advice on annual passes.

[a jay]

Can anyone explain to me about annual passes not just for disney but universal, seaworld and discovery cove. We are heaing out to Florida this summer (08) and going summer 09 fora big family holiday. I have started to shop around for this year's attraction tickets but i am thinking it maybe cheaper to buy annual passes with going again quite soon. Normally we try and go every other year but made an exception for 09 holiday. Where do you buy annual passes from and how much do they cost? Do you need to be Florida resident to purchase them. Can anyone please advise.

 

[gismo1554]

You can buy Annual Passes at the park gates only usually. You dont have to be a Florida Resident but there are special rates for Florida residents. They last from the first day of purchase for 365 days I believe.

Now with Disney the AP isn't much more than a 21 day ticket and remember that you then get discounts on the Disney hotels

With Seaworld the last few years theyve been doing a Funcard. Basically what you do is you buy a day pass and then you can upgrade for a fun card which lasts all year. Both times I've done it its been free but I know at certain times of the year its not. The Funpass is an AP but has some restrictions (mainly US public holidays). A all access AP can also be purchased with is roughly the price of 2 days at the park so worth it if you go more than once anyway

With Universal I believe they do a number of APs some with blackout dates some without (and I believe some that include their fast passes now too). Again these are all available at the gate.

 

[gismo1554]

http://www.universalorlando.com/annualpass/index.php.html

shows the passes
The 2 park power pass is probably the most useful but black out dates are Jan 1st, March17-23 08 or April5-11 09, June29-6 08 or June 28-5 09 and December21-31 08 or December20-31 09

The blackout dates are likely to be the same for Seaworld

Oh and missed the one bit

Discovery cove you can not get an annual pass for however. You pay for a day at Discovery cove rather than actually buying a pass. This also gives you access to Seaworld for a week from the date you go to Discovery Cove

 

[Netty]

The seaworld fun pass usually lasts until december 31st. The annual pass is a much better option for you as you get free parking saving $10 + 10% off all merchandice, food and drinks.
If you time it right and manage to get your two hols within the year then it will be good value, saying that its not that much mre than a day pass!!
and you can also buy it online

 

[rpbert1]

For Universal APs ,wait to see if any offers come up, we waited last year and Got 2 years for the price of one,and exchanged the voucher for the APs at the gate, which is excellent value.
For Seaworld i bought 2 Funcards for DW and DD on the seaworld site and got the vouchers exchanged at the gate, I also bought the Senior AP[ for over 50s] and like Netty said ,you get free parking and discount on merchandise food and drinks as well as any Dining experiences. The AP worked well ,as it started when i collected it which was the 15th July and we are going this year on the 30th June, so i will get 2 years for 85$ +tax, and saved quite a bit , we went 4 times last year as DD loves Seaworld, $40 parking $13 Dine with Shamu Food Drinks and Souveriors which basically paid for the pass, would expect to be there 3 or 4 times this year, so savings i will have made means pass is literally free, with money back.

 

[Netty]

For Universal APs ,wait to see if any offers come up, we waited last year and Got 2 years for the price of one,and exchanged the voucher for the APs at the gate, which is excellent value.
For Seaworld i bought 2 Funcards for DW and DD on the seaworld site and got the vouchers exchanged at the gate, I also bought the Senior AP[ for over 50s] and like Netty said ,you get free parking and discount on merchandise food and drinks as well as any Dining experiences. The AP worked well ,as it started when i collected it which was the 15th July and we are going this year on the 30th June, so i will get 2 years for 85$ +tax, and saved quite a bit , we went 4 times last year as DD loves Seaworld, $40 parking $13 Dine with Shamu Food Drinks and Souveriors which basically paid for the pass, would expect to be there 3 or 4 times this year, so savings i will have made means pass is literally free, with money back.

and you don't have to be over 50 for the annual pass by the way

 

[rpbert1]

I`d love to be young enough to buy the ordinary AP