Disney's PhotoPass PhotoCD price to increase later this month

[HauntedGabe]

"As of March 21st, 2012 the price of Disney’s PhotoCD will be $169.95. If you're planning to order a PhotoCD, take advantage of the current price and order yours before the 21st of this month to secure the current pricing."

-WDW Magic-

[NC_WDW_Daddy]

We always take our own photos... that price seems pretty high.

[HauntedGabe]

Didn't Disney require a purchase of a photopass last year to receive free dining last fall? Or I could be confusing that.

[WDW4Ever]

$170 is absolutely absurd

[Campbell87]

If I buy now, will it still be valid to use late September?

[HauntedGabe]

I believe so. But I'd double check.

[supernova]

$170 is absolutely absurd

Right. Not much more to say on this one. In 2012 when nearly everyone has a digital camera, or phones with 8+MB on their phones, PhotoPass isn't necessary any longer. I tried it just for fun last time to see what it was all about, and when I got home and checked the pictures, they were AWFUL. I couldn't imagine ever spending $170 for the rights to the pictures. If they included the prints, then OK. But if I still have to spend the money to have them made up on top of that ridiculous amount, then forget it. Disney has officially priced themselves out of the market. Yet, there are still dopey families who will insist on spending the money. Me, I just don't see it.

[HauntedGabe]

Well if you think that is absurd, there is more. Now there is yet another PhotoPass option that has a few Photopasses at dining spots aka Chef Mickey's for example and a handful of attractions that snap photo's during the rides. Not all restaurants with photo's or attractions are on the list but you can add this option to your PhotoPass, package...the low, low, price of $199.00!

I can buy a pretty nice digital camera for that!

[DVCDad]

Not an absurd price at all. I pre-order the cd every stay at a cheaper price, plus usually end up paying the extra for pictures at the rides and restaurants ($40 at Chef Mickeys and Hoop De Doo etc.).

Last trip we ended up with 112 photopass photos. With the prepaid cost at the time of $99 (now $119.95) that's around $1/picture. Well worth the price, considering I'd never be in any of our trip pictures without it.

[HauntedGabe]

Not an absurd price at all. I pre-order the cd every stay at a cheaper price, plus usually end up paying the extra for pictures at the rides and restaurants ($40 at Chef Mickeys and Hoop De Doo etc.).

Last trip we ended up with 112 photopass photos. With the prepaid cost at the time of $99 (now $119.95) that's around $1/picture. Well worth the price, considering I'd never be in any of our trip pictures without it.

I could never justify that amount of money. Yet you made the only valid argument for a Photopass in my book. The only other one I've heard that was a given was you HAD to buy it for FREE DINING.

[DVCDad]

Considering a photo package at Chef Mickey's or Hoopm De Doo is almost $40, and teh ride photos are $20 each, it's a good deal if you already buy the photopass.

Compared to the cost of photo CDs on Disney Cruises, it's a bargain.

[HauntedGabe]

Through the years I've bought a couple of attraction photo's, usually markers of their first TTT etc. Other than that I don't buy all those, at Chef Mickey's and places like that, we took our own, same for the parks. We have actually had lots of CM's take photo's of us, with our camera for free.

[Disney05]

I don't know if I can justify that price. Seems to me they would sell a lot more if the price wasn't so high. But I guess if people are buying them, it won't come down.

[DVCDad]

They also have to pay all the photograhers and everyone else that works on Photopass behind the scenes. Sure they would sell more at $99, but I'm sure they've worked out the best price point that maximixes profits.

[HauntedGabe]

I don't know if I can justify that price. Seems to me they would sell a lot more if the price wasn't so high. But I guess if people are buying them, it won't come down.

I believe some guests just drop their guard when planning a vacation at Disney and are willing to fork out large amounts of money. If it was truly going to be a once in a childhood trip, a honeymoon etc. I think I would consider if more attraction photo's eventually were added. I never bought the photo at Chef Mickey's but have plenty we took ourselves. Indeed they must pay the photographers but one package sold more than covers the CM's salary for hours. Just like one meal sold at a QS resturant more covers that CM's salary for an hour. Buy two Mickey Ice Cream bars, covers the CM for an hour.

Now when Disney required you to buy the photopass to receive free dining, that was amazing marketing. That is when you really have to do the math and see if Free Dining is the best discount out there or if the room discount is better not having to purchase a PhotoPass.