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Credit: DisneyWalt Disney World Resort Guests have been waiting, and waiting, and waiting some more for new Annual Passes to go on sale at Disney’s flagship property. Annual Pass sales were initially paused during Disney World’s COVID-19 pandemic closure, with a new, reimagined AP program launching today, September 8, 2021.
Related: How to Upgrade Your Disney World Ticket to an Annual Pass!
The new program features four AP options — the Disney Pixie Dust Pass, the Disney Pirate Pass, the Disney Sorceror Pass, and the Disney Incredi-Pass — and is described by Disney as:
Here are some highlights of our new Annual Passes:
Hold More Park Reservations: Depending on their pass type, Passholders may now hold up to five Disney Park Pass reservations at a time. We’ll also be adding “bonus reservations” to the calendar from time to time, so Passholders can make an additional park reservation without it counting against their applicable reservation hold limit. Plus, when Passholders stay at Disney Resort hotels or other select hotels, they will also be eligible to make theme park reservations for each day of their stay – in addition to the reservations you can hold based on your pass type!
Customize Your Pass: Choose different add-on options based on your preferences – from the Water Park and Sports option to Disney PhotoPass downloads. These add-on options will be available for purchase with any of our four new passes.
Access a New Integrated Calendar: Planning will be easier with enhancements to our reservation system, including a new integrated calendar that lets Passholders quickly see blockout dates for each pass type, view available days and make, modify or cancel a reservation all in one place.
Enjoy Passholder Perks: Passes will continue to offer benefits you know and love including the Park Hopper option, standard theme park parking and discounts on merchandise and dining. And, there will be a few special surprises throughout the 50th anniversary celebration!
Related: New Park Pass and Blockout Calendar Debuts For Annual Passholders
Now, however, as of the time of publication, very few Disney World fans seem to be able to actually purchase their new Annual Passes. The website appears to be having a variety of issues at this time, per numerous social media reports.
Taylor Baird wrote:
Is it just me or is everyone else finding a broken system to try to buy an annual pass? #WaltDisneyWorld #AnnualPass #disneyap #disneyannualpass #DisneyWorld50
Is it just me or is everyone else finding a broken system to try to buy an annual pass? #WaltDisneyWorld #AnnualPass #disneyap #disneyannualpass #DisneyWorld pic.twitter.com/FfF42alNnB
— Taylor Baird (@TaylorABaird) September 8, 2021
Related: Disney Exec. Clarifies Why There Are No More Advance “FastPass” Reservations
David Crane replied to Baird, noting that he could successfully renew an existing Disney World AP, but could not purchase a new pass:
I’ve had no luck finding any link to purchasing a new pass. Only to renewing a pass. Anything on Disneyworld [sic: Disney World] webpage linked to annual passes goes to just general information…. Tried with Iphone and desktop.
I've had no luck finding any link to purchasing a new pass. Only to renewing a pass. Anything on Disneyworld webpage linked to annual passes goes to just general information…. Tried with Iphone and desktop.
— David Crane (@stormingdave) September 8, 2021
Related: Disney Retires Free FastPass in Favor of New Paid “Lightning Lane” System
In addition to those who are seemingly having trouble even purchasing their new passes, wait times are extremely (and unsurprisingly) long for Guests who have managed to enter the virtual queue to purchase an Annual Pass:
Ayoka Systems wrote:
5 minutes after Annual Passes for Walt Disney World went on sale, the wait time ballooned to “more than an hour” #WaltDisneyWorld #DisneyWorld50 #AP #AnnualPass
5 minutes after Annual Passes for Walt Disney World went on sale, the wait time ballooned to “more than an hour” #WaltDisneyWorld #DisneyWorld50 #AP #AnnualPass pic.twitter.com/60tDqDgQOV
— Ayoka Systems (@ayokasystems) September 8, 2021
Related: Disney World Crowds Are Non-Existent as Guests Walk Onto Popular Rides
Have you successfully purchased your Disney World Annual Pass today or are you one of the Guests experiencing problems?
Let the expert team at Academy Travel help you plan your next magical vacation to Walt Disney World Resort’s four theme parks — Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios — and the Disney Springs shopping and dining district.