Disney World to sell new annual passes again

Walt Disney World will start selling new annual passes again in time for the theme park’s 50th-anniversary celebration, the company revealed on its official parks blog. An exact date was not given, but that celebration begins on Oct. 1.

Disney said it will be sharing additional information and details later this month at DisneyWorld.com and the Disney Parks Blog.

The annual pass program was “paused” in January as the theme parks worked to limit the number of guests inside its parks during the coronavirus pandemic. Current annual passholders at Disney World were allowed to continue to use and renew their passes, but first-time buyers were left out. Disneyland in California got rid of the annual pass system altogether.

On Tuesday the parks blog announced a new, more expensive, Magic Key system in California that requires advanced registration for key holders at four price points, ranging from $399 to $1,399.

After explaining the new Magic Key system, the post added, “For those wondering about Walt Disney World Annual Passes, new pass sales will become available in time for the start of the 50th-anniversary celebration! Walt Disney World Resort will be sharing additional information and details later this month, so be sure to stay tuned.”

Passes are still on pause on Disney’s official site, and it also noted that it “will no longer be offering complimentary MagicBands with annual pass purchases and renewals made Aug. 16, 2021 and beyond.” The new Disney MagicMobile service available on smart phones does all the things found in MagicBands, which serve as a credit card, room key, park entry and photo pass connection. Pass holders will get a discount on the purchase of MagicBands, which have become a collector’s item in a wide variety of styles and options.

Disney World last week also brought back a mask mandate for guests 2 and older when indoors and on resort transportation. The company is requiring all of its non-union hourly and salaried employees to get vaccinated against coronavirus.