Memories to Last a Lifetime, with Disney PhotoPass

Why I love PhotoPass from Disney

Often when friends come from out of town to visit Disneyland they will ask, “Is PhotoPass worth it?” For me the answer is always, hands down, YES. Thankfully PhotoPass is included with my annual pass to the parks, but when we visit Disney World, or Aulani, we always add it on there as well. What is photopass you might ask; PhotoPass photographers wander around the parks, or stay at key photo opps (think Castle, Walt Disney statue) and take your picture.

You get access to these photos by buying their plan, but they will take your photo with their camera for free, so you can try before you buy. Also, they will take your photo with your smart phone as well. Why I love this service so much is, it really documents not only your trip or vacation, but it creates a memory for your entire family. If your children are young, you can show them these photos in the future and share with them the fun times you had bonding while they were a toddler. If you are single, at the parks with friends, spouse, significant other, your parents, who ever, you should always document it.

Not only do we not know how lucky we are to spend time with those we love, but how wonderful is it to have such beautiful photos when our loved ones aren’t around? We have taken several foster kids to Disneyland and I cannot begin to explain to you how fantastic it is to look back at these wonderful memories and maybe say a little prayer for them, shed a little tear, or it warms my heart to see their smiling faces.

Yes, you can just take pictures from your phone, most of them turn out pretty good these days, I admit, but photographers really do know their stuff and having a professionally taken photo is always a plus. It is also nice when you are by yourself, or a couple because how hard is it to get a stranger to sometimes take a decent photo on your phone.

You might be thinking, I hate the way I look right now, so I don’t want my photo taken. Ok, I have been there. We went to Disney World a few years back and one year I just really wasn’t feeling the way I was looking. I didn’t like my hair, the outfits I had planned. I felt frumpy and just overall unattractive. As a result, we didn’t really take any photos. Now almost ten years after that trip it really makes me sad that this special trip of just me and my husband is foggy in our memory and has no evidence of really happening. If anything, the photos could have been a reminder of a me I left behind and thankful for that eye opening experience.

How did I get out of that funk? One day I decided to love myself the size I was, and to work on changing the things I didn’t like. I decided for me, I felt better when I dressed up, so about 6 years ago I started dressing “pinup” every day. It’s not as hard as one might think, which I will give more tips about in a future blog. Maybe you have been wanting a different style but are nervous to go for it? My advice is do it! Start phasing out what isn’t working for your body and get some good starter pieces that make you feel like a million bucks. For you that can be a new pair of ugg boots, or yoga pants, perhaps a new lipstick? Once you accept that you look fabulous, smile for the camera, even if you aren’t at your “goal” or desired look just yet, embrace the stage of life that you are in. Or one day you might regret it, and all that time you wasted feeling not good enough for a photo with Mickey Mouse! He loves all shapes, colors, sizes, heights, and fashion sense, believe me.

PhotoPass pictures can be purchased separately or you can do an add on to your park admission to get all your photos. For more information about PhotoPass please visit Disney’s website.

In this post I have shared just a few of my favorite Disneyland / California Adventure PhotoPass photos throughout the last few years.I had so many of these that I love, I didn't even make it to my Disney World or Aulani photos.