Uffizi/Accademie and kids' reservations with adult Firenze card

Hi Jeff

I posted a similar question regarding the mechanism of how kids access Uffizi with their parents' Firenze card a while back, and this link contains the answers I got: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/could-my-14-yr-old-son-walk-in-through-priority-access-to-uffizi-with-me-using-my-firenze-card. Have fun!

Mei

There is no need to buy firenze cards for the kids. The kids will be added on to the parent's cards. Have the kids present when you buy the cards. Unless things have changed - the firenze card acts like a reserved ticket at Accademia (David) and Uffizi. You can go to these places any time you wish during open hours and get in the reservation line for entry.

Thank you, both of you. Mei, your link was very helpful. I see that since my kids are not European I will not be able to add them onto their parents' (our) Firenze card. As for paying the reservation "on the spot," as Rick Steves says, what does that mean, exactly? Is there a special line I'd have to wait on/find to pay that fee 'on the spot'? Would I just give the 4 euros to attendants while I myself am waiting to get in? I ask because there's an online option to buy the reservations in advance, with a specific time. Is that unnecessary?

Thank you, again,
Jeff

All children get added to their parent's firenze cards regardless of European citizenship. My American daughter who is Guatemalan (adopted) and looks like it - was added to our cards without any question.
We never paid any extra reservation fees for her or us with our Firenze cards that I can remember. We never made any reservations. We just showed up at places, presented our firenze cards and entered. We did get in the reserved tickets line at "David" and Uffizi.
The only time slot we reserved (for free) was the Brancacci Chapel. The hotel clerk called on our behalf and got us a time slot.
The online info. about Firenze Cards can be confusing. That's why I try to respond to these questions - having been down that road myself.

Thank you, S.B.I.F.!

So what you're saying is, since we'd have Firenze cards we wouldn't have to make any advance reservations for the kids (even though our kids are from the USA)? So all we'd need to do is have eight euros handy (four for each kid) to pay "on the spot" when asked?

Just buy firenze cards for the parents in Florence (not online). Have your kids with you when purchasing. The desk clerk will automatically add your kids to your cards at no extra charge. Just make sure the clerk knows you have kids.
Now, have fun. Just go places, get in line (if there is a line) - present your firenze cards at the ticket counter and gain entry. I would carry some money anyway. But, we were never charged any reservation fees for ourselves or our daughter. Except for Brancacci Chapel - we never reserved any time slots.
Uffizi - stand in the reserved ticket line. (Your firenze card is treated like a reserved ticket.). Go any time you wish. I recommend after 2 pm after some daytrippers clear out. It's still crowded.
"David" go either first thing in morning and stand in reserved ticket line or better, last 1 1/2 hours of day before closing. Again, you don't need to make a reservation. Your Firenze Card puts you in the reserved ticket line.
Possible Change to look for - Duomo Climb. I hear the crowds have reached a point where you need to reserve a time slot with firenze card. (I could be wrong on this.)
I have more Firenze card advice. I can add more later. Keep asking questions until you are comfortable with Firenze Card matters.

Look up Firenze Pass on 04/08/18. I wrote a long response to Firenze card use there. It will help you.
Keep asking questions. I so understand!

Possible Change to look for - Duomo Climb. I hear the crowds have
reached a point where you need to reserve a time slot with firenze
card. (I could be wrong on this.)

True, Sunbaked, and you can't do it BEFORE you arrive in Florence like you can if purchasing advance cumulative tickets for the Duomo complex. Those slots fill very, very quickly so may very well be booked up by the time you get there. If your family was wanting to get a birds-eye view, try the campanile instead. Here are the specifics on the dome (cupola) with the Firenze Card:

"THE ACCESS TO CUPOLA IS NOT GUARANTEED AND THE RESERVATION IS COMPULSORY
You have to collect the free ticket at the museum ticket office in Piazza San Giovanni,7; after that,you have to make your reservation on the dedicated screen.
PLEASE NOTE that the collection of the free ticket is considered to be 'first entrance': the Firenzecard validity of 72h will start running out since then."

This is an interesting note on the card's website as well:

"Temporary suspension of access priority to Campanile di Giotto, Battistero di S.Giovanni, Cripta di Santa Reparata and Museo dell'Opera del Duomo."

They don't explain just how long this "temporary" suspension will last but could be through the summer high season.

Kathy,
This is interesting info. and really makes things confusing. I can't imagine entry into the duomo museum as being difficult. It was more than half empty when we saw it. The bell tower (campanile) is usually not that crowded with admission not an issue. (Go after 3 pm) Palazzo Vecchio has a great observation tower that is uncrowded and mostly overlooked. Firenze Card holders can take advantage of it. We had the perch all to ourselves! My only concern would be the Duomo Dome Climb.
You don't really need "access priority" to the Duomo sites Kathy listed above because these sites have easy access anyway. Only the Dome Climb may be an issue.