Have you ever struggled with getting that perfect shot of your whole family in front of the castle? Or wished you could get that shot of just your party and the Millennium Falcon with nobody else in it (unless Chewbacca photobombs you, of course)? Well, you can put your camera down and live in the moment thanks to the Disneyland PhotoPass photography service. You can also get that perfect, in-focus character shot with your whole party in the picture — minus unwanted fingers or awkward angles — with Disneyland PhotoPass. Just let the Disneyland PhotoPass photographers use their professional equipment and expert eye to take the photos. Then, you can download the quality images when they appear in your account. We know you want those awesome professional photos, and here's how to use Disneyland PhotoPass to make magical memories without it costing a ton of green!
First of all, if you think you will want to download photos, be sure to purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass for the day of your visit. You can purchase in the Disneyland app. If you have a multi-day trip planned, you might look into the PhotoPass+ One Week plan (if you are not using Lightning Lane Multi Pass) so you can get all of the Disneyland PhotoPass images from your visit. Below, we discuss all the options available to you. PhotoPass photos (and lenses) are also included with the Lightning Lane Premier Pass.
Answers to Common Questions about Disneyland PhotoPass Service
How does Disneyland PhotoPass work?
You'll find Disneyland PhotoPass photographers located throughout the parks at iconic photo spots, some places you might meet characters and character dining locations. The photographers sometimes even walk the parade route with signs for your party to hold while they take your picture!
Whenever Disneyland employees take photos, they can scan the photo code in the Disneyland app on your phone, or hand you a PhotoPass card. Photographers can scan a MagicBand+, which is the fastest and easiest way. You can then view the images through the app, on your computer or at the new Photo Concierge location in the Esplanade just outside Disneyland Park. The PhotoPass Service Centers in the parks have closed. The Photo Concierge outside of the parks is convenient if you discover you need to get help with photos but do not have a park ticket. It's the place to go if you need to troubleshoot any PhotoPass issues.
You can link your PhotoPass card to your account on the Disneyland app to capture images and view them after your photo is snapped. It's not complicated. The photos may appear anywhere from a few minutes to a few days after they are taken. Magic Shots seem to take longer than other shots to appear, so keep checking the app for new images!
Can I download all the photos from one day for a flat fee?
Yes! A paid service called Lightning Lane Multi Pass includes unlimited PhotoPass downloads for $32 per day (and up). If you do not have Lightning Lane Multi Pass and go to download a photo, it costs $14.99 per photo. So Lightning Lane Multi Pass is toadally worth it to get the professional and on-ride photos that day. Lightning Lane Multi Pass also comes with other cool benefits, such as being able to make ride reservations to use the Lightning Lane through your smartphone.
You can purchase Disneyland Resort tickets pre-loaded with Lightning Lane Multi Pass (to lock in the lowest possible price), or you can purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass in the Disneyland app each day you want to use it. The price to purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass in-park varies per day, but it's usually $32 or higher. Magic Key Holders save 25 percent on Lightning Lane Multi Pass for Magic Keys (but the discount will not apply to regular tickets that are linked to their account).
If your main reason to get Lightning Lane Multi Pass is to get the photos, you can purchase for just one member of the party if you like. Use that person's app or MagicBand to load all the images. But if you all want to use the ride benefit, you all need to get Lightning Lane Multi Pass.
All on-ride photos are complimentary to download in the Disneyland app for all ticketed guests.
What is PhotoPass+ One Week?
Do you have a longer trip? Another option is the PhotoPass+ One Week. It costs $78 for seven consecutive days. It is just for photo downloads and does not include the ability to make Lightning Lane reservations through the Disneyland app. You can call (407) 560-4300 to learn more about the One Week plan. You can purchase in advance online.
Does Lightning Lane Multi Pass include PhotoPass at Disneyland?
