Passes are up for renewal soon, and we were hoping to do more unplanned afternoon/evening/weekend park trips again. If I knew the reservation requirement was going away, I would definitely renew. If I knew they were permanent, I would definitely let them lapse. Anybody got a hint? DMs accepted for those who won't comment publicly, would post an anonymous summary later.
Posted Jun 25, 2021, 7:00 PM UTC
Anyone who would know won't risk their job to comment here. Anyone who would comment here wouldn't know.
So much this. I was married to a universal exec for 15 years and he didn’t even tell ME the secret stuff. I would get a call after months of him working like crazy, he would tell me to read the news and that’s how I found out EVERYTHING, including when the HP expansion was announced and I was a major Potterhead. My Disney exec friends are the exact same way. Don’t trust what you read from anyone claiming to be “in the know”. It’s all gossip until it’s in a press release lo.
Annual Pass holders have long been a drag on Disney earnings, the amount they spend compared to guests staying in hotels is very small. Disney is even rethinking fast passes and the like to make the park more spontaneous other than the fastpass driven day to get on those rides. It's going to be interesting to see how Disney, Annual Passes and Fastpass emerge from the pandemic. It won't be that same that's for sure, they are trying to maximize the shareholders dividends and this pandemic dropped that in their lap..
I don't quite follow the reasoning - this only makes sense if AP holders reduce the number of hotel guests who can attend the parks, which would only be true a few "at capacity" days a year; or if the ticket price doesn't cover park operation without food / merch purchases. We, and many of our friends, held passes for years where we didn't go enough days to warrant having them: there are a ton of suburban Orlando dads with passes that are really upside down on utilization, i.e. completely free money for Disney, even if the mom and kids go more often.
The sales per square foot so to speak is lower with higher demands than a park guest on vacation staying on property.. Disneyland has long had issues with what AP holders demand, it's been an ongoing battle for Disney..
Annual Pass holders have long been a drag on Disney earnings, the amount they spend compared to guests staying in hotels is very small. Disney is even rethinking fast passes and the like to make the park more spontaneous other than the fastpass driven day to get on those rides. It's going to be interesting to see how Disney, Annual Passes and Fastpass emerge from the pandemic. It won't be that same that's for sure, they are trying to maximize the shareholders dividends and this pandemic dropped that in their lap..
I can see this being true, the family coming in for one week will spend more that week than the local AP holder does that week, but over the course of the year, I would say we probably spent more than that family that came for the week. We found ourselves staying on property usually monthly. Food and wine is super busy with local AP holders. Plus, all the other random "festivals" they put on at epcot to keep you coming back to eat and drink.
FWIW, renewed at Gold and we'll see how it goes!
With regard to reservations, I read an article recently that quoted a Disney exec as saying they were "all in" on reservations for the foreseeable future, due to the advantages it gave them in predictability of crowds, both to ensure the "best possible experience for every guest" and for the ability to staff properly for the expected crowd levels, as well as a few other reasons.
Hey look, downvotes.
You can renew but you can’t purchase new ones, they’re contemplating putting more of a cap on annual passes. Too many people with AP’s are coming into the parks and spending little to no money then leaving to get food elsewhere; Disney does not like losing money like that. Reservation system is staying for at least the start of next year but they’re tight lipped on the overall future.
I believe this was the perfect time for Disney to implement a new system that will focus more on out-of-town tourism vs. resident annual pass holders because the out-of-town tourists spend way more per day on average than the resident annual pass holders. They’re going to try and push for more like a 80-20 O-o-T vs. R-A-P.
Ultimately, the new program will push APs to non-peak days/times, possibly through an advance reservation system.
Yeah, I can see them making the ones without blockout dates either way too expensive for 99% to afford or just getting rid of them.
Thanks for the insight! Sounds like they need a golf-club-style food and drink minimum...
People would much rather have it be more expensive than having a F&B minimum. Plus that would be a nightmare to set up and use, they’d have to track your food credits and have a whole separate system for it. I think it’s more cost effective for them to just try and price them out.
I am probably of the unpopular opinion that Disney World should be charging 3k/year minimum for APs. I am still confused why both World and Land were so cheap in the past.
Lol, what drugs are you on?
I just bought a new pass after mine expired earlier this year. This info is wrong.
That's one of the only exceptions. If it expired/was cancelled during the closure (I don't know the exact date range wdw is using to determine eligibility) you can purchase a new one. Or if you have a child turning 3 they can get one.
For my fam, I have an AP. Husband does not. I've asked and he cannot get one. Our son turns 3 soon and he will be able to get one. We also have a child under a year old so I guess for now it'll be me taking 2 kids solo..
Correct. The original post stated you can't purchase new passes and I was correcting that. Thank you for doubly affirming that my statement is correct!
It's like the Principal Skinner "no, no, it's the children who are wrong" meme.
Maybe you should take a hint and lower your absurd food and drink princes just a bit? LOL JK forgot what company we were talking about for a second.
Upon reflection, I suspect they are underestimating f&b purchasing by passholders - I never bother presenting my pass/bracelet.
^this. At first i would always ask about discounts, but it didn't always apply and there were times when it did, but saving less than $2 per trip it wasnt worth asking anymore.
this is faux info and bad faux info at that. 😂
My daughter turned 3 at the beginning of the pandemic and the rest of us had them. Bought her pass 4weeks ago.
However, they are not selling water park passes. Which makes sense, because there’s no reservation system for it. It’s first come first serve. you’d have all these guests staying at their hotels with water park tickets and not able to use them.
All of Disneyland fits into the parking lot of Magic Kingdom. All of it. Disney World however, is a massive 49sq miles with 4 park, 2 water parks, ESPN, a Boardwalk, and Disney Springs.
Disney World needs florida residents because it’s parks have higher occ levels. AP’s carry Epcot celebrations like Food and Wine.
Based on some info I just read online this is ONLY true for renewing passes OR for “children who recently turned three that have a parent who currently has an Annual Pass.”
exactly. you’re just repeating what i said back to me 😜🤷🏽♂️. he’s wrong and here’s why...
The point I’m making is that’s a narrow scenario so while it is helpful to some, most adults won’t be able to purchase new passes right now.
I was hopeful reading your reply that some friends would be able to purchase new
Well a family from the UK, who is spending 10K+ in 12 days at Disney... in my opinion... they deserve priority in line for fast passes and such over someone with an annual pass for pays like $700 a year.
People staying at Disney resorts have park priority EXCEPT at the Water Parks.
Is anyone even attempting to look up info?
Hey man, I don’t have skin in the game on this I don’t have an annual pass and I agree with that. The Passholders that go to the Cantina in Galaxy’s Edge and just order waters and sit there pissed me off to no end. Ordering a water is fine don’t get me wrong, but get something else other than that too.
Maybe they don't drink but wanted to see the inside of the cantina...