While the military is anxiously waiting to find out if Disney will renew the Disney Armed Forces Salute for another year, I thought it would be good to review just what to expect if and when they do.
Updated for the potential 2023 Walt Disney World Disney Armed Forces Salute
Salute Renewal History
This post is based upon both my and my reader’s experiences during the previous Disney Armed Forces Salute renewal announcements, which I’ve covered since 2009 and coordinated with Disney on between 2011 and 2016.
The goal of this post is to inform you and prepare you for what to expect and what you could potentially encounter trying to make a new Disney Armed Forces Salute Resort Reservation or convert an existing reservation to the Salute rate.
What to Expect – Offer Details
I expect that Walt Disney World and the Disneyland Resort will renew the Disney Armed Forces Salute Room and Ticket Offers for 2023. I expect that the offers will begin 1 January and run through roughly 17 December 2023. I also expect there to be block out dates during the height of Spring Break.
See my 2023 Disney Armed Forces Salute Timing post for my thoughts on when to expect an announcement.
I must emphasize that the Resort Room Discount is a limited offer! It is not an across the board always available offer. There are a limited number of rooms at these prices, by date, resort choice, and room type. That in 2018 the discounts began being offered on a sliding scale. And the last couple of years it has become harder and harder to get the room discount!
See this post for more on How the Disney Armed Forces Salute room discounts work
For those who have been told By Disney that you can covert your previous reservation to the Salute rate once announced, know this is not always true! Especially for reservations in the first few months of the new offer.
General public rates CANNOT be converted to the Salute rate, a new reservation must be created. This has always been the case. The issue is that the type of room you have reserved might not be available at the Salute rate for your resort and dates. This will cause you change resorts, dates, or room type. Occasionally this will work and it will be transparent to you, but it is not guaranteed. Why would Disney tell you that you can do this?
What to Expect – Renewal Day
Salute Renewal Days Equal Scrambling!
You will be surprised and caught off guard.
There will be no warning, so you can’t set aside a day off from work or without appointments to work your reservations.
If you aren’t surfing online, you won’t even know the discount was released, that is unless you have signed up for my Newsletter! I will send out the announcement right to your inbox as soon as possible after the discount is announced.
After the announcement comes out you (and very many other military families) will be calling Disney, trying to get the Disney Resort reservations that you desire!
What does that mean? Well, below I detail what to expect on the renewal day and possibly for a day or two after.
As experience has taught us, it is probably not going to go smoothly!
Salute Renewal Days Equal Long Wait Times on the Phones.
Seriously. Be prepared for very long waits when you call. And then, once you do get through, it’s very likely that you’ll be placed on hold again for several minutes. And maybe then your call will be dropped. It has happened.
Salute Renewal Days Equal a Significant Chunk of Your Day.
You need to know that once you get my email it will not take just a quick call to secure your reservation. Know that it could take at least one to two hours (or more) to make reservations on a Salute Release Day.
You may have to call back again and again as in past years until the Reservation Center comes up to speed.
Salute Renewal Days Equal Online Errors
Several times over the years the team that runs the Disney Parks Blog have posted the Disney Armed Forces Salute renewal announcement before they were supposed to (hours or even days prior)! And then took it back down.
This caused a flurry of questions to me, as well as many frustrated calls to the Disney Reservations Call Center.
Salute Renewal Days Equal Cast Members Who Possibly Have NO IDEA What You’re Talking About
Disney Cast Members are truly some of the best and nicest humans on the planet. But communication within the company and the call center itself is not very good at all! That’s putting it nicely. And they simply can’t know what they haven’t been told yet. They receive little to no detailed training on their company’s military discounts.
In the past after a renewal was announced (here and on the Disney Parks Blog) quite a few Disney Call Center Cast Members immediately told callers the discount wasn’t out yet rather than checking. Experienced callers were firm and said “no, it is out, please check for the booking code.”
Don’t Be Shocked If Your Cast Member Doesn’t Know What You’re Talking About. It Happens. A Lot.
