8 Changes Annual Passholders Are DYING To See at Disney World

Annual Passholders are a very specific breed of Disney World guest.

They know which bathrooms are worth walking an extra four minutes for. They have opinions about the best parking row at EPCOT. They can identify a suspiciously low wait time from three lands away. And yes, they absolutely know when a “perk” feels less like pixie dust and more like a coupon in disguise.

So we asked our AllEars readers on Facebook: “Calling all Annual Passholders! What CHANGES would you like to see in Disney World??”

And friends, they answered. Some requests were practical. Some were nostalgic. Some were spicy enough to require a splash zone. But after combing through the responses, a few major themes rose to the top. Here are the changes Disney World Annual Passholders are practically begging to see.

1. Get Rid of Park Pass Reservations

No surprise here: the loudest request from Annual Passholders was also one of the simplest. A whole lot of folks want Disney to drop the remaining park pass reservation requirements for APs.

Cindi Meeler kept it short: “No reservations.” Doc Speed-Dante Santone agreed: “No more park pass reservations please.”

Kathryn E James said, “No park reservations!” Kim Clements chimed in with “No more park reservations,” and Juan Melendez went even bigger with, “STOP requiring people with AP’s to make park pass reservation.”

So, yes. There appears to be a theme. Right now, Disney World Annual Passholders have some flexibility. On many days, they can enter the parks after 2PM without a reservation, with the major exception of Magic Kingdom on Saturdays and Sundays. Disney also has “good-to-go” days when Passholders can enter without making a theme park reservation.

But clearly, for a lot of APs, that is not enough. The big frustration here seems to be that an Annual Pass is supposed to feel spontaneous. It is the “I had a weird Tuesday, I’m going to EPCOT for one snack and a slow loop on Spaceship Earth” situation. When reservations are still part of the equation, even in a limited way, some Passholders feel like the magic has paperwork attached.

Nancy Nicastro Jonas summed up one common frustration, saying, “No more park reservations! It’s ridiculous at this point. I can’t tell you how many times we get held up at the tap points because people didn’t make park reservations.” That is the kind of logistical hiccup that can turn a casual park visit into a group project nobody asked for.

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2. Give APs a Lightning Lane Perk

If park reservations were the loudest complaint, Lightning Lane was right behind it, wearing tap shoes. Several readers said they would love to see some kind of Lightning Lane benefit included with an Annual Pass, whether that means a free selection, a discount, an afternoon perk, or an annual add-on option.

Nicole Silva Pool suggested, “AP Lightning lanes after 4:00 pm similar to what Universal does.” Donnie Callais wanted “free lightning lane” or “a free lightning lane a day for AP holders,” while Michael D Cook Jr. suggested “free lighting lanes for annual pass holders at least 2-3 per day… or after 4 or 5.”

Lisa Kb had a similar thought: “Include days of multipass with the AP purchase.”

Curtis Jolly said he would even settle for APs getting “the 7 day booking window for multipass/Genie+/fastpass lightning lane that resort guests get.”

That last one feels like the AP version of “I am not asking for the castle, I am asking for one working umbrella in a thunderstorm.”

Lightning Lane has become one of the biggest cost-and-planning pain points in Disney World. For Annual Passholders, who already spend a lot for access to the parks, paying again and again for skip-the-line access can sting.

A full return to free FastPass may not be realistic, but readers floated plenty of middle-ground ideas: one free Lightning Lane per visit, discounted Lightning Lane purchases, an afternoon-only AP perk, an annual Lightning Lane add-on, or earlier booking access.

Basically, APs are saying: “We are here all the time. Throw us a rope before we become permanent fixtures in the standby line.”

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3. Bring Back Tables in Wonderland

Some Disney fans miss retired perks the way other people miss old boyfriends. Not because everything was perfect, but because there were snacks involved and the math was better. One of the most frequently mentioned retired perks was Tables in Wonderland, the former paid dining discount program that many Disney World regulars loved.

