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Disneyland Survey Gives Hints at What Could Be Coming for Future Pass Program

This week Disneyland President Ken Potrock gave an interview to the Orange County Register about the future of Disneyland’s membership program after the end of the Annual Pass program. Following the interview, it appears that surveys about a future Passport program have begun to arrive in email boxes.

Ken Potrock said the following in the interview:

We’re going to use this time as an opportunity to develop new offerings and a new way to think about the business given the situation we find ourselves in.

We’re trying to understand: What do people want in this new world? When do they want to access our parks? How frequently do they want to access our parks? With what level of spontaneity? With what level of value? All of those kinds of things and many more.

There’s nothing off the table as we begin to think about things that are important for people. Whether it’s the number of times that they visit on a product offering. Whether it’s when. Is it midweek or weekend? Is it morning or afternoon? Is it day-part oriented? It’s all of those kinds of things that we’re incredibly curious to hear back from the guests about.

This is not designed to limit choice and flexibility. It’s designed to enhance choice and flexibility. People may say, ‘Here’s how I’ve always used it.’ People may say, ‘Here’s what I bought, but I didn’t quite use it and optimize it.’ People may say, ‘I have a different family structure or my financial situation is different. I would love to do it a little bit differently than I’ve done in the past.’ What we’re hoping to be able to provide is the choice and flexibility for all of those different evolving states.

The survey showing up in people’s email boxes that could give a hint as to what is coming in the future for those who want to have a pass. The surveys cover both different Passport options and also different types of tickets. In all cases, reservations are required it appears moving forward. This is consistent with what is currently being done in Florida. It should be noted that these are just survey options and not anything that is officially being sold by Disneyland right now. Surveys are used to gather data so anything could change. It also should be noted that there could be more surveys and options than shown on this post.
Here are some of the options on the survey currently:
$1,399 Passport
  • Passholders can make up to 6 reservations at a time.
  • Reservations can be made 90 days in advance.
  • 2 blockout day tickets are included.
  • No Anytime Reservations included.
  • Most of June, July, and weekends are blocked out.
  • 30% discount on merchandise.
  • 10% discount on food.
  • 20% discount for special event tickets.
  • Parking is included.
  • MaxPass not included.
  • PhotoPass included.
  • There would be a dedicated entrance.
  • There would also be a “Rewards Program.”

This plan encourages weekday visits but is blocked out most of June, July, and also Christmas/New Years Week it appears. It also is worth noting that in this case the price is same for both adults and children.

$1,200 Passport

  • Passholders can make up to 2 reservations at a time.
  • Reservations can be made 90 days in advance.
  • 2 Anytime Reservations included.
  • 2 blockout day tickets are included.
  • This version has many weekends available and not blocked out with it appears some major holiday times being blocked out.
  • 30% discount on merchandise.
  • 20% discount on food.
  • No discount for special event tickets.
  • Parking is not included.
  • MaxPass is included.
  • PhotoPass included.
  • There would not be a dedicated entrance.
  • There would not be a “Rewards Program” eligibility.

This option is quite similar to the first one however, there is no children prices included with this survey page. This option also appears to have fewer blockout dates with many weekends being included.

$999 Passport #1

  • Passholders can make up to 2 reservations at a time.
  • Reservations can be made 60 days in advance.
  • 4 Anytime Reservations included.
  • 1 blockout day ticket is included.
  • Most of June, July, and weekends are blocked out.
  • 30% discount on merchandise.
  • 10% discount on food.
  • No discount for special event tickets.
  • Parking is not included.
  • MaxPass not included.
  • PhotoPass not included.
  • There would not be a dedicated entrance.
  • This would not be a part of a “Rewards Program.”
  • Children price for this passport is $899

$999 Passport #2

  • Passholders can make up to 4 reservations at a time.
  • Reservations can be made 90 days in advance.
  • 6 Anytime Reservation days included.
  • 1 blockout day ticket is included.
  • This passport has fewer blackouts dates and allows visits on most weekends.
  • 10% discount on merchandise.
  • 30% discount on food.
  • 20% discount for special event tickets.
  • 20% discount for parking.
  • MaxPass included.
  • PhotoPass included.
  • There would be a dedicated entrance.
  • There would not be access to a “Rewards Program.”
  • The children price for this passport is $809.

