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The American Adventure at Epcot’s World Showcase

May 30th, 2011
by Steve.
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The American Adventure at Epcot - copyright DisneyWelcome to another installment of my series Patriotic Disney in which I’ll be discussing the many facets of Walt Disney’s patriotism and how it permeates his work and legacy.

Many of the lands and attractions in Disney’s theme Parks reveal his patriotism, his love of the American way of life and belief in the entrepreneurial spirit. One of my very favorite Disney quotes is “If you can dream it, you can do it.” Lands like Main Street USA, Liberty Square, and Frontierland bring us back to the formative years of our country. And attractions like the Hall of Presidents and the American Adventure speak to what sets America apart.

The American Adventure is located at the very back of Epcot’s World Showcase, as you enter World Showcase you can see the pavilion directly across the lagoon. The American Adventure Pavilion is a massive structure in order to house the large theater and show mechanisms. The building is five stories tall, but through Disney’s use of forced perspective it’s made to appear only three stories tall.

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Armed Forces Vacation Club May Blowout Sale

May 18th, 2011
by Steve.
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The Armed Forces Vacation Club, often shortened to just AFVC, is a great way to save on your theme park vacation stays. AFVC is part of Wyndham Worldwide and they offer 7 night stays at condominium-style timeshare resorts in more than 80 countries to active and retired members of the armed forces, department of defense employees, and select civil servants. Other civil servants who do not qualify can use the sister program Government Employees Travel Opportunities.

Both programs regularly offer week-long stays for $369 ($349 if you book online). But during their May Blowout Sale the price has dropped to $299 per 7 nights. That’s just $42 dollars per night. Many Armed Forces Vacation Club properties offer home-like conveniences, such as balconies or terraces and fully equipped kitchens. And also provide amenities you aren’t likely to get with a typical hotel or motel room, such as on-site recreational facilities, swimming pools, fitness centers, game rooms, gift shops, restaurants and organized activities. (more…)

Walt Disney World’s Liberty Tree

May 7th, 2011
by Steve.
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Walt Disney was a very patriotic man, proud of and confident in the American spirit. He looked forward to what we could achieve and back at what we had achieved. Disney’s theme parks are filled with homages to that spirit. From the lands within the parks: Main Street USA, Liberty Square, and Frontierland; to the attractions and restaurants they contain: The American Adventure, The Hall of Presidents, the Columbia Harbor House, and the Liberty Tree Tavern.

This is the first post in a new category, Patriotic Disney. I and guest posters will cover all things patriotic about Disney, from Walt himself, to his works, and of course the theme parks. I hope that you enjoy these posts.

Today I’ll be taking about Walt Disney World’s Liberty Tree. You may be familiar with the Liberty Tree Tavern located in the Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Square, but it’s possible you might have walked right past the Liberty Tree. Many do, in the rush to take in all that WDW has to offer.

The Liberty Tree in Liberty Square - Walt Disney World

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Universal Orlando Military Discount 2011 & 2012 – Orlando Military Discounts Series

Apr 15th, 2011
by Steve.
7 comments

Universal Orlando Military Salute

No update to Universal Studio’s stance on a special military offer for 2012.

Welcome to the third installment of the Orlando Military Discounts Series, in which I’ll cover the Military Discounts still available for Universal Orland’s theme parks. The first installment covered Disney’s Armed Forces Salute and the second covered Anheuser-Busch’s Sea World and Busch Garden’s Hero Salute. The final post in the series I’m going to call “There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch” which will wrap it all up.

Lots of search terms bring visitors to my site, besides people searching for information on Disney Military Discounts I get lots of people searching for Universal Studios Orlando Military Discounts for 2011 and also on Sea World and Busch Gardens Military Discounts.

Universal Studios is not currently offering a special Military Salute Discount offer. In previous years they did, but their most recent Military Salute (7-day hoppers, free for the member & $94 for guests) ended on 30 March 2010, and they have confirmed to me twice that they have no plans for further offers like this.

Here are the specifics on the regular military discounts that are sill available at Universal Orlando.


