Photopass CD - No More Pre-Orders

[seanyred]

I asked this question directly to disneyphotopass.com and this is the response I got.

The pre-arrival savings offer is made available through the marketing
department of Disney Destinations. In order to receive this prepurchase
offer, the guest must meet the following guidelines:

-Have an upcoming reservation in a Walt Disney World Hotel

-Have their email address on file in the marketing database

-Have opted in to receive email from the Walt Disney World company

If you meet these requirements, you can expect to see this email about
10 days prior to your arrival. Once you have received this email, you
are within a safe time frame in which to make your prepurchase without
worry that your promotion code/s will expire.

If you do not receive this offer, it could be because your email address
is not on file and/or permission was not granted to send marketing
messages to you. Also, if you booked through a travel agent, we may not
have your email address in our database. The pre-arrival savings offer
is meant for guests who purchase before their trip.

If you have lost your offer, we regret that we are not able to replace
or extend this invitation as this offer is not sent out by
DisneyPhotoPass.com.

If you have any questions, please contact us.

Sincerely,

Mary Rose
Disney Photo Imaging Guest Support Team

[Tinkerfreak]

I had decided not to purchase the cd this year anyway but it's too bad for all of you who wanted to. I have found that there are not half as many photopass photogrophers as there was the first few years we purchased it. Last year we actually would have to look around for a photographer and most of the pictures came out poorly. I also hated the fact that you could upload your own photos and add borders to them but they did not come on the cd. My kids are getting older and it is hard enough to get them to just stop for a minute while I take a photo and really hard to get them to take time to hunt down a photographer.
We bring 3 cameras to parks with us, I carry one and both my daughters do and we take random shots of each other all day long so we do end up with alot of photos of all of us anyway.

[Dsnygirl]

I have found that there are not half as many photopass photogrophers as there was the first few years we purchased it. Last year we actually would have to look around for a photographer and most of the pictures came out poorly.

Now see, I actually though on our last two trips (Dec, Jan) that there were too many photopass people around!! Seems every place I turned, there one was... standing right where I wanted to stand to get a picture. Seemed kind-of rude to ask them to move...

But I do agree on the quality... now that there are so many, I don't think they're as well trained with lighting, etc., b/c quite a few of our photos came out dark, and there's no way to photoshop them on the Disney site. Thank goodness I pre-ordered the CD, as once I had the CD uploaded to my computer, I was able to crop pics and add lighting, which helped tremendously.

Too bad this is now only available for resort guests... although I always plan on being one, it stinks for those who choose to stay elsewhere.

[jenseib]

I have to agree that it is harder to find the photographers too. I had to really look for them. And then some one only take 1!!! or two of the same pose, and I thought each should do a few poses and add some variety in them. I had to ask almost every time to get a special effects one.

[Seasonscraps]

What a bad PR move!! It does not cost Disney more to make the CD if you pay for it before or after your trip. The extra money for guests that purchase the CD after is pure gravy. And I am shocked Disney is passing up an opportunity to get guest's money in advance of providing a service.

If they want to keep this as a Disney Resort Guest Perk - they could ask for a reservation number when you place the order.

I am willing to bet that in the near future the Photopass Photographers will not be allowed to take pictures with guests' cameras and cite some spiel about risk and liability with using the guests' personal property.

[DizneyRox]

Appears they are closing loopholes...

Basically insuring you are paying current (inflated) pricing...

[tesslor]

I was going to pre purchase on Friday but I did not have my credit card on me. When I just read the post about no more pre purchase I logged into my account and thankfully it was there, saved in my cart. I am sad to hear that this option is no longer avail it anyone gets the email could you please tell us what the discount entails? I am very curious! Thanks!

You are a lifesaver. I didn't think of checking my cart. Mine is there too!!

[tesslor]

I am also curious what the email discount is. I'm not sure I should check out until I get the email discount.
But what if my cart clears?!

Always looking for the bigger, better, deal. lol!

[TheVBs]

What a shame! I suppose as long as they're consistent about offering it when you book a trip, it will be fine. I have to agree with others, I don't know that I would pay more than $99 for it.

[minnie-mouse]

So how will it work now? You just get a card from the first photographer you meet in the parks and then use that card for all pictures during your trip? I'm confused.

[tesslor]

I just got the email from Disney Destinations with the Photopass offer on the bottom.

It is basically the same thing they were offering before.

