Photos are definitely one of my favorite parts of vacation. I love seeing pictures pop up in my Facebook Memories, or printing a photo book if it's a big family vacation! Looking back on them later always conjures such happy memories. However, in our family I am the picture taker and when you look through our vacation photos it often looks like I wasn't there. A definite perk of paying for Memory Maker is that it's a GREAT way to get photos of the whole family. 

When you prepay for Memory Maker, it is $169 for the duration of your trip, if you pay for it during/after your trip it's $199. You can also purchase single day Memory Maker for $69. When you purchase Memory Maker, ANY photo taken at an attraction AND by any PhotoPass photographer is included! In addition to Memory Maker, PhotoPass Attraction photos are now included with the purchase of Genie+. Some of the on-ride photo locations included with Genie+ are favorites like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Seven Dwarves Mine Train, Test Track, Tower of Terror, Space Mountain, Frozen Ever After, Haunted Mansion, aaand more! 

Photo Pass Spots: 
If you want some unique photos with a little 'extra' something, ask the photographer for some Magic Shots - some really love doing this and get super creative. It's always fun to see. 

Here are some spots you can typically find PhotoPass Photographers, please keep in mind none of these spots are GUARANTEED and you may see them in many other places beyond these! 

In Magic Kingdom: 
Main Street Entrance 
​All up & down Main Street
Partners Statue (Walt & Mickey - near the castle)
Liberty Square Bridge
Tomorrowland Bridge
Near Haunted Mansion exit
Journey of the Little Mermaid Bridge
The Tangled bathrooms (past Peter Pan & Small World especially in the evenings)

*Favorite* on the greens near the castle, ask a cast member where the "castle zoom shot" is done. It's really neat and a favorite for our whole family.

In Epcot:
The entrance - lots of photographers at different angles for shots with the Epcot Ball, there's also a 360 degree view photo
France Fountain
Fountain of Nations Courtyard
International Gateway Bridge
World Showcase Overlook
Then you can find them periodically throughout the countries in the World Showcase and with the princesses

In Hollywood Studios: 
At the Entrance
Hollywood Studios Arch
Hollywood Blvd
Star Wars Galaxies Edge Entrance
*Sometimes* you can catch a Grogu Magic Shot at the stone wall leaving Galaxies Edge and heading into Toy Story Land
Toy Story Land Entrance
Sunset Boulevard

In Animal Kingdom:
Bus Stop Marquee
Main Entrance
Tree of Life
Expedition Everest Overlook
Tree of Life Garden

You can go to as many photo pass photographers as you want - and each of them will take between 5-25 photos depending on how busy they are and how many people are in your group. 

At the rides you can scan the QR code to get your photo; tap your magic band, or ask a cast member to add it on your phone. 

Also keep an eye out for photo spot signs where they have some great suggested photo spots to take on your own! 

Here are some of our agents favorite Magic Shots & PhotoPass spots: 

Another great way to get photos is by using a flexi-tripod. They are great for attaching to your stroller, setting up on a table, on the ground in front of those ICONIC locations, or wrapping around a pole. My families new favorite way to use it is to set up the tripod on the table and use your timer function on your phone (or some phones have the option to say 'smile' or hold up your palm - make sure to mess with your photo functions BEFORE your trip), its a unique way to get full family photos with the characters. We used one phone in the tripod and the other to grab some pics as the characters walked up. This was BY FAR my favorite way to get some fantastic character photos and interactions. The characters and cast members really loved it, and it increased the engagement a lot. 

I used to be a Travel Agent skeptic. I couldn't understand why I would want to have someone else do it when I could easily book it myself! Then one day I met a travel agent (now co-worker) and I saw how passionate she was about making sure my family and I had the BEST vacation possible. She was kind, knowledgeable, ​and patient with my million questions. She was able to update my booking when a better deal came along, suggested activities we didn't even know were possible, and really helped us get the most out of our money. 

Now, there are MANY reasons to use a travel agent...but the most shocking one for me, was that I was actually already paying for one when I was booking on my own. I was a busy mom with two little kids, so the idea of having someone else do all the work while not costing me anything additional was a REAL perk. Why not leave it to someone who does this all day, every day!? She certainly knew more than I did. After the first trip she planned for us, I told my husband I'd never travel without a travel agent again! 

Travel Agents do extensive training on each of the vendors they book through, the trainings are required regularly to keep them up to date on the ins and outs of each ship/resort/theme park. These trainings help the agents to customize your vacation to you and your needs. While no one knows EVERYTHING there is to know about travel, our agents literally make it their job. The training and research that goes into every trip helps us provide you with the best vacation possible! 

If that's not enough to convince you - here are 10 more reasons you should be booking with a travel agent:

1. Travel agents are there to answer your questions, big and small!
2. Travel agents provide valuable guidance on best times to travel.
3. Travel agents handle everything from research to booking. 
4. Travel agents sit on hold for HOURS, so you don't have to. 
5. Travel agents are knowledgeable on the latest health/safety regulations of their destinations.
6. Travel agents make sure your vacation is personalized to your needs. 
7. Travel agents are passionate about helping you create some of your most treasured memories. 
8. Travel agents will work as hard for you as they do for their own families. 
9. Travel agents simplify your trip for you.
10. Travel agents allow you to be as hands on (or off) as you'd like. 

If you're ready to book your next vacation with one of our wonderful travel advisors, head on over to our 'Request a Quote' link and someone will be in touch with you soon! 

​Request a Quote (mvvtravelco.com)
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