Walt Disney World Drops New Exclusive Magnet for Annual Passholders

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

There are many benefits to becoming an Annual Passholder at Walt Disney World! Discounts, constant park access, and a freebie here or there are all reasons why many Disney fans take the plunge and purchase Annual Passes.

Multiple times a year, Walt Disney World, sometimes in conjunction with popular festival offerings at EPCOT, will provide their beloved Annual Passholders with the opportunity to secure free magnets.

These magnets often feature lovable and memorable characters from Disney’s expansive catalog. They are highly sought after and have become a sort of subculture in themselves.

In recent years, Disney World Annual Passholder magnets have featured Mickey Mouse, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, and Orange Bird!

Since it’s been a few months since magnets have drawn the AP crowd back to EPCOT, where Disney World often distributes free gifts, it makes sense that a new magnet would be on the way soon. Well, the wait is over as today, Disney World gave guests a look at who’s coming! 

Per Walt Disney World:

hei hei annual passholder magnet

“Passholders—head to EPCOT from January 29 to February 23, 2024, to pick up the newest Annual Passholder magnet featuring Hei Hei from the Disney film, Moana. This Annual Passholder-exclusive item will be available at Creations Shop from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM—while supplies last.”

Important Information

  • To enter EPCOT, you will need valid admission and a theme park reservation for EPCOT on the same date (or you may visit EPCOT after 2:00 PM or on a good-to-go day without a theme park reservation). Theme park reservations are limited and are subject to availability. Blockout dates apply.
  • Each Passholder must be present and show their valid Annual Pass card, linked MagicBand, MagicBand+ or Disney MagicMobile pass, as well as a government-issued photo ID, to receive a magnet. Learn how to link your pass to your Disney account.
  • Limit one magnet per Passholder.
  • Available while supplies last.
  • Not responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged magnets.

All offerings, operating hours and locations are subject to availability and change or cancellation without notice.

hei hei lounge waffle annual passholder magnet Walt disney world

In addition to the magnet, Annual Passholders can also enjoy a Hei Hei Liege Waffle at Connections Cafe in EPCOT.

“Savor a tasty treat inspired by a popular character from the Disney film Moana (2016).

From January 29 to February 23, 2024, delight in a liege waffle made with brioche dough, topped with pearl sugar, and a Hei Hei chocolate garnish—available for purchase at Connections Café in EPCOT.

Are you a Disney Annual Passholder looking to add some extra magic to your visit? Well, get ready to be excited because Walt Disney World has just unveiled its new Annual Passholder Magnet! This exclusive Hei Hei collectible is a must-have for any Disney fan, and it’s the perfect way to show off your Passholder pride.

3 Changes Walt Disney World Is Making to Bring More Value & Flexibility to Your Visits

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Disney Resorts, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

Happy New Year from Walt Disney World Resort! 2022 was a big year for us as we continued our 50th Anniversary celebration with cast, guests and the community, debuted our newest groundbreaking attraction with Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and reopened beloved experiences from Fantasmic! to the Walt Disney World Railroad.

Josh D’Amaro, chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products (center front right) and Jeff Vahle, president, Walt Disney World Resort (center front left), pose with Disney cast members for a photo in front of Cinderella Castle, July 11, 2020, prior to the phased reopening of Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (David Roark, photographer)

2023 brings even more to look forward to – from the triumphant return of the Happily Ever After nighttime spectacular to the opening of TRON Lightcycle / Run at Magic Kingdom Park, and one I personally can’t wait to experience, Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana at EPCOT!

Today, we’re excited to announce a few other updates we’re making to improve the guest experience and to let our fans know we are listening to their feedback, including Annual Passholders, who are some of our most loyal guests:

Enjoy complimentary self-parking when staying at a Disney Resort hotel

Beginning this evening, Jan. 10, overnight self-parking will once again be offered complimentary to guests staying at Disney Resort hotels at Walt Disney World. This is a Disney difference many of you have asked us to bring back, and we’re happy to reintroduce it to make your vacation a little easier and more affordable – whether you’re road tripping across the country, renting a car or vacationing as a local Florida resident. As a reminder, Disney Resort hotel guests also continue to receive complimentary standard parking at Walt Disney World theme parks, daily early theme park entry (with valid admission and a park reservation) and complimentary on-site transportation options such as buses, monorails and Disney Skyliner. 