Those who didn’t know that military callers often have to educate the Disney Call Center Cast Members on military discounts, hung up confused and frustrated after having waited on hold for a very long time.
Often Cast Members aren’t given the information that they need to set them up for success. So please, know this up front and go easy on them!
Ask for a supervisor!
Also be prepared to talk to multiple Cast Members (as in, hang up and call back to get a new person) or request to speak to a more senior Cast Member or a supervisor. Be polite, but firm!
Salute Renewal Days Equal the Reservation System Not Being Updated or Crashing
I’ve seen it several times, Disney announces the Salute through my site and the Disney Parks Blog… but they forget to update their online systems, or schedule it for later in the day.
Several times over the years the reservation system was unable to make Salute reservations for hours after the announcement came out, once the system took a whole day to allow bookings!
This goes back to the multiple calls that you might have to make that I mentioned above.
Salute Renewal Days Equal Confusion
Your Base Ticket Office will be the very last to know about a Disney Armed Forces Salute Renewal!
So don’t try to call them to confirm what you’ve seen here!
In the past it has taken Days, weeks, and even more for individual Base Ticket Offices to get the word through their official channels that the Salute has been renewed.
Salute Renewal Days Equal Ticket Issues
Expect that Disney might or might not set a date that tickets will be available for sale. The last couple of years they have been silent on ticket availability dates.
The date they start selling the tickets for the new year’s offer is only at Disney Locations and usually Shades of Green the same day or soon thereafter.
The tickets that go out to Base Ticket Offices go through at least one contractor (sometimes more) for distribution, and then through the MWR distribution system.
It is not uncommon for it to take weeks to months for individual Ticket Offices to get the new tickets.
Then some Ticket Offices take it upon themselves to refuse to sell the new tickets until the old offer is over. This has happened at isolated locations during three different renewals a few years back.
If it happens to you, buy your Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets long distance from a base that ships!
Salute Renewal Days Remind Us That the First to a Couple Days After an Announcement Are Trying.
But let’s be honest. Disney has never gotten the hang of executing the launch of a Disney Armed Forces Salute Renewal smoothly. Not once! And we’re talking about stuff they KNOW is coming.
Why do I point this out? Well, again, if you know what to expect, it helps you to plan, and it might ease your frustration a little.
I hope this post (and the whole site really) aids you just a little bit with your Disney Planning!
And now over to you, please do share with us your experiences while attempting to secure your Disney Armed Forces Salute Resort Reservation or Salute tickets for the new offer in comments below!
Let Ears of Experience, Military Disney Tips’ recommended Disney Only, military family owned Travel Agent worry about this hassle for you! They will get you the best rate possible. And you won’t have to be frustrated on the phone!
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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. |
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Hi, great post. I wanted to just clarify that you are anticipating the blockout dates for spring break to begin on April 8, 2017 and not the week prior? Thanks!
Hi Marina,
I’m not sure the exact dates I just know that the week of the 8th will be the very worst attendance of the year! The Blockout could contain the week prior, after of parks of both.
But typically Easter is included which is the week after.
We’ll just have to see
Are things usually equally crazy in securing hotel reservations for Disneyland as for Disney World? Do room slots for the Armed Forces Salute fill as fast in CA as in FL? Wondering if we should wait a few days after the announcement to let the dust settle before calling for CA, or if waiting would mean possibly missing out on the deal. We are interesting in visiting Disneyland in early February, and are hoping to take advantage of the Armed Forces discount for room and theme park tickets. We did already book the room, and asked the agent to note on the reservation that she told us we could convert to the Salute rate when it comes out, as you suggested on this site. Thanks for a great website — very helpful information throughout!!
Hi there Kristine,
While I do not believe the demand is quite as high at DLR they always seem to lag in coming up to speed on the Salute details. SInce you already have a general public reservation, you could wait until the evening or the next day to have the conversion argument…
OK. Thank you so much. I anticipate the argument, and appreciate your suggestion to ask the agent to note in our reservation that she told me we would be able to convert (even though I know from reading your site that this is not really true). For what it’s worth, she told me that they anticipate making the Armed Forces Salute announcement in October/November.
