Hi Alecia! Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel!
I think purchasing Memory Maker is a GREAT idea for your upcoming vacation, especially since it sounds like you have a large group traveling together! My family of four comes home with hundreds of pictures from each of our trips and feel that it is worth every penny!
For pictures taken by
PhotoPass photographers, you can use a MagicBand or one of the following: Disney PhotoPass Card, park ticket, Memory Maker card, or Annual Pass. Before MagicBands were around, we always used the Disney PhotoPass Card and it was super easy. You can ask for one from any PhotoPass photographer around the Walt Disney World Resort. Not all attractions take photos and/or videos, but those that do have a couple of options. For some attraction photos, you will see monitors after you exit the attraction that have your photo on them and you simply tap your MagicBand or park ticket at the touch point to get your photo. For other attractions that don't have this touch point (like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train), you do have to have a MagicBand to get your picture.
MagicBands certainly make it easier for PhotoPass photos, but as you can see you don't have to have them and can use your park ticket or a Disney PhotoPass Card instead if you don't mind having a few of the ride pictures not included. Either way, be sure to purchase your
Memory Maker very soon (more than 3 days before your trip) to save you money!
I hope you have the best vacation, Alecia! Please let us know if you have any other questions.
Tabitha