NEWS: Disney Revises Annual Passholder Policy Related to Park Closures – Special Offer for Guests with Cancelled Vacations Also Available

We are all navigating tough times right now as we experience a totally new reality dealing with the threat of COVID-19. Most of us are under stay-at-home orders and dealing with financial challenges. As you know Walt Disney World is closed until further notice. Disney has made a significant change to how they are handling guests with annual passes. Disney has also released special offers for guests who hand vacation plans impacted by the closures. More details below.

Originally, Disney announced that annual passes would be extended for the number of days the parks are closed. However, there was an uproar among pass holders because of this Disney was still charging monthly payments. Many passholders were upset and some event started petitions calling for Disney to stop charging payments while the parks are closed. Walt Disney World has updated the annual pass policy during the closure and will stop charging payments. Catch all the details below.

Here is the full update on the Annual Pass Policy from Disney’s Website:

This is a truly unprecedented time of all of us, and we want to thank you for your patience as we work through the many details related to the temporary closure of the theme parks. We recognize this may be a challenging time, so we wanted to share how we will assist our Annual Passholders.

If you are an Annual Passholder who has paid in full:

As previously announced, all active Walt Disney World Resort Annual Passes will be extended for the number of days the parks are closed. The new expiration date will be reflected on the Annual Passholder’s account prior to the reopening of the theme parks.

As an alternative, in lieu of an extension of their passes, Passholders who have paid in full may choose to receive a partial refund for them park closure period. Information will be provided soon on how to choose this option.

If you are an Annual Passholder on the monthly payment plan:

Effective April 5, 2020, we will automatically stop and waive all upcoming monthly payments while the theme parks are closed. We will also retroactively refund payments made between March 14 through April 4, 2020. Payments will resume on the Passholder’s regularly scheduled payment dates once the parks reopen. Please note, pass expiration dates will not be extended and passes will expire upon their originally scheduled expiration dates.

As an alternative, Guests who are paying for Walt Disney World Annual Passes using our monthly payment program may choose to have their monthly payments postponed starting with payments due April 5 through the park closure period, and then resumed on the Passholder’s regularly scheduled payment date once the parks reopen. Postponed payments will be collected in the months following the end of the Passholder’s currently scheduled payment term. The pass will be extended the number of days the parks are closed. The new expiration date will be reflected on the Annual Passholder’s account prior to the reopening of the theme parks. Information will be provided soon on how to choose this option.

Our Annual Passholders are some of our most loyal guests, and we stand ready to help during this incredibly uncertain time. If you have any questions, please contact V.I.Passhoder Support at (407) 939-7277. We do anticipate heavy call volume and appreciate your patience as we answer all inquiries.

We appreciate this revision to the policy and the flexibility it provides pass holders, particularly during a time when the monthly pass payments may be an unexpected burden for many.

A Special Offer for Eligible Guests

Eligible Guests can take advantage of a vacation package offer that includes accommodations at a select Disney Resort hotel, park admission, and a Disney dining plan–valid for arrivals most nights June 1 through September 30, 2020, when you book through May 31, 2020.

This offer is valid only for guests who previously booked a vacation package or room reservation to stay at a Disney Resort hotel at Walt Disney World Resort for travel dates March 16 to May 31, 2020. Offer not valid for reservations traveling these dates were canceled before March 1, 2020.

Call (407) 939-4251 to learn more about this offer, check availability and book.

View more details about this special offer by clicking here. 

RELATED ARTICLE: Disney World Announces Full Resort Closure, Operations & Procedure Updates

Below you’ll find the latest updated information on the closings and operational updates from the Walt Disney World website.

Operational Updates

1 – Theme Parks and Water Parks

We are focused on the health, safety and wellbeing of our guests and Cast Members. In line with state and federal guidance, the theme parks and water parks until further notice. The Walt Disney World will pay its Cast Members during the closure period.

Click here for the original news announcement.

Click here for the announcement closure extension period.

2 – Resorts

Disney owned-and-operated hotels at Walt Disney World Resort, Disney’s Vero Beach and Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort are closed until further notice.

3 – Disney Springs

All locations at Disney Springs are temporarily closed.

4 – Transporation

All Disney transportation is unavailable until further notice.

5 – Other Experiences

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and miniature golf locations at Walt Disney World Resort are closed until further notice.

Disney will automatically cancel and refund experiences occurring near or adjacent to theme parks, including fireworks cruises and special dining events, that will not take place during the parks closure. Most guests with impacted reservations will be notified directly.

Golf and FootGolf operations remain available on their regular schedule.

Modification, Cancellations, and Refunds

6 – Tickets

Unexpired multi-day theme park tickets with unused days, or date-specific theme park tickets with a valid use period beginning March 12, 2020, through the closure will automatically be extended to use any date through December 15, 2020. If you are unable to visit by December 15, 2020, you may apply the value of a wholly unused ticket toward the purchase of a ticket for a future date.

