Disney PhotoPass and Memory Maker sound like the same thing until you get to the part where you want the pictures on your phone. That is when the distinction matters.
Disney’s September 21 PhotoPass guide lays out the places photographers can take your picture at Walt Disney World, plus the ways to get the images afterward. Here is the practical version if you are trying to decide what to pay for.
PhotoPass is the picture-taking service
You can find Disney PhotoPass photographers at park landmarks, some character greetings, resort locations and Disney Springs. Attraction photos and special Magic Shots, which add digital effects, are also among the options Disney describes.
Having a photographer take a picture does not, by itself, mean unlimited downloads are included. The photos appear in your PhotoPass gallery or My Disney Experience app, where Disney says you can purchase and download favorites.
Memory Maker is the download decision
If you expect to want lots of photos and videos across your trip, Memory Maker is Disney’s option for unlimited vacation downloads. Disney’s current guide says buying it in advance can save $25. Check the live purchase page for the current total price and terms before deciding whether that beats buying just the pictures you actually want.
A family planning one castle photo has a different decision from a family that wants every character greeting and ride photo. Count how often you realistically expect to use the service before treating the advance discount as automatic savings.
Private sessions are another choice
Disney also describes Capture Your Moment, a personalized 20-minute session at its parks, and longer Signature Portrait Sessions at select resorts. The resort sessions include photo downloads, according to Disney. Do not assume that inclusion applies to every PhotoPass option or that a private session is part of a standard park ticket.
There is also a Disney PhotoPass Studio in the Marketplace at Disney Springs. Disney describes the studio photo session itself as complimentary and says no reservation is required; the resulting images can still require a separate download purchase. That is a neat option if you want a posed indoor photo without booking a private park session.
My quick way to choose
Want one or two specific shots? Start with PhotoPass and compare the cost of buying those downloads. Want a trip’s worth of pictures? Check Memory Maker’s current terms. Want time set aside for portraits? Look at the separate session options.
And if you are planning a Disney cruise from San Diego, keep in mind this guide describes the Walt Disney World service. Do not assume a park photo package covers a cruise.
