Hi Nellie,
Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! My family always purchases
Memory Maker for our family trips. We love having those priceless memories, especially the photos of us on attractions like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train!
If you purchase Memory Maker now, you will be able to use it on the first day of your trip. When we purchase it at the Advance Purchase price, I just make sure that our trip is not within three days. If you are within three days of the visit and want to be able to use Memory Maker on the first day of your trip, I suggest that you purchase the "Starts Immediately" version.
While in the parks, I also track my photos in My Disney Experience to be sure they are all uploading. When a photo has not uploaded to my account, I have stopped by a
Disney PhotoPass View Station in the park. As long as I know the approximate time a photo was taken and the general location, a cast member has almost always been able to locate the photo and link it to My Disney Experience Account. On my last visit, I was missing two photos but did not have time to stop by a Disney PhotoPass View Station. So, I called the Disney PhotoPass Guest Support Team at 407-560-4300 after I arrived home. A cast member asked for the description of the missing photos, estimated time taken and general location. By the next day, he had found the photos and linked them in My Disney Experience Account. And, when a cast member at a Disney PhotoPass View Station could not find a photo on a prior visit, I was able to call and another cast member found the photo for us!
Nellie, take lots of photos. Practice your posing now so that it is impeccable when you arrive!
Magic, memories and Minnie Mouse hugs,
Donyell