If you spend more than a few days each year at Walt Disney World, buying an Annual Pass might make sense. You can Park Hop, park at the theme parks for free, and enjoy many discounts and other benefits. There’s also the added bonus of being able to spend a few hours in a theme park and leave without feeling like you’re wasting a ticket!
Walt Disney World Annual Passes can be confusing if you’ve never had one, so I thought I’d break down the information for those who might be considering it, or for new Annual Passholders. I thought that the easiest place to start would be with the four different levels of passes, and who is eligible.
Disney Incredi-Pass
This is the top tier of Annual Passes. Not surprisingly, it’s the most expensive. There are no blockout dates. You can hold up to five Park Reservations at a time. Disney Incredi-Pass is available for anyone to purchase.
Disney Sorcerer Pass
Disney Sorcerer Pass is for Florida Residents and Disney Vacation Club Members who are eligible for Membership Extras. You can hold up to five Park Reservations at a time. There are blockout dates around Thanksgiving, almost half of December, and New Year’s Day. (Blockout dates are subject to change.) Florida Residents can use a payment plan after making a down payment. This is the Annual Pass that my daughter and I both have.
Disney Pirate Pass
This one is for Florida Residents only. You can hold up to four Park Reservations at a time. There are more blockout dates, including most holidays and three day weekends. Florida Residents can use a payment plan after making a down payment. This is the Annual Pass that my husband has, because he doesn’t go to the parks as often as we do.
Disney Pixie Dust Pass
Disney Pixie Dust Pass is by far the most affordable Annual Pass. It’s also only for Florida Residents. It has the most blockout dates. Every Saturday and Sunday is blocked out, as well as holidays and often the days surrounding them. You can hold up to three Park Reservations at a time. Florida Residents can use a payment plan after making a down payment. For many Florida Residents with flexible schedules, Disney Pixie Dust Pass is the way to go.
Water Park and Sports Option
The passes above are all for admission to the four Walt Disney World theme parks. You can add the Water Park and Sports Option for an additional fee. This includes admission to Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course (including footgolf), a round of miniature golf before 4:00 PM at Disney’s Fantasia Gardens or Disney’s Winter Summerland Courses, and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The best part about the Water Parks and Sports Option is that there are no blockout dates, even if your pass has them. The ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex part is kind of a moot point, but the rest can add value to your Annual Pass.
Disney PhotoPass Downloads
Another option to add to a Walt Disney World Annual Pass is Disney PhotoPass Downloads. This includes MagicShots. You do not need to add Disney PhotoPass Downloads to every Annual Pass. As long as it’s added to one pass and the others are linked in your My Disney Experience account, you’ll receive the downloads.
A word about Florida residency. To be eligible for the Florida Resident Annual Passes, you need proof that you live in Florida. You can see what is required here. Aunt Bertha, who now lives in The Villages, can’t just buy the pass and put your name on it.