Annual passes

In 1982, Walt Disney World began offering annual passes for the first time. An adult annual pass valid at both the Magic Kingdom and Epcot cost $100, or $90 with a Magic Kingdom Club discount. In 2015 dollars, the price would be $247.29, or $222.56 with the discount. There were two parks instead of today’s four, so doubling the price to account for two additional parks yields a today’s cost of $494.58, or $445.12 with the discount. Since this was the first year for annual passes, it is impossible to look back at earlier prices, but we can look ahead.

Disney-MGM Studios opened in 1989. That year, the price of a new annual pass without discounts jumped to $180, or $346.41 in today’s dollars. That seems roughly in line with the 1982 price, as a third park was now available to enjoy. When Animal Kingdom opened in 1998, a new annual pass cost $299 without discounts, or $437.75 in today’s dollars. Interestingly, this is about $60 less in today’s dollars than our 1982 projection would have predicted.

In 2015, a new annual pass costs $696.51 without any discounts. Florida residents, DVC members, and members of the armed forces or federal government who purchase passes at Shades of Green get various discounts, and renewal passes are less expensive than first-time purchases. For example, a new Florida resident annual pass costs $563.39, while a Florida resident renewal pass costs $478.19. The best price on a brand new annual pass goes to Florida residents who are eligible to purchase passes at Shades of Green for $474 including tax. So for military members in Florida, and Florida residents renewing valid annual passes, today’s prices have roughly kept pace with inflation. For everyone else, the cost outstrips the inflation rate. If you are not eligible for any discounts at all, the price of a brand new annual pass is approximately 1.5 times the inflation rate…despite the fact that no new parks have opened in 17 years!

Premium annual passes came on the scene in 1994. At the time, the passes included admission to all three theme parks as well as Pleasure Island and the water parks. The exact minor park admissions have changed over the years as Pleasure Island closed and Disney Quest was added. And, of course, today’s premium annual passes also include Animal Kingdom. In 1994, the pass cost $319 without discounts, or $513.67 in 2015 dollars. If you buy the same pass today, without discounts, it will cost $829.64. Like regular annual passes, discounts are available for Florida residents, DVC members, and the armed forces. And again, military members who live in Florida receive the best deal, at $591. Paying an additional $80 to add Animal Kingdom seems reasonable, but is it worth more than $300 for those who are not eligible for discounts?

Seasonal Passes

Image: Disney

In 1984, Walt Disney World began offering a new type of pass solely to Florida residents. The Three Season Salute pass was valid during the slow months of January, May, and September. Priced at $40 for adults and $30 for children, it was a tremendous solution for locals who were able to visit during those months. For my family, switching from a once a year trip in the middle of the July heat and crowds to unlimited visits during the cooler slow season felt truly magical. In those days, it really was like having the parks to ourselves. In today’s dollars, the pass price would be just $91.87 for adults! Unfortunately, we are never likely to see an utterly uncrowded Disney park again.

In 1993, the Three Season Salute pass became the Four Season Salute. For the first time, salute pass holders were able to enjoy the parks during the holidays. The passes included not only January, May, and September, with a few days on either side, but also the quiet period from just after Thanksgiving until a week before Christmas. Priced at $95 for adults without discounts, these passes translate to $156.89 in today’s money.

In 1995, the Four Season Salute gave way to the Florida Resident Seasonal Pass. Blocked out only for two months during the summer and the week from Christmas through New Year’s, these passes were arguably Disney’s best deal when they debuted. Passes cost $129 in 1995, which translates to $202 today.

By comparison, a Florida Resident Seasonal Pass today costs $350.39. Although it does include Animal Kingdom, is the value of a fourth park really worth raising the cost of the pass by 1.5 times the inflation rate?