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Home / Blog / Theme Park Tips & Planning / All About Disney World Annual Passes

All About Disney World Annual Passes

by Mommy Frog on August 26, 2021
16 Orlando

If you're a regular Walt Disney World Resort visitor, you may have wondered whether or not a Disney World Annual Pass is worth it for your family. There is a point in every vacation of ours where I wonder whether or not I can just stay forever — Cinderella's got room in her castle, right? There are a lot of perks to being an AP, but it's also a big decision from a financial standpoint.

Since reopening in July 2020, Disney World paused sales of their annual passes. We are hoppy to say that the annual passholder program has returned! Starting Sept. 8, new Passholders can choose from four new pass options. If you're considering a Disney World Annual Pass purchase, we've got all of the details on what it means to be an Annual Passholder, as well as what to consider before making that jump.

Walt Disney World Annual Pass Tiers

Disney World Annual Passes – New Logo

A Disney World Annual Pass allows for multiple visits to Disney World throughout the year. The amount of possible days varies based on the pass. With the new program, there are now four Annual Pass levels — three for local Florida residents and one available to anyone. Only Florida resident passes allow for a monthly payment; other Annual Passes must be paid in full. Likewise, you'll want to decide whether you'd like to add-on options like Disney PhotoPass downloads or visits to the waterparks, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon and Disney's Blizzard Beach. Disney World Annual Pass levels are:

  • Disney Incredi-Pass
  • Disney Sorcerer Pass
  • Disney Pirate Pass
  • Disney Pixie Dust Pass

Outside of cost, the biggest differentiator is blockout dates. Certain passes have blackout dates in the parks, while the Incredi-Pass does not. Be sure to take a look at the blockout calendar before you commit!

Keep in mind that you can always upgrade your pass by paying the difference at Guest Relations. The same goes for regular park admission; as long as you haven't used the last day of your tickets, you can upgrade to an Annual Pass at Guest Relations by paying the difference (and that works for tickets purchased through Undercover Tourist as well!)

What Is the Cost of a Disney World Annual Pass?

Thinking about purchasing an Annual Pass? Take a look at the prices for the new passes below:

  • Disney Incredi-Pass — $1,299 plus tax
  • Disney Sorcerer Pass — $899 plus tax
  • Disney Pirate Pass — $699 plus tax
  • Disney Pixie Dust Pass — $399 plus tax

The Pirate and Pixie Dust passes are only available to Florida residents, while the Sorcerer Pass is available to Florida residents and Disney Vacation Club members. Certain passes have blockout dates. The Sorcerer Pass and Pirate Pass may have select blockout dates during peak and holiday periods. The Pixie Dust Pass has similar blackouts, as well as weekend blockouts. The Incredi-Pass has no blockout dates.

The number of park pass reservations for the new program has been increased. Incredi-Pass and Sorcerer Pass may each hold up to five park reservations at a time, while Pirate can have four and Pixie Dust can hold three.

The Water Parks and Sports Option is available for $99 plus tax, allowing you admission to Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, mini golf, Oak Trail golf course, FootGolf and ESPN Wide World of Sports. Unlimited Disney PhotoPass downloads are available as an add-on option for $99 plus tax each.

Disney World Annual Pass Perks and Discounts

Leap is green in every sense of the word — he loves the environment, is all about value (hence the discounts we pride ourselves on!), and, well, as a fellow frog, is literally green. Before we decided to grab our Annual Passes, he did a lot of crunching numbers to see how many times we'd need to visit to get our money's worth, strictly from a ticketing perspective (for us, it was about ten days). We had planned a two-week camping trip at Fort Wilderness for the summer, and were considering another trip for the following spring break. In our case, the investment was worth it.

Aside from considering the number of times you'll use the pass itself to get into the theme parks, keep in mind that Annual Passholders also receive discounts that add up financially. The Disney World Annual Pass discount includes:

  • Free standard theme park parking (if you'd prefer Preferred, you can just pay the difference at the parking booth)
  • Merchandise discount (20% at Disney-operated stores; exclusions include third-party and select Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge items)
  • Dining discount (somewhere between 10% and 20% at select restaurants around property, from snacks to table-service)
  • Special event discount (generally up to four tickets per AP at the discounted rate)
  • PhotoPass downloads add-on option available
  • Occasional room discounts
  • Entertainment discounts on tours and entertainment

Other non-financial perks include:

Disney World Annual Pass - MagicBand

  • Special passholder-exclusive merch, including magnets, MagicBands, Alex&Ani bracelets and more
  • Special AP entrance at each theme park
  • Early booking windows for special events
  • Special passholder events (such as the recent AP preview for Remy's Ratatouille Adventure)
  • Early runDisney registration windows

How does a Disney World Annual Pass Work with the Disney Park Pass System?

Much like other guests, Annual Passholders must have a Disney Park Pass to enter a park at this time. Park Pass availability is based on three "buckets" — ticket holders, resort guests and annual passholders. There may be days when there is availability for regular tickets but not annual passes. If you are a Passholder staying at a Disney World Resort hotel, you can book a Disney Park Pass reservation for each day of your stay. Otherwise, APs are able to book three to five Park Passes at a time, depending on your pass level (they are rolling, so as soon as you enter on day one, you can reserve another day). Once you use a theme park reservation, you can make another reservation for a future date.

