Annual Pass Changes

[DizneyFreak2002]

Annual pass changes in the works... Info to be released shortly... Possibly releasing info on 10/4/2015... Well, that is today LOL...

[VWL Mom]

Platinum - New $749 Renewal $635
Platinum Plus - New $829 Renewal $705
Above prices do not include tax

Platinum :

One year of admission to all 4 Walt Disney World theme parks (during normal operating hours)
The ability to go from park to park on the same day
Theme park parking
Disney PhotoPass downloads*
Special offers for stays at Disney Resort hotels
Discounts on dining, merchandise, recreation and tours


Platinum Plus:

One year of admission to all 4 Walt Disney World theme parks (during normal operating hours)
The ability to go from park to park on the same day
Theme park parking
Admission to 2 fantastic Disney water parks¹, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex² and Disney's Oak Trail Golf Course³
Disney PhotoPass downloads*
Special offers for stays at Disney Resort hotels
Discounts on dining, merchandise, recreation and tours are also included

[cuteduck223]

sigh. everyone in may immediate family doesnt NEED memory maker--so the fact that there is no kids pricing on these makes me a little batty.

[AgentC]

There are changes to the Florida Resident Plan too. I'm not going to list the benefits of platinum and platinum plus since Lynn already did

Old Florida Resident Annual Pass Prices

Florida Resident Premium $649
Now called Platinum Plus

Florida Resident Annual $529 Renewal $449. (I renewed at $409 in February)
No block outs

Florida Resident Seasonal $329 Renewal $279
Blockouts and no parking

Weekday Select $225
block out dates, no weekends, no parking

Epcot after 4 $199
No parking


New Florida Resident Annual Pass Prices

Disney Platinum Plus $729 new $619 renewal Charter $599

Adds Photopass

Disney Platinum

$649 new $549 renewal $539 (charter?)

Adds photo pass


Disney Gold Pass
$549 new, $466 renewal
Block out dates
Adds photo pass download and parking to old seasonal


Disney Silver $389 new $330 renewal
Block out dates
Basically old seasonal plus parking

Weekday Select $259
Added parking

Epcot After 4
Added parking $249 renewal $211

I have no idea what a charter member is. I found that on another site. My guess is those of us who have old annual passes as a Florida resident or DVC member gets to renew at a slightly lower rate than someone who buys a ticket today.

Edited to add the renewal prices listed are what I paid to renew my pass in February and my family's passes in June.

[AgentC]

sigh. everyone in may immediate family doesnt NEED memory maker--so the fact that there is no kids pricing on these makes me a little batty.

Agreed. As a Florida resident there is a silver option that doesn't include photo pass but all the passes include parking. I'm pretty sure my 7 and 9 year old aren't going to drive to the parks by themselves.;)

[AgentC]

So doing the math as a Florida resident. . .

We currently have one full annual and 3 seasonals for a pre tax price of $1246.

Our renewal would be one Platinum and 2 silvers if we kept everything the same and would be $1529 which is an increase of $283 over my last renewal. However I renewed mine right before the last increase so technically if everything stayed the same I would have gone up $40 on my next renewal even without changes.

I suppose you could argue that on my pass the increase of $130 is worth it if you buy Photopass which I usually don't. If I stick with that pass, you can bet I'll be downloading everything they take.

On the new Silver pass, it is only an increase of $51 which is not bad when you add in the parking benefit but for us that becomes an increase of $153 for parking we do not need since I already had it on my pass.

[Terra]

Are they still going to do the payment plan monthly on these for Florida residents?
I can't like, I'm a little bummed. The pricing is getting a little crazy for this lower middle class family.

[AgentC]

Are they still going to do the payment plan monthly on these for Florida residents?
I can't like, I'm a little bummed. The pricing is getting a little crazy for this lower middle class family.

They are still showing the payment plan options on the website.

[AgentC]

Adding a note on the FL res passes since I can not edit my original post.

Gold and Silver have different block out dates. Silver has the traditional seasonal block outs. Gold does not have a summer block out but does have the block outs around Easter and Christmas.

[DizneyFreak2002]

I just want to remind everyone about that survey Disney sent out several months back about tiered pricing... It begins... They need to make the money up from the failed, and way too expensive MyMagic Plus nightmare...

[MNNHFLTX]

Are they trying to thin out the masses of AP holders? Between the WDW price increases and the Disneyland price increases, it will certainly discourage a significant number of people from buying AP's for their families, even with the resident discounts (which is what we had when we lived in Florida).

