Florida AP holders

[margot31]

How often are you going?

My husband and I with our kids are moving back to Florida just after the new year and he told me we could become pass holders if we went back. I guess my fear is we won't be going as much as we say we will. With his job alone and maybe getting burnt out.

 

[mich1073]

Depends on how close you live. We live and hour if I4 behaves and go about once a month. But after 2 years and we are not planning to renew for a few years after these expire. At least thats how it is right now, we will see. But we most likely get Busch Gardens APs in the mean time. My hubby is burnt out on Disney, but me and girls are not. Heck we may do the weekday pass for me and the girls as they are super cheap and even if you only go Friday evenings, its worth it to me. Just have not figured out what our "plans" are after September. I know I not getting full silver passes again for all 4 of us.

 

[StlJoe]

I'm interested in seeing responses to this as well. We just moved to FL about a month ago and are about 2 1/2 hours away. We decided to go ahead and buy a silver pass. Our first of hopefully many visits is 8/20-8/21. In our heads we can see many weekend trips and maybe an extended trip thrown in there as well. Guess we'll see how long that lasts! Can't imagine getting burnt out on Disney but who knows?

 

[publix subs]

I live in Miami and have a Silver Pass + after 2pm water parks pass. We go about once every 3 weeks when we aren't blocked out. We're going this weekend to enjoy the water parks being open late and Disney Springs.

 

[TheDisneyNurse]

I live around Miami and I have the gold. I really like it! I shot for 2-3 trips a year when I was in college, and now that I'm graduated and working I try to go once a month. I love it! I love the freedom of being able to drive up whenever I like (minus the (+/- 4 weeks of blackout dates) I'd definitely suggest Gold as the best AP if you're looking to go often. If you'd like to avoid hot summer months (many Floridians do, it's quite brutal at times) then I'd suggest Silver

Hope to see you there!

 

[Rgonzalez79]

We moved down last year (about 30-35 minutes travel time to the parks) and got the highest level annual pass (don't remember what it was called last year). I think our break even point was 7 or 7.5 trips, (Total price of passes/[$100 tickets x 3 + $20 parking]), we knew we would go a lot more than 7 times during the year so we went for it. I think this was the biggest factor in deciding to get passes or not.

I will say, we went 3/week early on (1 weekday and then Saturday and Sunday) and that slowly dwindled down to 2/week, then 1/week just because of school/work schedules. But even at that rate we still far exceeded the cost of the passes. Add in the water park visits before the crazy summer crowds started and it's even larger savings , plus the wife got some alone time while me and DD went to play which you can't really put a price on

We just renewed our pass for this year with the 15% discount they offer for renewals if that helps your decision any.

Good luck and welcome back!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

We live 20 minutes from Disney Springs, and a bit longer to other areas.

We visit DS and the resorts very often for dinner and drinks (every week).
We don't visit the parks very much; perhaps less than once a month.
We DO go to Epcot many times for Food & Wine, thus making the Silver AP a wise investment.

MG

 

[Rgonzalez79]

We live 20 minutes from Disney Springs, and a bit longer to other areas.

We visit DS and the resorts very often for dinner and drinks (every week).
We don't visit the parks very much; perhaps less than once a month.
We DO go to Epcot many times for Food & Wine, thus making the Silver AP a wise investment.

MG

Completely forgot to mention Food&Wine, yeah we hit up Food&Wine quite a few times using our pass and they were giving away collectible wine glasses for passholders who visit 3+ times.

Great point @Maistre Gracey

 

[fla4fun]

When we lived on the Gulf coast near St. Petersburg, we had AP's and would come over to spend a week or two and a weekend or two every year. Then when we moved close to Orlando (I can watch Disney fireworks from the driveway) we stayed AP holders and I still spend at least three weeks on property, and the odd weekend here and there. I don't do very many day visits though - even though Disney is closer to my house than my job is. I just prefer the whole "vacation" experience. The nice thing for residents is that there are so many different pass options, from the Epcot after 4pm, to the Weekday, all the way up to the full Platinum Plus. So you can kind of pick the pass based on how you think you will use it. I'm coming up for renewal in a couple months and I'm waffling between the Gold and Platinum. I'm not sure I'm ready to have blackout dates, but the savings would be nice.

 

[PrincessV]

Tampa Bay area here, about 2 hour drive from WDW... when my son was little and traffic was lighter, we did a lot more day trips - at least one per month - plus a few long weekends. Now that he's in HS and missing school is a problem, and traffic has increased so much, we do a lot less day trips and most of our visiting is over a long summer trip and a couple other weekend trips.

I'd say the big determining factors are your distance from WDW and times you're able to visit.

 

[Upatnoon]

How often are you going?

My husband and I with our kids are moving back to Florida just after the new year and he told me we could become pass holders if we went back. I guess my fear is we won't be going as much as we say we will. With his job alone and maybe getting burnt out.

You are wise to think about this. Also, in addition to the passes, you also have to pay for food, parking, possibly lodging and all those gift shops.

When we have a pass we usually plan them around two larger vacations -- one when we buy the pass and one as close to the expiration date as possible.

We may also take a couple of very short trips.

Generally the first trip is about the same as what you would pay if you just bought tickets, and the second trip is the "bonus" free trip that drives down the cost per visit.

