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Pros to Disney PhotoPass and Memory Maker

I personally think the Disney PhotoPass and Memory Maker is an incredible way to capture all your Disney memories, especially when you are on a solo trip to Disney.

Disneyland Outfit ideas with NikkyJ in green top with black shorts and the dapper dans. Keep reading to find out all you need to know about Disney PhotoPass and Memory Maker.
NikkyJ enjoying her visit to Disneyland

Here are more of the reasons why the Disney PhotoPass and Memory Maker are a great option:

  • You get unlimited downloads of all of your photos taken at Walt Disney World or Disneyland for 45 days.
  • Everyone in your group gets to be in the photo without having to swap people out to take multiple pictures.
  • There are Disney PhotoPass photographers throughout the parks, including at park icons, character meet and greets, and some dining locations.
  • If you participate in runDisney events, your photos from the races will be linked to your account through your bib number.

Recommended: Top 5 Ways to Find Cheap Disney World Tickets for Your Vacation!

Cons to Disney PhotoPass and Memory Maker

Although the Disney PhotoPass and Memory Maker can make your day much easier helping you to capture all the treasured moments at Disney, there can be some things to consider before making your decision.

Topolino’s Terrace at Disney’s Riviera Resort Donald Duck and Daisy Duck at Character Dining. Keep reading to find out all you need to know about Disney PhotoPass.

Here are a few things to remember before purchasing the Disney PhotoPass and Memory Maker:

  • During Walt Disney World and Disneyland’s planned phase re-opening Disney PhotoPass photographers will no longer take photos with your device.
  • Memory Maker can be pricey for some guests who have already spent a lot of money on vacation.
  • The lines for some popular PhotoPass locations like Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella Castle, the Millennium Falcon inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and Pixar Pier can get long and take a while to get through.
  • PhotoPass photographers might not always be out, especially depending on the weather in Florida. If it is raining there are typically no photographers at the park, so be sure to plan your perfect castle photoshoot for the morning.

Disney PhotoPass Thoughts from ThemeParkHipster

Here at ThemeParkHipster we love the idea of capturing precious moments in the parks and actually being able to be in the photos with our friends or family.

Disney Hollywood Studios Toy Story Land with NikkyJ in front of Buzz Lightyear. Keep reading to find out all you need to know about Disney PhotoPass.
NikkyJ enjoying Toy Story Land!

PhotoPass allows for those moments to be captured and the pictures turn out great most of the time.

We would suggest that if photos are important to you while on vacation to purchase Memory Maker and take as many pictures with Disney PhotoPass photographers as possible!

Walt Disney World Entrance Sign. Keep reading to find out all you need to know about Disney PhotoPass.

The time spent waiting for the line to move will be well worth it. Especially after you get home and see everyone in your group smiling and excited to be at the Disney parks.

Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!

What is the Walt Disney World PhotoPass and How to Use It
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About the Author

Megan DuBois Theme Park Writer

About the Author

Megan is a theme park expert and frequent traveler to magical places. She covers all things Disney and Universal and runs marathons for fun.

She thinks you can tell a lot about someone by the name of their signature lipstick, and hers is NARS Dragon Girl.

UP NEXT: How to Do Walt Disney World in Just 3-Days!

(Original Article Date: November 13, 2014/Updated by Editor on June 21, 2024)

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