Yes, it does! If you have Lightning Lane Multi Pass, all your PhotoPass photos are included that day. Lightning Lane Multi Pass also includes Disney PhotoPass lenses. These augmented reality lenses are fun to play with in the park.
How much does Disneyland PhotoPass or Lightning Lane Multi Pass cost?
Getting your pictures taken and viewing them (with watermarks) is free for all guests. If you do not have Lightning Lane Multi Pass and want to download images, it will cost per image. The prices vary! You can buy just one photo for $14.99, but it is cheaper to pay a flat fee for all of the photos taken in one day with Disney Lightning Lane Multi Pass. That flat fee for Lightning Lane Multi Pass is $30 (and up) per day. You could buy the one-week PhotoPass plan for $78 for seven consecutive days.
At this time, the on-ride photos are included for free! You do not need Lightning Lane Multi Pass for those, but you do need it (or another PhotoPass plan/purchase) to get the PhotoPass photos taken by a photographer to appear without the watermarks.
When you first view the images without a plan, they will have a watermark on them. If you have purchased PhotoPass or Lightning Lane Multi Pass (or if you buy an image), the watermark will disappear. If you buy the One Week plan early in the trip, all of the photos for that week will load without watermarks for immediate sharing on social media. You can then download them to your phone, tablet or computer for your personal use. Print images yourself or order prints through the Disneyland PhotoPass site. You can also share on social media directly from the app or view it on your computer.
If you are ordering a PhotoPass+ One Week plan, be sure to select photos from your first day as your start date, because that picture you choose starts your week of photos. Photos taken before that date will still have watermarks. Rookie mistake! If you have a multi-day trip and only purchased Lightning Lane Multi Pass for one of the days, only the pictures taken during that day will be available for free downloads. The other days will have watermarks on them. For the one-week plan, call (407) 560-4300 or order online.
The prices to purchase hi-res digital files that you can download and share are as follows and are subject to change:
- One photo: $14.99 (if you do not have Lightning Lane Multi Pass or Premier)
- One day of unlimited photos and videos with Lightning Lane Multi Pass/Premier: $32+ (from 6 a.m. on the day of purchase until 5:59 a.m. the next day) — Price can vary.
- One week of unlimited photos and videos with PhotoPass: $78
- Expiration Extension (for an additional 15 days): $19.95
If you want PhotoPass photos and do not care about Lightning Lane features, get Lightning Lane Multi Pass for just one person. That helps you save money over buying individual photos. You can get by with one Lightning Lane Multi Pass purchase per day per family. If you purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass each day for two days or fewer, you'll save over the Lightning Lane Multi Pass One Week Plan. But, if you are going for four to seven consecutive days, then the One Week plan is the cheapest. Just be sure to use the PhotoPass holder's account (scanning their PhotoPass code in the app, their MagicBand or scanning PhotoPass cards into that account) when taking photos. Then, that person can download and share with everyone else from the app via text, email or social media. Keep in mind that pricing is subject to change.
If you are planning on downloading many PhotoPass photos, you might decide in advance if you are going to concentrate on just one day of PhotoPass photos or take pictures the whole week. See what works for your budget. We frogs like to plan and budget how much money we want to spend on souvenirs and extras in the park. We love skipping the lines with Lightning Lane Multi Pass, so we get it every day of our journey because the ride benefit is worth it to us. Lucky for us, the PhotoPass benefits come with it.
If you are looking to save money, you can just purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass on select days of your journey and focus on using PhotoPass, getting iconic shots and riding Lightning Lane Multi Pass rides those days while focusing on other experiences the other days of your trip.
You can order photos from your phone in the park or do it online once you get home. You are free to print the images wherever you'd like (your printer, Costco, etc.). There is a link online to purchase photo gifts.
You can customize and crop the images right there in the app. Customize by adding words, Mickey's signature, characters, the year, special occasions and more. You can also purchase photo souvenirs.
Do I need to download the Disneyland mobile app?
