Disney World & Disneyland Offer Annual Pass Refunds & Pause AP Payments
Walt Disney World and Disneyland will be pausing payments for Annual Passes, and will also allow passholders to receive partial refunds on APs in some cases. In this post, we’ll cover eligibility and what’s prompting the move.
As background in case you’re somehow unaware, Disneyland and Walt Disney World announced last week that the parks and resorts in both Florida and California would remain closed until further notice.
Although WDW and DLR both began accepting dining and resort reservations starting June 1, there is no guarantee that the parks and hotels will reopen on this date. Rather, this is Disney’s internal target date and remains subject to change based upon what’s happening out in the real world.
Since the original closure, there has been a lot of frustration among Annual Passholders who have continued to be charged their monthly AP payments. There have been stories in both hometown newspapers for Anaheim and Orlando about infuriated Annual Passholders who were laid off from their jobs yet still have to make their AP payments, as Disney previously was not allowing any cancellations.
We refrained from weighing in on this topic when the news blew up because it has been a heated and emotionally-charged conversation–but we can see both sides. Unlike Disney+ or a candle of the month club, Annual Passes on payment plans are not a monthly subscription service. It’s more like an interest-free car loan.
As is clear in the terms and conditions to which Annual Passholders agree before purchasing, you are agreeing to purchase an AP at full face value the day you buy it. You are then entering a credit agreement with Disney to pay off the amount you paid for the pass over the course of 12 months at 0% interest. Whether you only ever use the AP that day one day, the week that follows, or every day for the next year is immaterial.
With a car loan, you don’t have to stop paying if the vehicle stays parked in your garage for the entire month. The obvious difference is choice. You could drive that car if you so desired; you couldn’t use an Annual Pass right now even if you wanted to. Although Disney is fulfilling its contractual obligation by extending the validity period, this understandably hasn’t sat well with many people. It just doesn’t feel right.
It’s possible to be technically or legally correct, but practically or morally wrong. Disney has the basis for continuing to charge monthly AP payments under any circumstances, but is it the right thing to do? In normal times, we’d respond “yes.” When so many people are squeezed for money through no fault of their own, need funds for essentials, and economic anxiety is running rampant, it’s impossible to maintain that position right now.
It’s entirely possible that some people will opportunistically act in bad faith to get out of financial obligations they agreed to of their own volition and could continue to pay without undue burden. This is something that’s happening more and more right now with regard to Disney, and also far beyond that realm. It’s nevertheless the smarter and more compassionate route for Disney to err on the side of empathy.
Suffice to say, it’s a more complicated issue than it may appear on the surface. Who is in the right or wrong depends upon perspective. Times like these help reveal the true character of people and companies. Unfortunately, due to heightened tensions, many people are unwilling to attempt seeing things from any vantage other than their own.
The only reason I’m even offering this commentary now is because it doesn’t matter anymore, so I don’t expect the same level of impassioned comments. Disney has backed down, which was the right decision two weeks ago from a PR perspective. It remains the savvy move in maintaining goodwill among locals and fans that the parks will absolutely need in the future months and years.
Anyway, just some food for thought that (hopefully) can be considered when it comes to topics beyond Annual Pass payments. We’d again stress having empathy and a dash of humility for people who may feel differently than you–and whose circumstances may likewise differ from your own.
Here’s are the official policies for Annual Pass modifications, cancellations, and refunds. We’ll start with Disneyland–scroll to the second header for Walt Disney World AP info…
Disneyland AP Modifications, Cancelations & Refunds
If you are an Annual Passholder who has paid in full:
As previously announced, all active Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders who have paid for their Passports in full will automatically have their Passport expiration date extended due to theme park closures to provide additional access opportunities at the end of the Passport term. The new expiration date will be reflected on the Annual Passholder’s Passport account prior to the reopening of the theme parks.
As an alternative, in lieu of an extension of their Passports, Annual Passholders who have paid in full may choose to receive a partial refund for the theme park closure period. Information will be provided soon on how to choose this option.
If you are an Annual Passholder on the Monthly Payment Plan:
Effective April 5, 2020, Disneyland will automatically stop and waive all upcoming monthly payments while the theme parks are closed. Disney will also retroactively refund payments made between March 14 through April 4, 2020. Payments will resume on the Passholder’s regularly scheduled payment dates once the parks reopen. Please note, Passport expiration dates will not be extended and Passports will expire upon their originally scheduled expiration dates.
