Greetings fellow Rope Droppers,
Like clockwork, Disney announced a number of price changes this week for everything from tickets to parking. (If you were on the fence about an annual pass, we did warn you!)
In this week’s 4:45 minute read (distilled down from 457 stories we sifted through for you), we’re breaking down those price changes, what they mean, plus a number of happy updates like new Animatronics and an attraction reopening.
Gabe
For the third year in a row now, Disney used October to announce a number of price increases. Some of the highlights (or lowlights):
The priciest one-day tickets have a new max next year: $209. You’ll find those around the holiday season at Magic Kingdom, the first time the top-tier one-day price has surpassed $200.
Many middle-of-the-road dates in terms of capacity increased by roughly $5.
Standard parking at theme parks is also up $5, to $35 per day.
The Lightning Lane Multi Pass cap-out has moved from $39 to $45 (which still could change).
New Annual Passes increased anywhere from $20 to $80, depending on the pass type.
So, are there any bright spots in all of this?
Animal Kingdom’s lowest-priced days stayed the same: $119. (OK, but it probably should.)
The Sorcerer and Pixie annual pass renewal prices didn’t change either. (Yes, but those are only available to Florida residents. DVC members can also buy the Sorcerer Pass)
We’re not seeing a stop in discounting and promotions. Just last week, Disney announced a new resort stay promotion, and there’s also an offer for a free dining plan for kids ages 3-9 next year.
Our take: Price increases are a fact of life as a Disney fan. We know they’re going to happen. They hurt a little. But we usually keep coming back for the magic. So what can you do? My short list:
Renew early. If you’re an annual passholder and plan on renewing, renew as soon as you’re eligible (60 days before it expires). The renewal doesn’t kick in until your current pass expires anyway, that way you lock in current rates before the next hike.
Compare hotel stay promotions. Not all offers are created the same, and a new offer doesn’t always mean a better price. Evaluate multiple offers against one another to find the one that works the best for what you’re looking for, and your wallet. And if you find a better deal later, check your cancellation terms and rebook.
Try to be flexible. When you go is one of the biggest factors on what you’ll pay. This doesn’t work for everyone, but for example there’s plenty of holiday cheer around the resort in the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas that are often less crowded and less expensive than Christmas week.
Will price increases cause you to second guess your next trip?
Countdown is on: We’re less than a month away from the opening of “Zootopia: Better Zoogether!” at Animal Kingdom. That’s the attraction that’s replacing “It’s Tough to be a Bug!” at the Tree of Life. We’re now hearing a bunch of new details.
Disney Parks Blog
First, Disney dropped a first look at the Benjamin Clawhauser Audio-Animatronic.
“When we met Clawhauser in Zootopia, he was sporting his ZPD uniform (and sometimes a tasty donut, too). At the Zoogether Day watch party, he’ll be decked out from head to tail with a brand-new look: glow necklaces and his favorite, glittery Gazelle tee shirt.”
“Better Zoogether!” officially opens on November 7, but as expected there are a few previews:
Annual Passholders will have a chance at an early peek on November 5 and 6. As WDWNT reports, the process to sign up involves a virtual queue, and you’ll need a park reservation too.
DVC members, however, have a completely different process and dates - those previews will happen November 1-3, but require pre-registration.
Cast Members are going to be the first ones in, starting on October 31.
Fact-based news without bias awaits. Make 1440 your choice today.
Overwhelmed by biased news? Cut through the clutter and get straight facts with your daily 1440 digest. From politics to sports, join millions who start their day informed.
Disney Parks Blog
Speaking of Audio-Animatronics, Epcot’s Frozen Ever After is also getting a refresh for the first time in forever (ok, not really), to bring it on par with some technology we’ve seen at other parks.
Yep: goodbye projection face Anna and Elsa. Hello, next gen a la World of Frozen in Hong Kong Disneyland. It’s hard to believe that the Epcot attraction opened more than nine years ago, but technology really has come a long way since then! We’re glad Florida is going to an upgraded piece of the magic.
The only timing we know on this is “early next year.”
First Look: runDisney just dropped the 2026 WDW Marathon Weekend medal designs. Everything’s sold out though, if you’re still hoping to run Jan 7–11, 2026, keep an eye on charity entries or for small windows when bib availability does update. (WDWNT)
Set Your Clock: Reminder, bookings for this year’s Candlelight Processional dining packages go on sale Tuesday, October 14. (Disney)
Greenhouse Tours: Behind the Seeds: Glimmering Greenhouses is back for Festival of the Holidays Nov 28–Dec 30, with one-hour after-dark tours nightly. Bookings open today (October 9)! (WDW Info)
Refurb Radar: The Lime Garage at Disney Springs will undergo phased ramp repairs Jan 12–Mar 13, 2026. Plan extra arrival time and use Orange/Grapefruit garages or surface lots (resort buses still run). (Disney Food Blog)
Holidays 2026: Related to our top story on price increases, Disney is now accepting bookings for November and December 2026. If you’re thinking about a holiday trip next year, you can now check out packages, resort stays and of course tickets. (WDW Info)
Mark your calendar: it seems that Spaceship Earth will reopen starting October 25. While the date hasn’t been added to the attraction page, several sites like Disney Tourist Blog noticed that it’s been removed from the list of “Closed for Refurbishment” attractions starting on that date in the My Disney Experience app. (We checked for ourselves too, under Park Hours and Info.)
As a reminder, the attraction closed on August 25, and Disney said it would reopen by the end of the year. No major overhauls were expected, this was just being dubbed a “routine refurbishment.”
We’re cautiously optimistic about the late October reopening, which would mean this favorite is back in action ahead of the holidays.
As our readers know, we like to always end with something fun to end the issue with a smile. This week, you just HAVE to meet Instagram user Rachel Dragon’s 81-year old grandma.
Rachel, who goes by the handle @wish.upon.a.dragon, recently took grandma for the first time on Rise of the Resistance, and let’s just say the First Order was no match for this prisoner.
Watch the full POV below, there’s also a Part 1 on Rachel’s profile.
How'd we do?
Was this email forwarded to you?
Join us for all the weekly updates. Subscribe here.