Disney Raises Annual Pass Prices at Walt Disney World and Disneyland

October 4, 2015, 1:16 AM · Updated throughout. Disney is raising the price of annual passes at both the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts, while also changing the line-up of available passes at those resorts.

At Walt Disney World, Disney is introducing "Silver," "Gold," "Platinum" and "Platinum Plus" passes, replacing the old Florida Seasonal, Annual, Premium and Premium Plus Annual Passes.

The Silver Pass sells for $414.29. The Gold Pass sells for $584.69 and includes admission to all WDW parks, with several blockout dates. The Platinum Pass sells for $797.69 and is good every day of the year, and now throws in Photopass downloads. The Platinum Plus Pass is $882.89 and adds the water parks and ESPN Wide World of Sports admissions and Oak Trail gold course greens fees. Discounts for renewals and for Florida residents remain available.

The Gold Pass is blocked out from Dec. 17- Jan. 1, Mar. 19 - Apr. 1, then Dec. 16 - Jan. 2 of 2017. The Silver Pass is blocked out for those dates, as well as for June 6 - Aug. 11.

Previously, Florida Resident Seasonal Annual Passes (closest to the new Silver AP) sold for $350.39 and Annual Passes (roughly the equivalent of the new Platinum Pass) sold for $696.51.

In addition, the cost of parking at the Walt Disney World Resort is now up to $20 per vehicle per day, up from $17.


At Disneyland, the Disney will no longer sell Premium Annual Passes, while adding Signature and Signature Plus levels. The SoCal Select Pass increases from $299 to $329. The Deluxe Pass increases from $549 from $599.

The new Signature AP costs $849, an increase from the $779 for the old Premium Pass, however the Signature Pass will be blocked out for two weeks over the Christmas holidays. The Signature Plus Pass will have no blockout dates, and costs $1,049. The two Disneyland Signature passes also now will include Photopass downloads, as well.

Parking is up $1, to $18, at the Disneyland Resort.

The two-resort Premier Pass, which includes both WDW and Disneyland, now sells for $1,439, an increase from $1,099.

The changes in names, tiers, and benefits help obscure what is the largest percentage increase in annual pass prices in recent Disneyland history. If you discount the value of the Photopass downloads, the prices of a no-blockout Disneyland AP is rising from $779 to $1,049 — a 35%, $270 increase. And keep in mind that Disneyland will be reducing the number of attractions available to guests next year, with Fantasmic!, the Disneyland Railroad and all of the Rivers of America attractions closed for 2016.

The addition of the Signature and Gold passes at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, respectively, appear to be an attempt by Disney to entice annual passholders who do not want to pay a large price increase to accept new blockout dates during the parks' busiest period instead. The two weeks around Christmas and New Year's are the most crowded at both the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts, with parks sometimes having to close their gates to new guests during that period.

Local residents will continue to be able to pay for their annual passes with monthly payments, instead of having to come up with all the money upfront, a payment scheme that has allowed Disneyland especially to increase substantially the number of annual passholders to its parks.

If you are wondering about day tickets to the parks, insiders report that the price of one- and multi-day tickets to the resorts are expected to increase in November.

Previously:

Replies (65)

October 4, 2015 at 1:35 AM · That is great, they have so much new stuff to offer that the price hike as well in place. #sarcasm
October 4, 2015 at 1:42 AM · So Florida Seasonal just went from $329 to $549?!? I hope the weekday pass will still be offered.
October 4, 2015 at 2:28 AM · My cousin was askin me about parking. They engines that you can no longer buy parking pass with the annual pass.
October 4, 2015 at 3:31 AM · @Ryan Cummins: The above comparisons aren't really accurate, as there is also a new Florida Silver Pass. The former FL Seasonal pass is comparable to the FL Silver Pass. That option is $414.24, including tax.

The FL Weekday Select Pass is still available for $275.84.

The biggest change is that all the new Florida passes will now include parking at the theme parks. That includes Silver, Weekday Select, and Epcot After 4. That's an overwhelmingly positive for lower-level passholders.

