This solutions incessantly requested questions on Annual Passes at Walt Disney World, with data & tips on new gross sales of the Incredi-Pass, Sorcerer, Pirate, and Pixie Dust APs, advantages of being a passholder, and what you might want to know earlier than you try and buy an AP.
In case you missed it, the corporate introduced that Walt Disney World will resume new Annual Pass gross sales beginning April 20, 2023. Unsurprisingly, there have been a lot of questions and issues, as Walt Disney World hasn’t offered APs in over a yr and previous precedent with Magic Key gross sales at Disneyland suggests it may be a tense and time-consuming course of.
Understandably, diehard Walt Disney World followers who’ve been ready a yr or so to buy Annual Passes don’t wish to “screw up” something and threat being shut out after (probably) ready a number of hours in a digital queue. Accordingly, we’ve combed via the announcement put up to seek out the most typical questions, and are going to reply them right here on this work-in-progress FAQ to the Annual Pass program at Walt Disney World…
What are the Annual Pass tiers?
Disney Pixie Dust Pass – This is the bottom tier cross for Florida residents prices $399 plus tax–or $19 monthly with 12 month-to-month funds after $205 down fee on the Florida Resident Monthly Payment Program.
Disney Pirate Pass – This is the following tier up for Florida residents solely, costing $749 plus tax–or $50 monthly with 12 month-to-month funds and 0% APR after $205 down fee with the Florida Resident Monthly Payment Program
Disney Sorcerer Pass – The subsequent tier up is for Florida residents or eligible Disney Vacation Club members, costing $969 plus tax–or $69 monthly with 12 month-to-month funds after $205 down fee on the Florida Resident Monthly Payment Program.
Disney Incredi-Pass – This is the highest tier with no blockout dates, and is the one tier of AP accessible for anybody to buy, together with non-Floridians and non-DVC members. It prices $1,399 plus tax–or $108 monthly with 12 month-to-month funds after $205 down fee on the Florida Resident Monthly Payment Program.
Here’s a comparability chart:
What are the blockout dates for every AP?
Unsurprisingly, the cheaper the AP, the extra blockout dates it has, and vice-versa. The Pixie Dust Pass is most notable amongst these, because it’s blocked out all weekends and holidays; don’t plan on utilizing it any day that native children are out of college.
Beyond that, uou ought to undoubtedly seek the advice of the official Walt Disney World AP blockout calendar earlier than making your buy, as the preferred dates to go to are all excluded from even being eligible to make reservations for the decrease tiers of APs. Be certain to toggle the cross kind to see excluded dates for every.
Are reservations nonetheless required?
Yes and no.
Walt Disney World Annual Passholders are actually in a position to go to the theme parks after 2 pm with no need a Disney Park Pass reservation, besides on Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom. All Annual Pass blockout dates will proceed to use.
Visiting any park earlier than 2 pm will proceed to require a Disney Park Pass reservation. Same with Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom–Annual Passholders can nonetheless go to Magic Kingdom on weekends after 2 pm if in case you have a park reservation or have entered a special park.
However, as mentioned at size in When Will Disney Park Pass Reservations End?, we don’t anticipate reservations to be absolutely retired for Annual Passholders or Cast Members anytime quickly. By distinction, we anticipate them passed by 2024 for normal ticket holders.
Retaining reservations for APs and CMs offers Disney management over the attendance combine, and permits the corporate to prioritize vacationers who spend extra per go to on common. Although Disney desires Annual Passholders and Cast Members to go to–and spend cash–when there’s extra capability, the circumstances are completely different when the parks are busier.
It thus is sensible that Walt Disney World would wish to prioritize resort friends and different vacationers and never fill the parks with Annual Passholders on the expense of extra profitable vacationers throughout busier dates. Hence the compromise of no reservations after 2 pm most days for APs. That’s additionally why we don’t anticipate park reservations to be retired for Annual Passes in 2023. (Perhaps a super-expensive ‘no-reservations’ AP will probably be launched, however even that’s uncertain.)
How many Disney Park Pass theme park reservations can every AP tier maintain at a time?
