New Sorcerer Pass - Does it require a blue member card?

[RoseGold]

So for my family it's costing us a lot more. I'm not even factoring that now our soon to be 3 year old will need her own pass. If we just looked at my husband, myself, and our almost 14 year old we currently have a gold pass (for the PhotoPass option) and 2 silver passes. To be able to travel when we currently do we'd be forced to do the Sorcerer pass which means out of the gate its an extra $500 (without the $900+ we have to pay for the new pass for the little one).

We travel on holiday weekends because of....school. Our littlest one turns 3 on Labor Day and her first and 2nd birthday's were spent at Disney. The ONLY way we can ever celebrate her birthday at the parks is to get us all Sorcerer Passes. Oh and let me not forget that we like to travel with extended family on holiday weekends too. Last year and this year we travel the weekend before Thanksgiving with extended family in a 2 bedroom. The only way we can do that trip is again with a Sorcerer Pass. They've NEVER blacked out Thanksgiving let alone Thanksgiving week so GRRRRRRR.

While it SUCKS big time I feel like Disney knows our hands are tied....especially those of us that are DVC owners. Sure we can do resort only stays but let's face it we bought into DVC to also go to the parks. I can't help but wonder about those families that make Disney a once every 2 year trip because they actually have to save up for it. Granted they don't usually buy passes but with the Genie + and all of the other things that Disney is increasing the price of it's pricing out some of these families. It's not what Walt envisioned at all. While I hope they will realize this was a big mistake I just don't think they will because I think in the end people will pay.

You're the worst case scenario (and also the most common scenario!). The "solution" is the Incredipass. Disney couldn't even be bothered to offer you a $50 discount to act like they care about your Blue Card.

Really leaves a gross taste in your mouth.

 

[fumanchu2488]

You're the worst case scenario (and also the most common scenario!). The "solution" is the Incredipass. Disney couldn't even be bothered to offer you a $50 discount to act like they care about your Blue Card.

Really leaves a gross taste in your mouth.

I am not sure how many days a year you spend in the park, but the equation for when an AP becomes worth it has definitely changed! For me, I don't see myself purchasing an AP since my family is in the 6-9 park days per year range. Especially now that AP doesn't come with Photopass.

Looking at these costs, it further devalues direct DVC purchases.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I am really unhappy about the new blackout dates around Thanksgiving, given that one of our reasons for buying into DVC was for Thanksgiving trips. We even have a FW for Thanksgiving at CCV. Now we need Incredi-Passes to go into Disney for W-Sa of Thanksgiving week.

Also, I love Disney, I really do, but this year feels like the ultimate money grab. Raising prices on everything, while offering less. One of the reasons we had loved Disney is that we didn't feel nickled and dimed to death, but I gotta say, I'm feeling the greed here.

I'm not sure what your current status is (i.e. if you have a gold and where you are in renewal), but one way around is to buy tickets for Thanksgiving and upgrade to the Sorcerer on the last day of your trip. That way you can go when you want and not have to pay for the higher pass.

 

[FSUSammy]

You're the worst case scenario (and also the most common scenario!). The "solution" is the Incredipass. Disney couldn't even be bothered to offer you a $50 discount to act like they care about your Blue Card.

Really leaves a gross taste in your mouth.

Thankfully I'm a Florida resident so I don't need the Blue Card perk in our scenario. Having to come up with an additional $600 so that we are all on the same pass (before the extra $900 for the soon to be 3 year old) is just painful. The idea of a family of 4 having to spend $3500+ a year just for annual passes so that they aren't blacked out on weekends or holiday weeks is just nauseating

 

[brazzledazzler]

I am really unhappy about the new blackout dates around Thanksgiving, given that one of our reasons for buying into DVC was for Thanksgiving trips. We even have a FW for Thanksgiving at CCV. Now we need Incredi-Passes to go into Disney for W-Sa of Thanksgiving week.

Also, I love Disney, I really do, but this year feels like the ultimate money grab. Raising prices on everything, while offering less. One of the reasons we had loved Disney is that we didn't feel nickled and dimed to death, but I gotta say, I'm feeling the greed here.

Greed is right. All in 1 year. I feel sick by the cost increase of everything.

