WDW Annual Passes are Back!

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

From the Disney Parks Blog...

Quote

Mon, August 30, 2021

New Walt Disney World Annual Passes Available Sept. 8, Just in Time for 50th Anniversary Celebration

by Eric Scott, Communications Manager, Walt Disney World Resort

At Walt Disney World Resort, being an Annual Passholder brings a special kind of magic – the kind that lets you visit our theme parks again and again so you can revisit the spots where your favorite memories were made. And as the countdown to our 50th anniversary celebration continues, the magic is calling: We’re excited to share that beginning Sept. 8, 2021, we will once again invite new Walt Disney World Annual Passholders to be a part of this beloved program!

We are introducing four new Annual Passes offering the flexibility and choice to meet guest needs, each designed based on Passholder feedback. These passes will help our biggest fans experience all that’s to come during “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” – from new attractions and nighttime spectaculars to dazzling decorations at all four theme parks and more!

What’s New

Here are some highlights of our new Annual Passes:

• Hold More Park Reservations: Depending on their pass type, Passholders may now hold up to five Disney Park Pass reservations at a time. We’ll also be adding “bonus reservations” to the calendar from time to time, so Passholders can make an additional park reservation without it counting against their applicable reservation hold limit. Plus, when Passholders stay at Disney Resort hotels or other select hotels, they will also be eligible to make theme park reservations for each day of their stay – in addition to the reservations you can hold based on your pass type!

• Customize Your Pass: Choose different add-on options based on your preferences – from the Water Park and Sports option to Disney PhotoPass downloads. These add-on options will be available for purchase with any of our four new passes. 

• Access a New Integrated Calendar: Planning will be easier with enhancements to our reservation system, including a new integrated calendar that lets Passholders quickly see blockout dates for each pass type, view available days and make, modify or cancel a reservation all in one place.

• Enjoy Passholder Perks: Passes will continue to offerbenefits you know and love including the Park Hopper option, standard theme park parking and discounts on merchandise and dining. And, there will be a few special surprises throughout the 50^th anniversary celebration!

Click here to discover more information on your pass options available beginning Sept. 8, 2021. 

We’re also introducing a new look for the Annual Passholder program to honor our past while looking forward to the future. Using a piece of the original Walt Disney World Resort logo as a foundation for bright colors and energetic design, the program’s new look puts Passholders right in the middle of the magic.

Please note as we continue to manage attendance to provide a great experience for everyone, at any time, Annual Passes may be unavailable for purchase. Annual Passholders will also still be required to make park reservations for each day of their visit. Go to DisneyWorld.com/Pass for more information and important details about our new Annual Passes.

Current Passholders 

Thank you to all of our current Annual Passholders for your continued loyalty, passion and dedication, particularly over the past year and a half. If you are a current Passholder, please know you may continue to use your Annual Pass as you do today – when it is time for you to renew, you will be able to renew into one of our new passes (at a special renewal price). Plus, beginning Sept. 8, 2021, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Platinum Plus Annual Passholders will also be able to hold more reservations at a time! Visit DisneyWorld.com/AnnualPass to learn more. Also be on the lookout for a new exclusive magnet coming your way soon.

 

Now is the perfect time to be an Annual Passholder with unforgettable experiences coming during the 50^th anniversary celebration. Soon, you’ll be able to check out two new nighttime spectaculars with “Disney Enchantment” and “Harmonious,” each set to debut on Oct. 1! Also beginning Oct. 1, guests can experience our newest attraction, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT (soon offering Passholder previews for those who registered!).

Every morning, we welcome guests from all over the world to Walt Disney World Resort – some for the very first time, others for the first time in a while. And then there are those who visit more often, those who can no longer keep count of the days and nights they’ve spent at the parks. For these guests, a day at Disney brings a special type of magic unlike any other – Passholder magic – and that’s why we cannot wait to welcome Annual Passholders during this unforgettable 18-month event!

To enter a theme park, each passholder must have a theme park reservation in addition to a valid pass. Park reservations are limited and are subject to availability and applicable pass blockout dates, and are not guaranteed for any specific dates or park.  A pass excludes separately priced activities and events.  An annual pass does not guarantee admission or entry into any park, experience, attraction or offering.  Park reservations may not be available on certain holidays in certain parks.  Some pass benefits and features may not be available during periods of limited capacity. Also, park experiences and offerings may be modified and are subject to limited availability or even closure.