As an alternative, Guests who are paying for Disneyland Resort Annual Passes using the monthly payment program may choose to have their monthly payments postponed starting with payments due April 5 through the park closure period, and then resumed on the Passholder’s regularly scheduled payment date once the parks reopen.
Postponed payments will be collected in the months following the end of the Passholder’s currently scheduled payment term. The Passport expiration date will be extended due to the theme park closures to provide additional access opportunities at the end of the Passport term.
The new expiration date will be reflected on the Annual Passholder’s Passport account prior to the reopening of the theme parks. Information will be provided soon on how to choose this option.
Annual Passholders are some of Disneyland’s most loyal Guests, and they stand ready to help during this incredibly uncertain time. If you have any questions, please contact Annual Passholder Member Services at (714) 781-7277. Heavy call volume is anticipated, so please be patient. (Or wait a few days to call.)
Walt Disney World AP Modifications, Cancelations & Refunds
If you are an Annual Passholder who has paid in full:
As previously announced, all active Walt Disney World Resort Annual Passes will be extended for the number of days the parks are closed. The new expiration date will be reflected on the Annual Passholder’s account prior to the reopening of the theme parks.
As an alternative, in lieu of an extension of their passes, Passholders who have paid in full may choose to receive a partial refund for the theme park closure period. Information will be provided soon on how to choose this option.
If you are an Annual Passholder on the monthly payment plan:
Effective April 5, 2020, Walt Disney World will automatically stop and waive all upcoming monthly payments while the theme parks are closed. Disney will also retroactively refund payments made between March 14 through April 4, 2020. Payments will resume on the Passholder’s regularly scheduled payment dates once the parks reopen. Please note, pass expiration dates will not be extended and passes will expire upon their originally scheduled expiration dates.
As an alternative, Guests who are paying for Walt Disney World Annual Passes using the monthly payment program may choose to have their monthly payments postponed starting with payments due April 5 through the park closure period, and then resumed on the Passholder’s regularly scheduled payment date once the parks reopen.
Postponed payments will be collected in the months following the end of the Passholder’s currently scheduled payment term. The pass will be extended the number of days the parks are closed. The new expiration date will be reflected on the Annual Passholder’s account prior to the reopening of the theme parks. Information will be provided soon on how to choose this option.
Annual Passholders are some of Disney’s most loyal Guests, and they stand ready to help during this incredibly uncertain time. If you have any questions, please contact V.I.PASSHOLDER Support at (407) 939-7277. Heavy call volume is anticipated, so please be patient. (Or wait a few days to call.)
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you think of the Walt Disney Company giving Annual Passholders the option to receive a partial refund or temporarily pause their monthly payments? Do you think this is the right thing to do? Are you concerned that this suggests a longer closure of the parks is likely? Think this is the right or wrong move for guests and/or Disney? Any questions? We love hearing from readers, so please share any other thoughts or questions you have in the comments below!
“It’s entirely possible that some people will opportunistically act in bad faith to get out of financial obligations they agreed to of their own volition and could continue to pay without undue burden.”
Everyone is saying it, these are unprecedented times. DISNEY can afford to pay without undue burden. We are just people who tried to invest in fun times for our families and need the money to invest in other fun times. Disney will be ok.
It urks me when people think Disney World is doing everything they possibly can during Covid 19 . I wouldn’t have to make reservations to get into a theme park , I would just have to practice social distancing and handwashing! And wear a mask! I’m a passholder with no blackout dates, but I’ve tried to book a theme park and can’t cause thier all sold out , except for the 1 day guest paying less than 1000 a month they get to pay 130 a day with no reservation .they get to walk in magic kingdom. Why is that even allowed? When universal down the street has no reservation and can maintain strict covid 19 rules without reservations? Disney world is lazy! Greedy ! And now only cater to the rich, not middle class! Well if that’s the case good luck keeping the middle class hard working citizens of Florida in your theme parks!
Tom – What’s your thought on Disney potentially lifting summer black out dates for AP holders once the parks reopen? We missed our trip in March but would consider going in June or July if we weren’t blocked from doing so.
