You will most likely be taking many photos during your next trip to Walt Disney World, and along with your own camera, you might want to consider adding  a PhotoPass or PhotoPass+ card to your camera bag!

Disney’s PhotoPass lets you utilize Disney photographers located throughout the parks.  It also allows your entire party to be included in every picture. You’ll be able to view, print, and share your vacation fun.  There’s no cost to participate in the program; ask for a card the first time you have a photograph taken by one of the PhotoPass photographers, which you can then use throughout your stay.

Since the number on the card is the most important element, take a picture of it with your own camera, write it down and toss it in your suitcase, or text it to another number.  This way, if you should lose your card, you won’t lose access to any photos already taken and referenced to that number.  Photos are wirelessly transmitted to the PhotoPass system as they are taken and are generally available for viewing the same day.  If your party will be splitting up, you can use multiple cards and have them combined into one account later.

You can download the PhotoPass map to see  some of the locations where PhotoPass photographers are commonly found.  Print it out and place it with your travel documents to refer to during your vacation.

If you wish, you can preview your photos at the Camera Centers.  Upon returning home, log onto www.disneyphotopass.com using the number on the back of your card, to see your collection.  You’ll have thirty days to review your pictures and make your selections.  Plan to have lots of photos taken during your vacation to maximize your choices, and don’t forget to have shots taken after dark, too.  The Disney photographers are enthusiastic but not all are experienced professionals, and results vary, so having plenty of pictures to choose from is important.  Be sure to keep track of the thirty-day period since your pictures will expire and become unavailable.  You can share them online, order prints, and enhance them with captions, borders, and Disney magic.  Expect some surprises, too!

Purchasing the prints from Disney can be expensive, so if you think you’ll be ordering more than just a few, the PhotoPass CD is the best value.  Recently, Walt Disney World has made changes to the program and the price has been increased.  For the current cost of $169.95 you will get a CD or CD’s containing all of your PhotoPass images, including both the originals and any you have edited by adding borders, signatures, etc.  You’ll also be given a copyright release which allows you to have your photos printed more affordably at any photo processing center.

Here is a special link for GREAT SAVINGS on a PhotoPass CD:

http://www.disneyphotopass.com/previsitoffer.aspx

This is a PRE-PURCHASE OFFER and you must register before your arrival at Walt Disney World.  If you attempt to take advantage of this offer for photos already taken on your vacation, it will seem as if you are getting the special price, but your credit card will be charged for the full regular price.  So, if this is an option that interests you, be sure to register before you leave!

There is also a new service called PhotoPass+.  This option is only available for purchase at PhotoPass stations around the Walt Disney World Resort© and is valid for photos taken up to 14 days from the date of purchase.  PhotoPass+ allows you to include attraction photos and dining print packages on your photo CD.

Participating attractions:

•           Space Mountain

•           Splash Mountain

•           Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

•           The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

•           Rock ‘n Roller Coaster

•           Expedition Everest

•           Dinosaur

Participating dining locations:

•           1900 Park Fare

•           ‘Ohana (Breakfast only)

•           Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show

•           Chef Mickey’s

•           Cinderella’s Royal Table

•           Tusker House Restaurant (Breakfast & Lunch only)

•           Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue

•           Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

You may choose to upgrade your Pre-Purchase Offer to PhotoPass+ after arrival, but please be aware that currently, you will lose any savings with this upgrade. Instead, the reduced price you paid will simply be credited toward the full price of PhotoPass+.

So, if you plan on having photos taken at several attractions, and have reservations for some of the dining venues listed above, this may still be a good value for your family.  Attraction photos are about $17.00 each for a 5×7 print.  The cost of photos at the dining venues varies; as an example, the package at Chef Mickey’s is approximately $30.00.

Keep in mind that the photo packages at Cinderella’s Royal Table and Princess Storybook Dining are already included in the cost of the meal, so there will be no savings there, only added convenience.  Other dining locations which normally sell photo packages for an extra charge would be included at no additional cost as part of PhotoPass+.

Although only one PhotoPass+ card will be provided, you can still obtain multiple standard PhotoPass cards and add all the associated pictures to your PhotoPass+ account.  If you want to take advantage of complimentary attraction and dining photos that would otherwise incur an additional charge, however, the PhotoPass+ card must be presented.

Each family should consider if the savings on attraction and dining photos will offset the loss of a $50.00 pre-purchase discount for the standard PhotoPass program.

You’ll find many ways to preserve and enjoy your pictures on the Disney PhotoPass website, including PhotoMugs and PhotoShirts, cards, magnets, luggage tags, movies, and books.

If you’re still undecided, we recommend getting a PhotoPass card on your first day and using it during your vacation.  After you return home, you can review your photos and decide if the purchase is worthwhile.

