CONFIRMED: Disney Will Transition to New Kind of Annual Pass in January

Disney is making major changes to its annual pass program at one resort in January.

Annual passes have undergone plenty of changes in the years since COVID-19. While Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort have each introduced new systems (the multi-tiered Magic Key in Southern California and the Incredi-Pass, Sorcerer Pass, Pirate Pass, and Pixie Dust Pass in Florida), they have also implemented new obstacles for passholders, such as reservation requirements.

Two hands hold three colorful Walt Disney World passholder stickers featuring Dumbo, Orange Bird, and Mickey and Minnie Mouse with a blurred outdoor background. — Credit: Disney

Over at Disneyland Paris, guests have also complained about the decline in benefits for passholders. While those with top-tier passes could once enjoy a private entrance to the parks and reserved VIP viewing for the fireworks, these benefits are long gone.

At the same time, prices have soared for passes worldwide. Worst of all, Tokyo Disney Resort has dropped its annual pass program entirely. While the Oriental Land Company (which owns and operates Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea) has teased a potential return for the passes over the years, this has yet to come to fruition.

Disney Park Confirms Major Annual Pass Update For 2026

Now, another Disney resort has announced another big annual pass change.

Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters on parade float at Hong Kong Disneyland — Credit: Disney

From January 6, 2026, passholders won’t be able to receive physical annual passes at Disney’s smallest theme park resort, Hong Kong Disneyland.

Instead, guests with a Magic Access membership will transition to digital passes, accessible via the Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. Physical cards will remain usable until their expiration.

Other Disney parks have increasingly relied on digital passes in recent years. At Disney World, most guests now access theirs through the My Disney Experience app. Guests who prefer a tangible ticket can still request a physical pass at Guest Relations within any of the parks or at Disney Springs.

Daisy Duck, Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in front of the Hong Kong Disneyland train station. — Credit: Disney

Annual passes have played a huge role in Hong Kong Disneyland’s return to profitability in recent years. Fresh off opening Disney’s first World of Frozen and debuting a brand-new castle, Castle of Magical Dreams, the park has hit a record high number of passholders.

With only one park onsite, it should come as no surprise that these passes are considerably cheaper than those found at the likes of Disney World or Disneyland Paris. Guests pay HK$1,568 ($201 USD) for the lowest tier of Magic Access, Silver, which provides access on most weekdays.

A group of four friends stands in front of a castle at a theme park. They are smiling and holding themed souvenirs, snacks, and balloons. Two of them wear headbands with cute characters, adding to the festive atmosphere. The sky is clear and sunny. — Credit: Hong Kong Disneyland

Meanwhile, the highest tier, Platinum, costs HK$4,998 ($642 USD). This comes with no blockout dates, which means guests can enjoy the likes of Mystic Manor, Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs, Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars, Hyperspace Mountain, and Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle! at any time of year.

Do you have an annual pass for any Disney park?