Big changes coming to Annual Passes

[disney4life2008]

I am not surprised that parking is free for all passes now. I think a lot of Seasonal Pass holders park at the resorts. With parking prices going up to $20 even more would park at the resorts. That is unsustainable.

I am also not surprised that prices keep increasing as it is absolutely insanely busy in the parks lately. We were at Epcot yesterday and I found it as busy as New Year's Eve or 4th of July would have been a few years ago. World Showcase was packed with hundreds in line at each food booth.

We went last weekend to get our stamps for the free glass for annual passholders at Innoventions East and the line was out the door all day long, or at least each time we walked by. Yesterday they had moved into Innoventions West where there is more space and they set up a big queue area. I can't believe how many passholders there were.

I was at Epcot last night as well and it was an absolute madhouse. Luckily, I am not interested in any of the high priced food during the festival so looked around and kept it moving. What was most obvious was the level of drinks, arguing and fighting that took place around the UK pavilion. I have heard about the drunks at WS but last night was my first time seeing it.

 

[lnsemsf]

I didn't see it listed in this thread but the Premier dual coast pass is still in existence for anyone who can make use of it. You get the top level pass at each park including parking and Photopass for $1439 (plus tax on the Florida portion of the ticket.) I was worried they had discontinued it with all these changes but it's still there, just much higher priced.

 

[englanddg]

From a certain point of view I could see someone perceiving the Disneyland Resort as that when comparing it to WDW.....but the quality and quantity of the various DLR Attractions and Shows are not 'small' in my opinion.

It's not he size of the property that matters...it's what you DO with said size that matters.


Disneyland has a wonderful and unique layout that cannot be matched in theming and overall variety of things to do.
Many of the rides and Attractions are far superior in scope and quality then their 'copies' at WDW.
The overall vibe and general clientele of Guests that visit is also a big plus....to me, anyway.

Yes...WDW is expansive and all containing in size....but there sure are a lot of empty gaps underutilized or have been sadly diminished in scope over the years.
Its a matter of personal choice, but I prefer DL over WDW now for several reasons.
It hurts to say that in some respects, having once been such a avid supporter of the property.
I still feel close to it....but I don't visit.
I spend my time on the West Coast now.


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I never finished my analysis of WDW vs DLR for another site...I wrote a lot of it, but...

I have a lot of gripes.

But, overall, I agree. As a vacation destination, DLR was relaxing and fun. WDW seems more a chore anymore... It could be familiarity, but I don't think so. I think it's that the standards have slipped. But, that's for another discussion...

I'll name two things I saw at DLR that made me remember what Disney is...wandering characters (not meet and greets) and main street vehicles. The latter, people who support WDW love to point out they still run in WDW, and yes, they do...sporadically. AT DLR, they run nearly all day. And it brings an ambiance that WDW has lost. Add to that the fact that Main Street there, while it is still one large shop mostly anymore, the shop entrances still pay homage to their storefronts (take the arcade for example)...at WDW, they gave that up a long time ago.

Disneyland is beautiful...but...our castle and fireworks are far better at WDW...sorry.

 

[Monty]

I didn't see it listed in this thread but the Premier dual coast pass is still in existence for anyone who can make use of it. You get the top level pass at each park including parking and Photopass for $1439 (plus tax on the Florida portion of the ticket.) I was worried they had discontinued it with all these changes but it's still there, just much higher priced.

And at the new pricing it also includes PhotoPass downloads.

 

[Figments Friend]

We will in a few years. We've a cruise and DLP first, and were seriously looking at Tokyo again. Where you get value for money and they don't charge extortionate prices.

Great to hear that Martin.

I'd love to visit DLP one of these days....and TokyoDisneySea.
Both are on my list before I drop.
Pretty much 'must dos' now after hearing and seeing so much about them over the years.

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[monorail81]

Does anyone know if they are still going to include merchandise discounts?

 

[SirLink]

We will in a few years. We've a cruise and DLP first, and were seriously looking at Tokyo again. Where you get value for money and they don't charge extortionate prices.

I would be seriously interested in if you can make TDLR work for a Brit, like myself, we couldn't get it to work out.

 

[roj2323]

I was at Epcot last night as well and it was an absolute madhouse. Luckily, I am not interested in any of the high priced food during the festival so looked around and kept it moving. What was most obvious was the level of drinks, arguing and fighting that took place around the UK pavilion. I have heard about the drunks at WS but last night was my first time seeing it.

I was there last night as well. It was stupid busy. The lines for each of the country locations was nearly 100ft long and even though they moved reasonably quickly 10-15 minutes per line, You were still stuck surrounded by Highly inebriated people at every turn. I couldn't help but think that this (epcot last night) was the reason Walt wanted a dry park.

