Florida resident vs DVC?

[goofy4dvc]

We have purchased a townhome less than 10 minutes from WDW...but we are keeping most of our DVC points. We plan to spend winters there after we retire. Until then, we will probably spend 3-4 weeks a year there.

So my question is this: Do we qualify as a Florida resident for park passes or should we continue to use DVC discount? We are technically Florida homeowners, but will WDW view us as Florida residents? If not now, what about when we live there for 6 months of the year?

I know there are other part-time Floridians out there. What has been your experience? Thanks.

 

[Dean]

We have purchased a townhome less than 10 minutes from WDW...but we are keeping most of our DVC points. We plan to spend winters there after we retire. Until then, we will probably spend 3-4 weeks a year there.

So my question is this: Do we qualify as a Florida resident for park passes or should we continue to use DVC discount? We are technically Florida homeowners, but will WDW view us as Florida residents? If not now, what about when we live there for 6 months of the year?

I know there are other part-time Floridians out there. What has been your experience? Thanks.

From a discount standpoint you will qualify for FL resident discounts. Technically and legally you can only be a resident of one state at a time but with DVC it isn't a legal question but merely how they police who gets the discount.

 

[goofy4dvc]

Right, I understand that for tax purposes, we will have to claim EITHER Florida or home state. What do you have to submit to WDW as proof of Florida residence?

 

[ScottakaMickey]

So my question is this: Do we qualify as a Florida resident for park passes or should we continue to use DVC discount? We are technically Florida homeowners, but will WDW view us as Florida residents? If not now, what about when we live there for 6 months of the year?

I know there are other part-time Floridians out there. What has been your experience? Thanks.

Florida Resident Discount = DVC Discount. Most noteable exception is FL Resident rates on rooms. DVC members don't get that. Otherwise for your AP's it's the same.

If you want to use the FL resident for AP's then you'll need to provide a FL Drivers License, or ID and some type of bill, water, electric, etc. that has your name and the FL residence address. May not be worth the hassle if all you care about is AP's.

 

[jodifla]

You need a Fla. State ID with the Fla address on it, or a Fla.-only Driver license:

See this link:

http://www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/geninfo.html

 

[vicki_c]

Jodi is right - they won't accept utility bills as proof any longer - the list is now more limited -- see the link she posted.

 

[Alexander]

We own a home in Ft. Pierce and spend a couple of months spread throughout the year there. We have Florida driver licenses that we use for our WDW discounted tickets. We usually take advantage of the specials when they are offered. Last Feb. we bought 4 day passes for $130.

When we applied for our DLs we were not required to surrender our NY ones because we are considered part-time residents. We had to provide our NY licenses, SS card, and take an eye test to receive our FL licenses. There are different requirements depending on what state you are originally licensed in. NY met all of the criteria, so receiving a FL license was very simple.

When purchasing our tickets for WDW we only need to show our Florida DLs.

 

[CarolA]

We own a home in Ft. Pierce and spend a couple of months spread throughout the year there. We have Florida driver licenses that we use for our WDW discounted tickets. We usually take advantage of the specials when they are offered. Last Feb. we bought 4 day passes for $130.

When we applied for our DLs we were not required to surrender our NY ones because we are considered part-time residents. We had to provide our NY licenses, SS card, and take an eye test to receive our FL licenses. There are different requirements depending on what state you are originally licensed in. NY met all of the criteria, so receiving a FL license was very simple.

When purchasing our tickets for WDW we only need to show our Florida DLs.

This is what my dad did until he moved to FL full time. (He never purchased WDW tickets, but he did have the FL ID)

 

[JimMIA]

There are some Florida resident benefits that DVC members don't get, but they may or may not apply to your family. One is that you can purchase the DDE card without being an AP holder.

If you buy AP's, the DVC discount is only $5 off the Florida resident rate, but there are some other ticket benefits.

The big one is the Florida resident seasonal pass. This is an annual pass, but with major blackout dates -- early June - late August, Easter week, and from about 12/23-1/3 or something like that. Those dates are not exact, but they're roughly correct. If you vacation during those dates, obviously the Florida seasonal pass is not for you. But if you don't, the Florida seasonal pass is about $100 less than the DVC-discounted AP, so that's a big savings.

