What did we do before Disney’s fabulous Armed Forces Salute?
Many newer members of the military have never experienced a time when Disney did not offer the Disney Armed Forces Salute, but before January 2009, there was no such thing (except for one similar offer during part of 2002).
Before these fairly new Salute Offers we had the Regularly Discounted Disney Tickets and we still do today.
There are many reasons why you might want or need to use these good old standbys. Read on to see why.
Regular Disney Military Discounted Tickets
While the Regular Disney Military Discount Tickets may be little known by newbies and long forgotten by many old heads, they are still available. These tickets are identical to the general public Disney Magic Your Way Tickets at Walt Disney World and Theme Park Admission Tickets at Disneyland Resort but at a reduced military rate.
In 2025, Walt Disney World renamed these tickets to Walt Disney World Military Theme Park Tickets and made major changes to how they are purchased/used!
How Much Do These Tickets Save?
The savings offered by these tickets are nowhere as good as those offered by the Armed Forces Salute tickets, which is why they are often forgotten.
These tickets will only save you anywhere from 10 to 20 percent off of what the general public pays at the Disney theme park gates for the same ticket. Your savings will vary depending on the number of days and options you select.
See Specifics and Prices Here:
Why Would You Want These Tickets?
They range in length from 1 to 10 days at Disney World and 1 to 5 days at Disneyland, and they come with or without options (Park Hopping or Park Hopper Plus).
There are several reasons why you might want or need to purchase these tickets.
- A One-Day Disney Trip
- One-Day Military Discounted Disney Tickets are less than the Armed Forces Salute tickets. For two days or more, the Salute tickets are cheaper.
- Longer Disney Trips
- For stays over 7 or 8 days, some types of these Military Discounted Disney Tickets can be cheaper than using back-to-back Armed Forces Salute Tickets.
- Large Parties
- Disney allows only 6 Armed Forces Salute Tickets per military member (with exceptions for larger immediate families). If you have a large party, who are not all your dependents, then you’ll need to buy these to have enough tickets.
- Your allotment of Armed Forces Salute Tickets is used up
- There is a maximum of 6 Armed Forces Salute tickets allowed per military member during each individual Salute Offer’s timeframe. If you’ve used yours up for the specific offer in question, the regular military discount tickets are your next best option.
- You want to go to the Disney parks on days the Armed Forces Salute tickets are Blocked Out.
- There are days on which the AFS tickets are not valid
- You will not have a valid military ID when you go to Disney.
- If I Buy Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets While I’m a Military Member, Can I Use Them After I Separate From the Military?
- My Military Sponsor Can No Longer Go To Disney, Can I Use The Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets They Already Purchased?
- I Don’t Have The Correct ID To Activate Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets
- Can I Give My Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets to Someone Else to Use?
- You want to buy tickets for others to use without you or your spouse
- Children dependents traveling without you or your spouse
- Other family
- Friends
Where Can You Get These Tickets?
Not at Disney!
These tickets are not for sale at Walt Disney World or Disneyland ticket windows. You must buy them from a Military Reseller on a military installation.
Your Base Ticket Office – Most Bases have a Morale Welfare and Recreation Information Ticket and Travel Office, which carries a variety of military discounted tickets, both for Disney and other venues.
Bases do not always carry a full complement of these Regular Military discounted Tickets. Because they might not have the type of ticket you want in stock, you should check at least 3 or 4 weeks prior to the date you want to have your tickets in hand, so they can have time to order the kind you want if necessary. Note: Some bases may not be willing to order tickets…
Shades of Green – A full complement of Military Discounted Disney World Magic Your Way Tickets is available at Shades of Green, the military-owned and operated resort on Walt Disney World property. If your base can’t get what you want, Shades will have it.
Shades of Green will sell you tickets long-distance.
Camp Pendleton will sell you these tickets via phone and FedEx, they require 2 weeks advance notice to order!
Other Theme Parks
Base ITT Offices and Shades of Green also sell tickets for other theme parks like SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Universal Studios, and many other attractions. Definitely drop by your base ITT Office to find deals like these.
Where to Buy Military Discounted Walt Disney World and Disneyland Tickets
It is not possible to get a military discount on these tickets directly through Disney at their ticket windows, online or by phone!
The MWR system sells Disneyland Resort Tickets at a slight discount through Base Ticket Offices.