 

[bhg469]

Hmm my spending an average of $200 per weekend at WDW on food and merchandise leads me to believe your comment may not be the least bit true.

Unless my sarcasm detector is failing me again, which is possible.

No youre an acception. Lots of people go there and don't spend a dime. The pricing is definitely indicating that they want more money out of locals or they want them to come less.

 

[djkidkaz]

How many photo pass downloads do you get? Is it unlimited or like 1 a month?

 

[Figments Friend]

I never finished my analysis of WDW vs DLR for another site...I wrote a lot of it, but...

I have a lot of gripes.

But, overall, I agree. As a vacation destination, DLR was relaxing and fun. WDW seems more a chore anymore... It could be familiarity, but I don't think so. I think it's that the standards have slipped. But, that's for another discussion...

I'll name two things I saw at DLR that made me remember what Disney is...wandering characters (not meet and greets) and main street vehicles. The latter, people who support WDW love to point out they still run in WDW, and yes, they do...sporadically. AT DLR, they run nearly all day. And it brings an ambiance that WDW has lost. Add to that the fact that Main Street there, while it is still one large shop mostly anymore, the shop entrances still pay homage to their storefronts (take the arcade for example)...at WDW, they gave that up a long time ago.

Disneyland is beautiful...but...our castle and fireworks are far better at WDW...sorry.

Agree regarding the overall ambiance you describe in your first sentence.
That is the difference in clientele I was touching on.
People are far more laid back at DLR and not usually in the crazed, commando touring mindset many WDW Guests seem to be in.
The lack of MM- and FP- is also a big factor in the difference I prefer.

And yes, I agree with you as well regarding the character situation and Main Street atmosphere between the two properties.

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[djkidkaz]

I was there last night as well. It was stupid busy. The lines for each of the country locations was nearly 100ft long and even though they moved reasonably quickly 10-15 minutes per line, You were still stuck surrounded by Highly inebriated people at every turn. I couldn't help but think that this (epcot last night) was the reason Walt wanted a dry park.

Yesterday was one of the nicest days Florida has had in months so the parks were much busier than expected. Epcot also has the event going on and extended hours on Friday and Saturday.

 

[Arty Cordova]

I am currently a passholder. I just reviewed the new program and it looks identical to the one now, just over 20% more expensive. What are the new benefits?

 

[roj2323]

Yesterday was one of the nicest days Florida has had in months so the parks were much busier than expected. Epcot also has the event going on and extended hours on Friday and Saturday.

I'm a local and I'm very aware of that. Even so I didn't care about the crowds, it was the drunk people everywhere acting like teenagers that bothered me.

 

[marni1971]

I would be seriously interested in if you can make TDLR work for a Brit, like myself, we couldn't get it to work out.

The rough looks we've had show flights on Emirates via Dubai around the same for MAN to MCO, the Tokyo Bay Hilton very reasonable and ten day tickets around £22 per day. But let's not derail this important thread.

 

[LiveInOrlando]

As local Orlando citizen, I think the changes are amazing! I previously purchased a bigger pass than I needed just for the free parking. Now I can purchase a pass with blackout dates that includes parking. As someone who lives in Orlando I would never be caught dead in the park during the blackout periods anyway, too many people, or it is too hot.

 

[NearTheEars]

I think the pass holders will renew, probay more than 90%. I see most of them going gold or lower. Disney wants those black out days open for non regular guests it seems.

We renewed our standard Fla. resident passes in August and won't be up (downgrading) to this new program this year unless we have to. We will probably renew again next year at the gold level.

A little sad about the two sets of blackout dates. We always drove over the week of Christmas to see the Christmas parade after it goes public.

 

[englanddg]

The rough looks we've had show flights on Emirates via Dubai around the same for MAN to MCO, the Tokyo Bay Hilton very reasonable and ten day tickets around £22 per day. But let's not derail this important thread.

I think a more important thread is sending you on fact finding mentions patronized by the larger community.

 

[englanddg]

Agree regarding the overall ambiance you describe in your first sentence.
That is the difference in clientele I was touching on.
People are far more laid back at DLR and not usually in the crazed, commando touring mindset many WDW Guests seem to be in.
The lack of MM- and FP- is also a big factor in the difference I prefer.

And yes, I agree with you as well regarding the character situation and Main Street atmosphere between the two properties.

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I had an amazing time at Disneyland, even though the overall experience is one I choose not to talk about much. It was an amazingly relaxing experience (odd to say about a theme park, and certainly not what WDW is....WDW is exciting, but not relaxing)...

 

[englanddg]

Disneyland, as an overall experience, is vastly superior to WDW...hands down.

There isn't even room for debate.