Annual Passes Resume April 13 (DVC) April 20 (General Public)

[superchime]

You know when they started selling annual passes in 2021, they kept them on sale for two and a half months. And yet you think they'll be gone in a few days? What is different between 2021 and 2023?

I would have bought annual passes in 2021 if I knew they were going to stop selling them again so quickly. I bet there are others like me, and demand is going to be higher than it was in 2021. But who can guess how many passes they're going to have available. If there is a limited supply, I bet they sell out.

 

[kittylady1972]

I would have bought annual passes in 2021 if I knew they were going to stop selling them again so quickly. I bet there are others like me, and demand is going to be higher than it was in 2021. But who can guess how many passes they're going to have available. If there is a limited supply, I bet they sell out.

We purchased Disney Gift Cards (a LOT of them) and had planned to use them to buy APs in 2021...but before we got around to that, they stopped selling them. Then we tried to use them to "upgrade" our discounted pre-purchased 8-Day tickets to hoppers, not realizing Disney had stopped doing price bridging and they wanted to charge us an insane amount for the upgrades. Knowing how much we could have pre-purchased hoppers for, and the difference, we then opted NOT to hop...cancelled many ADRs in other parks that we didn't have Park Reservations for initially, and enjoyed the one park per day long trip.

So now our plans our to once again buy a few $500 GCs this week (at a discount) to use on Thursday to purchase those APs since we have two upcoming trips in Sept and Oct, and we'll just activate them at that time. Fingers crossed the passes don't sell out again or they don't stop selling them again. That would just mean, like before, we'd use those GCs on a future trip for food.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

I'm going to buy 10 day park hoppers from UT today before their promo ends as I'm not 100% sold on the value of APs in my particular case. However if I do end up wanting to purchase APs on the 20th would tickets through UT be able to be upgraded?

 

[Scalemaster34]

I'm going to buy 10 day park hoppers from UT today before their promo ends as I'm not 100% sold on the value of APs in my particular case. However if I do end up wanting to purchase APs on the 20th would tickets through UT be able to be upgraded?

YMMV... as this is all going to be new. But should be able to upgrade the ticket to a pass, either in person or by phone. As long as the Passes are still being sold.

It's long been known you could get a little saving by buying multiday ticket from a 3rd Party seller and the go to customer service and trade them in for a AP (paying the difference between gate value). There is always a chance that they catch onto this method. Personally right now I wouldn't risk the extra steps it would take... but if your not sure, it could be an option for you later on.


EDIT: They are starting back the sale of DL KEY Passes as well... but upgrading of tickets can only be done on site for some reason.

 

[TheDailyMoo]

YMMV... as this is all going to be new. But should be able to upgrade the ticket to a pass, either in person or by phone. As long as the Passes are still being sold.

It's long been known you could get a little saving by buying multiday ticket from a 3rd Party seller and the go to customer service and trade them in for a AP (paying the difference between gate value). There is always a chance that they catch onto this method. Personally right now I wouldn't risk the extra steps it would take... but if your not sure, it could be an option for you later on.


EDIT: They are starting back the sale of DL KEY Passes as well... but upgrading of tickets can only be done on site for some reason.

I'm leaning towards no AP right now and considering I need to get tickets and would like to save a few bucks the prudent thing to do is buy the UT tickets. If I convince myself that we'll take multiple trips and make it worthwhile AND they're still available AND they're upgradable then I'll cross that bridge when I get there! Thanks

 

[rdrjj5]

My husband and I are current passholders. Our young adult children now would like me to get them AP's for our upcoming trip. I do not manage their disney MDE accounts but we are friends. Would I be able to purchase on my account and assign the AP's to them?

 

[HIRyeDVC]

Chatted with MS about upgrading already purchased park tickets to APs when they go on sale on the 13th. MS still have not received any guidance on it. Only 3 days away!!!

 

[CarolynFH]

My husband and I are current passholders. Our young adult children now would like me to get them AP's for our upcoming trip. I do not manage their disney MDE accounts but we are friends. Would I be able to purchase on my account and assign the AP's to them?

