Walt Disney World has long offered discounts on its passes for Florida residents to encourage them to do short getaways to its Orlando parks. These lower prices made it easy for budget travelers in state to do just that.
But a new option to buying Florida resident passes just made it easier for in-state families to fit the cost of annual WDW passes into their budgets.
Walt Disney World Unveils a New Payment Plan
Until now, the annual pass discounts for Florida residents made them more affordable, but it was still a lot to drop several hundred dollars all at once for one, especially when buying for the whole family.
Given the state of the economy and in a bid to encourage more in-state families to vacation in their own back yards, Walt Disney World has now decided to offer a payment plan on these resident passes.
How the Payment Plan Works
When purchasing a WDW Florida resident pass on the plan, an initial payment equivalent to the amount of a one-day/one-park pass plus tax (as of the publication of this article, that is $84.14 for anyone 10 or older and $72.42 for ages 3 to 9) is made.
The remainder of the pass price is divided up into 11 more payments, which are then deducted monthly until the pass is paid for at the end of 12 months. These payments are interest-free, though sales tax is figured into the price of the pass when making the monthly payments. This means the total cost of the pass on the payment plan is the same as if it was paid in full at the time of purchase.
Currently the payment plan is available for five types of Florida resident passes:
- Premium Annual Pass (unlimited admission to all four main parks, plus Disney’s Oak Trail golf course, ESPN Wide World of Sports complex, Blizzard Beach waterpark, Typhoon Lagoon waterpark and DisneyQuest)
- Regular Annual Pass (unlimited admission to all four main parks)
- Seasonal Pass (admission to all four main parks with black-out dates)
- Weekday Select Pass (admission to all four main parks, Monday through Friday, with black-out dates)
- EPCOT After 4 p.m. Pass (unlimited admission to EPCOT after 4 p.m. daily)
It is also valid for new pass purchases only at this time. No word if Disney will later allow renewals of annual passes on a payment plan.
How to Purchase a Pass on Payments
Florida residents can purchase a pass on payments only via the Walt Disney World website at this time.
Once purchased with initial payment made, a form is issued which must then be redeemed at a Walt Disney World guest services window with a valid Florida ID proving permanent residency (like a driver’s license). At that time the pass will be issued.
More rules and regulations can be found at the website, as well.
This new payment plan puts Walt Disney World annual passes within financial reach of more Florida residents, which in turn will encourage more budget getaways throughout the year. It’s a win-win for Disney and Florida residents.
Michelle Snow - Michelle Snow been a freelance journalist and photographer for over twenty years, specializing in travel and entertainment. She got her ...
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