So you’re planning a trip to Disney World! Congratulations! You’re about to go to The Most Magical Place on Earth.
Magic Kingdom
There’s just one big problem with The Most Magical Place on Earth: you’ll find that it will sometimes want to separate you from your hard-earned cash even after you’ve paid for your hotel room, your tickets, and your flight (if you need one). You might be offered the option to pay for extra perks at Disney World, and we’re going to tell you a secret: Some of those perks just really aren’t worth it. We’ve already fallen for paying for a lot of these perks, so now we can warn you away.
Memory Maker
Okay, this might be controversial, but Memory Maker could very well be a waste of money. Here’s the thing: Memory Maker gets you unlimited digital downloads of all photos taken by Disney PhotoPass photographers. The price? $210! Okay, so it’s only $185 if you purchase it BEFORE your trip. However, those same PhotoPass photographers will take photos of you with your own camera or phone if you ask.
PhotoPass Studio
So what exactly are you paying for? Well, the photos will be high quality, but most phones are capable of good quality photos. You’re getting the same amazing photographer, regardless of how the photos are taken. You DO get Magic Shots, which is when Disney adds a little extra character or scene to each photo, but if you know how to photo edit, you could do that yourself at home. Is it worth over $200?
©Disney
Note that it also includes ride photos, but you can also get those now if you purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass, which is going to cost less per day than Memory Maker, PLUS it allows you a way to bypass long standby lines at rides.
Is Disney’s Memory Maker Photo Add-On Actually WORTH IT?
Preferred Parking
Did you know you could pay extra to park closer to each park’s main entrance? Prices are seasonal but run $45, $50, or $55 per day. That’s not chump change, is it? But here’s the thing…do you need to park that much closer to the entrance when you can just hop on the tram if you don’t want to walk far? Note that Disney World does provide special parking areas for visitors with disabilities and mobility issues.
East Tram and Preferred Parking sign at EPCOT
Also, if you’re going to Magic Kingdom, you have to park at the Transportation and Ticket Center, and you’ll have to take a boat or Monorail to the Magic Kingdom entrance anyway.
The Weird Parking RULE That Only Applies When It’s SUPER BUSY in Disney World
Preferred Room at Certain Hotels
Now don’t get us wrong, if you’re staying at a value resort or another Disney World hotel that is spread out (Caribbean Beach, we’re looking at you), you’ll probably get your money’s worth if you pay for a preferred room, which is a room closer to the hotel’s lobby, food court, and transportation. However, if you’re staying at a smaller hotel like Disney’s Port Orleans Resorts, a preferred room isn’t going to be worth the extra cost.
Port Orleans is so small you don’t need a preferred room
Before you book that trip, we recommend taking a look at a map of the Disney World hotel you’re planning on staying at and seeing just how big it is. If it’s a big hotel, like Caribbean Beach, the All-Star Resorts, or others, think about how far you’ll have to walk to get to everything — that long walk at the end of a day in the parks can be brutal. If a hotel is more compact, you can book a standard room and you’ll be fine.
The BEST Rooms in Disney World Hotels, And How To Get Them
So before you spend money on these extra perks, you’ll want to think about it first. We’re all about helping you save money in Disney World, so we’ll keep offering our best tips and tricks to make the most of your money AND time on your next Disney World trip.
I “Wasted” a Day in Disney World and I Can’t Stop Feeling Guilty About It.
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To me it’s worth it because my daughter is still fairly young and the pictures I have of her from our trips is fantastic and some of my absolute favorites. Especially when she was three with the characters. We also use our pictures for family portraits for Christmas cards. As a mom these pictures mean the world to me because I know I will be in the pictures. Also getting every ride photo is so much fun.
Photo pass was worth it for me….as you said controversial….. the better camera over my cell phone was worth the money.
IMO one of the best ‘upgrades,’ depending on how long your trip is or how often you go, is to get at least one person an annual pass. I don’t know if all levels include Photopass, but the options for those who don’t live in FL include it. The pass also includes parking, so if for some reason preferred parking IS worth it to you, it’s only an upcharge over whatever the standard price is that day. Preferred rooms are almost never worth it unless you’re going to be spending a lot of time at the hotel, swimming, eating, and shopping there, using Disney transpo, and you REALLY don’t want to walk far or wait for long periods. Preferred rooms can also be noisier and generally have more foot traffic in the area of your room, and can leave you with a feeling of zero privacy. My advice to anyone who has a car is to not book a preferred room, and don’t take an ‘upgrade’ to one if you’re offered it, unless you’ll be getting a much better room.