Disney's PhotoPass photographers are stationed throughout all four parks, and they're free. Every park visitor has access to PhotoPass photographers; the only question is whether you buy the Memory Maker package to download the photos. Here's how to make the most of the system, whether you've bought Memory Maker or not.
Where to Find PhotoPass Photographers
PhotoPass photographers are stationed at iconic photo spots throughout each park. They wear name tags with the Disney PhotoPass logo and carry professional cameras.
Magic Kingdom (most popular spots)
- Cinderella Castle (front and back)
- Partners Statue (Walt and Mickey at the hub)
- Main Street, U.S.A. (multiple locations)
- Liberty Square (with the Hall of Presidents in the background)
- It's a Small World entrance
- Cinderella Castle Forecourt (during evening hours)
EPCOT
- Spaceship Earth (front and back)
- World Showcase entrance arch
- Each country pavilion has at least one PhotoPass photographer during peak hours
- Frozen Ever After area
Hollywood Studios
- Tower of Terror entrance
- Galaxy's Edge (Millennium Falcon area, AT-AT area)
- Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway area
- The main entrance with the Hollywood Studios tower
Animal Kingdom
- Tree of Life
- Pandora (Avatar) entrance and floating mountains
- Africa village with Kilimanjaro Safaris
- Asia and Expedition Everest area
What to Ask Photographers (Magic Shots)
The single best thing you can do at PhotoPass photographers: ask for a "magic shot." Magic shots are digitally added Disney characters that appear in your photo after editing. Tinker Bell flying near your head, Mickey appearing in your hand, balloons floating around you. They're free and they're the most memorable Disney photos.
Some common magic shots:
- Tinker Bell in your hand
- Mickey or Minnie on your shoulder
- Floating balloons in your hand
- Lightsabers appearing in Galaxy's Edge
- Pixie dust around your child
- Pumpkin shoots at Halloween, snow at Christmas
Different parks and seasons have different magic shots. Just ask "what magic shots do you have available today?" and the photographer will offer options.
Ride Photos (Automatic)
Several rides automatically capture photos of you mid-ride that link to your MagicBand or My Disney Experience account:
- Splash Mountain (the iconic drop photo)
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Space Mountain
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- Tower of Terror (multiple shots during drops)
- Rock 'n' Roller Coaster
- Frozen Ever After
- Rise of the Resistance
To link these to your account: at the ride exit, look for a kiosk where you can show your MagicBand or scan your photo number. Or use the My Disney Experience app to scan a Photo Pass code from the kiosk.
How to Get Better PhotoPass Photos
Be intentional
Don't rush past photographers. Stop, smile, ask for a magic shot, and let them do their work. A photographer who feels appreciated takes better photos.
Stand for the right backgrounds
When a photographer asks "where do you want to stand?" let them choose. They know the angles and lighting that work.
Coordinate outfits
Matching family outfits or colors create photos that hold up over time. Disney-themed shirts are popular but not required.
Bring multiple outfit options
For longer trips, change outfits between park days. Same backdrop with different outfits creates varied photos.
Take the photographer's suggestion
Photographers often suggest poses, locations, and shots. Trust them. They've taken thousands of photos at these exact spots.
Photos Without Memory Maker
If you haven't bought Memory Maker, you can still:
- Get photos taken by PhotoPass photographers
- View them in your My Disney Experience account
- Take screenshots of the preview images (low quality but useful)
- Pay $16.95 to download a single photo
- Bundle individual purchases up to certain limits
If you take 12+ photos over your trip and want to download them, Memory Maker ($169 to $199) becomes worth it.
After Your Trip
You have 45 days after your trip to download all photos from your My Disney Experience account. Download EVERYTHING immediately when you get home. After 45 days they disappear, and you can't get them back. Save them to cloud storage or external drives. Many families create photo books from PhotoPass shots, the quality is excellent for prints.
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