Some ticket offices maintain a good variety of Disney tickets in stock, while others only keep a few types on hand. Some Ticket Offices don’t keep any in stock. If you desire tickets that they do not carry, they may be able to order exactly what you want.
Be sure to check on purchasing your tickets at least 2 weeks or more prior to when you want to have them in hand, as it may take a week or so to order them if needed.
Many Base Ticket Offices sell Disney tickets long-distance.
Related Post:
Buy Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets from Camp Pendleton by Phone and FedEx. Look for the info on Camp Pendleton part way down.
Learn More About the Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets
The Disney Armed Forces Salute offers special military tickets. These tickets are for a specified number of days and come in several varieties. Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets come in 2 lengths at each location, 4-day, 5-day, and 6-day at Walt Disney World & 3-day and 4-day at Disneyland.
2025 Walt Disney World Armed Forces Salute Tickets
4-Day Disney Military Salute Ticket
Purchase now through December 16, 2025.
- With the Park Hopper Option: $369
- With the Park Hopper Plus Option: $399
5-Day Disney Military Salute Ticket
Purchase now through December 15, 2025.
- With the Park Hopper Option: $389
- With the Park Hopper Plus Option: $419
6-Day Disney Military Salute Ticket
Purchase now through December 14, 2025.
- With the Park Hopper Option: $409
- With the Park Hopper Plus Option: $439
Up to 6, 2025 Disneyland Armed Forces Salute Tickets may be purchased between now and 23 December 2025 per eligible member. These tickets may be used between 1 January and 27 December 2023. Note: if the member is a passholder or not part of the traveling party, the Salute Ticket limit is 5 as one of the Salute Tickets is “reserved” for the member.
2025 Disneyland Armed Forces Salute Tickets
- 3-Day Military Promotional Park Hopper Ticket: $295
- 3-Day Military Promotional Park Hopper Ticket with Lightning Lane Multi Pass: $391
- 4-Day Military Promotional Park Hopper Ticket: $349
- 4-Day Military Promotional Park Hopper Ticket with Lightning Lane Multi Pass: $477
Up to 6 Disneyland Armed Forces Salute Tickets may be used between 9 January and 15 December 2023 per eligible member. Note: if the member is a passholder or not part of the traveling party, the Salute Ticket limit is 5 as one of the Salute Tickets is “reserved” for the member.
Blockout Dates for Disney Armed Forces Salute 2023 Tickets:
Disney World:
- April 13 through April 26, 2025
- November 23 through November 29, 2025
Disneyland:
- None
For families larger than 6, Disney states “Exceptions should be made for immediate families larger than six people.” For example, if a family has five children, Disney will allow all members of the family to purchase Disney Military Promotion Tickets, for Mom, Dad, and the five kids. See this post for more info
One ticket during each purchase period must be for the use of the member or spouse, the rest can be used by anyone else (family or friends).
Days on the tickets do not need to be used consecutively. Any days left on the tickets will expire at the end of the offer period.
Tickets purchased at all military resellers (that’s Base Ticket Offices) and not directly from Disney must be activated during the first use in person by the military member or spouse. See Salute Ticket Activation Procedures
Once the tickets are activated, the party may split up. For example, some go to one park and some to another, or even use the tickets on different days. The Military ID is checked only upon ticket activation.
These tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable.
For much more info see my Disney Armed Forces Salute post.
What percentage is the military discount for Disney World?
What Other Military Discounts Are Available for Disney World and Disneyland?
Disney offers Military-Discounted Hotel Rooms through the Disney Armed Forces Salute.
Dates the Salute discount may be used:
Disney World – 1 January 2025 and runs through 19 Dec 2025
Disneyland – 1 January 2025 and runs through 27 December 2025
Walt Disney World Resort Military Discounts:
For: January 1, 2025 to April 12, 2025, April 27, 2025 to May 31, 2025, September 1, 2025 to November 22, 2025, and November 30, 2025 to December 19, 2025
- Save up to 25% at Disney’s Deluxe Resorts and DVC Resorts
- Save up to 20% at Disney’s Moderate Resorts
- Save up to 15% at Disney’s Value Resorts
For: June 1, 2025 to August 31, 2025
- Save up to 30% at Disney’s Deluxe Resorts and DVC Resorts
- Save up to 25% at Disney’s Moderate Resorts
- Save up to 20% at Disney’s Value Resorts
Disneyland Resort Hotel Military Discounts:
- Up to 40% off at the Grand Californian
- Up to 35% off at the Disneyland Hotel
- Up to 30% off at the Paradise Pier
Please note: That since 2018 the discount percentages began being offered on a sliding scale, see: How Disney Armed Forces Salute Room Discounts Work. That’s why I say Up to for the percentages just above.
