Disney expects one or more Walt Disney World Annual Pass types to sell out on day one of restarting sales

Posted: Thursday April 20, 2023 2:30pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has provided an update on today's first day of resuming Walt Disney World Annual Pass sales and it seems likely that some passes may become available later today.

Annual Passes are in high-demand and Disney expects some to sell out on day one

The latest update from Disney posted at 2:28pm says, "We thank you and all our fans for the incredible enthusiasm for the Passholder program. Due to high popularity of our Annual Passes, please know wait times may exceed several hours. We anticipate a pass or select passes may become unavailable for purchase later today."

Disney has not said which passes are expected to become unavailable, but the most likely would be the lower cost passes which offer good availability including weekends - the $749 Pirate Pass and $969 Sorcerer Pass.

Guests who are just joining the Virtual Queue are experiencing wait times of around six hours. For users already in the queue, Disney reminds guests that, "Annual Pass availability is limited and being in the queue does not guarantee the ability to purchase any Annual Pass."

The virtual queue for Annual Pass sales began online at 6:44am this morning, and Disney has been using a waiting room to provide a smoother user experience. The site went down for around 45 minutes earlier in the day, but has largely been trouble free despite heavy demand and long wait times.

Annual Pass order screen - April 20 2023

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SirwalterraleighJun 07, 2023

Because under bob’s blue ocean and idiot Bob 2’s further bad management trend…they sold Wall Street that the product has no equal and therefore was irresistible…so they made the unilateral decision - I’m told - in 2018 to push to eliminate APs or “equalize the value” to multi day tickets. And here we are…not invincible…not above consumer economics…and not the “hot chick” they once were

MagicHappens1971Jun 07, 2023

(I got the sarcasm, lol) But it just doesn’t make sense why the company wants to push APs away. While I may not spend as much on hotels, I definetly spend a ton of F&B/Merch on my countless visits to the parks yearly

TraumaJun 07, 2023

Yeah your the undesirable that will support the company when times are bad. Why would they want someone like you hanging around? (This is sarcasm I know it doesn’t translate well sometimes)

SirwalterraleighJun 07, 2023

You can’t downgrade a pass once activated. You can Downgrade it at the end/renewal window

LAKid53Jun 07, 2023

There is no downside and no, you don't pay more as Disney doesn't charge a fee. Why? Disney wanted Florida residents to become passholders. October used to be the month Florida residents received ticket discounts and state employees could get discounted tickets.

MagicHappens1971Jun 07, 2023

I don’t believe so, I pay monthly for mine. The upside for Disney is that they get more passholders (even though they claim they’re the “undesirables”)

TraumaJun 07, 2023

Is there any downside to the payment plan ? Do you end up paying more? Just wondering why Disney would offer such and option.

ToTBellHopJun 07, 2023

No. Upgrades only.

HakunamatataJun 07, 2023

I dont believe you can.

arich35Jun 07, 2023

If we ended up being eligible Sorcerer Pass, is it possible to downgrade and get a credit after we have activated our annual pass?

twilight mitsukMay 03, 2023

Presented by geeksqaud

SirwalterraleighMay 03, 2023

Disneys IT sucks… News at 11 😎

Chip ChippersonMay 03, 2023

Exactly! It's beyond stupid that they still have this roadblock up. I can buy a new Sorcerer Pass online at full price (and the system recognizes that I'm DVC) but I can't renew an existing one without calling?!?!? The website says renewing a DVC Pass requires a call, but the MDE app says the Pass "is no longer ger available," which is clearly false since I can buy a new one at full price. Whenever I think my job's IT people are clueless, I remember that it could be worse - they could hire Disney's IT people.