Disney US Parks Annual Pass (Now Available)

[MegaDisney]

I read today that a new annual pass is being developed for Disney Parks in the United States. The new "Domestic Parks Pass" will be a combined annual pass for both WDW in Florida and the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. Rumor is that it will be rolling out soon. Expect the price to be in the $800 range.

Should be very popular with DVC Owners an those who frequent BOTH coasts!

[DizneyRox]

That pricing out of line with reality. You can only be in one park at a time, and quite honestly, I don't see all that many people travelling back and forth that much and also be a Disney fan enough to need/require an AP at each set of parks.

As for DVC, they get a pretty significant discount on WDW APs (which is less than 1/2 of that $800, so they need to do better than that as well.

There was a rumor a while back about Disney wanted to eliminate APs as they weren't making money on them. Again, just a rumor, but I beleive it. How does it benefit Disney for me to get unlimited access to the parks for the cost of about 12 days to a normal person. Food? Merchandise? Both of those are below expectations right now, so doesn't seem like it's a safe asumption. Get the guaranteed money on admission, hoping I buy a Mickey Bar or Made in China t-shirt doesn't add to the bottom line.

[Ian]

There's no WAY a dual-AP should be $800. That's just insane. You can get a WDW AP for like $500 and a DL AP is $300. What moron would buy a combined pass for $800? You could just buy both separately if you were so inclined.

What you do a "combined" offer like this there's got to be a significant price incentive, because (as DisneyRox already pointed out) you can only be in one park at a time. It's like auto insurance ... the first car is expensive, but the second car is really cheap since you can only drive one car at a time.

[Scar]

Originally Posted by Ian

You can get a WDW AP for like $500 and a DL AP is $300.

Wow. Wasn't a WDW AP like around $370 just a year or two ago?

[MegaDisney]

Originally Posted by Ian

DL AP is $300.

Disneyland Premium pass is $439.00.

WDW Premium pass is $619.00.

$800 for a Dual Coast Premium Pass is a pretty good deal, but as I stated in my original post the cost will be in the $800 range, the details have not been released as far as I can find.

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Scar

Wow. Wasn't a WDW AP like around $370 just a year or two ago?

Yeah let me tell you ... I had major sticker shock when I got my AP last time. The time before that I paid $335 for a DVC renewal. I wasn't renewing this time, but that typically only costs you about $40 but this time my AP was like $420 or something!

Originally Posted by MegaDisney

Disneyland Premium pass is $439.00.

WDW Premium pass is $619.00.

$800 for a Dual Coast Premium Pass is a pretty good deal, but as I stated in my original post the cost will be in the $800 range, the details have not been released as far as I can find.

Ahh yes .. didn't realize you were talking PAP. We only ever get the base AP's, so I suppose that would be a better deal.

[MegaDisney]

I am assuming the $800 Pass would be a "premium" pass, if you have a pass to both coasts, why would you want black out dates?

If I made it to WDW more often I could see it working, but the $439 just for Disneyland is hard enough to swallow! (That is why my pass is EXPIRED)

Will be interesting to see the details once it is officially announced.

I know of a few friends, and Intercotee's that will probably jump at the chance to have a PAP to both coasts...

[Ian]

Originally Posted by MegaDisney

I am assuming the $800 Pass would be a "premium" pass, if you have a pass to both coasts, why would you want black out dates?

Well ... there's no "blackout dates" difference between a WDW AP and PAP?

The only difference between the two is that the PAP includes water parks, Disney Quest, etc.

Which is why we never bother with the PAP.

[MegaDisney]

Originally Posted by Ian

Well ... there's no "blackout dates" difference between a WDW AP and PAP?

The only difference between the two is that the PAP includes water parks, Disney Quest, etc.

Which is why we never bother with the PAP.

I see. That makes sense.

Disney Quest? That is still open?? JK.

[seanyred]

It still seems like alot. But if it worked out to be cheaper than seperate it might be worth it.

on side note I know its kinda apples and oranges but its shocking to me that for $80 I could buy an Six Flags Annual Pass and use it at most Six Flags across the country. Disney is a far better park but the price difference is mind blowing.

