How PhotoPass and Memory Maker Work - Dustless Pixie

(Updated: 10/4/2021)

Disney PhotoPass photographers are available to take pictures of guests at the parks.

These pictures are stored on your My Disney Experience account and can be purchased individually or as part of a package called Memory Maker. For a flat fee, Memory Maker stores ALL of your PhotoPass pictures, in ride pictures and videos for the duration of your trip. You view and download them from the My Disney Experience app.

How does PhotoPass work?

PhotoPass Cast Members are stationed all over the parks. They are easy to spot. Simply get in line and then have a picture taken.

After the picture is taken, the PhotoPass Cast Member will either give you a PhotoPass card OR scan the Magic Band of one of the members of your party. When your Magic Band is scanned, pictures are added to the My Disney Experience account associated with that Magic Band. If you don’t have a Magic Band, ask the Cast Member for a PhotoPass card. This single card can be used for ALL of the photos taken on your trip. However, you will need to link the PhotoPass card with a My Disney Experience account in order to purchase and download the pictures.

How do I view my Photopass pictures?

PhotoPass Cast Members scan your Magic Band which links the pictures to your My Disney Experience account. Sometimes you have to wait a bit for them to show up. If you don’t see them by the end of your park day, see Guest Services before you leave. We had this happen once, and they found our pictures for us.

Are the Photopass pictures free?

No. Photos are stored on your My Disney Experience account. This includes photos and videos taken inside several of the rides. You can select and purchase the photos individually or purchase Memory Maker.

What’s Memory Maker? How is it different from PhotoPass?

Memory Maker is a photo package of PhotoPass pictures. You can purchase the package ahead of your visit (at a discounted rate), or while you are in the parks. This package allows you to download and print ALL of your PhotoPass pictures as well as in ride photos and videos. Memory Maker package is sold at flat fee so you can have as many pictures taken as you want and they’re yours! Only ONE person in your travelling party needs to purchase a Memory Maker package. One package works for your entire travelling party. Make sure that everyone is linked together in My Disney Experience under Friends & Family. Memory Maker can be purchased for the entirety of your trip either before your visit (at a discount) or in the parks. It can also be purchased for just one day as well. For the most current pricing, click here.

What are these Magic Shots I keep reading about?

Whenever you have your picture taken, just ask the Cast Member if they have any Magic Shots. If they do, they will usually give you some kind of instruction like holding your hand a certain way or a direction to look scared or surprised. You usually don’t have any idea what the Magic Shot is until you view the picture later which is, of course, half of the fun. Often they will insert a Disney character or some kind of animation into your picture.

But are PhotoPass and Memory Maker worth it?

We think so! PhotoPass photographers know what they are doing. They have taken the best pictures from our trips. It’s nice to have pictures of the whole group without having to ask another guest to take your picture.

If it fits in your budget, Memory Maker is totally worth it. Once you get home, you simply download the photographs and they are yours to do with as you please. Besides the Park Hopper ticket option, this is our must do add on when we are in the parks.

For a more in depth look at whether or not Memory Maker is worth it, check out this article.

Anything else I need to know?

Look out for photo booths throughout the parks and at the boardwalk area. Some of those will also send your pictures to your account. Disney Springs has a PhotoPass Studio that utilizes digital backdrops and props.