Annual Passes

UPDATE: as of January 15, 2021, Disneyland has indefinitely suspended the annual pass program. For information about its replacement, Magic Key, see my post here.

Annual passes are tools of the trade for Disneyland veterans, but for those new to the system, choosing a pass can be tricky. Each pass has its own pros and cons, and all of them are a big investment. If you’re thinking about buying a pass, renewing an existing pass, or changing passes, the table and notes below can help you directly compare your different options.

Note: One of the stats listed under each pass is “Approx. Visits for Value”. This is my rough estimate of how many separate one-day visits you need to make in order to spend the value of the pass. Like I mentioned, this is a very rough estimate, found using the cost of a one-day park hopper and parking.

AT A GLANCE

THE PASSES

Signature Plus

• Price: $1,149
• Monthly Payment Option: $99 down, $79.17/month
• Blockout Dates: None
• Discounts: 20% off select merchandise, 15% off select dining
• Parking Included: Yes
• PhotoPass Included: Yes
• Visits For Value: 7

The Signature Plus is top dog among the annual passes. It’s the most expensive, offers PhotoPass directly on your card, and the only pass with no blockout dates. However, I’d only recommend this pass if you’re going to frequent the parks AND you are planning a trip during Christmastime. Otherwise, you’re better off buying the Signature, which is roughly $200 cheaper and offers the same discounts.

Signature

• Price: $999
• Monthly Payment Option: $99 down, $62.50/month
• Blockout Dates: Winter holidays & select busier dates
• Discounts: 20% off select merchandise, 15% off select dining
• Parking Included: Yes
• PhotoPass Included: Yes
• Visits For Value: 6

If you plan on visiting the park regularly throughout the year, this pass will get you the most bang for your buck. The only blockout dates overlap with the absolute worst times to visit the park, like Christmas, so you’re really not missing much. The Signature pass also comes with the steepest discounts, so you’ll save with every meal or any souvenirs you buy at the resort.

Deluxe

• Price: $729
• Monthly Payment Option: $99 down, $41.67/month
• Blockout Dates: major holidays, some weekends
• Discounts: 10% off select merchandise and dining
• Parking Included: No
• PhotoPass Included: No
• Visits For Value: 4

The Deluxe is a great option for locals that occasionally visit the resort, or for people who like to visit at odd times, like during the week or off-season. This pass has smaller discounts and doesn’t include parking, but it’s the cheapest of the passes and will give you plenty of days to explore the resort. I know families who have one member purchase a Signature for the discounts and parking, while everyone else has Deluxe passes.

You can purchase, upgrade, or cancel an annual pass online or at the Disneyland Resort. For more information about the passes, details about what dining and merchandise is eligible for discounts, and other useful information, check out the annual pass homepage here.