$799 Passport

  • Passholders can make up to 6 reservations at a time.
  • Reservations can be made 60 days in advance.
  • No anytime reservations are available.
  • 2 blockout day tickets are included.
  • This pass allows few blockout dates other than it appears to be holidays.
  • 20% discount on merchandise.
  • 30% discount on food.
  • No discount for special event tickets.
  • 20% Discount on Parking
  • MaxPass included.
  • PhotoPass included.
  • There would not be a dedicated entrance.
  • There would also not be a “Rewards Program.”

$599 Passport #1

  • Passholders can make up to 4 reservations at a time.
  • Reservations can be made 60 days in advance.
  • 4 Anytime Reservations may be held.
  • 1 blockout day ticket is included.
  • Most of June, July, holidays, and weekends are blocked out.
  • 50% off for 2 Friends & Family tickets.
  • 10% discount on merchandise.
  • 10% discount on food.
  • 20% discount for special event tickets.
  • Parking is not included.
  • MaxPass is included.
  • PhotoPass is included.
  • There would be a dedicated entrance.
  • There would not be a “Rewards Program.”
$599 Passport #2
  • Passholders can make up to 6 reservations at a time.
  • Reservations can be made 120 days in advance.
  • 6 Anytime Reservations included.
  • 2 blockout day tickets are included.
  • There are significant blackouts for big chunks of time on this one but there are also some weekends available.
  • 20% discount on merchandise.
  • 20% discount on food.
  • 20% discount for special event tickets.
  • 50% discount on parking.
  • MaxPass not included.
  • PhotoPass included.
  • There would be a dedicated entrance.
  • There would also be a “Rewards Program.”

$399 Passport

  • Passholders can make up to 4 reservations at a time.
  • Reservations can be made 60 days in advance.
  • 6 Anytime Reservations can be made per year.
  • 1 blockout day ticket is included.
  • Most availability for this passport option is traditional non-peak times.
  • 10% discount on merchandise.
  • 20% discount on food.
  • 20% discount for special event tickets.
  • Parking is included.
  • MaxPass not included.
  • PhotoPass not included.
  • There would be a dedicated entrance.
  • There would not be a “Rewards Program.”

It should be noted that surveys are for gathering information. Anything that is in these surveys could become a part of a future Passport system or it could just be something that is there to gain information about consumer insights. It is quite likely that the future Passport/Membership Program will pull from elements that are included here but also be something different as well.

What would be your ideal Passport moving forward? How much would you pay for it? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!


Comments

21 responses to “Disneyland Survey Gives Hints at What Could Be Coming for Future Pass Program”

  1. Have been a Signature level passport holder for fifteen years and loyal Disneyland visitor since the first year the park opened.

    I would not pay over $1000 for a pass that relies on a reservation system. Hearing from Flex pass holders that it has been very difficult to reserve ANY date for a visit, much less a specific date that would fit their calendaring needs.

    We were attending about ten times a year with the passport we had. I would pay $1,000 with no reservation system for fewer visits (6-8) but only with free parking, significant merch and food discounts.

    ALL pass holders should be able to access a designated entrance regardless. It’s a pain to stand in line watching group after group showing ID and getting their pictures taken when we know we can practically walk through with our passes.

  2. Marilyn Anderson Avatar
    Marilyn Anderson

    I would like to see the passes in a spreadsheet format, it would be easier or compare passes.

    1. You and me both! Hopefully, once there is something more to report on than just a survey we’ll get that! :)

  3. Patricia Castro Avatar
    Patricia Castro

    I know this opinion is going to be super unpopular but we have got to do away with people from out of state buying passes. APH have been blamed for the over crowding but I find that those of us who live here and or have had passes for 35+ years know when to go and when not to. It seems that it just can’t be us locals cramming the Parks.

  4. Allisabet Nunya Avatar
    Allisabet Nunya

    If this is the way it’s going, I’d rather see a modular pass where I can select the level of service I want. Each category of services has options and a price range, and what I choose adds up to the price I pay.

