Disney Parks announces 2-Resort "Premiere Pass" valid at WDW and DLR

[AVP]

At the Disney Shareholders meeting this morning, Walt Disney Company President Bob Iger officially announced today a 2-Resort "Premiere Pass" valid at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort. Details of the new Annual pass were posted to the official Disney Parks Blog a few moments ago (link).

The Premiere Pass is $700 ($722.75 with Florida sales tax applied to 1/2 of the ticket value, due to differences in tax codes), and includes the benefits of a Premium Annual Pass at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

At Disneyland, those benefits include:

• Admission to Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure 365 days per year, with no blockout dates.
• Park-hopper privileges.
• Free parking at Disneyland Resort pay lots.
• 10% off most merchandise purchases from Disney-owned stores at the Resort.
• 15 - 20% off food purchases at most Disney-operated restaurants.
• 20% off selected guided tours.
• Subscriptions to Backstage Pass, the Annual Passholder magazine. Access to AP-only rates at the Disneyland Resort Hotels.

At Walt Disney World, benefits include:

• Admission to all four theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios 365 days per year, with no blockout dates.
• Park-hopper privileges.
• Admission to both water parks: Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach
• Admission to Disney Quest, Wide World of Sports Complex (subject to restrictions) and Disney's Oak Trail Golf Course (subject to restrictions).
• Free parking at Walt Disney World Resort pay lots.
• 10 - 15% off merchandise from selected Downtown Disney and Animal Kingdom merchants.
• Eligibility to purchase membership for the Tables in Wonderland discount dining program.
• 10 - 15% off dining at selected restaurants in the theme parks, Downtown Disney and Resort hotels.
• Discounts on selected sports and recreation activities, including the Richard Petty Driving Experience, spa treatments and marina rentals.
• Discounts on selected event and entertainment tickets, including the AMC Theater in Downtown Disney and miniature golf.
• 15% off selected guided tours.
• Subscription to Mickey Monitor, the Annual Passholder magazine.
• Access to AP-only rates at the Walt Disney World Resort Hotels.

The new ticket will be available for purchase or upgrade starting Thursday, March 11. If you already have hold annual passes at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, your passes will be upgraded to the new Premiere Passport, and you'll automatically receive your new pass in the mail sometime after March 15th. Your new Premiere Pass will have the expiration date of the later of your two passes, so you're essentially getting a FREE extension of the earlier-expiring pass. In other words, if your Disneyland Pass expires in June, but your Walt Disney World pass expires in December, your new Premiere Pass will have the December expiration date, giving you 6 more months of Disneyland admission for free.

There was an error on the Disney Parks Blog posting this morning, and it's being corrected. Originally the Blog said that you must already have a Premium Pass both both DL and WDW to qualify for the upgrade and extension - that's not the case. If you had ANY Annual Pass at each park (with the lone exception of the Epcot after-4 pass), your passes will be upgraded to the new Premiere Pass:

WDW
Weekday Select
Seasonal
Annual Pass
Premium

Disneyland
SoCal Select
SoCal
Deluxe
Premium

You are reading this correctly - if you had a SoCal Select pass in Disneyland and a basic Passport AP for Walt Disney World, you are now the proud owner of a shiny new Premiere Pass - at no extra charge. Of course, when your Premier Pass expires you'll have to renew it at the higher charge if you want to maintain your benefits.

If you already hold an AP to one Resort, starting tomorrow you can apply the value of that AP to the cost of the Premiere Passport. The cast members I spoke with could not confirm what the expiration date of that upgraded pass would be, but we're trying to get more information.

AVP

[danyoung]

Very interesting, but I'm not sure I'm going to buy one as yet. I need to run a little math. I don't do the premium at WDW, because I don't need the water parks or DisneyQuest. I do a premium for DL, because of the blackout day situation. Also, I like to let an AP for either park lapse when it expires, so I'm not paying for months of time that I'm not visiting (I'm in Dallas, and get to each coast around twice a year). Still, for those who do the heavy traveling, I'm sure this is a good deal.

