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Disney Weekday Select Pass Becomes the Disney Pixie Dust Pass!

COVID-19 has changed everything! It has not only affected individual lives and families, but businesses as well. As a result, Disney has just released news and information regarding their brand new annual Passholder program starting on September 8, 2021… just in time for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration! The existing annual pass names – Silver, Gold, Platinum and Platinum Plus – will soon be changed to Disney Pixie Dust Pass, Disney Pirate Pass, Disney Sorcerer Pass, and Disney Incredi-Pass.

***NOTE: This article has been updated to reflect the upcoming changes.

Disney Offers Florida Residents Annual Pass Options

One of the benefits of living in Florida is the ability to purchase an annual pass to the various world-famous theme parks like Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, and Busch Gardens. Offering unlimited visits, they can be a huge money-saver. As a 21-year resident of the Sunshine State, the first thing I did (right after getting my Florida driver’s license) was head on over to a Disney ticket booth to purchase my annual pass.

Even before moving to Florida I was a big fan of “the Mouse!” Every year we would spend our family vacations at Walt Disney World, probably about 20 memorable visits, more or less. Therefore, it was only fitting to celebrate the 1200-mile-move with our very first Disney annual pass! Way back then, Disney only offered 2 or 3 types of passes for Florida residents. For the first 10+ years we splurged and bought the highest priced ticket. But with hubby and I both working full-time, we found ourselves visiting the parks less and less. Not that we didn’t have a desire for the Disney magic, our schedules just didn’t allow for it. In fact, one year we only used the pass once or twice. Our “bargain-priced” Disney annual pass ended up costing us a lot of money.

After that, we discussed not renewing our passes. But then… the masterminds at Walt Disney World did something supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! Something so extraordinarily good happened that I’m certain Mary Poppins herself would have been tickled pink. Disney introduced some brand new annual Passholder options. And, behold, the Weekday Select Annual Pass was born! (Newly named the Disney Pixie Dust Pass beginning September 8, 2021.)

What is the Disney Weekday Annual Pass?

The Disney Weekday Select annual pass (now called the Disney Pixie Dust Pass) is a fantastic option for Florida residents, and is exactly what the name implies… usage on weekdays only! Hubby and I have had ours ever since its inception, and this type of pass has served us extremely well. We are both retired now, so our time is quite flexible. And flexibility is key with this type of annual pass.

Disney Pixie Dust (formerly Disney Weekday Select) Passholders can only attend the Disney theme parks Monday through Friday, and certain “blackout” dates are also imposed. The blackout dates are always around major holidays and some other peak times. (Here’s the link to the Disney Pixie Dust blackout dates calendar for 2021-2022.) The blockout dates typically include timeframes around Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years, Easter and spring break, and a few other national holidays (Columbus Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Valentine’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day).

But, that’s perfect for us! Since we are locals with the ability to visit the parks anytime we want, why would we want to be there during those crazy busy times anyhow? We never enjoy having our toes stomped on by hoards of overly excited tourists, nor waiting in line for hours for the most popular rides and shows. Oftentimes, during Disney’s off-season, we can get into those same attractions with little or no wait time. And once, we made the mega-mistake of going to Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park over the 4th of July holiday weekend, with 100-degree heat, and vowed NEVER to do that again! Between the record-breaking crowds and a downright dangerous heat index, clearly that foolish decision made for a most miserable day.

With the exception of a few blackout periods and no admission on Saturdays and Sundays, the Florida-resident Pixie Dust Pass works just like any other [higher priced] Disney park-hopper ticket. We are entitled to unlimited visits to all 4 Walt Disney World theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. It also includes park-hopper privileges, meaning we can go to multiple parks on the same day, if we choose. (Some of the high priced single-day admission tickets do not even allow for park-hopping!)

With my Florida resident Pixie Dust Pass I’m able to attend all my favorite Disney events, like the colorful Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, the yummy Epcot Food and Wine Festival, and the creative Epcot International Festival of the Arts. Additionally, I was among the first Disney guests to see the new Frozen Attraction, the Rivers of Light nighttime show, Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular, and Pandora: The World of Avatar.

Disney Pixie Dust (Formerly Weekday Select Pass) Perks & Discounts

In addition to unlimited park entry throughout the year (excluding the block out dates), there are many other special benefits included with the Florida resident Weekday pass. Here are a few of my favorites…

