Walt Disney World has just announced an ALL NEW, and more expensive, Annual Passholder Program . There are 4 new different pass options, only one is available to everyone. There is a lot to go over, including perks, add-ons, and some much needed changes for current passholders starting September 8th, when the new program rolls out. Let’s dive in!
Perks, Benefits, and Add-Ons of all Pass Options
Theme Park Reservations will still be required in advance for all passholders. Depending on the pass type, you may hold between 3 to 5 reservations at a time. In addition to the number of reservations your pass type entitles you to, you will also be able to make park reservations for the length of stay at Disney Resort or other select hotels. Disney also teased us with the idea that Bonus Reservations will be made available to all pass levels from time to time.
Just like today, standard Theme Park parking and park hopping are still included with all pass types.
The Passholder savings will continue with up to 20% on dining, merchandise, and more. Details on discounts have not been revealed. Sadly, there is still no mention on the return of the popular Tables in Wonderland membership, more about that below.
It’s clear that Disney wanted to give guests some more flexibility within each pass type, so they have un-bundled some of the previously included features of certain pass types. For example, Disney PhotoPass is no longer included by default with any pass type, but now you may add the option on to any annual pass for $99 plus tax for the year. (Would you pay $99 extra per year)?
The same is true with access to the water parks. Previously included only with the top-tier Premier and Platinum Plus Annual Passes, the Water Park and Sports Option is also available as an add on to any pass for $99 plus tax. New with this offering is the addition of free miniature golf to the pass, once per day per passholder. We find this as a nice extra treat, though we worry that this could potentially overcrowd the miniature golf courses if too many passholders take advantage of this option.
Now, let’s take a look at the new pass options. Although we wish that Disney had kept hierarchical names (Silver, Gold, Platinum, etc.) for the passes, they created completely different names instead. We guess Pirates are worth more than Pixie Dust? Have a glance:
Disney Pixie Dust Pass
The Disney Pixie Dust Pass is the most restrictive annual pass available only to Florida residents. At $399 plus tax ($339 plus tax for renewals), it is a weekday only pass with additional blackout days for the peak and holiday periods. You can reserve up to 3 park days at a time.
Disney Pirate Pass
The Disney Pirate Pass is also only available to Florida residents. At $699 plus tax ($594 plus tax for renewals), it includes blackout days for every holiday weekend (Martin Luther King, President’s Day, etc.) plus the peak and holiday periods. With the Pirate Pass you may reserve up to 4 park days at a time.
Disney Sorcerer Pass
The Disney Sorcerer Pass is available to Florida residents and Disney Vacation Club Members. At $899 plus tax ($764 plus tax for renewals), it includes blackouts for the select holiday periods of Thanksgiving and Christmas. With the Sorcerer Pass you may make up to 5 park reservations at a time.
Disney Incredi-Pass
The Disney Incredi-Pass is available to everyone. At $1,299 plus tax ($1,104 plus tax for renewals), no blackout dates apply. With the Incredi-Pass you may make up to 5 park reservations at one time.
Current Passholders
Current Passholders will continue with the current benefits through their individual expiration date. The good news is that Platinum Plus, Platinum, and Gold Passes will be able to make 5 park reservations at a time, with Silver Pass being able to make 4 at a time, starting September 8, 2021. This has been one of the widely most complained issues with making park reservations with Annual Passes at Walt Disney World, so we are ecstatic that they are fixing the problem. Additionally, if you are a current passholder in your renewal-window, you have lucked out and you can still renew to the existing pass-type you have through September 7, 2021.
What’s Missing?
The Epcot After 4 Pass. It was a great option for those locals who just wanted to experience the Epcot festivals or dining in Epcot’s many restaurants throughout the year, especially when combined with its sister product, Tables in Wonderland, which, come to mention it…
The Tables In Wonderland discounted food, beverages (including alcohol), and complimentary Valet Parking program officially ends entirely on August 31st. There has been no word on if or when the popular program will return. This is a sad development indeed. We still have a little hope it will come back though, as the web page for the program is still live. Take a look for yourself: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/tables-in-wonderland/.
What do you think of the new passholder program? Is it a home run, a strike-out, or pretty much the same for you? Have you been priced out of your annual pass? With only one option open to everyone, it is more limiting to those non-Florida residents. We also think they could have done a better job addressing the missing products or possible add-ons like Tables in Wonderland. But what do you think? Let us know in the comments! And be sure to share with your friends, sharing is caring!
Disney Theme Park Ticket & Travel Deals
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