October 4, 2015 at 6:28 AM · Disney World also raised their parking prices last night. It is now $20 to park a car.
October 4, 2015 at 7:05 AM · Wow, renewed our Florida residents weekday passes at $205 each. Just in time I might add. We did it last week!
October 4, 2015 at 7:38 AM · Greed ...it's all greed ...no longer AP holders ... Beyond belief the cost of Disneyland or disneyworld
October 4, 2015 at 9:08 AM · Tables in wonderland also went up $50.
October 4, 2015 at 9:22 AM · Alex, not a positive if you have a family where only one needed the free parking and everyone else got the lower tier. How useful is free parking to a 12 year old?


October 4, 2015 at 9:24 AM · The one year I didn't renew......and there is no mercy. :(
October 4, 2015 at 9:42 AM · I'm already working mostly to feed my Disney addiction. It's starting to sound like I may need to find myself a new hobby.
October 4, 2015 at 9:45 AM · What a joke. I'm sorry, but they're not hurting for money, in fact they have a quite the revenue as it stands now. What a rip off. I'm sore this is what Walt Sr wanted. Theyre making Disneyland almost unavailable to even those that can barely afford a pass now. I'm disgusted. I was recently a Premium Pass holder here in CA. With NO block out dates and parking included. Shame on them. Theres no need for the increases. None!
October 4, 2015 at 11:19 AM · For Disneyland, the parking pass no longer makes sense if you visit once a month. The Deluxe Pass is worth it. Anything more expensive is just giving your money away. Almost like a car payment for a family. I'll stick the Spring discounts plus the Halloween Party.

"Plus Tax" ??? I thought Disney fought against admission taxes. Explain someone.

October 4, 2015 at 11:44 AM · Whoops. Sorry. I was adding the sales tax to the prices for WDW when updating the post, then put in a "plus tax" placeholder for the DL prices so I could go look those up, too, before being reminded that's not added after the fact to the DL AP prices.
October 4, 2015 at 11:49 AM · I'm wondering about keeping the So Cal pass which we have kept active since DLR stop making it available for new purchase. Or will we have to choose from the newer pricier options.
October 4, 2015 at 11:52 AM · Disney after record profits seems to be getting a touch greedy from the residents of the state... I think it may be time to put the ears away for awhile. Disappointment for sure and though the few hundred that will stop getting passes won't change a thing.
October 4, 2015 at 12:19 PM · As a FL resident, I think I'd take the Gold Pass...depending on when the blackout dates are. If it's just the two weeks of Christmas and New Years, I'm fine with that. Even on an annual pass with no blackout dates, I'd never go to the parks during those weeks unless of course someone paid me a million dollars to do so. If it includes more blockout dates, like my last ap w/blockout dates which blocked out the majority of my summer vacation, then maybe I'll get the Platinum. However, the price difference between the two makes that a pretty big "maybe." I love Disney more than any other theme park, but they're quite pricey.
October 4, 2015 at 1:03 PM · Oh how cruel....was going back and forth all week about renewing FL resident seasonal passes and then finally decided this morning and....BAM!

But after researching, I think it will cost me about $3 more a month.

Old MONTHLY prices for a family of 4 = $97.19ish. This is for 3 FL seasonal and 1 FL annual.

New MONTHLY prices for a family of 4 = $100.80ish. This is for 4 silver passes.

(of course these prices are after a $112 per person downpayment.)

So yes $60 more a year to go from FL resident seasonal to silver. But now we can get all silvers as FREE PARKING.

All you FL seasonal pass folks, please let me know if I have this wrong!

October 4, 2015 at 1:26 PM · I may be in the minority, but I actually think this is a really good thing, at least for Disneyland. Over time, the Disneyland Resort has gotten so busy that closing the park for capacity is not uncommon during peak periods. While there are certainly better ways to thin the numbers, I think this modification will probably do more to help that than just another price increase. Personally, I'd rather pay a little more if it meant the overall experience was better.

The reality is that Disneyland is a luxury and is only going to increase in price as time goes on, so you just have to decide what it is worth. For me, I'd say the Deluxe Pass is what I'd consider a fair price, and unless I was certain I would be visiting on several of the blockout days the benefit of a higher level pass would be negligible. Typically, I visit once every 5-7 weeks (aka 7-10 visits per year), so parking is not necessary for me either. For some, however, the benefits of the new Signature Passes will be worth the cost, so I'm glad that Disney is offering something for those who want them. I'm also glad the lower tiers are remaining intact to offer an affordable option to those who can work with the restrictions, although phasing those out will probably be necessary prior to the opening of Star Wars Land.

