New Perks Available to Annual Passholders

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Uncategorized

Passholders have had a pretty good day. Recent news of attraction openings, a relaxing of Park Pass requirements, and new night time shows have led to what amounts to be an incredible news day for Disney Parks. The fun isn’t over yet though! Disney quietly announced a new perk for Annual Passholders amongst all the ther news today!

You might recall that PhotoPass was formerly complimentary for Passholders. It was a victim of what I like to call “the perk purge” that has taken place in recent years. Sadly, I’m not here to tell you that free PhotoPass is coming back. However, Disney is giving Passholders complimentary access to PhotoPass Lenses and one free Cinderella Castle Mural of Memories. That may not feel like much but like everything else today, it’s a step in the right direction.

Cinderella Castle Mural of Memories is a particularly great perk simply because it is so unique. The idea was born out of a desire to celebrate Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary in a unique and memorable way. The idea is to gather a collection of memories from the celebration and (virtually) pin them to Cinderella Castle to create a beautiful keepsake. Typically Disney charged $9.99 per photo for this experience but as the celebration winds down, Passholders can pin one photo for free. Pinning a photo comes with a free download of the Mural.

PhotoPass Lenses are also a fun and unique way to celebrate your day! It uses AR (Augmented Reality) in select areas around the Parks to create one of a kind selfies by inserting your favorite characters or surprising magical moments into the frame. Think of it like the Magic Shots you can get from Disney’s PhotoPass photographers, only you get to add the magic yourself! This service was formerly exclusive to Guests who purchased Disney Genie+ (it’s not even included with Memory Maker purchase) but now Passholders can access it free of charge for a limited time!

These new changes may seem small on the surface, but they add up to something huge: feeling appreciated and valued by Disney again after a few years of feeling like nothing but cash cows. We are hopeful that meaningful change will continue at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort. The small things really do add up.

Festive PhotoPass Fun

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Disney Resorts, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

The holiday atmosphere here at Walt Disney World Resort is so warm and cozy (and not just because of the weather!), and Disney PhotoPass photographers love making guests’ photos even merrier with some holly-jolly props, Magic Shots, and more! Below, check out some of our favorite photo ops available this holiday season from Disney PhotoPass Service around Walt Disney World Resort, and note where photographers will be capturing each of them. 

After dark in front of the Christmas trees at EPCOT, Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney Springs

On the bridge leading from Oasis to Discovery Island at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, on Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, at all World Celebration locations at EPCOT, at theDisney PhotoPass Studio at Disney Springs, and at the following locations at Magic Kingdom Park: entrance, the Disney PhotoPass Studio inside Sir Mickey’s, and on Main Street, U.S.A.

At most locations at all four theme parks, the Disney PhotoPass Studio at Disney Springs, and select resorts

In front of the Christmas tree at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, on Sunset Boulevard and Echo Lake at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, near the main entrance to World Showcase at EPCOT, and at the entrance and in front of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park

In front of the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, at select Hollywood Boulevard locations at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, at the Disney PhotoPass Studio at Disney Springs, and starting November 25 when guests can meet Santa Claus at EPCOT

At all three Disney PhotoPass Studios, which are located at Disney Springs, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and Magic Kingdom Park

In the Norway pavilion at EPCOT (starting November 25) and at the Disney PhotoPass Studio at Disney Springs

At all World Showcase locations at EPCOT starting November 25, and at Echo Lake and select Hollywood Boulevard locations at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

If guests want to deck their halls with all these photos, have them consider purchasing Memory Maker. With Memory Maker, guests can download all the Disney PhotoPass photos and videos from their vacation, including those taken onboard attractions – all for one price.* 

*Disney PhotoPass Service and Memory Maker are subject to the applicable terms and policies. Includes photos taken during the applicable Memory Maker Window as defined in such terms (generally, photos taken (i) within one day for Memory Maker One Day or (ii) within 30 days from the date of first activation for standard Memory Maker). If Memory Maker is purchased at the advance purchase price, any photos taken within 3 days of the date Memory Maker is purchased are not included and must be purchased separately. A MagicBand, or an eligible mobile device with Bluetooth technology enabled for the My Disney Experience app, is required to receive certain attraction photos and other digital content. Online registration required. Disney PhotoPass Photos in your account will expire pursuant to the expiration policy. Downloads are restricted to personal use only. Not responsible for missing, lost or damaged photos. Subject to restrictions and change without notice. Valid theme park admission required for certain photo locations.

Enjoy Complimentary Access to a New Star Wars Lens Through June 7

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Hollywood Studios

Disney PhotoPass Service is bringing Guests a lens that will help them live their Star Wars story wherever they are – without needing to make the jump to hyperspace.

First, they can use this lens to select their species. Maybe they’re a Zabrak with a crown of horns protruding through their head. Perhaps they’re a Twi’lek or Togruta showing off their very striking features. Or, maybe they’re simply a human. That’s fine too!

Then they can discover who they truly are, because they can choose to unveil their hidden identity as one of the Empire’s Jedi-hunting Inquisitors – just like those seen in the new limited series “Obi-Wan Kenobi,” now streaming only on Disney+. 

I sense a disturbance in the Force.

Now through June 7, Guests can enjoy complimentary access to this lens in the Snapchat app by visiting the Lenses section of the Disney PhotoPass Service Snapchat profile. Whether they’re in the parks or at home, they can use this lens to capture out-of-this-galaxy photos and videos.

Starting June 8, this lens will be available exclusively in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios through the My Disney Experience app with the purchase of Disney Genie+ service.* With their purchase, they’ll unlock many other Disney PhotoPass Lenses, giving them a fun new way to capture the magic of Walt Disney World Resort right from their mobile device.                           