There are actually three kinds of reservations that passholders can use concurrently: 1) Park Reservations, 2) Select Hotel Length of Stay Park Reservations, and three) Bonus Reservations. Here’s how every work in observe:
1) Park Reservation – Each Walt Disney World Annual Pass offers a special variety of Disney Park Pass reservations:
- Disney Incredi-Pass: Up to five reservations held at a time
- Disney Sorcerer Pass: Up to five reservations held at a time
- Disney Pirate Pass: Up to 4 reservations held at a time
- Disney Pixie Dust Pass: Up to three reservations held at a time
2) Select Hotels Length of Stay Park Reservations – Annual Passholders staying at official Walt Disney World resorts or different choose motels are eligible to make theme park reservations for every day of their keep, along with holding at the least 3 days of theme park reservations at a time on a rolling foundation
3) Bonus Reservation – During slower seasons when Walt Disney World desires to spice up attendance, bonus reservations are added. This permits Annual Passholders to make additional reservations on choose days at choose theme parks that do NOT depend towards their reservation holdings. Think of “bonus reservations” as the corporate’s manner of nudging APs to go to parks with decrease attendance ranges. Sort of like a “Surprise FastPass” for Carousel of Progress, should you keep in mind these.
When can DVC members buy a brand new Annual Pass?
Now!
Walt Disney opened new gross sales of the Sorcerer Pass to DVC house owners starting on April 13.
When can everybody else buy new Annual Passes?
Florida residents, most people, or DVC members wanting to buy an Incredi-Pass will probably be ready to take action starting on April 20, 2023.
What time will APs go on sale on April 20?
Walt Disney World simply launched this official replace: “The Disney Incredi-Pass, Disney Sorcerer Pass and Disney Pirate Pass will resume new sales and can be purchased online no earlier than 6:00 AM Eastern Time on April 20, 2023.”
Will the digital queue and shopping for course of be just like Magic Keys at Disneyland?
No one is aware of.
For those that haven’t adopted the saga of Magic Key APs at Disneyland, when these gross sales have resumed, there have been digital queues of 6+ hours lengthy on a number of events. When APs returned for the primary time after an extended absence, some folks reported ready so long as 12 hours within the digital queue.
Given that and the truth that Walt Disney World AP gross sales have been paused longer, it stands to cause that the wait time for WDW Annual Passes will probably be related, proper? Eh, presumably.
It’s unattainable to say what is going to occur, however our expectation is that there will probably be a digital queue, nevertheless it won’t be practically so long as at Disneyland. For one factor, there’s a bigger native inhabitants in Los Angeles and Orange County. Californians are the core demo at Disneyland, whereas vacationers are nonetheless the bread and butter at Walt Disney World. With that stated, the populations of Osceola and Orange County have exploded in the previous few years, however APs have been accessible in some capability for Floridians throughout that point.
For one other factor, Walt Disney World has by no means had fairly the identical difficulty with digital queues as Disneyland. Even on the subject of related high-demand merchandise and ticket choices, the method has persistently been smoother at Walt Disney World in the previous few years. This consists of when APs first returned again in 2021. I can’t clarify the why or how of this, however it seems that the 2 coasts use completely different techniques or parameters for his or her digital queues.
Accordingly, our expectation is that when the system is steady and dealing, there’s a digital queue of an hour or so throughout the peak of the morning rush on April 20, nevertheless it’s faster than that by the top of the day. (Now watch, the wait time will really find yourself being 13 hours on April 20!)
Will there be Disney IT points on April 20?
Notice how we hedged the above prediction with “once the system is stable and working”? Well, that’s as a result of our guess is that there are technical difficulties very first thing within the morning on April 20. It wouldn’t be a ‘WDW Drop Day’ with out them!
Again, I don’t know why, however Disney IT issues are the one fixed of days like this. Even on days when issues finally operate easily, there are sometimes points very first thing within the morning. It’s as if Walt Disney World at all times underestimates demand, even for its hottest choices. The higher query is just not “if” IT points will happen, however which character(s) will probably be most prominently featured on the error messages. My cash’s on the Seven Dwarfs. Any takers for Stitch? Lady and the Tramp? Donald Duck? Olaf? Big Thunder Goat???
