Theme Parks Extend 2020 Season Passes

In the wake of stay at home orders, theme parks have had to close their doors (or keep them closed if they were meant to open soon) and that has left all of their season pass holders confused on what it means for their lost time and money. As closures have been extended many theme parks have announced their plans for their season pass holders and what it means for this shortened 2020 season. Here are the policies for Disney, Universal, Hershey Park, SeaWorld and Busch Gardens, Sesame Place, and Six Flags.

Theme Parks Extend 2020 Season Passes

This is unchartered water for a lot of industries and one of the hardest hit (in my opinion) will be tourist attractions, theme parks specifically. Summer is peak season for most theme parks as they are not typically open year round. If these theme parks cannot open or can only open for a few weeks there will be a massive loss of revenue.

Theme park owners aren't the only ones who stand to lose money with extended closures, guests who pre-purchased season passes for 2020 also have skin in this game. Luckily, most organizations have made it pretty clear their pass holders will not be left in the lurch. 

Here is a breakdown of how some of the major theme park players are handling annual and season pass holders.

Disneyland and Walt Disney World

Disneyland and Walt Disney World are theme parks that are open 365 days of the year. These are parks that had only ever closed a combined 10 times since their respective openings. 

Disney announced options for season pass holders who have paid for the 2020 season in full and options for those who are on monthly payment plans.

Paid in Full Annual Pass Holder Option 1

All active season passes will be extended for the exact number of days the parks have been closed (example: closed for 60 days, the pass holder's expiration date will be extended 60 days) the new expiration date will be reflected on their account prior to the reopening of the parks.

Since Annual Passes are/were purchased, most likely every day of the calendar year, each pass holder's extension will reflect a different date which is why there is not a blanket extension into 2021. 

Paid in Full Annual Pass Holder Option 2

In lieu of an extension. Season Pass Holders who have paid in full can request a partial refund to reflect the closure of the parks.

Monthly Payment Plan Annual Pass Holders Option 1

As of April 5, 2020, all monthly payments have been stopped. Any upcoming payments due during the parks closures will be waived.

Refunds will be made for payments paid beginning March 14th through April 4th.

Payments will resume on their regularly set schedule once the parks are opened. 

These Annual Pass expiration dates will NOT be extended.

Monthly Payment Plan Annual Pass Holders Option 2

Guests paying for Annual Passes through Walt Disney's monthly payment program can opt to not have their payments waived, but rather, POSTPONED starting with payments due on April 5th.

Once the parks are reopened the pass holder's payments will take place as scheduled.

POSTPONED payments will be collected in the months following the pass holder's current payment schedule. If a pass holder's payment term was set to end in December, and they opted to postpone, their payments for the month(s) the parks were closed will be collected in January, February, ect.

These Annual Pass expiration dates WILL BE extended for as many days as the parks were closed. 

Universal Studios

Universal Studios in both Orlando and Hollywood have extended their closure until (at least) May 31st. 

Per their FAQ pages, those with Annual Passes will have their passes automatically extended by the number of days the park is closed.

For those with Annual Passes who utilize Universal's "FlexPay" program, all monthly payments were automatically postponed effective March 25th. 

No further details have been given on how payments will be rendered after the parks reopen.

Hershey Park

Hershey Park (located in Hershey, PA) operates on a season schedule. They were set to open in April (weekends only) with daily operating schedule beginning Memorial Day Weekend.

Recently, Hershey Park announced they were to remain closed in accordance with Pennsylvania's closure order of all "non-life sustaining businesses".

Hershey Park also announced all of their Season Pass holders will have their 2020 passes extended through June 30, 2021.

In addition, those with passes will be given a free "Bring a Friend Free" pass to use in the 2020 summer season. 

All payment plans were stopped effective April 14, 2020.

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment

Active Annual and Season Passes will be extended for at least as long as the parks closures. According their statement, "no action is require if your annual pass is within its first twelve months".

For pass holders who utilize EZPay, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment states "If you are in our EZPay program and have met your initial twelve month commitment or have additional questions or requests, please contact us at 407-794-0017".

This same messaging is posted for SeaWorld locations and Busch Gardens locations.

Sesame Place

Sesame Place (located in Langhorne, PA) has much of the same statement on their site as the SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment statement with one glaring omission. The section in regards to season passes.

Their terminology does NOT state passes will be extended into next year, nor does it mention any refunds for those who have already purchased passes for 2020.

​Instead, those with questions in regards to passes are told to call 215-207-ELMO.

UPDATE (May 2020): Since originally posting, Sesame Place has announced their plans for 2020 season pass holders:

Those with season passes for 2020 will have their passes extended into 2021 for the length of time the park was closed in 2020. 

Season Passholders will receive an undisclosed amount of "Sesame Cash" to be used when visiting the park and a complimentary tier upgrade to their pass for the remainder of the 2020 season.

More information can be found on the Official Sesame Place website.

Six Flags

Six Flags operates across the US as well as Mexico and Canada, all parks have either closed or will remain closed until "mid-May".

If you are a Season Pass holder for any of the Six Flags parks in the US, Mexico or Canada, your pass will be extended an additional operating day in the 2021 season for each day the park is closed in 2020.

In addition, Season Pass holders will be given bonus "Bring a Friend Free" passes for the summer of 2020.

Six Flags offers different levels of passes and each level comes with specific updates due to the parks closures.

Six Flags Regular and Gold Members

1. Passes will be extended for each month the park is closed, rounded up to the nearest month along with any add-ons
2. A permanent FREE upgrade to Gold Plus Membership (and all of the perks that come with it) for as long as you are a member 

Six Flags Gold Plus Members

1. Passes will be extended for each month the park is closed, rounded up to the nearest month along with any add-ons
2. A free upgrade to Platinum Membership for the rest of the 2020 season (includes all of the perks)

Six Flags Platinum Members

1. Passes will be extended for each month the park is closed, rounded up to the nearest month along with any add-ons
2. A free upgrade to Diamond Membership for the rest of the 2020 season (includes all of the perks)

Six Flags Diamond Members

1. Passes will be extended for each month the park is closed, rounded up to the nearest month along with any add-ons
2. A free upgrade to Diamond Elite for the rest of the 2020 season (includes all of the perks)

Six Flags Diamond Elite Members

1. Passes will be extended for each month the park is closed, rounded up to the nearest month along with any add-ons
2. Triple Membership Rewards points on everything you do/buy in the park
3. One extra skip-the-line pass EVERY visit 
4. One Golden Friend ticket valid any day in 2020

As always, things are subject to change. It is best to go right to the park's website for the most updated information in regards to operating schedules, tickets, and refunds.

The nature of these closures is fluid and could always be extended, that being said, if the parks open this summer are you planning on visiting?


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