Welcome to the Military Disney Tips Disney Armed Forces Salute FAQ!

Below are many, many questions that are asked all the time about Disney’s Best Military Discount for Tickets and Rooms. We’ve been curating this FAQ list for over 12 years now!

(Updated February 2020) – Note to non-retired veterans; you do not qualify for the Disney Armed Forces Salute, however there are Disney Veteran Discounts that you do qualify for.

You can also check out our:  Disney Armed Forces Salute page for full program details. Or see our FAQ Friday Posts.

We’ve divided the FAQ int topics: General, Rooms/Hotels, and Tickets. First we list the topics and just the question, click the question to go straight to the answer. Or below that you can browse all the full questions and answers.

We really hope that this helps!!!

General Armed Forces Salute Questions

What is the Disney Armed Forces Salute?

Am I eligible to participate in the Armed Forces Salute?

What Discounts are offered during the Armed Forces Salute?

What is the time frame of the Armed Forces Salute?

At which Disney Parks is the Armed Forces Salute available?

What are Blockout Dates (sometimes called Blackout Dates)?

Can I use the Disney Armed Forces Salute at both Disney World and Disneyland?

Can Non-US Military use this offer?

Armed Forces Salute Hotel Discount Questions

What Hotel Discounts are available during the Armed Forces Salute?

Are these discounts always available?

What Hotels are available with the Salute?

How many rooms may I reserve using the Salute discount?

How many times can I use the Salute room discounts?

How do I make resort reservations using the Armed Forces Salute discount?

Can I add the Disney Dining Plan to my Armed Forces room reservation?

Are there any dates when the Armed Forces Salute room discount is not available?

Can my Disney Armed Forces Salute theme park tickets be linked to My Disney Experienced?

Can you help me with my reservations and planning?

Armed Forces Salute Theme Park Ticket Questions

What types of Armed Forces Salute Theme Park Tickets are available?

What are the Park Hopper and Water Park & More Options

Who is allowed to purchase the Armed Forces Salute Tickets?

How many Armed Forces Salute Theme Park Tickets can I purchase?

When do the Armed Forces Salute Tickets expire?

Are there any dates when the Armed Forces Salute theme park tickets are not valid?

Where can I buy the Armed Forces Salute Theme Park Tickets?

How do I activate the Armed Forces Salute Tickets?

Do I the military sponsor need to be with my guests at all times?

I need more than 6 Armed Forces Salute Tickets what can I do?

Do I have to use my tickets all at once or on days in a row?

I am a Disney Passholder, do I need to buy a Disney Armed Forces Salute Ticket for myself too?

Can I use the Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets Back-to-Back?

I don’t live near a base, how can I get these tickets?

If I buy the Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets while I’m active duty can I use them after I separate?

Fast Pass Plus, can I use my Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets for the new FP+ System?

Are the Armed Forces Park Hopper tickets eligible for the Extra Magic Hours?

Are the Armed Forces Park Hopper tickets eligible for the Disneyland Magic Morning?

Are the Armed Forces Park Hopper tickets eligible for the Disneyland MaxPass?

Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Information

2020 Disney Armed Forces Salute Dates – 1 January – 18 December 2020 Disney’s Armed Forces Salute – Our page with full details, learn all the ins and outs Memory Maker and PhotoPass+ Military Discounts FAQ Friday Blog Posts – Even more of your questions answered See Disney World Resorts with these great discounts See Disneyland Resorts with these great discounts Read the Top Ten Things You Need To Know About Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Military Discount Tickets Also the Top Ten Things You Need To Know About Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Military Discounted Rooms Disney Armed Forces Salute Ticket Activation – MDT’s How To Guide Disney World’s New Tech: Magic Bands, FastPass Plus, and all the rest.

 

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General Armed Forces Salute Questions

What is the Disney Armed Forces Salute?

The Disney Armed Forces Salute is a special temporary offer which runs for a specified time period. It features deep discounts and is totally separate from the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets which are always available.

The Walt Disney Company has been offering various versions of their Armed Forces Salute since January 2009 and previously during part of 2002. During these offers qualified service members or their spouse are eligible for both discounted theme park tickets and outstanding discounts on Disney Resorts.

 

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Am I eligible to participate in the Armed Forces Salute?

