Annual Pass

[Sitterfam]

I tried searching the forum but I can't find the search button on my phone.
We're now Florida residents. We've been using the Military Salute for years (And still can) but we're looking to make a couple long weekend trips over the next year as well as our regular 7 day trip. We pay roughly $230×4 for the military salute tickets and that gives us 4 days but with a Florida Resident Annual Pass I think it would actually save us some $. We don't go in the summer as a general rule so the blackout dates aren't an issue. But it doesn't show me the blackout dates for next year. Do they change them a lot year to year? And are the pass perks good?
We're trying to make a decision and I want to be well informed.
TIA.

 

[DisMommyTX]

Blackout dates are relatively new but predictable--high crowd times like holidays, FL spring break, and summer. The main perks include free parking, discounted room rates (usually 5-10% more than those available to FL res or general public), and 10-20% discounts on some restaurants and merchandise. The 20% restaurant discount is a promotion left over from last year, so I am not counting on that lasting much longer, but it can save a lot for now! Also, free photopass downloads is great since you are planning multiple shorter trips.

The only downside I have found to AP's is that it encourages more trips to the parks, since you have these 'free' tickets burning a hole in your pocket. That might not be too much extra cost for you, but coming from TX we end up spending quite a bit more than originally planned!

 

[Sitterfam]

Blackout dates are relatively new but predictable--high crowd times like holidays, FL spring break, and summer. The main perks include free parking, discounted room rates (usually 5-10% more than those available to FL res or general public), and 10-20% discounts on some restaurants and merchandise. The 20% restaurant discount is a promotion left over from last year, so I am not counting on that lasting much longer, but it can save a lot for now! Also, free photopass downloads is great since you are planning multiple shorter trips.

The only downside I have found to AP's is that it encourages more trips to the parks, since you have these 'free' tickets burning a hole in your pocket. That might not be too much extra cost for you, but coming from TX we end up spending quite a bit more than originally planned!

It's about a 5 hour drive for us so not too bad. I didn't even think about it tempting us more to make the drive if we have passes. Ha! So it may equal out in the end. But it would surely save us in ticket cost. We usually stay onsite so the parking isn't an issue.
Thanks for your insight!!!

 

[brertoad]

Gold pass vs your Military Passes (based on pro-rated cost per day), you'd need to go about 11 times to break even.
Silver pass vs ", you'd need to go about 8 times to break even.
AP has merch discount, it's currently 20% at most places, not all. Will probably go back down to 10% in Sept.
AP gives you between 10-20% on certain restaurants. Probably going back down in Sept.

 

[LovesTimone]

Frist, Thank you for your service.

We are locals, AP's are they way to go. We have Platinum Plus, which is no black out dates, all 4 parks with park hopping, water parks. We use it all the time, you do get offers for discounts on resorts stays, and sometimes discounts on hard ticket events. With living here it makes it hard not to head for the parks for the day or long weekend... Temptations to see Mickey and the gang more often....Not a bad thing...