Disney PhotoPass Patent Could Remove Strangers From Your Photos

You finally get the perfect castle photo. Everyone’s smiling, the lighting is great, and then you notice a stranger in a poncho right behind your kid’s head. Every Disney fan knows that moment.

A new Disney PhotoPass patent could fix it. Disney has been granted a US patent for technology that automatically removes strangers from the background of photos, and it specifically calls out amusement parks as the place it’s built for.

Patent US 12,755,391 B2, titled “Crowd Removal and Automatic Focus for Images,” was granted on October 6, 2026, with Disney Enterprises, Inc. as the assignee.

A patent doesn’t mean this is coming to PhotoPass tomorrow. But the use case is so specific that it’s worth paying attention to. Here’s how the technology works and what it could mean for your park photos.

Quick Summary

• The patent: US 12,755,391 B2, “Crowd Removal and Automatic Focus for Images.”
• Granted: October 6, 2026, to Disney Enterprises, Inc.
• What it does: Identifies the people who belong in a photo and removes everyone else.
• Built for parks: The patent names amusement parks and tourist attractions as a key use case.
• Accessibility: It’s designed to keep guests in strollers and wheelchairs in the shot.
• Not confirmed: A patent doesn’t guarantee Disney will launch it.

How the Disney PhotoPass Patent Works

The patent describes a computer system that figures out who is supposed to be in a photo, then removes everyone else. Here’s the process in plain terms:

• It breaks the photo into segments. Each segment is a person or object.
• It measures depth. The system estimates how far each segment is from the camera.
• It scores every segment based on depth, size, and position in the frame.
• It finds the main subject, which the patent calls the “focal point segment.”
• It builds a group around that subject, called a “focal cluster,” of nearby people who likely belong in the photo.
• It removes everything else. Anyone outside the cluster is treated as an obstruction and removed or replaced.

The patent also says the empty background areas can be backfilled so the final photo looks clean and complete.

Designed for Strollers and Wheelchairs

This is the detail I like most. Group photos at Disney often include someone seated, like a toddler in a stroller or a guest using a wheelchair, with another person standing behind them.

That can confuse a depth-based system, because the seated person and the person standing behind them are at different distances from the camera. To handle that, the patent describes a “positional threshold,” a kind of safe zone in the lower-center area of the frame. Anyone in that zone stays in the photo even when their depth doesn’t match the rest of the group.

In other words, the system is designed so it doesn’t accidentally erase part of your family.

Why This Points to PhotoPass

The patent specifically mentions amusement parks and tourist attractions, noting that heavy crowds make it hard to take portraits without people in the background. It also describes photography services operating at commercial scale, capturing and distributing a huge volume of images.

That’s a near-perfect description of Disney PhotoPass. PhotoPass photographers shoot guests across Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and other Disney parks, and photos are delivered digitally. Manually editing every photo to remove crowds isn’t realistic at that volume. Automation is the only way to do it.

The patent says the system could run as a module in a mobile app, on a website, or as a standalone service. That leaves the door open to several possibilities, from cleaning up PhotoPass images automatically to adding a tool in the Disney app for your own photos.

The Inventors

The patent names four inventors:

• Santiago Iglesias Navarro of Palma de Mallorca, Spain
• Pablo Pernias Pascual de Pobil of San Juan de Alicante, Spain
• Robert B. Moore of Clermont, Florida
• David N. Juboor of Johnson City, Tennessee

A Patent Isn’t a Product

Disney files and receives patents all the time, and many never reach guests. A granted patent protects an idea. It doesn’t mean Disney has a launch date.

That said, this one is unusually specific about the problem it solves and where it would be used. If Disney were to roll it out anywhere, PhotoPass is the obvious fit.

How to Get Cleaner Park Photos Right Now

Until crowd removal shows up, here are a few ways to get better PhotoPass shots today:

• Go early. Rope drop is the best time for castle photos with fewer people in the background.
• Try late evening. Crowds thin out near park close, and nighttime photos look great.
• Ask the photographer for angles. PhotoPass photographers know the best spots and can often frame out crowds.
• Look for less-busy photo spots. Popular icons get crowded. Smaller, themed backdrops often give you cleaner shots.
• Be patient. Waiting a few seconds for a gap in foot traffic can make a big difference.

