Military Disney Tips Blog Rotating Header Image



Visit Your Base Information Tickets and Travel Office

Your Base’s Information Tickets and Travel (ITT) Office can be a fantastic resource for finding Military Discounts.

Not only can you purchase Military Discounted tickets for destinations such as Walt Disney World, Disneyland, the Universal Studios parks, and the Anheuser-Busch theme Parks (the SeaWorlds & Busch Gardens) at the ITT Office, but you also can find discounts on other local attractions as well as many regional hotels.

My base ITT Office just hosted a Travel Fair, at which representatives from many destinations set up booths to inform military members of their military discounts. There were representatives from some South Eastern towns, Orlando area hotels, and Orlando area attractions including: Universal Studios Orlando, Kennedy Space Center, Legoland Florida, Gatorland, and Boggy Creek Airboat Rides. Each had literature and information to pass out.

Some highlights were:

(more…)

Shades of Green Caregiver Special May 2012

Shades of Green Resort - Wallt Disney World FloridaShades of Green has unveiled a very short term discount for those who care for wounded or ill military members.

Shades of Green Caregiver Special is designed as a respite for those providing for our country’s wounded and ill Armed Forces members, veterans, and Family Members.

The dates the discount is available are: May 10th–20th, 2012

The discounted rate is: Only $69.00 per night!

The $69.00 per night (double occupancy) special rate includes:

  • Standard Room Accommodations
  • Additional guests 18 and over $15.00 per night
  • Only Valid May 10th-20th, 2012
  • (Blackout dates may apply)

In order to qualify for this rate e-mail Shades of Green reservations at: Reservations@shadesofgreen.org with your story of being a caregiver. Shades will respond within 2 days to advise you if you qualify.

Note: To be eligible as a caregiver to stay at the resort you must also meet our standard Eligibility Requirements – Must be Active Duty or Retired military, members of the Guard or Reserve, DoD civilian employees, and Family Members of the above groups with a military/Government ID card.

If you are new to Military Disney Tips Start Here

Disney’s Armed Forces Salute FAQ

Information on Shades of Green – the Military Hotel on Disney World property

For up to the minute news get our Newsletter and follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and now Shades of Green Services and Activities

Military Gay and Lesbian Association will hold conference at Shades of Green

OutServe the association of actively-serving LGBT military personnel will hold their second Annual OutServe International Leadership Conference at the Shades of Green Resort. Shades of Green is a military owned and operated resort located on Walt Disney World property in Orlando Florida.

The Leadership Conference is scheduled for 25 – 28 October 2012.

LGBT Leadership Conference at Disney World's Shades of Green

The Conference will welcome currently serving LGBT and straight military members, veterans, spouses/partners, and allies to join workshops and meetings. Last year’s conference which was held in Las Vegas boasted an attendance of 200 members. This year’s conference numbers are expected to double. Like the 2011 Conference, this year’s will provide an international forum on creating an environment of respect in the military with regards to sexual orientation and gender identity.

(more…)

Shades of Green at Walt Disney World Celebrates Their 18th Birthday with a Clam Bake

Shades of Green Resort - Wallt Disney World FloridaWednesday 15 February, Shades of Green will celebrate their eighteenth birthday with a clam Bake served on Mangino’s Patio from 5:00 – 9:30pm.

Manginos is Shades of Green premier Italian restaurant.

 

The Clam Bake menu consists of:

Clam Chowder for an appetizer and a bucket of seafood containing,

  • Lobster
  • Shrimp
  • Clams
  • Muscles
  • Corn on the Cob
  • Red Skin Potatos

Specialty drinks will be available.

This menu will also be available inside Manginos

The cost for the Clam Bake is $25.95.

Interested in Shades of Green’s history? Here is an excerpt from last year’s post covering Shades of Green’s history.

