News on Annual Passes

[Ms Bibbidi]

Just seems strange to raise the price of something that you can’t purchase. Why even discuss it?

If new pricing goes into effect on December 8th, maybe that is when the new sales of annual passes will return? Early on after sales were paused somebody said the sales of new APs would return in 2022. So, if that was official information, a December 8th return would meet that expectation.

These price increases are very modest. It could have been much worse. Renewals are usually 15% lower than full price of a new annual pass.

But there may be new structuring to the terms and conditions. This would be consistent with Ms. McCarthy, CFO's comment about flexibility for Disney. Maybe new block-out calendars?

I don't see that they re-named the Incredi-pass though so maybe not.

 

[RoseGold]

Maybe new block-out calendars?

The calendars are updated every month for renewals, they're kind of rolling calendars. There's no recent changes I can see from the re-release which did have some significant changes, like Thanksgiving blacked out on Sorcerer.

 

[RivShore]

t means pretty substantial price increase

Actually it's right around the current inflation rate of 7.7%, actually better than i would have expected and not sure I would call it substantial in this new inflation world we all live in.

 

[ThisIsTheWay]

If new pricing goes into effect on December 8th, maybe that is when the new sales of annual passes will return? Early on after sales were paused somebody said the sales of new APs would return in 2022. So, if that was official information, a December 8th return would meet that expectation.

These price increases are very modest. It could have been much worse. .

I agree, I was actually surprised by the increase. I thought it would be dramatically more given the pent up demand.

That is an interesting thought on December 8, and I definitely see your point about 2022. But as someone mentioned earlier, wouldn't that not be ideal with the busy Christmas week coming up? Would that present logistical problems if some converted their tickets to passes during the holiday season and then needed AP reservations instead of regular ticket reservations? Or maybe that's not an issue because reservations would already be made so for those people it would just shift the buckets? Then again maybe that close to the Christmas week, they would anticipate that not that many would be upgrading to AP. Just thinking out loud.

 

[gmi3804]

I agree, I was actually surprised by the increase. I thought it would be dramatically more given the pent up demand.

Remember they were already increased a great deal not too long ago.

 

[Ms Bibbidi]

The calendars are updated every month for renewals, they're kind of rolling calendars. There's no recent changes I can see from the re-release which did have some significant changes, like Thanksgiving blacked out on Sorcerer.

The block-out calendar published September 8, 2021 for Walt Disney World has not changed. When Gold became Sorcerer, the block-out period for spring became the block-out period for Thanksgiving. It may be different for Disneyland Resort; published monthly perhaps?

What I was mentioning is since the Dream Magic Key (no block-out dates) became the Inspire Magic Key, Disney did block Christmas. But since the name Incredi-pass was not changed, perhaps a no block-out top tier pass will be retained for Disney World.

But, I have not done a "renewal" so I am unclear about why the calendar would be published monthly. We still all see the same availability calendars.

 

[HokieRaven5]

A note: I asked Disney about a timeline for new AP sales -- WDW does not anticipate new AP sales (Incredi-Pass, Sorcerer, Pirate) to resume before the end of the year.

Scott Gustin Twitter

 

[Ms Bibbidi]

"When asked why new annual pass sales are still largely paused, a Disney spokesperson stated that the company is still focused on existing passholders, as they are seeing some of the highest-ever renewal rates from that group." (https://thepointsguy.com/news/disney-world-ticket-price-increase/, November 15, 2022.)

Disney capped the number of AP sales, as Mr. Chapek stated earlier. Sales of new APs are likely still paused until they have enough that did not renew so they can sell new APs without exceeding that cap.

 

[RoseGold]

That is an interesting thought on December 8, and I definitely see your point about 2022. But as someone mentioned earlier, wouldn't that not be ideal with the busy Christmas week coming up?

Not ideal for Disney, who is the one making the decisions. They already got your money for the holiday tickets. Why would they want you to have an AP for that same money?