Florida Resident Discover Disney Tickets may be used through July 31, 2020.

Guests who have purchased tickets for Disney After Hours, Disney Villains After Hours, Disney Early Morning Magic, and Disney H2O Glow Nights from March 16, 2020, through the closure, will be automatically refunded.

For ticket orders, express shipping and standard shipping will be delayed due to the closure.

7 – Resort Rooms and Packages

To provide additional flexibility, Disney is waiving all Disney-imposed change and cancellation fees up to the date of check-in for your reservation, as well as those rescheduled reservations with arrivals through June 30, 2020. And soon, we’ll share additional options for booking and modifying vacations. Many reservations can be modified or canceled online.

If no action is taken by you before your check-in date for arrivals during the closure period, Disney will automatically cancel your reservation with 7 days of the original check-in date and process any refund due the original form of payment. If you did not book through Disney directly, please contact your travel professional. Please note that cancellation fees imposed by third-party suppliers, including airlines and rentals cars, as well as non-refundable products like travel protection plans, are deducted from refundable amounts for Walt Disney Travel Company packages.

If you did not book through Disney directly, please contact your travel professional.

A Special Offer for Eligible Guests

Eligible Guests can take advantage of a vacation package offer that includes accommodations at a select Disney Resort hotel, park admission, and a Disney dining plan–valid for arrivals most nights June 1 through September 30, 2020, when you book through May 31, 2020.

This offer is valid only for guests who previously booked a vacation package or room reservation to stay at a Disney Resort hotel at Walt Disney World Resort for travel dates March 16 to May 31, 2020. Offer not valid for reservations traveling these dates were canceled before March 1, 2020.

Call (407) 939-4251 to learn more about this offer, check availability and book.

View more details about this special offer by clicking here. 

8 – Annual Passes

This is a truly unprecedented time of all of us, and we want to thank you for your patience as we work through the many details related to the temporary closure of the theme parks. We recognize this may be a challenging time, so we wanted to share how will assist your Annual Passholders.

If you are an Annual Passholder who has paid in full:

As previously announced, all active Walt Disney World Resort Annual Passes will be extended for the number of days the parks are closed. The new expiration date will be reflected on the Annual Passholder’s account prior to the reopening of the theme parks.

As an alternative, in lieu of an extension of their passes, Passholders who have paid in full may choose to receive a partial refund for them park closure period. Information will be provided soon on how to choose this option.

If you are an Annual Passholder on the monthly payment plan:

Effective April 5, 2020, we will automatically stop and waive all upcoming monthly payments while the theme parks are closed. We will also retroactively refund payments made between March 14 through April 4, 2020. Payments will resume on the Passholder’s regularly scheduled payment dates once the parks reopen. Please note, pass expiration dates will not be extended and passes will expire upon their originally scheduled expiration dates.

As an alternative, Guests who are paying for Walt Disney World Annual Passes using our monthly payment program may choose to have their monthly payments postponed starting with payments due April 5 through the park closure period, and then resumed on the Passholder’s regularly scheduled payment date once the parks reopen. Postponed payments will be collected in the months following the end of the Passholder’s currently scheduled payment term. The pass will be extended the number of days the parks are closed. The new expiration date will be reflected on the Annual Passholder’s account prior to the reopening of the theme parks. Information will be provided soon on how to choose this option.

Our Annual Passholders are some of our most loyal guests, and we stand ready to help during this incredibly uncertain time. If you have any questions, please contact V.I.Passhoder Support at (407) 939-7277. We do anticipate heavy call volume and appreciate your patience as we answer all inquiries.

9 – Dining & Other Experiences

• All pre-paid dining and experience reservations will be automatically refunded if scheduled between March 16 and the closure period.
• Reservations made at locations impacted by the closure will not be charged a cancellation or no-show fee.
• Disney has canceled all showtimes for Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show and Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue until further notice. Disney will automatically refund Guests with reservations during these dates.
• All active Tables in Wonderland members will be extended by the number of days the parks are closed.

10 – FastPass+

All FastPass+ reservations scheduled for when parks are closed will be automatically canceled.

11 – Magic Bands

If you have placed an order and received notification that your MagicBands have been shipped to your home, you will still receive your order.

If you have arranged for your upgraded MagicBands to be delivered to you at your Disney Resort hotel for an arrival date between March 20 through the closure period, your order will automatically be canceled and you will receive a refund of the amount you paid for the MagicBands.

While the Walt Disney World theme parks and Resorts hotels are temporarily closed, we are not currently accepting new MagicBand orders linked to Walt Disney World Annual Passholders or Disney Resort hotel reservations.