• Home
  • Blog
  • Info By Topic
    • Disney Armed Forces Salute
      • Disney Armed Forces Salute Full Details
      • Disney Armed Forces Salute FAQ
      • FAQ Friday Blog Posts – Your Most Asked Questions
    • Military Discounted Tickets
      • Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets
      • Regular Military Discounted Disney Tickets
      • Military Discounted Ticket Overview
    • Resort Hotel Information and Military Discounts
      • Resort Hotel Overview
      • Shades of Green – WDW’s Military Resort
      • Disney Armed Forces Salute Room Discounts
      • The Walt Disney World Resorts
      • The Disneyland Hotels
    • Walt Disney World Theme Parks
    • Disneyland Theme Parks
    • Dining Information and Military Discounts Overview
      • Dining at WDW for Military Families
    • Transportation Information and Military Discounts Overview
    • Disney Technology Information
      • Disney Technology Overview
      • PhotoPass and MemoryMaker Military Discount
      • Genie & Genie+ Service
      • Linking Disney Military Tickets and FastPass Plus Reservations
    • Outside the Parks Information and Military Discounts
    • Resources and Links for You
  • Info By Location
    • Walt Disney World
      • Walt Disney World Theme Parks
    • Disneyland Resort
      • Disneyland Theme Parks
    • Universal Studios
    • SeaWorld – Busch Gardens
    • Resources and Links for You
  • Shades of Green
    • Shades of Green Overview
    • Shades of Green Prices
      • Shades of Green Eligibility
      • Shades of Green Regular Prices
      • Shades of Green Discounts
      • Shades Of Green – Disney Price Comparison
    • Shades of Green Guest Rooms
      • Shades of Green Standard Rooms
      • Shades of Green Poolside Rooms
      • Shades of Green – Disney Value Resort Comparison
      • Shades of Green – Disney Moderate Resort Comparison
      • Shades of Green – Disney Deluxe Resort Comparison
    • Shades of Green Ticket Office
      • Shades of Green Attraction Ticket Sales Office
      • Shades of Green – Preorder Tickets
    • Shades of Green AAFES Store
    • Shades of Green Dining Overview
    • Shades of Green Transportation Overview
    • Shades of Green Pools
  • Get a Disney Quote
  • About MDT
    • Our About Page
    • Our Team
    • Roll Call (Featured In)
    • Support MDT
    • Contact
    • Brands & Advertisers
    • Bloggers/Writers
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Support Military Disney Tips
  • Updates
    • Newsletter
    • Facebook

Military Disney Tips Blog

By Military for Military

Ears of Experience Military Disney Vacation Experts
Home » How Military Disney Tips Grew From an Idea to a Website That Has Served Over 6.8 Million US Military Members Veterans and Their Families

How Military Disney Tips Grew From an Idea to a Website That Has Served Over 6.8 Million US Military Members Veterans and Their Families

Hi, I’m Steve Bell and welcome to Military Disney Tips!

I have had a long association with both the U. S. Military and Disney Theme Parks.

My mission is to offer you the best advice that I can specific to the U.S. military community to plan for, save money on, and enjoy your Disney vacation!

What makes Military Disney Tips different than all the other Disney sites?

  • I’m a Retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant (E-9 with 31 Years of service)
  • I’m a former Walt Disney World Cast Member (3 years in the Magic Kingdom)
  • I’m a Retired DoD Civilian (22+ years, most concurrent with my military time)
  • I’m now a DoD Defense Contractor
  • I’ve been touring Disney Parks since 1971
  • I use the all the same military discounts that you do
  • I’ve made too many trips to count and stayed in all Disney Resort Hotels
  • I’ve done the research for you

Steve Bell Military Disney Tips

 

About Military Disney Tips

The History of Military Disney Tips

My fascination with Walt Disney World started at a young age. In grade school my family started taking annual spring vacations to Florida to visit family. That first year (1971) we visited the Walt Disney World Welcome Center. WDW wouldn’t open untill that fall, but they had lots of info about the soon to open theme park, plus lots of souvenirs. Each year afterwards, until I graduated high school, we’d spend a day at WDW during our spring vacation.

Walt Disney World Welcome Center 1971

Walt Disney World Welcome Center – Lake Buena Vista, FL, 1971. My sister, mom, me and great uncle.

After high school I enlisted in the Air Force and spent four years on active duty. After four years stationed in Texas I became a single parent. Having a one year old and being a Strategic Air Command Aircraft Crew Chief pulling nuclear alert (living on base in the alert facility 2 or 3 days at a time) did not work well as you can imagine. So I chose to get out and relocate to Orlando, FL where my parents had moved to. Not wanting to end my relationship with the Air Force I switched to the Air Force Reserve. I was a reservist for the remainder of my career in various capacities, some part time (while I worked at WDW) but all the rest was in various full time capacities.

