Disney Cancels Its Annual Passport Program
Ten months after Disneyland closed due to COVID, Disney Parks suddenly announced that they were ending their annual passport program and refunding existing customers. A replacement for the popular unlimited subscription has been promised, but it is unlikely to be offered until the pandemic subsides.
The Premier Passport, another type of annual pass that grants admission to parks on both coasts, has also been canceled, according to WDW News Day , a Disney parks news site. Distinguished Prime Minister passports will be valid until March 31, 2021 for the still open Walt Disney World theme parks and benefits, after which they will be revoked. All annual passes valid as of March 14, 2020 will be eligible for a prorated refund for the unused portion of their Disneyland pass, details of which can be found on this Disneyland website .
More than a million people used the tiered annual pass, which offered exclusive perks such as travel time after office hours, special events, movie viewing and discounts. The end of the program shocked loyal fans, especially in California, where two theme parks – Disneyland and Disney California Adventure – became a daily or weekly meeting place for locals. Many have expressed their shock and dismay on social media .
However, some benefits still remain. Disneyland also announced that all pass holders with active passes as of March 14, 2020 can still receive discounts on merchandise, food and drinks at open locations in the Downtown Disney area and Buena Vista Street. There is also a 30% discount on select items in select stores from Monday through Thursday through February 25, according to the Los Angeles Times .
It remains unclear when the new annual pass program will be offered again or whether it will offer the same benefits. California theme parks may only reopen after COVID transmission rates reach minimum levels, after which the park’s capacity will be capped at 25% and will likely require reservations. In the meantime, Disneyland’s dormant car parks will be put to good use as Orange County’s first mass vaccination site .