Disney announces Armed Forces Salute renewed until 28 September 2013
This first installment of the Orlando Military Discounts Series covers the Disney Armed Forces Salute for 2012 and 2013. The next installments will cover Anheuser-Busch’s Here’s to the Hero Salute for Sea World and Busch Gardens, next I’ll cover the Military Discounts still available for Universal Orlando’s theme parks, and finally the post I’m going to call “There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch” will wrap it all up.
Here are the specifics on Disney’s 2012-2013 Armed Forces Salute, this current offering is available at both Disney World in Orlando Florida and Disneyland in California. Important to note there ARE blockout dates. The Military Salute offer involves both theme park ticket discounts and resort room discounts in two separate parts of the program.
Room discounts are available through Disney Central Reservations or your travel agent.
Theme park tickets may be purchased at Disney Theme Park ticket windows with tax added. Or at Shades of Green (in Orlando Florida) or your Base’s Ticket Office with no tax added.
The available Discounts are as follows:
For Walt Disney World
Park Tickets – You may purchase Up to six Disney World theme park tickets, including a ticket for the military member. The tickets options are:
• Four-Day Park Hopper Ticket for $156.00
• Four-Day Water Park and More Ticket for $156.00
• Four-Day Park Hopper Ticket plus the Water Park and More Option for $184.00.
These tickets (including any options) may not be used on the following blockout dates:
24 – 31 December 2012 (No theme Park or WP&M Use)
24 March – 4 April 2013 (No theme Park or WP&M Use)
July 4, 2012 (No Magic Kingdom Use)
Resort Room Discounts –
• 40% off Deluxe Resorts
• 35% off Moderate Resorts and Fort Wilderness Cabins
• 30% off Value Resorts including the Art of Animation.
Resort room discounts are not available on the following blockout dates:
22 – 24 November 2012
23-31 December 2012
25 March – 4 April 2013
For Disneyland
Park Tickets - You may purchase Up to six Disneyland theme park tickets, including a ticket for the military member. The only ticket option is:
• Three-Day Park Hopper Ticket for $125.00
These tickets may not be used on the following blockout dates:
23 December 2012 – 2 January 2013 (No theme Park Use)
15 – 17 February 2013 (No theme Park Use)
25 March – 5 April 2013 (No theme Park Use)
4 July 2013 (No theme Park Use)
Resort Room Discounts –
• Up to 40% off Resorts
Resort room discounts are not available on the following blockout dates:
22 – 24 November 2012
23-31 December 2012
25 March – 4 April 2013
Further details are:
When you purchase tickets at your base ticket office or Shades of Green you’ll be given special AFS plastic tickets, these tickets will be activated at a Disney theme park ticket window. Disney’s rules say you can only make one purchase, so you’re not allowed to come back to buy more later. You need to get all you need (up to six) at once.
You may only activate up to six tickets and all adults must show some form of ID. And of course one individual must be the military member or the spouse. Disney records the member’s info to prevent activation of any further tickets during this offer.
Spouses who are each military members are eligible for a total of 12 tickets, six each.
I think I’ve answered most of the questions that I usually get, most have to do with ticket activation. If you have other questions, just post a comment and I’ll reply back.
Next time look for Anheuser-Busch’s Here’s to the Hero’s Salute for Sea World and Busch Gardens
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Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World - Best WDW Planning book in my opinion
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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
My Disney Experience - The Official Disney iPhone App
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Question:
Can a one day hopper pass be purchase? Also this would be under military discount.
Thank you
MSG Scheetz John
Manheim Pa. 17545
You can purchase one day hopper tickets at Shades of Green. The price on Shade’s website is $85 adult/$76 Child (3-9).
Hi Steve I’m writing on behalf of my boyfriend who is unsure and cannot seem to get a straight answer as to weather or not he is eligible for these discounts. He left the military a couple years back after serving a total of 6 years active duty and 2.5 of those years he was deployed. Could you please let me know your thoughts on the matter.
Thanks!
Hi Mariann,
Unfortunately there aren’t a lot of military discounts that he’d be eligible for. The only one that comes to mind is Non-Retired Veterans – Shades of Green continues their Salute to Our Veterans, during his stay he’d be eligible for the standard military discounted tickets as well.