Military Discounted Universal Orlando theme park tickets – May be purchased at Shades of Green or your base ticket office. (Prices quoted below are for base ITT offices, Shades of Green’s prices are within 2 dollars)

Base Tickets 
(One park per day)

  • 1-Day Base $82.00 Child $74.00
  • 2-Day Base $111.00 Child $98.00
  • 3-Day Base $119.00 Child $105.00
  • 4-Day Base $126.00 Child $111.00

Park To Park Access 

(Multiple parks per day)

  • 1-Day Adult $112.00 Child $102.00
  • 2-Day Adult $129.00 Child $116.00
  • 3-Day Adult $131.00 Child $117.00
  • 4-Day Adult $135.00 Child $119.00
  • 7-Day Adult $157.00 Child $139.00

Child tickets for ages 3-9

All multi-day tickets also include fourteen (14) consecutive calendar days of admission to the paid entertainment venues of Universal CityWalk® which commences and includes the first day any portion of the ticket is used.

 

Military Discounted Blue Man Group Tickets – Universal has continued their Military Discounted Tickets for the Blue Man Group Show at it’s Orlando Florida theme park.

The special military price is $49.00, compared to the regular box office price of $89.00

Blue Man Group tickets are available for sale at select base ticket offices and Shades of Green.

 

Universal Orlando Military Vacation Packages – These packages are for what Universal calls a 3-night/4-day getaway, and include both theme park tickets (for 2 days) and resort room accommodations. They start at two different price points based upon resort choice and other options.

The two price points are $229.00 and $379.00 per adult. Universal advertises that these prices are up to a 30% savings. These rates are for active, retired, and reserve military personnel.

The cheaper $229 per adult package includes

• 3 night’s accommodations at a Universal Partner Hotel
• 2 Day Base tickets (one park per day) (normally $111 at regular military discounted price)
• Access to live entertainment at Universal CityWalk
• Early Park Admission to experience the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

An example of a Universal Partner Hotel is the Fairfield Inn and Suites on International Drive, Orlando FL.

The more expensive $379 per adult package includes

• All the above from the cheaper package
• An upgrade to one of Universal’s On-Site Deluxe Hotels
• Universal’s Express Plus access to rides (bypass regular standby lines – a $40 + tax per day value)

The On-Site Universal Hotels are:
• Loews Royal Pacific Resort
• Hard Rock Hotel
• Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

These Military Vacation Packages are valid through 21 December 2011.

To book your vacation call 1-888-340-4614

I want to take this opportunity to encourage Universal Orland to step it up and offer a Military Salute again like it’s competitors Walt Disney Theme Parks and the Anheuser-Busch Company have continued to do.

For some thoughts on why Universal isn’t offering a military salute any more see our sister site Universal Parks Military Discounts

Specifically these posts:

3 Reasons why there isn’t a 2011 Universal Orlando Military Salute ticket offer

Another reason there is no military salute at Universal Orlando in 2011

Next time look for “There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch”

If you missed the first two installments of this series they are located here:
1. Disney Military Discount 2011 – Orlando Military Discounts Series
2. Sea World Busch Gardens Military Salute 2011 – Orlando Military Discounts Series

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 follow us on facebook and twitter.

Free Disney Planning & Reservation Checklist

Sea World Busch Gardens Military Salute 2011 & 2012 – Orlando Military Discounts Series

Apr 13th, 2011
by Steve.
28 comments

Anheuser-Busch's Heres to the Heroes Military SaluteHere’s to the Heroes Extended throughout 2012.

Welcome to this second installment of the Orlando Military Discounts Series, which will cover Anheuser-Busch’s Here’s to the Hero Salute for Sea World and Busch Gardens for 2011. The first installment covered Disney’s Armed Forces Salute and the next will 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.

Recently many people have been searching the web for information on Sea World Military Discounts for 2011 and Busch Gardens Military Discounts for 2011. These theme parks and several others are owned by the Anheuser-Busch Company, a proud supporter of our US Military.

Anheuser-Busch has offered Free One-Day Sea World Military Tickets and Busch Gardens Military Tickets, as well as tickets for their other parks to the military since 2005. A tradition that they have continued every year through 2011.

This Fabulous Offer Has Been Extended For 2012 at SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and other Busch Theme Parks

Here are the specifics on Anheuser-Busch’s 2011 Here’s to the Heroes Salute. This offer is free one-day admission to one of their theme parks: Sea World (Orlando, San Diego, San Antonio*), Busch Gardens (Tampa Bay, Williamsburg*), Sesame Place*, Adventure Island, or Water Country USA for themselves and up to three direct family members. Dependants may take advantage of the offer without the sponsor present.

