Disney fans, get your calculators out.
After suspending (and ultimately retiring) annual passes as we knew them in 2020, Disney has announced a new annual pass program for Walt Disney World.
There are 4 new levels in this new program, but unless you live in Florida or are a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) member, you only really have 1 option.
Is it worth it? Let’s take a closer look at all of the options to see if getting a Walt Disney World Annual Pass makes sense for you and your family.
The New Tiers of Walt Disney World Annual Passes
Image Credit: DisneyDisney Pixie Dust Pass
The Disney Pixie Dust Pass is the most affordable annual pass. However, it only grants access to the parks during off-peak weekdays and you can only hold 3 reservations at a time.
If you’re a Florida local and don’t need to visit the parks on the weekends, this is a relatively affordable option.
Price: $399 + tax (or $19 per month with 12 monthly payments and 0% APR after $205 down payment on the Florida Resident Monthly Payment Program)
Eligibility: Florida residents only
Disney Pirate Pass
The Disney Pirate Pass is the next step up the ladder and can yield great value. Passholders can visit parks most weekdays and weekends and hold 4 reservations at a time.
For Florida residents, this is a great deal as only Thanksgiving, Christmas, and select holidays weekends are blocked off. Almost all of the summer is available as well.
Price: $699 + tax (or $45 per month with 12 monthly payments and 0% APR after $205 down payment on the Florida Resident Monthly Payment Program)
Eligibility: Florida residents only
Disney Sorcerer Pass
The Disney Sorcerer Pass is the most complete pass you can get without spending more than $1,000. Passholders can visit almost any day of the year and hold up to 5 reservations at a time.
This pass is only available to Florida residents or Disney Vacation Club members, but with only Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve blocked out, you can get a lot of value out of this one.
Price: $899 + tax (or $63 per month with 12 monthly payments and 0% APR after $205 down payment on the Florida Resident Monthly Payment Program)
Eligibility: Florida residents and Disney Vacation Club members only
Disney Incredi-Pass
The Disney Incredi-Pass is the only pass available for non-Florida residents who aren’t Disney Vacation Club members, but it comes with the most perks. Passholders can visit any day (even holidays) and hold up to 5 reservations at a time.
It’s unfortunate this is the only option if you’re not a DVC member or live in Florida. But there are no blackout dates, so you’ll have access to the parks whenever you can visit.
Price: $1,299 + tax (or $99 per month with 12 monthly payments and 0% APR after $205 down payment on the Florida Resident Monthly Payment Program)
Eligibility: Anyone
Hot Tip: We have plenty of guides to make your next trip to Walt Disney World stress-free! Learn how to visit Disney on points and miles, where the best places to stay in the greater Orlando area are, and tips and tricks for packing in our Ultimate Disney Vacation Packing List.
Video Credit: Disney
Discounts of up to 20%
A holdover from the previous annual pass program, Passholders will receive savings up to 20% on dining and merchandise.
Park Hopping
Regardless of the package purchased, Passholders will be able to park hop between their favorite theme parks.
Rules regarding park hopping are subject to change, but at the moment you can visit a second park starting at 2 p.m., assuming you’ve made a reservation.
Hot Tip: Did you know that FastPass+ is gone? Here’s everything you need to know about the new Disney Genie service.
Free Parking
One of the best perks is that every level of annual pass comes with free parking at every Walt Disney World park.
With standard daily parking starting at $25, this can represent huge savings over the course of a vacation, let alone an entire year!
Unlimited PhotoPass Downloads for $99
Unlike previous annual passes, none of the new passes come with PhotoPass.
If you want Disney PhotoPass downloads from photographers throughout the parks and resorts or a Capture Your Moment Session, you can add the package for $99.
Water Parks and Sports Option for $99
If you’re a fan of water parks and/or golf, you will probably want to add the Water Park and Sports Option to your annual pass for $99.
Passholders will have access to Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park (whenever that reopens), and select golf and mini-golf courses for an entire year.
Reservations
One of the changes that came with the pandemic was the need to make park reservations to help control crowd levels. That means in addition to your ticket or annual pass, you need to make a (free) reservation for the park(s) that you want to visit.
Depending on the level of pass you purchase, you can reserve up to 5 dates at a time throughout the year. If you’re staying on property at a Walt Disney World Resort, you can make a reservation for the entire length of your stay without impacting your reservation count.
A new integrated calendar is being put in place to make managing these bookings easier. Also, keep an eye out for bonus reservations!
Hot Tip: New to all of this? Be sure to read our guide on how to make a Walt Disney World park reservation.
How To Purchase a Walt Disney World Annual Pass
Image Credit: DisneyWalt Disney World Annual Passes are available at DisneyWorld.com, theme park ticket windows, the Disney Ticket Center at Disney Springs, or by calling 407-W-DISNEY (407-934-7639).
If you want to finance or pay in installments, you must be a Florida resident and purchase on the website, through the app, or in person. Payment plans are not available over the phone.
Hot Tip: Annual passes can be a huge expense for any family — make sure you’re maximizing your rewards by using the best credit cards for Disney vacations!
Final Thoughts
Image Credit: DisneyOverall, besides the number of reservations that can be made, there aren’t many improvements to talk about when comparing to the previous annual pass options.
The annual passes for 2021 and beyond are more expensive and offer fewer perks than 2020, which is never good, but it’s a trend that we are seeing more frequently from Disney.
There’s only 1 annual pass option for Disney fans that live out of state, and no option that includes access to Disneyland. Again, not good.
That being said, if you live in Florida or are a Disney Vacation Club member, there are some pretty intriguing options.
Regardless of which annual (or day) pass you choose, you will still probably have a great time at the parks, because, well, it’s Disney!
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