The Walt Disney World Annual Pass program is being revamped with significantly higher rates for Disney Vacation Club members, a revised blockout date calendar and more.
Disneyland used the COVID-19 pandemic to rewrite the rules on its passholder program, introducing the multi-tiered "Magic Key" system. Now Walt Disney World has made similar revisions to its theme park admission, updating the blockout calendar, moving certain products to optional add-on status and--of course--raising prices.
The popular Gold Pass, available only to Florida residents and Disney Vacation Club members, has become the Sorcerer Pass. Along with that name change Disney revamped the blockout calendar (link), notably adding a 4-day stretch around Thanksgiving to the dates during which the Sorcerer pass cannot be used for theme park admission, while removing Easter from the blockout period.
Disney has also removed PhotoPass image downloads from the base package, transitioning it to an optional add-on at $99 per pass. Meanwhile the Water Parks and Sports add-on has been unveiled at $99 per person, including access to Disney's water parks, golf and foot golf at Disney's Oak Trail course, and one daily round of mini golf before 4:00pm.
| Pass | New Pass | % Change | Renewal | % Change |
| DVC Gold Annual Pass (February 2020) | $719 | $611 | ||
| Sorcerer Pass (September 2021) | 899 | +25% | 764 | +25% |
| Sorcerer Pass with PhotoPass Add-On | 998 | +39% | 863 | +41% |
| DVC Platinum Annual Pass (February 2020) | $899 | $764 | ||
| Incredi-Pass (September 2021) | 1,299 | +45% | 1,104 | +45% |
| Incredi-Pass with PhotoPass Add-On | 1,398 | +56% | 1,203 | +57% |
| DVC Platinum Plus Annual Pass (February 2020) | $999 | $849 | ||
| Incredi-Pass with Water Park and Sports (September 2021) | $1,398 | +40% | 1,203 | +42% |
| Incredi-Pass with Water Park, Sports and PhotoPass | $1,497 | +50% | 1.302 | +53% |
Disney Vacation Club has not announced any member discounts on the Incredi-Pass. Members most recently were eligible for $300 off the price of both the Platinum and Platinum Plus Annual Passes. The member discount is taken into account in the February 2020 prices noted above.
It is worth noting that a large family could conceivably purchase the PhotoPass add-on for only one member of their party to coordinate download and distribution of the images.
Disney is also adjusting the number of Park Pass reservations permitted by each annual pass flavor. Effective September 8, holders of the Sorcerer Pass, Incred-Pass, and the older Gold, Premium and Premium Plus passes will be able to hold up to 5 Park Pass reservations at a time. Guests with upcoming hotel reservations will be able to make Park Pass reservations for the duration of their stay, as well as the 5 additional dates.
Current passholders may retain their existing pass, but will be required to upgrade to one of the new format passes upon renewal. Disney claims that multiple options will be available to upgrade Magic Your Way tickets to annual passes, including a feature via the My Disney Experience app.
Lower priced Pixie Dust and Pirate Annual Passes are available, but only to Florida residents. Residents are also eligible for monthly payment plans. For additional details visit the Disney Passholder information page.