    For example, there are 5 calendars available ranked from most blackout dates to fewest, costing $100, $150, $200, $250, or $300;

    parking discounts of 20%, 50%, or 100% costing $10, $35, or $60;

    reservations 60, 90, or 120 days in advance costing $35, $50, or $75, and so on.

    If I chose the fewest blackout dates ($300), 50% off parking ($35), and 120-day reservations ($75), I would be at $410, pending whatever other options I chose in the remaining categories (merch discount, food discount, max pass, etc.).

    It would be fully customizable to fit my exact priorities and budgeting specifications, scaleable to every AP buyer, without Disney having to guess what we all might want.

    1. That’s quite an intriguing idea! I’m really curious to see where Disney ends up taking this in the long run. I keep reminding myself these are just questions that are built to help them gather information about what they will do in the future. I love thinking about all the possibilities though!

  5. Dottie Phillips Avatar
    Dottie Phillips

    for so call local residence we like to go a lot, but don’t usually know ahead of time what day we are going to far in advance, ether playing a big roll. I like to go at least once month. All these choices are so restrictive. Disneyland sous limit out of court entrances to a certain number per day. also people out of state shouldn’t have high priority. I think advantages should be given locally not to those who have advantage because they stayed in one of the resorts hotel

  6. Hello Disney Fans, I have been a premium annual passholder for the last 15 years and have always felt that while I enjoyed the top tier annual pass, I never really felt that I was given any “extras” for paying the top price. Yes, we did receive free parking and better discounts but in regards to access to the park or other entrance perks, I think the pass was lacking. Now with this new $1399.00 pass proposal, it looks to me like it costs more money and you get even less.

    When I go to Disneyland, I usually bring my 5th wheel and spend several days at the park. I live local (within 1 hours drive) but I have pets so it’s really easy to just bring the camper. With this new proposal, I would need to coordinate making park reservations for my family and coordinate that with the RV park reservations and all around days off at work. For me, it just makes things too complicated. Even if I am staying at a Hotel, it still makes it difficult.

    I understand the premise of trying to limit crowds for a more enjoyable day for everyone but this isn’t how to do it in my opinion. My suggestion would be to set up a new reservation program for travelers from outside the US, for out of state visitors and for the lower tier passes. The top two annual passes should not have any attendance restrictions at all.

    My last thought- I really hope that with the change of leadership, Disneyland doesn’t become a “money making machine” and lose the magic and experience of the park that as an adult, I still really enjoy. Thanks for reading this.

  7. Wendy Kruger Avatar
    Wendy Kruger

    Is anyone familiar with how the Disney World system works? This is all confusing to me. So if 6 reservations can be made 60 days in advance (for example,) does that mean I can schedule my 6 at 3/30 (picking random dates) to occur at twice a week from the 30-day window. Then, at 4/1, choose 6 more days out past that? I know with restaurant reservations, I can make a reservation at X on a day, and the next day I can make a reservation at a different place to fall on the day after the first one.

    I guess what I’m trying to say is, what I care most about is being able to go once a week. :) The other stuff I can deal with however it’s decided, but I live 8 miles from the park. I just moved to California in August, and one of the things I was looking forward to is having that option to go every week, if I so choose. I know the anytime reservations will take care of those nights when you just want to pop in for a churro and fireworks. Six times for some passes. :) Logistically, I don’t understand which one is going to work for flexibility more than other perks.

  8. william case Avatar
    william case

    I want to know where these surveys are I haven’t recieved one as an AP holder

    1. It seems rather sporadic and also the survey seems to vary by person. – Mr. DAPs

  9. I’m really not a fan of the reservation system. I have elderly parents and a disabled daughter, for some disabled guests it’s really difficult to know in advance which will be your “good and bad days” health wise. The biggest selling point for me was flexibility and the option to pop in any day they were feeling up to it, etc. I know they’re trying to limit overcrowding but I think it’s be best leaving the decision whether to go up to the guests and giving them access to attendance levels etc. before deciding to head out or not. I hope in their quest to ‘improve’ the guest experience, Disney doesn’t forget the needs of our disabled Disney fans.

