Pre-Ordering Disney PhotoCD [experiences + worth the cost?] About This Page:

[Gin]

We always pre-order, but on our last trip, we had hardly any photos taken --maybe 40?--and a vast majority of them are on our own camera, too. I don't regret pre-ordering, though, because I can get my money back and I'd rather have it and not use it than not get it and then wish we had.

(I know I can turn those few photos "into hundreds" but I don't really care for the Disney borders, and I find the website difficult to use for cropping and such.)

[ParkieBrown]

We always pre-order too

[allgiggles]

Originally Posted by DisneyGirlKaylyn

Lol yep, but she insists that she would spend less buying prints! I'm not giving up yet though!

Also, on the PhotoPass CD, does buying it give you the ability to make the prints yourself or do you still have to order them through Disney? I never quite understood what the CD does for you...

If you buy the CD, you own the rights (in limited form) to the photos. You can print them yourself or you can take them to Walmart, CVS, Snapfish....any place that prints photos...to have them printed. You just have to give them a copy of the release form that comes with the CD indicating you have the right to print the photos.

If you don't buy the CD and just want to buy prints through Disney, the costs are (approximately -- from my notes last June -- so these might be off slightly).

5x7 - $13
Two 4x6 (same photo) - $15
8x10 - $17

I know there are other size options, but those were the ones I wrote down in my notes. It doesn't take long for the the CD to be a bargain. I think after editing and enhancing (with borders) I had over 200 photos on my CD (and that's nothing compared to what some people end up with). I know I printed about 25 of them and may do more in the future.

It's definitely worth pre-ordering the CD. If you decide you don't want to use/buy it after your trip, it's very easy to get your money back.

[karen63]

Originally Posted by jenji124

Does anyone have the link? I'm interested in prepurchasing and I can't seem to find it. Thank you in advance!

If you go to Disney's PhotoPass - March 2012, which is a great site for everything you need to know about PhotoPass, you'll find the link for the pre-order price in the orange box on the left.

[DisneyGirlKaylyn]

Is there a certain amount of time you need to order the CD within before you leave in order to get the pre-order pricing?

[debic]

Originally Posted by MommaDante

I'm planning on getting the CD. My pictures always suck. Besides which, I want to enjoy my son's first trip, not be stuck behind a camera the whole week. The only thing I haven't decided yet is to preorder the photobook as well.

We got the photobook in 2010 as it was a special gg trip. It makes me smile everytime one of the kids picks it up as it starts a whole revisit of the trip and all the wonderful memories. I have also learned many things about their viewpoints about the things they enjoyed to file away for future planning just listening to them talking to each other without joining in.

[allgiggles]

Originally Posted by DisneyGirlKaylyn

Is there a certain amount of time you need to order the CD within before you leave in order to get the pre-order pricing?

I thought it used to be that you just had to pre-order it before you entered any of your photopass card numbers into the website. However, I seem to remember recently reading somewhere that you now have to order it at least 1 day before your first photo is taken. If you forget to pre-order before you get there, you can order the CD at the park (I'm assuming at Guest Services) and while it will cost you the full $149, you get 3 free 5 x 7 prints as a "discount".

[Nyreak]

Here's the link: Pre-arrival Ordering

[renbugs]

Thank you all for the good information. I will be pre ordering the cd this time and getting a lot of great photo's this next trip. I too find I am usually not in most of the picture's. Look's like this trip I will be as well as taking my own I will have the CD as well.

[My2suns]

Didn't pre-purchase the last trip and there were so many pics I wanted that it was taking me forever to decide on them all. Life got in the way & next thing you know,just as we decided to go ahead and pay the $150 for the whole thing, it was too late. Pictures expired. I had wanted to pre-purchase but my DH was like "Nah!" Well, I will NEVER make that mistake again. this was the same year I dropped my camera and had problems with it. And the same year it was finally just the 4 of us on family vacation-no extended family. I still get teary eyed when I think of all those photos lost. Can you tell I am all for the pre-purchase?

[SooooznQ]

Originally Posted by Nyreak

Here's the link: Pre-arrival Ordering

Thanks. I was wondering if the preorder was worth the cost. I'm going the end of Sept. HOw far out can you order? I'm never in any of the photo's and it's just my daughter and I going for our birthdays so extra pics of BOTH of us would be great!

[allgiggles]

Originally Posted by SooooznQ

Thanks. I was wondering if the preorder was worth the cost. I'm going the end of Sept. HOw far out can you order? I'm never in any of the photo's and it's just my daughter and I going for our birthdays so extra pics of BOTH of us would be great!

According to the fine print on the website, the credit (for the pre-ordered CD) doesn't expire, however, it looks like you only have the option to cancel and get a refund if you do it within 90 days of pre-purchasing the CD (the $99 deal). So, for that reason, I'd probably wait until less than 90 days prior to a trip so I'd have the option to get the $99 back if I didn't want to order the CD. Of course, there's always the chance that this "deal" will disappear without warning as it has in the past.

[Nani]

Here's a link to a must read website!
Disney's PhotoPass - March 2012

I don't understand how anyone wouldn't do this. Its totally refundable if you don't want it and its such a great deal to have the fun photos and all of your group !!

[Papa Mouse]

Remember that you can get in line again, with the same photographer, to have more pictures taken or to come back later and have more pictures taken. There is not a limit.

However, if others are in line they could limit the number of pictures taken at one siting. As mentioned above, return.

Photographers are also in a Habit. That is, a habit like anyone would have. Before you get to the CM (Photographer taking the pictures) notice their habit as to where they stand, what the background of your photo will be will look like, etc. Then when it's your turn politely ask the CM to face in the direction and background you would like. They do not mind and will work with you. It is partically a habit of where they stand. If a CM was not busy and she noticed you and you wanted your picture taken she would take it regardess of if she was headed north, south or another direction.

More in your group? Get an extra Photopass Card for each one and be sure to write the card I.D.number down. The Photopass Cards are FREE. This way if your group is separated or in another part of the park they can have there pictures taken.

When you complete your form for the CD be sure and write down all of the numbers. Yes, you can have more than one card.

Here's a copy and paste item I prepared to help you understand Photopass a little better.

NO PICTURES taken by any Photopass Photographer are stored on the Photopass Card or on their camera. There isn't any film in the CM camera.

INSTANTLY at the time each picture is taken they are automatically AND immediately transmitted electronically to a computer to file. This file is located by the number on the Photopass Card. Therefore the Photopass Card can be lost, torn, folded, drstroyed, stolen, burnt., etc. etc. without worry. Basically forget it.

If this happens just obtain another Photopass Card from a Photopass Photographer (which are free), retain that card number and continue on your merry magical way. All prevoiusly taken pictures were stored on the computer and under normal conditions were not lost.

You will get instructions on how to enter all the Photopass Card numbers which will be entered on their form to complete your CD. You don't have to send your card to them.

When you get the final CD merely make a duplicate and give a copy to yourfriend.

To save money, after your CD is returned, many go to a Walmart Store or a similar store to have additional pictures developed. With some machines (not all) you can still do some basic editing such as sixe and touchups.

As all photos are stored on a computer immediately have a CM direct you to their photo reviewing store as you can stop at anytime to review what was taken.

[Caldercup]

Oh yes -- the PhotoPass site at Stitchkindgom is a must-read. Such great info, and he has lots of examples of the "magic shots"