FL Proof of Residency

[Egadz]

I am literally in the midst of relocating to Florida, living in a SpringHill Suites in Sarasota while my wife and kids are living with the in-laws back in the MidWest.

We have been AP holders in the past, but did not renew as our relocation was pending and we thought we might as well save some $$$s by getting the FL rates. Our next trip is scheduled for February 2005, but ... I suddenly have the opportunity to head to WDW this weekend ... solo!

So here's my dilemma ... I would like to take advantage of this opportunity to go ahead and purchase my FL resident AP and use the FL and/or AP room discount, but ... as I'm living in a hotel I haven't bothered to get a FL driver's license yet. I have a Purchase Contract for our house that is being built. I have business cards with a FL address. I have payroll check stubs with a FL address. I have mail that is being forwarded to a FL address. But, no FL ID.

Is there any chance that I can purchase and activate a FL AP?

Thanks!

 

[lovethattink]

Before we moved here, we asked that same question. I was told by guest services that we needed either a Fl driver's license, Fl ID card, or electric bill. But our passes expired a month before we moved here. They said that we could buy the AP at out of state rate, then when we had our proof of Fl residence, they would credit us for the difference. As it turned out, the CM asked her manager and they gave us the FL resident rate anyway, but added, "now don't change your mind and not move here." We've been here almost 5 years!

 

[civileng68]

I went through the same thing.

You can get a Fl id card, not license but just an ID. You can get an ID while still using your out of state drivers license. If you just get an ID you really dont need any info in Florida but just a birth Certificate.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Funny you should ask. We were in the same situation just a year ago.
DH was living at a Holiday Inn in FL. I was in Nebraska.
Our APs expire January 5.
The time frame was that we did not know EXACTLY where we would be living January 5. And even if living in FL, like you were not paying utilities, etc to show proof of residency.
DH asked in a park one day at Guests Services, and told them our situation.
He was told by a few CMs at different times that our APs would expire on the actual expiration date, not 30 days beyond, as I have been recently told is the correct answer.
The last CM DH spoke with went backstage and spoke to his manager. He said as a courtesy offered then and there DH could buy FL resident APs (we bought PAPs). (No residency proof)
We were not expecting this to happen, and did not ask for it. But it sure made it easier for us!
As it ended up, we arrived in FL as residents January 2.

I suggest telling your situation at Guest Services and see what they will do.

Good luck!

 

[Digger In FLA]

we've been here since May and still don't have our DL's due to the amzing amount of ID's FLA needs from IL at this point. we took check stubs, our condo lease, cell phone paperwork with the changed phone numbers...we went to guest services and started pulling everything out. he recognized our area cose and called my cell phone. when it rang, he said, 'good enough for me'. I don't think you'll have a problem.

 

[Martha7]

What kind of ID do the kids have to show? If they don't have a school ID or Florida driver's license, can they still activate the vouchers? Do our two teenage boys (17, 15 years of age) need to be with us to activate them? Thanks in advance!

 

[eeyore0062]

Here is the official word given at all WDW ticketing sites on property. Proof of Florida residency must be proved with:
Florida Driver's License
Florida STATE issued ID from DMV
Florida voters registration card and another form of picture ID with name on it
ID from a Florida college
Military ID with orders verifying that guest is stationed at a Florida base

As of Jan 1, 2004, residency COULD NOT be proved by bringing in an utility bill with name and address along with another state's ID. Also, mortgage papers, and/or leases are not normally an excepted form of proof, but only as an extreme exception.

Kids under the age of 16 are not required to show ID to get their Florida discounted passes.

 

[Martha7]

Thanks, Eeyore0062!

 

[Egadz]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I appreciate the info and insight.

Since I'm not trying to pull a fast one, I will proceed with buying the FL AP for this weekend and with a little faith, hope, and pixie dust everything should work out just fine.

Thanks again!

 

[Scoobmuzic]

Hubby and I are facing the same problem. We are moving to Kissimmee on January 17th and my family is comming down for a WDW vacation on Jan 22nd. We want to spend time with them in the parks since it's my Nephews first time in WDW!!
I will be purchasing the resident AP vouchers before we go but I have to wait to activate them until we get our FL drivers licences.
I have heard you can make an appointment at the DMV in FL but I have yet to verify that. We will be taking a day to get our RI licences switched to FL.
I have slim hope that the FL DMV is more efficient than the RI DMV.

 

[swilshire]

He was told by a few CMs at different times that our APs would expire on the actual expiration date, not 30 days beyond, as I have been recently told is the correct answer.