During the three years I spent in Orlando (85-88) I actually worked full time at Walt Disney World! I ordered food for one of the restaurants in the Magic Kingdom Theme Park (the Tomorrowland Terrace, now called Cosmic Rays Starlight Cafe). That was a very interesting and fun time!

In 1989 I left Disney to pursue a great opportunity to fly with the Reserves, which eventually lead to full time Reserve duty in Ohio. All through the nineties my family and I would visit our relatives in Florida and we’d always make time for a one-day visit to WDW. With the knowledge I had gained while working there I was very good at making our visits fun, efficient, and memorable.

Steve Bell Military Disney Tips

Steve inflight at “the office”

This was before the explosion of the internet (and Disney sites) and the only people who knew secrets and little known facts were Disney cast members and their friends. These were our golden years of touring the parks!

In 2000 we decided that we’d never really had a true “family vacation” we had always visited relatives on our vacations and squeezed in a 1-day WDW day-trip. So we decided to live it up. A whole week at Disney World! I did a huge amount of research and the vacation was a great success. We had lots of special experiences that trip! Since then we’ve been so lucky to have returned for many multi-day trips. We’ve stayed at many of the resorts (Disney and others) and tried many of the wonderful restaurants on property.

After the 2000 vacation, people at the squadron and around base started asking for my advice on their Disney vacations. I had become the local pro. I always enjoyed helping them plan their vacations.

In 2007 we transfered back to Florida (just five and a quarter hours from Disney) but I still had people in Ohio calling to ask for help with their vacations. I thought that if I’m still getting calls and e-mails for advice I must have found my calling.

I decided that it was time for me to start sharing my passion for Disney on the web with the community that I’ve been a part of for so long, the Military/DoD community.

I started this site in early 2008 and it has been a huge success. I work on it part-time and really enjoy doing so.

Steve Bell Military Disney Tips

Steve’s Retirement Photo

In 2016 we actually moved back to Ohio for a great civil service job and to be near our kids and now grand daughters. So now I get to commute to WDW via plane instead of car.

In 2021 I also retired from civil service and switched over to being a contractor for the Air Force.

In a few years though this side job will be my only full-time one!

Steve “working” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

My goal for this site is to help you!

Please support the operation of this site by sending me a tip. I really appreciate your support if you can!

You can subscribe to my email newsletter to get website updates and news by clicking this link.

MDT Celebrated Over 10 Years of Assisting Military Families with Their Disney Planning in 2018!


Contact Info & Press/Advertiser Info

  • Brands and Advertisers
  • Webmasters and Bloggers
  • Reader Questions

Not Just Disney anymore!

In 2021 I branched out to Universal Orlando, which I’d covered only peripherally prior:

  • Universal Orlando For Military
  • Universal Orlando Guide

This MDT Post By: Steve Bell

Steve is the the Military Disney Tips Founder. He a retired U.S. Military Member who's been touring the Disney Parks since 1971! Steve's mission is to help military families with their Disney vacations in every way. Check out Steve's Bio.

Subscribe to Steve's email newsletter to get website updates and news by clicking this link.

 

Planning a Disney Trip? Want to get the best military discounts that are available? Feeling a little confused? See Our Great Disney Discount and Planning Info:
  • Disney Veteran & Military Discount Eligibility Guide
  • The Military Family’s Walt Disney World Comprehensive Vacation Planning and Preparation Guide 
  • Military Disney Tips Disney Packing Checklist 
  • Disney Military Tickets – Your Start to Finish Guide
Learn about the Disney Armed Forces Salute the best military discount that there is for Disney. See our Topic Overview Pages:
  • Resorts/Hotel Overview Page
  • Dining Overview Page
  • Transportation Overview Page
  • Technology Overview Page
  • Shades of Green, WDW’s Military Only Resort

Military Disney Tips' Recommended Disney Travel Agent

Save on your Disney Vacation With Ears of Experience

Ears of Experience Disney Only Travel Agency. Military family owned and operated! They know all the ins and outs of Disney military discounts!

 
   


Comments

  1. John Russo says

    25 April 2011 at 12:04

    Great Blog Steve. I have been going to Shades since 1996. I was an E-5 at the time, and it was about 55 bucks a night. I have seen many changes since, and am going back for the sixteenth time in August. Taking the family and the wife’s sisters family. Third time for them. I just wish they didn’t tamper with Evergreens, it’s not the same. Anyway thanks for the blog, and the heads-up on the Ticket extension. I caught your link over on DisBoards SOG thread. Let me know if you need an on-the-ground update. I enjoy talking to those in the SOG community.