Please check DisneyWorld.com/updates for important information to know before visiting the Walt Disney World Resort.

*12 monthly payments based on remaining balance after one-time down payment on date of purchase. 0% APR. Monthly Payment Program only available to Florida residents at least 18 years old with valid ID. Subject to additional terms and conditions.

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/08/new-walt-disney-world-annual-passes-available-sept-8-just-in-time-for-50th-anniversary-celebration/?CMP=SOC-DPFY21Q4wo0826210901210049C&fbclid=IwAR00XCljOgVtnJiMztHyPrkXW2Y0UxX8qO1nTgDZqjv5RcrRwFy2mbnnp9I

[DaveInTN 3,247]

So if you are not a Florida resident or DVC owner, your only option is $1300 + tax?

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

35 minutes ago, DaveInTN said:

So if you are not a Florida resident or DVC owner, your only option is $1300 + tax?

That pricing is actually not very much more than the only option out of state guests had to pay under the old AP structure.  I personally am surprised that it isn’t more.  People know how to stretch an AP for almost two years’ worth of travel, and these things are going to sell well.

TCD
 

 

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

49 minutes ago, Tri-Circle-D said:

That pricing is actually not very much more than the only option out of state guests had to pay under the old AP structure.  I personally am surprised that it isn’t more.  People know how to stretch an AP for almost two years’ worth of travel, and these things are going to sell well.

That's what we've been doing for a long time.  It's worth it for us, when we can generally get a total of 6 weeks or so on a pass.

Honestly I expected the price to be even higher, given how much it's jumped each year over the past 10 or so, and the current cost of things.

For a long time they crept up a bit each year ($20-50) until a few years ago when those annual jumps got much bigger.  $200 more than the last increase isn't a surprise.

2010: $499
2011: $510
2012: $574
2013: $609
2014: $634
2015: $654
2016: $749
2017: $779
2018: $895
2019: $1119

2021: $1299

[DaveInTN 3,247]

The fact that it sounds even remotely reasonable for the price to have doubled in 6 years is proof that we’ve lost our collective minds.  Housing prices have doubled.  The price of a steak has doubled. The price of a Disney vacation has doubled.  Has your income doubled?  If it has, good for you.  But I bet most people would answer no.  I know we all make decisions and prioritize spending based on what’s important to us, and I am not criticizing anyone for choosing to spend their money at WDW.  I just don’t see how this is sustainable in the big picture.  

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

6 minutes ago, DaveInTN said:

The fact that it sounds even remotely reasonable for the price to have doubled in 6 years is proof that we’ve lost our collective minds.  Housing prices have doubled.  The price of a steak has doubled. The price of a Disney vacation has doubled.  Has your income doubled?  If it has, good for you.  But I bet most people would answer no.  I know we all make decisions and prioritize spending based on what’s important to us, and I am not criticizing anyone for choosing to spend their money at WDW.  I just don’t see how this is sustainable in the big picture.  

Very valid points. 

And I missed two big points: these new passes do not include fastpasses or photo pass. To make them equivalent to the old passes would require a guest to pay for the Genie Pass and Photopass, which are significantly priced.  And the Genie Pass doesn’t even include the best rides- those are subject to surge pricing.  Ouch!

TCD

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

45 minutes ago, DaveInTN said:

 I just don’t see how this is sustainable in the big picture.  

Agreed.  Our priorities have shifted in recent years as well (and for sure our incomes haven't doubled) which is mostly why we haven't been in over 3 years and won't be back until next fall (hopefully).  I don't know if we'll ever be able to justify going every year for multiple weeks again like we did for the prior 15+. But that's ok. Nothing stays the same forever.  I am at least glad that our last big trip was for 6 weeks and we enjoyed every minute of it.

[DaveInTN 3,247]

53 minutes ago, BradyBzLyn...Mo said:

 I am at least glad that our last big trip was for 6 weeks and we enjoyed every minute of it.

That's the important point, right there.  I love when pictures from our many trips to the Fort pop up, with all of my family together.  Sometimes I like to go back and read my old trip reports and relive those moments.  As much as I enjoyed writing those reports for all of you to read, and bantering back and forth about things on here (and the DIS before)...and I very much DID enjoy that!....I also wrote the reports in part to memorialize the trips for my own enjoyment in the future.  I'm sure others who have written reports have also enjoyed re-reading their own reports from time to time, and most everyone at least has photos of their trips to go back and look at.  The point is, while our Disney days are behind us, I'll cherish those memories for a lifetime, both for the memories of fun times with my family as well as the valued friendships I shared with all of you knuckleheads. 

