Annual pass WDW

[Nmoody1]

Just come back from a weekend at Disneyland.

Was great to be back there... Loved DCA post makeover.... Don't see any need for world of color or cars land to come to WDW, but I digress!

Something that I found quite contrasting we're the pass holder benefits. Whilst at WDW we have seen the benefits of being a pass holder reduced quite rapid, Disneyland is currently offering a 20% merchandise discount offer until December for its pass holders, good discounts on hotels, discounts on quick service and they have a lo of limited events for pass holders.... What do we get in Orlando? My 20% premium pass holder discount is now 10%, we get very few discounts on food.... Unless you want to fork out extra $$$ for Tables in Wonderland and the resort discounts have been some what limited and hard to come by.... I'd be better off opening a disney account with Chase!

It's such a shame that pass holders really are neglected at WDW, I'm considering changing to just a regular AP this year... Next year I may not even bother with that. Looking at the great attractions and shows that have opened at DL over the past 2 years their pass holders have a real reason to return to the park. I get to watch the same nighttime parade I've been watching since I was a child (with added sound effects), the same castle show (although I do still enjoy it) and fireworks shows with less pyro than 10 years ago! Not to mention in our 'expansion' we have currently only got one new attraction to show for the Fantasyland upheaval.

I hate trolling of Disney and think hey come under fire sometimes for some pointless hings, but the really should be looking after pass holders a little bit more! Lets hope now they have taken a ,ear ou of disneylands book and updated a parade the will look to updating some AP benefits.... Won hold my breath!

 

[AndyS2992]

I hate trolling of Disney

You are not trolling. trolling is when someone says something on purpose to get an angry response eg me coming here and saying 'Disney sucks and is for babies, Six Flags is much better' that is trolling, you have given a very accurate insight as to how WDW pass holders are being shafted and is a valid complaint, why is this happening? We don't know but TDO being too cost effective and profit driven is to blame.

 

[Mukta]

You are so right.

I have a premier pass, so I am an AP holder on both coasts. The benefits in DL make me grateful that it is near my house.

 

[Travel Junkie]

The core of DL's visitors are AP's (There is roughly 1 Million DL passholders) whereas the bulk of WDW's visitors are out of town non AP's. It probably just comes down to paying mroe attention to your primary audience more than anything else.

The other perks besides the discoutns are what really set DL AP's apart from WDW. Free movie screening and presentations, early entry hours at select times during the year, special showings of things like WOC or Fantasmic!

 

[CohibaMan]

Unfortunately, WDW does not need nor particularly want locals. The family that lives in Celebration and drives over to MK at 6PM on a weeknight to do two rides and watch the fireworks, does absolutely nothing for Disney's bottom line. The family that comes from Brazil and stays for two weeks, eating every meal on property, does do something for Disney's bottom line.

Look, as an annual passholder myself, I wish that it wasn't this way. I truly believe that Disney would get rid of AP all together if they didn't need us just bad enough to fill out the parks while American schools are in session and international tourism is slow.

As the OP stated, just look at how the benefits of being an AP have been diminished while at the same time the prices have gone up. If it didn't make better financial sense, there would be no reason for anyone to be an AP any more.