Disclosure: This is an unsponsored post. We just went, and I thought this information might be useful. All opinions expressed are my own.
Although I won’t pretend I know EVERYTHING about Disney World Photos I recently took my children on our first ever trip and learned a lot. I had researched quite a bit, picked the brain of a great travel agent and compiled a pretty good list for you all. As all my readers know I am PHOTO OBSESSED. I don’t really even know why, I love to fill my house with memories. Love to look back on things we have done as a family the way my kids have grown, all of it. Well of course, its no different when we head to an amazing trip like Disney, but here’s what I learned.
Buy the Memory Maker. Yep its that simple actually. You can see a photographer ANYWHERE, they scan your band and your photos end up on your MyDisney app and account on your PC. This means MOMS (or primary photo takers) you can ACTUALLY be in the photos!!! We got some absolute gems. and while asking someone to take your photo early on seems a little odd, I promise that by the time your trip is over you will spot those cast members from a mile away and your kids will be scanning their bands for the photos. They have lots of experience capturing these special moments, they will do it better thank you will with a selfie or not being in the photo. Also you get those hysterical ride photos where you are trying to hold your 5 year old in a rollercoaster (just me?). You also aren’t stuck taking photos the whole time and can enjoy, like when (E) got to be Beast and (A) Maurice in Storytime with Belle, or Jedi training.
There are some special memory maker magic to keep in mind- if you are dressed the part, characters and photographers alike want to play with you more. Its not really on purpose it just helps everyone get into the spirit. In fact, Rey and Chewie who do not say hi to ANYONE, came over and acknowledged (A) and (E) since they were dressed as Han and Chewbacca.
Behind the castle there are photographers who will do special princess/prince photo shoots and even have “props” you can use. You will NEVER get every photo so just relax and take advantage of what you stumble upon. I won’t lie, we don’t have a great castle photo (I don’t even know how that happened) and we didn’t get to take the famous lantern pics, but despite that, we are ok :o)
There is also another photo shoot area at Disney Springs that is included in your memory maker- we didn’t know in advance so we didn’t take advantage, but its a great way to start your trip if you head there first <3
No need for your large camera, but bring SOMETHING. Dining meet and greets may have photographers at the “big” character out front, but they will not take your photo with EACH character, so you need something (I suggest compact- my IPHONE XR was perfect).
Silhouettes. I have loved silhouettes forever. They are classic. I made some of my kids when they were super young, and its something that Disney does REALLY WELL, affordably. There are several locations, but we went to Disney Springs and did it our first night because I knew going into it that I wanted to do them. It costs $10 per silhouette and comes with 2 copies. Takes less than 5 minutes per child (so no sitting forever) and the ladies are LOVELY. The frames which I splurged on are another $10 each. I got 4 frames and the silhouettes and felt like I had won the lottery. Can’t get there and dying to have some? You can mail order them with the information below. You can do both kids or a family etc. in one, but I liked them separate.
Creepy Photos. Stumbled across these when I was “Pinning” Disney Vacation stuff and am SO IN LOVE. I am aware however that these may not be for everyone. Next to the Haunted Mansion there is a souvenir shop called Momento Mori. If you walk in all the way to the back you can ask for the creepy photos, or the ghost photos, they know what you mean. You MUST do these alone, they don’t do family or group shots despite everyone asking. These cost $20 per person, you sit for a moment and have another lovely conversation and about 5-10 minutes later you have a creepy photo of your child/spouse whoever. We did just the kids and they are going to be my new Halloween Décor for above the fireplace. They are 8×10 and so cool. As you walk from side to side they change from normal photos to ghost photos. In this case I didn’t love the picture frames that were available so I ordered two from AMAZON when I got home. I LOVE them and was really sad to put them away in the Halloween box but I can’t wait to bring them out every year and look at them.
Affiliate link to Frames HERE
Photo Mat Autograph Collector. I knew we wanted to have something autographed, but I couldn’t get over the idea that a book would go on a shelf and not get revisited. I wanted to make it something that the kids, RNYD and I would be able to see and enjoy all the time. I decided to buy a generic photo mat to have them sign. I also purchased a package of every color sharpies for them to use. The kids loved this part because they got to pick and choose the color for each character, they really enjoyed this. The characters also used it for some fun interaction everywhere we went. That made a simple meet and greet a little more special. I kept the markers in a plastic zip lock bag in the front pouch of my backpack, and the 11×14 mat in the back. I won’t pretend that it stayed in perfect condition it has some bends and bruises but it looks fine. Upon arrival home we put our FAVORITE memory maker photo of the four of us in it and put it up. I figure if/when we return we can do it again with whatever characters they want to see then. I think this would even work at Universal where I know my kids are looking forward to meeting a few heroes and characters (especially Scooby Doo!).
Are there more opportunities? I am sure, I couldn’t do them all that’s as honest as it gets. Also, it was our first trip, those who go more often would be able to tell you even more, but here’s what I learned.
All in all this trip was magic. We created many memories that we can carry forever, and collected many souvenirs that we can use to recall them. Several of which are photo related ;o) WAHOO!!
Most important is that there is SO much to do at Disney its a great idea to book with a knowledgeable agent. I highly recommend Scott Walters. He saved my butt a few times. I freaked out on a few occasions when I felt lost and the agent that I had booked with fell a bit short. I was disappointed in that. Your agent should ask you about what you like and dislike far in advance, fight for you to get deals, make suggestions for you based on your family’s needs and be supportive. When my son caught a cold and we had to cancel a sit down dinner, he booked us a character breakfast for the following morning (our last) in moments so that we didn’t waste the credits and still had the best experience ever. He will be booking any future family trips for us, that’s for sure.
Scott Walters (845) 558-1225
http://www.goawayoftentravel.com
