Written by Gregg Condon

Today news broke that the Disneyland Annual Passholder Program has essentially been cancelled. We will try to outline this, what we know now, and what we think is going to happen in the future for any kind of passholder program. 

​The official statement is below. 

So what does mean, and what can we decipher from this statement. 

• The Annual Passholder program as it existed prior to March 2020 no longer exists
• All Annual Passes are, as of this point, cancelled and refunds will be issued to those who are entitled to them
• This doesn't mean that everybody is getting one
• There WILL be some kind of annual passholder program in the future 

The words that pop out in that statement are "choice" and especially "flexibility". It's no secret that Disney has been seeking to roll out more Flex passes in recent years, that was our Annual Pass of choice when we got our new AP's in December 2019, after not having AP's for about 7 years. 

Obviously we don't know, but don't be surprised if the Annual Pass program looks like a Flex Pass program when it returns. And honestly, for me personally, I'm ok with it. We're planners, we live 100 miles away from the parks, so for us it's not that big of a deal. 

The people this is really going to impact are those who use Disneyland as a "hang out" or "babysitter", and these are the types of Passholders Disney has been trying to weed out for years, and they've finally come up with an excuse to do so. 

It's also not any accident that this announcement comes approximately 10 months after the parks closed. This is something that's most likely been in the works for some time, but from an "agreement" standpoint, they probably had to wait for a certain timeframe for this to happen. 

But it was inevitable. 

So why do we think some sort of Annual Passholder program will come back in the future? 

• Despite calling it the Disneyland "Resort", Disneyland is a locals park. We've talked about this in past articles, and have been called out for it, but we stand by it. By last count, at some point in the 2017-2018 time period there were over 1 million Annual Passholders. 
• Disneyland isn't going to just give up on 1 million people paying to have access to that park. 

What likely isn't coming back? SoCal passes. Sorry. They're gone. Done for. Kaput. No more lower tier passes that caused the parks to be busier on a Tuesday in October than a Saturday in July. 

Why does making all Annual Passes "Flex Passes" make sense. 

• If they follow the same Flex Pass formula prior to the shutdown, no more than 2 reservations can be made within any 30-day time frame
• Gives them the ability to control access to Disneyland during busy time periods

Let's face it. Daily and resort visitors, you know, the people who spend money when they go to the parks, were getting hosed the past few years. Because the park was constantly packed with Annual Passholders who, let's face it, don't spend a whole lot of money. 

When Universal Studios Hollywood opened Wizarding World, they discovered a few things. One, attendance was not as high as was anticipated during the first summer it was open. And two, guest spending was through the roof during that same time period. 

Guess word spread that people will be more than happy to spend money on merchandise when they're not fighting through oppressive crowds all day. 

As we get through the next couple of months, and the vaccine becomes more readily available, and there is a light at the end of this awful tunnel, I'd anticipate we will start to hear about the new program. They already have it, they just aren't saying yet. And that's smart. 

There is pent-up demand for theme parks, and Disneyland in particular. By controlling the amount of people who will want to go to the parks ASAP they are setting themselves up for a smooth roll-out in a couple of months (we hope). 

What are your thoughts on these changes? Pro? Against? Let us know in the comments below. 

MIAMI, January 13, 2020 – The maritime tradition to mark the first steel cut for a new ship took place for Carnival Celebration at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, as Carnival Cruise Line prepares for its next Excel-class ship that will debut next year. 

A sister ship to the highly anticipated Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration is scheduled to begin sailing from PortMiami in November 2022, part of Carnival Cruise Line’s year-long 50th birthday festivities.

Following the ceremony – which was attended by Carnival’s Senior Vice President of New Builds Ben Clement and Meyer Turku’s CEO Tim Meyer – work officially began on Carnival Celebration’s innovative offerings, many of which have made Mardi Gras one of the most anticipated ships in cruising.  Like Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration will also include BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea, along with unique design features created specifically for this vessel, and new signature venues that will be specific to this ship.  

“The steel-cutting ceremony marks the beginning of yet another exciting chapter for Carnival Cruise Line.  Not only will Carnival Celebration feature signature amenities from Mardi Gras but usher in a new era for Carnival Cruise Line with some special innovations created just for her that we’re sure our guests will enjoy,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.  “We’re equally excited about Carnival Celebration’s role in our 50th birthday festivities which will serve as an unforgettable way for our fans to mark this exciting milestone in our company’s history.”

