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Calling all Annual Passholders! Check out this list of AP perks coming soon to your Walt Disney World theme parks. Hint, one will give you some special lights and sounds.
The AP Advantage
Being a Walt Disney World Annual Passholder means having regular access to the parks, and it can be a great value for guests who enjoy visiting frequently. However, if you are anything like me (KatieP), you part of the fun of being an Annual Passholder is the little magical extras.
For example, APs get a magnet in the mail to commemorate their year of Annual Pass access. I know I am not alone in my love for AP magnets. Mine have a place of honor in my home.
Current AP Benefits
Recently, Walt Disney World began selling Annual Passes again. For a long time, only existing Annual Passholders and their children who were two turning three had the ability to hold and renew Annual Passes.
However, the AP is back, and with it are some changes to the program. KtP writer Monica has the story for you right here.
The current perks include up to 20% off of food and merchandise and theme park parking. There was also a special passholder preview for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. It is unknown whether there will be previews for upcoming Disney attractions, but I hope the answer is yes!
Most notably missing from the list is access to Memory Maker/ Complementary photo pass downloads. This must be added on for $99 when you purchase a new pass or renew your existing one.
NEW Benefits
Now, Disney has released a short list of new benefits for annual passholders.
One is theme park entry. Annual passholders already have their own entry lane at Walt Disney World Theme Parks. But, later this month, that entry point will be enhanced.
Annual Passholders will experience a unique color an sound experience as they scan into the parks. In order to get the sounds and the colors, you will need to have your AP linked to your My Disney Experience account.
In late October, Annual Passholders will also see the rollout of the Passholder Buzz, a mobile hub exclusive to passholders. Here, passholders will find great exclusive digital content to enjoy.
Finally, MDE will have an exclusive Magic Mobile Mickey Mouse design just for Annual Passholders. It will join the AP badge that you may have already noticed has popped up in your MDE.
These benefits may not seem like much, but I do think they will be fun additions to the program. (I would have preferred to keep Memory Maker., but I digress.) I am excited to try out the new entry point sequence once it launches.
What do you think of these new AP perks? Let us know in the comments on Facebook!
Share the love!
Nicole
Saturday 9th of October 2021
I don't really care about the perks, I got annual passes just to enjoy the parks. I would though be super excited and happy if they added some sort of fast passes/lightening passes for AP. Stupid your expecting AP especially ones like us who live 10mins away and go very frequently to spend $15 and above for each person each time if want to skip some lines, just dumb. Went to a park yesterday went on one ride because everything had over a hour wait. But if you made it where AP either got back 3 free passes a park visit or heck charge me like a photo pass where I can pay $99 for a year for like 3 or 5 passes for a park each time I go I'll be super happy and we would go even more than we do now. When we visit Disneyland in March I have have no problem spending the extra 20 for each of us because we'll only be their a day so wanna make sure we go on everything but not sure how much longer we'll be AP for Disneyworld if don't offer something it's not fun going and waiting at least a hour for each ride everytime and it's only getting busier
Vanessa
Saturday 9th of October 2021
WOW PEOPLE ARE ENTITLED.
I think these perks are adorable and love that they were added. I get a flutter every time I hear "welcome home" and have little moments of magic.
Universal might offer more material "perks", but it doesn't make up for their glaring flaw -- they are Universal. Once is more than enough. Our passes go unused.
Sea World offers discounts --- as does DISNEY. They sometimes offer other things, but they are a tiny park that is cute to visit occasionally but that's about it.
People-- such as the charming fellow who said ap is a joke -- seem to have forgotten that the purpose of an annual pass is to allow admission throughout the year rather than buying individual tickets. If you get that, you are getting everything owed to you. Stomping your feet and fussing about not being handed enough stuff is just being spoiled and greedy.
Going to Disney is not a right and it's not an obligation. Complaining that you don't get enough free stuff and pomp and circumstance because you bought a pass is asinine.
We hold passes to 15 parks. I can't even begin to imagine complaining that I didn't get something not advertised, not promised, not necessary, and not "owed". Especially about Disney.
Mary
Thursday 7th of October 2021
Universal gives pass holders magnets quarterly as well as monthly collector buttons. SeaWorld gives it's pass holders free visitor passes, animal experiences, as well as $10 gift cards and free meals throughout the year. Disney thinks we are going to get excited about a flashing light as we enter? They are falling behind.
Doug
Thursday 7th of October 2021
AP is a joke
Anne
Thursday 7th of October 2021
Meanwhile, no trams…