]]> http://www.whimsicalworldtravel.com/blog/2012/05/10/pictures-with-a-plus/feed/ 0 http://www.whimsicalworldtravel.com/blog/2012/05/10/pictures-with-a-plus/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/whimsicalworldtravel/~3/zK7SHNcA5To/ http://www.whimsicalworldtravel.com/blog/2012/01/07/gated-community/#comments Sat, 07 Jan 2012 21:55:54 +0000 R.D. http://www.whimsicalworldtravel.com/blog/?p=6007

After a prolonged transition away from the class structure featured onboard traditional ocean liners, many cruise lines are once again embracing the segmenting of passengers into different categories, offering a number of special perks to a select group willing to pay the price.  “Clubs,” “Havens,” “Concierge;” whatever the nomenclature used, they represent an elite level of accommodations and service.  Disney Cruise Line has always provided a Concierge staff to assist guests staying in suites on Disney Dream and Disney Wonder, but with Disney Dream, and soon on Disney Fantasy, they have also upped the ante with a more definitive Concierge experience.

It begins with pre-cruise assistance from a delightful shoreside staff.  Your Whimsical World Travel concierge works hand in hand with these cast members to ensure that your preferences are noted, your arrangements are booked, and your questions are answered.

On embarkation day, regular passengers are assigned a specific group number and must wait until their number is called before they can board.  As a Concierge guest, you can arrive, check-in, and board at any time once the ship begins boarding, typically beginning at about 11:00 a.m.  There is a special check-in area reserved solely for Concierge guests and Platinum Castaway Cay members.  After your documents have been processed, you are personally escorted past the waiting crowds and handed off to a crew member who conducts you up to the Concierge Lounge on Deck 12.  There, you will be greeted by the onboard Concierge staff at a private welcome reception and invited to enjoy snacks and beverages until your stateroom is ready.  One of the Concierges will review your personal cruise itinerary with you and assist with any additional arrangements for the youth activity programs, specialty dining, shore excursions, spa treatments, etc.  Don’t confuse this  custom itinerary with the Personal Navigator which is distributed daily to all passengers.  Your itinerary is created specifically for your group and lists all your activities and reservations as well as events of note.

Access to the Concierge areas is facilitated by your special Key to the World card.  A gentle touch of the card opens doors for you!  Tucked behind the locked filigree gates on Decks 11 and 12 are the beautiful Concierge staterooms and suites.  Corridors have been upgraded to reflect a decidedly yacht-like environment with beautiful wood tones and metallic finishes, and the accommodations are marvels of design and technology.  The color scheme with its more vibrant colors is a pleasant change from the beige and greige of so many other shipboard suites.

Family staterooms have the trademark “split” bath which features a vanity, sink, and toilet in one room, and an additional vanity and sink along with the tub/shower in a separate room; a boon for families.

Suites have two full baths; one with a large shower and the other having both a shower and an indulgent oval Jacuzzi air tub.  Lovely fixtures and accessories sparkle and the wonderful behind-the-mirror television is perfectly positioned to enjoy while taking a luxurious bath.  You’ll find robes and slippers, upgraded bedding, and a fabulous “Pillow Talk” program offering a wide selection of pillow options for the perfect night’s sleep.

There are two additional televisions in the suites, one in the bedroom and another in the living area.  Additional closet space, dining tables, and large balconies ~ particularly in the Royal Suites which also feature a private hot tub outside ~ make these accommodations the perfect home-away-from-home for your next vacation.  You can spend quality time with your family right in the suite, enjoying complimentary DVD’s and popcorn, as well as in-suite dining from any of the rotational restaurants if you prefer to “stay in!”

The Concierge Lounge is open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily and offers a variety of food and beverage items throughout the day including breakfast, snacks, hors d’oeuvres, and desserts.  There are two “Special Gatherings” each evening prior to both dining times during which guests can enjoy complimentary cocktails in addition to non-alcoholic beverages and snacks.  Board games and magazines are available and the Concierge team is always on hand to answer questions and assist you with every request.  Photo Gallery folders for Concierge guests are conveniently stored in the Lounge rather than down on Deck 4 in Shutters.

Accessible from both the Concierge Lounge and Deck 13 forward is the lovely Concierge sundeck.  With padded lounges and sunbeds, a misting station, cushy chairs and pillows, and baskets of bottled water and sunbathing amenities, it’s a peaceful and pleasant oasis, particularly on port days.

Concierge guests can also take advantage of complimentary iPad rentals as well as 100 minutes of free internet use per room.

If you are already considering a Deluxe Family Stateroom with Verandah, you may be pleasantly surprised by the difference in cost to move up to the Land of the Starfish (next to every stateroom door is a small sea creature – fish for port side, seahorse for starboard on each of the other decks, but starfish for all Concierge staterooms). We invite you to contact a specialist at Whimsical World Travel to start planning your own amazing Concierge cruise!