Walt Disney World Annual Passholders: Park reservation requirements will be relaxed for visits after 2 p.m.*

Beginning in the next few months, Walt Disney World Annual Passholders will be able to visit the theme parks after 2 p.m. without needing a park reservation, except on Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom Park. Pass blockout dates will continue to apply like they do today. While the theme park reservation system remains important to manage attendance in our parks, especially on busier days, we realize our Passholders enjoy more spontaneous visits – and this change will make that possible. Passholders will also receive access to Disney PhotoPass lenses and one complimentary Cinderella Castle Mural of Memories experience (age restrictions apply). Visit Cinderella Castle Mural of Memories and Disney PhotoPass Lenses for details, restrictions and other information.* 

We’ll share a start date with Passholders soon for when these offerings will become available, as well as information about a new offering that is planned where you can create and share short Disney-themed video slideshows with favorite photos from your theme park visits.

Attraction photo downloads will be included with Disney Genie+ service

Beginning in the next few months, guests purchasing Disney Genie+ service will also receive digital downloads of their Disney PhotoPass attraction photos, taken in the park on the day of their purchase, at no additional charge. Attraction photos are taken while in the parks at more than a dozen of our most popular attractions including Space Mountain, Slinky Dog Dash, Test Track, Expedition Everest and more. I always love looking back at family photos at our favorite attractions – it’s a perfect way to remember and celebrate your theme park visit together. An exact launch date will be announced at a later time. Disney PhotoPass terms and conditions and expiration policy apply.

All of these updates are specific to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida – be sure to check out our Disney Travel News post on Disneyland Resort for updates they announced today. 

Please know we will keep listening to you and adapting as we focus on making the guest experience even better for more people who visit us here at The Most Magical Place on Earth.

That includes making planning easier for everyone. For example, we recently added the ability to modify Disney Genie+ attraction selections in the My Disney Experience app, began automatically making theme park reservations with the purchase of 1-day, 1-park specific tickets and made our dining reservation policy more flexible if you need to modify or cancel.

As we’ve shared before, we’re also committed to providing a wide range of options to visit, which is why we roll out special offers from time to time for Florida residents and other guests. Visit DisneyWorld.com/Offers for more details, including a few offers we launched to kick off the new year.

Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more updates and be sure to visit planDisney.com for helpful tips and advice on planning your next visit to Walt Disney World. 

We hope these updates make your next visit more convenient and enjoyable, so you can focus on making memories with your family, friends and loved ones. We’re grateful for fans like you and look forward to seeing you real soon!

*All offerings are subject to change or cancellation without notice. Walt Disney World Annual Pass Terms and Conditions apply.  

NEW Walt Disney World Annual Pass Tiers Available Next Month

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Uncategorized

Big news coming out of Walt Disney World this morning to kick off the week! When COVID hit, Disney put a hold on Annual Pass sales. If you were a current Annual Passholder, you could renew your Annual Pass, but new Annual Pass sales were on hold. Disney recently shared Walt Disney World Annual Passes will once again be available for purchase soon but did not mention a date or if the Passholder program would be changing at all. We are now learning new Annual Passes will go on sale next month – plus, the Passholder program is receiving new Annual Pass tiers. All of this is unfolding just in time for Disney’s 50th Anniversary!

As shared by Disney: “We are introducing four new Annual Passes offering the flexibility and choice to meet guest needs, each designed based on Passholder feedback. These passes will help our biggest fans experience all that’s to come during “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” – from new attractions and nighttime spectaculars to dazzling decorations at all four theme parks and more!”

