[Park Hopper]

All annual and seasonal passholders receive a discount when they renew their passes after the first year. I'd always been happy to save a few dollars on the passes and never paid much attention to the actual percentage of the discount.

I'd always assumed, though, that every type of passholder -- whether annual or seasonal, Florida resident or non-Florida resident -- was given the same percentage discount off the regular price. In speaking with a WDW Cast Member yesterday about renewing our Florida annual passes, I found out this isn't true.

He told me that this year, Florida annual passholders are receiving an 11.7 percent discount off the regular price and Florida seasonal passholders are getting a discount of 14 percent. I didn't think to ask him if the discount for non-Florida annual passholders is the same as for Florida passholders.

It seems a little odd to me that people who renew the more expensive annual pass get less of a discount than people who renew the more inexpensive seasonal pass. Does WDW give annual passholders less of a discount because they don't have any blackout dates and are able to access the parks more total days than seasonal passholders?

At any rate, it seems like a somewhat surreptitious way for Disney to manipulate the price of passes. Next time you read in the news that Disney isn't increasing the prices of its annual passes, that may not be entirely true. Although the full price of an annual or seasonal pass may not change, Disney still may be juggling the discount percentage on renewals to produce what in effect is a price increase for those customers. :hmmm

[15 mins to wdw]

to make the difference one would have to buy $235.00 worth of merchandise on every vist to cover the cost of parking since seasonal passholders don't get free parking. (the discount difference on $235 is rougly $7.00) I know my regualar AP has paid for its self in parking alone.

[mickaholic4077]

Oh well,another way for Disney to soak its loyal customers.

[joseph3947]

I live in Illinois and renewed my AP on Nov. 28, 2003, at $339+ and have watched the next renewal price rise since Nov. to $350+ in Jan. to $360+ now. That's two increases in 4 months. Just venting. :nooo: :( Joe

P.S. You got it right Alma!!!

[Park Hopper]

Originally posted by 15 mins to wdw
to make the difference one would have to buy $235.00 worth of merchandise on every vist to cover the cost of parking since seasonal passholders don't get free parking. (the discount difference on $235 is rougly $7.00) I know my regualar AP has paid for its self in parking alone.

The free-parking benefit given annual passholders indeed could be a factor in the differences in the renewal prices. I hadn't considered that.

[jmouse]

Consumers always have the choice of letting the business know you do not accept their pricing policy by refusing to purchase the item. And a letter to those in charge would go much farther than paying the increased cost and doing nothing.

[Park Hopper]

Originally posted by jmouse
Consumers always have the choice of letting the business know you do not accept their pricing policy by refusing to purchase the item. And a letter to those in charge would go much farther than paying the increased cost and doing nothing.

I'm not really upset by the pricing policy, jmouse. I just thought it was an interesting discovery. I still think annual passes are one of the best values around.

[jmouse]

I totally agree with you, Park Hopper, that Disney's annual pass is a great deal for those that go to the parks often throughout the year. The money for maintenance, increase in labor costs and new developments has to come from somewhere. That somewhere is ticket prices. It surprises me when people gripe about increases in cost without giving thought to everything that goes into making Walt Disney World the best entertainment value in the theme park industry. Your post was not doing that; it was merely pointing out a difference in discount pricing. I too would have thought that the percentage would be much the same. I never gave thought to the differences between the two, such as parking perks. But it seems right that any increase in costs associated with parking would not be passed onto the seasonal passholder as they would see those costs reflected in their payment for parking as they visit.

[mickaholic4077]

Originally posted by jmouse
I totally agree with you, Park Hopper, that Disney's annual pass is a great deal for those that go to the parks often throughout the year. The money for maintenance, increase in labor costs and new developments has to come from somewhere. That somewhere is ticket prices. It surprises me when people gripe about increases in cost without giving thought to everything that goes into making Walt Disney World the best entertainment value in the theme park industry. Your post was not doing that; it was merely pointing out a difference in discount pricing. I too would have thought that the percentage would be much the same. I never gave thought to the differences between the two, such as parking perks. But it seems right that any increase in costs associated with parking would not be passed onto the seasonal passholder as they would see those costs reflected in their payment for parking as they visit.

Sorry,Jackie,I don't agree with you. I think us annual passholders are entitled to the sme discount as any other passholder.

[JOANN]

Originally posted by joseph3947
I live in Illinois and renewed my AP on Nov. 28, 2003, at $339+ and have watched the next renewal price rise since Nov. to $350+ in Jan. to $360+ now. That's two increases in 4 months. Just venting. :nooo: :( Joe

P.S. You got it right Alma!!!

Joe,
Very true, but we all keep going back!!! :hmmm Your DW, JOANN:)