There has been much talk about how Disney is seeing its summer bookings “go up” even as Epic Universe gets ready to open. From my vantage point, I don’t always pay attention to what companies like TWDC say publicly with carefully worded phrases. Instead, I’m more interested in their actions. Now that Disney is cutting the first payment on annual passes in half, I’m pretty confident in what the situation must be behind the scenes for Walt Disney World in 2025. Let’s dive in.
Cinderella Castle in Walt Disney World at Magic Kingdom during a clear Orlando day – Photo Credit: M. Montanaro
In Florida, the purpose of annual passes largely is to keep Disney mega-fans and Florida residents churning through the turnstiles at times of the year when there are fewer guests from across the globe flooding into the most expensive place on Earth (sorry, Monaco). When Disney has great attendance from the guests they truly want — seldom-goers with big pockets ready to dish on a long-planned super-vacation — there’s very little effort to drive up annual pass sales. After all, AP peeps go so often, know the tricks of how to get things cheaper, they spend less on average… you get the idea. They’re great during off-peak seasons, but often blocked from even attending the parks during the most coveted days.
So when Disney cuts the initial entry cost by half just as summer is starting to be on calendars, and as Universal Studios prepares to open the biggest competition Disney has ever seen in its existence, consider me skeptical that blue skies and roses are all Disney World sees right now.
Aerial video of Epic Universe at night during lighting testing throughout Celestial Park. With overlapping animated lights.
Also a look at other worlds in the park. pic.twitter.com/50vYl7mB3M— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) March 9, 2025
Video courtesy @Bioreconstruct on X
Though the total cost of an Annual Pass remains unchanged, the cost of entry is lower. That means Disney is likely fishing for people who were on the edge and have less economic margin. The amount required in that initial payment is far less now for families of 4-6 people.
- Pixie Dust Pass: $34 per month (previously $25) – Total $469 + tax
- Pirate Pass: $65.33 per month (previously $57) – Total $829 + tax
- Sorcerer Pass: $87.52 per month (previously $79) – Total $1079 + tax
- Incredi-Pass: $129.23 per month (previously $121) – Total $1549 + tax
Along with the introduction of “Good-to-Go Days” for Annual Passholders recently, it’s becoming more and more clear that Disney World is looking to incentivize higher attendance from locals and mega-fans. And if you’re looking for a way to know that the House of Mouse may have reservation problems, that’s where you would go to find it.
Mirabel and Bruno at Walt Disney World; Image Courtesy Disney Parks Blog
Honestly, I expect to see even more perks rolled out in the future beyond the details Disney currently has listed:
- Theme park reservations are no longer required for date-based tickets. For other admission types, theme park reservations may be required.
- Theme park reservations are limited and subject to availability and are not guaranteed until a reservation is finalized.
- Guests with a ticket with Park Hopper benefits or an Annual Pass can visit another theme park at any time of day during park hours (subject to capacity limitations). Theme park reservations may be required for Annual Passholders and Guests with certain non-dated tickets to enter their first park. After they enter their first park, they will be able to visit another theme park.
- We highly recommend that you make your theme park reservation as soon as you complete your admission purchase, as availability can change until the theme park reservation is finalized.
- If you need to modify (change date, park or party members) or cancel a theme park reservation, visit My Theme Park Reservations.
- Good-to-go days are select days when Passholders may visit a Walt Disney World theme park without needing a theme park reservation (subject to pass blockout dates and capacity limitations).
- Good-to-go days will be added periodically. Good-to-go days may be released days or weeks in advance.
Jeff Vahle, VP of Walt Disney World Resort, is doing his darndest lately to put a positive spin on how much Universal Studios might eat into their market share. For now it may work, but once the numbers start to make their way into somewhat public knowledge, it will be fascinating how Disney handles being the lesser of the quality options for the first time in their existence.
Our focus is to remain the number one reason people visit Central Florida. At the same time, you have to respect the big swing that Universal is doing with Epic Universe, that’s a huge investment in our community. I think if you see an investment like that it’s going to benefit all of us.
— Jeff Vahle, Vice President Walt Disney World Resort
Will Universal Studios be cutting their annual pass entry cost or modifying to obviously drive up attendance any time soon? Doubtful. They’ve already done just that with Epic Universe.
Even halved, those prices are insane for what the park has to offer: failing infrastructure, broken rides, overpriced food and souvenirs, and woke attractions that are proving repulsive. Iger and the Board thought they were being visionaries by catering to the mythical “modern audience” and could cut costs by skimping on skilled labor and quality materials. Instead they just proved they’re “tunnel visionaries” like all woke and those cost cutting techniques are only going to inflate the final price to fix everything if they’re still in business over the next few years.
Things falling apart physically are enough to make me stay far away. Who knows what other corners they cut? Food handling? Security? Background checks on employees (okay, we know they did that)? Also it’s located in Florida while I’m an Arctic rodent; the heat and humidity would kill me.