If the new prices are too high, just downgrade. It always annoys me that a lot of the Disneyland fans (not necessarily here, but definitely on other sites) seem to have this mentality that if they can't afford the top tier pass it isn't worth visiting at all. News Flash: If you've got a Premium Pass, you can still afford a Deluxe no problem, and unless you typically visit during holiday periods or summer Saturdays, or you visit more than once a month, that pass has everything you need.

October 4, 2015 at 1:58 PM · I'm more annoyed that my pass that I bought last month doesn't include parking, and no one said that to us as we were talking about going to the other parks, or the fact that the new pass that is equivalent to mine has parking but I have to pay the upgrade to get it, it's not automatically included in my existing pass. This is why I will skip Disney and go to Universal instead.
October 4, 2015 at 1:59 PM · I got very lucky and happened to renew my AP yesterday afternoon (expired 10/19). When I woke up this morning and read the news I had a big smile on my face.

This past year was the first that I had an annual pass (So Cal Select) and ended up going 4 times total since I like to not go too often and lose some of the magic. Overall I felt I received a good value with the AP but did always have to take a day off from work to go. Personally, I prefer to go to the park when it's not that busy. A few years ago I went to Disneyland the week between Christmas and New Years and it was the only time I had a bad experience. The park stopped letting people in by 10am and the most popular rides had waits between 2 and 3 hours.

After that experience I try my best to avoid the busy days so have never really been interested in the Premium pass. When I upgraded yesterday I thought about what would be the best pass for me and was pleasantly surprised when the regular SoCal Pass was available when I renewed. I had always thought you could only renew this pass if you already had it. Now I'll be able to go most weekdays and Sundays. The times that are blacked out I wouldn't really want to go to anyway. I just went this past Wednesday and while not empty by any means, was able to go in 12 rides in about 9 hours and enjoyed a lunch at Carthay Circle followed by World of Color.

I do think that Disney could handle these things better though by notifying their customers ahead of time about the price change so that they can renew before the price increase. I also do agree that it's strange to increase prices when Disneyland is about to go under construction and lose part of the park but as others have stated this seems more about crowd control vs. increasing revenue from AP's. I will be interesting to see how Disney reacts next Spring when Harry Potter opens at Universal. I wouldn't be surprised if they hold these prices for a while until Star Wars opens in a few years.

October 4, 2015 at 2:07 PM · My opinion will no doubt be unpopular, but I don't see this.as a bad thing. It's basic economics - supply vs demand. The supply is finite (particularly in DLR) and with parks often at or near full capacity the logical thing to do is to reduce demand (or in the case of Disney World - to increase supply by expanding parks or adding another gate). By increasing prices, demand reduces and a new equilibrium is found. Any company in their position would also increase prices, or find another way to maximise profits.

The sensible thing to do is to vote with your wallets, it is expected by Disney, and prices will continue to rise until attendances drop. The good news is that less people at Disney, the more (theoretically) will attend smaller / more regional parks, which hopefully will lead to more investment due to the increased revenue. So parks like Knotts Berry, Sea World, Legoland can hopefully offer better attractions and be more competitive.

Disney, with the increased revenue should try to increase the supply they can offer. Even though they are developing new attractions, they should open new gates on each coast.

October 4, 2015 at 2:08 PM · What a joke... maybe disney should charge their workers to come to the park too...
October 4, 2015 at 2:24 PM · Disney is basically shutting out alot of the Americans who can't afford a pass in favor of people coming in Overseas who cant afford it due to the American Dollar. Sorry but Disney just lost one customer here. I been to Disneyworld nearly 70 plus times since 2007. Its time to move on to other things.
October 4, 2015 at 2:35 PM · Re: AJ and Grant.

Huh. I knew about the whole supply-and-demand thing, but I never really thought about it that way.

