3. Ride Videos Are Automatically Saved

This is a relatively new addition to the Memory Maker service. In the past, you had to stand in line to wait if you wanted to add a ride video to your account. As long as your magic band is linked to your Magic Maker account, which should be the first thing you do after buying the service, your ride videos will automatically upload with 24 hours. The participating rides include The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Seven Dwarfs Mine Ride, Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, Rockin’ Roller Coaster, Expedition Everest, Dinosaur, and Test Track. That’s a thoroughly impressive group of rides you can re-live anytime you’re missing Walt Disney World.

4. You Can Share the Service and Split the Cost

One of the least heralded but most useful aspects of Memory Maker is that it can be shared. If you are traveling with friends and/or family members, they all have the ability to add photos to the master account. They don’t even have to be with you to accomplish this. All they need to do – and this is crucial – is be connected to you on the Friends and Family list at MyDisneyExperience.com. As long as that is true, every picture your fellow guests take will be uploaded to your account.

You should know that only you can download the files, but it’s easy to perform that batch request. Then, you email, text, or post the images so that your loved ones have the pictures as well. Imagine watching the videos of amusement rides from your friends while you’re waiting in line in a different park. It’s a wonderful (and joyous) way to pass the time in line. And by splitting the cost, you have reduced the total cost you spend per picture.

But It’s Not Free

So, given all of the positives above, you must be wondering what the catch is. There isn’t one, at least not anything truly negative. The sole concern with Memory Maker is the cost. Traveling to Walt Disney World is already an expensive proposition. Adding another $199 to the bill may be too much for some. After all, most people have smartphones with cameras, and while the quality of these images isn’t quite as good, it’s still plenty good enough for most people.

There is even a way to get a more professional looking image without spending a dime. The same Disney employees who take the pictures for Memory Maker will usually take a picture for you if you ask nicely. Simply hand them your digital camera or smartphone, and they will capture the same image with your electronic device that they would have created with their more professional camera. No, the quality isn’t quite as nice, but it’s still better than any picture in the world prior to like 2005. So, if you want to save yourself some money, learn how to smile and ask nicely when you approach cast members, which is good advice for most situations.