Tom,
Thanks for doing what you do. I was wondering if we have a prepaid pass that we opt for the extension and then renew, will the new expiration date be a year from the revised extended expiration date? Thanks
I’m happy that Disney is extending our annual passes for the period of time the parks are closed. Since we can’t travel now, and will not be able to take a planned trip the beginning of May (our State is not even close to reaching the Apex yet and we are still on lock-down) that just gives me more time on the pass we purchased for our last trip, squeezed in at the end of February before all of this got so bad. Disney did the right thing as I expected they would.
Disney will just nail us all with future rate hikes so none of this fristration matters .
What about passes that expire within this time frame. Let’s say you had a month left on your pass, but then Disney is closed for 3 months. Does the extension give you 3 months or 1?
It will add three months to the end of your pass to include the days the parks were closed. . So it will still be good for one month once the parks reopen. They closed on March 15 and if they reopen on June 15, your pass will expire one month later.
Thank you!
What about DVC members who pay their annual dues….. mine is almost $2000, we won’t be able to use our points as planned having cancelled our spring trip. Now our end of May trip will likely be cancelled as well. Since buying our DVC membership 6 yrs ago, more and more perks have been eliminated. I think Disney should off the annual passes at a tremendous discount like they did a few years ago. I think we paid $650 for the platinum pass which included the water parks and had no blackouts. They should do something!
An idea from another blog is for APs to take advantage of Disney’s new free dining plan which includes hotel and park tickets (available only to people who had at least a hotel reservation which got cancelled.) Disney will still apparently allow you to convert the cost of the unneeded park tickets towards an AP upon arrival. Not sure if this would be your current AP or a renewal of your AP, but either way if you’re planning to remain an AP in the future you get the free dining now. Lots of details about who’s eligible for this new plan, and of course, whether the parks will actually be open during the plan’s period of June 1 thru Sept 30. But sounds like a worthwhile strategy for some people to use.
I’m curious how you pick your pictures for all the serious topics we’ve had lately. Sometimes they really crack me up (needed right now since I’m dealing with some severe anxiety) but they still manage to be appropriate (I particularly like the judge up above.)
Most images are simply illustrative of the topic being discussed.
However, sometimes a lot of thought goes into the photos used. I’ll either choose something symbolic for the topic, or that allow me to offer a subliminal message or make a point without typing. (Here’s one recent example: https://www.disneytouristblog.com/bob-iger-stepping-down-disney-ceo-effective-immediately/)
Other times, random photos are chosen that are universally applicable–the castles, statues, and character photos are big ones.
Your photos ALWAYS make me smile. I think it is hard to say which I like more, the blog pot or the photography! The photos now because we all need a little Disney magic.
We have an interesting situation. We’re first-time AP holders. We have gone on an annual trip to Disneyland since 2015, and this year ended up being invited on two trips. We evaluated the cost and decided to try the Flex pass for Disneyland since it was a cost savings over 2 sets of 5-day Park Hoppers. We were feeling pretty good about our decision after the price increases, but our first trip was scheduled to start Mar 24. (I note with some sadness that today was supposed to be our flight home, with a last visit to the Parks). So Trip #1 didn’t happen, and Trip #2 in September is still highly uncertain. We’re Canadians, so there is of course the element of when the border reopens in addition to when the Parks reopen.
We do have the flexibility of activating this pass anytime before next January (1 year from purchase date) and we would have a full year on the pass from activation date. But given the economic changes we’re already seeing, we doubt we’ll be able to afford 2 vacations in a 12 month period the way we were planning for 2020. And if that’s the case, then the cost savings of the pass are null. In fact, we would have overpaid for a single trip in the extreme. I do take into consideration that of course these problems don’t reflect a severe economic need, but we obviously see the world differently than we did when we made this purchase in January. We would likely not spend money that way now, and I’d feel better if I had the cash as a safety net rather than a pass that is essentially a commitment to spend even more money shortly down the road here. I keep debating whether to try to return the passes for a full refund — they are not activated yet so could be considered “still in the box” metaphorically speaking — or just try to weather the storm and accept that we paid a good price for some high-value passes and try our best to make the trips happen if possible. I just don’t know what the world will look like “when this is all over” (as we keep saying).
It would be nice if Disney would refund my money that I paid for in advance for 4 days 1 park each day for 3 people for my trip that I can now not go on. They say I can use the amount I paid towards new tickets when I decide to book a new trip. One, that doesn’t work since I work in the medical field and I will not get any vacation time once this virus has calmed down because we will be so busy!! Two, I have no idea when and if I will be able to plan another vacation all together with my husband and son to go. And 3, most likely I would have to pay the difference in cost of the tickets that I paid for and the new ones that I would have to purchase which is not cool at all!!! Very frustrated that I just can’t get my money back!!!