  10. Patricia Avatar

    Very excellent points Melissa! My sister and I like to take our elderly Mom with mobility issues and your point about good and bad days is very true. She’s on dialysis 3 days a week so being boxed into certain days and a reservation system is very restrictive.

  11. Jerry Couchman Avatar
    Jerry Couchman

    I will not attend Disneyland Park any longer. It is to confusing and expensive.

  12. I’m not sure I would go as far as saying I won’t attend the parks anymore but the reservation system will definitely cut down the amount of visits for me. I usually attend both parks at least 1 or 2 times a month. Now, to coordinate restaurant reservations, accommodation reservations, family reservations, special events at Disneyland reservations such as the Fireworks Terrace all centered around getting park reservations and trying to get them all on the same days that you attend is ridiculous and I haven’t even mentioned trying to make all of that nonsense match up with time off work or holidays! The worst part of the reservations system is you can’t be spontaneous anymore. Many many times we get to the weekend and when the weather is really nice, just decide to go. Well, no more of that!

    I really hope these messages are actually read by the powers that be before they make decisions we will not be happy with.

  13. Porsha996 Avatar

    We have held the top tier AP since the late 1980’s. We have watched DLR management raise prices w/o raising perks. Then in an effort to sell more tickets, it seems that management made passes available thru monthly installment payments. As we “step up” and pay in full, this is a slap in the face. It used to be top tier rec’d special perks ( ride soft openings, special nites, etc. ).

    Even though we live in the San Fernando Valley, it can take up to 3 hours to drive the 52 miles… We have, in years past, enjoyed hopping in the car after school, and whizzing down the I-5 to grab something to eat, ride some rides, watch fireworks, BUY MERCHANDISE… that all appears to be in the past as we march forward.

    Can you imagine riding any of the DL rides and being socially distanced ? Right ! Lots of singles, or lots of plastic barriers… oh, and no screaming on the runaway train, or singing in Small World…

    How nice it would be top go back to January-February 2020… Almost forgot, we have rec’d 2 of our 3 refunds, but nobody can tell us where the 3rd one is.

  14. What do you guys think about them doing payment plans with the new memberships? Has anyone heard ?

    1. At this point, everything is just questions so I haven’t heard a word. I’m very curious to see how payments work out!

  15. Gerri Brown Avatar
    Gerri Brown

    I have had the most premium pass since 1984. I enjoyed getting off work on a hard day in Garden Grove and meeting my then boyfriend and later husband there for dinner and a chance to just walk around and enjoy the “release from reality” for a few hours. Many times just sitting on a bench and people watching. Maybe just maybe a ride if we saw one with a shorter line. Spontaneity in deciding to visit the Park was key for always getting that premium pass. How many days did we just sit in Videopolis to listen to the music and watch the dancers!

    We had perks before the parking remodel. Flash the pass and we had primo parking right up in front of the ticket booths. I got the closest space twice! And we had a dedicated entrance. The special pass holder nights were filled with backlot tours and seeing inside some of the parade floats. It was a magical timed for those who paid to get it. Then prices were raised and perks were gone. Then ANYBODY could be a pass holder by the month. That ended all the special nights and events that used to make us at least FEEL special.

    And the part Disney seems to forget- we the locals – given the opportunity of spontaneity, will come and buy food and merchandise often.

    I hope there will be a pass me!

  16. Chiquens Avatar

    Seeing all these people complaining about out of state visitors and perks for the locals…. don’t you relaxed that out of stare folks are spent way more money per ticket than any passholder? They’re getting everything from Disney in the time they’re at the parks and it might be a once in a lifetime experience.

    The passholders I’ve seen mostly complain about how they don’t get all the best perks. You’re getting into Disney whenever you want. I cannot roll my eyes hard enough at your entitled comments.

    I’ve also had a Premire pass for a decade, but I was just hapoy for parking and photos. Its people who complain that got the program canceled in the first place.

  17. I’ve had the pass with no blockout dates for over 25 years. I want no blockout dates, with free parking, & MaxPass included. They can skip the discounts & designated entrance, if need be; but my real wish is to bring back the Signature Plus!

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