Special Info for these Crazy Times:
News for 2021:
- Disneyland Finally Scheduled to Reopen
- Planning and Executing Your Walt Disney World Vacation During These Trying Times
- 2021 Walt Disney World Armed Forces Salute Ticket Announcement
- Using Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets in 2021
- Using the Walt Disney World Theme Park Reservation System
- Park Hopping Returns to Walt Disney World Starting in 2021
Everything is Different at WDW since it Reopened. See Our Trip Reports:
- 2022 Disney Armed Forces Salute Timeline
- Our Return to Walt Disney World (Aug/Sep 2020)
- Our Second Trip Back to Walt Disney World (Nov 2020)
- Our Third Trip Back to Walt Disney World (Jan 2021)
I am getting these two questions in growing frequency as the military community is wondering why we haven’t heard anything yet.
This is understandable as each of the last 5 years, Disney has announced the coming year’s Military Salute Offer right about this time in September. And we’ve seen nothing yet.
UPDATE 3 Dec – Disney has announced 2021 Disney Armed Forces Salute Info
First a Little History
I started my military career way back, and as far back as I can remember in my career, my Base Ticket Office sold slightly discounted tickets for Walt Disney World.
For the majority of my career these were all that was available for the military community and they really didn’t save you very much. These tickets are still available today and depending on the length and options purchased, you will save between four and eight percent off of the regular general public gate ticket price.
Several times over the years Disney has offered specially priced or sometimes even free, tickets for the military member. A couple of examples of this are:
- After the first Gulf War, Disney World offered a free one-day ticket for military members and reduced price tickets for their guests.
- During the first half of 2002 due to the post 9/11 travel industry slowdown, they offered a free seven-day ticket for the member and 50% off tickets for up to five of their guests. As the travel industry recovered, Disney discontinued this special military offer.
After the 2002 offer, once again all that was available were the regular military discounted tickets.
Then in 2009 Disney started what is called the Disney Armed Forces Salute. This initial new offer came after the economic downturn and travel industry slowdown that began in the fall of 2008.
- The first Salute began in January 2009 and was initially a partial year offer, which was then extended 3 times by a month at a time, eventually running through the end of the year.
- January 2010 saw another 7-month long offer, which was then extended twice through the end of the 2010 Disney fiscal year (September 2010).
- In October 2010, after a 22-day break, Disney offered the first full yearlong offer (25 October 2010 – 28 September 2011).
- In April 2011 Disney made a surprise announcement that the ongoing offer would be extended through 28 September 2012, making it a 2-year long offer. (The ticket limit was increased to 12)
- September 2012, 2013, and 2014 each saw one year long renewals.
- In June 2015 the 28 September 2014 – October 2015 offer was extended through just prior to Christmas 2015. This was in preparation to switching to a calendar year offer period. (The ticket limit was increased to 12)
- On 24 September 2015 Disney switched to offering a Calendar Year Salute Offer for 2016. It ran from 3 January through 19 December 2016.
- On 28 September 2016 Disney announced the second calendar year offer for 2017.
- On 28 September 2017 Disney announced the new 2018 Disney Armed Forces Salute.
- On 27 September 2018 Disney announced the new 2019 Disney Armed Forces Salute.
- On 26 September 2019 Disney announced the new 2020 Disney Armed Forces Salute.
How It Works
Each of these yearly Salute Offers are totally separate offers for a limited timeframe.
A continuation the following year is never guaranteed past the end date of the current offer!
Each year in late summer Disney holds what is called the Revenue Generation Board. In which they discuss future income (as you might imagine by the name). It is during this meeting that the decision is made whether or not to offer a Disney Armed Forces Salute for the upcoming year.
This is why Disney has never been able to announce the Salute offer in late July when general public room rates come out for the following year.
This Year Has Been So Messed Up!
Because of all the reactions to the virus issue this year, all bets are off!
All of the turmoil that was caused in reaction to the virus has been hard on everyone. Disney struggled to make their way, I know. But through all of it they treated the military community as an afterthought instead of the community they have always turned to in difficult times in order to plus up their bottom line.
I’ve been criticized for saying so, but Disney has treated the military community very poorly this year.
I can’t help it, I don’t like it and there is no reason for it, other than lack of concern.
