Moving To DeLand & Want Disney Passes? Read This First.

So you’re moving to DeLand? Wonderful! DeLand in itself offers so much to residents, but what makes it even better is its accessibility to the places that other people travel thousands of miles to visit. Located about 27 miles from beautiful Volusia County beaches and only 51 miles from the Walt Disney World Resort, residents of DeLand live in the middle of the best of both worlds.

The beach is easy. Grab some sunscreen, towels, umbrella and a cooler and your day is made. However, navigating the theme parks of Walt Disney World Resort is a larger and more daunting undertaking. Naturally, you’ll want to buy an annual pass because the parks have so much to offer year round. But after that, how do you handle the parks like the Disney fanatic you dream to become?

Simple. Get tips from a pro. Annual pass holders know the ins and outs of the parks, when to avoid certain places and how to make a full day experience out of only a few hours. Natalie Floyd, of Mickey Adventures by Natalie, Disney Pass Holder, and DeLand resident is a seasoned pro at getting the most out of Disney Passes. She offers some tips for the inexperienced Disney adventurer.

• Passes- Look over the options for each pass and evaluate which has the benefits that suit your family the best. One great option is the Weekday Select Pass that is valid Monday through Friday. It’s the least expensive option. Many families want to avoid the crowds on weekends and will enjoy an after-school adventure at the parks. If weekday passes won’t work for your family, she suggests visiting parks on Sunday afternoons rather than Saturdays. Vacations are ending, people are starting to prepare for the work week and the crowds are lighter.
• ​Consider the special events at the parks. Epcot tends to have special themed festivals throughout the year, but the most anticipated and well-attended are the Food and Wine Festival and the Flower and Garden Festival. Both serve delicious specialty foods throughout the park while guests enjoy the beauty of manicured bushes that resemble Disney characters and flowering plants in vivid colors. Natalie also cautions that the Fall and Christmas season is extra busy at the Magic Kingdom. “It’s the time of year when the air is cooling some and the season is festive. People flock to the Magic Kingdom for the fireworks, Christmas lights and the Not So Scary Halloween Party, but it also makes for crowded parks.” Some of these special nighttime events may not be included with your passes, so make sure to check before heading out to the parks. January and February are the best times of the year to be a pass holder. Attendance is lower and the weather is cool.
• Staycations are great when you are a pass holder. You already have one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world in your backyard; you may as well be a tourist too. Pass holders get special perks and discounts at Disney resorts. Many families will spend a weekend at the resorts and only enter the park for a few hours. The resorts, as you would expect from Disney, are filled with family-friendly activities and your kids will stay entertained just from the pools and amenities.

Walt Disney said, “When you’re curious, you find lots of interesting things to do.” The sentiment also applies to your Disney experience. Buy that pass, get out there and be curious about all the adventures you and your family will encounter at the park. It’s called the “Happiest Place on Earth” for a reason!