 

“In 1992, after Desert Storm Army MWR placed an ad in the Orlando Sentinel inquiring if anyone in the local business community would be interested in leasing a resort property to the Army. The number of rooms and required amenities, such as a pool, restaurant and lounge were listed. They received 40 responses, it was decided that the offer from the Walt Disney World Company to lease the Disney Inn was the right offer. After negotiations were completed the Shades of Green opened it’s doors on 1 February 1994.”

Read the rest of the post here.

 The beautiful view to the rear of Shades of Green

 

If you are new to Military Disney Tips Start Here

Disney’s Armed Forces Salute FAQ

Information on Shades of Green the Military Hotel on Disney World property

For up to the minute news get our Newsletter and follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and now Shades of Green Services and Activities

Shades of Green’s Valentines Dinner Menu

Valentines Day at Shades of Green

photo by maple

Shades of Green has announced their dinner menu for Valentines Day.

The special dinner will be served from 5:30 until 10:00pm on Valentines Day 14 February 2012 in Manginos Italian Bistro

The meal consists of four courses.

First, the appetizer is Blackened Shrimp with Mango Papaya Salsa.

The salad course consists of a Classic Wedge Salad served with Gorgonzola, Bacon, and Ranch Dressing.

You will have your choice of entrees, select from: (more…)

When to expect Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Renewal for dates after 30 September 2012?

2012-2013 Disney Armed Forces Salute - Military Disney Ticket and Room DiscountWhen can we expect News on Disney renewing their Armed Forces Salute past 30 September 2012 end date?

A Little History

The current Disney Armed Forces Salute runs through 30 Sept 2012. It is basically the 4th year in a row Disney has had a special military discount with steeply discounted tickets and rooms. This round of discounts was prompted by the economic downturn, which began in late 2008. Prior to this the last special offer was in 2002 during the post 9/11 travel industry downturn.

On 4 January 2009 Disney announced and started their Armed Forces Salute, which ran through 23 December 2009. This offer included a free 5-day ticket for the member and up to 5 more for $99.

Then on 21 December 2009, they announced the 2010 offer. Tickets had to be purchased by 31 July 2010 (later extended to 31 August) and the offer only ran through 30 September 2010. This time military members could purchase up to six 4-day tickets at $99. The free one for the member was gone.

All through August and September 2009 Disney officials said they would not be continuing these offers past 30 Sept. Then on 4 Oct after the offer had ended they announced a 30-40% room discount through 30 Sept 2011. The 2011 ticket offer was not announced (because of legal issues with the military) until 24 October. So there was no ticket offer for 23 days in October 2010.

A Major Surprise

(more…)

Should all military veterans be eligible for Disney’s Armed Forces Salute?

Can non-retired veterans get a Disney military discount?

Image va.gov

Should non-retired military veterans, those who for whatever reason decided not to make the military a career, be eligible for Disney’s Armed Forces Salute?

The question of eligibility for Disney military discounts for non-retired vets is one that I get on a regular basis. This past summer I started to get quite a few of this question prompting an update of my Non-Retired Veterans now eligible for stays at Shades of Green Resort on Disney Property page.

Over the past 2 weeks I started receiving numerous emails on the subject again. Just a couple of days ago a thread topic on the disboards message board asked the question “Should all military veterans be eligible for Disney’s Armed Forces Salute?” several posters replied with some comments and then the thread devolved into an argument which the moderators deleted.

I wanted to get a feel for what my readers thought so I’ve decided to start a poll.

I can see both sides of this and I’ll do my best to outline each as well as add some of my thoughts below.

The Question

The Disney Company extends military discounts to current service members as well as retired (20 year veterans) members but not to those who served for a period less than 20 years and separated prior to retirement.

Do you think that the Disney Company should extend their military discounts to all who served honorably?

Please continue reading before you vote!

Honor Those Who Served

Many who email me ask that Disney honor their service, which while not over 20 years was faithfully and honorably discharged. With our country having been at war for the last 10 years, so many who served their terms and separated are combat veterans. Plus there are still many Viet Nam Vets out there. They risked their lives for our country and feel slighted that they are not eligible for these discounts.