It’s great to see Disney giving these options to Passholders. Because the reality is…they don’t have to. It’s this type of action that creates brand loyalty.
Looking forward to the day when I can return to my Disney Parks!
It’s tough. My AP expires 4/19. I missed out on a 9-day trip in late March. If they give a prorated refund, is likely get about $100 back. But the replacement value of a 9-day park hopper plus is much more than $100.
Our next trip (hopefully) will be July. That’s as soon as we can get there, and the extension likely won’t cover it.
There are worse things in the world than missing out on part of an AP, but it is tough to think about how thoroughly I planned it, only to end up having overspent for something I didn’t get to fully use.
That’s exactly how I look at it if an employer tells someone they need to cancel or reschedule a vacation. At that point they need to cover the entire cost of rescheduling for later. When I told a former boss who hates Disney such, she wasn’t happy but knew she couldn’t afford to lose me immediately and really had no reason to ask me to consider rescheduling. She still wanted me to take my laptop with me just in case and did pester me with stupid crap while I was gone. I finally ended up quitting over her arrogance and bad decisions. And she lost the company only two years after I finally left anyway.
Disney is under no obligation to cover these circumstances though as it isn’t convenient for anyone. My pass expires May 1, so I don’t know what to expect right now. Might just renew anyway and see.
I’m confused! I had read the passes would be extended by the amount of time the parks were closed but this blog post has “pass expiration dates will not be extended and passes will expire upon their originally scheduled expiration dates.” Which is it please?
That’s for people who are on the monthly payment plan. Disney is refunding all monthly payments made since 3/14 (a day or 2 before the parks closed) and will not charge those people again until the parks open. Since you’re not paying for the pass under this (apparently) default option, Disney is not going to extend the pass expiration date. In this case, it is more like you get a pro-rated discount on the price of the AP (in the form of not having to pay your monthly payment) for the amount of time the parks are closed. Under this option, if the parks are closed for 2 months, you’d only pay 10/12 months for your AP that still expires on the original date.
There is an alternative option from what I read where you can merely postpone your payment (and expiration date). In that case, the pass expiration date will be extended for the amount of time the parks are closed and you will still have to make 12 monthly payments (in return for you having 12 discontinuous months to go to the park), but your payments won’t resume until after the parks reopen.
If you’ve paid for your AP in full, the default option is an extension of your pass. However, there is an option for a pro-rated refund for the length of time during which the parks are closed.
Hope that helps clear things up!
We’re in the same boat Our passes were due to expire on March 28th. We had an 8 day trip that ended on March 28th. This trip was split (I would go with my brother & his family for part of it & then my husband would join us, for the second part;adding a second reservation) We have all been able to reschedule, but unfortunately not together. My husband can go in September, my brother had to push the new dates into October. The AP extension will definitely not cover these trips so we have lost a good bit. We have had no plans to renew.
I’m in almost the same boat, but our expiration date was 3/22 and we had planned a last trip 3/18-3/21. There’s no way I can reasonably schedule a trip 700 miles away within 6 days of the parks reopening, especially when Disney has no idea when that will even happen yet. It sucks, but there’s not much to do about it, sadly!
TIW expiration has also been extended by the number of days the resort is closed. I have no info on partial refunds.
It seems to me they are missing an option: continue paying and have your pass extended beyond the original expiration date. We would fall in to this group, fortunately. I guess it may be easier to do blanket refunds and holds.
That’s the option we now will have, actually. Mine expires May 1, so I’ve made almost all of my payments. I’ll take this option once they have it set up for us to choose. Maybe it will still be good for a Labor Day weekend trip before making the renewal choice…
Thank you for the information. Has anyone heard about Tables in Wonderland? If that will be extended as well?
I am curious on this as well. I haven’t found anything on this online either.
Holly Patterson answered this above. She said it will be extended by the length of closure but she is unsure if there will be a refund option
“As an alternative, in lieu of an extension of their passes, Passholders who have paid in full may choose to receive a partial refund for the theme park closure period”
I had no intention of going to the parks during the closure period. The fact that i can get a refund for days i never intended on using my pass is a nice bonus.