The Bottom Line

Disney’s new PhotoPass patent, US 12,755,391 B2, describes AI technology that automatically removes strangers from the background of photos while keeping your whole group in frame, including guests in strollers and wheelchairs. It specifically names amusement parks as a use case, which makes PhotoPass the logical home for it. But a patent isn’t a product, and Disney hasn’t announced any plans to use it. For now, shoot early or late for cleaner photos, and keep checking DisMornings for more Disney tech news.

20% Off site-wide, plus Free Shipping on all orders of $65+

Over 75+ Designs! Your next park shirt is just a click away

Looking To Book Your Dream Disney Vacation?

Save time & money on your vacation

Your Disney vacation should create unforgettable memories that last a lifetime.

Whether you’re a first-time Disney vacationer or looking to plan your next magical adventure, it isn’t enough just to go on a Disney vacation. We want you to talk about your vacation for years to come and create memories you’ll cherish forever. Vacation is calling! Are you ready to answer?

REQUEST QUOTE

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Jonathan Cotton 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
I’m no stranger to Disney planning, as a Disneyland magic key holder and DVC member. I’m the person people ask for trip planning advice. But I had never been on a Disney cruise, and had heard great about Nate and decided to reach out. I’m so glad I did because we could not have been happier with our experience. His tips and insights were incredibly helpful, and he was incredibly responsive any time we had a question. Who do the Disney experts turn to when they need help? Nate, that’s who.

We’ll definitely be using him again.
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Andria Skornik 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Our experience working with Nate as our Disney vacation planner was exceptional. He was responsive and thorough. He gave us insights that made the trip go much more smoothly. We were able to really relax and focus on quality time as a family and have so much fun doing it! I will definitely reach out for any future trips.
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 rpwoodjr 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Could not have wanted or expected more from Nate, our Distrips and More agent as we planned our 2025 Disney World trip. Nate was VERY responsive to emails and texts and more than willing to do whatever he could to guide us and answer our questions.  On several occasions I emailed him over the weekend not expecting a response until Monday but each time he responded before the weekend was over.  He even participated in a Zoom session with our group of five seniors as we planned our trip. He also helped us at the 11th hour when we added a family member to our travel group less than a month before our trip.  Without a doubt, I will reach out to Nate when I'm ready to plan my next trip to Disney World!
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Homero Rendon 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
We are so thankful we used Nate to plan not only our first Disney trip, but also our second. He made the process so easy for us, especially for us since it was our first time going. There was a lot to consider and many decisions to make, such as where to stay, when to go, and what to experience. Nate really helped us narrow down what we wanted to do overall, but he didn’t stop there. He provided detailed guides to help us navigate the airport and find our transportation to the resort, as well as a guide to explore the resorts and make sure we saw the best Christmas decorations. One of the many amazing things he also did was set up our dinner reservations for us. This saved us so much stress and allowed us to get some of our top choices. From the moment we landed in Orlando to the moment we headed back home, he made sure everything went smoothly. You truly can’t go wrong with going to him for your next trip.
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Lee Mathes 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Nate was absolutely the best planner I have ever had.  Will most definitely be using him again.   He took care of everything and kept me on track.  Was so very helpful in making all the dining reservations and everything.   Can't thank him enough.   He made our trip completely stress free!
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Amanda Moran 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Nathan has been an amazing trip planner for me! So helpful and responsive. I am a very type A person -- so someone who is even more on top of their game than me -- is so so appreciated! Nathan has booked 3 trips for me (1 completed 2 pending) and it was perfection. Thanks again!
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 Hyperion Adventures Podcast 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Nate has helped us with our vacation planning for the last couple of years and we couldn't be happier with his service and expertise. We've used other travel agents in the past and none of them have done as phenomenal a job to make sure every detail is taken care of as he has. Switching to Nate was one of the best decisions we've ever made. He's always quick to answer questions and works tirelessly to make sure we get everything we want from our trips. Plus, he's just a genuinely great person who is wonderful to work with. Whether you're planning a trip to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, a Disney Cruise, or any other vacation, Nate is the guy you want putting it all together! Five stars across the board!
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Google rating score: 5.0 of 5, based on 7 reviews 
 
   
 
 

Meet the Author: Nate Bishop

I’m a die-hard Disney fan with 38 years of visits under my belt, having stepped into Disney World 120+ times. Proud to be a Disney Annual Passholder, a Vacation Club member since ’92, a Castaway Club Member, and a runDisney enthusiast. Oh, and I’ve graduated from the Disney College of Knowledge. Need Disney insights or planning tips? I’m your guy!