5 Free Perks Disney Has Cut From Walt Disney World Guests Since 2020

Once upon a time, “the Disney difference” meant more for your money. Now costs are hitting all-time highs, far outpacing inflation, while perks have been stripped away from customers.

The “Magical Benefits,” as Disney called them, are no more.

Here are five perks that guests have lost since 2020

FastPass+

The good old days when we were all allowed up to three FastPass+ options for free with our trips. Before that, you could get paper tickets with return times.

Then came the greed. Disney wanted more money, so they took what was a free perk and ended it in 2021 in favor of their Genie+ system, requiring guests to pay for basically the same thing that was previously free.

Of course, park ticket prices and hotel prices have continued to rise along with the upcharges for Lightning Lane (was Genie+) and paid access for individual rides. But hey, increased spending per guest means more money for investors.

Magical Express

You used to be able to fly into the Orlando International Airport and catch a free bus to your resort hotel. All while your baggage was picked up and delivered for you.  This was a complimentary service that exemplified the “Disney difference.”  However, Disney thought profits mattered more, so they cut this service starting in January 2021.

Honestly, how long till you have to pay for a bus pass to use the WDW buses on property? Why stop there? How about a whole transportation pass to use the boats and monorails, too. They can call it MagicCarpet+ or just keep calling it the New MagicExpress+.

Magic Bands

Yes, Magic Bands still exist, and you can purchase them at the parks, but not long ago, basic bands were free.

Disney invested a ton of money into their tracking devices that worked as room keys, FastPass+ tickets, and theme park entrance tickets. While you can technically use your phone to do everything now, many still prefer the bands.

Since December 2020, guests have needed to pay for them.

Room prices and ticket prices have skyrocketed, but they can’t afford a few dollars off for free bands. Those executive pay packages are expensive, you know!

Extra Magic Hours

Another casualty of Disney changes is the Extra Magic Hours perk. Before summer 2021, Disney resort hotel guests could enter certain parks an hour early on select days or stay an hour later on other days. Now those guests get an extra 30 minutes before park opening, unless you are paying for the Deluxe resorts, then on some nights you get an extra two hours in the parks because you paid a lot more than others.

Probably because Disney thinks you will spend more money than the plebs if you get to stay two hours later.

Park to Resort Delivery

The final perk that has been lost is the popular delivery service Disney offered. This service allowed guests to purchase items at the theme parks and have them sent to their rooms or resort hotel for free. This is why you could shop early and not have to carry your merchandise around with you all day.

When COVID happened and the Walt Disney World theme parks shut down, so did the service. Sadly, it didn’t come back when the parks reopened.

Again, these were all cut while prices continue to climb. Not many pre-COVID perks are left for guests anymore.

We can remember a lot of them via this commercial from years ago about the “Magical Benefits” that made Disney worth the costs. (They are almost all gone now.)

Sadly, the “Disney Difference” means more for less. I wonder how far they will push it until people completely decide it isn’t worth the extra hundreds of dollars anymore?

What do you think? Which perk do you miss the most?

Comment and let us know!