Orlando theme park deals for Florida residents

Being a Florida resident definitely has its perks. Besides oodles of sunshine and great temperatures year round, residents are privy to irresistible offers for deeply discounted theme park fun in their home state. Most notably, cheap annual passes or multi-day theme park passes make a spontaneous trip to Orlando that much easier and hassle free. In order to get these tickets, you must be able to show a Florida driver’s license or student I.D. from a Florida school.


Until May 25, 2010, Disney is offering Florida residents an amazing deal of four days for $99 with the "4 Day Dream Pass." You can use the pass any four consecutive or non-consecutive days between now and the end of May (except March 27 through April 9). The pass allows entry to only one-park per day (as opposed to more expensive park-hopper passes). If four days is not enough, a Florida Resident Seasonal Pass costs $249, which allows repeated entry to all four Disney theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom) for an entire year and entry to all parks in the same day (note, however, that there are a few blockout dates).


For the rest of 2010, Sea World is offering Florida and Georgia residents an annual pass for $70 -- less that the price of a one-day ticket! Florida fans of Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure can get an annual pass with minimal blockout dates for $140.


For those who are not Florida residents, multiple day park-hopper passes are usually the most economical and logical option, allowing complete flexibility between Disney theme parks. You can easily enjoy a morning stroll through the World Showcase at Epcot, lunch at the Brown Derby in Hollywood Studios, and an afternoon parade at Magic Kingdom all in one day.


- Paul Rubio