It’s a great deal, as long as you never use it.
WALT DISNEY WORLD, FL — An announcement Thursday may quiet critics who complain about ever-rising theme park admission prices, as Disney introduced its lowest-price annual pass option in years.
“Our guests have been telling us that park admission, and particularly the cost of annual passes, has been too high,” said Bob Chapek, head of Disney Parks and Resorts. “And we listen to our guests. That’s why we are proud to offer the new ‘All-Blackout Annual Pass’ for the Walt Disney World Resort.”
Admission Impossible
Up until yesterday’s announcement, Disney offered “Platinum” and “Platinum Plus” annual passes for $849 and $949 (plus tax) respectively — the “Plus” pass includes the water parks. Past offerings of “Silver,” “Gold,” and “Weekday” passes each came with a calendar of blackout dates, where the annual pass would not work.
The new All-Blackout Annual Pass comes with almost all the perks of the Platinum pass for a greatly reduced price.
“We’ve priced it at $649 plus tax, which is less than a hundred dollars more than a 10-day Park Hopper Plus pass,” Chapek says. “For that price, you get to call yourself an Annual Passholder, you get that cool AP decal for your car, and a Passholder-exclusive Magic Band. You also get free parking at all the parks and resorts, 20% off of select dining and merchandise, and unlimited downloads of your PhotoPass pictures and videos. It’s a great deal!”
Some limitations apply
The only perk not included is park admission.
“Yeah, the calendar is pretty much solid blackout dates,” Chapek says. “But look at the money you save off of the Platinum pass!”
The All-Blackout Premium Pass will debut at Walt Disney World, and then be priced for the Disneyland Resort in future months if it is successful in Florida. There are no residency requirements.
But wait, that’s not all
Chapek reveals one more option: “For just $50 more, you can upgrade to the All-Blackout Plus Annual Pass. With the Plus option, you also won’t be able to get into the water parks!”
Is this deal too good to be true? Let us know in the comments below!
Need more Uncle Walt’s in your life? Be sure to LIKE us on Facebook, FOLLOW us on Twitter, and tell everyone you know (plus a few strangers) how wonderful (and humble) we are!
Cover photo of new All-Blackout Annual Pass © 2018 Disney.