[Terra]

They are still showing the payment plan options on the website.
Thank you. I just found it! :) It wouldn't load for a while. Too much traffic maybe.


Adding a note on the FL res passes since I can not edit my original post.

Gold and Silver have different block out dates. Silver has the traditional seasonal block outs. Gold does not have a summer block out but does have the block outs around Easter and Christmas.

I noticed that. I kind of like that part. I'll probably get the Gold for myself [because it's way too crowded around those two weeks around those holidays for me anyway.
I'll get my children the Silver because I rarely take them in the summer because they don't do well in the heat [especially my oldest]. But my best friend and I hit EPCOT a lot for a girls days out!

I do like having the photo pass and that part don't mind paying a bit more.

[Main Street Jim]

...and how many AP holders actually go to events at Wide World of Sports, or play golf (now included in the new AP's)?

[BrerGnat]

These prices are a bargain compared to Disneyland's increases. The Premuim AP jumped $300! It's $1049 now.

[eam]

Plus it's the second price increase this year. We definitely won't renew, and will be going less frequently.

[Daisy'sMom]

We have decided not to renew our fl resident annual passes. Staggs and Iger are greedy and this looks like they are weeding out regular guests, only the super rich. We were just talking the other night about their new attractions that they are building and wondering if they would be as cheap looking as the new fantasyland editions.
We are going with Universal, they have added great attractions and the annual passes are affordable. Sad, since we have been going to Disney since opening day.

[Tekneek]

The ability to go from park to park on the same day


That this is something they have to mention is both funny and offensive at the same time.


Are they trying to thin out the masses of AP holders? Between the WDW price increases and the Disneyland price increases, it will certainly discourage a significant number of people from buying AP's for their families, even with the resident discounts (which is what we had when we lived in Florida).

They definitely are and have been for a while. The prices will go up until attendance declines. Unlike what they do with parking, this is a real open market and anybody unhappy with the escalation really should stop going. That is the only thing that can change this trajectory.

[Terra]

That this is something they have to mention is both funny and offensive at the same time.



They definitely are and have been for a while. The prices will go up until attendance declines. Unlike what they do with parking, this is a real open market and anybody unhappy with the escalation really should stop going. That is the only thing that can change this trajectory.

Yeah I chuckled and rolled my eyes at that one at the same time.

As much as it makes me sad I may need to look at not renewing both of my son's passes in December and look at Legoland passes for them. And I loath LL with a passion. But it's only 25 minutes from us and much cheaper.
I'll keep my pass for sure because I adore EPCOT.

[Hammer]

I called DVC Member services this afternoon to ask a few questions on what is available for DVC owners. For those of you who are DVC members, I will post that info in the next post. Discussed this with my sister and we will get the Gold pass, which we can get for the renewal price, per Disney's email they sent us. They made our decision for us to go to the beach for Christmas.


I just want to remind everyone about that survey Disney sent out several months back about tiered pricing... It begins

As I remember, many people commented that we could see this plan being implemented for Annual Passes, which is exactly what has happened. I think if this does not achieve the the profit numbers that are forecasted by the people in the ivory tower, it may not be rolled out to the other types of ticket media, at least not for a while.


Are they trying to thin out the masses of AP holders? Between the WDW price increases and the Disneyland price increases, it will certainly discourage a significant number of people from buying AP's for their families, even with the resident discounts (which is what we had when we lived in Florida).

I think this is the main reason for the new AP pricing structure. I know many people on here and our Facebook page have complained about the large crowds they experienced when they visited.


These prices are a bargain compared to Disneyland's increases. The Premuim AP jumped $300! It's $1049 now.

Absolutely! I saw the DL prices and I was in shock!

[Hammer]

DVC AP options and Pricing

[Lizzy]

Someone said the payment plan option is still showing, but does anyone have an idea on what the payments are? Right now I pay $40 for my regular Fl res AP, and $20 each a month for my DH and DD. How much of an increase monthly will I be looking at probably? DD and DH are set to renew in February. I just renewed in August.


Edited: Ok I looked it up. Since the Disney Silver pass now includes parking and still has pretty much the same blackout dates that the seasonal pass had, I will renew mine next year at that rate. (That is really the only reason I had the upgraded pass and not the rest of my family) and the price for us will pretty much balance out. Not to crazy for us at least.

[badkitty]

These prices are a bargain compared to Disneyland's increases. The Premuim AP jumped $300! It's $1049 now.

I just don't understand the huge price jump. I'm okay with the next tier down but hate the idea that there are blocked dates for that price.

