Skip to content
  • Some suspect the reason why Disneyland switched “Fantasmic!” to a...

    Some suspect the reason why Disneyland switched “Fantasmic!” to a FastPass system is because of the thousands of guests, mostly annual passholders, camping out around the Rivers of America at Disneyland. Disneyland increased annual prices again Sunday in a move some people see as a way to reduce the large crowds at the theme park.

  • Guests wait for the “Fantasmic!” show near the Rivers of...

    Guests wait for the “Fantasmic!” show near the Rivers of America at Disneyland.

  • During special events, it's common to see thousands of people...

    During special events, it's common to see thousands of people on Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland. Here, they celebrate the park's 60th anniversary with a 24-hour party that began at 6 a.m.

of

Expand
Joseph Pimentel, Trainee for Universities

ANAHEIM – There was a touch of sadness in John Montecino’s voice.

The 60-year-old and his family members have had Disneyland annual passes for 20 years.

But on Sunday he and his wife, who visit Disneyland or Disney California Adventure seven to eight times a year, learned that the price for each will increase by $250 when they expire in November. The closest equivalent of their Premium passes, with no blackout dates, is the Signature Plus now at $1,049 each.

For the second time in seven months, the cost of annual passes good for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure increased, this go-round by as much as 17 percent. Other passes are now $329 to $849.

The Montecinos are out.

“I have a fixed income so I can’t afford to pay a bill every month to go to Disneyland,” the retired police officer from Redlands said. “I think they’ve made it clear; they don’t want locals. … The low-income, middle-income and families have been priced out.”

After news broke Sunday of the changes, social media sites were abuzz with vitriolic comments about the latest price increases.

“It’s a slap in the face,” said Cindy Walters, 53, a long time Premium annual passholder from Lakewood, in an interview. “They could’ve at least had the consideration to warn us ahead of time. I know a lot of people are not going to renew.”

Some, however, believe Disneyland had to do something to reduce its annual passholder base that an unofficial Disney website three years ago said was 1 million strong. With a “Star Wars” themed land coming to Disneyland in the next couple of years, some believe this is a way to thin out the masses now rather than later.

“Disneyland has more annual passholders than they can handle, as proven by the logistical debacle every time they hold a 24-hour event,” said Seth Kubersky, co-author of the “The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland.” “Their infrastructure can’t handle their AP (annual passholder) population and also properly service the out-of-town guests who spend much more money.”

Disneyland officials’ problems with annual passholders have been simmering the past couple of years, said Jim Hill, a blogger who covers Disney. Disneyland introduced annual passes in 1984, and they have become a popular option for locals who like to visit the park multiple times a year.

With a no-interest, monthly payment option, the passes were considered a bargain by some, and locals began flooding the park. Although Disney won’t give a number as to how many annual passes its two Anaheim parks have, it will say the amount has swelled by 250 percent since 2001, when Disney California Adventure open.

Oftentimes, annual passholders arrive at the park individually; some have year-long parking passes, meaning one person takes up a car slot, Hill said. They are willing to wait hours to see the nightly parade or fireworks, soaking up the best spots.

“This is about getting the resort ready for the next generation,“ Hill said. “If they (passholders) think this price increase is painful, wait until 2016 and 2017 when they do it again and again.”

Emmanuel Elefante, a graphic designer from Torrance, said he doesn’t mind paying the high annual price, because it is worth it to him. He’s had an annual pass for 10 years.

“Disneyland is my comfort zone,“ the 24-year-old said.

Louella Laureola, 44, of Buena Park plans to buy five passes again when the current ones expire in February. Now, the family is paying $779 apiece for Premiums with no blackout dates. She and her husband will pay $849 apiece for Signature passes, with a two-week blackout period that includes Christmas and New Year’s Day.

“It’s a form of entertainment for us,” said Laureola, who works in pharmaceutical sales. “I consider it like a car payment. We’ll sacrifice other things so we can keep going.“

Contact the writer: 714-704-3764 or jpimentel@ocregister.com or follow on Twitter @OCDisney