PhotoPass+ Pricing

[PoomShanka]

I just used Photopass Plus this past week (I sent for the voucher a few weeks ago) and it is a fantastic deal. We must have gotten $200 worth (the word "worth" used loosely in a monetary sense. :P) of ride and dining pics. I am one of those people who ALWAYS wants ALL the pics (I'm a complete photo freak) but have a hard time shelling out $15 for a poorly printed 5x7 from a ride. We now have all of them on the CD, plus dining photos and the photo packages, all for only ten dollars more than I normally pay for the Gallery CD. It's quite amazing, and I honestly can't understand why Disney is being so generous.

[3Princesses1Prince]

I think the photo pass plus is increasing their sales for the CDs. It's encouraging people to commit to purchasing the CD before they go. In the past the logic in buying the CD was "if you have 3+ pics you like then buy" but I think after a trip many forget to upload them or purchase them and they just go to waste.

[DizneeGirl]

Ok. I'm just checking to make sure that I understand this. This would give me a digital copy of every pic taken either on a ride or with a dlr photographer during our stay ON A CD, right? We just order the cd when we get home, but it is included in the price, correct?

[MammaSilva]

yes that is correct. You pre order/pre pay for the cd. You get a voucher and redeem it at the photo centers at either park. Then when ever you go on any of the attractions with photos, they will add the photo to your card. If you go to a character meal they add those to your card as well. In addition you get all the photos that the photopass people take of you/your group thru out the trip. Go home, enter the card number and you have 30 days to edit the photos before you have to order the CD but the CD is prepaid as is the shipping. It really is a great deal.

[bumblebeeonarose]

MammaSilva, since your adding the pictures from online, does that mean you could use pre-existing pictures? Someone previously said you could use regular photo pass cards before picking up your + card. For example, we went to DL on Spring Break and then again in early June. When we went in June our Spring photos were still there. I was able to use free vouchers to purchase those past photos (I've never done a CD, just free photo vouchers, but I'm curious because this seems like a good deal). There are tricks about not viewing your photos, etc. to ensure they last longer. Will this work with the new Photo Pass +?

[currence]

MammaSilva, since your adding the pictures from online, does that mean you could use pre-existing pictures? Someone previously said you could use regular photo pass cards before picking up your + card. For example, we went to DL on Spring Break and then again in early June. When we went in June our Spring photos were still there. I was able to use free vouchers to purchase those past photos (I've never done a CD, just free photo vouchers, but I'm curious because this seems like a good deal). There are tricks about not viewing your photos, etc. to ensure they last longer. Will this work with the new Photo Pass +?

I hope so We are going to activate our Photo Pass+ in about 2 weeks. I currently have a photopass card that I got this past weekend. I am waiting to add it to my account.

The instructions on the voucher that has the free CD promotion code advises to sign in and claim the photos w/in 30 days. It also says to "be sure to claim any and all Disney Photopass cards you may have collected from your visit, as well as any from your Character Dining Experience(s)."

[houseofmouse]

That's interesting. I have a friend who was told the Photopass Plus was only good at the parks to collect pics for 14 days. She is there for a month and they go off and on during that whole time. So I would keep this in mind as well. You may have 30 days once you get home but like a hopper ticket, you only have 14 days to collect pictures.

[currence]

My understanding, and I haven't done it yet, is that the "Plus" is only good for 14 days. That's the part that allows you to add ride photos and character meal photos. After that, it should act like a regular photopass card. The CD voucher is separate from the Photopass Plus card, though part of the same package. The CD voucher looks like it will work just like any other CD voucher would - you can add pictures from any photopass card. So after the 14 days, you won't be able to add ride photos or character meals without paying extra, but you will be able to add traditional photopass pictures.

[houseofmouse]

Currence, that's good to know. I wonder if they told her that? She ended up getting her money back for it and is just using regular photo pass. Thanks for clearing that up.

