New DVC AP Changes and Pricing

Gold - New $549 Renewal $466
Platinum - New $649 Renewal $549
Platinum Plus - New $729 Renewal $619
Above prices do not include tax

Tiers:
Gold -This new annual pass type is exclusive to Florida Residents and Disney Vacation Club Members! It includes:

• Admission during most times of the year 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 and discounts on dining, merchandise, recreation and tours
• Blockout dates apply⁴

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—with NO blockout dates
• 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—with NO blockout dates
• 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

The following blockout dates apply to the Disney Gold Pass: December 17, 2015 – January 1, 2016 and March 19, 2016 – April 1, 2016, December 19 – 31, 2016. January 1 – 2, 2017.

Looks like the gold increase is about in the $20 area but if the blackout dates apply to you and you need to go up to platinum it's closer to $100. The platinum plus (premium) is up $80 or $46 on renewal.

If you always pay for PhotoPass then you're ahead of the game but for those like me that don't it's an increase.

Also at the same time parking costs were increased to $20.

Tables and wonderland I believe also went up to $150.

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Originally Posted by Joannelet

Tables and wonderland I believe also went up to $150.

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Yes, $150 for passholders/DVC members. $175 for Florida residents.

Wow...

Seems to me that Disney is beginning to price everyone out and not wanting to give anyone a break on the costs of visiting. $150 for TiW?!? For mediocre food that is not worth the price that it costs. Guess I will be using my DVC suite for making more meals.

So, if I'm understanding thus correctly, the Gold is the "discounted" AP for DVC and Florida residents, which now cones with restrictions? Or is there still a discount available to all of these?

Without that, this appears to be the second AP price increase this year...

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Originally Posted by DizneyRox

So, if I'm understanding thus correctly, the Gold is the "discounted" AP for DVC and Florida residents, which now cones with restrictions? Or is there still a discount available to all of these?

Without that, this appears to be the second AP price increase this year...

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All prices listed here are the DVC discounted prices. Regular AP is available in platinum at new $749 renewal $635 and platinum plus new $829 renewal $705.

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Originally Posted by Joannelet

Tables and wonderland I believe also went up to $150.

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Glad I got mine Thursday.

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Originally Posted by VWL Mom

Glad I got mine Thursday.

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:thumbsup:

It will be interesting to see how this affects pass holder rates. I was in Epcot yesterday and there were so many people in line for the special pass holder stamp to get the free glass for Food & Wine. I also heard they were already out of the special pass holder pin and t shirts at the festival center. It is only the second weekend of Food & Wine so that is a little crazy.

My goodness. Those are some hefty leaps. My issue is the increase now, when there are so many attractions closed and so much more to be closed for construction. I guess they figure this is as good as any way to pay for it.

Photo pass downloads? So I go to the parks 3-4 times a week- I can get my pics from rides and photo pass staff every day?

TiW. My goodness. It used to be a knee jerk reaction to renew every year and say "it pays for itself in 2-3 times! I'm going to have to do the math again.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Christine

My goodness. Those are some hefty leaps. My issue is the increase now, when there are so many attractions closed and so much more to be closed for construction. I guess they figure this is as good as any way to pay for it.

Photo pass downloads? So I go to the parks 3-4 times a week- I can get my pics from rides and photo pass staff every day?

TiW. My goodness. It used to be a knee jerk reaction to renew every year and say "it pays for itself in 2-3 times! I'm going to have to do the math again.

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They don't list a restriction on the photo pass that I see. I'm assuming it is the downloads tare usually $14.95. I plan on downloading every single one available. Or maybe I shouldn't. If there are too many they'll probably raise the price again!


I did the math on TIW and put it in dining. Break even moved from $400 to $750. It might still be worth it to you but I'm not sure if I'll buy it again.

Is this no child pricing across the board and is it new or something I missed? Doesn't effect me but could be a huge hit on familys visiting. Didn't it use to be under 10?

50% increase in cost of TiW is quite steep and will need thinking about. How many meals do I eat to pay out $150 in tips? Up from $500 to $750 in total meal/drink cost. Needs thinking about with only 2 of us.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Christine

Photo pass downloads? So I go to the parks 3-4 times a week- I can get my pics from rides and photo pass staff every day?

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It appears so. The AP section on the Disney site has a link to the Photo Pass section where they talk about this. From that link, they indicate that the AP acts just like Memory Maker, and you can download all your pics as many times as you want until they expire. Pictures expire day by day starting 30 days after they're taken, now anyway, so this just sounds like you have ongoing access for the whole year.