By they way, what are your thoughts on early February for Disneyland?
OOhhhh, that’s way too late!
I know that will really mess up people trying to do WDW in early 2017 with FastPass+, etc.
Since Disneyland doesn’t have the same issues with FP+ and 180 day dining reservation window, I think we’ll be OK, just might be cutting it close for 60 day reservation window for dining at DLR, but I think we’ll still be alright.
Any general thoughts on Disneyland in early February (prior to Presidents Day weekend/week)?
I agree!
I have to admit Im not a huge DLR expert Kristine, though I’m working on getting out there more, I’ve been east coast stationed my whole life.
80% of Disneyland’s business is annual passholders (vs 20% at WDW) so local schedules vs national & weekends are what’s in play for high attendance numbers there.
Kristine K: this year we went to Disneyland the week before (8-12 February) President’s day weekend. Based on what the DL app said, the lines for most rides were no more than 15 mins or so. Except for the line to get into the park(approx. 45 mins), it was definitely a good time to go.
Thanks for the trip report Gene!!!
Thanks, Gene!!
Thanks for the info…even if it’s a bit terrifying (trying to go in early February!).
If we’re using Amy w/ Ears of Experience…should we assume they’ve got it handled, or are we best to call ourselves? I’ve got the same question out to them.
Hey Amanda,
Oh Amy will be on top of it!
WHen a Salute is announced she and her staff are on the phone working conversions. SHe converted most (I had a bunch) of my May 2016 reservations the day the Salute came out
Whew! Can’t wait for all this to be locked down, so nerve racking!
I know it sure is Amanda!!!
Steve,
Is there anything that we can do to assist in Disney acknowledging the issue? Would getting our community to tweet, Facebook or somehow make this more public, help to force Disney’s hand by voicing our opinions? I would be more than happy to tweet the official Disney accounts and voicing my concern regarding the delay in announcement.
Hi Taylor,
That’s a great question!
Certainly letters to Disney executives can’t hurt. (addresses)
I’ve had communications issue with those designated as my Disney Media contacts since my Awesome contact Bryan left for a year+ stint at Shanghai Disney last October. I’m going to make another attempt this week and see what happens. I’ll escalate to senior leadership if I can”t get through.
To your question a social media campaign also couldn’t hurt. a couple years ago another MDT reader started the “Save the Disney Armed Forces Salute” Facebook page where military families could say thanks to Disney, share their experiences that (only) the Salute made possible, and encourage Disney to bring it back.
Give me a week or so to see what if anything I can determine and I’ll report back.
Steve
Hi Taylor,
It’s been longer than a week… But I’ve been working in the background. I reached out to my old contact for advise and the end of last week to told me to give him through this week to get the Orlando team to engage with me.
I’m waiting to see if they do, if not I’ll escalate.
Thanks for the heads up for the possible renewal of Disney Salute and what to expect. I have my travel agent (who grew up a Navy brat) that is familiar with and knows our trip depends on this discount. So I have her on speed dial and have my cell phone charger and war paint nearby! Lol… The Greer family is ready when we receive the green light Steve. Thanks Brother!!
Awesome Danny, you have a great plan ready to trigger.
My pleasure
Thanks for the great post! While I am anxiously awaiting the Salute release because I am counting on the great ticket prices, I am glad we aren’t going until 23-29 April, and are staying at SOG so the reservation won’t be an issue for us (already booked that). One question though….can Ears of Experience be of help to us with dining reservations and fast passes since we are staying at SOG?
Hi Linda,
You are welcome, I love doing this.
Ears of Experience absolutely will be able to help you, see: http://www.themouseexperts.com/concierge.html
And don’t forget to mention MDT!
We are also interested in planning a trip in April but for 2018. Can you book rooms with the discount at a Disney property in advance without the Salute tickets in hand?
Hi Kelly,
The room and ticket offers are separate offers. You do not need tickets to book a room, but the 2018 Salute discount has to have been offered, which has not happened yet.