[Drince88]

I ran some numbers yesterday based on a rumor of 800

If you're already buying a regular WDW annual pass (no blackout and entrance to 4 major parks, but not water parks) for $489, and a DL Premium (no blackout) at $429, (total $918+taxes), then 800ish doesn't sound too bad.

So basically, Dan, if you're getting a regular WDW right now, the DL part is adding $211 to your ticket. I'm pretty sure this is what I'll get when I get my next WDW AP.


(The link says they'll be charging $700 for this+tax. Anyone know what the tax difference is between DL and WDW?)

[buzz2001]

Breaking newsWDC just announced during Disneys annual shareholders meeting that a new premium annual pass for admission to the parks at both Disneyland Resort and the Walt Disney World Resort will be offered beginning Thursday. Its called Disney Premier Passport and itll feature the same benefits you get with the premium annual passes for Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts for $700, plus applicable- sales tax.

So, whats in it for you? At Walt Disney World:

* Unlimited admission for a period of one year to all four Walt Disney World Theme Parks, including park hopping privileges
* Unlimited admission to Disneys Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach Water Parks
* Unlimited admission to DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive Theme Park, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex (valid only on event days; some events require an additional admission charge) and Disneys Oak Trail Golf Course (greens fee only. Tee time reservations are required and subject to availability)
* Parking at all four Theme Parks
* Subscription to Mickey Monitor, a collectible Passholder-only publication

And at Disneyland Resort:

* Unlimited admission to both Disneyland and Disneys California Adventure Parks for a period of one year, including park hopping privileges
* Parking at any pay-on-entry parking lot
* Subscription to Backstage Pass.
* Complimentary subscription to Disneys Family Fun Magazine (one per household)

If youre already holding a Premium Annual Pass for both Resorts, youll automatically be issued a Disney Premier Passport with an expiration date based on the later of the two annual passes. You may also upgrade your annual or seasonal pass for one resort to a Disney Premier Passport for an additional fee.

The Passport will be available for sale at the Disneyland Resort box office and Walt Disney World Guest Relations windows beginning tomorrow.

[danyoung]

Umm, wasn't that all included in AVP's post above?

[danyoung]

I ran some numbers yesterday based on a rumor of 800....So basically, Dan, if you're getting a regular WDW right now, the DL part is adding $211 to your ticket.

If your numbers are right, then this would indeed be a pretty good deal. Both of my APs run out this summer, so by fall I might dig up the $700 and take advantage!

[Drince88]

Umm, wasn't that all included in AVP's post above?

(I merged a thread Buzz started with the existing one. I presume he hadn't seen AVPs when he started his new thread)

[SJF510]

Has anybody read if they are giving the $100 DVC discount on this? If we were able to get that, it might make more sense. I was hoping for more of a midrange approach to the pass in terms of price and amenities, but at least we have the numbers now to figure it out.

[AVP]

Has anybody read if they are giving the $100 DVC discount on this? If we were able to get that, it might make more sense. I was hoping for more of a midrange approach to the pass in terms of price and amenities, but at least we have the numbers now to figure it out.

There are no discounts on this - Florida Resident, SoCal Resident, DVC, Youth. It's $700 flat for everyone, regardless.

AVP

[Karin]

DH and I have Premium AP's at both DLR and WDW. DLR expires in May, WDW in Nov.

What mathematical calculation would one use to figure out how much a pass would be pre-rated if one already has an AP on each coast?

[Burnt Toast]

<CCed what I posted on another Disney boards.>

So the new Premier Annual Passport is basically a Premium AP for BOTH Resorts with all the appropriate benefits.

Here is the breakdown to see if the new Passport option is good for you. The new Passport is $700 w/o tax (I'm sure they'll use FL, as CA does not charge tax for Park tickets) and currently the official word is that there is NO DVC discount for this new Pass.

