Big Annual Pass Price Increases at Disney World
Walt Disney World Annual Pass prices increased overnight, as Florida prepares for the debut of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. The price hike is as much as $225 on some APs, and is less than a year after the last October’s increase. In this post, we’ll break down the big price increases and offer some commentary.
Worth noting that this comes on the same day that Walt Disney World is set to release 2020 vacation packages (we planned on covering these price increases, but at present that only gets you a “booking is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore availability as soon as possible. Please check back later” error message), and the day after Disney announced a Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge preview for Annual Passholders in the top tiers.
None of this is all that surprising. We’ve been anticipating multiple ticket price increases this year, and have been warning readers to purchase tickets ASAP to lock-in current prices in our 2019 Discount Walt Disney World Ticket Buying Guide, you’re familiar with this. We’ll dispense with more commentary later in the post, for now, the increases…
Disney Premier Annual Pass
This is the U.S. Disney Parks’ flagship AP, with admission to every theme park at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, no blockout dates, PhotoPass & MaxPass included, parking, and the highest level of discounts.
It has increased from $1949 to $2099 (up $150)
Disney Platinum Plus Annual Pass
This is Walt Disney World’s flagship AP, with admission to all four theme parks and both of the water parks, ESPN Wide World of Sports, Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course, no blockout dates, PhotoPass included, parking, and the highest level of discounts.
It has increased from $849 to $999 for Florida residents and DVC members (up $150) and from $994 to $1219 for everyone else (up $225).
Disney Platinum Annual Pass
This is Walt Disney World’s other AP without any blockout dates, which also includes PhotoPass, parking, and the highest level of discounts.
It has increased from $749 to $899 for Florida residents and DVC members (up $150) and from $894 to $1119 for everyone else (up $225).
Disney Gold Annual Pass
Walt Disney World’s Annual Pass that’s only available to Florida residents and Disney Vacation Club members. This one has very blockout dates–basically just between Christmas & New Years and at Spring Break/Easter. It offers PhotoPass, parking, and the highest level of discounts.
It has increased from $609 to $699 (up $90).
Disney Silver Annual Pass
Another Walt Disney World Annual Pass that’s only available to Florida residents. This one has the same blockout dates as the Gold, plus pretty much the entire months of June, July, and beginning of August. It offers parking and the highest level of discounts.
It has increased from $479 to $519 (up $40).
Disney Theme Park Select Annual Pass
Another Walt Disney World Annual Pass that’s only available to Florida residents. This one has blockout dates that vary park to park, but offers access to at least one park on more days of the year than the Silver AP. (Hope you like Epcot!) It offers parking and the highest level of discounts.
This AP has not increased in price: $439 before and after.
Disney Weekday Select Annual Pass
Yet another Walt Disney World Annual Pass that’s only available to Florida residents. This is valid primarily Monday through Friday, subject to blockout dates. It offers parking and the highest level of discounts.
It has increased from $319 to $349 (up $30).
Epcot After 4 AP
The Epcot After 4 Annual Pass is only offered to Florida residents. It has no blockout dates and allows access into Epcot after 4 p.m., standard parking, plus standard dining and merchandise discounts.
It has increased from $289 to $309 (up $20).
Water Parks Annual Pass
Available for all to purchase, the Water Parks Annual Pass has no blockout dates and offers admission to both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach for an entire year.
It has increased from $130 to $139 (up $9).
Water Parks After 2 Annual Pass
Available only to Florida residents, this AP has no blockout dates and allows admission to both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach for an entire year, but only after 2 p.m.
It has increased from $79 to $89 (up $10).
In terms of commentary, even though some of these price increases are staggering, I’ve lost the capacity for surprise when it comes to Walt Disney World ticket price increases. At this point, attendance is up, the parks have a devoted and passionate fanbase, and a slate of new additions rolling out pretty much non-stop between now and 2022. Why wouldn’t they increase Annual Pass prices?
Now, you might point out that there has been attendance and spending softness this summer (as we noted in yesterday’s article about AP discounts), but these increases aren’t aimed at the here and now–they’re about the future. It’s not as if every Annual Passholder (or even a majority) will be renewing between now and September when attendance is expected to be weaker. In the bigger picture and longer term (when the increases will have more of an impact), Walt Disney World has good reason to expect increased attendance, and even more demand for Annual Passes.
Obviously, the Disney Vacation Club membership numbers continue to grow, and we’d speculate that more hardcore out-of-state fans are finding ways to leverage Annual Passes for multiple visits in the same 365 day period. Perhaps most significantly, there has been a population explosion in Central Florida.
