Disney raises the cost of their Annual Passes every year. As frustrating as it is, it’s just something we have come to expect.
However, this year is a little different.
Without any warning, Disney raised the price of the non-Florida Resident Annual Passes by 25% overnight.
Between 2018 and 2019, the price increased by $50.
So, this significant increase in price has frequent Disney travelers asking the question,
“Is It Still Worth It To Buy A Walt Disney World Annual Pass?“
What do Walt Disney World Annual Passes cost now?
Lets start with the reason that you probably came here in the first place…the new cost of the Annual Passes.
These are the Annual Passes for Guests who are purchasing a Brand New Annual Pass and live in 49 states throughout the United States.
Florida residents have their own price points and multiple levels of Annual Passes to choose from.
Guests who currently have an Annual Pass and plan on renewing their passes up to 30 days after your pass expiration date also receive a discount, so their new costs will be slightly less expensive.
Disney Platinum Plus Pass
- Admission for a year to all 4 Theme Parks, 2 Disney Water Parks, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, and Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course (No blockout dates)
- Park Hoppers – Visit all 4 theme parks on the same day
- Unlimited Disney PhotoPass downloads
- Up to 20% off on select dining
- Up to 20% off select merchandise in store or online at Shop Disney Parks
- Standard Theme Park parking
New Annual Price: $1,219.00
Disney Platinum Pass
- Admission for a year to all 4 Theme Parks (No blockout dates)
- Park Hoppers – Visit all 4 theme parks on the same day
- Unlimited Disney PhotoPass downloads
- Up to 20% off on select dining
- Up to 20% off select merchandise in store or online at Shop Disney Parks
- Standard theme park parking
New Annual Price: $1,119.00
Water Parks Annual Pass
- Enjoy one year of admission to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park and Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park (during normal operating hours)
- This Annual Pass only gives you access to the Water Parks and are not usually eligible for any extra Perks.
Annual Price: $139.00
Additional Perks to having an Annual Pass
In addition to the perks described above, there are other perks that are only available for Annual Passholders.
- Special offers for discounted rooms on Walt Disney World property select times of the year.
- Passholder previews – get into new lands before it opens
- Treat friends to discounted Theme Park Tickets
- Discounted Water Park Tickets (if you don’t have the Disney Platinum Plus Pass)
- Discounts on Hard-Ticketed Events
- Discounts on Guided Tours
- V.I.Passholder Support – to answer your questions, explain Passholder benefits, and provide helpful recommendations
- Passholder-only Events
- Early registration for runDisney events
- Discounted Tables in Wonderland Membership
- Discount on Best Friends Pet Care
- …and more
Why did Disney raise the price of their Annual Passes?
There are many theories going around for the giant price hike.
I’ve heard everything from needing to pay for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to corporate greed and crowd control.
Disney is very secretive about many things, especially when it comes to money.
While it won’t stop the rumor mills from spinning, we will never know the real reason for the substantial price increase or any future plans Disney is considering.
Making the Walt Disney World Annual Pass work for you
Ticket Prices
The biggest factor in deciding whether or not to purchase an Annual Pass lies in the Theme Park Tickets.
“How many days do you have to be in the Parks per year before the cost of the Annual Passes start to make sense?“
Sounds like a simple answer, but there is so much more than that.
Since Disney has moved to the Date-Based Calendar for their new ticket system, ticket prices vary day by day.
Also, the more tickets you purchase at one time, the cheaper the tickets get per day.
Furthermore, you have the Base Tickets vs Park Hoppers and Park Hoppers Plus Tickets to consider.
Once you consider all the variables, you’ve got yourself a difficult math equation.
So, attempting to keep things as simple as possible, I’m only going to be looking at the most popular option. This means calculating for adults (meaning ages 10+) who like to Park Hop and are looking into purchasing the Platinum Pass.
Multiple Short Trips (4 Park Days)
Guests who enjoy long weekends at Walt Disney World a few times a year would be shocked to learn that their break-even point is just 9 Park Days.
Even if you purchase Theme Park Tickets at their cheapest, which for Park Hoppers is $121 per ticket, after 3 long weekend trips, you’re already saving money.
Of course, if you travel during holidays, when the per ticket costs can be upwards of $161, you’re going to make your money back even sooner.
Fewer Longer Trips (6 Park Days)
One week is the typical time frame for Walt Disney World travelers.
6-Day Park Hoppers start at $84 per ticket, meaning that at this price point, your break even point is 13 days. However, that’s just looking at the cheapest price point.
If you travel during Peak times of the year, when the tickets cost around $100 per ticket, you can bring your break even point down to 11 days.
Even combining a cheaper week with the $84 tickets with a more expensive $100 ticket week would make your break even point 12 days…a perfect amount of time for 2 week-long trips to Walt Disney World per year.
Mega Vacation (10 Park Days)
I always envy those Guests who are able to go to Walt Disney World for extended periods of time. Can I be a part of your family?
Anyway, Guests who go on 2 week trips to Disney love to purchase 10-day tickets because the price point drops down to just $55 per ticket.
But, at this rate, you would need to be in the Parks 20 days per year, or go on two mega vacations, before hitting your break even point.