*With the purchase of Disney Genie+ service, Walt Disney World guests can access many Disney PhotoPass Lenses in the My Disney Experience app as soon as they enter the park. Select Disney PhotoPass Lenses are accessible only within designated areas of Walt Disney World Resort. Other Disney PhotoPass Lenses will remain accessible in the My Disney Experience app until 5:59 a.m. on the 45th day after the day on which the Disney Genie+ service was used; certain states and localities are excluded. Many Disney PhotoPass Lenses use technology that detects the coordinates of key points on a guest’s face and/or hands and may be used only by guests 18 years of age and older who have consented to use of this technology. Therefore, guests unable to provide such consent, as well as guests under 18 years of age, will have fewer lenses available to use. To access Disney PhotoPass Lenses, an eligible mobile device with the My Disney Experience app with access to the device’s camera and location is required. A purchase of Disney Genie+ service at Walt Disney World Resort does not include downloads of a guest’s Disney PhotoPass photos or videos that were captured by photographers and onboard attractions. Use of Disney PhotoPass Lenses is subject to the Terms and Conditions. Subject to restrictions and change without notice.

Four New Photo Ops Launching May the 4th at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Hollywood Studios

To celebrate May the Fourth, Disney PhotoPass Service is launching four new photo opportunities in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Check them out below. We know not everyone can blast off to Batuu for May the Fourth, so these experiences will continue to be available after the celebration ends. 

Ready to begin the next bounty hunt? Select Disney PhotoPass Image Scanners (known on our planet as photographers) in Batuu might offer clients a holopuck that can reveal the details of your next bounty. View this Magic Shot in a Disney account to see all of the intel.

For younglings still perfecting their skills, this is the droid they’re looking for! This training droid Magic Shot will have clients deflecting blaster bolts like a Jedi Master. Clients might not see the droid while taking this photo, but as Obi-Wan Kenobi once said, “Your eyes can deceive you. Don’t trust them.” 

Select Image Scanners in Batuu can offer clients a lightsaber to use in the photo – including a replica of Mace Windu’s purple lightsaber that’s available after sunset starting May the Fourth across from Oga’s Cantina.

On the outer reaches of Batuu near Droid Depot, clients might see Boba Fett’s ship overhead. It’s true… from a certain point of view. 

In addition to these new opportunities, don’t miss out on capturing all of Disney PhotoPass Service’s Star Wars-themed photos at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 

  • Encounter familiar friends or enjoy special enhancements around Batuu with more Magic Shots
  • Capture a Super Zoom Magic Shot video with a camera far, far away
  • Be AT-AT the center of the galaxy with a Tiny World Magic Shot (available near Star Tours – The Adventures Continue)
  • Interact with Grogu using a Disney PhotoPass Lens, available exclusively in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge through the My Disney Experience app with the purchase of Disney Genie+ service*

Unearth Two New Disney PhotoPass Offerings

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

The Disney PhotoPass team is gearing up for Halfway to Halloween with the launch of two creepy cool things at Walt Disney World Resort.

First stop: The 5th Dimension. Get your subdued smiles and gloomy glares ready. There’s a storm brewing near the Hollywood Tower Hotel!

The newest Disney PhotoPass Lens launches today, and it’ll make clients feel like they’ve stepped back in time to Halloween night, 1939. Tip: When using this Lens, go far enough down Sunset Boulevard to hear the shrieks of those onboard the attraction. It really adds to the mood.

This Lens is available to use only on Sunset Boulevard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios through the My Disney Experience app with the purchase of Disney Genie+ service.*

Starting today, all foolish mortals materializing onboard The Haunted Mansion at Magic Kingdom Park will notice that their photo will have a new look. As they’re known to do, the grim grinning ghosts are coming out to socialize – in the dead space of Guests’ photos! And if clients ride this attraction multiple times, they’ll notice that each time they ride, a different ghost might follow them home.

Remember, there’s no photo preview wall at the exit of this attraction where Guests can link their photo, so there are two options to have it automatically linked to a Disney account while riding:

  • Use a mobile device. Enable Bluetooth® for the My Disney Experience app before riding, ensure you’ve logged into the app sometime earlier that day, and keep the device out of low power mode. Then just put the device in a pocket or bag while enjoying the ride.**
  • Wear a MagicBand that’s linked to a Disney account.

This update at the Haunted Mansion is the first in our ongoing efforts to enhance onboard photos at some of your favorite Walt Disney World Resort attractions.

Next time clients head off to Magic Kingdom Park or Disney’s Hollywood Studios, they can enjoy these cadaverous capture opportunities!

*With the purchase of Disney Genie+ service, Walt Disney World guests can access many Disney PhotoPass Lenses in the My Disney Experience app as soon as they enter the park. Select Disney PhotoPass Lenses are accessible only within designated areas of Walt Disney World Resort. Other Disney PhotoPass Lenses will remain accessible in the My Disney Experience app until 5:59 a.m. on the 45th day after the day on which the Disney Genie+ service was used; certain states and localities are excluded. Many Disney PhotoPass Lenses use technology that detects the coordinates of key points on a guest’s face and/or hands and may be used only by guests 18 years of age and older who have consented to use of this technology. Therefore, guests unable to provide such consent, as well as guests under 18 years of age, will have fewer lenses available to use. To access Disney PhotoPass Lenses, an eligible mobile device with the My Disney Experience app with access to the device’s camera and location is required. A purchase of Disney Genie+ service at Walt Disney World Resort does not include downloads of a guest’s Disney PhotoPass photos or videos that were captured by photographers and onboard attractions. Use of Disney PhotoPass Lenses is subject to the Terms and Conditions. Subject to restrictions and change without notice.

**Message, data and roaming rates may apply. Availability subject to handset limitations and features may vary by handset, service provider or otherwise. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first.