Disneyland Annual Pass: Worth The Cost?
Buying an annual passport to Disney theme parks gives you unlimited access to either Disneyland California or Walt Disney World Florida for a full 12 months. If you think that you are likely to be visiting one of the two parks many times over the year then picking up an annual pass makes sense because it can mean significant cost savings. Obviously the more times you go the more value you are getting for your initial outlay. There are two ways that you can buy your pass, either in person or online. If you are planning on using it immediately then either option is fine but if you are wanting to use it some time in the future then buying it via the web is best. This is because annual passports bought online do not have an expiry date and your year doesn’t begin until you first use it at your chosen destination.
You can get a yearly entrance pass for Walt Disney World in Orlando or one for Disneyland in Anaheim. You can’t use your ticket at the other park as they are treated as separate operations and aren’t transferable. There are basically two types of Disneyland tickets: deluxe or premium. If it works out to be worth the outlay then you can re-subscribe for the following year at a slightly reduced rate.
What are you entitled to with a yearly ticket?
. the key feature is that you can enter your selected theme park as many times as you want in a one year period and while you’re there you are entitled to park for free. The two operations have different attractions so in Florida this means entry to Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, the Disney-MGM Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park while in California you get access to the main grounds and the California Adventure park too.
. food is available to pass holders at a 10% discount from eating places at the park and at hotels as long as you spend at least $10 in one bill.
. if you stay at a Disney hotel then you can also save on your costs there too so long as you remember to state the number of your annual pass when you make your booking.
. you are not limited to one theme park per day as you can freely move between the different centers during your Disney day out.
. each Disney park has a few transport options to get you moving – monorails, ferries and buses – are freely available to passholders
. 10% saving on Disney merchandise.
*Any special performances or entertainment priced separately are not included.
The main difference between the annual and premium arrangement, apart from the price, is that the surplus ticket cost means a larger reduction on food and accommodation and unlimited admission to more places.
So who usually buys a Disneyland Annual Passport?
The annual passes appeal to residents who live nearby and to Disney fanatics who just can’t get enough of all things Disney but also to those who want to take their time to enjoy their Disney experience. An annual pass means you can go day or night, you aren’t as worried about seeing and doing as much as you can on each visit because you know you can come back anytime in the next year. Overall it is a more relaxed way to take it all in.