October 4, 2015 at 3:48 PM · Hey, I normally pay for 1 week a year. If I lived closer an annual pass would be viable. It's all about how often you go.
October 4, 2015 at 4:12 PM · The problem with downgrading is there's nothing to downgrade to from the Disneyland Deluxe Pass that includes weekend dates (Friday to Sunday) Going from $599 to $329 just will not happen. I wish they offer rotating weekend dates or floating weekend dates.
October 4, 2015 at 4:13 PM · To me I see this as a slap in the face to Disney's most loyal customers. Increasing the daily admission price is one thing. Raising annual passes is saying Diseny dosen't care about their most frequent customers. I don't think Diseny can raise prices any more without significant backlash. That hasn't happened yet but it will if Disney keeps raising their prices. The real solution is to build a third magic kingdom. Its been argued that it wouldn't be profitable. I disagree. Another magic kingdom in the U.S. would create a dip in attendance at the other resorts, but overall attendance would increase and that drop would bounce back within in a few years, especially if they stop raising prices so drastically. As of now, Disney is choosing to price out its loyal customers to increase short term profits and to prevent reaching capicity. It's good for the short term, but it will hurt them in the long run if they don't decide to change course. You can only raise prices so much before people turn on you, and that has already begun.
October 4, 2015 at 4:36 PM · Looks like the Florida residents were too good at getting free parking at all the Disney hotels which have much smaller lots and no 45 minute jammed packed hot n sweaty safety tram ride back to your super hot car.

I'll never go back to paying $18 to park in those concrete wastelands after living the good life. Plus you can buy better quality food and drinks for less money. The hotel lots have trees to park under and if you are slick you can swim or relax in the hot tub.

October 4, 2015 at 5:30 PM · @Anon Mouse: Disney was against an addition ticket/entertainment tax for park admission. However, the standard sales tax is never going away. (That's what I recall, anyway.)
October 4, 2015 at 6:00 PM · Read somewhere else that Disney Parks division pulled over 2.3Billion in profit last year. It doesn't seem like supply and demand, more like supply and greed. Rather than work on the attendance and crowd situation, they just stick it to the long term loyal customers instead.
October 4, 2015 at 6:29 PM · I am very disappointed that Disney does not give the the option of monthly payments to all of its Annual pass holders and DVC members. I have an annual pass...but I won't be renewing it this year,..I will be at the resorts...but not in any of the Parks. Can't keep paying the prices for annual passes T once...Family of five all above the age of 9. Sadddddd
October 4, 2015 at 6:47 PM · Anon, if you're a SoCal resident you can downgrade to the SoCal Pass, which allow's you Sunday and weekdays for most days excluding Holidays and July/early August. You can't get this pass as a new AP holder but if you are renewing you are able to get this pass. I believe it's now $439 for renewal so is directly between the cost of the SoCal Select and Deluxe.

One another note that hasn't been reported here yet that I read on another site is that Disney added some additional dates for AP's. SoCal Select added 5 new days for 175 total, SoCal went from 215 to 229 days, and Deluxe added 5 days to 320 days.

I do feel like Disney is in a tough spot since there are peak days when the park is way to packed and just not fun. Worst yet are the days when they have go over capacity and have to stop letting people into the park. I can't imagine a family traveling to Disney and being told they can't enter. Clearly during the Christmas time the park just can't hold the amount of visitors currently coming and something had to be done.

No matter what they did it was going to upset people but as others have said, after every price increase everyone complains but it hasn't slowed down the amount coming into the park. I still have no idea why they put Star Wars land into Disneyland. From the moment they announced it I've wondered how can a park, already overcrowded on many peak days, handle a major addition that will spike traffic even more. Would much rather have seen it added to DCA to more evenly spread out visitors. I'm still hoping before the opening of Star Wars that Disney has something up it sleeves for DCA to draw interest to that side of the park.