* Sea World San Antonio, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, and Sesame Place are operated seasonally.

This offer runs on a calendar year basis and currently expires on 31 December 2011. It’s available to all five armed services, Active, Reserve, or National Guard. Members can register ahead of time online or at the theme park ticket booths. Those 10 and over must present military or dependant IDs. There are no blockout dates with this offer. Parking is $14.

I want to compliment the Anheuser Busch Company on it’s great offer of a Military Salute year in-year out since 2005, as well as all the other things they do to support our troops!

If you are new to Military Disney Tips Start Here

Check Here for further info on the Here’s to the Heroes Salute and Sea World Orlando.

Next time look for the Military Discounts still available for Universal Orlando’s theme parks

If you missed the first installment of this series it’s located here:
1. Disney Military Discount 2011 – Orlando Military Discounts Series

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 follow us on facebook and twitter.

Free Disney Planning & Reservation Checklist

Disney Military Discount 2011 & 2012 – Orlando Military Discounts Series

Apr 11th, 2011
by Steve.
18 comments

Disney announces Armed Forces Salute extended until September 2012

We are half way through the fiscal year, the traditional cycle on which Disney has run it’s Armed Forces Salute (sometimes called Disney’s Military Salute). There are roughly five and a half months left on this current offer, which expires 1 October 2011. I still get lots of questions on Disney’s Salute as well as Anheuser-Busch’s Sea World and Busch Garden’s Hero Salute, and the long departed Universal Orlando Military Salute. So I thought it would be a great idea to post a series of review pieces on each of the different park’s current offers.

This first installment of the Orlando Military Discounts Series covers the Disney Armed Forces Salute for 2011. 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 2010-2011 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 $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.

These tickets (including any options) may not be used on the following blockout dates: 17 – 23 April 2011, and 4 July 2011 at the Magic Kingdom Theme Park

Resort Room Discounts –

• 40% off Deluxe Resorts
• 35% off Moderate Resorts and Fort Wilderness Cabins
• 30% off Value Resorts.

Resort room discounts are not available on the following blockout dates: 17-30 April 2011

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 $99.00

These tickets may not be used on the following blockout dates: 17 – 23 April 2011, and 1 – 4 July 2011.

Resort Room Discounts –

• Up to 40% off Resorts

Resort room discounts are not available on the following blockout dates: 17-30 April 2011

Further details are:

Theme Park Tickets must be purchased by 28 September 2011 and Activated by 1 October 2011. 1 October is the last day these tickets will be valid for use, so you need to have a plan to use them (and all options) prior or forfeit those days.

When you purchase tickets at your base ticket office or Shades of Green you’ll be given paper tickets, these tickets will be exchanged for plastic tickets at the 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.

These paper tickets are then taken to the theme park ticket window to be exchanged and activated. 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 social 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.

If you are new to Military Disney Tips Start Here

Check Here for up to date information and news on a 2012 Disney Armed Forces Salute.


Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets – Are They Always The Right Choice

There is further fine print from Disney and it’s located here.

Next time look for Anheuser-Busch’s Here’s to the Hero’s Salute for Sea World and Busch Gardens

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 follow us on facebook and twitter.

Free Disney Planning & Reservation Checklist

Walt Disney World Flag Retreat Ceremony

Mar 10th, 2011
by Steve.
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Every day Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom holds a Retreat Ceremony. It takes place at 5:00 PM in the square at the entrance to Main Street USA. WDW Security and a special guest conduct the ceremony. Members of the Armed Services and Veterans can volunteer to be the day’s special guest by dropping by the Magic Kingdom’s Guest Services first thing in the morning. Guest Services is located to the left as you walk under the WDW train station and enter the Park.

UPDATE: WDW has a new selection process.

The ceremony is a wonderful experience! For participating you receive a certificate, a photo taken at the event, and a pin. It is well worth it to take the time out of your day to participate or just watch!

It is possible to reserve your chance to participate up to seven days early. You’ll still need to go to city hall to do so.

Click here to see some pictures of the ceremony

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 follow us on facebook and twitter.

Military Disney Tips Round-Up 6 March 2011

Mar 6th, 2011
by Steve.
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Military Disney Tips Round-Up, Woody (C) Disney

It's a Round-Up Partner

It’s the end of the week again, this one flew by… So here is this week’s Round Up.

