Walt Disney World Resuming 2020 Theme Park Ticket Sales and Resort Hotel Bookings

In just a few days, Walt Disney World will begin welcoming the first guests back to the theme parks, with Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom opening on July 11th and EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15th.

If you recall, Disney had temporarily paused 2020 ticket sales and Disney Resort hotel bookings so that they could focus on helping existing ticket holders and Annual Passholders plan their visits. Today Walt Disney World has announced that beginning tomorrow, July 9th, ticket sales and Disney Resort hotel bookings for 2020 will resume.

In the announcement Disney added a word of precaution for guests trying to book stays or purchase tickets tomorrow….

For those looking to make their plans right away, please note that tickets and Disney Resort hotel bookings may be released at different times throughout the day tomorrow. In addition, we will use virtual waiting rooms as needed to manage the high volume of guests looking to plan their visits.

Walt Disney World Increases Prices on Annual Passes and Overnight Parking

Ahead of today’s opening of bookings for 2020 and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge   opening on August 29th, Walt Disney World significantly increased the prices on their annual passes overnight.

Perhaps hardest hit were out-of-state Annual Passholders. Florida residents’ and DVC members’ prices are still markedly lower but have increased as well.

Here’s the breakdown (you may want to sit down for this) –

Non-Resident Annual Passholder (Pre-Tax) –

Platinum New  – was $894  now $1119 (25.2% increase)

Platinum Renewal – was $759 now $951 (25.3%)

Platinum Plus New – was $994 now $1219 (22.6%)

Platinum Plus Renewal – was $844 now $1036 (22.7%)

Florida Resident and DVC Member Annual Passholder (Pre-Tax) –

Silver (FL Resident) New – was $479 now $519 (8.4%)

Silver (FL Resident) Renewal – was $407 now $441 (8.4%)

Gold New – was $609 now $699 (14.8%)

Gold Renewal – was $517 now $594 (14.9%)

Platinum New – was $749 now $899 (20.0%)

Platinum Renewal – was $636 now $764 (20.1%)

Platinum Plus New – was $849 now $999 (17.7%)

Platinum Plus Renewal – was $721 now $849 (17.8%)

So what do you get with your Walt Disney World Annual Pass?

The passes get you access to the applicable parks for the year, effectively giving you a park hopper. They’ll also get you certain discounts on food and nonalcoholic beverages and merchandise, special event ticket discounts, and AP resort room offers. By having an annual pass you will also get access to exclusive Passholder merchandise, early runDisney registration, certain VIPassholder ticketed events, and giveaways,  such as car magnets and other items given out during Epcot’s festivals.

While not a direct monetary value, but we should also mention that when the parks reach capacity the current process is to restrict entry in four phases, AP holders are not blocked from entering the parks until the fourth and last phase. So AP holders are effectively given preferential treatment on the parks’ most crowded days.

By being a Passholder (or DVC member or Florida resident) you also have access to the Tables In Wonderland card, which currently costs $150. TIW gets you 20% off food and drinks (including alcohol) at most table service restaurants on property and some others. That adds up quickly, especially as a local.

Also announced today was that Walt Disney World is increasing the prices for overnight parking at its resorts.

For reservations made before June 18, 2019 for arrivals in 2019 or 2020:

  • Disney Value Resorts: $13 per night
  • Disney Moderate Resorts: $19 per night
  • Disney Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts: $24 per night

For reservations made on or after June 18, 2019 for arrivals in 2020:

  • Disney Value Resorts: $15 per night
  • Disney Moderate Resorts: $20 per night
  • Disney Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts: $25 per night

Guests with cars staying at the Value Resorts seem to be getting hit the hardest with a 15.4% increase.  Guests staying at a Moderate and Deluxe resort will be seeing rates increased by 5.2% and 4.2% respectively.

Being a Walt Disney World Annual Pass Holder Just got Better

As of October 1st, increased discounts are in effect for both Walt Disney World Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members.

  • A 10% discount at Disney operated Walt Disney World Table Service restaurants (excluding Victoria and Alberts)
  • A 20% discount at Disney operated Walt Disney World shops, including purchases made on the Shop Disney Parks app

Through September of 2017, a 20% discount is available for Annual Passholders at the following Walt Disney World table and quick service restaurants.