October 4, 2015 at 7:43 PM · Sales tax will not apply to admission passes in California.
October 4, 2015 at 8:08 PM · I just wonder what Walt Disney would say about this. To him, it was all about family and fun, not the money. I'm sure he would be extremely upset knowing they keep raising the price practically every year. So disappointed.
October 4, 2015 at 8:12 PM · Money Money Money Why Why Why. I was in Disneyland in 1964 what a wonderful experience. I own a place 5 miles from Disneyworld. I always felt that Walt Disney wanted his parks to be enjoyed by all the people. With increasing prices and Job Market in such a disaray why keep punishing the people who need a place to dream and enjoy. Sorry the stakeholders need more money.
October 4, 2015 at 8:19 PM · My wife and I have been AP holders for 6 years now. As far as I can remember, there's been an increase in prices pretty much every year. Obviously we kept renewing because we felt the value was still there. But this price increase is just ridiculous and like others have commented, Disney is truly pricing regular folks out. Disney will be losing 2 customers. Still a drop in the bucket for a multi-billion dollar company but I think many feel the same way we do. Sad day :(
October 4, 2015 at 9:16 PM · Our whole family has had premium passes for the last 21 years but this is the final straw. I am done with Disney.
October 4, 2015 at 9:21 PM · I have been a Disney Premier Passholder since they first offered the pass. The pass first sold for $749.00 and increased every year. I was annoyed, but continued to buy it. I was about to renew it again 2 days ago, but wanted to think about it since the price was over $1100 plus tax. I was planning a trip Disneyland at the end of the month, but now see that the premier pass was increased to $1439.00. I'm sorry Disney, but you are not worth $1439.00. I am canceling my trip to Disneyland and will be visiting Universal Studios instead. I used to love Disney, but it has turned into pure greed now. There is no more "Disney Magic". Good riddance. I also hold Annual Passes for both Universal Hollywood & Florida. I will be now be visiting those parks and look forward to all the new attractions Universal is opening. I especially can't wait Universal's new themed Water Park to open. Good Bye Disney, you lost a loyal Passholder. Walt's dream for his park was to have an a clean, affordable place where families could be together. He is probably flipping in his grave. Shame on you Disney!
October 4, 2015 at 11:01 PM · Now I wish they would just remove the payment plan so that EVERYONE can't afford the park! Disneyland use to be a place that was special because you would save your money to visit it all day!! Now because of the payment plan everyone can afford a pass!! The parks are over crowded and the customer experience is in the trash!! When there is an app to tell you there is a 30 min to get a corn dog, that is a huge problem!! Keep raising prices please and flush out the over population!! If it's to much for you to enjoy the best you can visit universal studios, knots berry farm, or magic mountain!! You can bring a soda can to those places and get a discount!
October 5, 2015 at 3:13 AM · We also had a WDW annual pass for our family, but this is just too much. Especially since we live overseas and can only visit during summers and Christmas break. We have had Universal passes for several years and it is such a great deal. Disney, stop loosing great customers!
October 5, 2015 at 5:06 AM · You know, I worked at WDW in 2013 as a PT worker, and was paid $7.85/hr. As I understand it, in 2016, they are raising their pay to $10/hr or something along those lines.

Is it be possible that these price increases are partly to cover the increased pay rate for their Cast Members? I say partly, because clearly some of you guys think it's purely greed.

I'm of the opinion that Disney sees no real down side to raising the prices. Sure, they are alienating some fans, but it's all just hot air. "If Politician X wins the election, I'm moving to Canada".

Those fans will be back. They might hate paying the higher prices, but they'll pay them all the same. A small number will stick to their word, but mostly, they'll return because it's Disney and they love Disney.

Disney will keep raising their prices and reconfiguring blockouts until they find the right balance. There's nothing wrong with that. It's a smart business decision, and I'd do the same.

I'm not sure how it will affect me, personally. I'll need to think about if if/when I move back to the U.S, and depending on how close I am to either DLR or WDW.

October 5, 2015 at 5:12 AM · As noted a couple of times, it's all supply and demand. Disney cannot handle more visitors for peak periods. In fact, it's diminishing guest value overall. They have 3 options to deal with this.

1. Increase prices (more per guest margin, fewer guests)
2. Targeted pricing (higher pricing for peak periods)
3. Expand offerings (more parks or more alternate attractions)

These changes address options 1 and 2. Annual passes have the lowest per visit revenue. The increases are higher for their 4 busiest weeks per year in Christmas and Spring Break.

A lot of their investments recently have been infrastructure behind the scenes to address guest growth. Investing inside the park, such as Star Wars and Fantasyland is there to maintain customers after the next slowdown (2001, 2008).