[BrerGnat]

I just don't understand the huge price jump. I'm okay with the next tier down but hate the idea that there are blocked dates for that price.

Me too. But, at least it's only those weeks in December. I don't ever go then anyway. That's what I'll be getting next year I guess.

[Terra]

Someone said the payment plan option is still showing, but does anyone have an idea on what the payments are? Right now I pay $40 for my regular Fl res AP, and $20 each a month for my DH and DD. How much of an increase monthly will I be looking at probably? DD and DH are set to renew in February. I just renewed in August.


Edited: Ok I looked it up. Since the Disney Silver pass now includes parking and still has pretty much the same blackout dates that the seasonal pass had, I will renew mine next year at that rate. (That is really the only reason I had the upgraded pass and not the rest of my family) and the price for us will pretty much balance out. Not to crazy for us at least.

That's what I've been going over and over myself.
Although I do think I'll keep mine upgraded because I do like having the added photopass woven in. But of course only need one :)

Now that I've calmed down and can look at it more clearly. :blush:
And it really is still the most bang for our buck.

[VWL Mom]

These prices are a bargain compared to Disneyland's increases. The Premuim AP jumped $300! It's $1049 now.

Wow!

[Wells]

From the Disney renewal website;
" If you purchased your pass before October 4, 2015, you may be asked to select one of these great new passes when you renew your Passholder status."
You may be asked? I'm not taking bets on this poorly couched statement.
Fortunately, I recently renewed our Florida resident annual passes since they were due to expire on October 4th, just dodged that bullet!
I verified with Disney that since I had renewed before October 4th that the annual passes provide the same benefits as last year, I don't know that they would extend the same courtesy if I had renewed during the renewal grace period had the passes expired after the 4th. It may be worth inquiring if any of you are in that grace period now (within 60 days prior to expiration)!

[Hammer]

From the Disney renewal website;
" If you purchased your pass before October 4, 2015, you may be asked to select one of these great new passes when you renew your Passholder status."
You may be asked? I'm not taking bets on this poorly couched statement.
Fortunately, I recently renewed our Florida resident annual passes since they were due to expire on October 4th, just dodged that bullet!
I verified with Disney that since I had renewed before October 4th that the annual passes provide the same benefits as last year, I don't know that they would extend the same courtesy if I had waited to renew during the renewal grace period after the 4th. It may be worth inquiring if any of you are in that grace period now (within 60 days prior to expiration)!

We are in that window, as our passes expired yesterday. As we are arriving November 1, withing the 30 day window, we were going to wait to renew our passes. However, I spoke with my sister and we are going to call and renew through member services over the weekend (DVC). I will let you know what happens. I suspect we will have to go with one of the new AP passes.

[Wells]

Hammer,
I agree, I think you will have to select a new pass option.
Also from the Disney passholder renewal page;
"You may renew your Passholder status up to 60 days before its expiration date."
I don't think they extend the grace period beyond the expiration date any longer.
I think those of you who currently have a Florida resident annual pass that expires within 60 days after the October 4th date may still have a chance.
Either way, still worth a try!

[DizneyFreak2002]

As I remember, many people commented that we could see this plan being implemented for Annual Passes, which is exactly what has happened. I think if this does not achieve the the profit numbers that are forecasted by the people in the ivory tower, it may not be rolled out to the other types of ticket media, at least not for a while.


I have every reason to believe tier pricing will be coming to regular tickets sooner than anyone thinks... And the price hike won't be pretty...

What makes this tiered and new pricing system absurd is adding memory maker and automatically charging for it... I don't use it, and I won't... But if I wanted an AP, I'd have to pay for it? That's a rip off, pretty much criminal making a customer (let's face it, Disney stopped thinking of you all as guests a long time ago) pay for a service they don't want or won't use...

[VWL Mom]

What makes this tiered and new pricing system absurd is adding memory maker and automatically charging for it... I don't use it, and I won't... But if I wanted an AP, I'd have to pay for it? That's a rip off, pretty much criminal making a customer (let's face it, Disney stopped thinking of you all as guests a long time ago) pay for a service they don't want or won't use...

What also bothers me is now each member of my family is being charged for it and won't use it.

[DizneyFreak2002]

What also bothers me is now each member of my family is being charged for it and won't use it.
That too... They should have made it an add on option for 1 or all passes bought on an account, not force you to have to buy it... But this is Disney where greed wins out and common sense does not exist...