[Courtney Anne]

I am planning on doing this for our trip in October. Our first day in Anaheim will be spent going to a character breakfast and then entering early for the Halloween Party. If I can only validate the card at the photo center on Main St - will I lose out on the pics from the first breakfast ? Is there any way to get a shopping pass for an hour to get the card validated and then go to our meal ? Do they charge for the shopping pass ? All I would need to do is get that and come back out. My Ex and the twins would be waiting for me outside the gate. TIA

[MammaSilva]

There isn't a shopping pass any longer and at this time there is no location outside the parks to exchange the voucher for the actual card. I called and was told that until you physically have the photo pass plus card you will have to pay out of pocket for any photo packages. Is there any chance you could upgrade your hopper to a 4 day ticket so you could go in and exchange your voucher so you have it for the meal and in hand before you walk thru the gates for the Trick or Treat?

[currence]

You might call the dining location and see if they will hold the pictures until later that night when you do have the photopass+ card? That would cut into your time at the party through. You could also try to plead your case to guest relations when you arrive. There may not be a shoppers pass anymore, but they may have some magic that they could help you with?

[lweigel]

quick question

I havent used any sort of photo pass before, but in April we are planning a multi-fam vacation so this would be a great deal. All comments so far have been great. My question is after each ride, and any picture taken by a cast member do you then hand over your pass+ card to them or go stand in line at the photo station after you come out of the ride? Thanks for any help I would hate to miss out on some great pics due to me not understanding the process.

[currence]

Yes, the Photopass+ works like a regular photopass card with regular photographers. So you would hand the photographer your +card when they are taking pictures, or get a regular photopass card and add it to your online account after your trip but before you order the included CD.

For ride photos, you need to note the photo number and then see a cast member working the ride photo station and have them add that photo to your photo+ account. I will know more about that process after I have actually done it. The notes do indicate that you can add the photos later in the day, so if the line is long and/or your know you are going to go on a ride a bunch of times and/or parts of your group split up you can keep track of the ride picture number and go back and add it later that same day.

Personally, unless the line is too long I would probably recommend taking care of it right away so that if there are any unusual issues you can get them resolved easier. Alternatively, I would probably take a picture of the ride photo number with something that can time/stamp pictures so if they do need to do a search then you have a good idea when exactly you were on the ride.

[Courtney Anne]

Thanks for the tips. I think we will do Storyteller's that Tuesday morning. I have never noticed a big to-do over pictures there but I could be wrong. I will ask very nicely if I can get the photo pass+ card before breakfast. I would really like to have the first character meal on film. I also want to be able to grab all the pictures from the moment we walk in the gates for the party. The first picture in front of the MICKEY flowers with the train behind it, etc, etc. Maybe I will get lucky

[MammaSilva]

If you do Storytellers that morning you won't have a photo package to worry about since they don't have the photo op set up. You can take regular photos with your camera with the characters that visit your table. When you go to the party that afternoon you can get a regular photo pass card from any of the photo pass folks in the entry way, but I will warn you getting a picture in front of the floral Mickey on a party night might be a logistical nightmare since they have tables and CM's there putting wrist bands on folks and handing out the trick or treat bags/maps. You can use any photo pass cards ON the CD but the photo pass plus card is the one you have to have to add your ride photos or character meal photos.

[Courtney Anne]

If you do Storytellers that morning you won't have a photo package to worry about since they don't have the photo op set up. You can take regular photos with your camera with the characters that visit your table. When you go to the party that afternoon you can get a regular photo pass card from any of the photo pass folks in the entry way, but I will warn you getting a picture in front of the floral Mickey on a party night might be a logistical nightmare since they have tables and CM's there putting wrist bands on folks and handing out the trick or treat bags/maps. You can use any photo pass cards ON the CD but the photo pass plus card is the one you have to have to add your ride photos or character meal photos.

Thanks MammaSilva - I wouldn't have thought of the tables being set up in front of the Mickey. We will be coming in at 3 will they already have the ToT stuff ready to go then ? I guess I figured we could come in early but we would have to go back for that stuff at 6. Well, that is okay. We can get a nice photo in front of the giant pumpkin after you go under the bridge. I am so excited for this trip !!! Just 86 days left. I am even goinf to attempt to do some of the costumes myself.

[3Princesses1Prince]

You'll get your party wristband right when you enter. I think you can come back and get a treat bag (if you want one of theirs) later.

