Seasonal Pass Renewal

[The Gatekeeper]

I'm trying to decide whether to renew my family's passes, We are in Texas and seasonal passholders in our 30 day grace period for renewal, so I'm trying to get a grasp of the pros and cons of renewing when we don't have a trip planned until February.
Normally this is a no-brainer. I would not see any value in saving 20% for a pass I wouldn't use for 6 months. I would let it lapse and bump back the activation and try to get two trips in the 12 months or 15 if that came about (I don't see that happening anytime soon, unfortunately).
No one knows when Epic APs will be available and the price, but I'm one of those people that doesn't necessarily think that they will be at the beginning of 2026 (unpopular opinion, I know). I also think it may not be financially smart for people like us who may only have one trip planned even if available. But I am interested in the annual passholder rates for one day tickets to Epic. Do you think that even if passes for Epic become available, they will still offer discounts to passholders that don't upgrade to Epic? I lean towards yes, but wanted to get others' opinions. That is certainly one reason to possibly keep everyone's pass activated. We plan to go to Epic 2 days.
Also, can you down grade a 3 park seasonal to a 2 park upon renewal? It is doubtful we would visit VB in February.
And one more question. We will visit while Studios is celebrating Mardi Gras. We'd like to try to get on a float. Is there a benefit to being a passholder to make it easier, like early bookings or a discount.
Since we would only be in the legacy parks 2 or 2.5 days, I'm just trying to figure out if renewal makes sense for us.
Thanks for any insight.

 

[keishashadow]

No one knows when Epic APs will be available and the price, but I'm one of those people that doesn't necessarily think that they will be at the beginning of 2026 (unpopular opinion, I know)

thinking the same thing. they would be foolish to stop milking the cow too soon

additionally, don't think EPIC will be ready to handle normal APH crowds, even if the days are severely restricted

if anything, perhaps weekday only access & substantial black out periods ala the current seasonal pass

don't see EPIC APs happening any earlier than after Spring break & Easter, if then

Do you think that even if passes for Epic become available, they will still offer discounts to passholders that don't upgrade to Epic? I lean towards yes,

probably

We will visit while Studios is celebrating Mardi Gras. We'd like to try to get on a float. Is there a benefit to being a passholder to make it easier, like early bookings or a discount.

as a reminder, the seasonal AP does have blackout days & studios on all concert days that ran once a week, from beginning of Feb to end of March

November 24 – 29, 2025
December 20, 2025 – January 4, 2026
March 16 – 22, 2026
March 30 – April 11, 2026
July 1- 31, 2026
November 23 – 28, 2026
December 19 – 31, 2026