[Terra]

That too... They should have made it an add on option for 1 or all passes bought on an account, not force you to have to buy it... But this is Disney where greed wins out and common sense does not exist...

I agree with it being an option. A nice add in where you're charged in one sum instead of paying here and there for pictures.
For us though it works well either way. I actually didn't buy the pictures much because they were kind of overpriced IMO. But Added in where I don't really "miss" the money I will definitely get getting them! :)
And for us I just get my sons the tier down so they don't have the option since we only need one.

I kind of disagree on Disney not caring though. The more I go over it the more I think they are just trying to make it more convenient. Like one price for everything. So you're not Purchasing a ticket, then purchasing pics, paying for parking, etc.
But I'm a glass half full kind of gal ;)

[Wells]

But I'm a glass half full kind of gal ;)
Of course Disney also will sell you a refillable glass:D

[Terra]

Of course Disney also will sell you a refillable glass:D

And that's why I buy when I'm staying at the resort ;) :mickey:

[DizneyFreak2002]

I agree with it being an option. A nice add in where you're charged in one sum instead of paying here and there for pictures.
For us though it works well either way. I actually didn't buy the pictures much because they were kind of overpriced IMO. But Added in where I don't really "miss" the money I will definitely get getting them! :)
And for us I just get my sons the tier down so they don't have the option since we only need one.

I kind of disagree on Disney not caring though. The more I go over it the more I think they are just trying to make it more convenient. Like one price for everything. So you're not Purchasing a ticket, then purchasing pics, paying for parking, etc.
But I'm a glass half full kind of gal ;)
Sorry, but they don't care about you... That's why I laugh when Disney fans defend the mouse with every last breath they have.... If they cared, they wouldn't be trying to rip you off...

As for the pass options, of course this will work for some people who feel they need to pay for every little thing Disney offers... And that's fine, what ever makes your vacation/stay better for you... But it doesn't work for many others... Why should I be punished because I don't use or want to use Memory Maker? Why should I have to pay for something I don't want to use? Disney's thinking only about bottom line, they aren't thinking about you... No, they aren't trying to make it easier... Essentially, they are stealing from guests making them pay for a service the guest isn't going to be or want to use, and yes, that is disgusting...

Again, if Disney truly cared, the prices wouldn't be so high and they would offer MM as an option on the annual passes not rob from their guests by making people pay for a service not used...

[BrerGnat]

Sorry, but they don't care about you... That's why I laugh when Disney fans defend the mouse with every last breath they have.... If they cared, they wouldn't be trying to rip you off...

As for the pass options, of course this will work for some people who feel they need to pay for every little thing Disney offers... And that's fine, what ever makes your vacation/stay better for you... But it doesn't work for many others... Why should I be punished because I don't use or want to use Memory Maker? Why should I have to pay for something I don't want to use? Disney's thinking only about bottom line, they aren't thinking about you... No, they aren't trying to make it easier... Essentially, they are stealing from guests making them pay for a service the guest isn't going to be or want to use, and yes, that is disgusting...

Again, if Disney truly cared, the prices wouldn't be so high and they would offer MM as an option on the annual passes not rob from their guests by making people pay for a service not used...

The addition of Memory Maker was simply a way to justify a price increase. That is all. That doesn't cost the company any money, hardly, to operate (PhotoPass). It is almost 100% profit for them. They lose nothing when the majority of guests don't purchase photos or Memory Maker. But adding it in lets them say "yes, we increased the price, but look what you get with it." It's a psychological value add.

[GMRO]

Not a FL resident... Would hope to retire there someday.

Never been an AP holder... Just don't go there more than once a year - makes no sense to have it.

BUT didn't anyone wonder where the Disney Company was going to come up the Millions to Billions of dollars needed for all the park refurbishments that are scheduled for the next 5 years?

Not to mention the parking lot price hike.

Greed?
Money Grab?
Disney Don't Care About You Anymore?

I'm not sure and I'm not arguing or looking for an argument...least not today.

I'm just wondering is all. Not like we are getting anything more for our money. They have HUGE bills to pay for enhancements. And I think the money has to come from somewhere to accomplish this. I doubt these AP price hikes are due to a wage increase for CM's.

I'm not in support of it but the impact to me is not there for the reasons listed at the beginning of my post. Sure I've paid other increases for clothing and admission and room stays over the years. Heck I do that yearly when going HOME. Guess I'm just not surprised at this hike is all.

OK...have at it.

