This may be the last year I’m able to buy a Premium annual pass to Disneyland, thanks to a 30 percent price hike that went into effect on Sunday.

The Premium pass, which has no blockout dates and includes parking, went from $499 to $649.

Daily admission per park for anyone over 10 years old went up $7 to $87.

I knew with the estimated $1.1 billion California Adventure makeover, which includes the 12-acre addition of Cars Land, that a price hike was likely.

I even wondered if they may do away with park hopper passes all together now, but I’m not seeing any signs of that  — yet.

Disney officials wouldn’t blame the price hikes on the park makeover, only say that they “periodically” evaluate pricing.

“Periodically” translates to annually where Disney is concerned. Even the recession hasn’t curtailed admission hikes.

Over the past 10 years, basic admission has risen by $2 to $7 annually, according to The Orange County Register.

I’ve seen my Premium pass go from about $350 in 2003 to now $649. Ouch!

I love all things Disney, but sometimes even I get annoyed, especially when I’m reminded through such things as price increases that Disney is a business and businesses are about profits, etc. etc.

I just can’t help but wonder what Walt Disney would say about the cost of admission to his parks. I don’t think it was ever his intention to charge so much that families need to take out a second on the house to go to Disneyland.

For those who live in Southern California or who visit Disneyland a few times a year, an annual pass will still get you the most value for your money.

They range $269 to $649. Only the Premium pass allows limitless admission and parking, while the others have blockout dates  —  the cheaper the pass, the more blockout dates.

While the $649 may put the Premium pass out of reach for me next year, overall it’s still pretty good deal.

Seven uses and it’s paid for. Plus, it covers parking at about $15 a pop and offers up to 20 percent discounts on food and souvenirs bought inside the parks or at various Downtown Disney restaurants and stores and the Disney hotels.

The other passes offer up to 10 percent discounts.

I may wind up with the Deluxe pass when my Premium expires in November. The Deluxe has the fewest blockout dates.

You can compare passes at http://disneyland.disney.go.com/passes/

Also, if you don’t need to go to Disneyland during the summer, wait and watch for special admission deals for Southern California residents.

For more on tickets, visit http://disneyland.disney.go.com/tickets/.