    Reply
    • Steve says

      25 April 2011 at 16:47

      Wow John, you have me beat. My first stay was in 2000, but I think that I was thinking about it in ’96. I know what you mean about Evergreens, while the games are fun for the kids it used to be so much better.

      Reply
  2. John Russo says

    25 April 2011 at 17:15

    Back in the day, the patio at Evergreens was open, and you could sit outside, enjoy a beverage, and watch the kids at the pool. They even had a smoothie machine going, which is now a towel barn. There was a time, after the expansion, that they considered closing Evergreens entirely. I guess after many complaints, they re-opened with the limited menu they offer now.

    Reply
    • Steve says

      26 April 2011 at 16:52

      I remember my first stay at Shades. After we checked in we went out to the pool. The kids swam and the wife and I had Pina Coladas from Evergreens.

      Reply
  3. david walton says

    16 August 2011 at 15:49

    just in case you were’nt aware of the 20% coupon on military.com for luxury airport shuttle , make your reservations at 407 463 4809 (text/cell)

    Reply
    • Steve says

      16 August 2011 at 15:59

      Great tip, thanks David!

      Reply
  4. Andrea Ornelas says

    5 February 2012 at 22:07

    Thank you Steve. We are planning a post-deployment trip and your blog is the most helpful one I have found. I appreciate your time, effort, and service.

    Reply
    • Steve says

      6 February 2012 at 06:51

      Thanks Andrea!

      I really enjoy being able to help out!

      I’ve got lot’s of accumulated knowledge on this stuff, plus it gives me a reason to go to Disney more ofter… “Research.”

      Reply
  5. DAVID RAMIREZ says

    28 February 2013 at 10:35

    Not sure if my first message was forward so I will send it again. Just wondering if there are discount tickets for DisneyWorld & Univeral Studios for myself. Three years in active duty (U.S. ARMY) from 1972 – 1975 Honorable discharge.

    Reply
    • Steve says

      28 February 2013 at 16:00

      Hi David,

      There is only one Disney Discount for non-retired veterans and it’s this one from Shades of Green.

      Reply
  6. Dallas Long says

    4 August 2013 at 15:40

    Steve,

    We are planning a 10 day trip in Sept. If my wife and I purchase APs and I purchase Salute 4 days for my adult sons who are only staying four days then flying home would the APs satisfy the requirement to attend the parks with the boys.

    Reply
    • Steve says

      4 August 2013 at 22:01

      Yes they sure do Dallas, as they are a more expensive option. I have a FL Seasonal pass and get the AFS tickets for my wife, who doesn’t go as much… All that darn research I have to do 😉

      Reply
  7. Brenda says

    3 September 2013 at 10:19

    We will be at WDW in January and staying at the campground. My husband is not retired, but honorably discharged from the Army. Is there any discount at the campground and what about tickets? Thanks for your help.

    Reply
    • Steve says

      3 September 2013 at 18:01

      Hi Brenda,

      Unfortunately WDW does not offer a military discount the campsites.

      Reply
  8. Mike says

    29 December 2021 at 00:47

    Steve great resource!! Thanks for it. With the Stars and Stripes tickets does it come with Genie or is that only available with MYW?

    Reply
    • Steve says

      29 December 2021 at 13:25

      Hi Mike,

      Shades of Green does have Military MYW tickets with Genie+ but not the Stars and Stripes.

      https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/military-discount-theme-park-tickets/regular-military-discounted-magic-your-way-tickets/ Just updated this page…

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

How Military Disney Tips Came To Serve the U.S. Military Community
Ears of Experience - A Fee Free Disney Travel Agent

Ears of Experience is a travel booking company specializing in Disney vacations. Military family owned and operated! They know all the ins and outs of Disney military discounts!

Military Discounts for You

  • Military Discounted Scooters/ECVs
  • Military Discouned Stroller Rentals

Shop Amazon  |  Shop the Disney Store
Subscribe to the Newsletter | Contact Me | Advertise | Webmasters/Bloggers
About Military Disney Tips | Resources and Links | Roll Call (Featured in)
If you found this site helpful, please consider supporting Military Disney Tips

Marketing Disclosure | Privacy Policy | Copyright Statement

Why are there ads on this site?
© Copyright 2007-2023 Military Disney Tips is a Magic Shell Media LLC Website

Other helpful MSM sites: Universal Orlando for Military & Universal Orlando Guide

U.S Military Veteran Owned Business

FTC Disclosure of Material Connection: In order for us to maintain this website, some of the links in the post above may be affiliate links.
Regardless, we only recommend products or services we use personally and/or believe will add value to our readers.
Military Disney Tips is not affiliated with, authorized or endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with: The Walt Disney Company, Disney Enterprises, Inc. or any of their affiliates, nor the Shades of Green Resort, NBC Universal, Universal Orlando Resort, or the Armed Forces Vacation Club.
Buy American!