• FREE Parking!  The Weekday annual pass hasn’t always included this benefit. Free [standard] parking has only been added within the last few years. For us, this was an impressive improvement to the value of the pass. Considering that Disney standard parking is now $25/day, that can add up quickly over the course of a year! Hubby and I try to use our annual pass at least 12 times a year, so that’s a savings of $300.
• Disney Dining Discounts!  As a Weekday Passholder we receive a discount at select Disney restaurants inside the four theme parks, at Disney Resorts, at Disney’s Boardwalk, and at the Disney Springs complex (formerly known as Downtown Disney). The discount is typically 10-20% off the total bill, but can be greater during special promotions.
• Merchandise Discounts!  A discount (up to 20%) is given at all Disney-owned retail shops, including some of the kiosks found throughout the theme parks. Another fantastic perk for us, as oftentimes we take our 7-year-old Grandson, who expects a souvenir every time he’s there!
• Lodging Discounts!  As a Weekday Passholder we can make reservations at select Walt Disney World Resorts with savings up to 35%. Obviously, the best deals are usually during off-season, but again, that’s when we prefer to be on Disney property anyway. Passholders should bookmark this page when searching for discounted accommodations at Walt Disney World Resorts, as they change frequently.
• Tour & Special Events Discounts!  There’s been a surge in recent years in the number of behind-the-scenes tours and special events added by Disney. Our Passholder discount varies with each individual tour.
• Movie Ticket Discount!  The Weekday Pass includes a $2 savings per ticket for movies at the Disney Springs movie theatre.
• Others!  Although I’ve never used it, there are discounts available for rental cars, salon treatments, childcare at select Walt Disney World Resorts, and a 20% discount on all purchases made with the Shop Disney Parks app. Also, live entertainment discounts like 20% off Disney on Ice and Disney Live shows, and recently a $50 discount off certain performances of The Lion King touring production.

NOTE:  In order to receive the special discounts mentioned above, the Passholder must present their physical annual pass (the plastic card, not just the MagicBand) along with a valid photo ID. Trust me, the savings are more than worth it!

TIP:  A good place to find up-to-date information on deals and discounts is on the Disney Passholder Facebook page. Disney doesn’t always publicize special discounts on their website.

How Much Does a Disney Weekday Pixie Dust Annual Pass Cost?

The Disney Weekday annual pass is only available to Florida residents with proof of Florida residency, such as a Florida driver’s license or State issued identification card. The cost, (I’m not going to sugar-coat anything) has gone up substantially with the rollout of Disney’s brand new Annual Pass options available on September 8, 2021.

For example: The previous Weekday Select Pass for ages 3 and older was $286.49 which included tax. (My cost was even less, as I received a renewal discount every year.) When hubby and I attained our goal of 12 yearly visits, the cost was less than $24 a visit for each of us! You can’t get a better Disney deal than that (apart from being a Disney Cast Member with free tickets!).

However, the pricing for the newly named Disney Pixie Dust Pass has increased to $399 + tax! That’s an increase of $113 + tax on every Weekday Pass sold. Many Florida-residents are upset to hear of the huge price increase. Most of us assumed there would be a 10-15% increase based on the massive losses Disney experienced as a result of the long-term park closures because of COVID. But a nearly 40% rate hike was totally unexpected and frustrating, to say the least. Disney is, however, still offering the very popular monthly payment program with the new Annual Passes.

Disney Monthly Payment Program

In an effort to make Disney annual passes affordable to more Florida residents, Disney has implemented a monthly payment program. It allows the Passholder to spread the cost of the annual pass over 12 monthly payments. If you choose this option, when you purchase the Disney Pixie Dust Pass, you will be required to make a down payment of $205. The balance will be split into 12 monthly payments of $19/month that will be automatically billed to the credit card of your choice. (The first monthly payment is charged the day you sign up.)

A Year of Disney Magic for a Lot Less

Regardless of the price increase, I’m feeling oddly good about the value here. You won’t hear me say that about too many Disney price tags. But, as the price for a one-day Walt Disney World ticket keeps escalating, (anywhere from $105-$172/day) an annual pass is still a valuable option for Florida residents. And I highly recommend the Weekday Pixie Dust Pass if you are able to attend on weekdays. I haven’t missed out on anything by switching to this cost-efficient pass. In fact, I still have all the fun experiences and awe-inspiring moments that I’ve come to expect at “The Happiest Place On Earth,” only for a fraction of what I used to pay!

NOTE:  There’s really nothing to lose by trying the Disney Weekday annual pass. If you find that it’s not meeting your needs and you prefer to have one of the higher priced pass options, Disney allows you to “upgrade” by simply paying the difference between the two.

Recommended reading: 10 Tips for First-time Disney Guests

Important Links For Additional Disney Passholder Information:

• Click here to easily compare all four pass options available beginning September 8, 2021.
• Click here to upgrade an eligible Disney Ticket to an Annual Pass. Beginning September 8, 2021, you may be able to apply the entire price paid into a select Annual Pass.
• Click here to give the gift of an Annual Pass. Beginning September 8, 2021, you can purchase and gift Annual Passes online.
• Click here for information on Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration beginning October 1, 2021!

QUESTION: How has the Weekday Annual Pass worked for you?  Please share your Passholder experience with our readers in the “comment” box below!