First off.........the photopass pics are those taken by the CM's that are located at various places throughout the parks. You see them walking about with the camera, usually they are in prime photo locations.
They give you a photopass card, swipe it, and then take the picture. You present this card each time you want a photo taken of your family, children, etc.
You take it from park to park for your whole trip. There are photo shops in each park where you can view and have pictures printed out....OR you can go online when you get home to view your photos.
If you choose......you can purchase a CD with all of your photo's on it. You can buy this at the parks or do it online after you get home.
Now, I have seen those posts you talk about where people share the photopass. The problem with this is that you have all of those other people's photos in with yours. WHy would you want to take the time to go through all of that just to print out some pictures. You are not obligated to purchase anything from the photopass, so I suggest just getting the pictures taken, view them once you get home and then decide if you want to purchase the CD.