Disney's Memory Maker: Is it worth it?!

 

Is Disney’s Memory Maker Worth It? Here’s Why You Should Get It

You're planning a trip to Walt Disney World and you are wondering about the Memory Maker — Disney's unlimited photo package that captures your magical moments throughout Walt Disney World. Is it worth the extra cost?! As a travel advisor, a wife and a mom who has experienced it firsthand, I can confidently say YES! Here's why the memory maker is a must have for your next Disney vacation.

1. Unlimited Digital Photos from Disney Photographers

With the Memory Maker, you can get access to every photo taken by the Disney Photopass photographers through out Walt Disney World. These aren't just ordinary snapshots — these are high-quality, professionally captures photos in front of Cinderella's Castle, the Tree of Life, Spaceship Earth (Epcot Ball) and so much more!

2. Ride Photos & Videos Included

Some of my favorite moments with my family has been in the middle of a ride and hearing their laughter (or unsureness) during that attraction. Thankfully, I can savor that moment since the Memory Maker includes on ride photos and even videos from attractions like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Guardian of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and TRON Lightcycle / Run. These action shots make for some hilarious and unforgettable souvenirs!

3. No Worrying About Taking Your Own Photos

As a mom, I want to soak in every magical moment with my family — not stress about getting the perfect shot and the memory maker lets me do exactly that. Instead of fumbling with phone or camera, I can be fully present. And best of all? I actually get to be in the photos instead of always being the one behind the camera.

4. Magic Shot Add Extra Disney Magic

Disney's PhotoPass photographers can add special effects and characters to your photos, know as Magic Shots. You might find Tinker Bell fluttering in your hands, or even pick up some hitchhiking ghosts! These little touches make your pictures even more enchanting.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

5. A Lesson Learned the Hard Way

I've bought Memory Maker for every single one of our Disney trips — except one. That one time I didn't purchase it in advance, I ended up paying more after our trip because I HAD to have to the photo of my daughter hugging Prince Charming when she was just 2 years old. This moment was just priceless...and I didn't want to lose it. That's when I realized: you can't put a price on preserving those memories.

6. Easily Download & Share Your Photos

All of your Memory Maker photos are stored in your My Disney Experience app, where you can download them and share them instantly. No need to purchase individual prints or stress about transferring files — everything is conveniently at your fingertips!

7. A Great Value for Families & Groups

One Memory Maker purchase covers everyone that is linked to your My Disney Experience account, meaning your entire travel party gets access to the photos. Whether you are traveling with kids, friends, or extended family, you will have pictures capturing all the fun!

How Much Does Memory Maker Cost?

As of this blog post (4/16/2025) *Price is subject to change*

• Advanced Purchase is currently $185 (must be bought at least 3 days before your trip)

• Same Day Purchase is currently $210 (includes all your photos & videos from within 30 days of your selected start date. 

• Memory Maker One Day is currently $75 (includes all your photos & videos from a single day of your choosing.

Considering how much the the Memory Maker One Day costs, Memory maker quickly pays for itself if you plan on have multiple days!

Final Verdict: Is Memory Maker Worth It?

Absolutely! If you want professionally captured memories, exclusive ride photos and magical Disney surprises, Memory Maker is an amazing investment. As a mom, it allows me to relax and enjoy the magic while knowing our memories are being captured beautifully.

Ready to Plan Your Disney Vacation?!

As a Disney travel expert — and fellow Disney-loving mama — I'd love to help you plan a trip full of unforgettable memories. And of course, I'll help you navigate your Memory Maker! Reach out to me at kristi@ppddtravel.com or fill out this form here AND let's start planning your magical vacation!

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Disney's Epcot Space 220 Review

I could not wait to experience this unique dining in Disney’s Epcot at Walt Disney World!

You can either reserve a table at Space 220 Restaurant or Space 220 Lounge.  The Space 220 Restaurant has a prix-fixe menu, while Space 220 Lounge has  an a la carte menu. Both are in the same room. With Space 220 Restaurant you are located in front of the windows while the Space 220 Lounge seating is away from the windows. We chose the Space 220 Lounge for this trip. Our reasoning is this option gave us more flexibility for our picky eaters in the group as well as pricing was more flexibility. (as of this post the dining plans are not accepted here) 

Space 220 is to the right of the Mission Space ride (if you are looking at the ride). You will see a castmember right outside the restaurant, you will check in with this castmember. They will confirm your reservation and send you inside. (This is also the castmember that you will see for walk ups)

Once inside you are given a boarding pass to space and waited for our turn to board a special space elevator that will send you to space.

Once onboard, you can move to the center to watch the view below as you ascend into space.

Once you step off the elevator you will go forward through the hall and will pass by the garden.

