Florida resident vs. annual passholder?

[storybookmum]

Hello, looking for some advice, pls, if you have some. DH and our 3 kids (12 - turning 13 at WDW! -, 6, and 3) are heading to WDW in November/December, and are trying to decide how to handle it. We will be staying with his parents in their condo before driving up to Orlando, and DH has a Florida Driver's licence, so he sure looks like a resident. Do I need one too, to get a FL resident pass? Or is it cheaper, with the deals, to get an annual pass for the resort savings? OR should I get a Florida DL and get a Florida Resident's annual pass?

Dizzy with Disney,

Kris

 

[speedyf]

From what I understand, you need to have a Florida License or ID card with a Florida address on it to use the resident pass.

If he has a Florida license with a Florida address, then I would definitely use that to get a Florida Annual Pass as they are cheaper than regular annual passes.

As for you.....you could get just a Florida ID card for $10 (I think) with your inlaw's address. According to their website, the only thing you need is your current driver's license (any state) and a 2nd form of ID (Social Security Card, Birth Certificate, etc.). From what I see, you need no proof of address like a utility bill or anything like that.

Once you have the Florida ID card, you also could get the Florida resident discount. You're kids won't need any ID since they are younger, so you should have problems passing them off as Florida residents.

I'm sure some will say it's cheating the system....but, I would do it....lol

speedyf

 

[storybookmum]

For that kind of savings, I'm willing to cheat a bit!

Kris

 

[Melissa R]

First, I have to say that I don't know anything about being a resident somewhere else and getting a FL ID card. I don't understand why they'd let a non-resident get one, but I don't know much about it. I noticed you're from Canada, though, and here's what I found about Canadians:

Canadian Citizens


Under federal law, Canadian citizens are non-immigrants and are allowed to stay in the U.S. without obtaining INS documentation. Canadians without INS documents must provide proof of Canadian citizenship to be issued a Florida driver license or identification card by presenting two of the following documents:



Canadian passport
Canadian driver license
Original or certified Canadian birth certificate
Canadian Naturalization Certificate

All Canadian citizens will be issued an original or renewal driver license for two calendar years from the date of issue.

Here's the link http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/ddl/faqkeys.html#OOS

It seems like you'd need some sort of FL address as your own to be your address on the card, but maybe a utility bill from your in-laws' condo would do. Is your last name the same as theirs?

Now, for the FL resident passes. The FL seasonal pass is cheaper than the annual pass but doesn't give you all year - there are black-out dates at busy (holiday) times. The FL annual pass is cheaper than a non-resident pass. Either of these FL passes will qualify you for AP rates. Also, since your husband has a FL driver's license, you should be able to get FL resident discounts on the room, which are often the same as AP rates (and are sometimes offered even when AP rates are not offered).

 

[storybookmum]

Yes, the address we'd use is my IL's; that's what's on DH's licence.

I think they're so liberal with Canadians for id because so many of us winter down there, and if we're there six months of the year, as my ILs are, then they agree those people are entitled to some perks; not all the seniors would need licences, and the ID cards are cheaper.

I appreciate the information, particularly all the comparisons on the worth of the passes!

Kris