There is space for 1 more park based on the Reedy Creek 2020 plan. A lot of the remaining property is regulated out of use. I suspect a new park is a few years out. Just because the market is hot doesn't mean it will stay hot.

October 5, 2015 at 6:07 AM · To all my fellow anonymous posters,

You do realize that all your arguements sound the same, right? They sound so similar, in fact, that I swear they're all written by the same person. "I've been a loyal Disney fan for X number of years and these price increases are too much! Disney doesn't care about us! If you need me, I'll be at Universal!"

Ok, first off, this isn't anything new. Every time Disney announces a new business decision, you're gonna have someone who's pissed off.

Second, say you actually stand by your word and spend all your time and money at another park. So what? No one ever said you have to go to Disney every single year! If you honestly would enjoy a trip to Universal or Six Flags more than a trip to Disney, than go to Universal or Six Flags!

Moreover, if you really wanna stick it to the Mouse, than saying that you're not gonna visit Disney anymore isn't gonna cut it. You're just a small fraction of their visitors. If you really wanna make a statement, then start a petition or something and try to get a thousand people to say that they won't go back unless the prices drop. Otherwise, they're not gonna listen.

And lastly, the situation is probably not as bad as you think it is. If Disney was really alienating itself from it's "loyal fans," than their attendance numbers wouldn't be this high. "Oh, but that's because people actually take the time to save up their money." Exactly my point! The fact that people can still work up the money to go to Disney proves that they're still affordable. Maybe Disney is doing this out of greed, but they're smart enough to know not to charge this much if people really can't afford it.

October 5, 2015 at 6:12 AM · This is a terrible decision by Disney. By instituting mandatory blackout dates, at a time when Florida's kids are out of school, they ensure a smaller number of families purchasing annual passes. To get the same tickets I've had for 5+ years on a renewal will cost $150+/ticket more. That's $600 more for the family for the same exact experience. I fail to see the value in such an increase.
October 5, 2015 at 6:43 AM · I agree with the supply and demand comments here. However, I wish they would expand to add supply. They could add parks, rides, or maybe a new location in the U.S.

They seem to have taken the opposite approach, believing they can snatch more money if they don't over-saturate their product. Anyone who ever thought Disney - sorry, but even Walt IMO - didn't value profits above all else, was mistaken.

October 5, 2015 at 7:24 AM · I don't think this is about making money as much as it's about crowd control. The parks hit capacity and need to close certain times of the year or during special events. Hundreds of thousands of people a year are spending their money for a once in a lifetime trip. Annual Passholders are becoming more and more entitled. The Cast Members don't call them Pass holes for nothing.

I'm in Florida so I can't speak for California, but every year I wait for the announcement that the Annual Pass will be removed all together. It would suck to not be able to go whenever I wantded (in theory) to the Magic Kingdom, but I bet we'd still go at some point. I also wonder how sweet that visit will be...

Chin up! We keep moving forward.

October 5, 2015 at 9:29 AM · Where do these big corporations get the idea it's totally cool to raise their prices every. single. year. yet the actual wages of their customers being raised to reflect raising prices is such a big hullabaloo conflict that living wages have become a political platform.
October 5, 2015 at 10:17 AM · I have no doubt most people will keep going to Disney, but with each price increase they do lose some people. Overall attendance may still be up, but repeat visitors are going down, as well as the perception of the company. If part of the raise goes to raising pay that's a good thing, the problem is Disney already raises prices annually, and rarely increases pay along with it. Because of all the construction and closed attractions, Disney should be freezing prices. Apparently Elsa's magic isn't that powerful. Disneyland is bound to become even more crowed regardless, but raising prices and cutting things to do in the park is just a way to take advantage of your customers.

Disney should of keep the prices at Disneyland the same until the day Star Wars opens. Keep raising the prices of food, parking, hotels, you name it, but don't charge people more to experience less. Maybe this will be the last increase until Star Wars opens, but I doubt it. Ideally they would only raise prices every two or 3 years, but until more people say enough is enough, it will only continue to rise every time we blink. I love Disney, but I really think think they have decided to take advantage of us. And the only reason they can do it is because we keep letting them.