New to the annual Passholders program are bonus reservations! Bonus reservations will be occasionally added to the calendar, allowing you to hold more reservations without counting against your pass' limit.

How to Renew Your Disney World Annual Pass

Disney World Annual Pass - Special Entrance Sign

With the new program debuting, current Annual Passholders may still use their pass until it is time to renew. You can renew automatically in the My Disney Experience app; you'll also get an email about it. When it's time to renew, you'll receive a special renewal rate, discounted from the current price of an Annual Pass. You can renew up to 30 days after your anniversary date to receive the discount.

If you're ever wondering when your pass will expire, you can see the details in My Disney Experience under "My Tickets and Passes." You should see your pass linked, with an expiration date listed at the bottom of the pass.

Is a Disney World Annual Pass Worth It?

This is a question we get a lot, and like with most things at Disney, it depends. If you are a frequent visitor, the perks are toadally worth it! We recommend taking some time to compare the costs of any trips you'll take in a year versus buying an annual pass. It's always great to get to the point where your trip to Disney World is "free." If you are a Florida resident, there are great options for the occasional trip. Unfortunately, non-Florida residents only have the top tier to choose from (unless you are a DVC member), so there is more to consider.

Disney World Annual Pass Tips

  • Check special event pricing - sometimes our prices are better than the discount!
  • Always ask about your AP discount. The list of vendors accepting it changes and includes a wide variety of Disney Springs restaurants and retailers too. It doesn't hurt to ask!
  • On that same note, you'll need to mention your pass to get the discount.
  • Bring along your AP card and ID; you'll need them to verify your discount. You can also show your pass via My Disney Experience, but we suggest keeping the physical card in your wallet just in case.
  • You can upgrade any Undercover Tourist ticket to an Annual Pass at Guest Relations as long as there are still usable days on the ticket.
  • For assistance, call V.I.PASSHOLDER Support at (407) 939-7277.

Are you thinking of becoming an Annual Passholder or have been a loyal AP for years? Let us know in the comments below!

Hoppy planning!

Keep hopping, Mommy Frog!
View Comments

Comments

Sep 30, 2024 at 6:31 p.m.
STACIE Shepard Says...

We just moved too florida from Connecticut. We love disney and would like to purchase 2 annual passes.

Reply
Sep 30, 2024 at 2:32 p.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Stacie!

Annual passes are available directly through Disney.

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Apr 20, 2024 at 11:09 p.m.
Audrey Says...

Do I need to renew my Annual Pass prior to the expiration date?

Reply
Apr 25, 2024 at 9:21 a.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Audrey!

You can renew your annual pass up to 60 days before and 30 days after the pass expiration date.

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Apr 9, 2024 at 12:46 p.m.
Marylynn Loepki Says...

Hi going to Disney World in August would like two annual passes. Do I need to call?

Reply
Apr 9, 2024 at 8:51 a.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Marylynn!

Annual passes can be purchased through Disney World directly.

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Nov 17, 2022 at 5:50 a.m.
Jace Says...

Hi there, if I buy tickets for March now from UC and APs go on sale before March, am I able to call and upgrade my unused tickets from UC to APs?

Reply
Nov 17, 2022 at 12:48 p.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Jace!

Yes, you sure can - there may be a price difference to bridge, but unused UCT tickets can be upgraded to annual passes.

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Apr 7, 2022 at 10:06 a.m.
Matthew Says...

Just looking at the above comments re: DAP. Have they now reinstated the Disney Incredi-Pass ? We cannot find any info on this side of the pond (UK) these were removed from sale on the 22nd November 2021 as far as we can find out. Please give us then correct info as we have have some none expired passes we got from you back in 2018 that we wan to trade up for a AP.

Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks

Matt

Reply
Apr 7, 2022 at 12:31 p.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Matthew!

That is correct — new sales for the Disney Incredi-Pass (and other select annual passes) have been paused since November, and we do not know when sales will resume, unfrogtunately.

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Feb 5, 2022 at 9:39 p.m.
Allison Says...

Can you upgrade tickets purchased on your site to any annual pass at guest relations at this time?

Reply
Feb 7, 2022 at 7:45 a.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Allison!

You sure can :)

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Jan 30, 2022 at 7:47 a.m.
Amy Says...

If we purchase WDW tickets on your site, can extra days be added on at Disney’s rate at Guest services? For example, if we buy a 6 day ticket from you, could we add 1 or 2 days to it at Guest Services just like if we bought from Disney?

Reply
Jan 31, 2022 at 3:51 p.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Amy!

Yes :) Guest Services would be able to help you if you decide to add more days to your tickets.

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Jan 19, 2022 at 7:44 p.m.
Sue Says...

Can I purchase Disney annual pass through undercover tourist?

Reply
Jan 19, 2022 at 3:03 p.m.
FrogBlog Says...

Hi Sue!

While we have Florida Resident tickets available, we do not offer annual passes.

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply

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