So I sent Disney my fourth email, trying to find out why I can't buy an annual pass. I basically got the same old email about Annual Pass sales being paused. However, I specifically asked why someone without an annual pass can buy one (if they cancelled their annual pass) but someone without an annual pass can't buy one (if they didn't have one before COVID). Here's the gist of their email:
"At this time, the sale of new annual passes is temporarily paused. However, current Annual Passholders may still renew their pass. Annual Passes that expired during closure period, or have been cancelled during the closure period, after March 16th, 2020 may be eligible for an Annual Pass.
Each sale is decided on a case by case basis. If you place the request to purchase a new Annual Pass, and are eligible to purchase a new Annual Pass, our Annual Passholder Team can set up a call-back request."
That's a pretty arbitrary and illogical policy. A person who cancelled is the same as me, does not own an annual pass. In fact, I would argue that someone who cancelled and demanded a refund cost Disney money. But for some reason that I cannot fathom, someone who cancelled and got their money back can now buy an annual pass and I cannot. I can even understand if your annual pass expired during COVID. Sure, let them buy new ones. But if you made the decision to cancel your annual pass, why do you now get a new one when I cannot get one? I just moved here a few months ago, so I didn't really have the ability to own an annual pass before because of my geographic location (due to my military career). Why I'm shutout from "the club" now, I don't know. It really irks me and is counter to my sense of fair play when a somewhat arbitrarily designated group can get something, and others cannot.
And look at that last section of what I posted in quotes. Talk about wiggle room, that's the most absurdly non-committal response I've ever seen. IF you make the request, AND you are eligible under our really not public decision making process, we MIGHT call you back. BUT we'll make the decision on a case-by-case basis. Thanks for clarifying Disney. I now know that I think I might not be eligible for an annual pass. Day 112 of living in Orlando without going to a Disney park.