- They kept us in the dark about what would happen with pre-purchased tickets that could not be used
- They refused to refund Salute tickets on their own and pushing it to the Bases to do so, when the Bases’ contracts with Disney state the Salute tickets are non-refundable
- Many military members were left with hundreds to thousands of dollars worth of tickets they purchased, could not use, and couldn’t get refunded
- They quietly extended the Salute tickets without announcing it at all. It was eventually added to their website well after the fact
- They have said there will be no refunds the cost of the park-hopper option on Salute tickets, though they did this for general public tickets
I fear this trend won’t change in the near future.
Long Story Short
I do think that there will be Disney Resort Room Military Discounts for 2021!
Moving forward Disney will need bodies to come to their vacation destinations as they did after 9/11 and the 2009 recession. In the past the military was there to fill that gap for Disney and we will be again.
I just have the bad feeling (based on this year) that Disney will not be thinking ahead about our community and make decisions way late, and then announce the discount poorly.
Currently for the general public, Disney is doing just what they did post 9/11. Offering discounts to residents of states within driving distance first. As people return to feeling comfortable flying, the nationwide discounts will follow. Hopefully a military one will be announced around that time as well.
Florida just announced the entry into Phase 3 with no State mask requirement.
Disney’s transition from how things are working now back to full attendance is sure to be rocky, just as the shutdown was. We’ll just have to see what happens.
It could be late in the year before we hear about next year.
Fingers crossed that I’m wrong and it is soon!
The Current State
Here is where we are at with respect to Disney Military Discounts.
Disneyland
- Remains closed and all military info was removed from their site.
Walt Disney World
- 2020 Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets whether already in hand or yet to be purchased will expire on 26 September 2021. They must be purchased by 18 Dec 2020!
- The fate of ticket discounts from 27 Sept through 31 Dec 2021 is unknown
- The Salute ticket purchase limit remains at 6 per military member (even though the other 2 times Disney extended a Salute longer that 12 months the limit went to 12)
- Disney Armed Forces Salute Park Hopper Tickets are the special ticket currently being sold, even though there is no park hopping allowed
- Disney Armed Forces Salute Park Hopper Plus Tickets are not being sold
- Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets are only being sole in 1-7 day lengths without Park Hopper or Park Hopper Plus
- 2020 Disney Armed Forces Salute Room Discounts run through 18 December 2020
- The fate of room discounts from 19 December 2020 through 26 September 2021 (and then through 31 December 2021) is unknown
UPDATE: Park Hopping Returns to WDW on 1 January
Full Disney Armed Forces Salute Info
Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets
Wrap Up
Reports from reliable anonymous sources in the know are that Disney is just barely meeting the target numbers that have set for themselves in this post-closure opening period. And that Disney is desperate to expand their earning.
Here is a suggestions for Disney: Treat the military community with the same respect and forethought that you have in the past. Stop ignoring us and keeping us in the dark. If you do, we will be there for you as we have in the past when you were desperate for bodies (after 9/11 and the recession)!
Over to you
Share your thoughts and questions in the comments section below.
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- Military Disney Tips Disney Packing Checklist
- Disney Military Tickets – Your Start to Finish Guide
- Resorts/Hotel Overview Page
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- Shades of Green, WDW’s Military Only Resort
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We’ll be going to Disney in 2021, but only because our 2020 trip was canceled due to the pandemic & since we rented DVC points, we got a credit, not a refund. But we certainly won’t be spending the money we had planned to spend in 2020.
We were excited to see 6-day tickets, but now we’ll only get the 4-day. Without being able to park hop, we’ll skip Animal Kingdom & Hollywood Studios which were both half-day park visits for us. And while a water park will be open when we go next year, we can’t buy the Park Hopper Plus tickets, so that’s out, too. Disney might bring them back whenever they announce their military discounts for 2021 (assuming they do), but we’re not betting people, so we’ll be buying the 2020 tickets that can be used in 2021 to make sure we get a discount before they expire.
It’s a shame that Disney, at a time when they need visitors the most, seem to be going out of their way to alienate us. It’s really soured me on the whole Disney magic.
Hi Peg,
Solid plans on your part! I too will be buying the hopper tickets before the Dec cutoff. I’ll have 2 remaining.
Just the other day Florida went to phase 3 with no mask requirement. Rather than drop all of the overreaction to covid, open wide up and get the cash rolling in, Disney doubled down and fired 28 thousand employees.