Yes, you really should have the free Disneyland app. It's pretty hard to operate in the Disneyland theme parks without the app these days even beyond PhotoPass. We highly recommend it, because it's an important tool for managing your day at Disneyland! Using the app makes the entire experience easier.
You can purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass through the app (once you enter a theme park each day if you do not have a Lightning Lane Multi Pass ticket) or purchase PhotoPass+ One Week online. You can purchase PhotoPass+ in advance. Activate it by tapping Link PhotoPass+ Purchase. It will be good for images captured beginning at 6 a.m. PT the day you want it activated.
A new feature is that you do not have to purchase in advance. You can purchase for your day (or days) in the 45-day time period that follows, should you look at your photos and decide you have to download them. It hoppens! How many times in the past did we froget to get a PhotoPass package and see our great images a day later only to have to pay for each download? That time is over!
When taking pictures, you can show the PhotoPass photographer the PhotoPass code right from the app or tap a MagicBand+. The photographers can scan codes for multiple people in the picture. To link photos, tap the "+" sign on the bottom of the home screen, followed by "Link PhotoPassPhotos." If you have MagicBand+ simply have the photographer tap it to link photos.
In March 2024, linking for PhotoPass and viewing the photos are in two different areas of the Disneyland app. To view the photos, click the three lines in the bottom right-hand corner of the home screen.
- To link photos (or show the PhotoPass code), tap the "Link Photos" box. One person can link and share the photos with the others.
- To View Photos or access PhotoPass lenses, scroll further down (past the boxes) to the "Disney Photo Pass" heading. (You can also link photos there.)
There are advantages to using the Disneyland mobile app with PhotoPass. The images will load straight into your account, saving you time and a few steps. Once photos appear in the app, you can edit them with filters, cute frames, stickers and borders. You can download them by clicking Save or share them on social media. With Share, you can also e-mail or text them to friends and family members.
We enjoy viewing our photos on our phones while still in the park. In fact, at times we have noticed that some photos did not load. We were able to get help from a cast member at Photo Concierge to locate them by pinpointing the location and approximate time we posed for the photos (front gate between 12 and 12:30 p.m., for example). We found them, and they loaded right into our app!
These are some of the benefits of using the Disneyland app:
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- Eliminate the Disneyland PhotoPass card (no risk of losing it).
- Purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass through the app.
- See the images right on your device.
- Find a current map with locations for all of the Disneyland PhotoPass photographers in the app.
- Scan PhotoPass codes from existing cards right into the app using your phone’s camera.
- If you froget to hand a photographer your phone and they hand you a PhotoPass card, you can just scan the code within the app on your device right away.
- Easily take advantage of in-app photo design and editing features. Edit photos right in the app.
- Store all of the photos taken by different family members in one spot by scanning their PhotoPass cards.
- Immediately share photos on social media, or via text and email.
- Purchase photo gifts through the app.
- Use Lightning Lane Multi Pass to help skip ride lines.
- Check wait times.
- Mobile order food.
- Manage park reservations.
- Make dining reservations and join walk-up availability.
- Access AULANI, A Disney Resort & Spa PhotoPass pictures.
Can we capture on-ride photos?
Yes, PhotoPass includes hi-res ride images. Remember to type the number at the top of the photo into the app after you exit the ride. Rides such as Space Mountain, Incredicoaster, Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission BREAKOUT! and Radiator Springs Racers have cameras that snap you while you're riding. It's likely Tiana's Bayou Adventure will have them as well!
On-ride photos make a fun memory of you screaming on Incredicoaster or before you go over the hill on Tiana's Bayou Adventure. Sometimes the photos allow you to see how much fun your tadpoles are having — or just how terrified they really are — when you see their faces in the photos! To access the hi-res quality ride image, just type the ID number above the ride photo from the monitor into the Link Attraction Photo section of the Disneyland app. We find it easier to snap a picture of the screen (including the ID number) and type it into PhotoPass so we have a record of it just in case things do not load properly. The color and clarity are much better in Disneyland PhotoPass, and it does not include all the other numbers and words seen on the monitors.
