It should be in this thread as well as anywhere else. Any pertinent info about PhotoPass and PhotoPass+ should be in this thread, which is supposed to be a one-stop shop of info. Maybe you can copy and paste the info here?
Your wish is my command
Photopass Photographers and Character Locations - Spotted in July 2015
Someone in a Photopass Plus thread asked if there was any "definitive" list of both character locations and Photopass photographer locations. I've been tracking down as many characters and photographers as I could find for my own Photopass Plus experience this July 2015, so I thought I would share what I've learned and whom I've found in the last couple of months. There are a few gaps in my information, so if any of you can help fill them, please add what you've found this summer (2015) below and I'll add it to this listing. (This list does not yet include Holiday characters or Character Dining.)
Outdoor characters generally work 30 minute shifts and tend to rotate with other characters (*cough* or other actors *cough*) or take 30 minute breaks before returning. When temperatures are really high, they may only be out for 15-20 minutes. Most of them disappear before the parades and then a few will come back out after (sometimes only Mickey and Minnie). Character handlers with the square buttons that say "Ask me about Characters" usually have schedules on hand if you want to know when and where a specific character will be. However, if a character gets stuck in traffic, calls in sick, or has a wardrobe malfunction, their information may not be accurate. Nobody is outside when it is raining (characters or Photopass photographers).
When I mention a character has a photographer, I'm speaking about a Photopass photographer. Handlers will graciously take pictures for you with your own camera device, when they are able.
Most of the Photopass photographers who are not assigned to characters can do Magic Shots (Magical items or characters are added to the photographs). Although most can do "balloons" (a bunch of Mickey-shaped balloons in your hand), a few (without tripods) can do some really special shots. However, many of these shots have to be taken in very specific locations and can only be done if there aren't other guests in the way. If you find a photographer who is willing to do multiple Magic Shots, they may drag you all over an area just to find the right people-free location, composition, and lighting. Just do whatever they say, you won't regret the results. You may need to specifically ask for the rarer magic shots like Chip, Stitch, Olaf, other Frozen characters, Pascal, etc. Just don't be upset if they tell you they can't do one. Not all of them are trained or set up to do all the shots. Magic Shots can only be done in the morning and early afternoon when the light is right.
Disneyland
Entrance plaza, in front of Mickey floral:
Two photographers: one with tripod (magic shot: balloons), one freestanding (magic shot: Tink)
Various princesses, always random, standing at the sides of the Mickey floral near the tunnels (never with photographers or handlers) : Mulan, Ariel, Cinderella, Belle, Aurora and Snow White.
Main Street Square:
Mickey - often with photographer, Minnie - often with photographer (These two are consistently present throughout the day, except during parade times. In the evenings they are often together. They are always on the right side as you enter Main St. Near the Opera House and shops.)
Goofy, Pluto, Chip & Dale, Donald, Daisy rotate with each other (these generally don't have photographers but usually have handlers) - Currently these characters are wearing 60th Anniversary outfits.
Cruella can be spotted during one of the Firehouse band's performances, but doesn't usually stop for photos.
The Hub and Partner's statue:
Two photographers, one with tripod and one free standing, both have different magic shots (Tink or Pascal)
Coke Corner:
Mad Hatter and Alice play musical chairs with the kids (usually around 2 or 3 pm, ask the piano player). They don't really pose for pics at this point.
Occasionally Bert and Mary Poppins can be found in the area between Coke Corner & Jolly Holiday after musical chairs
Inside Fantasy Faire:
Photographers with each of 3 princess. Usually Snow White, Cinderella, Belle or Aurora (sometimes Ariel, rarely Mulan).
Outside Fantasy Faire:
Merida and Rapunzel (or Aurora or Ariel when the others are off that day) - usually with photographer and handlers
Wishing Well, side of castle:
Fairy Godmother, Aurora, Peter Pan (occasionally Captain Hook will swing by). No photographers or handlers. (Note that Aurora is a floater and fills in at various spots throughout the day. FG & Peter are not every day.) Peter has also been spotted near the Alice bathrooms and other areas of Fantasyland
In front of Castle:
Two photographers, one tripod (magic shot: balloons), and one free standing (magic shot: Tink) (Note that sometimes the free standing photographer can do a Chip magic shot if they have the time - depends on photographer)
Inside castle back courtyard:
Wicked Queen (no photographer or handler) She's also been spotted near the Alice bathrooms & by Small World.
In the area, usually near Sword in the Stone:
Roving photographer, tons of location options and magic shot options (balloons, Olaf, others?)
