Good news and explanation as reported by the Orlando Sentinel!:
Walt Disney World has begun selling annual passes that can be paid for in monthly installments, a tactic that has been credited with helping Disneyland sign up record numbers of passholders in California.
The payment option is available for Florida residents who purchase new annual passes, which range in price from $148 for limited “Epcot-after-4”passes to $521 for “premium” passes that include unlimited admission to Disney World’s theme parks, water parks and other venues.
Disney, which for years eschewed installment payments in part because of concerns it might cheapen the brand, began informing vendors earlier this year that it was preparing to roll out the payment plan. Orlando theme-park rivals Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando already offer similar monthly payment options for guests.
Disneyland, too, has offered monthly payment options since December 2008, where officials say it has proven enormously popular. Disneyland, which has a much larger surrounding population base in Southern California than Disney World does in Central Florida, has signed up close to 1 million annual passholders; Disney World is said to have approximately 300,000 passholders.
In adopting the strategy now, some analysts say Disney could be aiming to insulate its in-state customer base in the face of increased competition from Universal and its new Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure.
Guests buying new passes will have to make a down payment equal to the price of a 1-day, 1-park ticket, currently $79. Monthly payments will then automatically be charged to a credit or debit card.
The payment plan is currently only available online for new Florida resident passes. Disney says it will roll out the option at theme park ticket windows later this summer. The resort says it will allow current passholders to use the installment option for renewals later this year.
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