Whoa..Annual Pass Increase - Effective 10/4/15

[longtimedisneylurker]

Sad to say, but Disney just gave Universal carte blanche to raise their annual pass. Any increase they announce will look like peanuts compared to Disney. They must be very happy right now.

Wasn't that going to be the case anyway? I figured the cheap Universal pass deals I see on billboards and in CostCo and so on were going to be a thing of the past as soon as Harry Potter opened up. All of those deals seem to have end dates around the end of February or March I think, and I thought I read that they already took away annual passholder parking passes at Universal. I figured they were getting ready for massive price increases and possible other changes to their pass system just prior to the Harry Potter launch.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

whoops. double post.

 

[mgd]

Strange how none of the usual sources seemed to predict this.

Maybe I'm the only one, but I don't see these increases as too horrible if you already use photopass plus.

+$50 for the same deluxe, not good, but not horrible.
+$70 for premium to become signature (minus peak Christmastime), but + free photopass+ (costs $70 per 2weeks prior separately)
+$270 for premium to become signaturePlus (no blackouts) + free photopass+

So basically, they seem to be trying to reduce the horrible overcrowding over Christmas break, and making people pay an extra $200+ for it. If you are an annual passholder who doesn't go during peak Christmas anyway but uses photopass+ fairly often, this is actually a better deal for you.

 

[AddictedtoDoleWhip]

I'm disappointed about this, I really wish they would do away with the SoCal passes or Deluxe Passes. I don't see the point in having the no blackout dates one because it's expensive and I don't feel like its worth that. I'll probably get the Signature one. I'm just afraid they will add more blackout dates randomly, is that going to be a possibility?

 

[Sherry E]

Strange how none of the usual sources seemed to predict this.

Maybe I'm the only one, but I don't see these increases as too horrible if you already use photopass plus.

+$50 for the same deluxe, not good, but not horrible.
+$70 for premium to become signature (minus peak Christmastime), but + free photopass+ (costs $70 per 2weeks prior separately)
+$270 for premium to become signaturePlus (no blackouts) + free photopass+

So basically, they seem to be trying to reduce the horrible overcrowding over Christmas break, and making people pay an extra $200+ for it. If you are an annual passholder who doesn't go during peak Christmas anyway but uses photopass+ fairly often, this is actually a better deal for you.

I, of course, don't know this for sure and I could be totally wrong, but I suspect that a lot of the regular, local AP holders (who have or had Premium APs) who go to DLR at least twice a month don't use PhotoPass. Many of them are probably not in the parks long enough to bother with PP. There would be exceptions for special occasions, of course, but I think that PP might be a bigger deal to the people who don't get to DLR quite as often. I kind of think that Disney tacked on the PP to the two Signature APs to cushion the blow of either blocking 2 weeks of days from one pass or increasing the price to be able to have 365 day-a-year access with the other pass, as well as to promote PhotoPass.

 

[ArchOwl]

Wasn't that going to be the case anyway? I figured the cheap Universal pass deals I see on billboards and in CostCo and so on were going to be a thing of the past as soon as Harry Potter opened up. All of those deals seem to have end dates around the end of February or March I think, and I thought I read that they already took away annual passholder parking passes at Universal. I figured they were getting ready for massive price increases and possible other changes to their pass system just prior to the Harry Potter launch.

Oh I am sure they were going to make massive changes to the annual pass program at Universal anyway. But they have to be excited that they can raise prices and still come out looking better than Disney and with Harry Potter to boot! I would be planning a very nice marketing response if I were them.

It is kinda funny that the "season pass" on the Universal site is only good until Feb of 2016. It is only $160, but still seems rather shady.

 

[mgd]

Wasn't that going to be the case anyway? I figured the cheap Universal pass deals I see on billboards and in CostCo and so on were going to be a thing of the past as soon as Harry Potter opened up. All of those deals seem to have end dates around the end of February or March I think, and I thought I read that they already took away annual passholder parking passes at Universal. I figured they were getting ready for massive price increases and possible other changes to their pass system just prior to the Harry Potter launch.

They already raised the costco passes a few dollars over the past year, but like you said, they all expire right before harry potter opens, and had a ton of blackout dates anyway for ~$80 now $85. So other pass increases are probably guaranteed in the next few months. The thing is the universal annual pass is already so cheap compared to buying a 1 or 2 day pass, it is still a huge bargain if you plan to go a lot during the year. I don't see them raising it THAT much this year (I'd predict no more than $250/yr no blackout), but there is just so much less to do at universal than disney.

 

[Avery's mom]

Strange how none of the usual sources seemed to predict this.

Maybe I'm the only one, but I don't see these increases as too horrible if you already use photopass plus.

