Now that Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida has officially begun its phased reopening process, a number of updates have been issued for Annual Passholders.

The latest notice includes information many Passholder families have been wondering about: When they need to make a firm decision about whether they want to extend their APs for the number of days Disney World was closed (118 days) or receive a pro-rated refund.

The official Walt Disney World website has been updated with these details about AP extension and refund options.

The Passholder update for those who have paid in full states:

• Receive an additional one-month (30 days) extension to your pass (unless you choose to cancel your pass). This additional month will automatically be processed and visible in your My Disney Experience account over the coming weeks.
• If you prefer, and in lieu of the one-month extension, you may choose to cancel your annual pass(es). Your pass will remain valid through August 11, 2020 and will be canceled effective August 12, 2020. You will be refunded for the remaining access days of your annual pass from July 11, 2020 through your pass expiration date (as extended, if applicable). Refunds to original form of payment can be expected by mid- to late September. Refunds may take up to an additional month to receive if original form of payment is not available. To request this option, contact V.I.PASSHOLDER Support at (407) 939-7277.

For any Passholder on a monthly payment plan, the options are slightly different. Disney World’s website offers these details for those Guests:

The update reads:

• Receive an additional one-month (30 days) extension to your pass(es) (unless you choose to cancel your pass(es)). This additional month will automatically be processed and visible in your My Disney Experience account over the coming weeks.

• If you prefer, and in lieu of the additional one-month extension, you may choose to cancel your annual pass(es). If you choose this option, monthly payments will be stopped starting August 12, 2020. Your pass(es) will remain valid through August 11, 2020 and will be canceled effective August 12, 2020. Any payments made between July 11, 2020 and August 11, 2020 will be retroactively refunded. If you made a payment between March 14, 2020 through April 4, 2020 that was not already refunded, that payment will also be retroactively refunded. Refunds to original form of payment can be expected by mid- to late September. Refunds may take up to an additional month to receive if original form of payment is not available. To request this option, contact V.I.PASSHOLDER Support at (407) 939-7277.

It is important to note that ALL Walt Disney World Annual Passholder Guests must make a decision about whether they want a refund or an extension of their passes by August 11, 2020. Disney notes that Passholders will be emailed details beginning today, July 14.

New WDW Passholder sales are suspended at this time, so anyone who opts to cancel an AP and then regrets the decision will have to wait until Annual Passes for the theme park are once again available.

Park hopper options are not available for any theme park, including any Annual Passholder, at this time. Park hopping is likely to resume when the Disney Park returns to normal operations following its phased reopening.

Are you an Annual Pass owner at the Florida Disney Resort? What do you think about the Disney Passholder refund and extension options? 

If you would like to visit Walt Disney World, contact the experts at Academy Travel for help booking any sort of Disney World ticket, whether or not you are a pass holder. They will be able to help you navigate all of your post-park closure period ticket options and the new Disney Park Pass reservation system.