There are lots of different Disney Discounts available for Disabled Vets.
But trying to figure out which, if any apply to your situation can be not only confusing but sometimes impossible, if you don’t know where to look.
I get lots of questions from my great readers via email. Many are from disabled veterans who are asking if they are eligible for any Disney Discounts. So I decided to do a post to clear the topic up. Here is my Guide to Disney Discounts for Disabled Veterans.
What’s Your Status?
Many who write me say “I’m a disabled Vet. Am I eligible for a discount at Disney?” unfortunately for a question as vague as that the answer has to be maybe…
There is a lot more information required in order to make a determination. The important questions that need to be answered in order to determine which offers you are eligible for are:
- Were you Medically Retired for your disability?
- Are you classified as Permanently Disabled?
- Are you 100% Disabled?
- Or a lower percentage?
- Do you have a Purple Heart?
- Were you a Prisoner of War?
- Do you have a Service-Connected Disability?
- Are you the Primary Family Caregivers of Eligible Veterans under the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers?
Different Disney Discount Offers For Veterans
There are several different discounts for military members, including disabled veterans to use for a Disney Vacation.
- The Disney Armed Forces Salute
- A Temporary offer
- With very attractive discounts on both park tickets and resort rooms
- The Shades of Green Resort
- A military owned and operated resort on Disney World property
- Discounted rooms and tickets
- Military Ticket Sales Offices
- A new benefit for some who were previously not qualified
- Includes tickets that do not require a current military ID and Stays at Shades of Green
Eligibility
Medically Retired
If you were medically retired and retain a current valid retired military ID, then you are eligible for both Disney’s Armed Forces Salute and Shades of Green as a retiree. The disability doesn’t play into the equation at all.
Link to the Armed Forces Salute Info
Link to Shades of Green Info
100% Permanent Service-Connected Disability
If you have an military ID with the DAVPRM code (Disabled Veteran Permanent) on it, then you are eligible for Disney’s Armed Forces Salute and Shades of Green.
Link to the Armed Forces Salute Info
Purple Heart Recipients
Are eligible for Stays at Shades of Green stays and Military Discounted tickets that do not require a Military ID (Disney Salute Tickets & Universal Freedom Passed require Mil ID)
Link to John McCain Defense Act
Former Prisoners of War
Are eligible for Stays at Shades of Green stays and Military Discounted tickets that do not require a Military ID (Disney Salute Tickets & Universal Freedom Passed require Mil ID)
Link to John McCain Defense Act
100% Temporary Service-Connected Disability
If you are 100% disabled but not DAVPRM then you are only eligible for Shades of Green.
Less Than 100% Service-Connected Disability
Are eligible for Stays at Shades of Green stays and Military Discounted tickets that do not require a Military ID (Disney Salute Tickets & Universal Freedom Passed require Mil ID)
Link to John McCain Defense Act
Anyone Who Served Honorably
Anyone who has served honorably is eligible for Stays at Shades of Green stays in January and September and Military Discounted tickets that do not require a Military ID (Disney Salute Tickets & Universal Freedom Passed require Mil ID) while a guest at Shades of Green with their DD-214.
Link to this Special Shades of Green Program
Caregivers
Individuals approved and designated as the Primary Family Caregivers of eligible Veterans under the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers
Link to John McCain Defense Act
More Information
We have much more detailed posts on these various discounts. Please review them.
Links to my content specifically for Non-Retired Veterans
- Veteran Discounts for Disney, Universal, and Other Theme Parks
- Disney Military Discounts for Veterans Who Did Not Retire from the Military
- Do 100% Disabled Veterans Qualify for Disney Military Discounts?
- Disney Veteran Discount and Disney Military Discount Eligibility Guide
- Disney Discounts and the John McCain Defense Authorization Act
- Shades of Green Stays for Non-Retired Veterans
- Why Not All Veterans Qualify for Disney Military Discounts (Explained Clearly) Plus Options
Veterans Get my Veteran Discounts for Disney Overview email series
Who Sets the Eligibility for these Programs?
Please note that the Department of Defense sets the eligibility for all Disney discounts, not Disney. Any comments, letters, frustration should be directed at the DoD not Disney!
I hope this clears up a little of the confusion! If not leave a question in the comments below!
This article was written by Steve Bell, founder of Military Disney Tips.
Steve is a retired U.S. military member who has been visiting the Disney Parks since 1971 and writing about Disney military discounts and vacations for the military community for over 18 years.
Read Steve’s Full Bio | Follow Military Disney Tips on Facebook
i m 90 % but i receive 100 % through unemployability with permanent and total (P&T) is that eligible? thats a question that i couldn’t find the answer
Hi Ronnie,
Have you seen our other non- retiree posts with multiple ways to qualify for various discounts?
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/disney-veteran-discount-and-disney-military-discount-eligibility-guide/
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/disney-military-discounts-for-veterans-who-did-not-retire-from-the-military/
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/disney-discounts-and-the-john-mccain-defense-authorization-act/
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/shades-of-green/shades-of-green-stays-for-non-retired-veterans/
Hello,
My husband was medically retired at 100% from the Army after 22 years. A few months later he passed away. The VA has since determined his death was service connected. Do you know how I would qualify? Do you know of any other discounts I would qualify for? I plan on taking our 8 year old son this summer. I plan to take him to Disney, Universal and Lego Land. Maybe more.
Thanks so much!
Samantha
Hi Samantha,
Thanks for the question.
In order to qualify for any discounts you need to present your spouse military ID. If he was 100% you should have one. It should have Spouse, SP, or DEC-DB in the relationship field.
The ID is presented to Base ticket Offices to purchase tickets in person or long distance, and at check in at Disney Resorts for the Disney Armed Forces Salute.
You’d also be eligible to stay at Shades of Green (Unremarried surviving spouses of personnel who died while on active duty or while in retired status).
Shades of Green
Shades of Green Eligibility