Barbara McWhirter said, “Bring back Tables in Wonderland.” Pamela Fehnel added, “Bring back Tables in Wonderland!!!” Kimberly Davis also wanted Disney to “bring back the Tables in Wonderland FL discounts.”

Mark DelBuono explained why this one mattered, saying, “We spend less time eating in parks and resorts now as we lost the discount. Sometimes all we want is a few appetizers and a bottle of wine.”

That is a very specific Disney adult mood, and we respect the candor.

Dining at Disney World is expensive. Annual Passholders do receive discounts at many restaurants, but those discounts vary by location, eligibility, timing, and what is actually included. A more robust dining program could make a big difference for repeat visitors who are not necessarily booking a once-in-a-lifetime trip but are popping in for dinner, drinks, appetizers, or a resort lounge night.

And look, some of us would skip a ride for a lounge reservation without blinking. Unless it is Living with the Land. She is an attraction queen and deserves respect.

4. Bring Back Package Delivery

This one came up again and again, and honestly, Disney should frame these comments and hang them in a merchandise stockroom. Annual Passholders want package delivery back.

Tony A Miner suggested “holding purchases for pick up upon departure.”

Kerry Johnson Debski said, “I would like to see the return of resort delivery and delivery to guest services. I know I’d buy more if I didn’t have to carry bags around the park.”

Greg S Kauriga simply said, “Delivering purchases to the resort again.”

Mark DelBuono echoed the same point, saying, “Package delivery service to your resort. We buy less now so we don’t have to carry it around.”

That is not just a guest convenience issue. That is a “Disney, people are literally telling you they would spend more money” issue. Nobody wants to carry a Spirit Jersey, a popcorn bucket, a mug, three pins, a plush, and a questionable impulse purchase through 92-degree Florida humidity. It turns a fun shopping moment into a haunted cargo expedition.

For Annual Passholders, who may stop by the parks often and make smaller purchases over time, package pickup or resort delivery could be a huge quality-of-life improvement. It also makes shopping feel less like a commitment to arm day.

5. Make the Discounts Feel Bigger

Annual Passholders do get discounts, but many readers want those discounts to go further.

Beverly Bielewicz asked for “20% off food and drinks, both quick service and table service.”

Barbara Berens suggested “a larger discount on event tickets,” specifically mentioning “20% on After Hours or MNSSHP,” and also said Passholders should be included in Extended Evening Hours along with Deluxe Resort guests.

Catherine Schneiter wanted “discounts on lightning lane premium,” while Ashley Brown asked for “cheaper lightning lanes.”

Jessica Merrill Walker wanted broader reciprocal perks: “Give a discount for WDW AP at other Disney properties and vice versa.”

This is where the AP wishlist starts to feel less like “give us everything for free” and more like “make the pass feel like a pass.”

When someone buys an Annual Pass, they are already committing to Disney World in a big way. They are likely visiting more often, spending on food, merchandise, parking-adjacent beverages, festivals, parties, and sometimes hotel stays. A stronger discount structure could help those repeat guests feel recognized instead of lightly sprinkled with savings confetti.

And yes, a 20% food discount across more locations would make a lot of Passholders very happy. A discount that works only at select spots and not on this, that, the other thing, the moon phase, and the appetizer you actually wanted can feel a little less magical.

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6. Offer Better Pass Options and Payment Plans

Several readers also wanted Disney to rethink how Annual Passes are sold, especially for people who do not live in Florida.

Katharine Smith said she would “love payment plan options for out of state AP’s.”

Curt Rapala also asked for “month to month payments for out of state passholders,” while Joan Marie said “monthly payment plans.”

Lisa Vee wanted Disney to “offer passes other than the Incredipass for out of country (or state) people.”

This is a big one because not every Annual Passholder is local. Some out-of-state guests visit Disney World often enough that an Annual Pass makes sense, but the upfront cost can be a brick wall with Mickey-shaped mortar.

Readers also floated the idea of friend or guest passes.

Sharlene Olson suggested “Friend passes for APs. Even just a few a year would be nice.”

Steve Knowles had a more detailed version of the idea, saying he would like to be able to buy “up to 4 non-specific AP’s” that he could use for friends and family visiting with him.