See these pages for information on Walt Disney World Resorts & Disneyland Hotels
The discount is limited to 2 rooms. Not valid on previously booked rooms. Advance reservations are required.
Top Ten Things You Need To Know About Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Military Room Discounts
Disney Food Military Discounts
Disney does not offer military Discounts on food. However, Military Discounts are available for you at some non-Disney-owned locations at Disney World’s Disney Springs and Disneyland’s Downtown Disney.
Disney Springs and Downtown Disney are Disney’s dining, shopping, and entertainment areas. There you’ll find great dining options, many merchandise stores (Disney and others), as well as entertainment venues.
Here are the Disney Springs locations that offer military discounts:
| Area | Location | Discount | Specifics |
| Dining | |||
| West Side | House of Blues | 15% | Restaurant – House of Blues Website |
| West Side | AMC Theatre | $3.00 Off | After 4 PM |
| West Side | AMC Dine In Theatre | $2.50 Off | After 4 PM one military member per party |
| West Side | Splitsville | 10% | |
| The Landing | Raglan Road | 10% | Not on Merchandise |
| The Landing | Cooks of Dublin | 20% | |
| The Landing | Paradiso 37 | 15% | |
| The Landing | Chef Art Smith Homecoming | 10% | |
| The Landing | Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC | 15% | |
| Marketplace | Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop | 20% | |
| Marketplace | T-Rex | 10% | Food and non- alcoholic drinks |
| Marketplace | Rainforest Cafe | 10% | Food and non- alcoholic drinks |
| Town Center | The Polite Pig | 15% | |
| Entertainment | |||
| West Side | Cirque Du Soleil | Expected unknown at this time | |
| West Side | AMC Theater | $3.00 Off | After 4 PM |
| Merchandise | |||
| West Side | House of Blues | 15% | Merchandise – House of Blues Website |
| The Landing | Vera Bradley | 15% | |
| Marketplace | Basin | 10% | |
| Town Center | Orlando Harley Davidson | 10% | |
Here are the Downtown Disney locations that offer military discounts:
| Location | Discount |
| Splitsville | 10% |
| Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria | 10% |
| Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen | 10% |
| Earl of Sandwich | 10% |
| Ghirardelli Chocolate Company | 10% |
Note: From time to time, you may have a server that is not up to speed.
In the past, some servers were knowledgeable about the military discount their location offered, but others had to ask their manager. So be sure to ask them to double check if they say they don’t offer one!!!
Also, don’t be afraid to ask at locations not on the list! You never know, at one location without a military discount, the person gave me his Disney cast member discount and thanked me for my service.
How Does Disney Verify Military ID?
When Military tickets are purchased on base, your Base Ticket Office will verify your eligibility with your military ID. This is for all ticket purchases.
Then for the Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets, Disney requires that you activate the tickets upon arrival at a Disneyland Resort Guest Relations window. To do this, you will show your current/valid military ID.
The Regular Military Discounted Disneyland Tickets do not require an activation process on arrival, so no ID is required.
See my post on Salute Ticket Activation
Can a Military Spouse Activate Disney Salute Tickets?
Yes, absolutely, they can. Spouses are allowed to activate the Disney Armed Forces Salute Ticket in place of the member. The member is allowed 6 Salute Tickets during the offer period; the spouse may activate these in place of the member, not in addition to. They do not have an allotment of their own Salute tickets.
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
My niece is getting married in Disney in October. I have purchased the Military Salute tickets and would like to purchase 5 additional “regular” military tickets for my sister and her family. I was told by the MWR representative that I would get vouchers and have to activate them. We will all be arriving at different times. My questions:
1) Is this normal?
2) Will I be able to activate them for my guests prior to their arrival?
Hi Lisa,
Nope not normal or correct.
Only Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets need to be activated, this is due to the ID check by Disney on activation. Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets come ready to use, there is no activation. The ID check is upon purchase at the base ticket office.
