Annual pass changes coming........

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

@wolffish I see this as a bit of a benefit. Before, families were split up on levels to cover parking. But with Dad having AP and the family having Seasonal, he probably didn't go when he could have, only had it for the parking anyway. Now, all the family is on the same level, and they all include parking, and Dad's AP days aren't wasted for not going with the rest of the group. I think families should be on the same levels now, whatever suits them best.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I just received, and completed a Disney annual pass survey. Many interesting questions. A number of the questions were regarding the new passes/pricing/benefits/etc. One question asked about my knowledge of various changes and included whether I knew of revised benefits, such as parking for all passes, photopass, etc. associated with the new changes. In that question, they also mentioned revised benefits for merchandise, food & beverage, and FP+. What changes are there in those 3 items. I do know of the increase for TiW, if that is what they were asking about. But they did mention additional benefits and the TiW price increase is not a benefit to me.

 

[1mama2three]

I'm not sure if anyone is able to answer this, but here it is...

We have 5 day hoppers we bought through my husband's work. We have a trip in March (during the new DVC Gold pass blackout period) and one in May. Originally we were going to upgrade to an AP during our March trip. So, if we upgrade on the last day of our hopper during the March trip, can we upgrade to only the Gold pass, since we don't need it for a future blackout period or do we have to upgrade to the Platinum since we used the original hopper during a blackout period?

 

[rfc0001]

I agree. If it is anything like the situation to get on the ferry towards the end of Aug (which isn't even capacity time), I will definitely be avoiding it. The line to get on the monorail/ferry was the longest line we waited in all day, including 7DMT! I can't imagine it that week. On the other hand, Easter wasn't so bad, but it WAS hectic. You can still ride around the resorts and monorails, I guess, or use essential the equivalent of one day's ticket ($100) and go any time during the year. Guess those are the options. I also still haven't yet heard if our renewal savings will cover that $100. That might be worth it, and we wouldn't feel the difference?

Well, the renewal price difference between Gold and Platinum is only $83, so you are still better off buying Platinum than purchasing a 1 day pass during the blackout period. You can always buy Gold, then upgrade to Platinum if and when you need it.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

We have 5 day hoppers we bought through my husband's work. We have a trip in March (during the new DVC Gold pass blackout period) and one in May. Originally we were going to upgrade to an AP during our March trip. So, if we upgrade on the last day of our hopper during the March trip, can we upgrade to only the Gold pass, since we don't need it for a future blackout period or do we have to upgrade to the Platinum since we used the original hopper during a blackout period?

Are you a DVC member or a Florida resident? Those are the only two categories of guests who can get the Gold pass. Otherwise, you'd be upgrading to Platinum or Platinum Plus if you want it.

My guess is that it won't matter when or where you used the previous pass. So long as you don't need the new one to enter any parks during a blackout.

 

[GreatLakes]

From 2009 to 2014 (5 years) DisneyWorld attendance is up a total of 9.37%
From 2009 to 2014 (5 years) Universal Orlando attendance is up a total of 38.15%
(source wikipedia List of amusement park rankings)


Disney is still the clear #1 and likely always will be, but Universal is growing leaps and bounds due to their MUCH lower cost and MUCH faster pace of adding new Headliner Attractions. Largely irrelevant for first timers, but increasingly important for repeat visitors.

The difference in growth is magnified by the terrible attendance numbers Universal was pulling in before the Harry Potter expansion. Universal did a great job getting people into their parks but the growth disparity is largely down to their relative starting points.

Total attendance is the real metric that matters and relative growth to the same park year over year.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

I'm not sure if anyone is able to answer this, but here it is...

We have 5 day hoppers we bought through my husband's work. We have a trip in March (during the new DVC Gold pass blackout period) and one in May. Originally we were going to upgrade to an AP during our March trip. So, if we upgrade on the last day of our hopper during the March trip, can we upgrade to only the Gold pass, since we don't need it for a future blackout period or do we have to upgrade to the Platinum since we used the original hopper during a blackout period?

EDIT:

I see what you mean! That is INTERESTING, I have got to ask someone...

So for instance, if you purchase a PH&FUN ticket, your only option is to upgrade to a Platinum Plus (formerly Premium) Pass if you have used the fun option at all. So your question is, if you use the tix during the blockouts, if you will automatically HAVE to upgrade to the PLATINUM with those tix?! Its a GREAT question! I'm not sure, but I am definitely going to ask!

 

[1mama2three]

Are you a DVC member or a Florida resident? Those are the only two categories of guests who can get the Gold pass. Otherwise, you'd be upgrading to Platinum or Platinum Plus if you want it.

My guess is that it won't matter when or where you used the previous pass.

Yes, we are DVC members.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

Are you a DVC member or a Florida resident? Those are the only two categories of guests who can get the Gold pass. Otherwise, you'd be upgrading to Platinum or Platinum Plus if you want it.

My guess is that it won't matter when or where you used the previous pass. So long as you don't need the new one to enter any parks during a blackout.

