Disney Announces the Return of Walt Disney World Annual Passes – Here’s What You Need to Know
Disney fans, rejoice! Today Disney has announced that Disney World Annual Passes in Florida are finally returning! Starting from April 20, 2023, you can purchase your annual pass to enjoy the magic of Disney all year round. In this article, we’ll go through some reasons why you should consider joining and explore the benefits of becoming an Annual Passholder and how this system is different from the Magic Key Program in Disneyland in Anaheim California.
What are the benefits of purchasing a Walt Disney World Annual Pass?
If you’re a fan of all things Disney, then you know that one visit to Walt Disney World is never enough. As someone who went to Walt Disney World (pre-pandemic) I can attest to this! I absolutely wish I would have planned for more days because there are so many different parks and experiences you won’t want to miss out on! Anything ranging from seeing wild animals at the Animal Kingdom to eating around the world over at EPCOT.
With an Annual Pass to Walt Disney World, you can enjoy the magic of Disney all year round. They have four theme parks and two water parks and the benefit is you can visit the parks without the rush of a vacation schedule.
Ultimately though deciding on what type of pass is right for you is what it comes down to! So let’s break that down even further to help you decide whether this is the right move for you!
What should I consider if I do decide I want to get a Walt Disney World Annual Pass?
1. Saving Money
If you’re planning to visit Walt Disney World multiple times in a year, buying an Annual Pass can save you a lot of money and may be well worth it! The cost of a single-day ticket can add up quickly, especially if you plan on visiting multiple times not including any hotels or other extras you may want to have for your dream vacation. With an Annual Pass, you’ll have much more access to the parks!
Something to note here however is that there are NO PAYMENT PLANS for those of us who are California residents. I say California because that’s where I am from, but really this applies to anyone who does not reside in California. So keep this in mind if you decide to purchase a pass because the only one available to non-residents is the highest tier known as the Disney Incredi-Pass $1,399 not including tax for one guest! The benefit of this pass would be the “no block out days”” and being able to reserve up to 5 visits in advance.
2. Flexibility
As an Annual Passholder, you have the flexibility to visit the parks for most of the days you want (depending on the pass you select). You can also come and go as you please throughout the day and park hop, without worrying about getting your money’s worth if you didn’t get to see a show or get on a particular ride for example. This is true for being a Passholder in either Disneyland in Anaheim or Walt Disney World in Florida.
3. Exclusive Perks and Benefits
Annual Passholders receive a wide range of exclusive perks and benefits that regular guests don’t have access to. Here are some of the perks you can expect to receive as an Annual Passholder (and this applies to both Disneyland and Walt Disney World):
- Discounts on food, merchandise, and select hotel stays
- Access to special events
- Early access to select attractions
A benefit of having a Walt Disney World Annual Pass is having the option to add on access to their water park and sports option! This is however an additional cost but if you love water parks and sports then this might be something to consider.
What if I am a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) member, is there any other perks/benefits I get from purchasing a Walt Disney World Annual Pass?
Absolutely! In fact, for those of you who are Disney Vacation Club members, you get early access to purchase Walt Disney World Annual Passes starting April 13, 2023 for the tier of “Disney Sorcerer Pass” which is not a tier eligible for the public who are not residents of Florida!
How do I purchase Walt Disney World Annual Passes?
Starting from April 20, 2023, Walt Disney World Annual Passes will be available for purchase on their website. At this time I have not seen listed if passes will be made available to purchase by visiting any Walt Disney World ticket window or Guest Relations location but as soon as I can confirm this, this article will be updated. In the meantime sign up for my magical newsletter to be sent a reminder of when these Walt Disney World Annual Passes come on sale with the direct link!
What if I don’t want to purchase any annual passes but still want to plan a Disney Vacation? Are there any discounts of some kind for a Disney trip to either Walt Disney World or Disneyland?
Of course! I highly recommend booking with my partners at Get Away Today because they can help you save on your next trip to Disneyland, Disney World and other amazing locations and amusement parks. By bundling your hotel and tickets you get more savings! Be sure to use my code ANGIE10 at checkout for additional savings! Here you can read about family friendly hotels to stay at, if you’re visiting Disneyland anytime soon and there is so much going on right now for their 100th celebration that you won’t want to miss!
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