For a limited time, these on-ride digital downloads are free for all guests.
What are Magic Shots?
A Magic Shot will sprinkle a little Disney magic into your photo. If you would like to add some fun elements (say, balloons or a character) into your shot, you can ask a photographer for a Magic Shot. You won't know what you'll get until you see the photo, just like magic! We are suckers for Disney magic. We jumped for joy when we saw our Magic Shots with the surprise characters and design elements added. So fun! You can also get a short animated video with a favorite Disney character to introduce your digital photo. Ask your photographer about these options.
During holiday times, such as Halloween Time and Christmas time, there are special holiday Magic Shots. You can also see special Magic Shots for festivals and celebrations such as Disney 100. They are so much fun! If you want a Magic Shot in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, they are called holograms there, and the PhotoPass photographers are called imagers.
Are PhotoPass Photos included with character dining?
PhotoPass photos are now included with some character dining experiences. You can get a photo with Minnie Mouse at Plaza Inn. You get your party with Goofy at Goofy's Kitchen. Storytellers Café does not offer PhotoPass. The Disney Princess Adventures brunch at Napa Rose includes a photo with a princess.
Are PhotoPass Photos included during parties and special events?
If you attend a special event that is held after the park closes and has a separate ticket, PhotoPass photos are usually included! That goes for the Disneyland Halloween Party — Oogie Boogie Bash — and the Disneyland After Dark events. Take advantage of that! Your event wristband has a QR PhotoPass Code. You can link that to your app and have PhotoPass photographers just scan your wristband all night.
Are Keepsake Portrait Package downloads included?
In Fantasy Faire at Disneyland, there is a toadally adorable photo studio in Fairy Tale Treasures where you can get your tadpoles' pictures taken. It's best to reserve, but this photo shoot may take walk-ins based on availability. It's especially popular after doing the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique experience when your princesses or knights are looking their royal best. The package comes with prints, but the digital download of all the photos is included. You'll receive a PhotoPass code to link and then you can share the adorable pics with others and print them out wherever you like.
What about Disney Visa and debit cards?
If you have a Disney Visa or Chase Disney debit card, you can get some free PhotoPass photos, even if you do not have Lightning Lane Multi Pass. There are two exclusive locations in the parks to take these photos. Characters are back in the shots! You can find the Disney California Adventure location in Hollywood Land behind Hollywood Lounge between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Look for the Disneyland Darth Vader location in Tomorrowland from 2 to 6:00 p.m. It's at Star Wars Launch Bay. The images will appear without watermarks in the app.
What if I have a Magic Key pass?
PhotoPass photos are now included with the two highest Magic Keys: Inspire and Believe. Lightning Lane Multi Pass does not have a Magic Key add-on annual fee. But there are occasionally free PhotoPass opportunities with Magic Shots for all Magic Key holders. Keep an eye out for those. There was a fun Chip 'n' Dale Magic Key photo opportunity over the holidays.
Check the Magic Key Portal in the Disneyland app for the latest benefits and to view any free Magic Key PhotoPass opportunities. Of course, Magic Key holders can purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass at a discount. Magic Key holders get 20 percent off any day for all-day PhotoPass benefits.
How long can you view the images?
You have 45 days (from the day taken) to view and purchase the pictures. Be sure to download the images right away because Disney will not store them for you online. There is no way to save them in PhotoPass long-term. You can purchase an additional 15 days for $19.95 if you need to buy yourself some time. You can download the hi-res images in the Disneyland app to your cell phone/tablet, or you can download them directly to your computer.
Will the photographers take pictures with your camera?