What’s New: Here are some highlights of the 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 offerbenefits 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!
  • Pass options will be available beginning Sept. 8, 2021. 

Disney is also introducing a new look for the Annual Passholder program to honor the past while looking forward to the future. Using a piece of the original Walt Disney World Resort logo as a foundation for bright colors and energetic design, the program’s new look puts Passholders right in the middle of the magic.

Complimentary MagicBand for Disney World Annual Passholders to be Discontinued

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Uncategorized

Earlier this year, Disney discontinued the complimentary Magic Band for Walt Disney World resort guests. Now, Disney is also discontinuing the complimentary Magic Band for annual passholders.

Here is the email communication sent to Walt Disney World annual passholders:

Dear Valued Passholder,

In March, we introduced Disney MagicMobile service, an easy, more contactless new way to enter the Walt Disney World® theme parks through the power of eligible iPhones, Apple Watch or Google Pay enabled Android phones!

As part of this new service, guests can choose from several Disney-themed MagicMobile Pass designs in the My Disney Experience app—and coming soon be on the lookout for new exclusive designs featuring Orange Bird and Figment just for Annual Passholders. As a reminder, valid park admission and a park reservation are required for park entry.

As more Passholders continue to discover this new option, we will no longer be offering complimentary MagicBands with Annual Pass purchases and renewals made August 16, 2021, and beyond. Annual Passholders will continue to receive a special discount on MagicBands purchased, with even more designs to choose from in the future.

Annual Passholders can continue to use current or newly purchased MagicBands, their Annual Pass Card or Disney MagicMobile pass during their visits. As a reminder, your Annual Pass Card and valid photo ID are required to receive your Annual Passholder discount at participating locations, whether using a MagicBand or Disney MagicMobile service.

As always, we thank you for being part of the Passholder family!

Sincerely,

Disney Destinations, LLC

Passholder Exclusive Coming Weekdays at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks

Hello Disney Passholders! Visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom on a weekday in the near future? Disney has announced Passholder exclusive weekday offerings at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, and we’ll be sure to take advantage of them!

As shared via the Walt Disney World website: On weekdays (Monday through Friday) from February 22 through March 19, 2021, Passholders can head to DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park to find a variety of Passholder-exclusive offerings (while supplies last, operating hours vary by location):

  • Head to Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures to try your luck at Fossil Fun Games with a special promotional offer: buy 3 game tickets and receive a complimentary retired, non-Disney plush consolation prize (Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures opens one hour after Park Open to 4:00 PM; Fossil Fun Games is open 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM)
  • Try 4 exclusive beverages available for purchase at Restaurantosaurus Lounge—Tyrannosaurus Wreck, Fossil Fuel, Pterodactyl Punch and Triceraberry Pop* (open 10:30 AM to Park Close)
  • Enjoy an exclusive cookie featuring Donald Duck, available for purchase at Dino-Bite Snacks (open 10:30 AM to Park Close)
  • Receive a complimentary Donald Duck magnet, which makes its return for pick-up in DinoLand U.S.A. (limit one magnet per passholder; Annual Passholder must be present to pick-up magnet; available from Park Open to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday only)

*Annual Passholder discount excludes alcoholic beverages

Important Information: Valid park admission and park reservation for the same park on the same date are required for theme park entry. Limit one Donald Duck magnet per passholder. Available while supplies last. Must visit DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and present your valid annual pass card and government-issued photo ID to receive the magnet. Available weekdays (Monday through Friday) only. Not responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged magnets. Passholder must also present your valid annual pass card and government-issued photo ID to purchase any passholder-exclusive food and beverage(s), and game tickets. Offer not valid on previous purchases. No other discounts apply. Promotional item must be returned in the event that any of the game tickets for the qualifying purchase are returned. All offers valid while supplies last and subject to change or cancellation without notice. Food and Beverage availability and operating hours subject to change without notice. Annual Passholder discount excludes alcoholic beverages, and applicable tax and gratuity. Locations, Food and Beverage availability and operating hours subject to change without notice.