Several cities in the Orlando metro area are among the fastest growing in the United States. Many of these new Florida residents are people fleeing the Northeast and Midwest. This is significant because it means Walt Disney World, traditionally a tourist destination with a far lower AP pool than Disneyland, has likely increased its Annual Passholder population in the last few years despite all of these price increases.
The story painted by these top-heavy Annual Passholder price increases is that Walt Disney World wants to discourage purchase of the highest-tier APs (or charge a significant premium to those with significant disposable income who might not notice a difference either way), pushing people instead towards the passes with blockout dates.
Essentially, AP pricing becomes a means of attendance control, just as it has been for years in California. Disney does not want to eliminate or even significantly reduce its herd of Annual Passholders. They are necessary during low seasons for tourism, for buying food & drinks at Epcot’s festivals, and purchasing exclusive merchandise. However, Disney does want to steer people towards certain APs, thereby working to distribute attendance to days that are historically low.
Then there’s the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge factor. Much has already been written about that, so I’ll spare you a regurgitation of the expected tourism boom once that blockbuster new land debuts and is fully open. As noted above, there are several other big additions on the horizon at Walt Disney World, so don’t expect these price increases to cease any time soon.
To the contrary, expect more regular ticket price increases (on both APs and standard tickets) coupled with discounts on select products (and to select demographics) when Walt Disney World deems it necessary to boost attendance for certain windows of time.
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Your Thoughts
What do you think of these Walt Disney World Annual Pass price increases? Will you still buy one, or are you priced out? Do you agree or disagree with our assessment? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
It seems unrealistic that Disney continues to raise prices of food and admissions by double digit percentages while annual cost of living increases are low single digits if you are lucky. My wife and I began purchasing APs during the recession when Disney was begging people to come to the parks. Now that the economy my is seemingly better, for now, Disney is gauging their guests in every way seemingly possible. Almost every new addition to the Disney empire is another way to increase its cash grab. Although every company is in business to make a profit, I wonder when Disney will have enough? Likely never while the crowds continue to grow, but something has to give at some point. Although my family has never been to Universal, from a distance it seems their business model is more in line with the 99% while Disney’s greed has caused them to forget those that made them what they are today. Walt wanted to build Disney so there would be a place for families, soon Disney will only allow that to occur for the few…
As someone whose trips to WDW are cherished but few and far between (due to budget constraints and living in the Midwest) I would offer that the APs were severely underpriced if they were that popular. I hate the fact the parks have been so crowded, and annual passholders are big contributor to the crowds. As Tom notes above, these changes might start to help balance things out a bit (or at least keep things from getting too much worse) from a crowding perspective.
Of course, I don’t begrudge passholders for loving the parks and taking advantage of deals that make economic sense. And overall it’s sad to see how many people (both locals/passholders and visitors from everywhere else) continue to be hit by the extreme across-the-board price increases of recent years. But at the same time, drunken locals treating Epcot like a giant outdoor bar almost ruined our last trip to World Showcase, and I’d like to see a better, less crowded experience for those on “once in a lifetime” trips even if it comes at the expense of some locals (who, it should be noted, aren’t restricted in any way from purchasing single or multi-day tickets like the rest of us).
I’m sure these sentiments aren’t going to be popular with many of the readers of this blog, but I’m guessing there are others who feel similarly.
“I’m sure these sentiments aren’t going to be popular with many of the readers of this blog, but I’m guessing there are others who feel similarly.”
Even as an Annual Passholder, I don’t disagree with you at all.
In fact, I find the “what would Walt think about pricing out the middle class” comments really odd when it comes to Annual Pass prices. For one, Annual Passes didn’t exist during his lifetime. For another thing, the big price increases here are for out of state visitors; being someone who is able to make multiple trips per year puts you in a unique position (arguably above the normal ‘middle class’ anyway). Us frequent visitors are putting a disproportionate strain on the parks and causing greater crowding–making it more difficult for those middle class rite of passage trips.
I have a ton of sympathy for families straining to make the financials work on that once in a lifetime trip; Walt Disney World has become an American institution and a rite of passage destination that everyone dreams of visiting. If anything, I think the cost of 1 to 4-day tickets should be lower, and everything else should be higher (if we’re approaching this from a “fairness” perspective).
“Us frequent visitors are putting a disproportionate strain on the parks”
Tom, I’ll have to take exception to that, although the message is not lost on me. Yes, passholders increase crowds. Probably the worst “offenders” (kinda hate to use that word) are the Orlando locals who come all the time, park for free, add to overcrowding, and spend little or nothing inside the parks, since they ate before they arrived and will go home for supper.