Those who are eligible fall in the following categories:

• Current members of the US military
  • Active Duty
  • Reserve (participating for pay and points)
  • National Guard (participating for pay and points)

• Current members of:
  • Coast Guard
  • Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service (PHS)
  • Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Reserve and Guard DO NOT need to be on active duty orders (or show any orders)!

• Retired members from the US military
  • Active Duty
  • Reserve
  • National Guard

Gray area retirees of the Reserve and Guard are eligible.

• Retired members from:
  • Coast Guard
  • Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service (PHS)
  • Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Other Eligible Persons:

• 100% Permanently Disabled Veterans are also eligible for this offer. Permanently Disabled Veterans must have a military ID with a DAVPRM status
• Spouses of eligible members (Listed above) are able to participate in place of the member (not in addition to)without the member being present
• Non-remarried spouses of deceased eligible members above
• Active Military Foreign Affiliates who have been issued a US CAC with a blue band are also eligible

Not Eligible Are:

• IRR Non-Participating “Reservists”
• Unaccompanied non-spouse dependents (children)
• prior service members who did not retire
• foreign military members without US issued CAC
• DoD civilians
• Service connected disabled who are DAVTMP
• Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act of 2018

There are other programs for various disability categories.

Service members who did not retire may be eligible for other discounts.

See the Disney ID requirements.

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What Discounts are offered during the Armed Forces Salute?

During these offers qualified service members or their spouse are eligible for both discounted theme park tickets and outstanding discounts on Disney Resorts.

 

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What is the time frame of the Armed Forces Salute?

The 2020 Disney Armed Forces Salute runs from 1 January through 18 December 2020.

 

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At which Disney Parks is the Armed Forces Salute available?

The Armed Forces Salute discounts on both resort rooms and theme park tickets are available at Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida and at Disneyland in California.

Disney theme parks outside of the US do not participate in this offer though there may be discounts available through local base ticket offices.

 

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What are Blockout Dates?

Blockout dates are days that Disney does not honor the Armed Forces Salute. These fall in both the ticket and resort discount categories.

On Ticket Blockout Dates you may not use your Armed Forces Salute Tickets for entry to the theme parks or use your Water Parks and More Options. If you want to go to the parks on these days you’ll need to buy a general admission ticket or a regular military discounted one from Shades of Green or an ITT Office.

See this detailed page on Blockout Dates

On Resort Blockout Days the Armed Forces Salute Military Resort Discounts do not apply at all. If you have a reservation that bridges these dates your room will revert from the discount rate to the regular rate on these days.

Options:

If you want to visit a Disney theme park on a day that the Disney Armed Forces Salute is blocked out there are other option:

• Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets
• Shades of Green Stars and Stripes Passes

Here are other options to the Disney resorts which offer military discounts:

• Shades of Green, the military owned and operated resort on WDW property
• The Disney Swan and Dolphin
• The Disney Springs Area Hotels
• The Armed Forces Vacation Club

 

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Can I use the Disney Armed Forces Salute at both Disney World and Disneyland?

Yes You can take advantage of the offer at both Disney Resorts during the same offer period.

 

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Can Non-US Military use this offer?

Yes those stationed in the US who have a US issued ID card (CAC with blue stripe) are eligible for the Disney Armed Forces Salute.

Those who in no way support the United States are not eligible.

 

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Armed Forces Salute Hotel Discount Questions

What Hotel Discounts are available during the Armed Forces Salute?

Disney is offering outstanding discounts on their resort rooms for Military Members and their families.

At Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida – Up to 40% off Deluxe Resorts, Up to 35% off Moderates and Fort Wilderness Cabins, and Up to 30% off Value Resorts including the new Art of Animation Resort.

See Disney World Resorts with this great discount

At Disneyland in Anaheim California – Up to 40% off the Grand Californian, Up to 35% off the Disneyland Hotel , and Up to 30% off the Paradise Pier.

See Disneyland Hotels with this great discount

 

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Are these discounts always available?

There are Blockout Days, days during which Disney does not offer the Disney Armed Forces Salute rates. Any stays during these dates would need to be either the full rate or another discount (if available).

Also, Disney only sets aside a certain number of rooms per night at each resort and of each room type. So, your desired resort or specific room request may not always be available. Note: desirable rooms (Princess or pirate) rooms sell out fast.

