MILITARY FAMILIES AT WALT DISNEY WORLD
The general advice for first time visitors to Walt Disney World provided on this site applies equally to military families.
However, military families have access to special military deals and discounts, especially the Disney Armed Forces Salute, that other families don’t, and also have access to Shades of Green (below).
The links below provide specific details and guidance for how to find out more about these, and the best ways to take advantage of them.
Eligibility for these and other Disney military deals has always been complicated, and the process for getting and using some of them even more so.
Steve Bell is the Military Moderator on this site. And Steve’s Military Disney Tips has always been the go-to site for military families looking to make the most out of their Disney World vacations.
But like every other website (especially mine), finding exactly what you need to know, in the right order, sometimes isn’t as easy as you’d like it to be.
So the great news is that Steve has just published a Disney World guidebook for military families.
With entire chapters devoted to the 2016 salute, to Shades of Green, and to other deals and perks available to military families, I can’t recommend it enough!!
It’s available as a PDF–probably the most convenient format–here, and on Amazon.com here
.
This book will be a great help to military families contemplating a Disney World visit in 2016!!
LINKS FOR MILITARY FAMILIES AT WALT DISNEY WORLD
- Military Families at Walt Disney World
- Deals and Discounts
- Shades of Green
Comments moderated by Steve Bell of Military Disney Tips.
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Hello – need help! I am a recently divorced spouse of active duty member. we have two kids and my planned vacation just got a hick-up. I was told that we cannot activate the tickets because my ex is not with us. Also, apparently now I cannot purchase additional tickets because I don’t have an ID. But my children do. Need help on what to do?? Are there any other options?
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Vanessa, I’m going to ask Steve to weigh in on this…
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Hi Nancy,
Yes you can activate your family’s tickets first and then go back late with your friends after they arrive.
There is some old history with the whole party being required to be there the first time, but that is long gone.
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Thanks Steve! That’s such a relief to hear! I was worried when I called and the person I spoke to at Disney told me it wasn’t allowed and that everyone had to be present.
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Thanks, Steve!!
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Hello! I will be going to Disneyland with my husband (military service member), our kids and friends next week. We purchased the military salute tickets for us and our friends. Unfortunately, our friends arrive at a later time than us (only a few hours) but we didn’t want to waste the day away so we wanted to bring our kids to the park in the morning before our friends arrived. Can we still go into the park then activate our friends tickets a few hours later when they arrive? Or do we all have to be together at the first time activating? I called and someone at Disney said they needed to be all together the first time, however, I read online as long as the tickets were still active we could activate our friends tickets at a later time.
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Hi Bill,
Sorry but Disney absolutely does check IDs to ensure that only those who are eligible for the Armed Forces Salute discount receive those benefits.
On dependent ID cards Disney cast members are looking for SP (spouse) in the relationship block as non-spouse dependents are not eligible. The member or their spouse are the only ones able to activate Salute tickets.
The intended use of these tickets is for the member (or spouse in their place) to spend time with family and friends in the Disney parks, not to give them away.
As these tickets are non-refundable and your father cannot come, you are in a bit of a bind.
I recommend that you bring the tickets he bought for you, as well as the one he was required to buy for himself along with his receipt for the purchase with you. Also have him write and sign a letter explaining that he is unable to come and would like you to be able to use the purchase price of the Salute tickets towards full price tickets. You should also bring a photocopy if his military ID front and back.
With these items, Disney should allow you to use the tickets towards those that you will need.
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I father is retired military and I have an old dependent card. We planned on doing a family trip to Disney, so he bought me and my wife the salute tickets. We are scheduled to leave in two weeks, but now my dad cannot come! What are the chances that the Disney workers just generally gaze at my ID and activate our tickets? I can’t imagine that they are really grilling the ID if it looks halfway legit. Thanks!
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Bill, I’m gonna ask Steve to weigh in on this, but I don’t think it will work.
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James, I don’t know what that card is.
Shades accepts visa, master card, amex, discover and diners club.
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Hi Chelsey,
Dave is correct, non-spouse dependents are not eligible for the Disney Armed Forces Salute.
But you should be able to buy the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets from base ticket offices. These do not require an ID at WDW.
If you have no base near you you can contact Camp Pendleton or the Orlando ITT. I recently heard that Pendleton started ordering the regular WDW tickets and also that Orland now ships.
See these posts:
http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/buy-military-discounted-disney-tickets-by-phone/
&
http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Tickets/Orlando-ITT-Ticket-Office.html
Steve
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Thanks, Steve!!
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Does anyone know how the Shades of green tickets are coded by credit card companies? I have a barclay Arrival and I was wondering if I can use it to pay for my disney tickets? Thanks
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James, I don’t understand your question…sorry.