[Scar]

Originally Posted by seanyred

...its shocking to me that for $80 I could buy an Six Flags Annual Pass and use it at most Six Flags across the country. Disney is a far better park but the price difference is mind blowing.

Yup. And I could buy a Hyundai for $11,000 but a Mercedes cost $80,000.

This was not meant as an insult to Hyundai. I would buy one. But I wouldn't buy a Six Flags pass... for any price.

[MinnieMommie]

At first glance the price does seem steep but if it is for a combined premium pass then maybe not so bad. Not sure how many people frequent both WDW and DL frequently enough in the same year to make it worthwhile for them but there must be a market if it is being offered. Will be interesting to see how popular the pass will be.

[DizneyFreak2002]

Nice idea but too expensive if you ask me...

[Ian]

Originally Posted by DizneyFreak2002

Nice idea but too expensive if you ask me...

The problem as I see it is one of practicality.

The payback period for a WDW annual pass is around 10-12 days of admission in a 12 month period. It's not exact, and it's harder to compare now than it used to be because of the new MYW pricing, but it's still around there. Bottom line is you buy two 7 day hoppers it's like $620, so ... close enough.

But you have to assume the payback period at DL is probably around the same, right? So if that's the case, you'd need to do 10-12 days at WDW each year and 10-12 days at DL each year.

But where I can see it being a nice benefit is for the locals. If you live near DL, but visit WDW a couple times a year then this could be a big savings for you.

[MinnieMommie]

Originally Posted by Ian

But where I can see it being a nice benefit is for the locals. If you live near DL, but visit WDW a couple times a year then this could be a big savings for you.

Or vice versa..although it seems that for someone from either coast who is a frequent visitor to either DL or DW they would not get 10 to 12 days usage at the alternate coast park.

.

[Snowgod]

The PAP also includes free parking and other perks. Free parking will save a great deal of money.

[Melanears]

At some point (although not in the near future) I could see this being beneficial to me. I frequent WDW, and LOVE to visit Disneyland when I can, so it's definitely attractive.

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Snowgod

The PAP also includes free parking and other perks. Free parking will save a great deal of money.

PAP for Disneyland or WDW? Because you get free parking in WDW with any AP, not just a PAP.

[buzz2001]

http://i43.tinypic.com/11jn3lz.jpg

Breaking news…WDC just announced during Disney’s annual shareholders meeting that a new premium annual pass for admission to the parks at both Disneyland Resort and the Walt Disney World Resort will be offered beginning Thursday. It’s called “Disney Premier Passport” and it’ll feature the same benefits you get with the “premium” annual passes for Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts for $700, plus applicable- sales tax.

So, what’s in it for you? At Walt Disney World:

* Unlimited admission for a period of one year to all four Walt Disney World Theme Parks, including park hopping privileges
* Unlimited admission to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach Water Parks
* Unlimited admission to DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive Theme Park, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex (valid only on event days; some events require an additional admission charge) and Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course (greens fee only. Tee time reservations are required and subject to availability)
* Parking at all four Theme Parks
* Subscription to Mickey Monitor, a collectible Passholder-only publication

And at Disneyland Resort:

* Unlimited admission to both Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure Parks for a period of one year, including park hopping privileges
* Parking at any pay-on-entry parking lot
* Subscription to Backstage Pass.
* Complimentary subscription to Disney’s Family Fun Magazine (one per household)

If you’re already holding a Premium Annual Pass for both Resorts, you’ll automatically be issued a “Disney Premier Passport” – with an expiration date based on the later of the two annual passes. You may also upgrade your annual or seasonal pass for one resort to a “Disney Premier Passport” for an additional fee.

The Passport will be available for sale at the Disneyland Resort box office and Walt Disney World Guest Relations windows beginning tomorrow.

[DizneyRox]

That's a little better, although still a bit on the steep side. I really don't see too many people taking advantage of this, although I'm guessing they did some digging in their customer database and found many folks visiting both sides of the US and figured this could possibly squeeze a little more out of their pockets.