See this detailed page on Blockout Dates

Here are other options to the Disney resorts which offer military discounts:

• Shades of Green, the military owned and operated resort on WDW property
• The Disney Swan and Dolphin
• The Disney Springs Area Hotels
• The Armed Forces Vacation Club

 

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What Hotels are available with the Disney Armed Forces Salute?

Disney offers discounts at its Deluxe, Moderate (including Fort Wilderness Cabins), and value resorts. See them all here

WDW Resort Hotels included in This Offer

• Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
• Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
• Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
• Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – Family Suites only
• Disney’s Beach Club Resort
• Disney’s Beach Club Villas
• Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
• Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
• Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
• Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
• Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
• Disney’s Old Key West Resort
• Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
• Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows – Studios only
• Disney’s Pop Century Resort
• Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter
• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
• Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
• Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
• Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground (Cabins only)

WDW Offer excludes the following room types:

• 3-Bedroom Villas
• Campsites
• Copper Creek Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• The Little Mermaid Standard Rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
• Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows

Disneyland Resort Offer excludes the following:

• Concierge rooms and suites, except Paradise, Artisan, Junior and Regal suites

 

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How many rooms may I reserve using the Salute discount?

You man reserve up to 3 rooms at Walt Disney World and 2 rooms at Disneyland Resort using the Disney Armed Forces Salute. All rooms must check in the same day at the same resort and the military sponsor must stay in one.

 

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How many times can I use the Salute Room discounts?

As many times as you like during the offer period. There is no limit.

 

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How do I make resort reservations using the Armed Forces Salute discount?

You can call the Disney central reservations numbers yourself and ask for the Armed Forces Salute room only discount. You can not make these reservations online.

Or you can work through a travel agent. Military Disney Tips recommends the military family owned and operated, Fee Free, Disney specializing travel agency Ears of Experience.

Disney Reservations: Disney World 1-407-934-7639, Disneyland 1-714-781-4565

 

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Can I add the Disney Dining Plan to my Armed Forces Salute room reservation?

Absolutely, just ask to add whichever paid dining plan that you’d like to your Armed Forces Salute room only reservation.

However these military rates may not be combined with the Free Disney Dining Plan offers that Disney makes available from time to time.

There is a way around this, typically Disney requires only a minimum of 2-day tickets for everyone in the room. If you are staying 6 nights you could opt for the full price room, 2-day regular ticket and the 4-day Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets.

 

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Are there any dates when the Armed Forces Salute room discount is not available?

Yes for 2019 – Room and Ticket discounts are not available on the following blockout dates:

Walt Disney World

• 14 – 25 April 2019
• 5 – 18 April 2019

Disneyland

• None for 2019 & 2020

There are other options which offer military discounts though:

• Shades of Green, the military owned and operated resort on WDW property
• The Disney Swan and Dolphin
• The Disney Springs Area Hotels
• The Armed Forces Vacation Club

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Can my Disney Armed Forces Salute theme park tickets be linked to My Disney Experience (Magic Bands)?

Yes they can be linked to your My Disney Experience account see our My Disney Experience Page.

 

 

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Can you help me with my reservations and planning?

While Military Disney Tips does not currently offer vacation planning assistance, we do recommend Ears of Experience, a Disney only, fee free, military family owned small business. Thousands of satisfied MDT readers have used Ears of Experience over the years.

 

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Armed Forces Salute Theme Park Ticket Questions

See Special 2020-2021 ticket changes due to park shutdowns and re-opening

What types of Armed Forces Salute Theme Park Tickets are available?

For 2020 at Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida

• Four-Day, Five-Day, or Six-Day Park Hopper Tickets
• Four-Day, Five-Day, or Six-Day Park Park Hopper Plus Tickets (Plus Options)

For 2020 at Disneyland in Anaheim California

• Three-Day or Four-Day Park Hopper Tickets

 

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What are the Park Hopper and Park Hopper Plus Options?

The Park Hopper Option allows you to visit multiple Disney Theme Parks during the same day. For example: You can start your day in one theme park and then switch a different park, perhaps with a mid-day break in between.