Also, don't feel like you have to buy the most expensive tickets. Weekday plasses could be enough for you depending on your vacationing style.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

When we lived on the Gulf coast near St. Petersburg, we had AP's and would come over to spend a week or two and a weekend or two every year. Then when we moved close to Orlando (I can watch Disney fireworks from the driveway) we stayed AP holders and I still spend at least three weeks on property, and the odd weekend here and there. I don't do very many day visits though - even though Disney is closer to my house than my job is. I just prefer the whole "vacation" experience. The nice thing for residents is that there are so many different pass options, from the Epcot after 4pm, to the Weekday, all the way up to the full Platinum Plus. So you can kind of pick the pass based on how you think you will use it. I'm coming up for renewal in a couple months and I'm waffling between the Gold and Platinum. I'm not sure I'm ready to have blackout dates, but the savings would be nice.

Yup... I analyzed all the pass options, and for us the Silver was the best. I can go without parks on the extremely busy days and enjoy the savings of the Silver. Actually if it wasn't for my wife wanting all the parks, I would have likely gone with the Epcot after 4.

MG

 

[ars0525]

I was living 1.5-2 hours depending how I75 & I4 are traffic wise. I moved a little closer now (Sarasota) so less than 1.5 hours depending on time of day?

My first year I moved here I went a bunch (I waited about 3 months to get my pass). But it was all solo trips & I would stay the weekend at a cheap off site motel. I got maybe 18 days in? 2nd year it went down a little...I got more involved living here & didn't want to spend the whole weekend over there (going by myself I don't know if I could do the drive, spend all day & drive home safely). Now in my 3rd year...I got the block out dates when they changed the AP options last fall & I know I haven't used it as much. I also don't know if I want to go solo anymore? I was going with my then BF every month or more just for day trips. So not sure how I ma personally feeling about WDW right now...don't want to make the trip there if it's only going to make feel sad & alone you know.

I don't have to renew until November 1st. If I go 10+ days a year I may keep it. I have the monthly payment plan so $30/month isn't bad. My issue is finding somebody to go with. Except for the ex-BF I don't know anybody else with an AP. They all seem to have passes to Busch Gardens over here & I'm not sure if I can handle all roller coasters?

 

[cyre]

I live in Deerfield Beach, and have had an AP for several years now. My roommate and i go up every few months or so. Less during the summer, of course. They're totally worth it to us! We have a 3-3.5 hr drive.

 

[Flametamr]

We live near Pensacola. As far away from Disney as you can possibly get in Florida except maybe the Keys. This our first year with Premium Plus Passes. We will do a total of five trips trips with two being in Fort Wilderness. The others in a cheaper hotel in Kissimee. I'm on the fence if I'm going to renew or skip a year or two to let all the construction get done.

 

[freediverdude]

I had the same choice between platinum and gold this year. The only difference is those 2 weeks around Christmas and the 2 weeks around Easter, so you really would have to be planning at least 2 park days during those 4 weeks to make the platinum worth it. I was this year, but next year I'll probably do gold. It's an ultra premium to be there during those weeks.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I had the same choice between platinum and gold this year. The only difference is those 2 weeks around Christmas and the 2 weeks around Easter, so you really would have to be planning at least 2 park days during those 4 weeks to make the platinum worth it. I was this year, but next year I'll probably do gold. It's an ultra premium to be there during those weeks.

Indeed... And if you can live without peak summer, the Silver is a good deal also.

MG

 

[gap2368]

I live in the panhandle and go about once a month ( I miss about 2 to 3 months a year)

 

[SunTravels]

You are wise to think about this. Also, in addition to the passes, you also have to pay for food, parking, possibly lodging and all those gift shops.

When we have a pass we usually plan them around two larger vacations -- one when we buy the pass and one as close to the expiration date as possible.

We may also take a couple of very short trips.

Generally the first trip is about the same as what you would pay if you just bought tickets, and the second trip is the "bonus" free trip that drives down the cost per visit.

Also, don't feel like you have to buy the most expensive tickets. Weekday plasses could be enough for you depending on your vacationing style.

This. We got AP the first year we moved to florida, we did get our money's worth, but still spent a small fortune just to go even with the tickets (at the time - 2013, the parking was not included for the seasonal pass) gas was high pushing $4gallon we are just over 2 hours away, plus eating, and a resort if you do a weekend. So we decided not to renew and make going to the parks more of a special treat for our kids like it was for us, so they super look forward to going when we do take them. We haven't been to the park since early 2014. We do go up once a year and stay at a resort with a great resident rate and do a character meal or just relax, so we get the feel of disney without going to the parks. We will be getting the silver pass for our 9 day trip in March, because it financially makes more sense.

Also, not sure the age of your kids, but are they in a lot of activities or have a lot of work for school, that may hinder the amount you go. Maybe wait a few
Months to settle in after your move and see (but I can totally understand the excitment of wanting to get to Disney the second you get to Florida ;0) that is what we did the first month we moved here)

 

[KaptainK]

We live 2 hours away and got the weekday select passes this year. Barely more than a 4 day ticket so affordable for Disney. We will wind up going 6 times for 2-4 days each trip. My girls are preschool age so going on a weekday was no big deal and I don't like going on the weekend, holidays, or summer when it's more crowded. I don't think you could pay me to go in the summer so I'm perfectly happy to have that blacked out. We always stay off site and spent the year trying out different resorts. You can get SO much more for your money staying offsite and since you are driving anyway, just drive yourself to the parks too!