Differences Between PhotoPass+ and Disney Memory Maker

As of December 6, 2013, the PhotoPass+ system at Walt Disney World has been replaced by Disney Memory Maker. The basics of the system work the same way: Photographers are stationed all over the Disney Parks (and certain resorts), ready to take pictures of your family in front of park icons or gorgeous backdrops, with characters, and at select dining experiences. Additionally PhotoPass+ has included ride photos as well. All of these pictures, with the purchase of a PhotoPass+ have been yours to download (or to order on a CD). What changes will the new Memory Maker bring to this system? Here are the changes that you need to know about, straight from the horse's... or mouse's... mouth:

•  Memory Maker is 100% digital. That means that, when it comes time to order your pictures, only the Digital Download is included in the price that you paid. Physical, archival CDs are available at an additional cost.

• Because the system is 100% digital, Dining Photos that you previously received in both digital and physical form (Chef Mickey's, 'Ohana, 1900 Park Fare) will now be available only as Digital Downloads. At the moment, this has not changed the experiences where guests received physical photos as part of the cost of their meal (Cinderella's Royal Table, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall), separate from PhotoPass+.

• Previously, Guests had to wait until the end of their trip, and after all of the fun Disney graphics were added/edits were made before downloading their photos. With Memory Maker, guests can now download photos as soon as they are posted in their MyDisneyExperience account, and continue to do so as often as they like over the course of their stay. Each photo downloads is currently available for 45 days after the picture was taken.

• You can now select people on your MyDisneyExperience Friends & Family list to allow to view and download your photos. Similarly, your Friends & Family can choose to allow you to view and download their photos. This applies to Friends & Family with the Memory Maker entitlement not already linked to your Resort Reservation, as those guests already share the same Memory Maker account and would, therefore, already have access to those pictures.

• Under PhotoPass+, only one Guest per PhotoPass was issued the PhotoPass+ card. This was the only card that was able to be used to obtain ride photos or dining photos, which led to a lot of physical passing of the card back and forth from one guest to another and, sometimes, finding yourself wanting a ride photo but realizing that you don't have the card.  However, with Memory Maker, all guests linked to the the same reservation will be able to have those ride photos and dining photos scanned into the account, using just their own MagicBands.

• The waiting period from Advance Purchase of Memory Maker until it is active in your account and ready to associate with new pictures being taken is now 3 days, as opposed to the 14 days prior to your trip required under PhotoPass+.

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