Carnival Celebration is scheduled to debut in November 2022 and will offer year-round service from PortMiami’s new Terminal F being constructed specifically for Carnival Cruise Line.  The addition of Carnival Celebration to Miami will maintain PortMiami's position as the top embarkation port for Carnival Cruise Line.

Carnival’s 50th Birthday festivities begin in March 2022 – the company’s birthday month – with a series of commemorative sailings that will feature special entertainment and itineraries and continuing all year long, culminating with Carnival Celebration’s arrival in November.  Additional information on the March 2022 sailings is available at www.carnival.com/sailabration.
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For additional information and reservations on Carnival Celebration or any of the line’s ships, contact any travel advisor, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.

VALLEJO, Calif. — December 24, 2020 — Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, the Thrill Capital of Northern California, today announced the arrival of Pakak and UqUq, two Walruses that are now part of the diverse animals in the park’s care. Pakak (pronounced “puck-uck”), a male walrus, comes to the park from the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington and UqUq (pronounced “uk-uk”), a female walrus, returns to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom after finding a temporary home at SeaWorld San Diego.
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“It is a true Christmas miracle to have UqUq home and Pakak join our family,” said Animal Care Director, Dianne Cameron. “With only fourteen walruses in the United States we understand the privilege of being able to share these magnificent animals with our guests.”

Pakak was stranded and rescued at approximately a month old in 2012 by local fishermen, after he was found tangled in some nets near Barrow, Alaska. After a few months of rehabilitation the walrus calf was cared for at the Indianapolis Zoo in Indianapolis, Indiana before moving to the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium on 2019 in order to be reunited with another young male walrus that was rescued around the same time. Pakak’s continued maturation and growth presented the opportunity to bring the over 1,700 pound walrus to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom to be paired with UqUq.

UqUq was orphaned as a calf in 1994 near Gambell, Alaska when she was just a few months old.  Soon after it was determined that she would not be able to survive on her own in the wild, she was brought to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom for long-term care.  In 2018, UqUq made the trip to SeaWorld San Diego to find companionship with three other walruses in their care. The arrival of Pakak allowed for the return of the over 1,800 pound walrus to her original home at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.

While both walruses are not currently viewable by guests because the park is presently open as a drive-thru experience, park staff are incredibly excited for visitors to once again be amazed and enthralled by their swift swimming abilities underwater in the near future.
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Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is a professionally accredited and certified animal care facility maintaining and exceeding complex and individualized standards of care and welfare that are mandated by the American Humane Association (AHA), the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA), and recently the Zoological Association of America (ZAA). The park is also strictly regulated by the State of California Fish and Wildlife and by the federal government, under the USDA, APHIS, and NOAA.

The park is currently open nightly for the Holiday in the Park Drive-Thru Experience through January 3, then Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, through January 31. For more information, visit: sixflags.com/discoverykingdom.
 
About Six Flags Entertainment Corporation
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is the world’s largest regional theme park company and the largest operator of waterparks in North America, with 26 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. For 59 years, Six Flags has entertained millions of families with world-class coasters, themed rides, thrilling waterparks, and unique attractions. For more information, visit www.sixflags.com.
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About Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and Hurricane Harbor Concord
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, the Thrill Capital of Northern California, is home to more than 60 rides, shows, and attractions, including 11 world-class roller coasters like Medusa and BATMAN: The Ride. Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Concord, Northern California’s Most Thrilling Waterpark, features more than 22 rides and attractions like The Big Kahuna and Break Point Plunge. Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and Hurricane Harbor Concord are the premier destinations for thrilling, family fun.

A reimagined fountain at the main entrance of EPCOT shines in front of Spaceship Earth at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Dec. 22, 2020. The fountain hearkens back to the origins of EPCOT and is the next milestone in the park’s ongoing historic transformation. (David Roark, photographer)

​The ship’s venues, dining and entertainment will be dispersed throughout six distinctive zones, and include a new restaurant by celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse, the line’s first-ever Big Chicken by Shaquille O’Neal, two dining venues led by Food Network star Guy Fieri, and a new restaurant concept by master chef Rudi Sodamin.  The centerpiece of the ship is a breathtaking three-deck-high atrium with floor-to-ceiling windows and movable LED screens that open up to a stunning ocean view. 

​          Duffy said Mardi Gras will depart from Turku later this month to begin her voyage to North America.  The ship will operate seven-day Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral, Fla., and Carnival has worked closely Port Canaveral to build a new cruise terminal to accommodate the Excel-class ship and also facilitate the new LNG fueling process.  The inaugural voyage for Mardi Gras is scheduled for April 24, 2021.