I figured they were DVC when they said the DVC Gold. You are correct. DVC or FL RES are able to get Gold. Tourists have Platinum and PlatPlus. FL REs have the remaining options. I just realized, her question is indeed trickier! I'm going to try and find out today.

 

[1mama2three]

I believe that you should be able to upgrade, as long as you are within that active 14 day from first use window, and as long as you do it at while you are there at the park and the upgrade option is still valid. (Same as all upgrades.) At that time, anyone wishing to upgrade will only have the new programs to upgrade too. So it makes sense that this would be the best option for you. Good idea in using the park hoppers you already have for that time. This of course, would be as long as no new ticket changes to the upgrade policies come down the pipe...sigh...

Thank you for the response. Fingers crossed it all works out, but with all the changes that are happening I realize it is a long shot. We may just end up doing a non-park trip in March and save the hoppers for May.

 

[jbinder95]

Maybe this has been answered already, but I have an AP that expires in April 2016. If I want to renew as a gold pass (FL resident), will I pay the gold pass renewal rate or the gold pass initial rate? Thanks in advance if anyone knows.

 

[rfc0001]

Maybe this has been answered already, but I have an AP that expires in April 2016. If I want to renew as a gold pass (FL resident), will I pay the gold pass renewal rate or the gold pass initial rate? Thanks in advance if anyone knows.

Renewal -- you can upgrade/downgrade to any renewal rate from any other AP.

 

[Slapshot1188]

The difference in growth is magnified by the terrible attendance numbers Universal was pulling in before the Harry Potter expansion. Universal did a great job getting people into their parks but there the growth disparity is largely down to their relative starting points.

Total attendance is the real metric that matters and relative growth to the same park year over year.

US added slightly more visitors during the same time frame. So smaller base, but still added slightly (I think 100k) more people. Also, even if you ignore 2009 saying it'e pre-Potter and just look at 2013 to 2014 you will see Disney rose 2.75% while Universal rose 8.9%

Disney will ALWAYS be #1. It's a One of a kind experience, but US is really doing a great job of making their parks viable alternatives, which as you point out really wasn't the case in 2009. For me personally, I have APs until August. At that time it will pretty much be a no-brainer to spend a few years back at the other parks as at current rates it would cost me $1250 more for Disney (assuming all rates stay the same) as opposed to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, SeaWorld and Aquatica all combined.

Everyone's limit is going to be different, but I have reached mine. Perhaps in 2018 when Star Wars Land opens fully and Avatarland as well i would take another look. Never say never...

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

Thank you for the response. Fingers crossed it all works out, but with all the changes that are happening I realize it is a long shot. We may just end up doing a non-park trip in March and save the hoppers for May.

I've actually gone back and edited my post. I LOVE this question. It is so helpful for me. I need to find out, not just for you, but all the others who might ask. You do pose a very interesting question about whether those block outs will move you into Platinum. I'm going to ask today.

 

[Dis5150]

Question: DD25 and I both have regular AP's that expire in February. We just returned from a trip 2 weeks ago that we did not purchase MM for. We are going again in November, then again in February. I have read on here that some have "upgraded" to the new AP to add the benefit of PP. That just applies to the rest of the length of your current AP, correct? So in my case, if DD25 or I "upgraded" next month, we would pay $86 to add PP to our current AP that expires in February? And would that include the photos from my trip 2 weeks ago, that are still available on MM (or PP, the two terms confuse me!)?

Can anyone answer this??

 

[RookieLady]

I haven't read this whole thread, but it looks to me like the people most effected are the DVC and the Florida resident people. I don't see how a normal out of state AP holder is being effected except for the price increase, which didn't shock me. Did I miss something when I looked at the benefits following the Disney email?

I am not paying for the AP next year for various and sundry reasons, but I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something else.

 

[ArielRae]

Can't find this info anywhere.

How much tax included was an Annual pass without the water parks before the increase?
Looking for the non DVC price.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

Can anyone answer this??

To my knowledge, anytime you upgrade, your anniversary date remains the same. Only you can answer if that will be a worthwhile upgrade. Anytime you upgrade, it acts as if you had that particular ticket the entire time.

This would not be the case for NEW activations, in which their activation date from here on out becomes their anniversary.

 

[DVC Mike]

Can't find this info anywhere.

How much tax included was an Annual pass without the water parks before the increase?
Looking for the non DVC price.

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[rfc0001]

I haven't read this whole thread, but it looks to me like the people most effected are the DVC and the Florida resident people. I don't see how a normal out of state AP holder is being effected except for the price increase, which didn't shock me. Did I miss something when I looked at the benefits following the Disney email?

I am not paying for the AP next year for various and sundry reasons, but I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something else.

Florida passes benefits went up with free parking, so they came out ahead. DVC and Florida both have new options for Gold which keeps the price about the same as the old AP and adds PP DD but has new Dec/Mar blockout dates which the old AP did not. The old AP is now ~$100 more expensive (for everyone), but includes PP DD, which could break even with the cost increase depending on # of people in your party.