We just got back from our Hawaii vacation. We did our first 3 nights at Aulani and last 6 nights at Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach.
We DID buy the Photopass. However, we had scheduled 2 private sessions for our daughter's senior pictures. We did a daytime and sunset portrait session. They were absolutely STUNNING! SO worth the money!! We loved our photographers (shout out to Adam & Romeo!!!)!!! One of the perks of doing a special session is that you can buy the photopass for half off.
When we paid for our private sessions (had to be done prior to the actual sessions), we inquired about that offer. The lady that helped us told us we might want to wait to see how many pictures we actually had taken, since there were not very many photopass opportunities currently. At the end of our stay, we decided we had seen enough characters that it WAS worth the $50 to purchase the photopass. Unfortunately, our character breakfast pictures were NOT included in that...they were another $35! And, I have to call them because 3 of those are still locked!!
There were not many photographers just walking around right now. My daughter DID run in to one lady who was thrilled to take her pictures by the koi pond with the lobby/lodge in the background. We saw her, some characters had a photopass opportunity (1 of the ones we went to didn't have a photopass person at), and there was a photographer taking pictures on the beach at sunset.
I'm not sure it would have been worth it if we had to pay the full $100...especially since that didn't include the character meal. If I were you, I would get pictures taken, hang on to the cards and decide before you leave. See if you even have a lot taken...that might be your answer!
As far as characters, we saw Stitch, Olu, Mickey & Minnie, and Chip & Dale at the character meet on the lawn. HUGE shout out to the CM who ran into the pool area to find us since he had inadvertantly given us the wrong Stitch information for the day!!! We saw Goofy, Pluto, and Moana at the pools ... they were walking back and forth on a bridge. You can see them when you go on the lazy river and you can walk up to the barrier blocking off the bridge and do pictures/interact with them. GREAT interactions, despite not being able to get close to them...especially on the bridge!
Have a wonderful time! We LOVED Aulani!! I could have lived in the lazy river forever!!!