Annual Pass Changes

We have decided not to renew our fl resident annual passes. Staggs and Iger are greedy and this looks like they are weeding out regular guests, only the super rich. We were just talking the other night about their new attractions that they are building and wondering if they would be as cheap looking as the new fantasyland editions.
We are going with Universal, they have added great attractions and the annual passes are affordable. Sad, since we have been going to Disney since opening day.

VWL Mom;2470628 wrote:

The ability to go from park to park on the same day

That this is something they have to mention is both funny and offensive at the same time.

MNNHFLTX;2470677 wrote: Are they trying to thin out the masses of AP holders? Between the WDW price increases and the Disneyland price increases, it will certainly discourage a significant number of people from buying AP's for their families, even with the resident discounts (which is what we had when we lived in Florida).

They definitely are and have been for a while. The prices will go up until attendance declines. Unlike what they do with parking, this is a real open market and anybody unhappy with the escalation really should stop going. That is the only thing that can change this trajectory.

Tekneek;2470702 wrote: That this is something they have to mention is both funny and offensive at the same time.

They definitely are and have been for a while. The prices will go up until attendance declines. Unlike what they do with parking, this is a real open market and anybody unhappy with the escalation really should stop going. That is the only thing that can change this trajectory.

Yeah I chuckled and rolled my eyes at that one at the same time.

As much as it makes me sad I may need to look at not renewing both of my son's passes in December and look at Legoland passes for them. And I loath LL with a passion. But it's only 25 minutes from us and much cheaper.
I'll keep my pass for sure because I adore EPCOT.

I called DVC Member services this afternoon to ask a few questions on what is available for DVC owners. For those of you who are DVC members, I will post that info in the next post. Discussed this with my sister and we will get the Gold pass, which we can get for the renewal price, per Disney's email they sent us. They made our decision for us to go to the beach for Christmas.

DizneyFreak2002;2470667 wrote: I just want to remind everyone about that survey Disney sent out several months back about tiered pricing... It begins

As I remember, many people commented that we could see this plan being implemented for Annual Passes, which is exactly what has happened. I think if this does not achieve the the profit numbers that are forecasted by the people in the ivory tower, it may not be rolled out to the other types of ticket media, at least not for a while.

MNNHFLTX;2470677 wrote: Are they trying to thin out the masses of AP holders? Between the WDW price increases and the Disneyland price increases, it will certainly discourage a significant number of people from buying AP's for their families, even with the resident discounts (which is what we had when we lived in Florida).

I think this is the main reason for the new AP pricing structure. I know many people on here and our Facebook page have complained about the large crowds they experienced when they visited.

BrerGnat;2470693 wrote: These prices are a bargain compared to Disneyland's increases. The Premuim AP jumped $300! It's $1049 now.

Absolutely! I saw the DL prices and I was in shock!

DVC AP options and Pricing

Someone said the payment plan option is still showing, but does anyone have an idea on what the payments are? Right now I pay $40 for my regular Fl res AP, and $20 each a month for my DH and DD. How much of an increase monthly will I be looking at probably? DD and DH are set to renew in February. I just renewed in August.

Edited: Ok I looked it up. Since the Disney Silver pass now includes parking and still has pretty much the same blackout dates that the seasonal pass had, I will renew mine next year at that rate. (That is really the only reason I had the upgraded pass and not the rest of my family) and the price for us will pretty much balance out. Not to crazy for us at least.

BrerGnat;2470693 wrote: These prices are a bargain compared to Disneyland's increases. The Premuim AP jumped $300! It's $1049 now.

I just don't understand the huge price jump. I'm okay with the next tier down but hate the idea that there are blocked dates for that price.

badkitty;2470824 wrote: I just don't understand the huge price jump. I'm okay with the next tier down but hate the idea that there are blocked dates for that price.

Me too. But, at least it's only those weeks in December. I don't ever go then anyway. That's what I'll be getting next year I guess.