(more…)

Military Discounts Available at Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii

Military Discounts Available at Aulani  a Disney Vacation Club Resort in HawaiiDisney is offering Military Discounts at Aulani, their new Disney Vacation Club Resort located in Hawaii.

Amy at Ears of Experience reports that 25% military discounts are available at Aulani through the end of the year, subject to availability so book early.

These discounts are on regular rooms, one and two bedroom villas but NOT on 3 bedrooms or parlors.

Aulani translated from the Hawaiian language to English means “the place that speaks for the great ones” or “the place that speaks with deep messages.”

DVC Aulani MIlitary Discounts in Hawaii

Disney says they “…want this resort destination to reflect the vibrant culture that surrounds it. The name ‘Aulani’ expresses a connection to tradition and deep story-telling – and its roots are here in this land.”

Aulani’s centerpiece is the Waikolohe Valley complex, an 8,200-square-foot water-play area dominated by a large pool and a two-channel lazy river. Other amenities include a snorkeling lagoon, a water-play area called Menehune Bridge and a nightly “hui,” a guest event/gathering with entertainment. Four restaurants, two lounges and an 18,000-square-foot spa are also on the property.

(more…)

2012 Disney Armed Forces Salute Blockout Dates

2012 Disney Armed Forces Salute - Military Disney Ticket and Room Discount

Why can’t I use my military discount tickets at Disney World / Disneyland during Spring Break?

I get a lot of e-mail questions and this is a very common one that I’m asked.

Since it’s beginning in January 2009 the Disney Armed Forces Salute has always had days that the special military discount tickets were not able to be used for admission to Disney’s theme parks. Disney calls these days Blockout Dates (some people refer to them as blackout dates).

They are typically a week during Christmas, 2 weeks during Spring Break, and a few days around the Fourth of July. Each year the Blockout Dates have been slightly different.

The remaining Blockout Dates for the 2012 Armed Forces Salute are:

At Disney World

1-12 April 2012 (Magic Kingdom only)
4 July 2012 (Magic Kingdom only)

At Disneyland

17-19 February 2012
2-14 April 2012
4 July 2012

Many very frustrated readers have contacted me both recently and over the last couple of years, to ask why this is so. They always want to know, “Why won’t Disney allow me to use the discount military tickets during the only time I can go to Disney?”

Many feel that since it’s a military salute there should be no date exclusions. They don’t want to pull the kids out of school to use the discount at another time when it is available.

Disney’s Motivation for the Salute

(more…)

Shades of Green Offers A Discount for Military Appreciation Month

Shades of Green Resort - Wallt Disney World FloridaMilitary Appreciation Month is May 2012 and Shades of Green will be offering discounted room rates during part of the month.

The dates that this discount is available are 1-19 May and 27-31 May 2012

Black out dates are May 20th – 26th.

The Discounted Rates Are:

  • Category 1 guests $89.00 per night
  • Category 2 guests $99.00 per night
  • Category 3 guests $99.00 per night

See here for category definitions

To reserve your reservation follow the below link and use one of the following codes and insert in the group code box (please do not use the military/civilian grade box) :

MILAPP1 for category 1 guests $89.00 per night stay (E1-E5, Cadet)
MILAPP2 for category 2 guests $99.00 per night stay (E6-E9,O1-O3,100% Disabled Veterans, Widows, Medal of Honor Recipients)
MILAPP3 for category 3 guests $99.00 per night stay (O4-O6, CW4-CW6, O7-O10, Active Duty Foreign Military, DoD Active/Retired)

Click here to make your reservation.

Military Appreciation Month Special is available on standard rooms only on a first come first serve basis. Must book online to receive this offer. Discount will be taken from applicable room rate based on category. Subject to availability. Cannot be combined with any other offer.

See all the current Shades of Green Packages

Shades of Green Links

Did you enjoy this post? If you’d like more like it, please share it through your favorite social media by clicking the buttons below to let me know.