Skip to main content

A Magical Surprise with Photopass


My nieces with Tinker Bell
There is a wonderful service that Disney offers to its guests called Photopass.  At each park, and even in some resorts, you will find Photopass photographers ready and willing to snap shots of your family in front of iconic locations or meeting characters.  You can pre-order a CD and load your images to it after your trip, you can order individual prints, or you can make an array of items from your Photopass photographs.  This is a great convenience and makes for some really great memories.  I love some of the candids where my nieces are interacting with characters for the first time. 
I understand that some people prefer to use their own camera and take their own pictures.  This is fine, and, to be honest, I do it many times too.  But only by using Disney’s Photopass photographers can you make some magic happen.  I’m talking about those cute photos commonly referred to as Magic Shots.
In Magic Shots the photographers will add an animated character or object to your photo.  That’s what makes it magical!  It makes me think of the scene in Mary Poppins when Mary, Burt, and the children jump into the chalk drawings.  A popular example of these pictures that you might have seen floating around (pun intended!) has Tinker Bell in the hands of children. Another classic is a pose holding baby Simba; this one can only be found in the Animal Kingdom.  Stitch has been known to pop into pictures as well. 
Boo to you!

One of the most sought out Magic Shots can only be found during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.  Just outside the entrance to the Haunted Mansion is a horseless carriage.  On nights when there is a Halloween party you will find a Photopass photographer here.  As it turns out, the carriage is not horseless at all…it has ghost horses and a ghost driver!  They only appear in photographs, of course!


So how can you make sure you get some of these Magic Shots?  Here are some of my tips:
1.        Start with a Photopass photographer.  He or she may do a Magic Shot for you automatically!  If you are directed to make a silly face or to hold your hands in a certain way, your photographer is probably doing a Magic Shot for you. 

2.       Don’t be afraid to ask!  On my last trip I knew one of the new options was a picture that adds a cluster of Mickey balloons.  I asked our photographer if he could do that picture for us.  He didn’t have that particular option, but he directed us to an area of the park he knew would most likely have it.  What can I say…I was a woman on a mission!

My husband, my hero!
3.       Keep your eyes open.  If you see other families doing funny things or if you see a photographer set up in an unusual spot, they might be doing a Magic Shot.  While on our honeymoon I spotted a Photopass photographer set up in Adventureland taking pictures against a very boring backdrop—it was simply the side of a building.  I thought this was strange and told my husband, “I bet they’re doing a special picture over there!”  Sure enough, it was to be a picture with Captain Hook.  The result was one of my favorite pictures from the entire honeymoon!
For me, this is one of the best parts about using the Photopass photographers.  Looking back through our pictures with Tinker Bell or Captain Hook is just one more way to make sure the Disney magic continues even when we’re back home!


Aubrey

Comments

  1. I love this blog! So glad y'all started it. You are covering all the topics I am asked about most by my friends planning a Disney trip. I can't wait to start recommending this blog (and as always a KK agent) to my friends! - Erin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the kind words Erin. We're so glad that you are finding our information helpful!

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Top 10 Must Do's at Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris, formerly known as Euro Disney, opened on April 12, 1992. When traveling to different Disney parks, it's hard not to compare it to Disneyland in California or Walt Disney World in Florida. Each park is unique in it's own way. With so many wonderful attractions, it was a little difficult to come up with a Top 10 list. I would have picked "it's a small world", but that was closed when we were visiting. Here are my Top 10 things to do at Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris: 10. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril, or Indiana Jones et le Temple du Peril in French, is a roller coaster attraction that travels up to 59 feet. It does go through an inversion and travels up to the speed of 36 mph. The attraction is on the shorter side but it was fun to experience this unique attraction. 9. Alice’s Curious Labyrinth Alice's Curious Labyrinth is a maze attraction in Fantasyland. The goal is to reach the castle of

Chronos Club Review at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort

I recently stayed at the Chronos Club at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort. I've been a fan of Disney's Coronado Springs Resort since my first visit as it reminds me of my hometown, San Antonio. I've stayed in rooms ranging from preferred, Casita Suite, Tower King, and now Club Level access. The Chronos Club is located on the 15th floor of the Gran Destino Tower and can only be accessed with a key card or MagicBand to a corresponding Club Level reservation. I've previously stayed Club Level at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort, Disney's BoardWalk Inn, and Disney's Grand Californian Resort. These are all considered Deluxe Resorts. Something that makes the Chronos Club stand out is that it is located in what Disney considers a Moderate Resort. I was really excited to check out the difference in experience, since there can be a notable difference in price tag for Moderate vs. Deluxe Res

Makahiki Character Breakfast at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa

We had the pleasure of dining at Aulani's Makahiki breakfast and it was a delightful, delicious experience! Makahiki is a restaurant at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawai'i. The Aulani Resort is recognizably Disney as soon as you pull into the property. Its well-manicured gardens, water features, and stunning lobby look like a Deluxe Resort at Walt Disney World.  As off-site guests to Aulani, (we stayed in Waikiki, but that's another blog) I have some helpful tips for visiting the resort, whether it be for the restaurants, the beach, or both! Makahiki – The Bounty of the Islands is open daily and reservations can be made 30 days in advance. I made my reservation on the Aulani website. There were a few times to choose from. I chose the earliest available that day, which was 8:30 a.m., because we had jetlag from the trip. A friendly Cast Member called me a few days before the reservation to confirm it with me. You can, however, find earlier times on other d