The Park Hopper Plus Option: Allows a number entries equal to the theme park days on your ticket to the following:

• Typhoon Lagoon
• Blizzard Beach
• General admission into the Wide World of Sports Complex
• 9 Holes of Golf at Disney’s Oak Trail 9-Hole Golf Course
• At Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course, one round of golf per day prior to 4pm

For more on the Park Hopper Plus option see this page

The Walt Disney World Armed Forces Salute tickets come with either one of these options or both.

• Hopper only tickets can not use the Park Hopper Plus venues
• Park Hopper Plus only tickets can not park hop. you may only go to one park per day. You may leave and go back to the same park though
• Tickets with both options can of course do booth

The Disneyland Armed Forces Salute tickets come with just the Hopper option as they have no water parks.

 

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Who is allowed to purchase the Armed Forces Salute Tickets?

Those who are eligible fall in the following categories:

• Current members of the US military
  • Active Duty
  • Reserve (participating for pay and points)
  • National Guard (participating for pay and points)

• Current members of:
  • Coast Guard
  • Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service (PHS)
  • Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Reserve and Guard DO NOT need to be on active duty orders (or show any orders)!

• Retired members from the US military
  • Active Duty
  • Reserve
  • National Guard

Gray area retirees of the Reserve and Guard are eligible.

• Retired members from:
  • Coast Guard
  • Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service (PHS)
  • Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Other Eligible Persons:

• 100% Permanently Disabled Veterans are also eligible for this offer. Permanently Disabled Veterans must have a military ID with a DAVPRM status
• Spouses of eligible members (Listed above) are able to participate in place of the member (not in addition to)without the member being present
• Non-remarried spouses of deceased eligible members above
• Active Military Foreign Affiliates who have been issued a US CAC with a blue band are also eligible

Not Eligible Are:

• IRR Non-Participating “Reservists”
• Unaccompanied non-spouse dependents (children)
• prior service members who did not retire
• foreign military members without US issued CAC
• DoD civilians
• Service connected disabled who are DAVTMP
• Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act of 2018

There are other programs for various disability categories.

Service members who did not retire may be eligible for other discounts.

See the Disney ID requirements.

 

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How many Armed Forces Salute Theme Park Tickets can I purchase?

“Eligible Service Members” or spouses may purchase up to 6 of the Military Salute Tickets during each individual year’s offer period.

It is either the member or the spouse, not both.

 

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When do the Armed Forces Salute Tickets expire?

The 2020 Armed Forces Salute Theme Park Tickets expire at midnight on 18 December 2020.

Any days or water park visits remaining on the ticket will be lost as well as any dollar value.

2020 tickets cannot be used in 2021! (as far as is announced yet, could change due to park closures)

If you will be unable to use remaining days, consider upgrading the Salute ticket to an annual Pass. It will then be valid for 1 year from the date you first used your Salute ticket.

 

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Are there any dates when the Armed Forces Salute theme park tickets are not valid?

Yes there are what Disney calls blockout dates, dates on which the tickets may not be used. they are

Ticket Blockout Dates at Disney World

• None for 2020

Ticket Blockout Dates at Disneyland

• 12 April 2020

If you want to visit a Disney park on a day that the Disney Armed Forces Salute is blocked out there are other options:

• Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets
• Shades of Green Stars and Stripes Passes

 

 

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Where can I buy the Armed Forces Salute Theme Park Tickets?

The Armed Forces Salute Theme Park Tickets must be purchased in person either by the eligible service member or their spouse. A military ID is required.

The tickets may be purchased at any of the following locations:

• Your local Base Ticket Office
• Shades of Green (the military hotel on Disney World property)
• The Orlando ITT Office
• Via Phone/FedEx
• Disney Theme Park Ticket Windows
• Disneyland Resort Front Desks

You will pay no tax at the military resellers (Base Ticket Offices (MWR.ITT) and Shades of Green) or at Disneyland ticket booths. But local sales tax is added at Disney World ticket booths.

Tickets purchased at military resellers (except Shades of Green) must be activated (for no extra cost) at Disney’s theme park ticket windows prior to first use.

 

You can purchase Disney tickets via phone/FedEx See this Post!

 

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How do I activate the Armed Forces Salute Tickets?

Simply take the ticket or exchange voucher you received from your Base Ticket office to a ticket window at any of Disney’s theme parks, the Disney Springs Guest Relations office, Disney Quest, or the 2 WDW water parks.