Another ticket media you might be interested in if you enjoy dining at Epcot is the Epcot after 4 ticket. That's a great ticket for local residents who don't have annual passes.

 

[goofy4dvc]

Thanks, everyone. JimMIA, the seasonal pass sounds like it might work for us. We try to avoid WDW during all times that school is out.

 

[JaxFLBear]

The FL Seasonal Pass is $230.00 for adults (ages 10 +) and $203 for children (Ages 3 -9). Here's the current blackout dates:

A Seasonal Pass entitles you to admission** to Magic Kingdom® Park, Epcot®, Disney's Hollywood Studios™, and Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park Except the following dates:
* March 15 - March 28, 2008
* June 7, 2008 - August 14, 2008
* December 21, 2008 - January 3, 2009

* April 4 - April 17, 2009
* June 6, 2009 - August 13, 2009
* December 19, 2009 - January 1, 2010
**Except for activities/events separately priced.

You also get:
* The exclusive "Mickey Monitor" Passholder newsletter
* Special offers on Walt Disney World® dining, merchandise, backstage tours, and much more!

When you order the Seasonal Pass, you will receive an exchange certificate in the mail. Redeem the exchange certificate for a Seasonal Pass at any Walt Disney World® Theme Park ticket window by presenting the exchange certificate and valid photo ID. The Seasonal Pass is valid for 365 days from exchange certificate redemption.

Proof of Florida residency is required -- you must provide any one of the following:
* Florida driver's license
* Florida state-issued ID card (must have Florida address)
* Florida voter's registration card with corresponding picture ID
* A college ID for a Florida college
* Florida- based military ID

 

[Disney_Daddy]

The FL Resident Seasonal Pass renewal is only $202 for adults. We buy these every year. It is too hot during the summer (our opinion) and too crowded during the week after Christmas (again, our opinion). So this is a win-win option for us.

The Epcot after 4pm pass is $127.

The FL Resident Water Park (after 2pm) Pass is $59.

Welcome to the sunshine state!

 

[goofy4dvc]

Thanks, everyone! I'm looking forward to more vacations in Florida for the next several years and especially spending winters in Florida! We will probably sell one of our DVC contracts (150 of our 375 points) just to make DH happy. He wanted to sell them all, but I've convinced him that we should keep the majority for other trips and for special stays at WDW and maybe for Disney cruises. At least selling 150 points should help us buy some furniture once our townhouse is built (May/June, 2009). Anyone know of any great furniture stores in central Florida? Something mid-priced?

 

[madcoco]

Anyone know of any great furniture stores in central Florida? Something mid-priced?
Today 10:39 AM

If you want a tropical look, take a look at Leaders furniture.Very reasonable. There is a store on SR50 about 20-25 minutes from the MK. They also have a large selection of fabric to choose from for matching cushions,window treaments etc.
We bought our barstools,breakfast nook table/chairs and fabric for some nook window treatments and cushions from them and completely satisfied with their service including delivery and setup.
http://www.leadersfurniture.com/

 

[prettypixie]

We own a home in Ft. Pierce and spend a couple of months spread throughout the year there. We have Florida driver licenses that we use for our WDW discounted tickets. We usually take advantage of the specials when they are offered. Last Feb. we bought 4 day passes for $130.

When we applied for our DLs we were not required to surrender our NY ones because we are considered part-time residents. We had to provide our NY licenses, SS card, and take an eye test to receive our FL licenses. There are different requirements depending on what state you are originally licensed in. NY met all of the criteria, so receiving a FL license was very simple.

When purchasing our tickets for WDW we only need to show our Florida DLs.

I had no idea that I could have 2 DLs at one time being a part time resident of the state I just got a FL id instead. I will have to check into that when my ID expires next yr.

 

[prettypixie]

Thanks, everyone. JimMIA, the seasonal pass sounds like it might work for us. We try to avoid WDW during all times that school is out.

Me too! I always purchase the seasonal pass and it works great for us.