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

39 minutes ago, DaveInTN said:

I'll cherish those memories for a lifetime, both for the memories of fun times with my family as well as the valued friendships I shared with all of you knuckleheads. 

Definitely this.  

 

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

2 hours ago, DaveInTN said:

That's the important point, right there.  I love when pictures from our many trips to the Fort pop up, with all of my family together.  Sometimes I like to go back and read my old trip reports and relive those moments.  As much as I enjoyed writing those reports for all of you to read, and bantering back and forth about things on here (and the DIS before)...and I very much DID enjoy that!....I also wrote the reports in part to memorialize the trips for my own enjoyment in the future.  I'm sure others who have written reports have also enjoyed re-reading their own reports from time to time, and most everyone at least has photos of their trips to go back and look at.  The point is, while our Disney days are behind us, I'll cherish those memories for a lifetime, both for the memories of fun times with my family as well as the valued friendships I shared with all of you knuckleheads. 

Right back at you friend. This place (and the Fort) really were a lot of fun back in the day. My Disney days would also be behind me but for the fact that the TCD twins still live right outside WDW and one of them just landed her dream job in DCL HR. We all just arrived back yesterday from the first Fantasy test cruise with guests (albeit all DCL CMs and their friends and family) and the twins are heading back out on Saturday for another test cruise. So our Disney journey will continue. 

TCD

[shoreline99 137]

5 hours ago, Tri-Circle-D said:

That pricing is actually not very much more than the only option out of state guests had to pay under the old AP structure.  I personally am surprised that it isn’t more.  People know how to stretch an AP for almost two years’ worth of travel, and these things are going to sell well.

TCD
 

 

I'm purchasing the "Hard Pass" this time around

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

16 hours ago, Tri-Circle-D said:

just landed her dream job in DCL HR

That's great to hear - congrats!!

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

15 hours ago, shoreline99 said:

I'm purchasing the "Hard Pass" this time around

I see what you did there. 😎

I'm also seeing info circulating that there's language somewhere about a limited number of passes potentially being sold at any given time? Can't find an official Disney source for that though.  

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

1 hour ago, BradyBzLyn...Mo said:

That's great to hear - congrats!!

Thanks. We will hope for the best. Both of the girls were treated poorly by Disney during the pandemic, and both had previous offers to return to lesser roles that they rejected. Working for DCL, though, comes with some next-level perks and opportunities, so this will hopefully go well for her. 

TCD

[Travisma 1,317]

13 hours ago, Tri-Circle-D said:

Thanks. We will hope for the best. Both of the girls were treated poorly by Disney during the pandemic, and both had previous offers to return to lesser roles that they rejected. Working for DCL, though, comes with some next-level perks and opportunities, so this will hopefully go well for her. 

TCD

Glad she got a good job offer.  Is the other one still trying for a Disney job?

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

10 hours ago, Travisma said:

Glad she got a good job offer.  Is the other one still trying for a Disney job?

No. She has received job offers from Disney, but has been working for another company in addition to doing some freelance work, and her eyes have been opened to how poorly she was treated by Disney.  Both girls have a lot of friends that have returned to working for Disney, and Disney has magical powers to suck these kids back in where they will be mistreated and taken advantage of again. As I mentioned, the DCL job comes with some extraordinary perks. There may be another job like that that will suck the other twin back into the company, but not so far. 

TCD

[DaveInTN 3,247]

6 minutes ago, Tri-Circle-D said:

No. She has received job offers from Disney, but has been working for another company in addition to doing some freelance work, and her eyes have been opened to how poorly she was treated by Disney.  Both girls have a lot of friends that have returned to working for Disney, and Disney has magical powers to suck these kids back in where they will be mistreated and taken advantage of again. As I mentioned, the DCL job comes with some extraordinary perks. There may be another job like that that will suck the other twin back into the company, but not so far. 

TCD

It's always amazing to me to hear that Disney, the company with the magical background and family-friendly reputation, has treated these employees so poorly.  It would be like finding out that Alice was secretly beating the Brady kids.  Just seems divergent with the behavior you would expect. 