 

[Ms Bibbidi]

A note: I asked Disney about a timeline for new AP sales -- WDW does not anticipate new AP sales (Incredi-Pass, Sorcerer, Pirate) to resume before the end of the year.

Scott Gustin Twitter

There you go. That smashes the hope for December 8th.
It also means the Disney employee who talked about the pause being until 2022 was not giving an official statement; just thinking out loud.

 

[RoseGold]

The block-out calendar published September 8, 2021 for Walt Disney World has not changed.

But, I have not done a "renewal" so I am unclear about why the calendar would be published monthly. We still all see the same availability calendars.

You can see the calendar here:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/passes/blockout-dates/disney-incredi-pass

It currently goes to Nov 2023, which is a year from now. It always goes to a year from now, and it's updated every month. When you renew, you know exactly the terms for the next 12 months.

 

[ThisIsTheWay]

Remember they were already increased a great deal not too long ago.

Oh right.. .I honestly only recently started paying attention as we just became direct DVC members this year and only then did AP's start making sense for us with the Sorcerer Pass option.

 

[Bo1203]

Great job Disney attracting more bad press. Very out of touch, who raises prices on something they don’t even offer to majority of people. People have been anticipating them coming back and you just keep dangling a carrot they can’t have, now for even more money. These self inflicted wounds just won’t stop!

 

[Ms Bibbidi]

You can see the calendar here:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/passes/blockout-dates/disney-incredi-pass

It currently goes to Nov 2023, which is a year from now. It always goes to a year from now, and it's updated every month. When you renew, you know exactly the terms for the next 12 months.

Yes. That is the one I was referring to. I also understand what you meant now -- it goes a year out -- adding one month at a time. Ok. We're on the same page. Thanks.

 

[Ms Bibbidi]

I agree, I was actually surprised by the increase. I thought it would be dramatically more given the pent up demand.

That is an interesting thought on December 8, and I definitely see your point about 2022. But as someone mentioned earlier, wouldn't that not be ideal with the busy Christmas week coming up? Would that present logistical problems if some converted their tickets to passes during the holiday season and then needed AP reservations instead of regular ticket reservations? Or maybe that's not an issue because reservations would already be made so for those people it would just shift the buckets? Then again maybe that close to the Christmas week, they would anticipate that not that many would be upgrading to AP. Just thinking out loud.

Well, the December 8th theory has been answered. Not happening.
Oh, I think there will be a tsunami rushing the Disney guest services and passholder lines when new sales open.

 

[jade1]

who raises prices on something they don’t even offer to majority of people. People have been anticipating them coming back and you just keep dangling a carrot they can’t have, now for even more money.

The same ones that cover countless new lands and attractions at D23, with no intention of offering.

 

[BaybeeYoda]

Would a special DVC pass be possible???

 

[The Jackal]

"When asked why new annual pass sales are still largely paused, a Disney spokesperson stated that the company is still focused on existing passholders, as they are seeing some of the highest-ever renewal rates from that group." (https://thepointsguy.com/news/disney-world-ticket-price-increase/, November 15, 2022.)

This kind of indicates Disney capped the number of AP sales as Mr. Chapek stated earlier and sales of new APs is likely still paused until they have enough that did not renew so they can sell more APs without exceeding that cap.

I wonder why renewal rate is high. Oh ya if you do not renew you cannot buy a new pass. So its either renew or have no pass.

 

[The Jackal]

There you go. That smashes the hope for December 8th.
It also means the Disney employee who talked about the pause being until 2022 was not giving an official statement; just thinking out loud.

Can someone at WDW ask a bus driver if AP return in December is going to happen. They always have the insight on what’s going to happen.

 

[Ms Bibbidi]

Can someone at WDW ask a bus driver if AP return in December is going to happen. They always have the insight on what’s going to happen.

The bus driver said new AP sales are not going to return in 2022.