[MammaSilva]

I thought I'd bump this thread with an update. We took our coupon/voucher to the photo store in DCA and they were so excited to help us. The photo pass plus comes on a lanyard and they punch a date card that is attached so that the photo pass and attractions folk know when it expires. For us, I paid the pre order 69.95 and on our cd we have 8 attraction photos and received the download plus it's on the cd so that is a $120.00 value to kick it off, we did a character meal and got the prints and the digi files added to the card, another $32.00 value so we're up to $152.00 and then the over 200 photo pass photos over a six day trip with our princess loving first time visit 3 year old. All the photo pass folks were awesome when I'd say please just start snapping, it's her first visit...we have shots of her walking in awe up the drawbridge then the photographer spent extra time with her over to the side getting some of the most amazing shots with the castle in the background. All the character meet and greet photographers were so considerate and accommodating! Shipping and handling is usually 6.95 and is included in the pre order price so now we're up to 158.95 not counting a single one of the extra 200 photos that we will receive when the cd arrives. I've been editing for a week and we're up to over 300 photos with the borders and 'autographs' and such. I already plan on ordering the one for our next visit around 4 weeks out so it has plenty of time to arrive. I'm just afraid they'll realize how big a savings it is and stop the pre order discounts but until they do I'm all over this.

[letshavefun]

I thought I'd bump this thread with an update. We took our coupon/voucher to the photo store in DCA and they were so excited to help us. The photo pass plus comes on a lanyard and they punch a date card that is attached so that the photo pass and attractions folk know when it expires. For us, I paid the pre order 69.95 and on our cd we have 8 attraction photos and received the download plus it's on the cd so that is a $120.00 value to kick it off, we did a character meal and got the prints and the digi files added to the card, another $32.00 value so we're up to $152.00 and then the over 200 photo pass photos over a six day trip with our princess loving first time visit 3 year old. All the photo pass folks were awesome when I'd say please just start snapping, it's her first visit...we have shots of her walking in awe up the drawbridge then the photographer spent extra time with her over to the side getting some of the most amazing shots with the castle in the background. All the character meet and greet photographers were so considerate and accommodating! Shipping and handling is usually 6.95 and is included in the pre order price so now we're up to 158.95 not counting a single one of the extra 200 photos that we will receive when the cd arrives. I've been editing for a week and we're up to over 300 photos with the borders and 'autographs' and such. I already plan on ordering the one for our next visit around 4 weeks out so it has plenty of time to arrive. I'm just afraid they'll realize how big a savings it is and stop the pre order discounts but until they do I'm all over this.

This is soooooo awesome, love it. I agree that the photo pass people are amazing and you can tell they really enjoy their jobs. Our favorite CM interactions were with the photo people this last trip.

[Courtney Anne]

That is awesome !! I am so excited for this trip. (Have I said that before in another thread?)

[SillyOldBear]

Does anyone know if the Photopass + is for a limited time? Our trip is late December and I would rather not order it now in the event we have to cancel, but I also don't want to miss the opportunity.

[MammaSilva]

The CM's at the photo store were enthusiastic and when I said it's the best kept secret they said hopefully not for long. I asked if it was a limited time thing and they both said it was their understanding that the program would be a permanent offering but they were unsure if the pre order discount would be around forever. Take that for what it is worth but really I can't see them discontinuing the program since you have to pre pay for the card so they are guaranteed the sale.

[dsny1mom]

I'm just afraid they'll realize how big a savings it is and stop the pre order discounts but until they do I'm all over this.

I have the same fear!!! I just finished my editing, boarders, etc and ended up with 1504 photos from our 10 day visit in July! Photopass + is just the best!!!

dsny1mom

[yellowrosedtxn]

I know that you all don't know what the future holds, but maybe you can point me in the right direction. I plan on going to WDW next summer and hopefully to Disneyland for Thanksgiving, again next year. Do you think if I purchase the photopass + for each place now, that I will be able to use it when I go to the parks next year? I mean I have a LOT of time to do it, but you never know if they will have the same pre-purchase available next year, and if I were to purchase it this year, would they honor it next year? I am just trying to figure it all out.