Guests Report Missing Ride Photos Due to Magic Band Software

Ride photos are a staple part of many Disney World and Disneyland rides. Arguably championed by Splash Mountain, Disney Parks Guests have been able to get candid (or posed, if they visit enough) pictures of themselves enjoying rides such as Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, Expedition Everest, and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Granted, a photographer with Disney’s PhotoPass Service can be found in every corner of Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT (from Spaceship Earth to World Showcase), Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. But there has always been something extra special about bringing a ride photo home from your Disney vacation.

And while the tradition of ride photos has remained consistent, Disney has attempted to optimize how Guests access the PhotoPass treasures for download. What started as relaying an image number to a Cast Member at a kiosk has streamlined to effortless uploads to Guests’ My Disney Experience (MDE) Accounts and is accessible via the app for Disney World Guests.

The idea now, especially for rides like Haunted Mansion, Frozen Ever After, Slinky Dog Dash, and Cosmic Rewind, is to scan Guests’ Magic Band (MB) and Magic Band+ (MB+) while the ride is in motion. And now there appear to be some pictures that are being lost in the transfer.

One Guest looked for help on Reddit, saying,

Does anyone else have problems receiving their Cosmic Rewind photos in MDE?

I’ve tried scanning the QR cube with my iPhone but nothing happens. I sent an inquiry to try and find my photo & hopefully they’ll get back to me soon.

My Splash Mountain photos popped right up, but I did scan my MB at the kiosk.

Haunted Mansion has been 50/50 for me.

Thanks for the helpful replies! I have my AP on my Apple Watch, anyone recommend using that instead of the MB? I’m not all that interested in buying a MB+.

Other Guests commenting in the thread also reported not getting their pictures, as well as getting other people’s pictures added instead. While the consensus points to more success with the new Magic Band+ technology, they also advised that Guests can go to the PhotoPass shops usually reserved now for printing and buying the pictures as souvenirs, and the Cast Members there will help get it sorted.

We at Disney Fanatic complimentary Disney PhotoPass downloads will be added to the Disney Genie+ for Disney World Guests and will be completely complimentary for Disneyland Guests during the Disney 100 celebration.

We will continue to update our readers on Disney Parks news and stories as more developments come to light.