Characters spotted in Fantasyland:
Hook near Dumbo, Mary and Bert (strolling - will do autographs and pics if asked politely, but they don't stop walking), Alice and Mad Hatter near Tea Cups or strolling.
60th Anniversary Photo spot: Climbing the Matterhorn (with Photographer, found across from Matterhorn entrance)
Pixie Hollow:
Tinker Bell with photographer. One or two of other fairies (with only a handler)
Tomorrowland:
Across from Innoventions:
Thor & Capt. America with photographers
?Stormtroopers (? Not sure where they are right now - possibly strolling around Tomorrowland where you can take pics but they won't stop.)
Toontown:
Mickey in Mickey's House (wearing a Steamboat Willie costume, with photographer and handler, until Toontown closes)
Minnie in Minnie's House (in her garden, with photographer and handlers until mid afternoon)
Pluto, Donald, Goofy, and others spotted occassionally.
Big Thunder Ranch:
Woody & Jessie (near goats, only a handler)
60th Anniversary Photo Spot: Riding Big Thunder (with photographer, found along Big Thunder Trail behind ride)
New Orleans Square, near fountain:
Tiana (no photographer, occasionally no handler)
60th Anniversary Photo Spot: Haunted Mansion Ghost Busts/Singing Heads (with photographer, near Haunted Mansion)
Critter Country at Pooh's Thoughtful Spot:
Always Pooh (often with photographer). Usually Tigger & Eeyore, occasionally Rabbit or Piglet will rotate with them (no photographers but usually have handlers to help)
Adventureland, near Aladdin's Oasis:
Aladdin, Jasmine & Genie (with handlers)
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California Adventure
Entry hub:
Oswald (with photographer and handler)
Partners Statue:
Photographer on tripod - no magic shot
Buena Vista Street:
Mickey, Minnie, Chip & Dale, and Goofy in 20s dress (usually with photographers and handlers, spots by Elias & Co., the nearby garden, and at Carthay Circle restaurant)
Near fountain with Cathay in background:
Photographer on tripod - no magic shot
If there is a free standing photographer in the area, they may be able to do a "magic shot" of you in black and white with Pete that is quite nice.
Hollywood Land:
Olaf (with photographer near Royal Crown Theatre)
Anna and Elsa (with photographer inside the Animation Building - Fastpass required)
Sully outside the Monster's Inc ride (usually with photographer)
The Incredibles (Mr., Mrs., and Frozone) usually near Hyperion Theatre or occasionally near Restrooms between Animation building and Playhouse Disney (often with photographer)
Playhouse Disney kids (Sophia, Doc McStuffins, or Jake) outside Playhouse Disney (?with photographer)
(Photographers in the area, when not needed for characters, can take your picture with various backdrops on the street (the Hollywood background or with the trolleys). If asked, and able to set it up properly, they may still be able do a Frozen themed magic shot near the Royal Theatre, but only if there is no one nearby. They can also do a Stitch magic shot. In the past, there was a Mike from Monster's Inc. magic shot.)
Grizzly Peak waterfall:
Photographer (magic shot: balloons)
GP Airfield Airplane:
Pluto (with photographer). Sometimes just the photographer (no magic shots)
Wilderness Trail:
Russell after the Ceremony (usually with photographer)
Dug by the entry map (usually with photographer)
?Carl (anyone see him this summer?)
60th Anniversary Photo Spot: Standing in Grizzly Mountain Peak Bear's Head (with photographer, near Ariel's Adventure)
Coming Soon to Bugs Land:
60th Anniversary photo spot
(?are there any characters in Bugs Land this summer?)
Carsland Entrance Postcard/Sign:
Photographer with tripod, no magic
Carsland:
Roaming photographers (free moving, lots of magic shot options if they can set it up properly: with Flo at Flo's, with Lizzie at the Curios shop, with Mater flying in the Dinoco helicopter along the side street of RSR)
Photographer with tripod at the end of the street (no magic shots)
Cozy Cone:
Lightning McQueen, Mater, Red the Fire Truck (with photographer)
On the Bridge to Paradise Pier:
Occasionally a photographer for shots with pier in background (may be able to do an Inside Out special border magic shot)
California Screamin:
60th Anniversary Photo Spot: Upside down on Screamin Over California (with photographer)
Along pier near Boardwalk Pizza:
Buzz, Woody, Jessie (usually with photographer)
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Have I missed anybody who has been present this summer?
A few notes about photopass borders:
There are several dozen standard borders, 60th borders & Holiday borders that can be added to any picture. Some areas also have Inside Out borders. Carsland has special borders. Each of the 60th Anniversary photo ops has a special border. Most characters will have a signature you can overlay onto pics, and many also have special borders (especially the princesses).
