Hi Sydney,
Welcome to planDisney! Thanks for stopping by with your question about using
Memory Maker/PhotoPass and MagicBands during your upcoming Walt Disney World vacation.
I love having Disney's professional PhotoPass photographers capture our memories during our frequent visits to the most Magical Place on Earth. They do such a great job of snapping pics that show all the fun we're having together. And the
Magic Shots! Those are such a treat.
Whether you use a MagicBand or the My Disney Experience Mobile App on your phone to link your pictures to your account is really a matter of preference. Like you, I'm the one in our family who is the gatekeeper of the photos. (I have the Disney PhotoPass Download option on my annual pass, which allows me year-round Memory Maker access for myself and my
connected Family & Friends.)
I prefer to use a
MagicBand because it's always right there on my wrist, and I don't have to dig around in my bag or pocket for my phone each time I want to link photos, enter a theme park, unlock my resort room or charge a purchase to my resort. But you can easily perform all those tasks with your phone. So it's up to you.
One note, Sydney: If your family members don't have a MagicBand or My Disney Experience Mobile App, it may take a little more effort to capture some
attraction photos. You may need to tap your MagicBand or phone under their pictures on the preview wall near the exit at certain rides, such as
Tiana's Bayou Adventure,
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin and
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets, especially if they aren't in the same ride vehicle as you are.
And make sure you have Bluetooth enabled on your device to automatically capture images on rides such as Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, The Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean.
If you are missing any images, you can always visit a PhotoPass service desk or ask a cast member at one of the
Guest Experience stations scattered throughout the parks for assistance. (Look for the blue "Guest Experience" umbrellas.)
See ya' real soon, Sydney. Enjoy!
Wilma