Yes. PhotoPass photographers and other cast members can use your camera to take pictures of you in addition to the Disneyland PhotoPass pictures with their camera. You can have the best of both worlds by having your images while also having professional photos from the photographer's camera to choose from, just in case your images do not compare favorably to their photos. Or maybe your photos are great, and you do not need to spend the money. Either way, it is nice to have the option.
A bonus for using photographers is that they can add special surprises such as Magic Shots to the Disneyland PhotoPass images. We love Magic Shots and especially enjoy seeing different ones during different holiday seasons. New magic shots appear all the time!
An advantage to using PhotoPass photographers is that they shoot a lot of images, ranging from posed to candid shots and vertical to horizontal. They may also help you pose or get the right positioning. They do this every day and know what works best. When meeting a character, the photographers get shots of the hugs and initial greetings that you might miss with your camera. When posing in front of the Millennium Falcon, they position you so that you have a shot of you and the ship without others in the shot. They may direct you to cool poses that you'll enjoy seeing later.
One of the great parts about using PhotoPass photographers is that you do not have to experience Disneyland through a lens. You can leave the pics to them and be part of the experience, too, rather than an observer or recorder. The person who always takes vacation pics often gets home to find out that there is no historical record of them on the trip in the hundreds of photos of everyone else. Jump in the picture so the whole family can be part of the fun!
Where can I find a Disneyland PhotoPass photographer?
While locations vary, you can find photographers by the entrance to the parks and at iconic photo locations. Sometimes — but not usually — they are at character meet and greets. (Here are some tips on finding your favorite characters.) You may find them on the parade route and at the entrances to some character dining. You may identify them by their professional digital cameras and cast member name tags. Ask for a photo — they will be happy to oblige. Consult the park map in the Disneyland app to find PhotoPass locations. Use the pull-down menu to select "PhotoPass" to find the current locations.
Below are a few places you might find a photographer at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. Keep in mind that Disney PhotoPass photographers’ availability may vary. We find that the ones wandering the park are more available in the morning and daytime than at night in some locations, which is good for catching some nice posed shots before the roller coasters and water rides have had their way with your hair. Nevertheless, we frogs call wind-blown roller coaster hair a good hair day even if it does not photograph well. Any day you can hop on a roller coaster is a good day!
At Disneyland Park, locations vary, but you can usually find PhotoPass photographers during normal park operations at:
- Main Entrance
- Town Square
- Partners Statue
- Minnie’s House Character Experience
- Mickey’s House Character Experience
- Toontown
- Main Street, U.S.A. Train Station
- Mad Tea Party (daytime)
- Sword in the Stone
- Sleeping Beauty Castle
- Winnie the Pooh Character Experience
- Pixie Hollow
- In Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge: Garrison, Millennium Falcon, A-Wing/X-Wing, Marketplace Entrance and The Child Magic Shot (in the entrance to the market)!
- Star Wars Launch Bay
- In front of holiday-themed decorations such as the giant pumpkin, Headless Horseman or Christmas tree during certain times of the year
At Disney California Adventure Park, you can usually find PhotoPass photographers at:
- Avengers Campus
- Buena Vista Street
- Cloud Wall
- Paradise Pier Character Experience
- Cars Land Entrance
- Pixar Pier Bridge
- Pixar Pier Character Experience
- Incredibles Park Character Experience
- Route 66
- Cars Land Character Experience at Cozy Cone
- Toy Story Character Experience
- Cars Land Overlook
- Hollywood Land
- Grizzly Peak Waterfall
- Hollywood Boulevard Character Experience
- Buena Vista Street Character Experience
- San Fransokyo Square Character Experience
With these tips, you should feel confident that you can take advantage of the benefits of Disneyland PhotoPass to add some magic to your next trip! What questions do you have about Disneyland PhotoPass? Be sure to get a hoppin' deal on discount Disneyland Resort tickets from Undercover Tourist.
Related: Getting the Scoop on Disneyland Mobile Ordering Service
Related: Our Complete Guide to Lightning Lane Services at Disneyland
Hoppy planning!