Many people are surprised that the the discounts available to those serving and who served until retirement aren’t extended to those who served for a short time and then moved on.
But consider this example from the civilian workplace. If you worked for GM you’d get great discounts on cars and discounts that GM had worked out with other companies, you’d also continue to receive these after you retired. But if you left GM after a few years, you’d no longer be eligible for these discounts.
I do understand the eligibity issues revolving around military discounts but i also know that some veterans look at it from a stand point that there are people eligible who haven’t served in time of war and i think that is what really gets to them. I know that’s the case for my boyfriend.
Thank you so much for the information! We are actually going Veteran’sDay weekend and really looking forward to it!!!
I appreciate his service, I hope that you have a great time!
My father who is a retired veteran bought 11 Disney World Tickets at his ITT. He was not told that only 6 could be activated at a time. We planned this family trip and will be leaving in 5 days. The Family includes Aunts and cousins. Could my mother who is his spouse activate the remaining 5 tickets? She did not serve in the military but does have a military spouse ID.
Hi Magdalena,
The ITT should have told him the 6 ticket limit. One option would for him to try and return the extra 5 because they didn’t inform him correctly, either now or after the trip if you end up not being able to use them.
The tickets whether activated by your dad (the member) or your mom go against the member’s social security number and the limit is 6 per ssn.
Disney does allow large families to activate more than 6 but but by that they mean Mom, Dad and their young dependent kids, this does not apply to extended adult families (Aunts & UNcles).
Having said that you could try to talk one of Disney’s ticket booth workers into helping you, I don’t know how successful you’ll be with a party that large. I’ve heard of one over the limit… but try every ticket window at every park and the Guest Relations office at Downtown Disney. And if they wont let you activate the other 5 they may let you convert them into regular tickets by paying the difference.
I hope it all works out!
Please let me know what happens, Steve
Well we have already bought our flight tickets and hotel accommodations. I really wish that we were told at the ITT office! I am not sure about upgrading the ticket as I don’t know all who are coming could afford it. I am wondering if we could find a military person who would activate the tickets with their ID. Obviously someone who is not bothered about using up some of there ticket options up. Maybe if we paid for a ticket for them or something.
Hello Steve,
I am a member of Her Majesty’s forces currently deployed out in Afghanistan working closely with the USMC. I have a trip planned to Orlando in Feb 12 and a few of the USMC lads have indicated that i might be eligible for military discounted tickets. I would be travelling with my wife and four children. Any information on tickets would be of great value as many sites on here are very misleading.
Regards
HI there Richard,
I love working with out partners. I work with several from the Canadian Forces now and used to fly into RAF MIldenhall all the time.
The only discount that I’m aware of for non-US military is through the Shades of Green resort, the military owned and operated resort on Disney property. The discount is fro those stationed in or on temporary duty to the US and certain credentials are required. I recently did a post on it. here. Check it to see if you can obtain the required documents.
Hope it works out!
I am planning a trip for myself and children to Disney soon. Do you have to have the military member with you to get discounts. My husband is currently deployed and won’t be home for the trip.
Hi Linda,
First thanks to your husband for his service and to you for keeping things going while he is away!
He does not have to be with you in order for you to use the Armed Forces Salute discount at Disney parks and resorts.
Check out these pages and let me know if you have any questions
Armed Forces Salute FAQ
Armed Forces Salute
Shades of Green
Is this per day? If so, how much is it without discount?
Room discounts are available through Disney Central Reservations or your travel agent.
Theme park tickets may be purchased at Disney Theme Park ticket windows with tax added. Or at Shades of Green (in Orlando Florida) or your Base’s Ticket Office with no tax added.
The available Discounts are as follows:
For Walt Disney World
Park Tickets – You may purchase Up to six Disney World theme park tickets, including a ticket for the military member. The tickets options are:
• Four-Day Park Hopper Ticket for $138.00
• Four-Day Water Park and More Ticket for $138.00
• Four-Day Park Hopper Ticket plus the Water Park and More Option for $165.00.
Hello there RC,
Well, the text from this post that you pasted into your question says 4-Day tickets.