If you can’t get the correct answer at your base, perhaps spending the 12 bucks for Shades of Green to ship them to you would be warranted: https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/buy-military-discounted-disney-tickets-by-phone/
I called Shades of Green recently to ask for the prices for a one day ticket that we thought we could squeeze into our Orlando trip…their price was the exact same as the gate price…? Any idea why that would be? The customer service agent was not particularly friendly enough for me to continue further into inquiring…
Hi Jenn,
Which gate price with or without sales tax? I think you are comparing the general public price with tax to Shades without…
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/faq/disney-sells-theme-park-tickets-cheaper-than-military-ticket-prices-why-is-that/
Hello,
It’s been over a year and I’m sure there’s a good chance you won’t be checking this blog as frequently as before but I have a quick question.
My question pertains to the 2022-23 season and so I understand if your response may not be accurate or if you have no response at all.
Firstly, a lot has changed regarding veteran policy (I am an honorably discharged, non-retired, service connected veteran) and I contacted my local MWR (Memphis, TN) and inquired about tickets to Disneyland (CA). So far it seems I am eligible to purchase tickets without any issues, but I read in this article and in some comments that veterans are not eligible to purchase outside of Shades of Green. Do you know if that is still true? Like I said, I spoke to an MWR rep but from personal experience, they may not be up to date on everything.
Secondly, regarding the blackout dates, for 2022 its December 16-30, are those dates restricted to only military salute tickets or do those dates also apply to regular discounted tickets?
I hope you are able to help me. Once again, I understand some time has passed and you may not have the same access to this information but any assistance is greatly appreciated.
Very respectfully,
Kay Kendall
Hi Kay,
I see every comment posted on all posts so no issues there.
To your questions, so, those eligible for the McCain Veteran Equal Access Act like you due to the service connected are eligible to purchase tickets that do not requirer a current or retired military ID at all Ticket Offices. The comments you are thinking of are non-equal access act vets who have no eligibility other than a DD-214.
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/disney-discounts-and-the-john-mccain-defense-authorization-act/
The end of Dec dates are not blockout dates for the salute, the 2022 Disney Armed Forces Salute ends on the 16th. There are no blackouts for the regular military tickets.
Hope this helps, Steve
I have a few of questions:
1. I see there are blackout dates from April 2 to April 15 for the 2023 Walt Disney World Armed Forces Salute Tickets. Can the “Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets” be used during that time?
2. With the “Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets,” how do you reserve your park days in advance?
3. If we use the “Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets” at 4 parks using the 4-day MYW Base, can we reserve our tickets at each of those parks in advance?
4. How would we add on the Genie+ option to our “Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets.”
5. How do we activate our “Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets.”
6. We do not have to have a military ID or any identification to use the “Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets.” correct? So it is okay if a friend gets them for us?
Hi Beth,
Wow you do have a few questions.
1. Yes they can, there are no blockout dates for the regular military tickets.
2. You reserve the exact same way as any ticket: Buy them ahead, link them, and reserve your parks.
3. Yes, any 4-day ticket allows the making of 4 days worth of park reservations
4. At WDW Genie+ cannot be added to tickets (since mid 2022) it can only be purchased in app via the My Disney Experience app on the day desired, any time after 12:00 a.m. At Disneyland you can still purchase it as part of a ticket or in app.
5. Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets do not require activation, they are ready for use when purchased.
6. Yes, eligible military members may purchase the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets for family and friends to use without them.
Hope this helps
Thank so much Steve for all of your answers and the quick reply!
My pleasure!
Hello Steve,
I’ve only seen a response to my question from a comment back in 2013, so I apologize if you’ve responded to a similar questions since then.
I bought (4) military discount tickets and I intend to take my wife and kids later this year.
Since I am eligible to buy 2 more tickets, am I able to buy another 2 tickets and take my mother next month and still be able to use the other 4 later this year? (2 of 6 tickets used by me)
Hypothetically, if I wanted to go solo, could I use all 6 military discount tickets for myself?
Thank you in advance for your time. This blog has answered a ton of my questions already.
Hi Patrick,
Yes, no changes!
You can make multiple purchases and then use them however, for whomever you’d like on multiple trips.
Without doing math in my head (I’m away from the office) check that using 6 tickets yourself against the price of an annual pass once they start selling new ones if the timing works.
Hello Steve!
Your website has been incredibly helpful. I just had a quick question!
I see that the Salute tickets have a max of 6 per year. My question is: Is there a max on tickets for the regular ITT Disneyland tickets?
I tried finding the answer, but may have just missed it.
Thank you!
Hi Valerie,
Thanks so much!
No, there is no limit on the regular tickets. Disney and Universal place the 6 ticket limit on their highly discounted offers only, not the regular ones.