Hi Rebecca,
Thanks so much for stopping by the Disney Parks Moms Panel. Great question!
I have to say, I'm a huge fan of
Memory Maker and can't imagine taking a family vacation at Walt Disney World without it now. We actually have family photos from our trips now with everyone in them (instead of one of us behind the camera), and I absolutely love having the candid photos from when we meet the characters or take that plunge into the briar patch on Splash Mountain. Since there are literally hundreds of locations where Disney PhotoPass photographers can be found, you'll have plenty of photo opportunities for your group. As for character meals, here is the current list of the locations where those photographers can be found.
1900 Park Fare at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Best Friends Breakfast at 'Ohana at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
Chef Mickey's at Disney's Contemporary Resort
Cinderella's Royal Table at Magic Kingdom
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort
Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall at Epcot
Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
Tusker House Restaurant at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Generally, those photographers are stationed near the restaurant entrance so that you can get character photos with a fun, themed scene in the background. With Memory Maker, you'll then receive digital copies of those photos on your account, which you can the view, edit and print in any way you'd like after you get home.
I hope you have a pixie-dusted and picture-perfect vacation at Walt Disney World, Rebecca! Please write back to us anytime if we can help answer any other questions as you make your plans.
Beth