Just one week ago the Walt Disney Company announced that they would be making a new Armed Forces Salute offer, starting on 1 October 2012 and running through 28 September 2013.
They did this with a press release which was also posted on the company websites.
This announcement left out quite a few details which I queried Disney on. Below you’ll fine my questions and Disney’s answers.
During the 2010 – 2012 Armed Forces Salute which is currently still running permanently disabled veterans with a military ID that has the DAVPRM code were eligible. Will that be the same for the new offer?
Disney: Yes
The press release says that all tickets must be purchased at the same time. So If 2 people want to go in October and May for 4 days each time do they have to buy all the tickets at the same time?
Disney: Tickets may be split, but the purchasing military member or their spouse must always be part of traveling party
I’ve seen elsewhere that the all the AFS tickets have to be activated at the same time, is that correct? So in the scenario above all the tickets would need to be activated in October?
Disney: No. Tickets may be split and activated upon each visit as long as the purchasing military member or their spouse is part of traveling party.
Must all members of the party be present for ticket activation? Sometimes people meeting for a vacation will arrive on different days.
Disney: All members of party must be present at time of activation.
May the Armed Forces Salute tickets be used back to back. Again if 2 people want to use 4 tickets for 8 days is that allowed?
Disney: No. Seven days must separate multiple usages. Disney has rescinded this! 2 Nov 2012
Can the AFS tickets be upgraded as in the past to, premium annual, annual, FL Seasonal, and FL Weekday Select passes? Yes
Can the hopper or WP&M options be added later to the opposite version of the ticket? Currently if I purchased a 4-day AFS hopper, I can add the WP&M option to it for a fee.
Disney: Yes
When the spouse is un-accompanied by the member is limit again just 5 tickets?
Disney: Yes
What are the resort room discount percentages on the various categories at Walt Disney World and Disneyland?
Disney: Up to 40% depending upon category and availability.
What is the maximum number of rooms allowed at a time under this discount?
Disney: Three total rooms, purchasing military member or their spouse must be in one of the rooms. The entire party must all check-in at same time at same resort hotel.
So there you have it, some more detail to fill in the gaps in what we learned last week.
You can see the full details of the 2012-2013 Armed Forces Salute here
And if you still have questions you can read my Armed Forces Salute FAQ
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Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World - Best WDW Planning book in my opinion
Hidden Mickeys - Kids of all ages will love finding Hidden Mickeys at WDW
Disney World Savings Guide - A great eBook by a former Disney Castmember
Ears or Experience - My recommended Travel Agent, Fee Free, Disney Only, Military Family Owned
YourFirstVisit.net The premier website for first time visitors to Walt Disney World!
Simple Stroller Rentals - Beats WDW's prices, plus they offer a 10% Military Discount
TouringPlans.com - The website of the Unofficial Guides - Crowd Forecasts, Pre-made Touring Plans, plus lots of other detailed info
Disney World Lines iPhone App - Current Crowds, Recommended Parks, Wait Times, & Fastpass Return Times on your iPhone
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Can the military promotional tickets be purchased at the ticket windows at wdw? Are the tickets tax free if you buy them on military post? Do you have to order the tickets in advance if you purchase them on post?
Hi Jennifer,
Yes you can buy the Armed Forces Salute tickets at Disney ticket windows plus tax. They do not carry the military discounted Magic Your Way tickets which are available at bast ITT/ITR offices.
Different bases carry different tickets, you’ll have to see what your base carries. No tax on base or at Shades of Green!
Check out my faq
I spoke to three different people over at Disney ticketing and they said the Armed Forces Salute tickets could be used back-to-back. Where can this information be definitely confirmed? Thanks.
Hi S.L.
While I feel this will end up being the actual policy, I still have no conformation of it yet. I keep querying my source though.
A word of caution about the Disney call center. While they of course have the best of intentions, they can and do pass out misinformation accidentally from time to time. Especially about a minor offer like this that they might not be to familiar with.
No matter what someone tells you on the phone the only opinion that matters is the Disney ticket booth castmember you are standing in front of when trying to activate your tickets and the Tickets Department’s current electronic version of their policy letter that they use in the booths.
In the past I’ve been privy to this e-document, but I have not seen one yet for the 2012-2013 Salute which is not marked Draft. SO until I see it or I’m told by my contact that this will be the policy, I’m sorry but I can’t confirm it.
Note that Disney’s published policy for the 2010-2012 Salute said back-to-back use was not allowed, but WDW Tickets said it was.
Hi, Steve!
Thank you so much for your prompt response. Also, thank you for putting this site together. The information is very helpful.
I know what you mean about the call center. Once someone told me that ALL Disney rooms were eligible for the Military discount. When they tried to book it, they were unable to. They then had to admit that just maybe they were wrong
It would be nice to use the tickets back to back, since I have an eight day stay booked at Bay Lake Tower in December. Hopefully there will be something more concrete before my trip.
Thanks Again!
S.L.
You bet!
We’ll know by your trip. Even if it is just from boots on the round reports in Oct-Nov.
Hi -
Above it says that AFS tickets can be upgraded to Disney Annual passes. I have 2012 AFS tickets I’d like to convert and am a Florida resident. I called my ITT on base and the Disney Ticket office, and both told me they didn’t know anything about converting these tickets to annual passes. Do you know where I do this? I am assuming now at a Guest Services window at the park? If so, do you know if they charge the regular annual pass rate or the military discounted annual pass rate (because I know annual passes are discounted at our ITT office)?
Thanks!
Hi Valerie,
Base ITT Offices have nothing to do with this process. I’m not sure what Disney Ticket Office you called, but if it was one of the Disney 800 numbers you were just talking to one of their call centers, which are particularly uninformed on military discount info
You’ll need to upgrade the Armed Forces Salute tickets at a Disney theme park ticket booth or Guest Relations location. And you’ll pay the difference between the AFS ticket price and the regular gate price of the AP.
The important consideration is that the start date of the AP you’ll be upgrading to is going to be the first day that you ever used the AFS ticket. So for example you first used your AFS ticket on 1 February 2012 your AP would expire on 31 January 2013.
Hope this helps!
Hello, I am the daughter of a retired military father. I am still a dependent and have a dependent ID, therefore, can I activate the tickets or does my father or mother have to be present? They have no desire to go to the park but will be purchasing the tickets for me and a friend.
Hi Lara,
The Disney Armed Forces Salute is a benefit for military members to spend time with their guests in the Disney parks. If they are deployed and unable to come their spouse may use the benefit, with the intent of taking the rest of the family.
Sorry, but dependent children are not entitled to this discount.
In order to use the Salute your dad or mom must go and activate the tickets and one ticket must be for them.
Your father could however buy you the regular military discounted Magic Your Way tickets.