The regular cost is:
Regular military discount (available at Shades of Green or your Base Ticket Office)
• Four-Day Park Hopper Ticket for $293.00
• Four-Day Water Park and More Ticket for $293.00
• Four-Day Park Hopper Ticket plus the Water Park and More Option for $348.00.
Disney Gate price (no discount includes tax)
• Four-Day Park Hopper Ticket for $317.37
• Four-Day Water Park and More Ticket for $317.37
• Four-Day Park Hopper Ticket plus the Water Park and More Option for $375.95.
So you can see this is a great savings.
Note the prices I quoted in this reply are for tickets that expire 14 days after first use. Tickets with no expiration would be an additional $75.00
My husband is a veteran who is disabled. He does not have military id but he does have a veteran id card. Will this work or do we need military id? When we booked our package I was not married to him and could still use my military id. Now we got married and not sure what to do. Need to change my name for my package. that is paid in full now.
Amy hi,
For Disney’s Armed Forces Salute this is what Disney says their requirement is for disabled vets: “Note: Permanently Disabled Veterans are also eligible for this offer. These military personnel will have a military ID with a DAVPRM status.” DAVPRM stands for Disabled Veteran Permanent.
Shades of Green extends eligibility to both 100% disabled vets (Honorably discharged veterans with 100 percent Service-connected disability. ID is DD Form 1173 or DD Form 2765) and non-retired vets (at certain times).
I’m not sure how your getting married affects the use of your military ID. Could you elaborate?
My husband is 100% disabled with the VA. Do we quaifly for the Armed Forces Salute reduced tickets. I am planning on bringing my daughter and family to Disney World in Jan. 2013 and would need 4 adult and 2 children tickets. I have my military ID. I would like to order the tickets so I could give them as Christmas gifts. Thanks
Hi Janet,
The short answer is yes to the slight regular military discounts and Shades of Green stays; and maybe to the Armed Forces Salute.
I did a post on this subject a while back, here is the link: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-discounts/disney-military-discounts-a-confusing-topic-for-disabled-veterans/
Look it over and let me know if you have any further questions!
Steve
Hi Steve we have a trip for 12 people planned in three weeks, my sister-in-law who is the spouse and my mom who has a military ID but is divorced from my military father tried to buy tickets. My sister- in- law had no problem my mother on the other hand was denied because of her divorce status was told they would not activate the cards with the DB code on her ID. Is this new/true because we had no proble two years ago when we went. Also I find it very disheartening that we will have THREE military ID’s among 12 people and are faced with such an obstacle.
Hi Stacey,
It is really fun to go to Disney with a big group! I know however it works out monetarily you’ll have a great time.
You didn’t mention who had the third ID, is that you?
I have to be honest I am not familiar with the DB code, but I assume that your mom still has an ID because they were married for 20 years during which time your dad was in the military. Is that right?
I’d think if she is entitled to split his retirement then splitting the tickets would be appropriate.
I’m sure the Disney ticket booth workers are not to familiar either… When you went before I’m sure they just looked for her spouse ID. Might happen again if you buy the tickets there.
Just to be clear though, the Armed Forces Salute is your dad’s benefit according to Disney. Spouses are allowed to purchase/activate these tickets when the member is unable to go. Disney uses the example of the member being deployed. And if you guys use these tickets it will prevent your dad from being able to get any.
Hope this helped some…
My husband is retired from the Air Force and I have an expired spouse military id (I’ve had no need for it since we don’t live close to a military base) that I am going to renew. I, along with four family members, am going to Disney World in early December 2012. We have active military family too, but they will not be going.
First, I believe I will qualify for the Salute tickets, right?
Also, could the active military person purchase 5 tickets (1 for me and then 4 for those traveling with me) on his base and then could I activate them when we all go to Disney in December? The active military individual would not be present and my spouse, the retired Air Force individual, would not be either.
Thanks!
Hi Sandy,
With your renewed spouse ID you will be able to activate up to 6 Armed Forces Salute tickets without your spouse the retired military member present.
Your other family member could purchase the tickets and then you activate them at Disney. Or you could wait till you get there and buy them yourself at Shades of Green or at a Disney ticket booth (you’ll pay tax at a Disney ticket booth though).
Have fun!