Disneyland has quietly announced to their current Annual Passholders that there will be some changes coming to the program starting next year. Typically these changes involve benefits, perks, and prices but this time they are overtly trying to deal with overcrowding in the parks by addressing the hoards of APs out there. Find out if this will effect you. |
Every Annual Pass that Disney sells, with few exceptions, involve "blockout dates" which are dates when those particular passes are not valid. These usually fall during peak times on the Disneyland calendar and are meant to keep the park from overcrowding. Effective "June 2019", Disneyland Annual Pass blockout dates will no longer apply to both parks. Instead, passes will have blockout dates specific to each park. For example, right now if your pass is blocked out on a summer weekend you cannot visit either park at the Disneyland Resort. With the new program, your pass may be blocked out for Disneyland Park only meaning you can still visit California Adventure as you please.
Annual Passholders have been a recurring issue for the Disneyland Resort which has more APs than any other Disney Resort in the world. The more APs a resort has, the more likely it will be crowded since those crowds can return at virtually any time. They have tried to deal with the problem by raising prices on passes and restricting benefits to only the most expensive options, but those methods have not proven as effective as Disney would have hoped.
The new blockout dates really only effect the two least expensive passes: the Deluxe and Southern California Select options. Essentially each pass will now have more blockout dates than ever before but will have access to at least one park for the same amount of days as they are used to. Usually APs will be blocked out of Disneyland Park but can still visit California Adventure.
According to Disneyland's announcement, if you have purchased and activated your Annual Pass before 1 June this year, you will not see any changes until after your renewal. The first of these new blockout dates appear beginning June 2019 so make your plans wisely. Visit our Park Info page for more information regarding pricing and benefits for each AP tier.
Annual Passholders have been a recurring issue for the Disneyland Resort which has more APs than any other Disney Resort in the world. The more APs a resort has, the more likely it will be crowded since those crowds can return at virtually any time. They have tried to deal with the problem by raising prices on passes and restricting benefits to only the most expensive options, but those methods have not proven as effective as Disney would have hoped.
The new blockout dates really only effect the two least expensive passes: the Deluxe and Southern California Select options. Essentially each pass will now have more blockout dates than ever before but will have access to at least one park for the same amount of days as they are used to. Usually APs will be blocked out of Disneyland Park but can still visit California Adventure.
According to Disneyland's announcement, if you have purchased and activated your Annual Pass before 1 June this year, you will not see any changes until after your renewal. The first of these new blockout dates appear beginning June 2019 so make your plans wisely. Visit our Park Info page for more information regarding pricing and benefits for each AP tier.