  • Lottawatta Lodge, Blizzard Beach
  • Disney Food Trucks, Disney Springs
  • D-Luxe Burger, Disney Springs
  • Flame Tree Barbecue, Disney’s Animal Kingdom
  • Tiffins, Disney’s Animal Kingdom
  • The Mara, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • Jiko, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • Sanaa, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • Beach Club Marketplace, Disney’s Beach Club Resort
  • Boardwalk Bakery, Disney’s Boardwalk Resort
  • Boardwalk Pizza, Window Disney’s Boardwalk Resort
  • ESPN Sports Club, Disney’s Boardwalk Resort
  • Flying Fish, Disney’s Boardwalk Resort
  • Contempo Café, Disney’s Contemporary Resort
  • The Wave Disney’s, Contemporary Resort
  • Trail’s End Restaurant, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
  • Gasparilla Island Grill, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • Citricos, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • Grand Floridian Café, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • Narcoossee’s, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • ABC, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
  • Backlot Express, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
  • Hollywood & Vine, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
  • The Hollywood Brown Derby, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
  • Olivia’s Café, Disney’s Old Key West Resort
  • Capt. Cook’s, Disney’s Polynesian Resort
  • Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show, Disney’s Polynesian Resort
  • Kona Café, Disney’s Polynesian Resort
  • Boatwright’s Dining Hall, Riverside Disney’s Port Orleans Resort
  • The Turf Club Bar & Grill, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
  • Roaring Fork, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
  • Artist Point, Disney’s Wildnerness Lodge
  • Whispering Canyon Café, Disney’s Wildnerness Lodge
  • Cape May Café, Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts
  • Captain’s Grille, Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts
  • Electric Umbrella, Epcot
  • Liberty Inn, Epcot
  • The Garden Grill, Epcot
  • Biergarten Restaurant, Epcot
  • Coral Reef Restaurant, Epcot
  • Rose & Crown Dining Room, Epcot
  • ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
  • Peco’s Bills, Magic Kingdom
  • Jungle Navigation Co., Ltd. Skipper Canteen, Magic Kingdom
  • Leaning Palms, Typhoon Lagoon

Along with the increase in discounts for Disney World Annual Passholders, Disney has also announced a promotion for purchasing new passes.

Guests who purchase a 12-month pass will now get 13 months of park entry for the price of 12.

New passes must be purchased between October 2nd of 2016 and January 3rd of 2017. Prices vary depending on pass type selected – Weekday Select, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Platinum Plus.

Walt Disney World Offers Annual Passholders Discounted Park Hopper Tickets

Walt Disney World is offering its annual passholders a deep discount on certain park tickets for the rest of summer.

From August 12th through September 30th, pass holders will be able to purchase 1-Day Park Hopper tickets for $79 each. The tickets will give guests access to all four Walt Disney World parks, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot and Animal Kingdom, for one day.

Information about the discounted tickets was released Thursday in an e-newsletter sent to annual passholders.

Pass holders will be able to bring up to six guests to get the discount. Passholders must be present with a valid pass and tickets much be used the day of purchase. They can only be purchased at theme park ticket windows, according to the release.

Disney leaders encourage passholders to use the discounted tickets as a way for friends and family to catch the Main Street Electrical Parade, which takes place nightly at Magic Kingdom, before it ends Oct. 9.

‘Disney After Hours’ Now Available at Half Price for Annual Passholders and DVC Members

The recently introduced ‘Disney After Hours’ evening event at the Magic Kingdom appears to not be selling well. Disney is now offering a 50% discount for Annual Passholders and DVC Members.

Tickets can now be had for $75 for guests who are Annual Passholders or Disney Vacation Club Members.

Originally priced at $150 for the three hour event, there are five nights remaining from the seven that were originally planned.

On the nights of April 28, May 5, May 8, May 12 and May 19, 2016, the theme park will close to all but a limited number of ticketed Guests. That means 3 hours of nonstop fun enjoying popular attractions, Character experiences and more, with complimentary refreshments included. Regularly $149, Passholder can purchase Disney After Hours tickets for just $75 by calling (407) 560-PASS or (407) 560-7277 or by visiting any Walt Disney World ticket window. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call.

Walt Disney World Ticket Prices Rumored to be Increasing Soon

WDW Magic Your Way

Earlier today we reported that there are rumors that ticket prices for the Disneyland Resort were increasing soon.  Now, we’re also hearing rumors swirling around that ticket prices at Walt Disney World are also going to be increasing soon. So, a word of warning to anyone planning a trip to the Walt Disney World theme parks in the near future, you might want to think about buying your tickets soon.

Walt Disney World last increased their ticket prices back in late February 2014, so if I had to guess the Walt Disney World parks will also see their own price increase within the next month.

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