Once you step inside Space 220, you truly feel that you have been transported into space due to the amazing day and night panoramic views of Earth 220 miles away.

Since we chose Space 220 Lounge we were seated in the inner section away from the windows. With our view, we felt we had a better advantage of seeing our views as a whole vs sitting right up against the window if we would have chosen Space 220 Restaurant.

Our waiter gave us the option to order off of either menu, but we stuck with the lounge menu and ended up sharing some meals. We ended up choosing to eat off the  “Flight Bites” section of the menu since we ate our way around the world earlier.  Our kids enjoyed some zero-proof cocktails that included pop rocks. They loved pouring in the pop rocks. We may have even been hit with a few! These drinks also included Collectible Cards!

I would encourage you to visit Space 220 at least once for the experience. Especially if you have a space loving family member. Since we have picky eaters we will probably wait to eat here again if there is a change in the menu or a change in the experience overall. 

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Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Review

 

Since today is half way to Halloween....
One of my favorite seasons to visit Walt Disney World is during the fall/Halloween and through the years some of our favorite memories have been made at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. Last year was extra special as I was celebrating the big 4 - 0 birthday!  

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is an event that takes place at Magic Kingdom on select nights starting in August to October and requires the purchase of the event ticket. Magic Kingdom will close early on those nights for this special ticketed event that starts at 7pm. Only those who purchased a ticket will be able to stay (or enter) Magic Kingdom those nights. This event sells out fast, so I would suggest buying tickets as soon as possible. Prices vary by dates. Last year (2023) prices range from $109-$199 for ages 10 & up and $99-$189 for ages 3-9 - Not including 
taxes in those prices.  

When you enter the park for the event, you will receive a special wristband to help cast members identify who is there for the event. If you are already in the park for the day, you will look for a wristband station with Disney Cast Members to receive your wristband. The Disney Cast Members will start ushering all the people without wristbands to the exit. When you get your wristband, you will also get your trick or treat bag. If you have a food allergy you can ask fort the allegry friendly bag. At the treat stations, cast members will fill your bag with treats! Allergy - friendly trick or treaters will receive a teal token that you can later redeem at the allergy friendly centers. Who wouldn’t love to trick or treat at Magic Kingdom?! Yes - you can even dress up! 

There is also a special Halloween themed parade...the Boo to You Halloween Parade. It’s one of our favorite parades ever at Walt Disney World. Characters are dressed in their Halloween costumes & you get to see the Villains!

Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular was amazing! The Sanderson Sisters are on stage at Cinderella’s Castle. 

Plus Rare character meet & greets!

And to top the event off.....Disney’s Not so Spooky Spectacular fireworks show!

I’d highly recommend adding this special event to your package! I would love to help you plan - email me at kristi@ppddtravel.com.

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Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Party Review

One of my family's favorite ways to watch Magic Kingdom's fireworks is by adding a dessert party to our plans. It's the perfect ending to a magical day at Magic Kingdom! Now my family thinks this is the only way to watch the fireworks.

A Magic Kingdom dessert party is a unique way to watch the fireworks inside Magic Kingdom. The dessert party includes delicious Disney desserts, drinks-(including beer & wine options for those 21 & over) plus access to a reserved area for the viewing of Magic Kingdom fireworks just for those who attend the party! 

Currently, there are 3 options to chose from that take place inside Magic Kingdom and pricing varies depending on what option you chose.  

Option 1: Pre-Party. This option allows you to begin with desserts and then view the fireworks from the reserved standing area in the Plaza Garden.

Option 2: After-Party. This option you watch the fireworks first from the reserved standing area in the Plaza Garden. Once the fireworks are finished, you will then attend the dessert party. 

Option 3: Seats & Sweets: With this option you will enjoy desserts and then take your seats on the patio to watch the fireworks. 

We chose the post-party option this time. We checked in and got our bracelets at Tomorrowland Terrance Restaurant. Since there is alcohol, everyone 21 and up got a different bracelet than those that were under 21. We were able to go ahead and hang out in the reserved standing area in the Plaza Garden. We were able to enjoy a few snacks & drinks while we sat, rested & cool down from a great day at Magic kingdom. 

As we got closer to fireworks time, the guest who chose the pre-party option started to make their way into the Plaza Garden with us. Those who were in wheelchair & scooters had a section roped off in front of us giving them plenty of room without others crowding them. 

The cast members did a great job keeping us out off the walkways, but once we got closer to the start of the show we were allowed stand up and moved forward to the fence and enjoy the fireworks. 

After the fireworks we made our way to Tomorrowland Terrance Restaurant to enjoy the desserts. The select of desserts was amazing. They even had a cookie decorating station! 

My family enjoyed this magical extra. I would highly recommend to add a dessert party to your plans! 

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