I've bought our renewals in the past and assigned one to DH, so I don't see why you couldn't buy for your kids and assign to their profiles in your MDE. That assumes they're eligible for the AP you buy for them.

 

[MKgrlBDE]

Question for pass holders, I have read Disney's terms and conditions but still not sure. If I purchase an annual pass in April can I wait and activate it in January or does it have to be activated in the purchase year?
Thank you

 

[BroganMc]

Question for pass holders, I have read Disney's terms and conditions but still not sure. If I purchase an annual pass in April can I wait and activate it in January or does it have to be activated in the purchase year?
Thank you

The voucher you buy now is good for one year. So as long as you activate it by using it to enter a park before that year is up, your voucher is good. Your annual pass renewal will be one year from the day you enter the park with it for the first time.

 

[BroganMc]

I would have bought annual passes in 2021 if I knew they were going to stop selling them again so quickly. I bet there are others like me, and demand is going to be higher than it was in 2021. But who can guess how many passes they're going to have available. If there is a limited supply, I bet they sell out.

I think one of the things giving me confidence is that they're going to start selling the sorcerer pass to DVC members on Thursday. One week before they open general sales for all passes next week. Given that I don't think I'm going to have a problem buying the two for my family on my list.

Walt Disney World never did have as many annual passholders as Disneyland. Even though there's pent up demand for one, I still don't think it's going to break the bank. I could be wrong. But I think sales will Last at least a month. Not hours or days as some people are fearing.

 

[Davey Jones II]

I was praying they would abolish APs, but no such luck. They give such a grossly unfair advantage to locals over us tourists, who pay a small fortune to be there, only to have to fight bigger crowds because of AP holders who pay pennies on the dollar. Now, with the crappy G+/ILL, VQ system, they can grab LL and BGs despite having done the rides dozens of times already. As a result, we might not even get to ride the new E Tickets even ONCE.

What a lousy, raw deal.

 

[Disneylover99]

I was praying they would abolish APs, but no such luck. They give such a grossly unfair advantage to locals over us tourists, who pay a small fortune to be there, only to have to fight bigger crowds because of AP holders who pay pennies on the dollar. Now, with the crappy G+/ILL, VQ system, they can grab LL and BGs despite having done the rides dozens of times already. As a result, we might not even get to ride the new E Tickets even ONCE.

What a lousy, raw deal.

As an international traveller, I’m happy to have the option to buy an AP again.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

I was praying they would abolish APs, but no such luck. They give such a grossly unfair advantage to locals over us tourists, who pay a small fortune to be there, only to have to fight bigger crowds because of AP holders who pay pennies on the dollar. Now, with the crappy G+/ILL, VQ system, they can grab LL and BGs despite having done the rides dozens of times already. As a result, we might not even get to ride the new E Tickets even ONCE.

What a lousy, raw deal.

I’m not a fan of the AP but yikes! I just say, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.

 

[emmabelle]

I have two Enchant Magic keys sitting in my cart for DL. It’s so tempting to just buy those instead. They’re half the price of Incredi but it’s a 6 hour plane ride instead of 3 and two less parks. I actually don’t mind the blackout dates the pass has.

 

[loves to dive]

I was praying they would abolish APs, but no such luck. They give such a grossly unfair advantage to locals over us tourists, who pay a small fortune to be there, only to have to fight bigger crowds because of AP holders who pay pennies on the dollar. Now, with the crappy G+/ILL, VQ system, they can grab LL and BGs despite having done the rides dozens of times already. As a result, we might not even get to ride the new E Tickets even ONCE.

What a lousy, raw deal.

Not a local and I've had an AP on and off for about 10 years. They are a good deal for anyone who goes more than twice a year or two longer trips a year. You don't have to worry about me grabbing your LL, I don't use Genie+ and don't usually ride the rides with BGs more than one and done. When they open those rides to stand by lines, I wait in line just like everyone else.

