Ticket counters at Disney's Animal Kingdom at dusk

With daily ticket prices rising, you might begin to wonder whether it’s worth buying an Annual Pass especially if you visit Disney World frequently. In fact, if you do the math, if you visit twice in one year for several days at a time, you’ll end up paying around the same amount and possibly less if your vacations tend to be a bit longer.

When you figure in all of the perks that Annual Passholders get, a pass can become a good deal if you factor in all of the perks.

Let’s take a look at some of the perks Annual Passholders can enjoy all year-round!

Options

Not all Annual Passes are created equal. There are many options available ranging from the full access Platinum Plus Pass to the limited access water parks After 2 Annual Pass. Prices vary as well; you can spend $1500+ for unlimited access to parks on both coasts or as little as a few hundred or less depending on how much convenience you’re willing to forfeit for saving some money.

If you want to visit Disney World year-round, there’s an annual pass for you and your budget.

Annual Passholders enjoy lots of perks including a dedicated entry line, an including ParkHopper, and various discounts!
Annual Passholders enjoy lots of perks including a dedicated entry line, an including ParkHopper, and various discounts!

Quick Entry

All Disney World theme parks have a dedicated line for Annual Passholders. You’ve been there and done this before, and Disney knows that you can and will move more quickly than other guests. Just look for the Mickey sign!  Usually, but not always, this will be a faster way to enter the park.

ParkHopper

If you typically get the ParkHopper option with your standard ticket, the Annual Pass holds even more value because it comes with unlimited park hopping!

Discounts

Disney gives their most loyal customers a 20% discount at all Disney-owned retail locations, 10% off rental cars, and discounted hotel rooms, tours, events, shows, and dining. Sometimes these are even free (no additional cost outside of your Annual Pass).

Cast Members almost always ask before you check out if you have any discounts. If you have an Annual Pass, just say yes, show your card or scan your MagicBand, and you’ll get your discount!

MemoryMaker

Besides an included ParkHopper and other discounts, Annual Passholders also get the MemoryMaker! Regular guests pay nearly $200 for the MemoryMaker for a week’s vacation, but you get it included all year!

Annual Passholders also get the Memory Maker for free all year!
Annual Passholders also get the Memory Maker for free all year!

So stop by every PhotoPass Photographer that you see, visit every Character Meet and Greet, and ride all the rides- you’ll get all the pictures and videos!

Free Parking

If you’re close enough to Disney World to drive or if you rent a car, you’ll appreciate free parking all around Disney World! Once you park, you can use the Disney Transportation System (monorail, buses, ferries, and the new Disney Skyliner) to park hop!

VIPassholder

Disney has given guests of their Disney resort hotels early access through Extra Magic Hours for years now, but Annual Passholders don’t always stay at a hotel. Fortunately, Disney occasionally offers early access or designated times reserved for passholders.

They have allowed exclusive access by invitation to Pandora The World of Avatar in Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Toy Story Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. When Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens later this year, passholder hope the tradition will continue!

Free Gifts

Annual Passholders also get free gifts throughout the year!

They also have special AP Disney Trading Pins, themed merchandise for the Epcot Festivals, and more.

Disney Annual Pass: Do you use the perks?