Disney Annual Passholders Fear They're Being Cut Out of Holiday Season

For two straight years, Annual Passholders have scored some of the biggest holiday resort deals Disney World has ever offered.

We’re talking about up to 40% off room rates during the fall and Christmas seasons—major savings that have helped many out-of-state Passholders justify those extra trips. But this year? The silence is getting louder.

It’s now June 30, and the usual announcement — something that has been present in some shape or form nearly every year, even if you go back further than 2023 — hasn’t arrived.

In 2023, the fall and holiday discounts were announced on June 15. In 2024, the announcement came on June 27. That pattern gave Passholders good reason to hope for something similar in 2025. But as the calendar flips to July, fans are growing uneasy. No email. No resort deal. No up-to-40%-off banner to click. Just regular rates stretching into the priciest time of the year.

Could the discount still drop in the next few days? Absolutely. Disney has shown they like to keep people guessing. But many Passholders aren’t feeling confident right now, especially those who’ve been waiting patiently to book their trips for months.

Why This Discount Matters So Much

For Annual Passholders who live out of state or even in the state of Florida but away from Orlando, a big discount on resort stays can make or break a holiday trip.

Last year’s offer gave 35% off Sunday through Thursday nights from October through mid-November, and up to 40% off nights in December leading up to Christmas Eve. Those savings meant the difference between booking a Deluxe resort and sticking with a Value—if not canceling altogether.

It wasn’t just about saving money. These deals allowed Passholders to bring extended family, extend their stays, or even splurge on extras like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party tickets. Losing that opportunity entirely would push a lot of APs to reconsider their holiday plans—if not skip them altogether.

Disney’s Summer Strategy Might Be the Clue

The other piece of this puzzle? Disney’s 2025 V.I.PASSHOLDER Summer Days promotion, which brought deep dining discounts (up to 40% off select restaurants), free magnets, and even a special lounge just for APs. On one hand, it shows Disney still values its Annual Passholder base. On the other hand, it raises a tough question: Is that summer promo the “main event” this year?

If Disney feels they’ve already catered to Passholders through V.I.PASSHOLDER Summer Days, it’s possible they’ve shifted focus away from holiday-season savings—or they’re scaling back overall discounts due to crowd forecasts.

It’s hard to know the answer there, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on.

Keep in mind that V.I.PASSHOLDER Summer Days are actually longer this year than most, giving APs more chances to enjoy the magic in the summer.

Disney Annual Passholders Are Watching Closely

The worry right now isn’t just that a discount hasn’t dropped yet. It’s that Disney might not be planning to offer one at all. And that would be a big shift. With the holiday season being one of the busiest and most expensive times to visit Disney World, regular room rates are often out of reach for many Passholders. If there’s no AP discount, some might look off-property—or not book a trip at all.

There’s also the matter of trust. Disney has built a loyal Passholder base by offering consistent perks and occasional surprises. Leaving out one of the most anticipated discounts of the year without any explanation wouldn’t just sting—it would spark frustration among longtime fans.

The Bottom Line

It’s not time to panic just yet—but it is understandable why Annual Passholders are starting to feel nervous. The holiday discount has become something of a tradition over the past two years, and without it, a lot of people will need to rethink their fall and winter travel plans.

Could Disney drop the deal this week? Sure. But until it does, the fear is real—and growing.