Originally Posted by Robbb

Just a well intentioned thought, you may want to go a time or two to see if you really want to get a year pass. Disney has really changed over the past few years, it may not be the magical place you remember from your youth.

For sure. We used to have passes and took our grand-daughter 12 years ago very often. Our other two grand-daughters who are younger, nope. You are correct. No thank you anymore.

[Nana2Teddy]

Originally Posted by GreggC69

New Villager from out of state. Have been to Disney parks a couple of times over the years. Being just an hour drive away, I was curious if anyone had experience, good or bad, with season passes to the parks. There seem to be several options or "tiers" and was just curious. Was thinking it would be fun to have to make random day trips to visit the parks throughout the year.

We have the Pixie Dust pass, and go once or twice a month. Can’t go weekends but that’s fine. We have far less block out dates than we did with our Magic Keys at Disneyland before we moved here, plus parking is included at all parks, and we have a 10-20% discount on Disney dining and shops. We take the turnpike to 429, which is an easy route compared to any other route there. It takes us just an hour to most of the parks or Disney Springs where we went just this past Tuesday. We do go early for park opening most of the time because we rent ECVs due to arthritic knees/hips and they tend to run out of them within an hour or two of opening. Very likely we’d have more traffic to get there most days if we were going later in the day. The difference in the drive there for the same amount of miles as we had to Disneyland in Calif is unbelievable. An hour here compared to 2.5 hours there due to traffic. The only time it was ever closer to an hour drive in Calif was coming home at midnight in our younger days with our kids.

But I digressed… sorry. Get the passes you won’t regret it. 😊

[Nana2Teddy]

Originally Posted by Robbb

Just a well intentioned thought, you may want to go a time or two to see if you really want to get a year pass. Disney has really changed over the past few years, it may not be the magical place you remember from your youth.

Not so for me, and I’ve been going since age three in 1956 (Disneyland originally, now WDW).

[Nana2Teddy]

Originally Posted by GreggC69

Thanks for the responses. We have thought it would be likely we would use as some of you have mentioned....just to drive over for a few hours and walk around and look at things, grab some drinks and see a show and drive back. Blackout on holidays is fine for us (and weekends). I have been one Thanksgiving ONCE! I would anticipate the middle of the week on non holiday weeks would be our preference. Thanks again!

Then all you need is the Pixie Dust pass. It’s more than enough for us, and we have the same preferences as you. Just 3 trips and the pass has more than paid for itself. You also have Disney Springs available any day, and parking is always free there.

[Nana2Teddy]

Originally Posted by JerryLBell

It is cheaper for a Florida resident to buy the cheapest annual pass than it is to visit each of the four Disney World theme parks just once. In addition to the savings on the entry fee, you get free parking. Also, when you pay for a day pass, it's tempting to try to do everything in the park in that one day. First, that's impossible - the parks (especially the Magic Kingdom) are too big and the lines are too long. Second, even if you could do it, you would be exhausted. It is SO much nicer to get there when the park opens (while you can still park pretty close to the entrance and the lines are a bit shorter), spend a few hours and head home when it gets too hot or crowded. Also, by leaving before you have to eat, you don't have to deal with the needed reservations at the ridiculously expensive restaurants. The first time you go and don't pay for parking, don't pay for entrance, don't buy any food and don't buy any souvenirs, you're going to walk out thinking that some employee is going to grab you and shake you by your ankles to get your money. But you get over the feeling.

You're absolutely right about the restrictions on entrance dates. Once you've gone on a weekday, you'll wonder why any sane person would go on a weekend, much less a holiday.

Generally, all this is true for the other theme parks as well. We've had annual passes for Disney, Universal Studios, Sea World and Busch Gardens (they had a bundle sale on those two), Gator Land, Zoo Tampa and the Kennedy Space Center. All were worth doing. The one one park we've NOT done annual passes for (and I'm not even sure they offer them) is Discovery Cove. If you get a Sea World annual pass, you get (or, at least, got) a break on this very expensive but very cool and very exclusive park.

I know folks who keep their annual passes going at Disney year after year after year. I enjoy the theme parks, but that seems excessive to me. We did Disney several years ago and again last year. The other parks we've done just once. We will probably do them again when they've added so many new rides or attractions that we haven't yet seen that it becomes worthwhile again.