The deluxe for $179 and the photopass CD for $99. They have also added a personalized photopass card for $4.95.

I think the major difference is that it has an expiration date. Ours expires the day before our vacation package starts.

My bet is they are trying to fix where you could come home from your trip and still "preorder" the pass with the preorder price. (I saw this was happening on some other boards)

So, same deal. I just hope they offer it to everyone.

BTW I logged into my photopass account yesterday and entered the number on the photopass card that came in my reservation packet. I also made sure that in my profile the box was checked to receive emails and special offers. I don't know if this could have triggered the email from Disney or not.

[jnfr2424]

I also made sure that in my profile the box was checked to receive emails and special offers. I don't know if this could have triggered the email from Disney or not.

Good idea! I just checked mine as well

[Seasonscraps]

I
So, same deal. I just hope they offer it to everyone.

Nope...I called DVC member services yesterday to find out if they would be sending promotional codes to DVC members with booked vacations and was told NO, not at this time.

[Dsnygirl]

Nope...I called DVC member services yesterday to find out if they would be sending promotional codes to DVC members with booked vacations and was told NO, not at this time.

Just one more reason I keep holding off on that purchase... as much as I'd like to hear "welcome home" and know that I have a permanent place to always go, I just can't believe how little you guys get back, and it seems they just keep turning the screws to you. Sorry to hear you can't even have a "legitimate" reservation now for something as simple as this!!

[laprana]

Nope...I called DVC member services yesterday to find out if they would be sending promotional codes to DVC members with booked vacations and was told NO, not at this time.

Wow! Seriously? So even though DVC members will meet the requirement of staying in a Disney resort hotel, we won't be able to get the discount and pre-order a photopass CD? Unbelievable. Guess that means no more PhotoPass CDs for me, 'cause there's no way I'm paying more than $100 for it!!

[TheVBs]

Thanks for the info Tesslor! It's good to know that someone has gotten the offer and that it was the same price. So now, you get a photopass card with your vacation package? I assume that's how you would get a personalized one for the extra cost. How are you able to personalize it, with a picture, your name, both? And, I assume you can only get this offer if you book directly through Disney reservations?

[prprincess]

I'm glad this thread was started! I actually went in yesterday to pre-purchase my CD, and the link was disabled. Then I came in here, did a search, and found my answer. Yet another reason why Intercot rocks!

We are currently 12 days out from our next trip, so I did register the card that came with my vacation documents, so hopefully, I'll get the email about the pre-purchase soon.

[Seasonscraps]

Just one more reason I keep holding off on that purchase... as much as I'd like to hear "welcome home" and know that I have a permanent place to always go, I just can't believe how little you guys get back, and it seems they just keep turning the screws to you. Sorry to hear you can't even have a "legitimate" reservation now for something as simple as this!!

Thanks. Between things like this and money grabbing climate that exists there now, I honestly feel like the biggest sucker for buying into the DVC. I have been trying to get DH to sell for about 3 years now but he's the bigger Disney/travel fan so he's not willing to seriously think about it.


I am glad there is a discount for most vacationers - it really is a good deal if you like to have lots of pictures. The whole cd/photo release appeals to the scrapbooker in me. I'll just have to get over my shyness and ask people to take our picture or learn photoshop really well and crop ourselves into pictures when I get home. I just refuse to give Disney one more dime then I feel necessary.

[seanyred]

Nope...I called DVC member services yesterday to find out if they would be sending promotional codes to DVC members with booked vacations and was told NO, not at this time.

Just to be sure I'm going to double check with member services/disnephotopass to see if I get a different answer. Since often member services doesn't always have the correct info.

In my post earlier in this thread I posted in green the response I received originally from Disney PhotoPass and no where does it mention that DVC members are not eligible.

[Seasonscraps]

Just to be sure I'm going to double check with member services/disnephotopass to see if I get a different answer. Since often member services doesn't always have the correct info.

In my post earlier in this thread I posted in green the response I received originally from Disney PhotoPass and no where does it mention that DVC members are not eligible.

The guy I spoke with didn't say we weren't eligible...he said that at this time there are no promotional codes available to DVC members even though it seems like everyone and their brother have them if they are not staying on points.

But I'll watch to see what information you get. I hate the need to call Disney a bunch of times to get a straight answer and even then it is sometimes up for debate. But I don't see some email magically appearing with a code for my trip at the end of the month.