How lengthy will Walt Disney World go away new Annual Passes accessible for buy?
Yet one other unknown.
We would strongly advocate anybody who’s on the fence about buying an Annual Pass to make the choice between now and April 20, 2023. Given how lengthy gross sales have been paused and the quantity of pent-up demand for APs amongst locals, you must completely be part of the digital queue ASAP on day one in every of gross sales resuming if in case you have been denied up to now.
To that time and for reference, AP gross sales at Disneyland resumed previous to final Thanksgiving and passes offered out in below 2 days. Some followers had been shut out once more as a result of they couldn’t get via the digital queue or opted to attend till it died down. A miscalculation that disadvantaged them of visits throughout one of the best time of yr at Disneyland.
Disneyland once more resumed Magic Key AP gross sales this January, and it took over every week for some Magic Keys to start out promoting out once more. Disneyland but once more resumed AP gross sales this month (April 2023), and numerous passes offered out in just a few hours to some days.
If I didn’t have already got a Walt Disney World Annual Pass, I’d be up at 5:30 am Eastern, with the expectation that they may go on sale early and the hope that doing so would beat the morning rush. If I had to enter an workplace job or was in any other case busy, I’d in all probability wait till my lunch break, working on the belief that issues will probably be going smoother and sooner by then.
I’d strive not to attend till April 21 if I had the selection, however I wouldn’t be too fearful that each one passes would promote out in below a day. I simply assume the higher guess is erring on the aspect of warning and never playing.
Will my bought Annual Pass be instantly activated?
No. The 365-day use window of the Annual Pass doesn’t start till the primary time you really enter one of many theme parks. The clock begins ticking from the tapstile, not the transaction.
However, the Annual Pass is added to your My Disney Experience account so that you’re eligible to make Park Pass reservations and use it for no matter different functions. It’s technically an AP voucher till activation.
Should I wait to purchase an AP if I’m not visiting Walt Disney World till later this yr or in early 2024?
No. Well, really, let me take a step again. That’s your choice. If there’s the likelihood that you just gained’t go to or find yourself needing an AP, then tying up some huge cash in an Annual Pass is probably not the savviest transfer within the historical past of non-public funds.
With that stated, the explanation that’s a tough no is due to the dialogue above. Even in the event that they don’t promote out on April 21 or throughout the subsequent few weeks, it’s nearly a foregone conclusion that new cross gross sales will probably be paused once more in 2023. There are additionally the inevitable worth will increase, which is able to probably happen in Fall 2023. Buying now guards towards all of that.
This is exactly why our Ticket Tips for Walt Disney World has been recommending folks buy admission ASAP to lock-in present costs and guard towards will increase. Same precept applies right here, too.
How lengthy do I’ve to activate my new AP?
Walt Disney World Annual Pass vouchers should be activated inside 12 months of their buy. If a voucher is just not activated inside that timeframe, its unique greenback worth could be utilized towards a future Magic Your Way or Annual Pass buy.
What if I have already got an outdated AP voucher for the ‘precious metals’ passes?
You would possibly discover that the above coverage differs from up to now, when folks have been in a position to purchase a voucher for a legacy AP and use it years later for a more recent model of a like cross. It’s nonetheless doable for holders of these outdated vouchers to obtain the Incredi-Pass, nevertheless it’s far more YMMV from what we perceive.
It requires getting a Cast Member or their supervisor who is aware of tips on how to convert the outdated voucher, and makes use of their discretion to make it occur. (This is not our firsthand information, however relatively, what we’ve heard secondhand. Again, it’s very YMMV.) Good luck!
Can anybody pay for the Annual Pass in month-to-month installments?
Not except they’re additionally Florida residents (and earlier than you ask, DVC possession doesn’t depend). Only Floridians have the choice for month-to-month funds by way of the Florida Resident Monthly Payment Program.
Are there Disney Vacation Club reductions?
