We say - YES!
Both Disney and Universal offer photo packages for their guest. Disney offers PhotoPass, while Universal offers My Universal Photos. Let's get into the details of each so you can decide if these services are right for you!
Disney's PhotoPass Service
Disney's PhotoPass service is provided throughout the Walt Disney World resort by professional Disney photographers. These photographers can be found in front of the most iconic locations and attractions in each park to provide amazing photo opportunities, including magic shots with digital characters. Keep your eyes open for cast members in khaki vests, dark color shorts and, of course, holding a camera! You'll know you're close when you find a random line in the middle of an intersection or walkway!
Photos taken by PhotoPass photographers are automatically uploaded to your gallery on the My Disney Experience app if you use your MagicBand. If you don't have a MagicBand, the photographer will provide you with a numbered plastic card you can use to access your photos online when you get home or back to your resort. Photos and videos taken by PhotoPass photographers can be purchased individually for download or printing.
If you'd prefer to have access to all of your photos and videos for one set fee, Disney offers a pre-paid photo package called "Memory Maker". With this package, you get:
Digital downloads of all of your PhotoPass photos and videos
Select attraction photos and videos
Professional photos taken by Disney PhotoPass photographers
Magic Shots featuring Disney characters and more, added to your photos, where available
Memory Maker packages purchased prior to your arrival at the parks currently costs $169 for the length of your stay. Packages purchased after you have arrived for your vacation will increase to $199, so make sure you book your Memory Maker package with your Disney vacation package for the best deal!
Universal's My Universal Photos
Universal Studios also offers a photo package called My Universal Photos. Similar to Disney's PhotoPass, Universal photographers are stationed throughout the parks to take photos in front of their most popular rides and attractions. The My Universal Photos packages include one or more of the following:
Unlimited digital downloads of your theme park photos including character meet and greets and pictures at many of our most popular rides and attractions at participating locations
My Universal Photos themed lanyard and card
Discounts on My Universal Photos photo gift products in-park and online
One free 5x7 print in a folder
One free 4x6 print valid in-park or online
$5.00 5x7 or $10.00 8x10 prints at participating My Universal Photos locations
$2.00 4x6 prints at participating My Universal Photos locations
View and share your photos throughout the day with the Amazing Pictures Mobile App
Universal offers 1-Day and 3-Day packages (currently $69.99 and $89.99, respectively) that include both Universal parks and Volcano Bay. They also offer a 1-Day Volcano Bay only photo package for $39.99. As with the Memory Maker, we encourage our clients to purchase their photo packages when booking their vacation package as these packages are a bit less expensive if pre-purchased.
We haven't had the opportunity yet to check out Universal's photo packages ourselves, but once we do, we'll be sure to update this post!
So, are these photo packages worth the price?
In our opinion, ABSOLUTELY. We've had some of the best photos taken by Disney PhotoPass photographers and having access to download them to save, print, or post to social media has been a great option. And the character Magic Shots and ride photos are always good for a laugh! We encourage you to purchase the pre-arrival packages as this can save you some money in the long run, and when visiting Disney or Universal, that extra savings can be super helpful.
We look forward to helping you plan your next Orlando vacation and we'd love to see some of your wonderful photos!