+$50 for the same deluxe, not good, but not horrible.
+$70 for premium to become signature (minus peak Christmastime), but + free photopass+ (costs $70 per 2weeks prior separately)
+$270 for premium to become signaturePlus (no blackouts) + free photopass+

So basically, they seem to be trying to reduce the horrible overcrowding over Christmas break, and making people pay an extra $200+ for it. If you are an annual passholder who doesn't go during peak Christmas anyway but uses photopass+ fairly often, this is actually a better deal for you.

Per pass, this may not be so bad. However, a family of 4 does not need 4 photopass purchases. One photopass per family will usually suffice. But now, for a family of 4, they have an increase of $70 x 4 = $280 more yearly. Who spends that on Photopass per year? For our family, who all have Premium passes, if we want to go during Christmas (which we have the option to this year) we will need $270 x 4 = $1080 more yearly. Getting a Photopass per AP seems like a waste to me. I know they can't make Passes to please all people, I just wish there was an option to NOT have parking or NOT have photopass. I hate paying for things that I do not use...

 

[ArchOwl]

I'm disappointed about this, I really wish they would do away with the SoCal passes or Deluxe Passes. I don't see the point in having the no blackout dates one because it's expensive and I don't feel like its worth that. I'll probably get the Signature one. I'm just afraid they will add more blackout dates randomly, is that going to be a possibility?

I guess anything is possible, but I don't see how they could just randomly block people without advance notice. Now, when you renew it could be entirely possible they would add more block out dates. But I don't see how they could add block out dates to an existing, valid pass.

 

[mgd]

Also just saw this story about demand pricing:
https://www.yahoo.com/movies/s/disney-parks-consider-demand-pricing-173513067.html

Hasn't that also been speculated for a while already? Maybe that is what will happen to single day tickets now.

 

[AddictedtoDoleWhip]

I guess anything is possible, but I don't see how they could just randomly block people without advance notice. Now, when you renew it could be entirely possible they would add more block out dates. But I don't see how they could add block out dates to an existing, valid pass.

Okay, because I'm probably going to be renewing in January, and I'm just really nervous about blackout dates because I've never had a pass that had them [yes i know first world problems], I just don't want any surprises I guess.

 

[mgd]

Per pass, this may not be so bad. However, a family of 4 does not need 4 photopass purchases. One photopass per family will usually suffice. But now, for a family of 4, they have an increase of $70 x 4 = $280 more yearly. Who spends that on Photopass per year? For our family, who all have Premium passes, if we want to go during Christmas (which we have the option to this year) we will need $270 x 4 = $1080 more yearly. Getting a Photopass per AP seems like a waste to me. I know they can't make Passes to please all people, I just wish there was an option to NOT have parking or NOT have photopass. I hate paying for things that I do not use...

You're right, I totally overlooked that it would be like a photopass+ charged per person. Probably not too many people buy photopass+ multiple times a year just for themselves.

 

[ArchOwl]

Okay, because I'm probably going to be renewing in January, and I'm just really nervous about blackout dates because I've never had a pass that had them [yes i know first world problems], I just don't want any surprises I guess.

As far as I know, Disney has never added block out dates once a person bought a pass and "locked in" their contract for a year. Upon renewal, all bets are off, but during your year, it should remain the same as when you bought it.

For example, Premiums who renewed or bought before today still have 365 days of access. So, Disney is not changing the terms or conditions of current contracts, only future ones. Hope that helps!

 

[Plaid Princess]

 

[Malcon10t]

I just wish there was an option to NOT have parking or NOT have photopass. I hate paying for things that I do not use...

I've had a premium AP (different names at different times) since 1997. I have ALWAYS wished I didn't have the parking on our 5 PAPs, as we have only used parking ONCE in almost 20 years.... But sometimes you have to buy a bundle, and can't pick and choose.

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

I thought purchasing parking for the Deluxe or So Cal wasn't an option? I don't see it on their website...

 

[iKristin]

Just gonna leave this here...I posted it elsewhere and feel like it needs to be read with all the complaints going on.

Not upset about the price increase at all!! If you're an annual pass holder and have not done the math to see the value in this and are therefore stating you will not be renewing, see ya later. More room for me. If you're not a frequent visitor and tickets work better for you than you're not affected as of yet. But even so, ticket prices are even still a great deal. Here's some information for you...and simple math.

Disneyland currently has 40+ attractions in its resort for a ticket cost of $99 (or $155 for a park hopper). Universal Studios Hollywood currently has 8, yes that's right, EIGHT attractions and they charge $95 for a ticket. Who is really the company overcharging here??

I don't get the complaints. I just don't understand. ANNUAL PASSES ARE AN AMAZING VALUE!! Here is some basic math to prove the value. If at any time you will be visiting the park more than 6 days in a year, you are saving money.

