My Universal Photos Guide: Is the Photo Package at Universal Orlando Worth It?
In this guide, I’ll walk you through My Universal Photos. This photo package makes it easy to collect all your ride photos, character meet-and-greets, and park memories from professional photographers, without worrying about missing the moment.
You are going to learn what it is, how it works, the costs, and see a list of frequently asked questions. My goal is to help determine whether purchasing a My Universal Photos package is worth it for your trip. 🙂
What is My Universal Photos?
My Universal Photos is Universal Orlando’s official photo package. With it, you get unlimited digital downloads of photos taken by Universal photographers and ride cameras throughout all the parks.
Think of it as a one-stop shop for professional-quality vacation memories! If you are familiar with Disney, this is similar to the Disney PhotoPass Service.
A common question that I get is “Where can I get my photo taken?”
There are dozens of places across the four parks – Universal Studios, Epic Universe, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay.
The locations can be split into three categories:
Ride photos: These are the classic pictures taken by cameras positioned on the ride, capturing your reaction.
Character meet and greets: Get pictures with characters, such as SpongeBob, Spider-Man, or a velociraptor, from professional photographers.
Iconic areas in the park: Professional photographers take pictures in front of the park and themed areas like Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley, and Jurassic Park.
To see a more complete list of photo locations, view and download this PDF.
How to purchase
You can buy a My Universal Photos package before you arrive at the park. You can also purchase it the day you get there. The process is different for each option.
Purchasing a Photo Package BEFORE you arrive at the park:
If you know you want a photo package, then you should buy it early, because that is almost always the best price. It’s more expensive to purchase when you are inside the parks.
You can purchase a My Universal Photos either online or through your travel agent.
Purchasing a Photo Package AFTER you arrive at the park:
If you wait to purchase until you are inside one of the parks, you will need to head to the designated My Universal Photos location, which is near the front of each park. You can also purchase at one of the ride photo shops.
How much does it cost?
Pricing may vary slightly depending on the season, but here are the common options:
- 1-Day Photo Package: Starts at $89.99 + tax (Islands of Adventure, Epic Universe, Universal Studios)
- 1-Day Photo Package at Volcano Bay: Starts at $49.99 + tax
- 3-Day Photo Package: Starts at $129.99 + tax
- 5-Day Photo Package: Starts at $149.99 + tax
The My Universal Photos Photo Package starts on the first day of activation, and gives you consecutive days of unlimited digital downloads of the pictures you take. The “consecutive days” is important to pay attention to!
For example, if you go to Universal Orlando for seven days and buy a 3-Day Photo Package, you can’t individually select which three of the seven days you want to use it.
So, if My Universal Photos is activated on Monday when you visit Epic Universe, then it can also be used on Tuesday and Wednesday. You can’t use it on Monday, and then on Wednesday, and then on Saturday. The days are consecutive upon the first day of activation. Unused days DO NOT roll over.
How to activate a photo package when you arrive at the parks
When you arrive at the theme parks, redemption card or voucher pick-up is available at ticket windows, Guest Services, and Will Call Kiosks.
At the entrance to Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay, head to the right and look for the “Will Call Kiosks” signage.
At Epic Universe, proceed to the ticket windows or follow posted signage to pick-up your redemption card or vouchers.
Once you have your voucher, proceed to one of the My Universal Photos locations to activate. You will exchange the voucher at the photo location to receive a card with a lanyard to scan for photos.
How to view your photos
First, it’s important to know that you CAN’T see your pictures in the Universal Orlando app. For those of you used to Disney’s PhotoPass, where you can see them almost immediately in the Disney app, that may be a shock or disappointment.
To see your photos, you have to create an account on the My Universal Photos website. You will also get an email that provides a link to the site. After you log in or create an account, you will need the code on the back of the My Universal Photos card that was given to you.
Once you connect your account, you will be able to view, download, and share your pictures. Please know it can take up to 2 hours for new photos to show up.
You can also stop by the My Universal Photos shop at each park to look at your pictures. I’d also go there on your first day to make sure your photos are uploading properly.
Unfortunately, there is no separate app for My Universal Photos. You have to use the website to view them.
Pro tips!
Scan your card at every photo opportunity!
To be able to view your pictures, you have to have your card scanned by the photographer. If there is no photographer, such as a ride photo, there will be a spot to scan your card or an employee who can do it for you (depending on the ride).
You get UNLIMITED photos, so don’t be shy and get as many pictures as you want. You never know which one will come out perfectly.
Don’t forget to scan! The only way to view your photo is if you scan your card.
Make sure you carry the card with you and that it’s easy to access.
It just makes your day easier if you’re not constantly looking for your photo card!
Buy in Advance
Purchasing before your trip is almost always cheaper than buying in the park. Plus, you’ll have your account set up and ready to go on day one.
Link to a My Universal Photos account immediately
That way, you can view photos in real-time and make sure nothing is missed.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if you don’t have your card?
Don’t worry! This happens all the time, as the person holding the card might be off doing something else when you want a picture.
The photographers will give you a paper ticket with a code on it. Save that ticket, and you can add those pictures to your account later through the My Universal Photos website. If you need assistance, head to the photo shop inside that particular park.
What if I want physical prints of my photos?
The My Universal Photos packages only give you access to your pictures digitally. It does not include physical prints.
But don’t worry, as you can purchase prints from Universal! Just head to the photo store in each park. You can also purchase ride photo prints at the photo store outside participating rides.
Our family typically downloads the photos from the My Universal Photos website, and then orders prints from a local pharmacy to pick up for a fraction of the cost.
Does one package cover my whole family?
Yes, one package works for everyone in your group. You just have to share the same card and account. You should also be OK with all of the photos being grouped together.
In my opinion, the larger your group, the better value you get from the photo package.
How long do I have access to my photos?
Universal Orlando advertises “Unlimited” access when you purchase the photo package.
The “Unlimited” means that your access NEVER goes away, as long as you view them on the My Universal Photos website. That is pretty awesome!
How can I get my pictures if I don’t purchase the My Universal Photos package?
You can still take pictures with any of the on-site photographers. After it’s taken, they are going to give you a paper ticket with a QR code. You can take that ticket to the photo shop in the park to see the picture.
From there, you have the option of purchasing a physical print. The only way to get a digital download is to buy the photo package.
If you want the photo, make sure you buy it that day. It won’t be available later, only on the day it was taken inside the park.
Who is the My Univeral Photos package best for?
In my experience, families, large groups, first-timers, multi-day guests, and people who love to share on social media get the most use.
As a general rule, the photo package isn’t ideal for solo visitors and single-day guests who don’t care much about photos.
My Universal Photos is an easy and fun way to make sure your vacation memories don’t get lost in the shuffle.
While it’s not for every traveler, the convenience and unlimited downloads can make it a great value for families, first-time visitors, or anyone who loves sharing their adventures.