No. Previously, the top-level Platinum Pass supplied a $200 low cost for Disney Vacation Club members. This quantities to an efficient worth enhance of over 50% for DVC members on the Incredi-Pass.
However, having the ability to buy the Sorcerer Pass with out being a Florida resident is successfully a reduction, I assume. That AP is over $400 cheaper, and the one blockouts are lower than 20 days round Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. It’s essentially the most logical AP to get for the overwhelming majority of DVC members.
Of course, this might at all times change relying upon gross sales numbers and attendance. Just a few years in the past, Walt Disney World supplied some really aggressive offers to DVC members throughout a sluggish interval.
Which Annual Passes can DVC members buy?
Incredi-Pass and Sorcerer Pass (with some exclusions–see subsequent query).
Are solely “blue card” DVC members eligible to buy the Sorcerer Pass?
Yes. For these unfamiliar with the time period, “blue card” DVC members are those that have a blue membership card. This is obtained both by buying Disney Vacation Club instantly from Disney, or shopping for resale below the outdated guidelines (earlier than 4/4/16) and being grandfathered in.
Which APs can Florida residents buy?
Any of them.
Which Annual Passes can out of state guests purchase?
Only the highest tier Incredi-Pass.
This is just not new. Out of state, non-DVC, friends may beforehand solely buy the Platinum Passes.
Can common tickets be upgraded to Annual Passes?
Yes. Normal single or multi-day tickets could be upgraded to an Annual Pass up via the final day that admission is used. Normal Ticket Bridging to Annual Pass Rules for Walt Disney World ought to apply, however that’s one other factor that has change into very YMMV over the previous few years (and we personally lack firsthand expertise with just lately).
How do I improve common tickets?
It relies upon. Walt Disney World will provide upgrades on most eligible tickets within the My Disney Experience app and/or DisneyWorld.com. However, that undoubtedly won’t work for all tickets, during which case you’ll have to go to Walt Disney World Guest Relations. The most suitable choice for this, in our expertise, is at Disney Springs. (But it’s in all probability not value making a particular journey except you have got different one other objective on the market–just like the necessary enterprise of cookie and/or ice cream acquisition!)
Can I apply the worth of a number of tickets in direction of the price of one Annual Pass?
No. Only one common ticket could also be utilized to every Annual Pass improve.
How will upgrades of current APs work?
According to Walt Disney World, current Annual Passholders can have the choice to improve their current Annual Pass into any accessible cross kind exterior of their renewal window on the DisneyWorld.com web site or by way of the My Disney Experience app. The distinction in worth should be paid in full on the time of the improve and the brand new cross can have the identical expiration date as the unique cross.
The large query is whether or not the value will probably be prorated, and the reply is in all probability not. In the previous, Walt Disney World has not prorated AP upgrades; whether or not you had 364 days or a single day remaining, the improve price was the value distinction between the 2 passes. It’s doable that Disney will make an exception to that given the distinctive circumstances right here, however don’t depend on it.
Will upgrades upon renewal be supplied sooner or later even when APs are offered out?
Most probably. This has really been the “long play” for a lot of locals over the course of the final couple years. They’ve began by buying the Pixie Pass, after which upgrading it to one of many increased tiers a yr later upon renewal. It appeared like a foolish factor to do again in late 2021 when passes first offered out, however lots of these locals acquired the final snigger.
What about Annual Pass renewals?
Nothing about that course of ought to change with the resumption of recent Annual Pass gross sales.
Currently, Walt Disney World APs can renew beginning 60 days earlier than expiration, as much as 30 days after expiration. Regardless of when renewal happens, the brand new 365-day utilization interval begins instantly after the AP’s expiration date. Renewal reductions are 15% off.
So for out-of-state Annual Passholders, the query turns into whether or not you’ll be utilizing the cross within the month or so after renewal. If so, you’ll undoubtedly wish to renew. If not, you’ll wish to weigh the danger of passes promoting out once more.
Does everybody in a household have to buy the PhotographPass add-on if one individual does?
Nope.
In truth, we’d advocate solely one individual buys it should you at all times or normally go to collectively. Otherwise, it’s paying additional for what quantities to a redundant profit.