But there are those of us who are FL residents but live out of the area. We never day-trip, we stay at resorts. Usually the Poly, but have tried all 3 monorail resorts plus Wilderness Lodge. Stayed at the Beach Club on our only Epcot trip this year, the AKL last August, and once at French Quarter when we did Disney Springs during a pass blackout near Easter. All told, we dump well over $10k per year into WDW resorts, food and merch, NOT counting the cost of the Gold APs themselves. Not bragging– we’re just at that point in life and career where we can do it. Ten or 20 years ago it was day trips, or the Econo Lodge with a shuttle.
You and I both know how much it sucks to spend that much money on a trip, and suffocate on crowds. So are we “passholders who clog the parks”? By definition, I’d say yes. But we aren’t the “freeloading” types who buy just an AP, then chronically return week-in and week-out, clogging up ride queues while spending nothing while here.
Devil’s advocate– those passholders aren’t breaking the rules, they’re just using what they paid for. It just sucks for the rest of us dropping big bucks and not getting the “magical” experience that “should” come with big spending. But our Disney addiction keeps us coming back, regardless.
This is a reply to Jay D, since he did not accept replies. Sir I am one of those so called Orlando Locals who is retired here and goes to the park frequently. Actuall 3 to 4 times a week. You are right I may not spend as much in one day as you do but over the 200 plus days I probably visit, I do. And when we locals come to the parks, it usually just for a few hours not for all day. We love Disney as much as you and the fact that we live close enough to every week multiple times, should not be held against us.
this
Not everyone who has an annual pass lives in Florida. We live in Tennessee and visit 3 or 4 times a year. I don’t feel like I’m a “big contributor “ to the crowd level. Don’t worry, they are pricing me out of it.
I was hoping that they would leave the Premier Pass alone since they already increased it from $1579 to $1949 back in January when they increased the Disneyland AP’s, but I guess not. A 33% increase in about 6 months seems a little excessive don’t you think?
Todd B.
I think I am done. A DVC Member since 2011, annual passholder since 2015. I cannot justify this any longer, these inceases in food, tickets, annual passes and merchandise are just too much. I have a family of 7, we go every year. I will go once every 3 years if that, we will use RCI and adventures by Disney or just rent the points out to others. This is my breaking point. In what it would cost for one trip to WDW now I could go to Europe on multiple trips. I understand that they are investing a lot into the parks, but they are still making Billions upon Billions, price inceases like this aren’t needed, its wanted by the big execs that are making millions. They are effectively pricing out the majoirty of middle and low income people. Even the daily ticket prices are absurd. Rant over.
Everyone is missing the real reason this is happening. The new CM contract signed this year means everyone gets a minimum of $15 and hour starting 2020. That is what is causing this. Not saying the CM does not deserve it as they do, but that has to be paid for somehow.
These price increases are happening irrespective of wage increases. Walt Disney World’s business model is not cost-based, it’s demand-based. There’s absolutely no way to reconcile $5 ice cream or pretzels with actual costs. Disney charges what it believes the market will bear.
Walt Disney World could (hypothetically) decrease wages to $1/hour and they’d still increase prices if demand would sustain it. With finite park and resort capacity, that’s simply the reality of their business.
you are missing the point, Most CM’s were getting only 9 dollars an hour and now all new and old will get at least 15 dollars an hour. There are 60000 cast members at WDW. Plus those who have been there a while are getting pay increases since those starting out now get $15 an hour. So add that all up for 60k CM’s, that’s a lot of money annually to pay for, plus the cost of a very good health care package.
Not really. Price increases reflect what a company believes the market will bear.
Grrrr . . . . We’re purchasing Gold APs in August. I would have purchased already, but we’re upgrading the tickets from our Free Dining for our stay in August, which we’ve been told has to be done down there. We just bought into DVC in April, and we may not even be able to have purchased the passes online yet anyway, since we are pseudo-DVC members at this point. We have the points and can book rooms, but we have not signed our paperwork yet because Disney did not fully register in Delaware, so they can’t send us all of the paperwork to sign. Thus, we have to wait until we get down there to execute all the documents and become full-fledged DVC members. This sucks – now we’re looking at an extra $400 for our passes, when it’s only the logistics of everything that has prevented us from purchasing the passes 2 months ago.
Do you think regular park ticket prices will go up soon? I was figuring I had until October for another hike but maybe not.
I don’t know. Ticket prices have increased more recently than APs had, so I wouldn’t expect that immediately.
I also wouldn’t wait until October to buy. As soon as Star Wars Land opens, I think the chances for an increase go up–October is the “most likely” month, but September is a strong possibility, too.
The observation missing here is how big the gulf is between the cheapest pass an out of state visitor can buy, and a DVC member can buy.
I can only think this is an attempt to create the incentive for DVC sales. It’ll certainly have me doing the maths again on the expected return of the smallest direct purchase.