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Hi Dave and Steve!
I am a daughter of a military retiree and my question is: Am I able to purchase the military discounted tickets if I am a dependent (child)? Everywhere I read it says the person in the military or the spouse can, but what about a child? I plan on flying out to Florida for vacation and I would love to visit WDW and Universal Orlando. I am 21 years old and hold a valid military dependent ID. Looking forward to your response. Thank you!
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Chelsey, not the Salute. Steve will weigh in if you can get the “normal” discounted tickets, which are much less valuable.
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Hi Dave. My question expands on Zoe’s a little. Our travel circumstance are similar. Family of 5 arriving on a Sunday. Two of them are both retired Air Force. But we have 4 others that won’t be able to arrive until Wednesday night. Will we be able to add a third room & activate 4 additional tickets after both of our retired military members have been there, checked in as guests of the resort & activated their tickets?
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Amanda, so long is the eligible member is still present, yes!!
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Hey, I have a couple of questions that I hope you can help me with. I have a family of 5 that me and my husband have been saving to take them to WDW. I mention this to my aunt a couple months ago (who is retired military) that we would be visiting her in Florida either at the end of the year or beginning of next year. She mentioned to me that she gets awsome discounts on hotels and tickets for WDW, which has me super excited because that would save us over have of the amount that we were planning on spending. We are planning a week long trip (Sunday thur Sunday) to WDW in a couple of months and my aunt states that she can only be there on Sunday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. My biggest concern is that if she uses here discount for the resort will there be any problems with us staying there the whole 8 days and she is only there partially? And also will there be any problem with us using the tickets with her not being there everyday? Thanks?
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Zoe, this is a little complicated.
The best deals for military folk, at the moment, expire at the end of September 2015. It’s widely expected that they will be renewed, bit that won’t be certain til it happens.
After that, your need for her will depend on the specifics of the deal. For example, a hotel deal for her, if offered, has to include her on the reservation, and she has to check you in. A ticket deal–if offered–will most likely give you only 4 days worth of tickets, she’ll have to buy and activate one herself, and she will have to be physically present the first time you use them.
She does not need to be with you every day, either for tix or hotels…
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Hi there Amanda,
Big topic!
First did you get the Disney Armed Forces Salute rate on your reservation at WL? The Salute rate there is 40% off of the regular rack rate.
If not call Disney or your travel agent back to get this rate, you can not do it online.
For all details on the Salute room and ticket discounts see:
http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Disney-Armed-Forces-Salute.html
Disney itself offers no military discounts on food or dining. Their strong feeling as relayed to me is that they have offered enough with the half off tickets and 30-40% off rooms.
There are a few non-Disney food, merchandise, and entertainment options at Downtown Disney which do offer military discounts. Two of the restaurants are favorites of mine (Raglan Road & House of Blues).
See: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Military-Discounts/Downtown-Disney-Military-Discounts.html
Shades of Green offers military discounted tickets on other WDW and Orlando entertainment/dining options, these are similar to what you’d find at your local ITT.
See: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Shades-of-Green/Military-Discount-Ticket-Sales.html
Hope this helps!
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Thanks Steve–great help as always!!
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Amanda, major deals are available for military families both on rooms and tickets. I’ve asked Steve to post links to the details…
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Hello,
We are a military family PCSing this summer and will be staying there at the Wilderness Resort…we plan on getting our hoppers through the military rate…do you know of any other military plans we can take advantage of…was there at some point a dining option? Thank you for your help!
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Hi Nick,
There are no discounts that I am aware of for non US Forces on holiday (which I’m assuming you will be).
However there are discounts for those stationed at US Bases who have a US issued ID card.
Having said that, it never hurts to show an ID and ask at the ticket booth. Others have had luck doing so.
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Hi I’m in the uk forces (Royal Marines) and will be flying out to orlando in April. I was wondering if sea world and other places still do military discount or free entries?
Thanks.
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Nick, so far as I know they apply to US forces only but I’ll see what I can find out.
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Hi Amber,
Tagging in on Dave’s reply. As a dependent you are not eligible for the Disney Armed Forces Salute, but you can go to your local Base Ticket Office and purchase the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets.
These are way less savings (4-8% off the gate price based on length and options) but can be used without the member being present.
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Thanks, Steve!!
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Hello! I am a dependent with an active military ID, am I able use my dependent military ID to purchase discounted tickets?
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Amber, sorry–only the eligible military member can.
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Hi there Ritz,
DoD civilians can buy tickets at slightly reduced rates at their base ticket offices. They are also eligible to stay at the Shades of Green Resort at WDW and also to buy tickets from Shades at the same slight discount.
Unfortunately they are not eligible for the Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets though, as it takes a current military ID to activate them.
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