According to reports from experts in the field, Walt Disney World Resort is actively waiting for the economy to collapse.
Many Disney Park fans who have visited Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios over the past few years have taken note of the changes in operations over this time.
Photo credit: Disney
Many have noticed that Disney isn’t quite as clean as they remember it being. Others have reported unsightly damage. Many other fans have spoken about price increases and merchandise failures.
One thing that’s still on everyone’s lips, however, is Disney Annual Passes.
Disney paused annual pass sales almost a year ago, and apart from a small window where the tickets were on sale a few months ago (it turned out to be a false alarm), they’re not available to Disney guests.
Photo credit: Disney
While many have wondered when these might be available again, a few Disney insiders recently explained that the company currently has no incentive to bring them back, and they likely won’t until an economic meltdown hits, according to reports from Florida Politics.
“Disney has no reason to bring back the full list of annual passes at this time. Disney World is generating record sales and operating profits with fewer guests than before,” he said Rick Munarrizan analyst for the investment website The colorful fool who writes regularly about Disney Parks. “Disney Annual Passes will come back when the global economy collapses to the point where visitors can no longer pay the entrance fee to a closed Disney attraction.”
Photo credit: Disney
Another Disney expert echoed the same sentiments.
“The thing that could bring `s back sooner rather than later is an economic slowdown. The airfare is pretty expensive right now, so getting there is expensive,” said Len Testa, who runs tour schedules. “I could imagine a situation where, for example, in September/October the kids go back to school and fewer people are willing to spend hundreds of dollars on a long weekend to fly. In that case, Disney would be reaching out to local people to make up the difference, especially on things like restaurant revenue.”
Disney parks are currently operating at full capacity, and it wouldn’t make sense for Disney to try to attract more guests when it’s already operating at such volume.
While fans may be hoping for Disney annual passes – which include the Pixie Dust Pass, Pirate Pass, Sorcerer Pass and Incredi Pass – they’ll apparently have to wait until an unfortunate economic meltdown before returning.
Photo credit: Disney
Here’s what Disney says about its annual passes:
With annual tickets you can enjoy the magic all year round. Now it’s time to answer the call and explore all the possibilities that a Walt Disney World Annual Pass can offer.
To enter a theme park, each pass holder must have a theme park reservation in addition to a valid pass. Park reservations are limited and subject to availability and applicable pass blackout dates.
The new sale of selected annual tickets is currently paused. Please check disneyworld.com/pass for the latest updates.
What do you think of these comments about the return of Disney annual passes?
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