“It’s entirely possible that some people will opportunistically act in bad faith to get out of financial obligations they agreed to of their own volition and could continue to pay without undue burden.”
I think you hit on a great point here (also great use of the shot from Toad’s Wild ride!).
It’s easy to hate on, “the man” when Disney does, under normal circumstances, make a ton of cash and some of the prices they charge for things are, arguably, extortion.
That being said, when revenue from Parks and Resorts goes to zero, and we are all worried about the cast members who just got furloughed…they do need to make money to take care of their people.
My wife and I are very fortunate in that we are still going to work. I think its reasonable to keep things going if you aren’t being financially burdened by this crisis. We aren’t perfect people, but little things like paying for our daughters monthly dance classes, or paying the local gym membership even though they can’t provide that service seems like a good thing. Leave the help, support, and waiving of fees, etc. for those who really need it.
I agree with you. For those of us that are fortunate to be able to keep working we need to look out for those that can’t, those that we normally rely on for services like hair cuts, lawn care, etc.
For us, we just renewed our annual passes when we were at Disney in early March and we can wait and see what happens. It’s the least of our worries right now.
Thanks for the info Tom. I purchased APs early February 2020 for a trip to Disney World that was supposed to take place in May 2020. Our trip was canceled last week. We have not used the APs that I paid for in full and we were told to hold on until we replanned our trip (we are DVC members in CA). Unfortunately my husband’s income has been severely impacted over the past month. Do you think we now qualify for a refund? Our APs are not active. I’d rather wait until we are more financially sound to spend money on APs and travel. I did not see any info in your post about recently purchased but not active APs. Did I miss read you post? Any info you can provide would be appreciated.
I recommend calling them to see if you can get it refunded. I hope it works out for you.
Is there still nothing from Disney on DVC points holders whose plans have been scuttled, but whose points end June 1st (or earlier)?
Just checked the DVC site and it’s still the March 31 notice.
The problem they’re going to have is points exceeding inventory. However, that’s only theoretical. In reality, I think a lot more points will go unused–and a lot of traditional hotel rooms are going to go unsold. It’d make sense to offer one-time concessions where they just manually put members wherever there’s availability (potentially blocking the renting of points somehow). Would likely end up having minimal opportunity cost for Disney and would be a savvy move for goodwill, which they will need going forward.
I’m curious about DVC as well. We rented points for a week’s trip the last week in May. There is a chance the parks (or even resorts) will be open then, but it does not seem like a high probability. If they are closed, I’m not sure what happens to the money we paid to rent the points. I’m sure the answer to that lies quite a bit in what Disney’s policy ends up being for the original point holder from whom we’ve rented.
Obviously, I would be sad to be our the money for a week’s worth of DVC points – that is quite pricey from our normal vacation standards. But that said, compared to what many are going through right now in this economy it’s not the end of the world.
On the AP front, we had bought AP’s right before the price went up last year with the intent of a 4-day trip in August, another 4-day trip over Christmas, and then a week this May. That made the math work out. Extending our AP’s from ending this August into October doesn’t really do us any good, but recouping ~1/6 or more of our cost would be something even if we are losing ~1/2 of the days we planned to use them for.
What happens to your rental depends on who you rented from (a broker or an individual) and the expiration dates of the points used to make the reservation. If they were about to expire, the owner of the points can’t use them to book another stay. If they were in the last four months of the owner’s use year, they cannot be banked and used after their expiration. But if they were October or December UY, they could bank them to use in their next UY. If they had already been banked, DVC is not allowing them to be banked another time. They expire at the end of the UY. If they were Sept points and the owner banked them prior to the end of April, they would be extended another year, too.
Thanks for the response, DebC. I rented through a broker (David’s) so I don’t know whose points I actually have or the status of those points. I’m sure they will reach out to me at some point.
I agree with you Tom. Disney may have been “right” in not adjusting their policy but it didn’t look and feel right. I just hope the process is smooth and less cumbersome than the statement that announced the change.
Any idea on a similar move for standard tickets Tom? I have 2x 14 day passes scheduled for May and Disney are saying they will extend these until next September (2021) but no refunds? I may not be able to get out there next year because of other commitments.
I bought my Disney tickets through the military, we planned on going end of May. They are good until dec2020, we won’t be going anytime after May. Are there refunds?