The cost of theme park tickets for Walt Disney World and Disneyland is set to increase on Thursday August 5, 2010. But Disney Vacation Club members still have time to save on their Walt Disney World Annual Passes.

Disney has taken the wraps off of its Disney Vacation Connection desktop widget--a utility designed to bring the latest in Disney news and vacation planning information direct to users' computer screens.  This customizable message center covers many arms of the Disney vacation empire including Disney Vacation Club, Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line and more.

For additional details or to download the program visit www.disneyvacationconnection.com.

Disney has formally introduced the Disney Premier Passport, a new annual pass variation which provides a year's admission to all of Disney theme parks within the United States for around $700.

Note that according to our sources Disney does not plan to offer any discounts to Disney Vacation Club members.

A recent blog post to website MiceChat.com suggests that Disney may soon begin to offer a "Domestic Parks Pass" good for unlimited admission to destinations at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland.

Earlier this summer Walt Disney World offered current Annual Passholders an incentive to recruit additional Passholders--current Passholders were to receive a $25 gift card for every new Passholder recruited, while the new Passholder saved 10% on their AP purchase.

According to multiple reports on the DVCNews.com Forum, the $25 reward gift cards have begun to arrive.  If you referred a new Passholder using the Mickey Monitor referral card, keep checking your mailbox because those rewards are on the way!