2012 and 2013 Military Deals and Discounts at Walt Disney World
MILITARY DISCOUNTS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD
Military families are eligible, of course, for all Walt Disney World deals and specials available to the general public.
In addition, Walt Disney World often makes special deals available to members of and retirees from the U.S. military, and from related DOD organizations.
An offer is out with great ticket and room rate savings for FY13--October 2012 into September 2013. See this.
In addition, Shades of Green, an Armed Forces Recreation Center located near Walt Disney World’s Polynesian resort and nestled among Walt Disney World’s renowned Palm and Magnolia golf course, offers wonderfully low rates for the quality of its rooms.
Shades of Green discounts its already low rates from time to time.
And of course Disney’s general public deals and specials apply to military families as well.
This site recommends Shades of Green for first-time visitors only under a couple of special circumstances. See this for more on first time family visits and Shades of Green.
LINKS FOR MILITARY FAMILIES AT WALT DISNEY WORLD
- Military Families at Walt Disney World
- Deals and Discounts
- Shades of Green
- Other Resources for Military Families
Comments moderated by Steve Bell of Military Disney Tips
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44 comments
Do you know when/if discount deals will be released for end of 2011? We are looking at Christmas 2011 but would like to start scheduling and paying now.
Hi Karen!
Couple things.
If you mean military discount tickets, for the last couple of years they’ve been announced late in the year or even after the turn of the year, and there are no guarantees they’ll be made available past the current program.
Regarding package discounts from Disney itself,
–If you literally mean Xmas–e.g. 12/23 or later–there likely won’t be any discounts. Disney has little trouble filling its hotels at list prices the 23rd and later.
–If you mean earlier December, discounts, if they appear, typically come out 2 to 6 months ahead of time, although lead times have been trending longer with the recession.
–Note that you can usually book at one rate and later take advantage of a discount if announced. The easiest way to do this is to work with a travel agent–e.g. my friends at Destinations in Florida.
Hope this helps! Dave
Is this discount available to DOD employees as well?
Pat–I’m pretty sure, but not certain, that these are only for active duty and career retired. Suggest you check MilitaryDisneyTips.com to make sure, or Disneymilitarysales.com.
Shades of Green resort does extend its low rates to DoD employees. See this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/02/22/review-shades-of-green-resort-at-walt-disney-world/
I am a 100% disabled veteran due to wounds received in Vietnam, am I eligble for the military discounts from Disney. I have an military DOD ID card.
Thank you
Hi David, first, thanks for your service. Second, I believe you are eligible for some deals, but not others, which require you to be on active duty or career retired. I’ll check and get back to you.
Hi David,
You are eligible for the Disney Armed Forces Salute. Here’s a quote from my AFS FAQ “Permanently Disabled Veterans are also eligible for this offer. These military personnel will have a military ID with a DAVPRM status.”
You are also eligible to stay at Shades of Green, from their eligibility list: “Others separated from the Armed Forces and their family members- Honorably Discharged Veterans with 100% service-connected disability (and their families)”.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Thanks for your service!
Steve
Thanks Steve!
Dave, I’m a retired veteran from Canada and my question is, do retired Canadian veterans qualify for discounted Disney world and other theme parks tickets?
Hi Jerry, I only know about WDW and not the other theme parks. As far as I know, Disney military discounts are for US people only. Check their special offers page (from a computer in Canada…) and something may show there: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/
It’s also worth checking with Steve at http://www.militarydisneytips.com/
We are heading to Disney World in April of 2012, my dad is retired from the US Army and wants to purchase the daily passes to the theme parks for us. The only catch is, he doesn’t want to go with. Will we be able to get in with these tickets or will it be a problem? Thanks.
Heather your dad has to be physically present at the turnstile at the first use to activate the tickets. He can then go away…but he has to be there then…
Hi. My dad is a Vietnam Vet, but did not retire from the Army. Our entire family is heading to disney this summer. I dont believe that he would be eligible for the “Disney Armed Forces Salute” tickets. Is this correct? If so, what kinf of discount would he be eligible for? Thanks!!
