? for orlando residents

[disneydad78]

Ok wife and I are planning on moving to Orlando area, to lay down some rots. We want to be close to WDW. That way when we have some free time ,we can go over to WDW. BUT am I reading this correct. When you buy a FL annual pass..it seems like every holiday and every weekend you cant use your annual pass to get into the park due to BLOCKOUT dates. Am I seeing this correct. Why would they do that to someone who has annual passes.Dont seem far to me. Kinda ruins our fun and makes us 2nd think on moving. We thought we could just go anytime to the park with our FL passes. Was really looking forward to "hey this Saturday,want to go to WDW!' BUT now,,hum. What do you guys do? or am I reading this wrong. Cause during the week, kids will have homework and school..things that make you go HUM.....

 

[cjb71870]

Been a Florida AP for 11 years now and haven't been turned away yet...... Good luck!

 

[disneynutz]

For some reason, when people live close to something, they don't seem to be attracted to it.

We lived in California, 40 minutes from DL and only went there every few years.

Now we live in San Antonio, 10 minutes from Six Flags, and we have only been there once in 7 years, but we visit WDW 2 or 3 times a year.

Bill

 

[safetymom]

If you purchase a FL resident annual pass there are no black out dates. There are other FL passes that do have black out dates. You would need to decide which pass works for you.

 

[GvilleDisneyDad]

Here's my $0.02 on the Fl resident passes -

There's a regular Fl resident annual pass that gives you access to the parks anytime and then there's an off season Fl resident pass that has the block out dates that you described. There is a pretty significant difference in the price of those two options.

You may find that once you live here, those dates that are blocked out are the dates that you really don't want to go to the parks anyway. The blocked out dates are the most crowded times for sure, and the summer dates are the most uncomfortable (hottest) times to go to the parks. When you live close by, you can choose to go when the crowds are low and the weather is nice.

YMMV, and you have to decide what works best for you and your family. My family has done both options at different times. Hope that helps.

 

[mrzrich]

FL Resident Seasonal Pass $249
This pass does not include parking and has blackout dates.
There are 3 blackout periods a year. 3/27/2010-4/7/2010 (easter/Spring Break), 6/12/2010-8/19/2010 (Summer), 12/18/2010- 1/01/2011 (Christmas)
Renewal $221


Fl Resident Annual Pass $369
Parking included, no black out dates Renewal$334

FL Resident Premium Annual Pass $489
Parking included and also includes the water parks, WW of Sports complex and the Oak Trails Golf Course. Renewal $444

There are also Epcot after 4 passes, weekday only passes, and waterpark after 2 passes.

Only you can decide what is best for your family. We generally get the SAP because we never go during the busy weeks, and we always stay on site, so parking is free for us anyway. I live 2 hours away, so if I was closer, the parking would be more of a factor because I wouldn't be a resort guest.


Edited because I just re-read the OP, I think the pass you are looking out with all the weekends blocked is the FL Resident weekday pass. That pass is probably good for retirees and those without school aged children.

You also say that if the pass doesn't fit your needs you would reconsider moving to Fl. That is kind of a red flag for me. Don't move to Florida just for WDW. If you uproot your family just for a theme park, I think you'll regret it.

If you are moving here for the mild winters, the relatively clean air, and the lower cost of living (Depending on where you are moving from), then you can consider the theme parks an amazing bonus.

Please factor in the lower salaries, somewhat inferior schools (again depending on where you are from) and the high price of home owners insurance.

That all said I love living in Florida.

 

[bawstngrl]

for the first two years I was here I had the full annual pass and I used it a lot(it helped that it was right after 9/11 and the parks were pretty empty!)

Then I started getting the seasonal...it works for me as I do not go in the HOT weather and I can see all the holiday stuff before the Dec 20th blackout starts.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

We have the PAP and no blockout dates. The earlier poster has the guidelines when you can and cant go. I do go in the summer and over the holidays so I dont want the pass with the blockout dates. All a matter of what works for you.

 

[zulemara]

I get in free any day of the year, but I don't go near the parks when it's busy. I'll deal with the heat for a couple hours, but that's it. Even a situation like this weekend, forget about it. I won't do rides over 20 min long. The only exception is EPCOT cuz no matter how busy it is, you can still drink around the world and have fun. But the rides...no way.

 

[disneydad78]

Fl


You also say that if the pass doesn't fit your needs you would reconsider moving to Fl. That is kind of a red flag for me. Don't move to Florida just for WDW. If you uproot your family just for a theme park, I think you'll regret it.

If you are moving here for the mild winters, the relatively clean air, and the lower cost of living (Depending on where you are moving from), then you can consider the theme parks an amazing bonus.

Please factor in the lower salaries, somewhat inferior schools (again depending on where you are from) and the high price of home owners insuran

Thank you all for your help!!

That is one BIG factor in moving to orlando area, WDW!! WE also want to be able to spend some time in the keys,tampa,bush gardens,sea world.We want to experience shuttle launches,daytona 500.We will buy a Bay Boat,I love to saltwater fish along coastal,La. Me and fam,,love to go fishing. We are used to the weather ,and hummidity because we live in Louisiana. cost of living in Louisiana is pretty low,so are salaries, and we rank 2nd to last in inferior schools.(compared to 50 states) So that may just be an upgrade for us. We live outside Alexandria,which has NOTHING to do.we live 35 miles form there,in Deville,louisiana,and we have a burger dinner and a shell gas station!!! In ALexandria ,We have Food ( PALCES to eat,outback,logans,texas roadhouse,chilis are pretty much it) and 1 movie theater. We are just bored to death. So much more to do in orlando than just WDW. We could drive over and go to a beach or go fishing, so its not just WDW. But I know for a yr or 2 we will be there alot. WE want to see ,halloween,christmas and all the festivals WDW has to offer. Living 13 hrs away ,we can only get there for 1 week a yr.(which is summertime do to school) We are not going to buy a big ol house ,we dont want to be house broke,we want to explore all Florida has to offer! Today is saturday,,and we cant think of anything to go do .