Disney World’s Mistreatment of Annual Passholders is a Problem
Out-of-State Disney World Annual Passholders Get Hit the Worst by Disney
While Walt Disney World has announced some great new additions for 2024 (including a brand new Little Mermaid attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios), it’s mistreatment of Disney Annual Passholders is becoming a real problem. What’s to gain by pushing their most loyal customers to the back of the line?
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Walt Disney World's Uneven Treatment of Annual Passholders is a Problem for Some
Disney’s much heralded Good-to-Go Days are good for local Orlando Disney Annual Passholders, but all others are out of luck. That includes Disney Vacation Club (DVC) members who are annual passholders and typically stay in onsite resort hotels for longer vacations.
A lot of changes are coming our way at Walt Disney World in 2024 and depending on where you fit in Walt Disney World's priority queue, these can be good or bad.
One-Time Travelers Treated the Best by Disney, While DVC Members who have Annual Passholder are Penalized
Good-To-Go Days Calendar Coming January 11
In 2024, Disney World will allow local annual passholders periods of spontaneity with so-called “good-to-go” days. While this idea is better than nothing for Orlando locals, it's still pretty shameful. Here's how it will work:
On good-to-go days, Annual Passholders can enter the theme parks without a Park Pass reservation (specific pass blockout dates will still apply).
Good-to-Go Days will be listed on Disney World's theme park reservation calendar, Annual Passholder admissions calendar and My Disney Experience app starting January 11, 2024.
Days will be added randomly at any time throughout the year.
Who Do Good-to-Go Days benefit?
Good-to-Go Days at Walt Disney World are directly aimed at local Walt Disney World annual passholders. It's not quite the unfettered entry that it should be, but it's better than nothing.
Imagine if Airlines Treated Frequent Flyers the way Disney Treats Annual Passholders?
Who Gets Ignored by Disney World Good-to-Go Days?
Good-to-Go Days do nothing for the large number of Walt Disney World Annual Passholders who aren't local: those who are out-of-state or international. These are the Annual Passholders more likely to spend thousands of dollars on every visit, with Disney hotel reservations, dining and so on. This is the group of loyal Disney travelers. This group is getting snubbed by Disney as they get nothing. Disney continues its unfortunate tradition of treating some of its highest value guests the worst.
Since this group almost always uses Walt Disney World Annual Passes as part of a Disney Vacation, they should receive the same treatment as Date-Based Ticket holders, as long as the passholders are staying onsite at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel or Villa. This needs to change before Disney alienates even more of the guests who contribute most to its parks and resorts revenue.
Park Hopper is Getting Back to Normal
On the plus side, Disney Annual Passholders and guests with Park Hopper tickets or passes will once again be able to park hop without waiting until a pre-set afternoon time starting January 9, 2024. Annual Passholders can also visit any park without requiring a Park Pass reservation after 2:00 p.m. (except for Magic Kingdom on a Saturday or Sunday).
The Winners in the Theme Park Reservation Debacle
Anyone who buys date-based standard tickets (typically one-time Walt Disney World visitors) won't need to go through the hassle of making theme park reservations. This is great for infrequent travelers, who continue to get the premier treatment by Walt Disney World. Guests including Disney Vacation Club members with Annual Passes get nothing except all the pains of Disney travel implemented with covid.
Dining Plans Return
If you're a fan of the Disney Dining plan you'll once again have the option to buy one of two offerings: the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan or the Disney Dining Plan. These plans are great for convenience, but may or may not be good value depending on your eating habits.
What’s New with Dining Plans
For all the Disney foodies out there, dining reservations are open for booking for guests staying at Disney Resort hotels who purchase a vacation package with a Disney dining plan for arrivals in January through early February! Guests can book dining up to 60 days in advance, and as a Disney Resort hotel guest, guests may book dining for their entire length of stay (up to 10 days).
Princess Ariel is Finally Coming Back to Disney’s Hollywood Studios with an All-New Show
After years of wondering if the Ariel's Animation Courtyard Theater would host a new Little Mermaid show, we now know that “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” will debut in the fall of 2024. The show is inspired by the original Walt Disney Animation Studios 1989 classic version of The Little Mermaid.
Only limited details have been released, but so far we know the show will be a complete overhaul, featuring all-new set pieces, current tech effects and a "bold new design" that captures Ariel’s imagination and emotions through her unique view of the world around her.
This will, of course, be a musical version featuring “Part of Your World,” “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” and “Kiss the Girl.”
Theater construction is ongoing and we look forward to hear more about this refreshed attraction.
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Mike Belobradic and Amelia Belobradic