Hi, you are right, the only discounts you are eligible for are those available to the general public. See this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/03/29/walt-disney-worlds-latest-spring-and-summer-deal/
Is a Marine reservist eligible for the military room discounts? He is not currently activated and is not retired just currently in the reserves.
Brittany, I’m not sure, so I’m gonnna check with an expert…
Hi Brittany,
Reservists are eligible for all Disney military discounts. I’m a reservist myself.
Some of the discounts are: the Disney Armed Forces Salute (which includes 30-40% room discounts), regular military discounted Disney tickets available at Base ticket offices or Shades of Green, and of course Shades of Green the military resort on Disney World property.
Check my site for more info on Shades of Green and the other military discounts, or feel free to email me: questions@militarydisneytips.com
Steve
Thanks, Steve!!
My husband and I are planning a trip (First time) for Christmas. Which I am not seeing may not be such a good idea. Looking at getting more information sent to me about All inclusive offers Disney has to offer. Where would I find information about that? My boys are 13 and 9! Would like to be there for Christmas and New Year’s. Any information would be helpful! Thanks again, found this page very informative!
Hi Kelly, that is really a horrible week to go…parks closed due to crowding…300 minute waits for some rides…
Disney does not do “all-inclusive” stuff, but you can buy tix, hotel room, and dining from them. A travel agent, or perhaps an airline, can help you find more. You won’t find any deals that week–because it is the most crowded of the year, it’s also the most expensive, and not discounted…
I am currently deployed overseas, my unit is due to return home for good around September 25 or so. I noticed that most current military discounts go through September 30, 2012. Thats no good for me & my family seeing that i want be getting home til that time. I was curious to know will there be any discounts avaliable around October 2012, i hope to be able to bring my 2 children to disney world around the middle of October but, i want to be able to enjoy the discounts also. Just wanting to know me & my husbands options…Thanks
Hi Lakisha and thanks for your service! There’s nothing official on an extension ‘of this program, but there are some hints it might be extended–see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2012/05/17/news-on-disney-world-armed-forces-salute-extension-in-early-summer/
D,
We (total family of four) are going on a trip to DisneyLand. I am retired active duty. We are meeting my in-laws (two) and my wife’s sister (and family – four). We set this up believing we could buy ten tickets (I buy four, spouse buys six) and we could all enjoy a Disneyland vacation. We recently got conflicting guidance, only six tickets per family, not ID Card holder. Will we run into a problem trying to get in?
Thanks for this site!! [also posted on a off-shoot of this page]
Bill–more thoughtful response tomorrow–but a key point: when is your planned arrival date and last day of use date?
Arrival date is 28 Sep 2012, using on 28, 29 and 30 SEP 2012
OK Bill, with those dates you fall under the FY 2012 program, which allows over its life 12 tickets. The rules, however, are that you can activate only 6 at a time, and that there has to be 7 days between activation. Some cast members follow these rules, and some don’t so there is a risk that you’ll be able to buy/activate only 6 tickets…
D,
My wife believes that if her sister gets four military tickets from a friend or other family member, then I can just accompany her to pick up her tickets at the window. Then of course we would use our six for our family (and her parents).
Bill, strictly, if the sister gets tickets from someone else who is eligible, then that person needs to be at the gate to activate them, so you are still in the same boat–needing a flexible cast member…
My family of 4 is traveling to WDW November 12, 2012 with my parents (total of 6). My dad’s ID card reads “Department of the Air Force Civilian Identification” Status “RET/CIV”. Will he be able to receive a Military Salute Discount Tickets or any other park admission discounts? We will not be staying on property so we are just looking at the 4 day park tickets.
Kristi, is he career retired? Then he’s eligible… See also this: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/disneys-2012-2013-armed-forces-salute-starts-today-with-many-changes/
If my dad is active duty, do I get a discount for amusement Parks?