DELUXE PASS vs TICKETS ---
A deluxe pass is $599, or 6 days in the park with park hoppers. This AP does not include parking, but can be added on. For now we'll just quote it as if you were going to pay $18 (the current pricing) daily for parking those 6 days. That's a cost of $707 with the deluxe AP, or with just buying tickets on its own, $578. Here you can see the Deluxe Pass is not cheaper than just buying tickets, As long as you are only going 6 days. Any more than that and the pass is cheaper.

SIGNATURE ---
$849, or 5 park hopper tickets. Includes parking, PhotoPass+ and discounts on merchandise/food.

SIGNATURE PLUS ---
$1049, or 6 park hopper tickets. Includes parking, PhotoPass+ and discounts on merchandise/food.

Now I'm not your average visitor, but if I didn't have an AP then I would have spent a small fortune going to the parks this year. Without including any savings I have received on food and merchandise, my 63 trips to the park would have cost me $10,899 (with parking included). So please, tell me how this isn't a value. I hope you realize that AP's are directed towards those of us locals that take multiple trips during the year. It's a value. Please just look at the math. If I'm going for more than 6 days, I'd rather just buy the pass than buy solo tickets!! That guarantees I can return during the year more than 6 times if I wanted to!

 

[Robinjay]

I was going to purchase a Premium AP in August for my 15th anniversary (haven't had a pass for five years), but was in a cam boot and couldn't stand the thought of hobbling around in the nasty CA summer heat (unusually gross this year) and 60th crowds until my foot healed so I held off. Grrrrr.

But I did run to the local Main Place Mall in Santa Ana this afternoon and the Disney Store there had a plethora of annual pass vouchers still available in all shapes and sizes. The Cast Member working there said only one other person had been in to purchase them and that no one had told them about the annual price increases. Hopefully the vouchers will stay until they sell out and others can purchase as well! I do not have to activate until December 2016, but will before then.

I have absolutely no interest in PhotoPass. It was great for our WDW visit, but for a visit that is 7 miles away from our house, there is just no need or desire for me. I like to visit during the December holidays because I have those two weeks off from school and it is a nice break

 

[Sherry E]

Just gonna leave this here...I posted it elsewhere and feel like it needs to be read with all the complaints going on.

Not upset about the price increase at all!! If you're an annual pass holder and have not done the math to see the value in this and are therefore stating you will not be renewing, see ya later. More room for me. If you're not a frequent visitor and tickets work better for you than you're not affected as of yet. But even so, ticket prices are even still a great deal. Here's some information for you...and simple math.

Disneyland currently has 40+ attractions in its resort for a ticket cost of $99 (or $155 for a park hopper). Universal Studios Hollywood currently has 8, yes that's right, EIGHT attractions and they charge $95 for a ticket. Who is really the company overcharging here??

I don't get the complaints. I just don't understand. ANNUAL PASSES ARE AN AMAZING VALUE!! Here is some basic math to prove the value. If at any time you will be visiting the park more than 6 days in a year, you are saving money.

DELUXE PASS vs TICKETS ---
A deluxe pass is $599, or 6 days in the park with park hoppers. This AP does not include parking, but can be added on. For now we'll just quote it as if you were going to pay $18 (the current pricing) daily for parking those 6 days. That's a cost of $707 with the deluxe AP, or with just buying tickets on its own, $578. Here you can see the Deluxe Pass is not cheaper than just buying tickets, As long as you are only going 6 days. Any more than that and the pass is cheaper.

SIGNATURE ---
$849, or 5 park hopper tickets. Includes parking, PhotoPass+ and discounts on merchandise/food.

SIGNATURE PLUS ---
$1049, or 6 park hopper tickets. Includes parking, PhotoPass+ and discounts on merchandise/food.

Now I'm not your average visitor, but if I didn't have an AP then I would have spent a small fortune going to the parks this year. Without including any savings I have received on food and merchandise, my 63 trips to the park would have cost me $10,899 (with parking included). So please, tell me how this isn't a value. I hope you realize that AP's are directed towards those of us locals that take multiple trips during the year. It's a value. Please just look at the math. If I'm going for more than 6 days, I'd rather just buy the pass than buy solo tickets!! That guarantees I can return during the year more than 6 times if I wanted to!

It's a great value for you -- and many people will feel that way too. People can do the math and crunch numbers and figure out if it is worth it for them. But many people don't have endless, flowing streams of cash -- and yet they still love Disney parks as much as you do, and as much as other people do. So if they can no longer afford it or can't reconcile spending the money, or feel it's not right to implement this kind of pricing system right before the entire Rivers of America is about to go down, as well as DLRR, as well as the loss of the Ranch and Aladdin, etc.... they have a right to complain.

 

[jani3]

I do not have to activate until December 2016, but will before then.

Is that date right? Dec 2016?