Walt Disney World Annual Passes Will Return For 50th Anniversary

ORLANDO, FL — Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, Walt Disney World Resort suspended its annual pass program. Now, more than a year later, visitors will have this option once again, possibly this fall.

The Orlando theme park’s annual passes will return in time for the start of its 50th anniversary celebration, according to a news release published on the Disney Parks Blog about the Magic Key program launching at Disneyland Resort in California.

The new Magic Key program at Disneyland offers four pass options for theme park guests planning a visit.

In Florida, Disney World kicks off 18 months of celebrating its 50th anniversary Oct. 1, according to the Disney website.

The anniversary celebration includes new nighttime fireworks shows and projections in Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Select theme park icons, including Cinderella’s Castle in Magic Kingdom, Spaceship Earth in Epcot, the Hollywood Tower Hotel in Hollywood Studios and the Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom, will be lit up nightly as “Beacons of Magic,” as well.

Also part of the celebration, 50 Disney characters will be cast in gold and displayed across all four theme parks. In Epcot, a new 4D attraction, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, opens Oct. 1 and in Animal Kingdom, Disney-character themed kites and wind catchers will soar above the park.

Though there aren’t any additional details about the annual pass program available yet, the theme park said it will share more information later in August.

The announcement of the annual pass program’s return comes less than a week after Disney World updated its mask policy as COVID-19 cases surge in Florida. Once again, all guests ages 2 and older, whether they're vaccinated or unvaccinated, are required to wear masks indoors and while riding Disney transportation, including buses, the monorail and the Disney Skyliner, according to the Disney website. Masks will remain optional when in outdoor common areas.

The company will also require all salaried and non-union hourly employees in the United States to get vaccinated, according to WFLA.

"Employees who aren't already vaccinated and are working on-site will have 60 days from today to complete their protocols, and any employees still working from home will need to provide verification of vaccination prior to their return, with certain limited exceptions," according to a statement from the theme park.