Disney may roll back—or eliminate—annual pass tiers in future years.

Image: Loren Javier, Flickr (license)

Look, the fear of losing an annual pass should never be the motivating factor behind your next AP purchase or renewal. It is worth noting, though, that Disney has started experimenting with alternatives to the standard park hopper access normally afforded its passholders. That, coupled with rising prices across the board, may have more significant ramifications for the current AP system in the years to come.

It’s no secret, for example, that Disney has previously and periodically revoked access to Southern California Select passes for new passholders, in what appears to be a transparent effort to drive more people to the parks (especially those visitors who, unlike locals, are more inclined to stay late, book expensive dining reservations, and splurge on concessions and souvenirs). So far, there’s nothing to suggest that Disney won’t pull the same stunt again in the future, either.

That said, purchasing an annual pass doesn’t grant you immunity from future changes to the system. If Disney decides to pare down their AP tiers in the future, they’re far more likely to excise the Deluxe pass, their most affordable out-of-state option, rather than eliminating either of the top-tier Signature passes. Even if they were to keep the current system intact, the annual or biannual price increases may soon become so outrageous that they no longer make sound financial sense for most guests.

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So, should you purchase or renew your Disneyland annual pass in 2019? Unfortunately, we can’t answer that question for you, but rather encourage you to take a look at the fine print and weigh its implications against your current budget and upcoming travel plans.

If you’re a devoted Han Solo cosplayer with “Visit Batuu” scrawled in Aurebesh on your theme park bucket list… maybe a Southern California Select pass isn’t written in the stars for you this year. If, on the other hand, your only goal is to go where the crowds aren’t (or are less)—perhaps by relaxing at Lamplight Lounge and taking in the scenic sprawl of Pixar Pier over lobster nachos and a swirling, frothy Infinity Fizz—a Deluxe pass should continue to fit your style just fine.