Disney World is an EXPENSIVE place and for some, an Annual Pass makes sense — but is it actually worth it?
Disney World Annual Pass
We wanted to get to the bottom of whether or not Disney guests think an Annual Pass is worth the purchase so, we turned to our readers! We posed the following question to our readers on Facebook: If you’re a Disney World Annual Passholder, do you think it’s worth the money to have an Annual Pass right now? Here’s what they said!
The majority of respondents ultimately consider the pass worth it, but there were some on the fence and some who can’t consider Annual Passes worth it anymore. Let’s take a look at some of the specific thoughts from our readers!
Yes, it’s worth it.
Most of the readers that responded considered their Annual Passes worth the purchase. “We are snowbirds and have the Pixie pass. It’s absolutely worth it to us,” one reader said, “I don’t like to go weekends or during holidays because it’s so busy. But we go once or twice a week for a few hours, do a couple of attractions, see concerts, have a snack, and usually get three or four miles of walking in. I’m very happy with it.”
Very sparkly!
Another reader noted, “We go 2-3 times a year and we utilize the park hopping feature all the time…We go often so we have done all the attractions before so with our AP we can go and do a few things, see characters, eat, etc. and then go back to the resort. We also like the AP discount on dining and merchandise, it’s not a huge discount but something.
EPCOT Entrance
One reader summed it up simply by saying, “Yes, it pays for itself in just a few visits between ticket prices, hotel, food, and merch discounts.”
Kind of!
For some readers, the Annual Pass is only KIND OF worth it — depending on different factors. One reader shared a GREAT money-saving tip: “If we plan to go two times within a year span, I get the AP but my husband and kids don’t. It’s not necessary for all 4 of us to have one because I get the discounts on everything for us.”
Annual Pass
“I’m using my AP less often than ever before and I’ve had one on the west or east coast since 1994,” another said, “However, it is still technically saving me money over having to buy multiday tickets. That said, I don’t think that should be the standard. It should offer Disney’s most loyal customers more than just a discount.”
50th Passholder pin
A few of our readers were really on the fence about it, “If it weren’t for having grandkids I might not find the restrictions still worth it. I can generally find a park reservation same day, but it takes the spontaneous fun out of it. It’s definitely less magical and less worth it.”
No, it’s not.
And, of course, there were come who consider the pass NOT worth it. One reader said, “Not anymore. We are out of state and it’s too expensive. Then add on that hotels on property are way overpriced. And that Disney itself isn’t the same. Our passes expire next month and we aren’t renewing.”
Scanning our card to get in a Lightning Lane
“Absolutely not. I live about an hour away and I regret re-purchasing. We used to go last minute just about every weekend, do our fast pass rides, have dinner then go home,” another reader added, “Between raising their prices by A LOT, the reservation system, and Genie+, I dread even thinking about planning a visit.”
New MagicBand for Passholders
Another agreed that the changes have taken away the value of an Annual Pass saying, “We are Annual Passholders and DVC members, who are retired and usually travel to WDW 2-3 times per year. However, since a lot of things have disappeared, we will not be renewing the pass next year. Our travels to WDW will now be reduced to once a year, to use our DVC points and it would no longer be worth it. Disney is doing nothing to keep me on property or returning often.”
50th Anniversary designs for Annual Passes!
The general consensus from our readers appeared to be that it depends on your family and your situation. Those with the ability and desire to visit Disney World enough times to make the pass “pay for itself” with how much is saved in tickets consider it worth it, if that’s not the case, it might not be the right choice — especially as there are fewer perks now.