There they will check your military ID ask you a few questions and activate your tickets.

Learn more about the activation process

All members of the party must be present for activation.

 

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Does the military sponsor need to be with my guests at all times?

No, once the tickets are activated the party can split up. For example some go to Epcot and some to MK (or Disneyland / California Adventure), or even use the tickets on different days. The Military ID is checked only upon ticket activation.

 

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I need more than 6 Armed Forces Salute Tickets during this offer what can I do?

The policy at Disney ticket booths has always been that exceptions should be made for immediate families larger than six people.

Disney will allow you to buy and use enough tickets for your entire immediate family.

For example, if a family has five children, Disney will allow all members of the family to purchase the 4-Day Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets (for Mom, Dad, and the 5 kids).

Disney defines immediate family as: Dependent Children!

Grand children, adult children, and extended family do not qualify.

Military ticket resellers may not allow you to buy more than 6 tickets.

See this post for more info: I need more than 6 Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets What Can I Do?

If you do not fall under this exception, then you can still purchase the regular military discounted Magic Your Way Tickets from your base ticket office or Shades of Green. For those staying on Disney World property, Shades of Green also sells their all inclusive, length of stay Stars and Stripes Passes.

 

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Do I have to use my tickets all at once or consecutive days in a row?

No. You can certainly use them every day until they are finished, or you can spread them out over a longer vacation while taking a day or two off, visiting Universal Studios, Sea World, or Legoland. You can even use some days on one trip and the rest on a later trip as long as it is before the offer ends.

 

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I am a Disney Passholder, do I need to buy a Disney Armed Forces Salute Ticket for myself too?

Passholders do not need to buy their own salute tickets. I’m a Silver Passholder and only buy salute tickets for those going with me.

 

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Can I use the Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets Back-to-Back?

Yes, For example, a party of two using two 4-day tickets, followed by another set of 4-day tickets, for a total of 8 park days. This is of course up to your limit of 6. Always compare use of multiple tickets figuring the cost multiple ways using the Disney Armed Forces Salute and Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets.

 

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I don’t live near a base, how can I get these tickets?

Some military installations or National Guard locations don’t have a ticket office. If you are in this situation there are other options.

For Disney World, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, and LEGOLAND in Orlando Florida, you can purchase tickets at both Shades of Green and the Orlando ITT Office (see below). Shades of Green Ships tickets!

For Disneyland, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, and LEGOLAND in California, you can use these ticket offices:

Los Angeles AFB, FSS though the ITT Office

Camp Pendelton, Oceanside, CA will sell Via Phone/FedEx

Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu/Port Hueneme, CA

 

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If I buy the Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets while I’m active duty can I activate them after I separate?

Absolutely not, these tickets are only for current or retired members. Leaving the military makes you ineligible for the offer or to to activate previously purchased Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets.

 

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Fast Pass Plus, can I use my Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets for the new FastPass Plus System?

Yes, All military discounted tickets including the Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets are able to be linked to your My Disney Experience account. You can then make your advance FastPass Plus reservations the correct number of days out based on where you are staying.

• Disney Resorts (including Shades of Green) – 60 Days prior to check in for all days of your trip up to the number of days on your tickets or 10 days, whichever is less
• Non Disney Resorts – 30 Days prior to the desired FastPass date
• Day Guests – 30 Days prior to the desired FastPass date

More on Disney’s new Tech

 

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Are the Armed Forces Park Hopper tickets eligible for the Extra Magic Hours?

Yes. It is not the ticket that matters, rather it is the resort you are staying at which qualifies you for EMH.

The following resorts are eligible for EMH:

• Walt Disney World-owned resorts
• Walt Disney World Dolphin & Swan Resorts
• Hilton Resort at Downtown Disney
• Shades of Green

 

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Are the Armed Forces Park Hopper tickets eligible for the Disneyland Magic Morning?

No

 

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Are the Armed Forces Park Hopper tickets eligible for the Disneyland MaxPass?

Yes,  just pay the add on fee and you’ll be all set.

See out MaxPass Info

 

Don’t See Your Question Here? See our FAQ Friday Posts

Well that’s it for our FAQ!

Let us know if you have other questions in the comments section below!