They are probably counting on the fact that AP holders are less likely to actually do Photo Pass than other guests, so while it sounds like a great perk, cost to Disney both directly and as "lost revenue" is minimal.

Steve

Should we start a pool on how long it is before the number of black out days on the gold AP starts to increase? ://sarcasm

Steve

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Originally Posted by dlpmikki

Is this no child pricing across the board and is it new or something I missed? Doesn't effect me but could be a huge hit on familys visiting. Didn't it use to be under 10?

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I think the child pricing went away a couple of years ago.

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Originally Posted by VWL Mom

I think the child pricing went away a couple of years ago.

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That is correct Lynn. It was within the last two years that the kids prices went away. That seems to be the trend most places. My Busch Gardens annual passes are the same for child and adult.

So no more FL resident seasonal passes with blockout dates??????

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Originally Posted by JoDisney

So no more FL resident seasonal passes with blockout dates??????

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Cindy posted the FL resident passes here.

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Originally Posted by JoDisney

So no more FL resident seasonal passes with blockout dates??????

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That would be the Gold AP...

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Originally Posted by DizneyRox

That would be the Gold AP...

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The Gold has the photo pass included. Without the photo pass it is called Silver and is $414.29 which is an increase of $85.00 over the Seasonal pass.

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Originally Posted by DizneyRox

That would be the Gold AP...

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Doofenshmirtz

The Gold has the photo pass included. Without the photo pass it is called Silver and is $414.29 which is an increase of $85.00 over the Seasonal pass.

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AS Lynn mentioned we are discussing Florida Resident passes in this thread since and DVC here, but since we have had a few posts about here , I'll try to clarify.

Regular Annual passes (DVC & FL) = Platinum

Seasonal FL resident = Silver . Price increased from $329 to 389 (w/o tax ) for new purchases and $279 to $330 for renewal. Includes parking now but no photopass.

Gold passes have no equivalent. They are a new type of pass for DVC & FL residents only. Like seasonal passes they include Block outs but unlike seasonal passes the summer is not one of the block outs. They do include photo pass.


I think the big decision for FL residents and DVC owners is how much no block outs is worth.

I have been out of the WDW-loop for a while (new career direction & school). :blush: However, I was just wondering what happened to the annual pass that allowed access 365-day to both Disneyland and Walt Disney World from about 4 years ago? Is it still available and if so, how much does it cost now? :confused: Thanks! :mickey:

I can understand the price hikes. It's a little begrudging that I'll pay for it, but hey, it's Disney. The magic is invaluable. I have my own annual pass, and I've been saving up to get one for my kids when they come to visit. I hate that the Christmas break time is a blackout date. That's when I get them the longest, apart from summer. I'm kicking myself for not buying these earlier. Oh well. Getting the platinum since the gold has that blackout time.

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Originally Posted by ILoveLegos

I have been out of the WDW-loop for a while (new career direction & school). :blush: However, I was just wondering what happened to the annual pass that allowed access 365-day to both Disneyland and Walt Disney World from about 4 years ago? Is it still available and if so, how much does it cost now? :confused: Thanks! :mickey:

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According to the Disney website that pass is still available for $1439 plus tax. It looks like it needs to be bought on site.

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Originally Posted by AgentC

According to the Disney website that pass is still available for $1439 plus tax. It looks like it needs to be bought on site.

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Thanks!
That's cool, although it is quite an initial outpouring of cash - the value is still there for "dual-coasters" - especially in view of the recent price hike. :thumbsup:

For me though, lately I've rarely gone west of Texas and I have been spending more time in non-Disney places in Florida (variety is the spice of life). Oh well ... kudos to those who can use this special pass a lot! :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ILoveLegos

I have been out of the WDW-loop for a while (new career direction & school). :blush: However, I was just wondering what happened to the annual pass that allowed access 365-day to both Disneyland and Walt Disney World from about 4 years ago? Is it still available and if so, how much does it cost now? :confused: Thanks! :mickey:

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It still exists. I think I saw a price of around $1400 for this pass.

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Originally Posted by faline

It still exists. I think I saw a price of around $1400 for this pass.