Lizzy;2470816 wrote: Someone said the payment plan option is still showing, but does anyone have an idea on what the payments are? Right now I pay $40 for my regular Fl res AP, and $20 each a month for my DH and DD. How much of an increase monthly will I be looking at probably? DD and DH are set to renew in February. I just renewed in August.

Edited: Ok I looked it up. Since the Disney Silver pass now includes parking and still has pretty much the same blackout dates that the seasonal pass had, I will renew mine next year at that rate. (That is really the only reason I had the upgraded pass and not the rest of my family) and the price for us will pretty much balance out. Not to crazy for us at least.

That's what I've been going over and over myself.
Although I do think I'll keep mine upgraded because I do like having the added photopass woven in. But of course only need one

Now that I've calmed down and can look at it more clearly. :blush:
And it really is still the most bang for our buck.

BrerGnat;2470693 wrote: These prices are a bargain compared to Disneyland's increases. The Premuim AP jumped $300! It's $1049 now.

Wow!

From the Disney renewal website;
" If you purchased your pass before October 4, 2015, you may be asked to select one of these great new passes when you renew your Passholder status."
You may be asked? I'm not taking bets on this poorly couched statement.
Fortunately, I recently renewed our Florida resident annual passes since they were due to expire on October 4th, just dodged that bullet!
I verified with Disney that since I had renewed before October 4th that the annual passes provide the same benefits as last year, I don't know that they would extend the same courtesy if I had renewed during the renewal grace period had the passes expired after the 4th. It may be worth inquiring if any of you are in that grace period now (within 60 days prior to expiration)!

Wells;2470881 wrote: From the Disney renewal website;
" If you purchased your pass before October 4, 2015, you may be asked to select one of these great new passes when you renew your Passholder status."
You may be asked? I'm not taking bets on this poorly couched statement.
Fortunately, I recently renewed our Florida resident annual passes since they were due to expire on October 4th, just dodged that bullet!
I verified with Disney that since I had renewed before October 4th that the annual passes provide the same benefits as last year, I don't know that they would extend the same courtesy if I had waited to renew during the renewal grace period after the 4th. It may be worth inquiring if any of you are in that grace period now (within 60 days prior to expiration)!

We are in that window, as our passes expired yesterday. As we are arriving November 1, withing the 30 day window, we were going to wait to renew our passes. However, I spoke with my sister and we are going to call and renew through member services over the weekend (DVC). I will let you know what happens. I suspect we will have to go with one of the new AP passes.

Hammer,
I agree, I think you will have to select a new pass option.
Also from the Disney passholder renewal page;
"You may renew your Passholder status up to 60 days before its expiration date."
I don't think they extend the grace period beyond the expiration date any longer.
I think those of you who currently have a Florida resident annual pass that expires within 60 days after the October 4th date may still have a chance.
Either way, still worth a try!

Hammer;2470714 wrote:
As I remember, many people commented that we could see this plan being implemented for Annual Passes, which is exactly what has happened. I think if this does not achieve the the profit numbers that are forecasted by the people in the ivory tower, it may not be rolled out to the other types of ticket media, at least not for a while.

I have every reason to believe tier pricing will be coming to regular tickets sooner than anyone thinks... And the price hike won't be pretty...

What makes this tiered and new pricing system absurd is adding memory maker and automatically charging for it... I don't use it, and I won't... But if I wanted an AP, I'd have to pay for it? That's a rip off, pretty much criminal making a customer (let's face it, Disney stopped thinking of you all as guests a long time ago) pay for a service they don't want or won't use...

DizneyFreak2002;2470897 wrote:
What makes this tiered and new pricing system absurd is adding memory maker and automatically charging for it... I don't use it, and I won't... But if I wanted an AP, I'd have to pay for it? That's a rip off, pretty much criminal making a customer (let's face it, Disney stopped thinking of you all as guests a long time ago) pay for a service they don't want or won't use...

What also bothers me is now each member of my family is being charged for it and won't use it.