This past week I finished work on my Free Disney World Planning & Reservations Checklist. I sent it out to all the members of my mailing list and it is now available for free download when new members join the mailing list. I hope that you find it useful, it’s full of good planning ideas and clickable web links. Let me know if you have any suggestions! If you aren’t a mailing list member just sign up with the form in the column to the right.

On a similar note, Dave at The Walt Disney World Instruction Manual – yourfirstvisit.net has a post with links to his To-Do Lists for Walt Disney World, I guess great minds do think alike…

Have you seen the great new campaign by the Consumer Federation of America and all the military services? It’s called Military Saves. Military Saves is a social marketing campaign to persuade, motivate, and encourage military families to save money every month, and to convince leaders and organizations to be aggressive in promoting automatic savings. Check it out, some of your savings could go to a Disney Vacation…

Coming soon to the Disney Food Blog: The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book! AJ from DFB says “…when you’re planning a Walt Disney World visit and need expert advice and insider tips, you don’t always want to read dining news and information about the other Disney parks around the world. We wrote The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book as an organized manual that covers everything you need to know about planning your dining and maximizing your experience when you’re in Walt Disney World.” AJ got so may questions about the book she wrote this second post.

As a reminder Blockout dates are approaching for both Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Tickets and the Room Only discounts as well.

Disney Military Promotional Tickets (including any options) may not be used at either Disney World or Disneyland, April 17, 2011 through April 23, 2011,

And also July 4, 2011 at Magic Kingdom Park; and July 1, 2011 through July 4, 2011 at the Disneyland Theme Parks.

Room Blockout dates are 17-30 April 2011.

Make sure you include these dates in your planning!

All the offer details are located here: Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Continued for 2011

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 follow us on facebook and twitter.

Military Disney Tips Round-Up 27 February 2011

Feb 27th, 2011
by Steve.
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Military Disney Tips Round-Up, Woody (C) Disney

It's a Round-Up Partner

Hi and welcome to this week’s Round-Up

I received a cool e-mail the other day. Military Disney Tips has been selected as one of the 50 Best Disney Blogs by ZenCollegeLife. Kind of cool, my first “award”… I’d like to thank Mickey, and Minnie, and of course Walt… Music starts to play, and Steve is escorted off the stage…

I just finished my new Military Disney Tips – Disney World Planning and Reservation Checklist. Newsletter readers, your’s should be waiting in your inbox. If you don’t get the newsletter fill it the sign up form to the right to get your copy.

And from around the web:

Dave at Your First Visit has some more info on Disney World’s NextGen Project. Fastpass your whole vacation before leaving home.

Chip and Company also has some Fastpass info, reserve your time with Disney characters

AJ at the Disney Food Blog has a great review of Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion Margarita Stand. We make sure to hit this stand whenever we are in Epcot, yummy!

I just found the outstanding WDWPhotography site, simply awesome!

Well that wraps it up for this week, thanks for reading!

Do you know any other cool Disney sites? Post them in the comments below.

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 follow us on facebook and twitter.

Military Experience and the Civilian Follow-On Job

Feb 12th, 2011
by Steve.
No comments yet

Disney World has a High-Tech Command Center, similar to Military Command Centers!

In my 30 Dec Round-Up I linked to an article about how Disney World is trying to tackle lines in it’s Orlando theme parks. They are not only trying to find ways to make lines shorter by tweaking rides, but also redirecting or attracting crowds away from rides experiencing peek wait times.

The article on the New York Times site talked about the new high tech command center that Disney has built to monitor the parks and control/direct their efforts to make guest’s experience in the parks more enjoyable.

This command center, under the Magic Kingdom, is very similar to your average military command center, where our troops are stationed world-wide and work every day.

Well, I just found this article on recruitingtrends.com which talks about the skills our troops bring to the civil sector when looking for their next job. The article calls the Disney command center big news because “The Walt Disney Operational Command Center is news because it is a clear, understandable, and relevant adaptation of military concepts to civilian organizations.”

As our world becomes more and more high-tech the high-tech skills our troops use to defend our country will become more and more valuable.

How can your MOS/AFSC apply to the civil sector? How’s the continuing education coming? What’s your exit strategy?

Disney Careers

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 follow us on facebook and twitter.

Free Disney Planning & Reservation Checklist

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