A flexible guest benefit could be tricky for Disney to manage, but the desire behind it makes sense. Annual Passholders often become the Disney planners for their families and friend groups. They are the ones getting texts that say, “We’re thinking about Disney. What do we do?” before the poor soul has even chosen a travel month.

A little built-in guest flexibility could make those trips easier and make Passholders feel more like insiders instead of unpaid vacation consultants with shin splints.

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7. Give APs More Time in the Parks

A few readers wanted Annual Passholders to get more access, especially in the form of extra hours.

David Ross said he wanted “Extra park hours at night as with Deluxe Resort Guests.”

Katharine Smith mentioned “later hours for AK,” and Barbara Berens said APs should be “included in Extended Hours along with the Deluxe resorts.”

This one makes a lot of sense from a guest-experience perspective. Disney World at night is a different creature. The heat backs off. The lights come on. Everyone becomes 11% more dramatic walking past the castle.

Animal Kingdom, in particular, has long been a park fans want to see more of after dark. Pandora glows. Tree of Life awakenings are gorgeous. Even just wandering the park at night feels like a treat.

Would AP-exclusive extended hours be crowded? Probably. Would Passholders still want them? Absolutely. Disney could announce “Annual Passholder Night at EPCOT,” and half of Orlando would start charging their phone in preparation.

8. Fix the Everyday Stuff

Not every requested change was about discounts, reservations, or retired perks. Some readers wanted Disney to focus on the basics: cleanliness, crowding, seating, ride uptime, accessibility, and general park behavior.

Barbara Bara Whorten wrote, “Stop. Letting. So. Many. People. In. The. Parks. Each. Day.”

Sally Repaci Curran said she wanted the parks to be “Cleaner,” adding that during a recent visit, “Bathroom smelled, litter on the ground that I was picking up.”

Laura Karbel asked for “park benches & more seating,” which may not sound glamorous, but try telling that to your feet after rope drop, lunch, a parade detour, and one ill-advised lap around World Showcase.

Angel Pruz said they wanted Disney to be “safer, with more ride uptime,” pointing to concerns about maintenance. Sara Bruno simply wrote, “Fix DAS!”

These comments hit differently because they are not really about bonus perks. They are about the day-to-day park experience.

Annual Passholders notice patterns. They know when a bathroom has gone rogue. They know when ride downtime starts to feel less like bad luck and more like a recurring character. They know when crowds have tipped from “busy” into “we are now all one giant sweaty organism.”

And because they visit often, those small things add up fast.

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The AP Wishlist Is Really About Value

When you look at these comments together, one thing becomes clear: Annual Passholders are not all asking for the same thing, but they are asking from the same place. They want the pass to feel valuable.

For some, that means no park reservations. For others, it means a Lightning Lane perk, bigger discounts, or the return of beloved programs like Tables in Wonderland. Some want package delivery. Some want better accessibility systems. Some want cleaner parks, more benches, fewer crowds, and rides that stay running. And some just want Disney to stop acting like magnets are a full personality.

To be fair, AP magnets are fun. We love a little refrigerator trophy. But when guests are spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on Annual Passes, a magnet alone is not going to carry the emotional weight of the relationship.

Annual Passholders are some of Disney World’s most loyal guests. They come back again and again, bring friends and family, spend money in the parks, follow every update, and care deeply about the place. Sometimes too deeply. We have all seen someone have a dissertation-level opinion about a popcorn cart location. But that loyalty is exactly why these requests matter.

Disney does not have to give Passholders everything on this list. But if the company wants Annual Passes to keep feeling special, it may need to keep looking for ways to make APs feel like more than repeat customers with a discount card.

We will keep watching for updates to Disney World’s Annual Passholder perks, policies, discounts, and all the tiny changes that can make a big difference. In the meantime, keep following AllEars for the latest Disney news, planning tips, and the kind of park advice that saves your wallet, your schedule, and occasionally your feet.

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Are you an Annual Passholder or just a frequent Disney World visitor? What do you think needs to be changed? Let us know in the comments below!

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