Hi Will! He can buy tickets and get rooms at a discount rate. He has to be there in person to activate the tickets.
My brother in law is retired. We will be staying at shades of green 02/12/13 –02/19/13. there will be four adults, 3 kids (16),(14),(12) 4kids (9),(7),(6),(3) ALL the grandkids
How many tickets will we be able to buy at the military discount price?
Hi Kristy, you will be able to buy 6 tickets.
I am planning a trip to Disney in the next few months, I am a service connected disabled vet but I only have the white card issued from the VA. Is this the correct card for eligibility?
Hi Kenny,
In order to qualify for two different types of Disney Discounts you’d need to be a 100% service connected disabled veteran.
If that is the case your VA benefits card is not what you’ll need for proof of eligibility. You’ll need a military issued ID card, either a DD Form 1173 or 2765 these are the tan ID cards. The ID would need to have the DAVPRM (Disabled Veteran Permanent) code on it.
In order to obtain a new military ID you may request a form, DD-1172, which is a letter signed by the Director of your nearest Veterans Affairs Regional Office, that shows you are 100% total and permanently service connected disabled.
Take this letter, and your latest DD Form 214 to the ID Card Office at the nearest military base , where you will be issued your military ID Card. Your spouse, and children age 8 to 21 (or 26 if in college, enrollment proof required) can also be issued their dependent ID Cards, if you show your marriage license and children’s birth certificates.
The two programs you’d be eligible for as a 100% service connected disabled veteran with the DAVPRM code are:
-Disney’s Armed Forces Salute: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2012/08/08/new-disney-world-armed-forces-salute-announced-fy-2013/
-And the ability to stay at and buy tickets at Shades of Green, the military owned and operated resort on WDW property: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2012/08/08/new-disney-world-armed-forces-salute-announced-fy-2013/
If you are not a 100% service connected disabled veteran you are still eligible for stays at Shades of Green during the months of January and September: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Shades-of-Green/Non-Retired-Veterans.html
Hope this helps, thanks for your service!
Thanks, Steve!
hi, i was just wondering whether my girlfriend qualifies as eligible to gain military discount when we visit orlando later this year? ive heard all about shades of green and it mentions military personnel and their families but does that include partners/girlfriends etc?
thanks in advance,
Danny
Danny, so long as you are eligible and there, you can bring any guests you want!
I served in the army reserves from 1967-1973. I was on active duty in 67/68 for 6 months. Do I qualify for the military Disney discounts?
Bob, they are mostly for career retirees and current active duty. There’s some deals at Shades of Green you are eligible for, though–I’m going to ask this site’s military moderator to weigh in on those.
Hi there Bob,
In your situation there is just one discount available, as Dave said through Shades of Green, the military owned and operated resort on WDW property. It is very limited as it is only available in the months of January and September.
Here is a link to my page on the discount: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Shades-of-Green/Non-Retired-Veterans.html
I’m in the active Marine Corps. Reserve. My base doesn’t have access to Disney World discount tickets. Where can I find a list of bases that sell them?
Hi Jared,
For Disneyland, here are some nearby ITT offices you can use:
Los Angeles AFB ITT Office: http://www.laafbforcesupport.com/leisure-recreation/itt
San Diego Area ITTs: http://navylifesw.com/sandiego/recreation/tickets/
Camp Pendelton, Oceanside, CA: http://www.mccscp.com/itt
Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu/Port Hueneme, CA: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/Ventura/FleetAndFamilyReadiness/ThingsToDo/TicketsTravelAndTours/index.htm
I’ve also seen that you can purchase your Disneyland tickets over the phone by contacting: Commander, Navy Region, Southwest at (619) 767-6000. Your tickets will arrive via the U.S. mail within 7 business days. Overnight service is available for a nominal fee.
If you need a base closer to you check the links to all base ticket offices (by service) on my site: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Tickets/On-Base-Tickets.html (towards the bottom of the page)
Enjoy your trip, Steve
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