The Universal Orlando’s photo program (Universal Photo Connect, until July 11, 2016) has always been a tough experience. Visitors opting for the service are often subjected to a difficult time collecting, viewing and sharing photos of their happiest moments at the Universal Orlando Parks. It’s sad that unlike the more advance Disney PhotoPass service, the Universal’s photo program is quite a lacklustre affair for the user.
With such bizarre features, including short expiration times, not so friendly online system, and unexpected pricing models to name a few, there is only one conclusion to this – terminate the Program… and so did the Resort. Thanks to Universal Orlando as it finds its own special version of PhotoPass Memory Maker with the all new My Universal Photos program now.
With My Universal Photos guests can have either of the two different photo capturing services. First, is the 1-day Photo Package that includes one day of unlimited digital downloads of your pictures taken during the park day, and also include a themed lanyard and discounts of other photo products in the parks. This special photo package is exclusively made available for online purchase only, and is offered at $69.99 if booked in advanced.
The 3-Day Photo package, on the other hand will facilitate you with the best of all the photo capturing features, downloading and discount services for three consecutive days, including a 4×6 print and a 5×7 or 8×10 print photo for free, and additional discounts of photo prints in the parks. The three day Package comes to you at $89.99 if purchased in advance.
The special lanyard on either of the package includes a card that needs to be scanned every time a park-photographer takes a picture. It can be also scanned once you had done with an attraction that has on-ride photo options like the one at the Harry Potter ride or at the Amazing Adventures of Spiderman for that matter. Moreover, when it comes to most memorable photo locations the Resort offers plenty of those. Truly, whether it’s Universal Studios Florida or the Islands of Adventure section of the Resort, photo op locations galore for Universal Orlando fans.
Given its popularity and importance as a record breaking theme park in Orlando, the launch of My Universal Photos is definitely a competitive move on part of Universal. The new photo program is quite similar to that of Disney’s PhotoPass system now. It has scope to reach out for more by adding a better option for the annual pass-holders as well. And I hope like Disney, Universal will be having its own version of expanded Memory Maker option for the pass-holders in the recent future.