Magical Moments - PhotoPass

Kids - Check; Backpack - Check; Tickets - Check; Mickey Ears - Check; OK, I think I have everything I need to enjoy a day in the parks. Oh no, the camera! How am I going to capture all those memories? Well, our good friend Greg Harrison suggested, via our Facebook page, that you take advantage of the Disney PhotoPass and let the experts snap the shots for you.

I can hear it now, you are standing on Main Street USA and the barbershop quartet is singing "Smile, hug, look at the camera, hold your breath and say cheese. Little did we realize back then, we were making memories..." Cinderella Castle is over your shoulder and your family or friends huddle together for this picturesque moment. A guy dressed in a white driving hat (also called an ivy hat) and knickers stands in front of you with a camera and snaps the shutter. The best part is that no one was left out of the picture due to being chosen to take the shot. The photographer then hands you a card. That card is the secret to which Greg was referring.

(Photo Courtesy of Greg Harrison)

The Disney PhotoPass is the only system of its kind. It allows Disney photographers to capture memories digitally and gives you the ability to claim them anytime, including on-line for up to 30 days. Each time you stand in line to meet a Disney character, like Lightning McQueen and Mater in Hollywood Studios, present your card to the photographer. They will scan the card, snap the shot and your pictures will be stored in your on-line account so you can view and purchase them later. If you are like us, we usually end up with multiple cards, which is OK as Disney allows multiple cards. You may also want to write down the 16-digit number, or take a snapshot of it with your own camera in case you lose your card.

(PhotoPass Photographer @ EPCOT Entrance)

Capturing the moment is great, but ask the photographer about special photos. You may be asked to pose in a specific way, only to find that a character has been digitally added later to interact with your pose.

The new "The Magic, The Memories and You" show for 2011 projects photos onto the castle for a spectacular show. The projected photos come from the PhotoPass photographers each day. Check out the link here to see the show.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auYoWGIpJ_Q

The Disney Water Parks give you special wrist cards, and special events such as Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party give unique cards tied to the event; which may also be good for a discount on photos.

Want a private, 30-minute, one-on-one session? These can also be scheduled with a PhotoPass photographer. Call (407) 934-4004.

Want to upload your own photos to the system in order to take advantage of the features? Go ahead! You can even upload from your Facebook account. Edit photos, add borders, add characters and effects, it's all a part of this fantastic system. Once you are satisfied with the result, you can order prints, photobooks, t-shirts, mugs and more.

To view or purchase PhotoPass photos once you return home, go to: http://disneyphotopass.com/.

Do you use the PhotoPass system? What was your favorite photo? Did you interact with characters that were digitally added? Have any tips for using the PhotoPass system? Let us hear about it in the comments section below.