[keith_h 420]

1 hour ago, DaveInTN said:

It's always amazing to me to hear that Disney, the company with the magical background and family-friendly reputation, has treated these employees so poorly.  It would be like finding out that Alice was secretly beating the Brady kids and enjoying it.  Just seems divergent with the behavior you would expect. 

You haven't heard of Mistress Alice's Dungeon of Adult Fun? 😁

Disney's brand is far from the corporate beast that functions behind it. It is why they defend the brand to the end so that the real story doesn't get out. I'm not surprised at all how they treat their employees. At the end of the day no matter whether you call them cast members, employees, etc. they are nothing more than a resource line on some executive's spread sheet right there between the electrical tape and screws. 

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

2 hours ago, DaveInTN said:

It's always amazing to me to hear that Disney, the company with the magical background and family-friendly reputation, has treated these employees so poorly.  It would be like finding out that Alice was secretly beating the Brady kids.  Just seems divergent with the behavior you would expect. 

The sad thing is that when they began the college program 5 years ago, the old traditions and mindset were mostly intact. The girls met a lot of people who had long and happy careers at Disney.  That all was slowly eroding before the pandemic, and then Disney decided to just get all the niceties over with and blame it all on the pandemic. So what?  The executives and shareholders are happy, and at least for now there will continue to be an oversupply of college kids who don’t have any better options than to work as slaves for 6 to 9 month contracts with no benefits.  Disney always wins.

TCD
 

 

[lightbikes 73]

12 minutes ago, Tri-Circle-D said:

 Disney always wins.

TCD
 

 

in spades !

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

3 hours ago, Tri-Circle-D said:

That all was slowly eroding before the pandemic, and then Disney decided to just get all the niceties over with and blame it all on the pandemic.

Probably also not a coincidence that during that time a bunch of pretty high level, career Imagineers (some of them "Legends") announced their retirements. 

[fladogfan aka Gretchen 259]

3 hours ago, Tri-Circle-D said:

The sad thing is that when they began the college program 5 years ago, the old traditions and mindset were mostly intact. The girls met a lot of people who had long and happy careers at Disney.  That all was slowly eroding before the pandemic, and then Disney decided to just get all the niceties over with and blame it all on the pandemic. So what?  The executives and shareholders are happy, and at least for now there will continue to be an oversupply of college kids who don’t have any better options than to work as slaves for 6 to 9 month contracts with no benefits.  Disney always wins.

TCD
 

 

I've called them indentured servants for a long time.

[Grumpy and Grandma 740]

4 hours ago, Tri-Circle-D said:

r now there will continue to be an oversupply of college kids who don’t have any better options than to work as slaves for 6 to 9 month contracts with no benefits.  Disney always wins.

TCD

 

1 hour ago, fladogfan aka Gretchen said:

I've called them indentured servants for a long time.

How is that any different than a vast majority of CO-OP jobs at any college?   You get to work for slightly above minimum wage for College Credits and no other benefits and there is no guarantee that you will be hired after graduation.  I have a good friend who swears by the College Program and he "Loves DIS" for the doors that the program opened for him.  He is currently the Director of Ticket Operations for an NFL team.

[Lou... 3,118]

I said all along that working for the Disney company is a love hate relationship. Loved the actual work but hated how day to day things were managed. For me it was an occasional and temporary escape from my actual profession for the first twelve years and then a retirement job for the last ten, I never had to climb the corporate ladder. And when they did offer me an interview for a full time position in the Ride & Show group, I declined because I knew I wouldn't last when it became real. 

Now after having received my Mickey gold watch from Disney and retaining all my benefits, I look back and feel good about my couple of decades as a CM, no regrets, I had a lot of fun. I'd still be a CM if I could.

[djsamuel 322]

5 hours ago, Lou... said:

I said all along that working for the Disney company is a love hate relationship. Loved the actual work but hated how day to day things were managed. For me it was an occasional and temporary escape from my actual profession for the first twelve years and then a retirement job for the last ten, I never had to climb the corporate ladder. And when they did offer me an interview for a full time position in the Ride & Show group, I declined because I knew I wouldn't last when it became real. 

Now after having received my Mickey gold watch from Disney and retaining all my benefits, I look back and feel good about my couple of decades as a CM, no regrets, I had a lot of fun. I'd still be a CM if I could.

That is pretty much my wife's feelings.  Retired after 17 years and enjoying the benefits.  She has no regrets about working for them, just wishes some of the day to day was smoother and management was more consistent.  But all in all, she does not regret those years.