New Annual Passes at Disneyland Paris: price hikes and changes create controversy

New developments at Disneyland Paris, and in particular around annual passes. On Tuesday, July 11, 2023, the Parisian theme park announced the return of its annual passes, after a hiatus of over three months. A reintroduction of the sesame that comes with a significant increase in rates and a loss of certain benefits, provoking a wave of discontent among Disneyland Paris fans. From July 19, these new offers will initially be available exclusively to visitors who have already subscribed or are renewing their pass.

The new annual pass structure comprises three offers: Bronze, Silver and Gold, replacing the former Discovery, Magic Flex, Magic Plus and Infinity ranges. The most affordable option, the Disneyland Pass Bronze, which replaces the Discovery Annual Pass, sees its price rise by 26%, from 229 to 289 euros per year. However, despite this increase, Disneyland Paris claims that subscribers will benefit from "unlimited access" to the park, as the old system restricted access to the park during certain periods of the year.

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However, despite greater access to the park for annual pass holders, the significant price hike has sparked anger among fans. The Silver Pass, offering 300 days' annual access to the park, will now cost 499 euros a year, compared with 319 euros previously. The top-of-the-range Disneyland Pass Gold, which replaces the annual Infinity Pass, will cost 699 euros a year, an impressive 40% increase on the previous price of 499 euros.

The removal of certain benefits for annual pass holders has also sparked outrage. These include the end of free rental of baby carriages, lockers and kennels, and the disappearance of VIP parking. Subscribers will still benefit from free standard Disney parking, however. The 20% discount on park admission for annual pass holders will also no longer apply.

Disneyland Paris, despite the discontent expressed on social networks and an online petition, maintains that these changes are the fruit of an effort to "prioritize" what visitors "value most". With these new passes, the park aims to adopt a more digital approach. Visitors will have to subscribe to the Disneyland Pass online, although it will still be possible to use an annual pass in the form of a physical card. The park plans to gradually roll out these passes to existing members from July 19, before offering them to all visitors. It remains to be seen how current pass holders will react.