Starting back in 2018 Disney changed the way they allocate Disney Armed Forces Salute Room Discounts.
In the past, from 2009 through 2017, the Disney Armed Forces Salute resort hotel room discounts had always been a set percentage off of the standard rack room rate.
Back then if the discount for your desired resort, room type, and dates was available you would receive 30 percent off at Disney Value Resorts, 35 percent off at Disney Moderate Resorts, and 40 percent off at Disney Deluxe and DVC Resorts.
When we say available in the previous sentence, what we mean is that the military discount was based upon availability by date, resort, and room type. Disney offered the discount when rooms needed to be filled, as available room inventory reached an undisclosed amount, the discount would not be offered. For example on your desired dates a Standard room at Pop Century might not be eligible for the discount but a Preferred would be, or there might be nothing for your dates at Pop but there would be at All-Star Movies, or you might have to change dates to get the discount at all.
But starting with the 2018 Disney Armed Forces Salute there was a big change, actually the first change ever for this part of the program.
When the 2018Â Disney Armed Forces Salute was released it quickly became apparent that things were not as they used to be. Members of the military community were reporting receiving discounts lower than they expected. There were many reports of 5 to 10 percent less than the 30/35/40 percent of past Salutes. There were even reports of both well lower than that or in a couple instances even slightly higher than the old discount percentages.
This continues through today!
New Discounts
Instead of publishing a set percentage off for each room category (30% Value, 35% Moderate, & 40% Deluxe), Disney is silent on the discount percentage. But in effect the Salute discount is now “Up To” those old percentages off. Meaning the old set amount off is not guaranteed if the discount is available for your dates/resort/room category; instead you might get a lesser amount off.
In the past as we mentioned, Disney offered the full discount until an undisclosed set level of bookings were reached, by date, resort, & room category; then the discount was no longer offered for those specific variables.
Now Disney will offer the full discount when bookings are low by date, resort, & room category; but as room availability decreases, so will the discount percentage offered until finally the cutoff is reached and the discount is no longer offered at all by date, resort, & room category.
Experts feel that this is the way all Disney room discounts are headed and that this is a test case on a smaller audience. If you’ve received a lesser discount than you expected and don’t like this new system let Disney know how you feel about these variable discount amounts, See my Contact Disney Page. You never know it might help.
Greatly Reduced Availability
In 2022 Â and even more so in 2023 I am hearing from readers that they are having a much harder time being able to get a Salute discount for their desired dates!
This is partly due to Disney delaying the salute announcement of the 2022 & 2023 Disney Armed Forces Salutes until November, reducing the rooms that are available due to the general public making reservations during all that time.
It could also be due to Disney reducing the amount of rooms available for this discount overall. And overall less room availability due to continued staffing shortages.
If you are having trouble obtaining a Salute discount or receive a low percentage off, you can check for general public discounts that might be available/better.
Disney General Public Room Discounts
See our full Disney Armed Forces Salute info page.
See How to make reservations using the Disney Armed Forces Salute
How about you, What discounts have you received from Disney on rooms?
This MDT Post By: Steve Bell Steve is the the Military Disney Tips Founder. He a retired U.S. Military Member who's been touring the Disney Parks since 1971! Steve's mission is to help military families with their Disney vacations in every way. Check out Steve's Bio. Subscribe to Steve's email newsletter to get website updates and news by clicking this link. |
Planning a Disney Trip? Want to get the best military discounts that are available? Feeling a little confused? See Our Great Disney Discount and Planning Info:
- Disney Veteran & Military Discount Eligibility Guide
- The Military Family’s Walt Disney World Comprehensive Vacation Planning and Preparation GuideÂ
- Military Disney Tips Disney Packing ChecklistÂ
- Disney Military Tickets – Your Start to Finish Guide
- Resorts/Hotel Overview Page
- Dining Overview Page
- Transportation Overview Page
- Technology Overview Page
- Shades of Green, WDW’s Military Only Resort
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Holly says
Steve,
Readers might find this helpful. I was quoted 30% off list price for Art of Animation Family Suite, 30% off for Fort Wilderness Cabins and 25% off Beach Club Standard Room today when I called an October 2021 booking.
Thanks for all the great info
Steve says
Hi there Holly,
Thanks for sharing the intel!
Sarah says
I was able to book a Copper Creek Studio for less than a Garden Wing room the Contemporary due to the different discounts being offered at each resort. I was looking for the absolute lowest price that I could find on a Magic Kingdom area room based on initial rack rates. If looking for a good price, explore outside what might seem obvious. There might just be a deal lurking.
Steve says
Wow Sarah,
That’s awesome!
Thanks for sharing the great advise.
Christy says
Hi Steve,
I was hoping to plan a get-away for my daughter and I in November. After chatting with a cast member and putting in several dates at different resorts, I asked what the rate of the discount was. Evidently, it’s a standard 15% on value, 20% on moderate and 25% for deluxe – then decreases from there, depending on availability. I asked if she was certain about the rates because I could be flexible with both my resort selection and travel dates, but after checking with her manager she assured me that those were the top discounts being offered for the Salute program.
I was slightly disappointed when I heard this. Normally it’s a substantial savings but at the moment, they’re offering the same 20% discount to the general public. If anyone has gotten a better discount this year, please let me know how you did it….
Steve says
Hi Christy,
Thanks so much for sending in the intel! I always urge people to be extremely cautious in taking anything Disney’s cast relates to them about the company’s military discounts as they are often wrong. They receive zero training, as evidenced by their having to put their heads together to figure out an explanation.
It may very well be that currently (or for Nov) those are the max percentages, but that could be driven by how full they are already, not an actual max.
Since Disney switched to the variable percentage in 2012, percentages have been all over the place. Some folks (very few) have even received better than the old 30,35,40%. Personally I’ve received 45%. It just depends on how booked they are already.
But sadly, sometimes the general public discount might be the better choice, if available.
Anne Walker says
I just booked for November this year and comparing the military discount vs booking it myself, I only got $80 discount for a 7 nights stay at POR. I was expecting more – like what we used to get. I was advised to keep an eye on their website for discounts though and I can call them anytime, and they will apply it to our room.
Steve says
Hi Anne,
It’s a roll of the dice anymore as to the military discount amount on your dates.
Do watch for general public discounts for your dates to come out later in the year!