4 Problems We Hope Disney World Fixes When Annual Passes Come Back

Since Disney World closed in March of 2020, the sale of new Annual Passes has been on pause. Recently, however, we learned that Passes will once again be on sale in time for the start of the 50th Anniversary Celebration.

Disney World Annual Passholder

With Annual Passes going on sale again by October 1st, that got us thinking: could Disney use this opportunity to bring Annual Passes back better than ever? Here are a few of the common issues Passholders would love to see addressed.

Park Pass Reservations

When Disney World rolled out its Park Pass Reservation system, Annual Passholders learned that they could only hold up to three Park Pass reservations at a time. With top-level Disneyland “Magic Key” passholders now able to book up to six Park Pass reservations at a time, a change we would love to see added for Disney World Annual Passholders as well.

Spaceship Earth at EPCOT

Another bug Passholders have encountered regarding Park Pass Reservations is the issue of booking reservations as a hotel guest. For many, the system will not recognize a Passholder as an on-site hotel guest (where you’re able to book as many Park Pass Reservations as you have days on your hotel stay), and it will automatically cap you at 3 reservations.

Polynesian Village Resort Lobby

So, Passholders often find themselves needing to call Disney on the phone to manually book Park Pass Reservations as a hotel guest, adding a tedious extra step to the process. Hopefully when Annual Passes go on sale once again, this issue will be resolved and the system will more easily recognize a Passholder staying as an overnight hotel guest.

My Disney Experience Glitches

Whether you’re an Annual Passholder or not, we’ve all likely run into some glitches here and there when it comes to My Disney Experience. While small bugs and app crashes are to be expected from time to time, some of these issues can cause major headaches for Annual Passholders.

Magic Band Scan

Linking new Annual Passes to your account if your family holds multiple accounts has resulted in some annoying bugs for many APs. When you’re trying to book, say, a Boarding Group for Rise of the Resistance and My Disney Experience won’t recognize everyone’s Annual Pass, you’ll run into some pretty big dilemmas!

Rise of the Resistance

Disney World Annual Passholders used to be able to use their merchandise discount on shopDisney as well, but this perk has come and gone over time. This was a great benefit, especially for out-of-town Passholders who aren’t able to shop in person as often as locals!

Better Mail & Email Communication

We are frequently hearing from readers that when Annual Passholders-exclusive offers or previews go out over e-mail, they find that they don’t receive one. Most recently, we hear from many readers that they never received an e-mail from Disney with a link to sign up for Passholder previews for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.

Annual Passholder

This applies to snail mail, too! If we were to mention the phrase “Annual Passholder magnets,” it would likely elicit an emotional response from certain Passholders — because for some reason, they never receive these freebies in the mail!

Annual Passholder magnet

They may just be magnets, but it is a fun perk that Passholders receive for joining (and occasionally for special events), so it would be nice if Disney were to figure out how to make sure that each and every person who signs up for an Annual Pass can receive this gift in the mail!

Annual Passholder Goodies and Perks

Speaking of freebies like magnets, there are a few additional Annual Passholder goodies and “perks” that could possibly use some updating as new Passes become available for sale soon!

Disney World Annual Passholder Ears

Similar to the old merchandise discount being available online, there are several in-park freebies that out-of-town Passholders have a harder time redeeming — it would be neat to make these freebies available to Passholders if they wish to have them sent out in the mail.

Donald Duck Annual Passholder Magnet

We won’t complain if Disney World expanded Annual Passholder-exclusive merchandise options! Often, AP-exclusive merchandise is limited (and sometimes it’s not even the best t-shirt or tumbler design!). More Passholder merchandise would be a fun new way to collect souvenirs!

Annual Passholder Merch

We’re thrilled to see the sale of new Annual Passes will be resuming soon in Disney World, and we hope Disney uses it as an opportunity to iron out some of the wrinkles that currently exist in the program!