“I can only think this is an attempt to create the incentive for DVC sales.”
Undoubtedly accurate. Plus, once you’ve taken the DVC plunge, you’re guaranteed long-term revenue for Disney.
I have had AP for 3 years and now this has priced me OUT of renewal. In addition I will NOT pay for a daily ticket. WDW you are leaving middle America in the dust. Hello Universal.
I’m out. The Disney price-gouging, profit machine has lost a longtime fan. It is truly too bad that greed continues to motivate the corporate mouse. The upside to leaving Disney is the ability to travel MORE and explore SO MANY smaller parks through out the country. Many may not be technologically advanced, but they are stepping up their game, offering families the opportunity to enjoy an extended vacation without breaking the bank, selling a kidney or going deeper into debt. Walt wanted a place where families could enjoy being together, Iger wants $, $$ and more $$$. Shameful.
I am a FL resident and get do call FL resident discount been going every year since 1992 been a passholder since 2000 I had plan a trip in August my 2 rooms came to 1350.00 for 5 nights plus extra 75.00 for parking now increase in passed I just cancel staying off site and saving ,$525.00 and going to SeaWorld Busch gardens sorry Disney your getting to pricey.
My family had a good 4 year run with APs, but just like many others here we are now done. Seeing costs rise and new magical fees just appear while cast members attitudes have hit rock bottom. Seeing the cuts in cast members from front of the house to photo takers to slowly killing off pin trading and not to speak of the coin pressers that half just don’t work anymore. Disney wants less people paying more. Well Disney you won.
I agree. I’m out of state (Canada!) and was considering saving to go twice a year by buying the Disney Platinum Annual Pass but with this increase…there’s no way I can do three weeks 🙁
Shameful………..
Although we live in New York City, our 2 or 3 trips to WDW each year made our Platinum APs worth it. With these price increases, however, I will not renew when my AP expires in January 2020. What I will most likely do is take a break until 2021 or 2022 and plan one good trip then. The nickel-and-diming and the constant price increases have finally pushed me over the edge. Since I won’t be there, I will not be spending money on Disney resort accommodations, I will not be buying souvenirs, I will not be purchasing Dining Plans or otherwise buying food and snacks, and I won’t be attending hard-ticket events. It took a while, Disney, but now you’ve killed this particular golden goose.
WOW!!
I know Disney is confident of great results from the Galaxy Edge and other new things coming but I don’t see this being sustainable!!!!!
For my family of 5 since I sold my DVC 4 years ago I would now be paying well over 5,595 a year for the lowest non DVC or Florida annual passes unless I am missing something.
That is no hotels, food or purchases of any kind.
I am not poor by any means but I cannot justify that amount of my hard earned money for annual passes.
And I feel that I get the short end of the stick with them! Most people want to use them as much as possible. So you are more likely to jump in the car on very short notice if you get a good hotel deal and head to Orlando. But here is the bad part!! You have no fast passes that are worth anything and you have no where to eat other than counter service! I just don’t see the justification anymore with the bands and online fast passes for Purchasing an AP any longer myself.
It’s now a 3-6 month process to book a vacation!
Yikes! I knew it was coming though since DL had such a large increase in January. My AP expires in January so I have time to decide if I want to drop from Platinum to Gold. Do you know if the renewal discount is still there? I know DL took that away so I was wondering if DW was next.
Since FL residents are the only ones who can buy Gold passes, the prices below reflect the FL resident discount.
New Gold pass: $699 (was $609)
Renew Gold pass: $594 (was $517)
So yes, there is still a renewal discount (for now). Including sales tax, the cost to renew a Gold pass went up $82 per person.
What is renewal discount? We are out of state platium holder.
When you are FL Resident you pay monthly for your pass and at a much lower rate and then they give you 10 or 20 % if you renew.
“When you are FL Resident you pay monthly”
More accurately, you have the option to pay monthly. But it’s not mandatory.
Wow…I just commented yesterday on the Star Wars Land post stating how the Weekday Select pass was $319 and we are due to renew during our August trip. Now that prices have gone up $30 per person it makes me consider taking a year off. Our August trip will be the 5th trip since last August. Perhaps a break is due.
Wow, 15-25% increase, on top of previous increases. That is pretty staggering.
The break-even point for an out-of-state AP used to be if you could fit in 2 week-long trips in a year; this might push that to 3. (Or not, depending how much further they increase regular ticket prices.)
With limited supply and high demand, they can do what they want. At some point it will cause attendance to taper (we’re in that boat – in spite of being hardcore fans we haven’t been to WDW in over a year and have no future tips planned at the moment). But that’s probably a good thing for the parks.