Non-Local Disneyland Passholders Want More Benefits

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Credit: Disney

Many Disney fans were shocked when Disneyland announced in January that they would be sunsetting their Annual Passport Program and issuing refunds (along with some discounts).

disneyland annual passholder
Credit: Disney

The very next day, good news seemed to come from this grim announcement. We found out that it wasn’t exactly the end of the AP Program entirely, but more of a time for reimagining, much like refurbishments that happen for attractions. Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock even shared that the company is taking this time to reevaluate the program and new membership offerings will come in the future.

“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.”

As Annual Passholders reacted to the AP cancellations, Disneyland continued to process refunds to their Annual Passholders, who have now been renamed Legacy PassholdersLegacy Passholder perks continue to be expanded, but something still didn’t sit quite right for former Annual Passholders that aren’t within the local area of the Disneyland Resort.

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Credit: Disney

Disneyland Resort Legacy Passholder Perks

Disneyland announced that the Legacy Passholder program (for former Disneyland Annual Passholders) would come magical extras. An email was sent to those former Annual Passholders with passes that have been canceled:

Welcome Legacy Passholders!

To those who have been Annual Passholders with active Passports as of March 14, 2020, the date our Parks closed, thank you! To show our appreciation, we thought a new title was in order—
Disneyland® Resort Legacy Passholder.

As a Legacy Passholder, there are magical extras that celebrate you. From special offerings and Park news to discounts on select food and beverages and merchandise at select locations in Downtown Disney® District and Buena Vista Street.

So get ready to be surprised…delighted…and, most of all, celebrated—because that’s what being a Legacy Passholder is all about! These benefits will be offered until new membership offerings are announced.

disneyland legacy passholder
Credit: Disney

One of the biggest benefits is that Disneyland is offering Legacy Passholders a 30% discount on select merchandise at the Downtown Disney District and Buena Vista Street inside Disney California Adventure. Other Legacy Passholder Perks include, a WandaVision photo opportunity at Disney California Adventure and an exclusive preview of the new Star Wars Trading Post at Downtown Disney.

But there’s something these perks have in common: they can all only be taken advantage of by visiting Disneyland Resort property.

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Credit: Marvel Studios

 

Why Are Some Legacy Passholders Unhappy?

Though many Disneyland Annual Passholders have been very understanding of Disney’s decision to end the AP Program at Disneyland, some are unhappy, and some have shared their concerns regarding the new benefits that are being offered.

The benefits that are currently being offered to Legacy Passholders are only serving those who live locally in the Disneyland Resort area (or who plan to visit anytime soon). Current benefits can only be taken advantage of if you are willing to visit Downtown Disney and Buena Vista Street right now, which many who live in Northern California and out-of-state Legacy Passholders aren’t willing to do (or aren’t able to do) if the parks aren’t open.

Many non-local Legacy Passholders feel as though their loyalty to Disneyland isn’t appreciated enough to have benefits that all Legacy Passholders can take advantage of. And there are even some local Legacy Passholders who do not want to visit the Downtown Disney District right now because of the ongoing pandemic.

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Credit: Disney

What Benefits Could Disneyland Offer Non-Local Passholders?

We asked non-local and out-of-state Legacy Passholders what kind of benefits they would like to see.

Shortly after Walt Disney World reopened in July 2020, Walt Disney World Annual Passholders were offered not only a discount in-park but on shopDisney as well! Disneyland Resort Legacy Passholders would love to see this too, along with Legacy Passholder-exclusive merchandise that could be purchased at Downtown Disney, Disney California Adventure, Disney Stores, and on shopDisney. This would allow more people to take advantage of the Disneyland AP discount that is currently only offered in person at Downtown Disney.

shopDisney
Credit: Disney

Not to mention, there are plenty of Disneyland fans who would love to see Legacy Passholders magnets! The Disneyland Annual Passholder magnet was our way to show our pride and love for Disneyland. If Disneyland could send out a Legacy Passholder like they did for Annual Passholders, I personally think many would feel proud to be a part of the original Annual Passholder crew.

Disneyland recently announced that starting mid-March there would be an all-new limited-time ticketed event coming to Disney California Adventure. We don’t know many details, but we do know that it will be focused on food and beverage from around the resort. Legacy Passholders may feel more inclined to travel in for this event if they were offered a discount for tickets, exclusive Legacy Passholder only dates, early access, and/or other exclusive benefits.

dca
Credit: Disney

Although the Legacy Passholder program is expected to only be temporary, adding more benefits for non-locals and those who cannot take advantage of in-person discounts could be a way for Disney to show some appreciation to former Disneyland Annual Passport holders.

Are you an out-of-town Disneyland Resort Legacy Passholder that is feeling a little left out by these new benefits? Share with us in the comments, what kind of benefits you would like to see as part of the Legacy Passholder program at Disneyland. 

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