Annual Pass
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It seems like the folks who want ‘more’ than admission to the parks and parking are the ones who are disappointed. Disney doesn’t owe Annual Passholders anything. In reality we’re a loss leader for the company because they would make a heckuva lot more if we were paying full price to enter the parks each time AND paying for parking. That’s all we expected when we purchased our Sorcerer’s Pass and in our 25 visits to the various parks since last August, the pass has more than paid for itself. The Annual Pass simply encourages you to visit more often which our does. We hardly ride the attractions any more because we really enjoy being there and grabbing a quick ride here and there. Especially EPCOT which is a wonderful day or night out anytime simply to stroll and enjoy the food and drink. It’s no different than going to downtown Winter Park or Orlando for the evening. We park for free, we enter for free and we enjoy the sights and sounds of EPCOT while enjoying a good meal. If you think you’re entitled to ‘more’ just because you’re a passholder, you’re going to be sadly disappointed.
After 10 years of annual passes, I think this year is our last. I too loved the convenience of popping in at any time for a few hours, a snack, dinner or special event or concert. Those days are gone, and so am I.
For us the Pixie Dust Pass for $399.00 a year (each) is worth it and it includes parking at all 4 of the parks.
But you have to be a Florida Resident to be eligible for the pass and it is only valid on most weekdays. Also, it has lots of blackout dates. So I can see why the other higher priced passes would not be worth it for other people
I can see everyone’s point. This was a good article DFB, thanks. My family has been AP holders for several years and for us it’s worth it because we’re locals for one thing and well despite the big mess the CEO of Disney has brought on, we still love Disney. We go often and the pass makes it possible to save. Plus once you get the hang of navigating the park reservations, budgeting for food and so on, it’s still doable. I say this a local resident only. Not for out of staters. We will be AP holders until they do away with it. But we’re a 100% Disney Family!
I don’t think it’s worth it anymore especially since the fast pass feature is no longer available. Such a shame. I have three Annual pass and they expire next month really considering not to renew . I also have DVC , and considering getting rid of that too. Want to keep customers , bring back the perks then people will reconsider.
We are not renewing our annual pass. Don’t like the park reservation system. We buy an annual pass with no black out dates but then can’t always go to the park we want and can’t always park hop. We’re going another time before passes expire. Then we’re planning a cruise and a Universal vacation. Disney is really going down hill. We used to go 5 or 6 times a year and spend 3 or 4 thousand a trip.
More disappointed with Genie+ than APs. Lines got way too long.
Amen ! They are not !!!!
We enjoy the use of the annual pass for the last ten years. We visit Disney as DVC members about 30 days during the year. When you look at the price of a ticket plus the Park Hopper addition, entry would be definitely cost prohibitive. Having the Annual Pass mkes the trips less expensive
We in the UK are AP holders but for us it is just not worth it anymore so reluctantly will not be renewing.
We do usually visit for longer than others but it’s purely down to the complete lack of contact from Disney after purchasing.
Also the appalling IT that Disney currently has frustrating does not even touch the surface. We have three trips this year and after that it’s farewell.
I’ve been an out of state passholder for several years. I think I got my first AP in about 2016 and the platinum pass was $770 including photopass. I just renewed with the renewal discount and after adding in photopass it’s almost $1300. That’s almost double in about 6 years. The price keeps going up huge amounts and then removing the photopass is just extra cost that used to be included. I’m not sure why out of state can’t purchase a less expensive pass. When we come we stay at Disney resorts, eat on sight for every meal, buy souvenirs, etc. I definitely debated renewing and decided at the last minute to renew. I’m not sure yet if it was worth it and I’ll make the decision again next year.
We tried to buy Annual Passes, but were told absolutely no way! Even though we were AP holders for almost 20 years, & even had Disneyland AP! They said we are not a Florida resident, & that we left our Passes expire. Well I seem to recall that Covid 19 hit & Travel, Parks etc. came to a halt. It’s sad that people that supported Disney all these years doesn’t mean a thing to the higher people that make these rules.
And I might add, that I questioned a Cast Member via phone about any changes with Handicap rules and was told that I must wait in the lines like everyone else as there is no special help for people in wheelchairs or scooters, which I am.
Very sad that Disney is greedy & only worry about how much money they can get off supportive guest.