 

[Mango7100]

I was praying they would abolish APs, but no such luck. They give such a grossly unfair advantage to locals over us tourists, who pay a small fortune to be there, only to have to fight bigger crowds because of AP holders who pay pennies on the dollar. Now, with the crappy G+/ILL, VQ system, they can grab LL and BGs despite having done the rides dozens of times already. As a result, we might not even get to ride the new E Tickets even ONCE.

What a lousy, raw deal.

I’m out of state and have had an AP for 3 years. We went 2 trips in the calendar year plus a short weekend tied to a beach trip. AP paid for itself. And if someone is willing to pay for Genie, then they should be able to use it even if they have ridden the rides dozens of times. I’m not sure why you are mad. You can buy an AP and Genie if you want as well…

 

[focusondisney]

I was praying they would abolish APs, but no such luck. They give such a grossly unfair advantage to locals over us tourists, who pay a small fortune to be there, only to have to fight bigger crowds because of AP holders who pay pennies on the dollar. Now, with the crappy G+/ILL, VQ system, they can grab LL and BGs despite having done the rides dozens of times already. As a result, we might not even get to ride the new E Tickets even ONCE.

What a lousy, raw deal.

I’ve been an AP holder for about 10 years in a row now, & several off & on years before that. Since I’m out of state, I have to buy the incredipass. FYI, my $1200 renewal price is also a small fortune, certainly not pennies. APs get NO advantage in booking LL, genie+ or VQ boarding groups. Where did you hear that they did? The people who get a slight advantage booking some of those things are staying onsite. Many “locals” wouldn’t be staying onsite, so they won’t get that advantage. What type of ticket you buy doesn’t have any effect on getting LL or a BG. Where you stay does.

Since I’m a tourist with an AP who travels 2-4 times a year, stays deluxe, usually CL, eats at signature restaurants , I’m spending a fortune with Disney every year. Pretty sure I spend more per person per trip than a lot of other tourists coming once a year, staying at a value or offsite & eating quick service. By your theory, I should get some extra advantages I guess.

 

[BroganMc]

I was praying they would abolish APs, but no such luck. They give such a grossly unfair advantage to locals over us tourists, who pay a small fortune to be there, only to have to fight bigger crowds because of AP holders who pay pennies on the dollar. Now, with the crappy G+/ILL, VQ system, they can grab LL and BGs despite having done the rides dozens of times already. As a result, we might not even get to ride the new E Tickets even ONCE.

What a lousy, raw deal.

You shouldn't be mad at AP holders. You should be mad at all those people who stay onsite. They get to buy up all the ILLs 2 hours before everyone else. Same for their ability to stack Genie+. times. And they get to enter the park half an hour earlier filling up the lines before you can even park.

 

[kylenne]

I’ve been an AP holder for about 10 years in a row now, & several off & on years before that. Since I’m out of state, I have to buy the incredipass. FYI, my $1200 renewal price is also a small fortune, certainly not pennies. APs get NO advantage in booking LL, genie+ or VQ boarding groups. Where did you hear that they did? The people who get a slight advantage booking some of those things are staying onsite. Many “locals” wouldn’t be staying onsite, so they won’t get that advantage. What type of ticket you buy doesn’t have any effect on getting LL or a BG. Where you stay does.

Since I’m a tourist with an AP who travels 2-4 times a year, stays deluxe, usually CL, eats at signature restaurants , I’m spending a fortune with Disney every year. Pretty sure I spend more per person per trip than a lot of other tourists coming once a year, staying at a value or offsite & eating quick service. By your theory, I should get some extra advantages I guess.

Well said, took the words right out of my mouth. Until I let my AP lapse last year due to work circumstances (not being able to take time off bc of various projects) this was me. Not CL (covid cancelled my planned stays) but almost always deluxe (Gran Destino if not) and I always do TS, buy alcohol etc. What gets lost too often in these tourist vs. local debates is that there are a significant minority of APs who live out of state, especially in the tri-state, Chicagoland, and Atlanta metro areas. Many are DVC but not all of us (I’m not).

Anyway it’s counterproductive and frankly absurd to pit guests against each other and scapegoat whatever group of guests you don’t like for the company’s policies. The systems in place are not anyone’s fault but Disney’s. Save that energy for learning to use them.