Credit: Brian McGowan, UnsplashDisney has made several choices in 2025 that have guests talking—but no group is more furious than Annual Passholders. These are the individuals who consistently return. They buy the merchandise, stay at the resorts, grab the seasonal snacks, and know how to navigate the parks like pros. And yet, lately, it feels like they’re the ones paying the price for decisions they didn’t ask for.
While Disney has worked hard to promote “new experiences” and “flexibility,” the reality for Passholders has been far less magical. The changes piling up this year have sparked frustration, with many longtime fans saying their loyalty no longer seems to matter.
Before getting into what’s making them mad, it’s worth understanding why people invest in an Annual Pass to begin with.
Why People Buy a Pass in the First Place
A Disney World Annual Pass isn’t cheap, but for many, it’s about more than park entry. Passholders usually visit multiple times a year. They might live nearby or fly in a few times a season, making their trips part of their lifestyle. The tiers—Pixie Dust, Pirate, Sorcerer, and Incredi-Pass—are designed to offer different levels of access, with the Incredi-Pass being the only option for out-of-state guests.
The pass used to come with a feeling of exclusivity: early access to reservations, hotel discounts, a free PhotoPass, merchandise perks, and the flexibility to drop in on the parks on a whim. For some, it was a way to feel like Disney was “theirs.” However, by 2025, that feeling is fading rapidly.
Here’s a closer look at what Passholders are fed up with this year.
1. Blockout Dates and Park Reservations
Few things frustrate Passholders more than wanting to visit a park… and being told they can’t. Blockout dates have always existed, but they feel more restrictive than ever. Lower-tier passes are often riddled with blockout periods during peak seasons, such as spring break, summer, and holidays. Even higher-tier passes aren’t immune to limitations on certain busy days.
Then there’s the park reservation system. Even though Disney has loosened some of the rules, Passholders still have to plan visits around availability—something that completely defeats the “spontaneous visit” perk that many loved in the first place. Locals who used to swing by EPCOT for an evening now find themselves refreshing the app, hoping a reservation will become available.
For many, it’s not just inconvenient—it’s insulting. Having an Annual Pass should mean access, but lately, it feels more like a game of luck.
2. PhotoPass Is No Longer a Perk
One of the biggest frustrations this year is that PhotoPass is no longer included as a standard perk for Passholders. It’s now an add-on.
This might seem minor to some, but PhotoPass used to be one of the most beloved benefits of having a pass. It allowed guests to collect professional-quality photos from rides, character meet-and-greets, and iconic park locations without having to think twice.
Now, Passholders who want that experience have to pay extra—on top of already pricey passes. It stings even more when you remember that PhotoPass was once included at no additional cost. This change has made many feel like Disney is slowly chipping away at the perks that made the pass worthwhile in the first place.
3. Fewer Discounts—and Smaller Ones When They Exist
Discounts have always been part of the Annual Passholder experience. Whether it’s 10% off a favorite snack or a nice chunk off a merchandise splurge, those little savings add up. But lately, those discounts aren’t what they used to be.
Dining discounts have become more limited. Seasonal offers aren’t as frequent. And when there are discounts, the percentage seems to be shrinking. For many Passholders, that’s a big deal—especially when they’ve already shelled out hundreds or even thousands for their pass.
It’s a subtle shift, but it speaks volumes. The value that once set a Disney pass apart is slowly being eroded.
4. Hotel Discounts That Aren’t Always the Best Deal
Once upon a time, Passholders could count on snagging a good room discount. Those deals made staying on property more affordable and gave many guests a reason to choose Disney resorts over nearby hotels.
Now? That’s not always the case. In fact, more than a few Passholders have noticed that Disney’s “special offers” for passholders aren’t actually the best deal available. Sometimes, public promotions—or even third-party bookings—offer better rates.
For loyal fans, this feels like a slap in the face. If you’re paying for a pass, why shouldn’t you get the best price available? Add in the fact that hotel prices overall have skyrocketed in recent years, and it’s no wonder people are feeling fed up.
5. Overall Costs Keep Climbing
This is the big one. The overall cost of being a Passholder has gone up significantly. Not just the pass price itself—though those increases have been steep—but everything that comes with it.
Food prices are higher. Snacks cost more. Merchandise isn’t cheap. And let’s not forget Lightning Lane. While Disneyland offers Lightning Lane discounts to its Annual Passholders, Disney World doesn’t. That’s a huge sore spot for fans who see other Disney resorts offering perks that they don’t get.
For out-of-state passholders, the situation is even worse. The cost of travel, hotels, food, and add-ons means you’d have to visit an almost ridiculous number of times just to break even. The math doesn’t always make sense anymore, and that’s a problem for people who used to renew without hesitation.
What Disney Could Do to Fix It
The good news is, none of this is beyond repair. Disney could make meaningful changes to win back its most loyal guests. Bringing back PhotoPass as a perk would be a good first step. Expanding discounts—or at least making them more consistent—would also go a long way.
More flexible blockout rules and a better reservation system would ease the daily frustrations for locals. And maybe most importantly, Lightning Lane discounts for Disney World passholders would show that the company is willing to match the value offered on the West Coast.
None of these are radical moves—they’re just signs of respect for the people who have supported Disney year after year.
A Breaking Point is Coming
Passholders are more than just frequent visitors. They’re the heartbeat of the parks. They bring friends, spend money, and keep the energy alive even during slow seasons. But in 2025, that loyalty is being tested like never before.
From blockout dates to shrinking perks and rising costs, the value of an Annual Pass doesn’t feel the same as it used to. Disney may not be able to please everyone, but if it wants to keep its most loyal fans happy, it needs to start listening—and acting—before more of them walk away.