WDW Passports (w/o FL tax):

WDW AP Regular - $489
Renewals - $449
WDW AP Premium - $619
Renewals - $569
WDW AP Regular (DVC) - $389
Renewals - $334
WDW AP Premium (DVC) - $494
Renewals - $454

DLR Passports (no tax in CA):

DLR Deluxe AP - $299
Renewals - $279
DLR Premium AP - $439
Renewals - $419
DLR Deluxe AP (DVC) - $279
Renewals - $279
DLR Premium AP (DVC) - $419
Renewals - $419

So here's the breakdown (w/o FL tax):

WDW Regular AP + DLR Deluxe AP = $788
Renewals - $728
WDW Regular AP + DLR Premium AP = $928
Renewals - $868
WDW Premium AP + DLR Deluxe AP = $918
Renewals - $848
WDW Premium AP + DLR Premium AP = $1058
Renewals - $988
WDW Regular AP + DLR Deluxe AP (DVC) = $668
Renewals - $613
WDW Regular AP + DLR Premium AP (DVC) = $808
Renewals - $753
WDW Premium AP + DLR Deluxe AP (DVC) = $773
Renewals - $733
WDW Premium AP + DLR Premium AP (DVC) = $913
Renewals - $873

So yah, there you go. Hopefully my math is correct for all of these.

UPDATE (thanks AVP!): There's a correction already, originally they were only going to upgrade those with Premium Annual Passports for BOTH Resorts to the new Premier Annual Pass. It's been since revised and now they will send you a new Premier Annual Passport if you have ANY variety of Annual Passport at both Resorts (as long as you have one currently for WDW and for DLR). You'll receive it around March 15th and the new expiration date will be the LATER of the two APs you have. Wow!!!

For WDW that is the Weekday Select, Seasonal, Regular, and Premium and then for DLR that's the SoCal Select, SoCal Regular, Deluxe, and Premium.

[Burnt Toast]

DH and I have Premium AP's at both DLR and WDW. DLR expires in May, WDW in Nov.

What mathematical calculation would one use to figure out how much a pass would be pre-rated if one already has an AP on each coast?

Basically you should receive your new Premier Passport in the mail sometime around March 15th since you have a Pass (and now it's ANY Pass carried as long as you have one at WDW and one for DL) for WDW and also for DL. Your new expiration date will be November, since that's the latest of the two.

Now when your pass needs to be renewed in November, if you want to keep the Premier Pass, then you'll pay whatever the renewal cost is for the Premier Pass, not what you would have paid to renew both of your Passes if they were still separate.

[biolabetty]

I'm so glad I purchased my husband and I an AP at WDW when we went in January. Our DL APs are good until October and November, so now I don't have to worry about how I'm going to renew those quite yet. We always wanted to go to DisneyQuest but were too cheap to go, now we can.

[buzz2001]

If your numbers are right, then this would indeed be a pretty good deal. Both of my APs run out this summer, so by fall I might dig up the $700 and take advantage!

Yeah but the posts were merged. I didn't see it when I posted my info.

[Goodnplenty]

Hmmm, I have a WDW Seasonal pass and I was considering buying the DLR Deluxe Pass. I guess if I had done that I would have gotten the automatic upgrade to Premium.

But let's see...if I do the math. And we only go to DL once a yr for 5 days.

WDW Seasonal Pass $240 renewal...
DLR 5 Day Pk Hpper $209
Total Comes To.........$449

WDW Seasonal Pass $240 renewal...
DLR Deluxe Passprt $299
Total Comes To..........$539....And I get some discounts I can use at DLR.

Looks like in my case, I should just get the 2 passports.
But congrats to all the passholders that just got the premiums!!
GnP

[Drince88]

And we only go to DL once a yr for 5 days.

The thing to pay attention to with anything other than the Premium AP at Disneyland is the black out days. Your plan won't work well if you're 5 day trip includes a day or two that the Deluxe is barred from entering!

[Goodnplenty]

You are so right Drince. We always go to DL the first weekend of Nov. So I'm good with the blockout dates for the Deluxe pass at DL.

I think the only way I come out ahead is that the Deluxe DL pass will offer my DH and I some discounts on the room and for eating.

GnP

[micmoushous]

Does anyone know if we will be able to upgrade our park hopper passes to Premium Passes?

