Having a Disney annual pass opens up a whole calendar year of fun for fans of the theme parks. Whether you live in California, Florida, or near an overseas destination, you can experience Disney magic year round.
The Benefits of a Disney Annual Pass
Becoming an annual passholder at Disney's original theme park destination in California grants you admission to Disneyland and California Adventure. You will enjoy special rates at all resort hotels, food discounts, and a subscription to an annual pass holder magazine. Disney breaks their annual passes into four types:
Disneyland Annual Passes
Becoming an annual passholder at Disney's original theme park destination in California grants you admission to Disneyland and/or California Adventure, as well as providing you with special rates at all resort hotels, food discounts, and a subscription to an annual pass holder magazine. Disney breaks their annual passes into six types:
Southern California Select
With this basic pass for Southern California residents only, you can enjoy the parks 170 days out of the year, and "hop" between them as often as you'd like. You will also receive discounts at Downtown Disney stores and gain access to an exclusive annual pass holder website.
Southern California
Same as the "select", but you are granted entry 215 days out of the year instead of just 170. Again, this is only open to residents within a certain area of Southern California zip codes.
Deluxe
The deluxe pass is available to any individual, regardless of where they live, and includes discounts on guided tours throughout the parks. Good for entry 315 days out of the year.
Premium
The premium annual pass, the cream of the crop, is similar to the Deluxe, but includes free parking, discounts at select locations outside of the Disney property, and also allows you to visit the park any day of the year you wish to visit.
Disney World Annual Passes
Similar to Disneyland, Walt Disney World in Florida offers different passes for Florida residents and fans all over the world. With a Florida Resident Seasonal pass, you can visit all four parks on select days, as well as receive special discounts.
The standard annual pass grants you access every day of the year and includes free parking, discounts on food and merchandise within the parks. One step up higher, and you've upgraded to a Premium Annual Pass which includes admission to the Disney water parks, DisneyQuest, and the Oak Trail Golf Course.
Since Disney World is so extensive, if you live in the surrounding area, it is much more enjoyable to make more than one visit throughout the year to experience all this massive park has to offer without feeling rushed.
International Passes
If you regularly visit Tokyo Disneyland while in town for business, or any other reason, you can purchase a Tokyo Disney Resort annual pass for Disneyland, DisneySea, or both parks.
The Disneyland Resort Paris offers three different types of annual passes - the Francilien, the Fantasy, and the Dream. The Dream passport allows for 365 days of visits, along with a 20% discount in stores, 10% discount on food, and 35% off of Disney hotels. The annual pass breakdown for Paris can help you decide which your family can afford.
You may also want to check out Hong Kong Disneyland passes, if you travel to that region or are looking for a unique gift for someone who does.