We keep our AP going because it’s far less expensive to renew than buy new. We paid $369 to renew in February, but if bought new the pass was up to $429 or $439 (can’t remember exactly). Significant savings! I always add the extra Photo Pass option just to my AP for $99 because we enjoy having park photos taken sometimes, especially during holidays and festivals, and the ride photos that are taken on some of the rides are fun (gotta be wearing a Magic Band to get those).

[Carlsondm]

The best perk is free parking. We visit the parks 6-8 times a year and figure that pays for it. The black out days vary by pass. We have the pirate. Love the food and clean parks. Good shows too. When the family visits we can join them. Pass holder appreciation days mean 30% discount on most purchases. For the water park, we prefer Volcano bay at Universal.

[cphubbell@aol.com]

The pixie pass has worked fine for us. We do the short day trips and on occasion a stay over to do fireworks and dinner. The pass discounts include the hotels and their restaurants and shopping, dining and movies at Disney Springs.
You don’t have to worry about getting your moneys worth this way you can just get your happys worth.

[hosegooseman]

Originally Posted by GreggC69

New Villager from out of state. Have been to Disney parks a couple of times over the years. Being just an hour drive away, I was curious if anyone had experience, good or bad, with season passes to the parks. There seem to be several options or "tiers" and was just curious. Was thinking it would be fun to have to make random day trips to visit the parks throughout the year.

If you have a Florida address you might want to consider a 4 day pass. It’s valid until September.

It comes down to about less than $70 per day. Also, most of the time you can apply the cost to an annual pass purchase, if buying before the last day of the 4 day pass expiration.

We used to be anual pass members years ago but like this much cheaper option, for the actual visits we do now.

We just did a 3 day pass from Feb to March for about the same price.

[KristenA]

We got them 3 months ago and love them. We go almost every weekend. I will add my husband qualifies for the das pass which helps us to go and not spend hours in lines

Not sure if we did not have the disability passes it would be worth it but that depends on your love for Disney and rides

Originally Posted by GreggC69

New Villager from out of state. Have been to Disney parks a couple of times over the years. Being just an hour drive away, I was curious if anyone had experience, good or bad, with season passes to the parks. There seem to be several options or "tiers" and was just curious. Was thinking it would be fun to have to make random day trips to visit the parks throughout the year.

[Cindysum90]

We have the Pixie Pass. We go about once a month or more. Love it! You really don’t want to go when you are blocked out - way too crowded. The pass pays for itself after 2-3 visits. Free parking, 10% off sit down restaurants, 20% off souvenirs. Try it for a year and see if you like it.

[harby]

There s $240's for 4 day ticket for FL residents plus taxes and $22+ parking fee each visit. So is it a good deal?

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by harby

There s $240's for 4 day ticket for FL residents plus taxes and $22+ parking fee each visit. So is it a good deal?

I believe that ticket will allow you to visit four parks in four days with no park hopping. It can probably be used on weekends. Since you will be parking there the real cost is more like $350.

If you are only interested in four days, it's cheaper than buying an annual pass that you won't use again.

If you are interested in going more than four days an annual pass, which includes park hopping and free parking, will be cheaper in the long run.

[Mailmom86]

Originally Posted by GreggC69

Thanks for the responses. We have thought it would be likely we would use as some of you have mentioned....just to drive over for a few hours and walk around and look at things, grab some drinks and see a show and drive back. Blackout on holidays is fine for us (and weekends). I have been one Thanksgiving ONCE! I would anticipate the middle of the week on non holiday weeks would be our preference. Thanks again!

Just remember that as an annual passholder you still need to make reservations for entry to the parks. I have the pixie dust pass and go at least once a month. I don't have to pay $25-$30 for parking and there is a 10% discount at most Disney owned businesses. It pays for itself in a short amount of time. Enjoy!

[FloridaLady]

Originally Posted by GreggC69

New Villager from out of state. Have been to Disney parks a couple of times over the years. Being just an hour drive away, I was curious if anyone had experience, good or bad, with season passes to the parks. There seem to be several options or "tiers" and was just curious. Was thinking it would be fun to have to make random day trips to visit the parks throughout the year.

I still work however I have Pixie Pass so usually go on a Wed (my day off). However, I have taken PTO days to go on other days esp during the Epcot concert series. I am okay with the blackout dates and not going on weekends because that’s when parks are most crowded.

[Justhank]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

Do you have to be a "full time" resident, or does simply owning a home qualify you for the passes?

I had to have a Florida drivers license to get mine