Disney World is shaping up for a big year in 2025, but will you be there to see it?
For tons of people each year, a Disney World Annual Pass is the best, most cost-efficient way to visit Disney World, especially if you make several visits. However, prices continue to rise and park caveats that change operations such as refurbishments, closures, and expansions have the power to dissuade people from attending. 2025 is going to present some challenges and so we asked YOU, the readers, if you’ll renew your Annual Passes in the wake of these changes. Let’s just say, the results were a bit shocking.
Here at AllEars, our reporters rely on Annual Passes so that we can bring you daily coverage and timely updates to help you with your next Disney World trip. However, if you’re not like us and don’t visit daily, the choice to purchase or keep and Annual Pass is a bit more complicated. We asked our readers if they plan to renew their passes in 2025 and the results were mixed.
Are you renewing your Disney Annual Pass in 2025? If not, we wanna know WHY!
Posted by AllEars.Net on Thursday, December 26, 2024
Unsurprisingly, we got plenty of responses in the “yes”, “no”, and “maybe” camps.
Starting off with the “yes” folks, many cited tradition, planned multiple visits, proximity to the parks, and pure love of Disney as to why they plan to renew next year.
Reader Ro wrote, “Yes and can’t wait for the arts and flower festival[s] at Epcot!” Reader Kathy added, “Absolutely! We’ve gone 4 times last year, and our next trip is 1/4. This was the best thing we’ve ever done. So happy we got our APs! 😍”
Reader Becky, who is from the Chicago area, has the Disney Incredi-Pass, the highest tiered pass and plans on renewing, as they go every other month and feel they get their money’s worth. However, they noted that the cost is expensive, a theme we’ll see continue to pop up as we saw some “yes, but” responses that alluded to pass tier reductions to save cost.
While some readers mentioned moving further away as an excuse not to renew, most blamed cost as to why they won’t renew their Annual Passes in 2025.
Reader Neal wrote, “No, because we only have one Walt Disney World trip planned for 2025, and so it doesn’t make sense financially.”
Reader Shannon lamented the cost, writing, “Nope. Tired of dropping endless piles of money on food and beverage and getting a little for a lot.” Reader Cathy echoed that sentiment, writing, “Nope. Sick of all the extra expenses after purchasing a pass.”
Ultimately, many of our readers said the cost was too high and the passes and add-ons have become too expensive.
One major concern from our readers regarding Annual Pass renewal was centered around Disney World’s Disability Access Service (DAS) changes. The added limitations have not been well-recieved, at least among the readers who responded to our Annual Pass question.
Reader Mark wrote, “Nope. After having a DAS for many years they denied us. We even got approved under new guidelines and were denied to renew. Just to hard without it.”
Reader Pamela added, “Nope… With the new disability access rules we got denied. It’s just too hard to maneuver without them even with lightning lanes.”
Of course, there were also some folks debating whether or not to renew. What’s become clear is that the choice isn’t as simple as it maybe once was. Costs have become inflated and the return on investment can only be evaluated on a case by case basis.
With the changes to Disney World’s DAS program, literal park changes and closures, and the issues of proximity, crowding, and other factors, it’s a good idea to take all things into consideration before dropping the big bucks on an Annual Pass.
Regardless of whether you get a pass and go several times a year or buy regular tickets and go once or twice in 2025, we’ll be here every day at Disney World bringing you all the latest updates, tips, and reviews, so stay tuned right here at AllEars!
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Are you renewing your Disney World Annual Pass in 2025? Let us know in the comments!
Nope. I used to be able to get a DAS pass for my anxiety, but was denied on my last visit. They gave me some BS about some accommodations they made for people with anxiety, which were entirely ridiculous. They said I could communicate with a cast member if I had a panic attack in line. I don’t remember seeing cast members strolling the lines to see if anyone needed anything. Also, when I have a panic attack I disassociate so I wouldn’t be able to communicate with a cast member. I felt like Disney didn’t care and was just going for a money grab by forcing me to buy a lightening pass or just not ride anything. Also, we have to pay full price for after hour events such as the holiday parties. The Disney magic is no longer there.
I am dropping my pass. I was denied a DAS in my last visit due to their changes. They no longer allow DAS for anxiety, stating that they have developed new strategies to help anxiety, mainly if I’m waiting in line and start to have a panic attack, I can let a cast member know and they will get me out of line and then when the rest of my party reaches the line, they will escort me back. First of all, when I have a panic attack, I disassociate so I can’t communicate with a staff member plus having people stare at me makes my anxiety worse. It felt to me like they were trying to force me into buying lightening lane and that my disability was no longer accommodated and they don’t care. Added to that, we also have to pay the full ticket price for after hour events like the holiday parties. It’s just not worth it to me.
We are dropping our annual passes because of the price. We are retired and cannot justify the expense. The parks are now too crowded and too few perks with AP’s to enjoy.
Retaining returning guests are a thing of the past.
No. I use it for walking now. Food used to be fun to review. Now it’s too expensive and meal quality is stagnant.
I’ll find nature trails to walk.
There is always an outside compulsion to buy next year. You never really know.