Disney World just announced their new Annual Passholder Program!

Annual Passes have not been on sale since March of 2020, but they’re coming back soon and there are a lot of changes! There will only be 4 Annual Pass options now, they have new names, there are different perks, and more. We know this new system is a little confusing, so we want to answer some of your most common questions!

General Info

When do Annual Passes go on sale?

Annual passes go on sale Wednesday, September 8th, 2021! They can be purchased on Disney World’s website or through the My Disney Experience App.

You can also buy an Annual Pass at the ticket windows at the theme parks, at the Ticket Center at Disney Springs, or over the phone by calling 407-W-Disney (407-934-7639).

What are the blockout dates for each Annual Pass?

Each Annual Pass has a different amount of blockout dates. The highest level pass, the Incredi-Pass, does not have ANY blockout dates, meaning you can visit any day of the year (as long as you have a park reservation)! This pass is the most expensive at $1299 plus tax.

The next pass, the Sorcerer Pass, has blockout dates during select holiday periods. This pass only has blockout dates around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve, but everything else is available! This pass is $899 plus tax and only available to Florida residents and Disney Vacation Club members.

The Pirate Pass has more blockout dates, with blockout dates during peak and holiday periods. While many weekends are available with this pass, several holiday periods and peak periods (like around Spring Break) are blocked out. However, many dates in the summer are open! This pass is $699 plus tax and is only available to Florida residents.

Finally, the pass with the most amount of blockout dates is the Pixie Dust Pass. It does not include weekends or peak and holiday periods. Guests with this pass can visit on most weekdays.

This pass is $399 plus tax and is only available to Florida residents.

Click here to see the full calendars of blockout dates for each pass!

Am I only limited to a certain amount of park pass reservations?

Yes! As Disney World has been doing since reopening after the closures for COVID-19, Annual Passholders have a limited number of park reservations they can have at one time. BUT, the new Annual Pass system actually increases the number you can have for many passholders! Here’s a look at the new park reservation limits for each current Annual Pass:

• Disney Platinum Plus: Up to 5 reservation holds at a time. 
• Disney Platinum Pass: Up to 5 reservation holds at a time. 
• Disney Gold Pass: Up to 5 reservation holds at a time. 
• Disney Silver Pass: Up to 4 reservation holds at a time. 
• Disney Theme Park Select Pass: Up to 3 reservation holds at a time. 
• Disney Weekday Select Pass: Up to 3 reservation holds at a time.
• Disney EPCOT After 4 Pass: Up to 3 reservation holds at a time.

Previously, Annual Passholders could only have 3 park reservations at a time. Here’s a look at the number of park reservations the new Annual Passes can hold at a time:

• Incredi-Pass: Up to 5 reservation holds at a time.
• Sorcerer’s Pass: Up to 5 reservation holds at a time.
• Pirate Pass: Up to 4 reservation holds at a time.
• Pixie Dust Pass: Up to 3 reservation holds at a time.

Now, if you are staying at a Disney hotel or a select eligible hotel, you will also be able to make park reservations for the duration of your stay in addition to the number of reservations allowed with your pass. So, if you are allowed 5 reservations, and you’re staying at a Disney hotel for 7 days, you can hold 12 park reservations. We do not currently know which “select hotels” are eligible for this reservation system in addition to the Disney hotels, but we’ll let you know when we do!

There will also be “Bonus Reservations” for passholders starting September 8th! These will become available to Annual Passholders from time to time for select days at select theme parks and do not count toward one of your reservations.

Can Disney Vacation Club members use a monthly payment plan for the Sorcerer’s Pass?

According to Disney, only Florida residents with a valid ID are eligible to pay for their passes using a monthly payment plan. So, as of right now, Disney Vacation Club members can NOT use a monthly payment plan for the Sorcerer’s Pass, even though they have access to the pass (unless they live in Florida).

Florida monthly payment plans are based on the remaining balance after a one-time payment of $205 at the time of purchase. The first monthly payment is charged on the day of purchase or shortly thereafter, according to Disney, and the monthly payment plans will only be available if you purchase in person.

Perks and Add Ons

What’s going on with PhotoPass and the Water Parks and Sports Option?