Thank you!!!! I love this site! I saw the article about what to expect with the release of Salute
Hey Steve. Just a heads up, in the article you said you expect the blackout dates to start Sunday April 8. April 8th is actually a Saturday. Just wanted to let you know so you can correct it so others don’t get confused. I only know cause that is the day we checkout lol.
Thanks so much Jessica!!!!!
I’ll be honest…. At this point, you might need to change the title to “What to Expect IF Disney announces the Disney Armed Forces Salute”. It’s getting a bit late in the year for them to finally make the announcement, isn’t it?
We are going at the end of the January (into February), and I’ll admit, I’m getting a bit concerned. Is that concern warranted?
Hi Jeremy,
I know how you feel!
What I’m afraid that they are doing is going to announce at the 60-day FastPass Plus date, not even considering how it will affect rooms.
Last year they were planning that for the 2016 offer (announce 60 days out) and I was able to get them to move it earlier through my awesome WDW Media Relations contact at the time. He has since been transferred to Shanghai Disney through the end of this year, and his replacements have been almost non-communicative.
I have a letter (in transit) to the President of WDW to see if I can get communication restored.
We’ve been getting nervous about this trip scheduled for fall of 2017 already. It seems like your pulling teeth to get Disney to renew the salute. I’m a disabled vet and on a tight budget so we are depending on Disney to renew this dedication to the troops. I know everyone is feeling the pinch these days but we really got excited when we learned of this discount. We haven’t taken a vacation in 22 years and now have two children and a hard working wonderful wife who deserves this.
I’m still hopeful Danny.
They may just not be aware of how negatively this will affect our community.
I’m really surprised that they haven’t released this yet. Their numbers were down most of the summer, and it’s starting that way already this month.
As everyone knows, it’s not really the tickets or rooms where they make their money, it’s people buying food and souvenirs. As such, you would think they would want to do whatever they can to get people in the gate.
I’ve got my fingers crossed that it is just a case of them not understanding how bad this is for us.
You would think with how the summer was they would want the attendance, but I think they could just be focusing on the 60-day window.
Another thing it could be is delays in completing the contract with the MRW community for ticket sales by base ticket offices which has to be signed before they will go forward. This caused a 22 day gap in Salute ticket sales in 2010.
Between 2012 and Sept 2015 I had fantastic communications with WDW Media Relations (internal Disney communications is another matter…). My designated contact there and I emailed/texted/talked several times a month and met whenever I was down there. I provided intel on what was and wasn’t working and saw some changes based on what I’d shared (MNSSHP & MVMCP tickets for sold out nights, allowing more than just one ticket purchase). In turn he queried me on what the military community would think of proposed changes (CY vs FY offer [happened], releasing the rooms offer prior to the ticket offer to solve the MWR contract gap [didn’t]).
But in Nov ’15 he was transferred to Shanghai Disney for a year plus. His replacements have been awful communicating with me since then. They have ignored my last 3 emails all re the Salute.
My letter requesting assistance from the WDW President was delivered today (to the mail room I assume).
We’ll see what I hear. Still hopeful.
This is our first time trying to use the military discounts at Disney. Unfortunately, before I stumbled upon your blog I was told by a Disney Cast Member we could book and then call back and lower our rate when the salute was renewed for 2017. We are going in February, so based on what you’re saying should I expect we aren’t going to get a better rate? Also, for the tickets I was told we buy those through Shades of Green, not Disney, is that true? I’m worried about doing this for fast passes, as I’ve always bought everything through Disney and it loads right into My Disney Experience for me to add fast passes. My husband is USPHS so we don’t have a base to purchase tickets from. Thanks!
Hi Katie,
Welcome. It is awesome that the Disney Armed Forces Salute was extended to the USPHS this year.
As your read above the first couple go months can be difficult. I can’t say one way or the other if you will have no or huge problems trying to get the discount to match exactly what you have now. In the past, some have had no problem at all, others have had to fight with Disney to get the “conversion” they were told they could get, while others were unable to get to a successful resolution.