[AVP]

Does anyone know if we will be able to upgrade our park hopper passes to Premium Passes?

Probably, but I want to make sure I'm answering the right question.

If you are talking about simply upgrading Walt Disney World Park Hopper tickets to a Walt Disney World Premium Annual Pass, yes, you can do that.

If you are talking about simply upgrading Walt Disney World Park Hopper tickets to a Premier Annual Pass, yes, you can do that too. However, these are two different passes - be sure you ask for the right product.

If there are any other complications to your transaction - you're already a passholder at either WDW or Disneyland - let me know and there might be another answer.

AVP

[micmoushous]

We already bought our Disneyland 7 day park hopper passes for this summer and planned to upgrade to a Disneyland Annual Pass when we get there. Now I am wondering if I can upgrade to the new Premium Pass for both parks. Or if I can upgrade in the summer for the Disneyland AP and then when we go to Disneyworld upgrade to the 2 Park AP.

[AVP]

We already bought our Disneyland 7 day park hopper passes for this summer and planned to upgrade to a Disneyland Annual Pass when we get there. Now I am wondering if I can upgrade to the new Premium Pass for both parks. Or if I can upgrade in the summer for the Disneyland AP and then when we go to Disneyworld upgrade to the 2 Park AP.

You can do it either way, but it's going to be more a function of when do you want to spend the money, and if/when do you plan to return to Disney World.

If you come to Disneyland this summer, you can upgrade to either a DL AP, or a Premier Pass. You'll pay the full cost of the upgrade right then, and your AP will have an expiration date 365 days from the upgrade date.

If you decide just to upgrade to a DL pass this summer and wait until your WDW trip to upgrade to the Premier Pass, you will pay the difference between your DL AP and the Premier Pass when you get to WDW, but your expiration date will STILL be the same as your Disneyland pass. This might not matter to you if you don't plan to return to WDW (though I'd question even paying for the upgrade, unless it's cheaper than whatever park hopper you'd otherwise buy), but you need to look at calendars carefully. If you DO plan to return, it might make more sense just to buy a new WDW AP during your trip so you get a full 365 days on the WDW portion of your pass, instead of only however much is left on your DL pass.

Make sense?

AVP

[Cheshire Figment]

Some extra details.

There is no Child price. The cost is the same for anyone Age 3 or up.

There is $22.75 in Sales Tax added to the ticket. This is based on the Florida Tax on 50% of the ticket selling price.

There is no discount for DVC Members.

There is no discount for renewal purchases.

Basically it gives all the benefits of the Premium Annual Pass from both WDW and DLR.

It is not eligible for monthly payments.

And, just for information purposes, there are about 700 people who will automatically receive these passes as they currently hold APs for both venues.

[danyoung]

And, just for information purposes, there are about 700 people who will automatically receive these passes as they currently hold APs for both venues.

Wait - what? Do you mean people who have premium passes to both resorts? I have a deluxe to WDW, but a premium to DL. Do I qualify? (Am I really one of the 700???)

[cstephens]

Wait - what? Do you mean people who have premium passes to both resorts? I have a deluxe to WDW, but a premium to DL. Do I qualify? (Am I really one of the 700???)

So you missed this part of AVP's post?

If you already have hold annual passes at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, your passes will be upgraded to the new Premiere Passport, and you'll automatically receive your new pass in the mail sometime after March 15th. Your new Premiere Pass will have the expiration date of the later of your two passes, so you're essentially getting a FREE extension of the earlier-expiring pass. In other words, if your Disneyland Pass expires in June, but your Walt Disney World pass expires in December, your new Premiere Pass will have the December expiration date, giving you 6 more months of Disneyland admission for free.

[danyoung]

Yes, I saw that. My question (I should have emphasized this better) is - do you have to have PREMIUM passes to both parks to get the new premier automatically? I have a DELUXE annual pass for WDW - I get in all days and get free parking, but I do not have the water parks & more feature. For DL I do hold a premium pass. So I'm wondering if this combination still qualifies.