October 5, 2015 at 1:47 PM · its funny to see the typical snobbish comments, "if you cant afford it then go elsewhere"...the nerve...whether one can purchase a top pass outright and not need monthly payments or however one pays for their pass(es) no one has more rights to the park then anyone else...
at least universal held off selling new passes or increasing the prices until the new area is open not like Disney increasing the prices before breaking ground
October 5, 2015 at 3:43 PM · Beyond disappointed in he new pass structure. Now forced to get the most expensiv option because food & wine and other events sometimes open during blackout dates. Photo pass option is NOT an enhancement for me, and water parks and not my thing. Like many other things paying much more for far less
October 5, 2015 at 8:21 PM · I think The Simposons series nailed it in the episode with the sign reading, "Sorry, but this is Disney, and there's money to be made!"
That pretty much sums it up. Don't fool yourself - I've been going to the parks since 1978, and it's ALWAYS been about the money! Yes, there's magic and fun, but behind it all, there's the almighty dollar driving it all. It may not be good, but it's not necessarily bad; it just is. After all, it's a business.
I do find it incredible that my first FL resident seasonal pass in 1995 was just over $100, and now 20 years later, I'm patting myself on the back for getting in some early Christmas shopping last week and purchasing vouchers for season passes at *only* $309/each! I'm not sure how these vouchers are going to work come January after Santa makes his rounds, but I'm guessing they'll be equivalent to Silver passes?
October 5, 2015 at 11:44 PM · To be straight up... With the price increase, thats a few less people standing in line ahead of me! Hopefullt it serves as crowd control.

Disney has themselves a great business going on and in this country they have every right to make as much money as they can!

October 6, 2015 at 3:21 AM · I don't think Disney is worried about everyone saying they aren't renewing their passes. That is exactly why they've increased their prices. They ARE trying to price you out. Disney hasn't needed the AP program for a long time, the multi-day ticket fixes crowds, and increases their profits. There is no reason for Disney not to do it.

Disney does not care about all of you going to the parks 15 times a year. Disney created overcrowding with the AP program and now they are looking to "fix" the problem without taking away the program all together.

October 6, 2015 at 3:25 AM · As a DVC member and NOT a Florida resident, I'm not happy paying more and getting less for the annual pass. I've been bringing the family to Disney World for over 20 years but this may be a reason to sell the points or just use them for cruises/Aulani.
October 6, 2015 at 9:02 AM · I was at Disneyland over the weekend. In fact, My Premium Annual Pass may have been one of the last to be renewed. October, 3 2015 was its last valid date so we got in line at the ticket booths at Disneyland Resort at Midnight Saturday. We were unaware that there was going to be an increase on the 4th, but while we were in line a friend sent us a text. The Admissions staff closed the line after the party behind us and began telling late comers that the line was closed for the night. PEOPLE WERE HOT!
Apparently word had gotten out and people were returning to the park in hopes of buying or renewing their passes before the change. Lots of complaining and fussing about not being allowed in line was going on - as I am sure there is every night. I was having such fun watching it all go down. I will say I was surprised they didn't assign a cast member to walk with the end of the line. There was one CM at the entry point (chained off) talking to people and turning around to occasionally see people who had jumped the chain. She'd yell (really yell) at them to leave the line.
It was shocking the next morning to walk past the same ticket booths and see the most equivalent pass to what I had purchased the night before now about $300 more.
Price hikes are going to happen and in the long run are needed. I think if the real plan is to thin the herd discontinuing payment plans would be most effective. Not a lot of average Americans would be able to lay out the amount required in one lump sum and that would really put a pass to the park out of reach.
There is a well-recognized capacity issue at Disneyland in particular. With the addition of the Star Wars area it is going to get worse. We will continue to see operational changes over the next few years to make accommodations for what’s about to happen. Don’t be surprised if those changes are painful and not what Disney Disciples will want.
October 6, 2015 at 11:56 AM · It's called greed. I am sure Walt did not have in mind a coperation running his dream. Seems they keep raising prices every 6 months. But I guess it's time to move on to other parks. I will not renew my season pass. Not a big deal for a greedy company ,but I have my values and greed is not one of them. I won't be seeing you real soon mickey
October 6, 2015 at 5:30 PM · I have been a premium pass holder for 15 years. I just renewed in July. This will be my last year. Very sad that this has to happen ??
October 6, 2015 at 8:08 PM · Great policy: Scare away some of the annual passholders not willing to pay the price increase and substitute them with basic ticket holders (especially on peak days where the guest numbers will be limited). Overall this optimizes revenue for the company. Revenue per person is increased by far more than the above mentioned 35%! That's what I call "crowd control" - or was it revenue "control"?!
October 7, 2015 at 6:49 AM · For the past 30 years I have enjoyed, or at least tried to enjoy what has become an overcrowded Disney experience. In the mid 80's times were good, the staff was not overbearing, You could have a wonderful experience.
My last few visits seemed to be all about merchandise, high, extremely high food vendors, and mobs of people rolling over you...
Now..
That might be Ok if your are in New York City's Rush Hour commuting.. But here in Florida.. You are paying top dollar for a vacation for your family. I am a Florida Resident, I bought my annual pass, just for the exercise..
I do not enjoy these parks anymore..
other than the crowds, you seem to have a very tired atmosphere of major renovations, closures, and just piss poor attitudes from the staff.
They could care less about you, as they count their time to end their shift.

