Hi Tricia! I'm glad you have found the panel useful in planning your vacation!
I am a huge fan of Disney's PhotoPass service. One of the best things about it is that instead of always being the one behind the camera, I'm finally in the photos with my family!
The piece of advice I always give people when they ask about PhotoPass is to pre-order the CD. There is no risk involved in pre-ordering. First, you get a discount off the purchase price and if upon your return you decide you don't like your photos or you feel you didn't get enough taken to justify the cost you can get a complete refund. You can visit the PhotoPass site and get more information on pre-ordering the CD
HERE.
There are lots of photographers all over the parks. There are usually photographers at the character meets as well. I usually stop for every photographer I see. It really only takes a minute or two to pose and get your picture taken. Every now and then there will be a small line, maybe two or three families. I have never seen an extremely long wait to get in front of the camera.
Don't forget, once you get home and upload your photos to the PhotoPass site, you can add borders character signatures and park icons to your pictures. On our last trip I turned 250 pictures into more than 1000. I love having all of these pictures so that I can always look back on our vacations and remember all of the memories. Pictures are my favorite souvenir of a trip, and I honestly feel they are priceless.
I hope this helps you make a decision!