Walt Disney World is asking Annual Passholders to pay more for admission while removing a small perk that helped soften the cost of visiting.
The resort has discontinued merchandise discounts on bottled water, soda, and other bottled beverages sold at Disney-owned gift shops. The change eliminates a longtime way for regular visitors to save on drinks during their park visits.
According to several Disney Parks outlets, the policy took effect October 6. Multiple Cast Members have reportedly confirmed the change.
Previously, Annual Passholders could apply their 20% merchandise discount to bottled drinks purchased at eligible Disney-owned stores. Those purchases now require paying full price. Disney Vacation Club members and Disney Visa cardholders who used their merchandise discounts for bottled beverages are also affected.
The savings on a single drink were modest, but the perk’s value grew with each return visit.
A Small Savings Disappears
The distinction matters: Disney has not eliminated the broader Annual Passholder merchandise discount. Eligible merchandise remains discounted, but bottled beverages no longer qualify.
Disney has not issued a formal announcement about the change. A corresponding policy shift has also affected Disneyland, where Magic Key holders have lost merchandise discounts on bottled drinks.
A Coca-Cola sign at AstroFizz in Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland at Walt Disney World – Photo Credit: That Park Place
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For an occasional purchase, the difference may seem minor. However, passholders are among the guests most likely to return repeatedly, allowing modest savings to accumulate.
A family buying several drinks during each visit could feel the difference more quickly. Over a year of regular trips, those purchases become another recurring cost of maintaining the Disney habit.
For illustration, a beverage priced at $5 would previously cost $4 with a 20% discount, before tax. Removing that discount raises the passholder’s cost by $1, or 25% compared with what that guest previously paid.
Disney does not need to raise the shelf price for that increase to occur. The effective price for the customer still goes up.
Annual Passes Are Getting More Expensive, Too
The lost beverage savings arrive alongside increases across all four Walt Disney World annual pass tiers.
According to ClickOrlando, the Incredi-Pass rose from $1,629 to $1,749, an increase of $120. The Sorcerer Pass increased from $1,099 to $1,139, while the Pirate Pass climbed from $869 to $909.
The entry-level Pixie Dust Pass increased $10, from $489 to $499.
The hub of the Magic Kingdom with Cinderella Castle in Walt Disney World on Labor Day 2025 – Photo Credit: That Park Place
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Meanwhile, the highest one-day, one-park ticket price reaches $229 for Magic Kingdom on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve in 2027. Lightning Lane Premier Pass also has a higher ceiling, increasing from $449 to $499.
Together, those changes leave guests facing higher costs for admission and certain extras. For passholders, the combination means paying more upfront while receiving less value from a familiar benefit.
The Cheapest Ticket Does Not Tell the Whole Story
As That Park Place previously reported, Disney World’s $119 starting ticket price applies to Animal Kingdom on limited dates. It does not represent what every family will pay to visit their preferred park.
Spaceship Earth in the evening in EPCOT at Walt Disney World – Photo Credit: Marvin Montanaro
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The beverage change illustrates another limitation of focusing on headline admission prices: a park visit involves spending beyond the entrance gate.
A discounted bottle of water was never going to make an expensive Disney vacation affordable. Still, it offered returning customers a practical benefit they could use regularly.
Removing those savings while charging more for the pass itself gives customers another reason to reconsider what they receive for their money.
Disney can keep pointing to its cheapest available ticket. Passholders, meanwhile, have another expense to weigh when deciding whether returning is still worth the price.
What do you think about Disney World ending Annual Passholder discounts on bottled water and soda? Sound off and let us know!
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