"Happiest Place on Earth".. who came up with that nonsense.. Look at the people who work there.. Miserable.. which passes down to the consumer.
Now I also venture to Universal, Busch Gardens, and a few other parks..
You don't have as much attitude there..
I am not griping about price.. more the experience!!!
Did you ever try to leave the park during The Electric light Parade.. you cannot see, as they shut down the lights, WDW have their staff out with flashlights..
I wonder if the Disney employees & theme park goers are happy in China, Japan, and Europe?
If they get their share of The Disney Experience? I suggest they start interviewing people as they leave the park. give them a lollypop for their reviews, at least they can leave with something sweet.

October 7, 2015 at 8:37 AM · I look forward to the increases, because there,WILL BE MORE, but I welcome less motorized wheel chairs,less strollers, less grouchy, budget minded crowds looking to *get their money's worth*as opposed to enjoying what is a luxury experience. In this life there are no discounts in first class.Why would anyone expect a DEAL at one of the number one destinations in the world? Raise the price higher,change your customer. Double down Mickey, make it special again, not a right for self entitled AP's.I hope the employees are seeing some of that money. We will be renewing in hopes that the increase in price and attraction reduction take the bitter crowds away, they need to experience the lower quality parks and get a reminder. Disneyland is top shelf entertainment. See ya real soon!

October 7, 2015 at 10:05 AM · Haven't been to either park since 1986. Don't see the streak ending anytime soon.
October 7, 2015 at 2:54 PM · Did anyone feel the earthquake? It's Walt is rolling over in his grave. He built these parks for everyone to attend and the new pricing just cost half of their future guest out of attendance. I know I can't pay these price and it sucks, I sold my home up north and move to So. Cal so I could go to Disneyland I wanted.
October 7, 2015 at 7:26 PM · I don't buy for a minute that this is being done to decrease park attendance. One minute they're offering annual passes at an "affordable" monthly rate, the next they're blaming those same pass holders for clogging up the parks. If the passes really caused a problem, they'd sell fewer of them. It is to Disney's benefit to be at capacity. They sell parking, merchandise and food to all of these guests. This whole thing is to test how much people will pay. They've finally reached a price point with the running events where the participation is slowing down. At some point people will realize that it's not worth going into debt to go to a theme park. With Harry Potter opening in 2016 in California as Disneyland is closing down attractions for construction, I think there will be a definite shift for a while.
October 8, 2015 at 5:21 AM · This a slap in the face to annual pass holders! It is an utter disgrace.
We CAN afford the price increase;however we won't pay it. When our current passes expire, that's it. We live in Orlando and often drive over to the parks for dinner. Also we shop for birthday and Christmas gifts for out of state family. In addition, we spend three nights every July 4th and New Years Eve at a Disney deluxe resort. We refuse to eat or shop at Downtown Disney any longer. NO MORE.

This article has been archived and is no longer accepting comments.

Park tickets

Weekly newsletter

New attraction reviews

News archive