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Many thanks! Maybe one day soon ... I can justify getting one. :mickey:

It was reported on another website that there is also a Weekdays only pass:

Disney Weekday Select Pass
New: $259 + tax.
Weekday Select Pass Includes:
Parking
Magic Band
Admission to all 4 parks on weekdays only
Park Hopping
Block Out Dates: No Saturday or Sunday admission; December 17–31, 2015; January 1, 2016;
March 19–April 1, 2016; June 6–August 11, 2016; December 16–31, 2016; January 1–2, 2017.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DVCJohn

It was reported on another website that there is also a Weekdays only pass:

Disney Weekday Select Pass
New: $259 + tax.
Weekday Select Pass Includes:
Parking
Magic Band
Admission to all 4 parks on weekdays only
Park Hopping
Block Out Dates: No Saturday or Sunday admission; December 17–31, 2015; January 1, 2016;
March 19–April 1, 2016; June 6–August 11, 2016; December 16–31, 2016; January 1–2, 2017.

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Not for DVC which is what this thread started out as. The weekday pass is FL residents only.

Disney has been on the fast-track when it comes to alienating their long term customers.
The small special things about Disney have been plucked one little piece at a time.
Artificial crowds have been inserted during slow times of the year. (International crowds were unbelievable at the end of August and I’m sure my friends from Brazil will be there for my January trip)
Frozen has been overdone to the point that most rational people simply do not want to see it anymore.
All cost savings methods are being strategically eliminated.
It’s a big world out there and I will NOT be renewing my annual pass. My last trip to Universal was fantastic and with all of the crowds and increasing expenses for bad food, I can finally say for sure that my money is better spent elsewhere. I will go back, but not more 2-3 times a year like I have been. Visits will be brief and infrequent at best.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ILoveLegos

I have been out of the WDW-loop for a while (new career direction & school). :blush: However, I was just wondering what happened to the annual pass that allowed access 365-day to both Disneyland and Walt Disney World from about 4 years ago? Is it still available and if so, how much does it cost now? :confused: Thanks! :mickey:

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That's the pass I have right now, that I will not be renewing as it jumped to 1500+tax-- and that's at my DVC /Fl resident rate

Yikes! :(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ILoveLegos

I have been out of the WDW-loop for a while (new career direction & school). :blush: However, I was just wondering what happened to the annual pass that allowed access 365-day to both Disneyland and Walt Disney World from about 4 years ago? Is it still available and if so, how much does it cost now? :confused: Thanks! :mickey:

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I heard from my sister in CA yesterday as they were thinking of doing the dual pass and according to the Orange County Register the cost with no blackout dates is now $1,449.

Disney is a business and a stock company that has to make money. It just happens to be a business that a lot of people love and don't necessarily think of as a business.

The travel industry (airlines and hotels) have done this for years and years. Airfare is higher in peak season and hotel rates skyrocket during special event weekends. Sports teams in all categories have been doing this with tickets the past few years. For instance, baseball and football teams charge more for top opponents like the Cubs, Cardinals and Yankees that have fans that travel well. The Packers and Steelers fans find this out in football season as you have to buy packages for visiting team games. Weekend games cost more than weekday games. Disney didn't invent this or even get in on it early. They are now finally catching up. It's life.

I get that Mark , but my issue is how much less there is available. Once new Star Wars opens and Toy story land opens and soaring and maelstrom / frozen is finished- and avatar land is finished. maybe. Not to mention Disney springs.
But you have a LOT of unusable space and want to charge more? Nah.

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Originally Posted by Christine

I get that Mark , but my issue is how much less there is available. Once new Star Wars opens and Toy story land opens and soaring and maelstrom / frozen is finished- and avatar land is finished. maybe. Not to mention Disney springs.
But you have a LOT of unusable space and want to charge more? Nah.

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Many of those things are going to start opening in 2016. I think Disney Springs is to be completely done by May 2016, along with Frozen. While neither you or I are fans of Frozen, it is very popular. Soarin is also due to open in 2016.

Personally, I think it would have been better to have announced this change after the first of the year, when you are in the same year as when many of these things are opening. I think there would have been less of an uproar.

Like others have said, I would have liked if there was an Annual Pass option option available for DVC members to purchase which did not include the Photopass. DVC members aren't eligible to buy the Silver Pass.

As Canadians our renewal for 2 will be around $1400+(CAD) maybe we will (not) pass this year and do the parks every other year or two.

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Originally Posted by Johnno52

As Canadians our renewal for 2 will be around $1400+(CAD) maybe we will (not) pass this year and do the parks every other year or two.

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Do what we do and collect Air Miles on everything. Then get the 7 day park pass and upgrade it to the AP at the parks before you use it.

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Originally Posted by CanadianWDWFan

Do what we do and collect Air Miles on everything. Then get the 7 day park pass and upgrade it to the AP at the parks before you use it.

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Good idea, thanks Brian I will look into it.