Can you elaborate on this comment? We've never been at the World before on the expiration date of our Premium Annual Passes. This year we will be. They show an expiration date of 12/18/04.

Are you saying that there's a chance that we might be able to use them after that? We'll be in Orlando for three more days after they expire. If so, what is the procedure?

Thanks a bunch!

Sheila

 

[beaker]

In June of this year they would not let us get PAP without a FL ID. No acception any more FL picture ID required is what we were told. We were still waiting to get into the DMV. We later found out not all DMV make appointment. Some you just walk in and wait hours. Good luck.

 

[safetymom]

I would call now to get your appt. at the DMV. It can take awhile before they can give you an appt.

It took over a month for me to get an appt. They start lining up an hour or two before the DMV opens for those that don't make an appt. I wouldn't want to sit there all day waiting for my turn.

 

[dbriggs]

We have been temporary Florida residents for about 18 months now - since we bought a house as an investment/holiday home/future retirement home.

I was quite exited about our first trip to Disney as 'Florida residents' and we bought vouchers for 6 - 2 adults and our 4 children at the Disney store in Sarasota.

Prior to arrival the information I could find was that picture ID and any utility bills were needed as proof of ID - well we had loads of those. To be on the safe side we both registered to get Florida ID cards as well which was not a problem except that because of stricter security we couldn't get them right away - had to wait for checks etc.

When we arrived at Guest Relations on the first day of our Disney trip the CM was very reluctant to activate our passes - she stated that a Florida Driver's license or ID card was absolutely necessary - utility bills were not enough - she was reluctant to accept the receipts for our ID cards and she said that all our children over 16 (2 of them) would need their own ID cards. I was quite upset by this time - she said we weren't 'real' Florida residents because we also have a home in the UK. So we own a house, pay taxes, utility bills etc but we're still not 'official' residents. Her attitude was quite 'sniffy' and it quite spoilt the start of our holiday. She eventually relented and did activate the passes but she threatened us quite severely that the children would need their own ID cards next time - it would be noted on the computer and they would not be let in on our next visit (when this holiday had ended) unless they had them.

I'm very glad that we're also DVC members and can now get the DVC discount so we won't have to go through this again.

 

[dmonroe]

How do you go about getting a FL ID. We may soon be in the process of moving. It would be a kind of long process, with dh working there while I stay here until the oldest finishes out the school year. He probably wouldn't give up his MS DL until the move was complete, so how would he go about just getting an id card? TIA

 

[dbriggs]

We got ours at the Driver's License place in Sarasota. You can make an appointment but we just turned up and were seen quite quickly.

 

[Egadz]

Well ... my situation is now resolved as I (suddenly) have a FL Drivers License. Didn't really mean to, but I had a meeting a couple of blocks from the DMV in Bradenton.

Popped in to grab some info. The place was EMPTY. Thought I would go ahead and get an ID card. Explained my situation and was told that it would probably be cheaper to just get the DL (no test involved other than vision) using my PMB address and then do a COA once we are in the house. So I did.

The strange thing was (other than the place being empty, well-organized, and with a friendly staff) no "proof of address" was required. I used my old DL and passport as ID documents and just verbally gave them the address I wanted on my DL.

 

[safetymom]

I wish our office here was like that. It is in the middle of nowhere and you can't believe the lines. They don't ask for any proof about your address which I found strange too.

 

[eeyore0062]

Can you elaborate on this comment? We've never been at the World before on the expiration date of our Premium Annual Passes. This year we will be. They show an expiration date of 12/18/04.

Are you saying that there's a chance that we might be able to use them after that? We'll be in Orlando for three more days after they expire. If so, what is the procedure?

Thanks a bunch!

Sheila

On the back of your AP, you will notice 2 dates. One is the expiration date, and the other, at the bottom with the letters and numbers in front of it is the day it was printed. Ignore this date, unless you loose your AP, as it will be necessary to look the ticket up to replace it. Your ticket will expire one year from the date that you buy it--- if you buy the actual ticket at WDW , or one year from the date you activate it, if you purchase a certificate from online, or by phone. You do not have a 30 day grace period that you can still use the ticket after it expires. However, you do have a 30 day grace period in which to renew it and get the renewal discount.

Hope this helps to clear things up!

 

[zurgswife]

I wish our office here was like that. It is in the middle of nowhere and you can't believe the lines. They don't ask for any proof about your address which I found strange too.

Years ago when I got my FL lic. they also weren't asking for a proof of address....guess things haven't changed...