Is there a yearly Genie+ add-on for Annual Passholders?
No, and it’s extremely unlikely that one will probably be supplied anytime quickly. Maybe in 2024 if there’s a significant recession. Maybe.
What’s the probably impression to April or May 2023 crowds at Walt Disney World?
Our expectation is that the primary and second weekend after the new-look APs go on sale, the parks will see a spike in crowd ranges on account of pent-up demand amongst locals. It’s additionally probably weeknights after 5 pm will see a slight uptick.
Overall attendance ranges all through the month ought to nonetheless be low as in comparison with mid-March via mid-April, simply in all probability not as shockingly uncrowded as Walt Disney World is true now.
Why is that this all so convoluted and sophisticated–is a FAQ actually going to be crucial for each change Walt Disney World makes going ahead?
It would appear so.
Everyone is aware of that “vacations” are supposed to be as stress-inducing and sophisticated as doable, requiring a cryptex and superior diploma in codebreaking. Just wait till Magic Kingdom provides a troll toll to its bridges and doesn’t allow you to cross till you reply the riddle (commonplace per-riddle charge, taxes, and different charges apply).
Why did Disney retire the intuitive Silver/Gold/Platinum AP naming conference?
Extensive market analysis exhibits that the children lately with their Bitcoins, mobile telephones, and social medias don’t admire the standard issues in life, like accumulating valuable metals or watching Olympic medal ceremonies.
Whereas everybody on the TikTook is aware of that fairies < piracy < sorcery. Everyone.
Are Walt Disney World Annual Passes overpriced?
“After seeing what Taylor Swift tickets are going for in Tampa tonight, I now think Annual Passes are fairly priced. Demand is there for premium experiences, and Disney is still the best in my opinion.” ~Bruce from the feedback
I feel Bruce would possibly’ve been half-joking, however he’s proper. Whether or not it’s Taylor Swift tickets, monkey jpegs, or Walt Disney World Annual Passes, the worth of each good in a market financial system is predicated on a worth discovery course of. Consistently and overwhelmingly, Disney has been “discovering” that customers are keen to pay more and more increased costs for his or her merchandise. Stated in one other manner, Annual Passes wouldn’t have offered out so quick and remained unavailable for a year-plus afterwards on account of excessive demand if admission to Walt Disney World had been overpriced.
With that stated, I’ve to confess that should you advised me ~6 years in the past that my AP would price $1,400 in 2023, I wouldn’t have believed you. Around that point, there was a DVC deal on Platinum Plus APs for $595. There had been additionally distinctive reductions for eating places and merchandise as a result of attendance was sluggish at Walt Disney World (think about that!). When costs elevated sharply within the years following that, it was surprising. I stored pondering that “something’s gotta give–this is overpriced!” That was just a few years in the past, and I used to be clearly mistaken.
As I’ve written elsewhere, I’ve misplaced the capability for shock on the subject of Walt Disney World will increase or pricing. At this level, attendance remains to be robust, pent-up demand is just not but absolutely exhausted, the parks have a faithful and passionate fanbase, and a number of high-profile additions are driving vacationers to go to. Why wouldn’t the corporate maintain elevating costs?
Generally talking, I don’t assume it makes any sense to speak pricing when enterprise is booming to the extent that it’s proper now. Yes, it sucks that costs have elevated a lot within the final a number of years. Yes, it’s regarding the way in which that Disney has priced out so many center class households. Yes, the long-term reputational hit ensuing from present price methods may be very worrying. But complaining about all of that gained’t change the basic realities of demand. (And truthfully, Annual Passholders are the least-sympathetic demo on the subject of costs. Annual Passes are basically a luxurious good. Do you’re feeling badly for many who complain about the price of Birkins growing?)
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Learn about motels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To lower your expenses on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips put up takes a singular have a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, one of the best place to start out is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for every little thing you might want to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Have any questions we didn’t reply with the above FAQ? Still confused by something to do with the brand new Annual Pass gross sales at Walt Disney World? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Other ideas or issues? Any questions we will help you reply? Hearing your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!