Changes may be coming to Disney World annual pass cards

Those little annual passholder cards are displayed like badges of honor! However, changes may be on the way and you probably won’t like it.

Disney World annual passes

While Disney World annual passes are impossible to get right now, those of us that DO have them can enjoy some pretty great benefits. From shopping and dining discounts to fun freebies, there are many perks of being an Annual Passholder.

One of the best perks of being an annual passholder is the discounts on food and merchandise. You can receive a 10% discount on table-service restaurants and 20% off at retail locations with your annual pass. This can quickly add up over the course of a week-long vacation to Disney World.

In order to identify yourself as a passholder, Disney gives you a physical card when you activate your pass. Your pass will also show up in your My Disney Experience account under Tickets and Passes. You will need to provide proof in order to take advantage of discounts and other offers.

As Disney has made many changes to the annual pass program since the parks reopened in July 2020, this next possible change is not surprising in the least.

Possible change?

We have already reported on the change that Disney is in the process of asking for proof on the My Disney Experience app instead of the physical card. This seems to be hit or miss still. Some Cast Members are requesting the digital proof while other Cast Members look at you confused when you pull out your phone.

After speaking with one Cast Member this last week, I (Monica) learned that Disney will eventually do away with all physical cards in the future. Since this source is not an official Disney announcement, we have to treat this as a possibility or a rumor. However, you may remember Disney stopped giving out the blue membership cards to DVC Members.

It makes total and complete sense that Disney would want to do this for Annual Passholders as well.

What does this mean for the future?

If this does turn out to be true, you can say goodbye to those cute little cards. You will be forced to provide proof of your pass on MDE. I practiced this a few times this past week, and it either took forever to pull up or the app would force shut.

I imagine this will be very frustrating for Guests having to pull up their digital proof at every restaurant or shop. It could even create longer lines at these shopping locations. I would encourage you to use mobile checkout where possible because your annual pass discount will automatically be applied.

What do you think of this possible change? Do you prefer the physical card or are you ok with using your digital proof for everything? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and on Facebook.