PhotoPass and the Water Parks and Sports Option are no longer included with ANY new Annual Pass — they will be sold as add-ons and each will cost $99 plus tax for the year. During the duration of your Annual Pass, the Water Parks and Sports Option add-on will give you one admission to select Walt Disney World experiences with no blockout dates. This includes:

• Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park
• Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course
• FootGolf at Disney’s Oak Trail
• Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course (one round prior to 4:00 PM)
• Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course (one round prior to 4:00 PM)
• Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park – Currently Unavailable
• ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex – Currently Unavailable

From our understanding, this one admission rule means one admission per guest, per day. So, you could get one round of miniature golf per guest, per day, not just one admission for the entire duration of your Annual Pass. Same goes for admission to the water parks. But definitely be sure to check all of the rules and restrictions when buying this add-on.

These add-ons also don’t have to be applied to every Annual Pass in your family. You can just buy PhotoPass for one Annual Pass, especially if you are always in the parks with this one person. However, if you go to the parks without this person, you will not have access to their PhotoPass add-on. So, if you’re a couple that always goes to the theme parks together, only one of you needs to buy the PhotoPass add-on, since you can just take pictures together or you’ll be on rides together.

Do Annual Passholders get any perks through the new Genie+ system?

No — as of right now, Disney has not said there are any additional perks for passholders through the new Genie+ system that is taking over FastPass+ in the parks.

Annual Passholders will have to pay $15 per day, per guest, to use the new Genie+ system, just as regular ticket holders will.

Click here to read more about Genie+

Will current Annual Passholder perks remain until the active pass is up for renewal?

Yes! Annual Passholders with active passes will not lose any of their perks when September 8th comes around. You will keep your exact pass until it is time to renew it.

So, if you have a Platinum Pass that is active and isn’t up for renewal until March of 2022, nothing will change for you! In March, you will just only be allowed to renew with a pass in the new system. Also, if you’re in your renewal period right now, you can renew with one of the current pass options through September 7th. If you wait to renew on September 8th or later, you will have to renew your pass with an option from the new passholder system.

Do you have to pay for parking?

No, all of the new Annual Passes include standard parking at the theme parks!

So, don’t worry about having to dish out more cash if you’re driving yourself to the parks.

Upgrades

Can I upgrade current Disney World tickets into an Annual Pass?

Yes! If you have already bought your tickets to Disney World, you can upgrade them into an Annual Pass starting September 8th. Disney said eligible tickets can be upgraded to select Annual Passes and you will be able to apply the entire price you paid for your tickets into a select Annual Pass.

Disney says eligibility rules apply and they have not yet clarified which tickets are eligible or which Annual Pass types they can be upgraded to.

You can ONLY upgrade your previously purchased tickets in person or over the phone. Upgrades will not initially be available online or through the My Disney Experience App. To upgrade over the phone, call Disney at 407-W-Disney (407-934-7639), and to upgrade in-person visit a theme park ticket window or the Disney Ticket Center at Disney Springs.

I just renewed my Annual Pass, can I upgrade to one of the new Annual Passes on September 8th?

According to Disney, no — you will be able to purchase the new Annual Passes when it is time to renew.

This also applies to the new add-ons like PhotoPass and the Water Parks and Sports Option, you can’t add those on to your pass until it is time to renew.

How will current renewal certificates be converted?

If you have an Annual Pass that is NOT activated, such as having a certificate for a pass, you have to activate it by September 7th in order to keep the same type of pass for the next year.

If you do NOT activate your pass by the 7th, your pass will be converted into the new Annual Pass system on September 8th. You will be given a pass that is comparable to the one you already have a certificate for, meaning you will NOT lose any of the perks included in that pass.

So, if you have an unactivated pass that includes PhotoPass and the Waterparks and Sports option, you will not lose those perks. They will remain on your pass for free. Your park reservations will also not be changed or deleted.

That’s your look at the most frequently asked questions about Disney World’s new Annual Ppassholder program! We’ll keep updating this post, so check back here for more answers to your questions!

Click here to read more about the NEW Annual Passholder Program!

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Did we miss any questions you have about the new Annual Pass System? Tell us in the comments!

The post We’re Answering ALL Your Questions About the NEW Annual Passholder Program in Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog.