Can You Save Money By Becoming a Disney World Annual Passholder in 2024?

Are you thinking about becoming a Disney World Annual Passholder, and wondering if it will save you money over the next year? You’ve arrived at the right blog post!

Many Disney enthusiasts wonder: ‘Can the magic of being a Disney World Annual Passholder translate into real savings?’

As a Disney World Annual Passholder myself, I have tried this out to see if it really is cost-effective.

So, let’s figure out if being a Disney World Annual Passholder will save you on your visits to “the most magical place on Earth”!

This post is all about determining if you can save money by becoming a Disney World Annual Passholder in 2024.

Saving Money as an Disney World Annual Passholder?

What does it mean to be a ‘Disney World Annual Passholder’?

If you are a Disney World Annual Passholder, it essentially means that you pre-purchased your Disney World tickets for the year. So, instead of purchasing new tickets every time you visit the parks, you have one Annual Pass that will last for a year’s worth of visits (we will discuss the Disney World Annual Passholder blockout dates later in this post).

There are different Disney World Annual Passes tiers – with varying requirements of eligibility and prices …

Please remember that details, offerings, and prices are subject to change, so it’s always advisable to check the official Disney website for the most up-to-date information – before making your purchase.

Disney World Annual Passholder Price for Each Tier

1) Disney Pixie Dust Pass

Annual Pass Price: $439 + tax

Disney World Annual Pass Cost Per Month (if you are eligible for the Florida Resident Monthly Payment Program): $22 per month for 12 months (0% APR) after a $205 downpayment

Requirements to be Eligible for this AP: ONLY Florida Residents

Restrictions to Use: Reservation-based admission on the majority of weekdays (A maximum of 3 park reservations can be made at any one time on a rolling basis). Blockout dates include peak times and holiday periods.

2) Disney Pirate Pass

Price: $799 + tax

Disney World Annual Pass Cost Per Month (if you are eligible for the Florida Resident Monthly Payment Program): $54 per month for 12 months (0% APR) after a $205 downpayment

Requirements to be Eligible for this AP: ONLY Florida Residents

Restrictions to Use: Reservation-based admission for most days (A maximum of 4 park reservations can be made at any one time on a rolling basis). Blockout dates include peak times and holiday periods.

3) Disney Sorcerer Pass

Price: $999 + tax

Disney World Annual Pass Cost Per Month (if you are eligible for the Florida Resident Monthly Payment Program): $72 per month for 12 months (0% APR) after a $205 downpayment

Requirements to be Eligible for this AP: Blue Card Disney Vacation Club Members or Florida Residents ONLY

Restrictions to Use: Reservation-based admission for most days (A maximum of 5 park reservations can be made at any one time on a rolling basis). Blockout dates apply on select days during some holiday periods.

4) Disney Incredi-Pass

Price: $1,449 + tax

Disney World Annual Pass Cost Per Month (if you are eligible for the Florida Resident Monthly Payment Program): $112 per month for 12 months (0% APR) after a $205 downpayment

Requirements to be Eligible for this AP: All Guests

Restrictions to Use: Reservation-based admission with NO blockout dates

What about Walt Disney World Annual Passholder Price Increases?

Unfortunately, Disney loves to increase the prices on their already expensive Annual Passes. 😭

The last time they increased the prices of Annual Passes was in October 2023.

Here are the price increases for each Annual Pass tier:

Disney Pixie Dust Pass

Price Before October 2023 Increase: $399 + tax

Price After October 2023 Increase: $439 + tax

Increase of: $40

Disney Pirate Pass:

Price Before October 2023 Increase: $749 + tax

Price After October 2023 Increase: $799 + tax

Increase of: $50

Disney Sorcerer Pass:

Price Before October 2023 Increase: $969 + tax

Price After October 2023 Increase: $999 + tax

Increase of: $30

Disney Incredi-Pass:

Price Before October 2023 Increase: $1,399 + tax

Price After October 2023 Increase: $1,449

Increase of: $50

You can expect semi-regular price increases. It may not be enough to stop you from buying an Annual Pass – or take away its value. But, these increases can add up – especially if you’re purchasing Annual Passes for a family.

The Price of Disney World Annual Pass Add-Ons

There are currently two Disney World Annual Pass Add-Ons. You have to pay for these in addition to the regular AP cost.

Here are the current Add-Ons:

1) Water Park and Sports Option – $99 + tax

2)Disney PhotoPass Downloads – $99 + tax

(I break down these Add-Ons in more details in this post).

But basically, if water parks and golf and/or PhotoPass downloads are important to you, this may be an important add-on that you can justify.

Disney World Annual Passes VS Disney World Tickets: Which is Cheaper?

For most people, this will be the deciding factor in whether or not they purchase a Disney World Annual Pass.

So, let’s compare:

Disney World day tickets cost between $109+ – $164+ per day (though this can be more expensive, depending on the park you’re visiting. Animal Kingdom is the cheapest and Magic Kingdom is the most expensive).

If we averaged the cost at $136.50 per day, (of course, it could be more or less), this is how many days you would have to visit on your Annual Pass to “re-coup” the cost (rounded to the nearest day and not including tax):

Disney Pixie Dust Pass: 4 days

Pirate Pass: 6 days

Sorcerer Pass: 8 days

Disney Incredi-Pass: 11 days

So, if you are planning on visiting the Disney World Parks frequently, you might see some significant savings by purchasing a Disney World Annual Pass.

I have a Disney Incredi-Pass, and I will be spending approximately 51 days in the parks during this 365 day period, so it definitely is worth it for me.

(Please note that to work out the exact numbers for you, you can use Disney’s site. I am using approximate numbers to provide a rough idea of the potential value of a Disney World Annual Pass).

How else can you save money as a Disney World Annual Passholder?

We haven’t discussed the other Disney World Annual Passholder benefits.

The best benefit is the Disney World Annual Passholder Discounts, such as:

Resort discounts (usually up to 40% off select resorts & rooms at certain times of years. Check Disney’s Special Offers, Deals & Discounts page for more details on the current AP Resort promotions).

disney world annual passholder blockout dates — Wilderness Lodge

Dining discounts (usually about 10% on Table Service restaurants).

Merchandise discounts (20% merchandise discounts in most locations & on most items – though this has occasionally increased to 30% for select periods).

“Complimentary” standard theme park parking (which is currently worth $30 a day!).
$10 off tickets for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Disney Jollywood Nights.

If you opt to renew your Annual Pass at the end of the year, you will often be offered a 15% discount on your next year. This may sound like a pretty good deal, but don’t forget Disney will probably increase the prices of Annual Passes before you get this discount. So, it isn’t that drastic.

But still, it’s better than paying full-price for your next year of being a Disney World Annual Passholder.’

At the end of the day, Disney World Annual Pass renewal prices are still slightly better than the regular prices.

Are there any hidden costs of becoming a Disney World Annual Passholder?

Kind of.

If you purchase a Disney World Annual Pass, you will probably find that you want to/will visit the parks more frequently.

This could cost you a lot of money for hotels, dining, transportation (maybe even merchandise 😂) etc.

I have definitely started visiting Disney World more frequently since I bought an Annual Pass.

There is also a small amount of exclusive Disney World Annual Passholder merchandise – which might tempt you. After all, who doesn’t want to flaunt their Disney World Annual Passholder pride?!

So, definitely take this into consideration!

So, can I save money by becoming a Disney World Annual Passholder?

Yes, it’s definitely possible, if you …

Visit Disney World enough days per year

Take advantage of On-Site Resort discounts

Dine at Table Service Restaurants

walt disney world annual passholder — Pepper Jack “Cheese” Frittata from Whispering Canyon Cafe at Wilderness Lodge

Already buy a lot of full-priced merchandise!

Ta Ta For Now

Being a Disney World Annual Passholder will probably never be “cheap”, but it might just save you money on your visits.

Do you think you will become a Disney World Annual Passholder?!

This post was all about determining if you can save money by becoming a Disney World Annual Passholder in 2024.