You just will not know till you try.
Please read the Disney Armed Forces Salute Overview page for full details on the tickets, but you’ll want to buy ahead which you can do from Shades (link below).
Disney Armed Forces Salute Overview
Buy Military Discounted Disney Tickets by Phone
I called today to change my 2017 reservation to the Play Stay Dine package that they opened up for Disney VISA holders, and I mentioned to the CM that I was waiting for the military rate to be released, but it hadn’t come out yet.
I’m glad I mentioned that, because she said that they were released today as well, and she was able to change my package to the military discount right then. I’m glad I didn’t have to make another call to change it again.
Excellent Jeremy!
Hello! I’m planning a Disney World trip for January 12-17, 2018 and have a few questions. I’m staying at a non-Disney resort so I just need to purchase the Armed Forces Salute tickets and won’t have to worry about converting room reservations when/if the 2018 salute tickets are available. On the day the 2018 salute is announced, would my best option be to call the Shades of Green ticket office and get tickets mailed to me? Will they be pre-activated? Is there any way to schedule the character meals prior to receiving tickets? I’m concerned because I’m already in the 180 day window and don’t want to miss out. Is there anything else I should know? Thank you so much for all your help! This is my first trip to Disney with 2 very young children so I’m doing everything I can to make sure I’m prepared.
Hi Megan,
First, dining reservation are not dependent on tickets or room reservations, you don’t need either to make dining resies.
Disney resort reservations do allow you to make dining reservations for your whole trip 180 days from check in vs day by day 180 days out for non-Disney guests. Tickets are not connected in any way. Just call 407 WDW-DINE to make your reservations.
Now, how soon after the announcement can you get tickets? Shades should have them within days of the announcement, unless they change the arrangement they have had in the past. And they should be activated also as long as nothing changes.
Hope this helps!
Hi – Thanks so much for the great info! I just had a question regarding the anticipated blockout dates for 2018. You mention that they will likely include the week starting Sunday, April 24th of 2018, but the 24th isn’t a Sunday. Also, Easter this year is Sunday, April 1st. Do you think the blockout dates will be that late into April with Easter being early?
Hi Erin,
Great catch, it should have said 24 March and I’ve fixed it.
Thanks!
I’m a wreck waiting on the 2019 renewal announcement. We have a lot riding on the availability of this discount since we’re taking more family with us this time.
Steve – Question for you!
We are traveling as two groups and as they require us to all check-in on the same day for the discount, can we make a separate reservation for just our family so we can arrive one day earlier? Then we would check out and check in for the new reservation with the rest of our group.
Thanks for all you do!
Hi there Cristabel,
You could sure do that. But I have had guests check in a day or two after I checked in no problem. As long as you are staying the full length of their stay you should be fine
We are waiting to see if the Salute tickets are going to be available for 2019. That is the only way we can do Disney, and stay at Shades of Green. Do you know the day the promotion will be released or is that the 64 million dollar question?
Hi Elaine,
Many people are in that situation!
It has been several years since Disney pre-coordinated the Salute announcements with me.
The last 2 years it has been announced on 28 Sept.
But previously there had been hints passed from Disney to my recommended travel agent Ears of Experience and we basically knew it was coming, just not the details.
Not a peep so far this year.
They would have to do it by the start of November to enable 60-day FastPasses.
I’m retired military and have a DVC timeshare. I always get the Armed Forces Salute 5 day park hopper tickets. I have a room booked 22FEB 22 – 1 MAR22. So from what I read, 2022 tickets are not available until 19 DEC 21 and I then have to check to see if I can get a park pass reservation for those dates. Is this correct or am I missing something?
Hi Gary,
The 2021 offer ends on 16 December 2021. There is no follow on offer announced for 2022 yet. Tickets would be available soon after any announcement.
See: https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-armed-forces-salute/no-2022-wdw-disney-armed-forces-salute-so-far/
And: https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-armed-forces-salute/2022-disney-armed-forces-salute-timeline/