I feel you. As a Florida resident, we just bought DVC with a Sept UY because we always travel Labor day weekend. We used to get Silver APs. Now, I have to get Sorcerer (new Gold APs), which have gone up in price and have no memory maker. Labor day is not a busy weekend, so this is pretty ridiculous.

....Plus, I need to look into Genie+ and additional lightning passes...


I should thank WDW APs though, it has cured any feelings of addonitis from us.

 

[mustinjourney]

I'm not sure what your current status is (i.e. if you have a gold and where you are in renewal), but one way around is to buy tickets for Thanksgiving and upgrade to the Sorcerer on the last day of your trip. That way you can go when you want and not have to pay for the higher pass.

only problem with this strategy is you lose the ability to do renewals...which are large savings. But yes, this option is better than full freight on a platinum.

 

[AaronEuth]

While it does suck for previous AP holders, as a new Blue Card owner, this saves us about 1200 for a family of three on the upcoming trips we have planned (10 day + 7 day). With how expensive multi day tickets have gotten, there was no way they were keeping the old ap prices. I think our 10 day park hopper was 700 after tax.

I am displeased about the lack of discount on top tier, as we have a guaranteed week that touches the blackout dates. But that is something that DVC can always decide to add on if they see this affecting direct sales.

 

[Judique]

So my understanding is that there is no renewals (this year) since there is no equivalent. So everyone this year will be forced to buy the AP and then next year might get renewal discounts.

Finally, I think the last shoe to drop is going to be day ticket increases. Lets see what happens there because that increase might make these prices look good!

I (and maybe some others) have a previously purchased platinum annual pass. I've had it sitting in my account since a few years.

What I'm now wondering is how much people had to pay for the gold recovery AP's? I was also eligible for recovery and I may (did) have missed that boat.

Still in good shape, but every dollar counts in my world.

 

[drusba]

I am not sure how many days a year you spend in the park, but the equation for when an AP becomes worth it has definitely changed! For me, I don't see myself purchasing an AP since my family is in the 6-9 park days per year range. Especially now that AP doesn't come with Photopass.

Looking at these costs, it further devalues direct DVC purchases.

A problem is that we are still waiting to see how much they are going to raise multi-day passes. The Sorcerer renewal price at $746 is 22% higher than the $611 prior renewal price for the Gold. The new Sorcerer at $899 is 25% higher than the prior $719 price on the new Gold card. Moreover, Disney takes away free photo-pass and now you have to add it at $99 cost, meaning for one new Sorcerer pass to be the same as the prior Gold, the increase is 38%. And they do these shenanigans in an announcement that makes it sound like they are making the passes incredibly better.

I suspect we may also see high increases on multi-day tickets. If they up those passes 20%, then for 9 days, you likely will be paying more than the annual renewal price of the Sorcerer, and a lot more if you want the park hopper.

 

[brazzledazzler]

Thankfully I'm a Florida resident, so I don't need the Blue Card perk in our scenario. Having to come up with an additional $600 so that we are all on the same pass (before the extra $900 for the soon to be 3 year old). The idea of a family of 4 having to spend $3500+ a year just for annual passes so that they aren't blacked out on weekends or holiday weeks is just nauseating

I feel you. The Silver Pass (Pirate Pass) is a joke now. No holiday weekends for anyone! No Thanksgiving! If you have school-age children this is a joke.
I feel price gauged by this and the Genie+. I guess I should be lucky, parking is still free.

 

[Lorana]

I'm not sure what your current status is (i.e. if you have a gold and where you are in renewal), but one way around is to buy tickets for Thanksgiving and upgrade to the Sorcerer on the last day of your trip. That way you can go when you want and not have to pay for the higher pass.

Oh, I hadn't thought of that! Thankfully, I have an existing Platinum AP renewal, but sadly my DH and sons are SOL because we waited too long to purchase theirs; had I known they'd suspend sales, I would have bought, and I was literally CHECKING OUT TO BUY THEM when they cut off sales (seriously; if I log on to disneyworld.com, they still show up in my cart, but I cannot purchase them).

This works for my kiddos -- we only need Thanksgiving week for them, and then our next trip with them is in February, so I can upgrade to the Sorcerer Pass for them. However, we were going to go in December for a friend's birthday, so hubby will need an IncrediPass, which is... incredible.

