Walt Disney World annual passes go on sale Wednesday: What to know
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL - JUNE 30: In this handout photo provided by Walt Disney World Resort, the Cinderella Castle inside Magic Kingdom Park is currently receiving a royal makeover, and the work is nearly complete on June 30, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista,
ORLANDO, Fla. - Walt Disney World annual passes go back on sale on Wednesday.
The theme park company announced on their website that annual passes will go back on sale starting September 8th.
There are four new annual pass options to choose from:
- Disney Pixie Dust Pass: For $399 plus tax, or $19 per month with a $205 down payment, Disney said that Pixie Dust passholders can visit one or more Walt Disney World parks on the same day with an advance park reservation. The pass is valid on most weekdays but is subject to blockout dates including peak and holiday periods. Up to three park reservations can be made and held at a time. Standard parking and discounts on dining and merchandise are included.
- Disney Pirate Pass: For $699 plus tax, or $45 per month with a $205 down payment, Disney said that Pirate passholders can visit one or more Walt Disney World parks on the same day with an advance park reservation. The pass is valid most days but is subject to blockout dates including peak and holiday periods. Up to four park reservations can be made and held at a time. Standard parking and discounts on dining and merchandise are included.
- Disney Sorcerer Pass: For $899 plus tax, or $63 per month with a $205 down payment, Disney said that the Sorcerer passholders can visit one or more Walt Disney World parks on the same day with an advance park reservation. The pass is valid most days but is subject to blockout dates during select holiday periods. Up to five park reservations can be made and held at a time. Standard parking and discounts on dining and merchandise are included.
- Disney Incredi-Pass: For $1,299 plus tax, or $99 per month with a $205 down payment, Disney said that Incredi-Pass holders can visit one or more Walt Disney World parks on the same day with an advance park reservation. No blockout dates apply. Up to five park reservations can be made and held at a time. Standard parking and discounts on dining and merchandise are included.
Passholders can add on Disney PhotoPass downloads for the year at the cost of $99 plus tax. For the same price, passholders can also add on access to the Disney water parks and sporting experiences.
MORE NEWS: What to expect during Disney World's 50th anniversary celebration
New to the Annual Passholder program at Walt Disney World, the theme park company said that there will be access to bonus reservations, meaning that from time to time, passholders can make an additional park reservation without it counting against their applicable reservation hold limit. In addition, passholders who stay at Disney resort hotels or other select hotels will be eligible to make theme park reservations for each day of their stay in addition to the reservations they can hold based on their pass type.
The annual passes will take on a new look when they return as well. Disney said that "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."
Walt Disney World Annual Passholder (Photo from Walt Disney World Resort)
Walt Disney World also warned that "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."
Current passholders can continue to use their existing annual passes as is but come time to renew, they must choose one of the new pass options at a special renewal price, Disney said. Also, starting September 8th, all Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Platinum Plus annual passholders can hold more reservations at a time. Existing passholders will soon receive a new exclusive magnet too.
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Walt Disney World annual passes are returning just in time for the theme park resort’s 50th-anniversary celebration, dubbed ‘The World’s Most Magical Celebration.’ Festivities begin on October 1st, 2021, and go for 18 months as new experiences debut in each park. Some of the new offerings include the opening of ‘Remy's Ratatouille Adventure’ at Epcot and a new ‘Disney Enchantment’ fireworks show at Magic Kingdom.
Disneyland in California just debuted its ‘Magic Key’ program, which serves at the replacement to their annual pass program, in August.
Guests at the California parks can select one of four Magic Key options:
- Dream Key: This option is $1,399 or $102 per month for 12 months for California residents after a $179 down payment. It grants key holders reservation-based admission to one or both parks every day of the year. Up to six park reservations can be held at once. It includes park parking, 20 percent off select merchandise, and 15 percent off select food and beverage.
- Believe Key: This option is $949 or $65 per month for 12 months for California residents after a $179 down payment. It grants key holders reservation-based admission to one or both parks most days of the year. Up to six park reservations can be held at once. It includes 50 percent off park parking, 10 percent off select merchandise, food, and beverage.
- Enchant Key: This option is $649 or $40 per month for 12 months for California residents after a $179 down payment. It grants key holders reservation-based admission to one or both parks on select days of the year. It does not include parking or a discount on parking. It does include 10 percent off select merchandise, food, and beverage.
- Imagine Key: This option is $399 or $19 per month for 12 months for Southern California residents only after a $179 down payment. It grants key holders reservation-based admission to one or both parks on select days of the year. It does not include parking or a discount on parking. It does include 10 percent off select merchandise, food, and beverage.
These went on sale on August 25th. According to FOXBusiness, fans apparently waited hours to purchase the new "Magic Key’ passes. Some even experienced trouble with making their purchase. For example, one user noted that they had trouble with partial payment options and were prompted to pay in full.
Another person echoed a similar issue with payment, posting a photo of an order summary from Disneyland that said it was unable to process payment. However, the user said they checked with their credit card company and there were no issues.
Watch FOX 35 Orlando for what’s to come during Disney’s 50th anniversary celebration.