[DizneyFreak2002]

The addition of Memory Maker was simply a way to justify a price increase. That is all. That doesn't cost the company any money, hardly, to operate (PhotoPass). It is almost 100% profit for them. They lose nothing when the majority of guests don't purchase photos or Memory Maker. But adding it in lets them say "yes, we increased the price, but look what you get with it." It's a psychological value add.
And if I don't want to buy photos or use Memory Maker, then I am being charged for a service I choose not to participate in... Simply stated, they are stealing from guests who buy APs and do not want to use this service... it is worth it for people who do, but not for people who don't... Why should I have to pay for this? Raise the AP price like they have been doing anyway, just add MM as an extra charge option... it is a simple solution, but with TWDC management, anything to dig deeper into guests wallets...

[BrerGnat]

And if I don't want to buy photos or use Memory Maker, then I am being charged for a service I choose not to participate in... Simply stated, they are stealing from guests who buy APs and do not want to use this service... it is worth it for people who do, but not for people who don't... Why should I have to pay for this? Raise the AP price like they have been doing anyway, just add MM as an extra charge option... it is a simple solution, but with TWDC management, anything to dig deeper into guests wallets...

So you would rather they increase the price without adding anything?

[magicofdisney]

And if I don't want to buy photos or use Memory Maker, then I am being charged for a service I choose not to participate in... Simply stated, they are stealing from guests who buy APs and do not want to use this service... it is worth it for people who do, but not for people who don't... Why should I have to pay for this? Raise the AP price like they have been doing anyway, just add MM as an extra charge option... it is a simple solution, but with TWDC management, anything to dig deeper into guests wallets...

I agree it should be an add-on option. However, this is no different than offering ME to everyone for FREE, when not EVERYONE uses it. I can guarantee we're all paying for it, regardless.

They say potato, I say potato but we're still eating the same vegetable.

[Terra]

Sorry, but they don't care about you... That's why I laugh when Disney fans defend the mouse with every last breath they have.... If they cared, they wouldn't be trying to rip you off...

As for the pass options, of course this will work for some people who feel they need to pay for every little thing Disney offers... And that's fine, what ever makes your vacation/stay better for you... But it doesn't work for many others... Why should I be punished because I don't use or want to use Memory Maker? Why should I have to pay for something I don't want to use? Disney's thinking only about bottom line, they aren't thinking about you... No, they aren't trying to make it easier... Essentially, they are stealing from guests making them pay for a service the guest isn't going to be or want to use, and yes, that is disgusting...

Again, if Disney truly cared, the prices wouldn't be so high and they would offer MM as an option on the annual passes not rob from their guests by making people pay for a service not used...
And that's your personal opinion as well. I do think they care, you don't. You say potato I say p-a-t-ah-to. ;)

But to be honest, it's a little off putting when you assume that some of us "defend" to the last breath. Can't we just have a different way of looking at it. You come off a little rude in how you view "us" who love Disney and agree with some of their decisions.

[Terra]

Not a FL resident... Would hope to retire there someday.

Never been an AP holder... Just don't go there more than once a year - makes no sense to have it.

BUT didn't anyone wonder where the Disney Company was going to come up the Millions to Billions of dollars needed for all the park refurbishments that are scheduled for the next 5 years?

Not to mention the parking lot price hike.

Greed?
Money Grab?
Disney Don't Care About You Anymore?

I'm not sure and I'm not arguing or looking for an argument...least not today.

I'm just wondering is all. Not like we are getting anything more for our money. They have HUGE bills to pay for enhancements. And I think the money has to come from somewhere to accomplish this. I doubt these AP price hikes are due to a wage increase for CM's.

I'm not in support of it but the impact to me is not there for the reasons listed at the beginning of my post. Sure I've paid other increases for clothing and admission and room stays over the years. Heck I do that yearly when going HOME. Guess I'm just not surprised at this hike is all.

OK...have at it.
Good way to look at it. Never really thought of it that way myself. And I'm even more apt to pay more for such enhancements!

So you would rather they increase the price without adding anything?
This.

I agree it should be an add-on option. However, this is no different than offering ME to everyone for FREE, when not EVERYONE uses it. I can guarantee we're all paying for it, regardless.

They say potato, I say potato but we're still eating the same vegetable.
And this.

It's one think to disagree with the hike, but it's hardly stealing.
I mean I think it's absoultely ridiculous that they charge 300+ a night for some of the hotel rooms [no hotel is worth that], BUT I don't think it's stealing by any means. Heck I think the $140+ for a "value" resort is steep. And I've paid it for the experience and never once thought of it as them "stealing from me".