Planning for 2015.. Annual Pass question..

[mrsabbott]

So, Hubs and I have been planning to go back since the first day we stepped foot in the Dark Side! We had HOPED to go for fall break, Sep 2014 but financially it won't be feasible. We are planning for spring break, Mar 2015 instead.

Now, we will have to pay for our own tickets and we plan to do 4 day, park-to-park tickets. We want to take our time and really soak in the parks and plan to do nothing else while there. I was doing some pricing and, for not that much more, we could get the basic annual pass (power pass) instead. With just gas, food, and lodging to cover, we could definitely visit more then once that year! Maybe do spring break, fall break, and even a summer time visit in between!

Here is my question.. Block out dates. I was looking at the ones from 2014 and while spring and fall breaks are all clear, Studios is blocked for the entire summer months. I of A is still open. I am wondering how they are going to work that now that Diagon Alley is opening. I mean, if you have an annual pass, can you just NOT get on the train and visit the other park? Do you think they will change the block out dates in 2015 to accommodate those pass holders, or would you just have to buy a more expensive pass??

Regardless, we would save money by just using the power pass for two visits! I'm just wondering.

 

[Metro West]

You should get at least one Preferred AP so you can get the food and merchandise discounts as well as free parking.

Blackout dates will change every year and frankly...if the dates are blacked out, you wouldn't want to go on those dates in the first place. Usually blackout dates cover the busiest times of the year so crowds will be at their worst levels.

 

[mrsabbott]

Yeah, Hubs and I were talking about that!! It would be well worth the extra savings for our family!

We were dreaming of moving there.. but that door just isn't opening to us so, no resident discounts or visions of going and getting a Butterbeer "just because"..

But the AP's would allow us at least 2 vacations.. Ticket prices are probably the largest expense for us! I'm definitely leaning more towards that investment!

 

[Metro West]

We were dreaming of moving there.. but that door just isn't opening to us so, no resident discounts or visions of going and getting a Butterbeer "just because"..

The Orlando housing and job markets have changed dramatically since I moved here in 2004. Consider carefully before making the decision to move. Trust me when I say its different going to the parks as a tourist and as a local. Still...good luck to you if you decide to make the move.

 

[mrsabbott]

We have family in the area and there was a school that Hubs was wanting to attend.. but it just isn't in the cards for us. Oh well..

Hubs' brother have never been to Universal and rarely do any of the "touristy" things in the 6 or so years that they have lived there. LOL! It is hard for us to fathom that you would be SO CLOSE and yet not go.. But there are tons of the touristy type things we have never done around here either!