Becoming a Walt Disney World annual passholder is a dream for many theme park and Disney fans. And while prices have risen, rides have changed and offers from competitors have been appealing, the 2025 season is the best time (in recent years) to get a Disney Annual Pass. No, this isn’t an advertisement, and I can explain my reasoning why.
The theme park world has vastly changed since 2020, with new rules, offerings and destinations worldwide. Walt Disney World, alongside basically every single theme park on Earth, took a major hit in the 2020 season. Since then, the Walt Disney Company has been trying new methods (both good and bad) to stabilize business and bring the masses back to their parks. Now, don’t be confused, Walt Disney World is very popular right now, the wait times are still up. I am not claiming that Disney Parks aren’t busy, because they are.
But, this season, 2025, you as a potential passholder are in a unique position – specifically Florida Residents. Walt Disney World really wants your attention, and you stand to benefit from the timing of resort-wide projects.
Why visit Walt Disney World in 2025?
Walt Disney World is well aware of their major competition down the street, Universal Epic Universe. With that coming up soon, plus Disney wanting to continually stay on top of projects, there are a substantial amount of 2025 offerings and updates:
- A new nighttime parade called Disney Starlight (Magic Kingdom)
- A new Pirates of the Caribbean themed lounge (Magic Kingdom)
- A re-imagined Test Track ride (EPCOT)
- A new Spaceship Earth themed lounge (EPCOT)
- A re-imagined Little Mermaid Musical (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)
- A new Disney Villains themed show (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)
- A new Zootopia show (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
All four Walt Disney World parks will have something new by the end of 2025. That is a lot of experiences that you as a passholder can enjoy. And, each of these experiences are included with even the lowest tier annual pass.
Saying goodbye to Walt Disney World classics
Walt Disney World will also be losing a lot of classics during the 2025 season. If you are a lifelong fan, now is the time to visit and say goodbye. Or, as a new fan, this could be your one chance to experience what people in 20 years will call “the best thing ever built,” (I personally still wish I could have experienced the Horizons ride at EPCOT).
Walt Disney World will be losing lands, rides and shows this year – some of them were with the parks when they originally opened:
- The Rivers of America section of Frontierland its being demolished
- The Liberty Belle boat will no longer offers rides
- Muppet*Vision 3D will be closed
- Muppets Courtyard will be demolished
- It’s Tough to be a Bug will be closed forever
- DINOSAUR will close right after 2025
Walt Disney World – beyond the rides
A theme park is so much more than just rides, but that is especially true when you compare all four parks at Walt Disney World. Magic Kingdom offers nightly fireworks, special milestone moments, the iconic castle and more. EPCOT has four major seasonal events, nightly live entertainment, a massive aquarium and more. Disney’s Hollywood Studios has the world-famous show, Fantasmic!, numerous live entertainment offerings, one of only two Star Wars themed immersive lands and more. And, Disney’s Animal Kingdom houses animals, large and small, complete with in-person experiences, daily entertainment offerings, trails and a brand new baby tiger.
For the parents with young kids, or the group of homeschoolers, Walt Disney World’s edu-tainment offerings alone can make for a worthy investment (especially because the weekday annual pass is the cheapest of them all). And, for options, I do want to mention that SeaWorld Orlando does offer free preschool passes each year.
Imagine learning about manatees, sharks and small coral fish at home, then jumping in the car and seeing them up-close and included with your annual pass. Not to take away from Florida’s other aquarium options, which you should certainly check out as well.
Dollar for dollar, Disney does have great options
Is Walt Disney World the cheapest theme park in the world? No. But can you maximize their offerings for your benefit? Yes, I do so quite often. For Florida Residents, you can get an annual pass starting at $469 a year. Break that down and you get theme park admission, plus parking, for just $117.25 per park. If you visit each park just once, you save money over buying individual tickets.
Yes, this pass has blockout dates, but to be honest do you really want to fight the crowds during Spring Break or Christmas? I have been this lowest tier passholder for three years and I don’t see a change in my future. It offers all the same rides, shows and experiences for less than $500 a year (or about $25 a month after the initial $205 downpayment).
Even stepping up to the next pass, which includes weekends and many more dates, equals out to $829 a year, or $207.25 per park. Visiting once a month, while also skipping the hotter three summer months, and it is still cheaper to buy an annual pass over individual tickets.
Maximizing your Disney Annual Pass
There are ways to stretch your Disney Perks that come with an annual pass. One of the easiest selling points are the free concerts at EPCOT. This park offers major bands and celebrities for all of their four seasonal events. Broadway Stars, celebrities and notable bands all visit this park for a majority of the year, and passholders don’t have to pay one extra penny to attend (but, some blockout dates may apply). Confirmed for 2025 include:
- Air Supply
- Simple Plan
- 38 Special
- Don Felder
- The Orchestra staring ELO and ELO Part II
- and more…
While not yet confirmed for 2025, the 2024 season included:
- and more…
- MercyMe
- Joey Fatone & Friends
- Boyz II Men
- Smash Mouth
- Sugar Ray
- Josh Gad
- Neil Patrick Harris
- Jodi Benson
- Brendan Fraser
- Gloria Estefan
- and so many more…
Plus, Passholders are getting up to 40% off rooms this summer at Walt Disney World. That adds on to the discounted tours and experiences, special themed merchandise, free gifts, food discounts and even a water park discount. But, if you are looking for the best possible hack for FREE Disney water park tickets, checkout our chat with FOX 35.
Buying a Walt Disney World Annual Pass
Again, no sponsorship here, don’t feel obligated to buy any pass from any park. But I felt it was the right time to showcase these offerings, so you as a reader can get the best benefits. Walt Disney World annual passes begin at $469 and go up to $1549. Depending on your budget, and the amount of people in your family, this could be a worthwhile investment for the 2025-2026 season.
Yes, a pass is a luxury and this won’t fit everyone’s budget. And sadly, no, not all of the pass types are offered for out-of-state visitors. But, for those looking for a time to join the Walt Disney World annual pass program, I believe early 2025 is the best choice we have had in a longtime.
You can learn more about the passes and purchase at the Walt Disney World website.
There are other ways to maximize your dollar at Walt Disney World. Did you know select Disney hotels have Club Level rooms that come with three meals a day, wine, beer, themed drinks, snack-to-go and more? These rooms do cost more than a standard room, but for the savvy snacker, this could be way to stretch your dollar.
