Disneyland to Blackout Pass Holders for Stars Wars Launch

Walt Disney Co. is adding blackout dates for some pass holders to its Disneyland theme park to help keep down crowds after the opening of new Star Wars attractions next summer, according to media reports. The Burbank entertainment and media giant, however, will loosen restrictions for pass holders to its California Adventure Park, the Los Angeles Times and others reported. Holders of the Southern California annual pass will be “blacked out” from visiting Disney land for all of June next year after being able to visit as many as 19 days this year, the Times said. “As our business evolves, this is the first step in reshaping our Annual Pass program, which will better manage the guest experience and allow all Disneyland Resort visitors to have a great visit, particularly as we look forward to the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in summer 2019,” the resort said in a statement, according to the Times. A holder of a Southern California Annual pass gets to visit California Adventure next June for 20 days, up from 19 days this year. Holders of the Disney Deluxe Passport, the second most expensive pass, will be able to visit Disneyland for 13 days next June, down from 20 for this year, the Times reported. Shares in Disney (DIS) closed Monday up 88 cents, or almost 1 percent, to $100.24 on the New York Stock Exchange.