However, my SIL is now debating NOT getting passes for the Thanksgiving trip because she would need to purchase IncrediPasses - they used to have Gold APs, too - and cannot afford the extra expense. So maybe we won't do Parks at all on this trip. We're now considering Universal for the weekend instead. A 2-Park Premier Pass at Universal is HALF the cost of an Incredi-Pass, and includes the Universal Express pass after 4pm...

 

[mustinjourney]

So basically


A problem is that we are still waiting to see how much they are going to raise multi-day passes. The Sorcerer renewal price at $746 is 22% higher than the $611 prior renewal price for the Gold. The new Sorcerer at $899 is 25% higher than the prior $719 price on the new Gold card. Moreover, Disney takes away free photo-pass and now you have to add it at $99 cost, meaning for one new Sorcerer pass to be the same as the prior Gold, the increase is 38%. And they do these shenanigans in an announcement that makes it sound like they are making the passes incredibly better.

I suspect we may also see high increases on multi-day tickets. If they up those passes 20%, then for 9 days, you likely will be paying more than the annual renewal price of the Sorcerer, and a lot more if you want the park hopper.

nevermind the idea of paying $15 A DAY to access Genie+. This is a huge punch to the gut.

Someone needs to make some cartoons of the Genie distracting you while Mickey picks your pocket.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

So basically


A problem is that we are still waiting to see how much they are going to raise multi-day passes. The Sorcerer renewal price at $746 is 22% higher than the $611 prior renewal price for the Gold. The new Sorcerer at $899 is 25% higher than the prior $719 price on the new Gold card. Moreover, Disney takes away free photo-pass and now you have to add it at $99 cost, meaning for one new Sorcerer pass to be the same as the prior Gold, the increase is 38%. And they do these shenanigans in an announcement that makes it sound like they are making the passes incredibly better.

I suspect we may also see high increases on multi-day tickets. If they up those passes 20%, then for 9 days, you likely will be paying more than the annual renewal price of the Sorcerer, and a lot more if you want the park hopper.

Right. Disney did not raise ticket prices at all this year and they usually do it twice a year (feb & aug). What will ticket prices be like next year?

 

[GeorgeSmith5758]

I reached out to DVC this morning to ask if White Card owners could purchase the sorcerer pass.. the cast member stated that this information has not been released yet, and they expect further info to be released to the public before September 8th.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Right. Disney did not raise ticket prices at all this year and they usually do it twice a year (feb & aug). What will ticket prices be like next year?

Pretty safe to assume they won't be getting cheaper.......

 

[sethschroeder]

For me, I don't see myself purchasing an AP since my family is in the 6-9 park days per year range.

Was an AP ever the way to go for this length of visit though unless you doubled up your visit? Example if you stagger your trips you might still come out ahead by getting 2x 6 day tickets. Plus you only need to buy Photopass once and it covers both trips.

 

[sethschroeder]

nevermind the idea of paying $15 A DAY to access Genie+. This is a huge punch to the gut.

Someone needs to make some cartoons of the Genie distracting you while Mickey picks your pocket.

You reminded me I am still waiting to see if Genie+ ends up included for AP or DVC owners. I am not sure where all these movings pieces are so not sure if that info would already be public or not.

 

[kmorlock]

I’m really getting to the point that I’m just over it. The ridiculous price hikes all while taking something that was included, and putting an upcharge on it. It isn’t a matter of not affording these changes. For me, it’s a matter of principle. They cannot keep using “crowd control” as an excuse to price a significant amount of people out. They have crowd control available already with park reservations. They jacked the AP’s up around $200(I could be wrong on the amount) a few years back under the guise of including Photopass. Then they take Photopass out and continue to increase the price? Ridiculous and terrible management IMO!

 

[mustinjourney]

You reminded me I am still waiting to see if Genie+ ends up included for AP or DVC owners. I am not sure where all these movings pieces are so not sure if that info would already be public or not.

as of now -- I wouldn't expect them to add it to APs unless all of these price increases bite them in the ***.

 

[Wakey]

Terrible the most expensive pass no longer has any DVC discount, we always g Christmas.