I had plans to go to WDW in July 2020 with my grandkids but the virus caused us to cancel.We all had Military Discount Tickets and was told they were not refundable but were good until September 2021.I’m a disabled veteran and I don’t feel safe flying from NY to WDW with my grandchildren with the COVID-19 numbers on the rise all over the country. My feeling is that these unused tickets should be able to be created for a new vacation once they are able to control this deadly virus.
Good Afternoon,
First I would like to thank you for all the information you post, I truly appreciate it.
Quick Question… We have purchased tickets for 2020/21, without the water parks in hopes to purchase the waterpark portion when we arrived on property in July 2021. However, I saw that you have to purchase your tix by Dec 2020 now, will we be able to add the waterpark portion to our tickets after the Dec 2020 date? We do plan on using one day in October this year and the rest in July 2021. Would I be able to add the waterpark option now then use it in July, even though we are using 1 MK day in October?
Thanks!
Krystal
Hi Krystal,
Thanks so much!
Yes I believe that they will allow you to add on the water park option for the price difference once they open, even after the purchase cutoff. That is as long as they are offering a 2021 Salute ticket. And you might have to pay up to whatever the 2021 price is.
Thank you!
Steve,
That is what I was told (pay the difference in the two years tickets) when I had to cancel my FULLY-PAID trip this June (Dining package, CBR, light saber reservations and lots of dining reservations…I know, I still cry about it) Anyways, I just re-booked for Shades of Green and will be taking my boyfriend now. Let me make sure I am understanding this correctly…I can go buy his ticket for same price as 2020 salute ticket BEFORE Dec 18 and still use all 3 of our tickets on our spring break trip March 2021? Thank you so much for all this information because Disney or the MWR act like they are clueless when i have questions!
Tiffany
Hey there Tiffany,
Wow, you had the Cadillac plan going there!
Yes, the 2020 ticket expiration was extended through 26 Sept 2021, but they currently have a purchase cutoff of the old 18 Dec 2020 expiration date.
You can buy tickets by 18 Dec and use them at any time through 26 Sept 2021, up to your 6 ticket limit.
I’ve reached out to Disney about the 6 tic limit which they need to increase to 12 as they have in the past for extensions past 12 months. And also cutting off the purchases so early compared to the end of offer.
Keep up the great work Steve!
I purchased 5 Salute tickets in July 2020 and used them in July 2020. Can I purchase another 5 by this December for use in April 2021 under the current program which extends through September 2021?
Hi Ron,
No, without Disney adding more tickets to the 6 total each member is eligible for, you’ll only have 1 left of the 2020 tickets to buy for the April 21 trip.
If however they have a 2021 ticket offer you would be eligible for however many are included in that offer.
Thank you for all that you do! Your site has been a critical part in our Disney vacations since 2015.
Regarding your article: My assumption is with the extension of the park ticket discounts to SEP 2021, that they will announce resort room discounts at some point. Perhaps they are waiting on the holiday attendance forecast. With the layoffs from last week there’s a lot to consider. I just hope they announce it before the year ends. We are booked for a trip in FEB 2021.
Hi there Jessica,
Thanks so much for being a long time reader!!!
It sure is a odd situation we find ourselves in. Unnamed sources in the know stated that Disney World is meeting their highly reduced target numbers (barely) and is desperate to make more money. That they are clinging to these restrictions after Florida has gone to stage 3 is frustrating.
I’m sure we will hear something in 3 or 4 weeks.
Steve,
Thank you for everything you do. I find myself being the “local” military/veteran Disney guru and much of that is based off the information you share. Our family was slated for a April 2020 vacation but COVID had other plans. We bumped it to April,2020 and I have spoken to a few cast members that keep putting the delay on the DOD releasing.
The last cast member I spoke to over at Member resolution (inquired to park hopping ticket issue). stated that there will be parking hoping in 2021 and they’re selling regular non military park hopping. She also stated they rely on the DOD to release. She did end up calling me back and stating there should be news soon as she was informed that from a supervisor meeting.
Hi Ryn,
I had a March 2020 research trip and an April 2020 family trip cancel. We bumped the family one to November 2020. Probably in right around 3 weeks (after 3 Nov) Disney will start looking to the future.
Thanks so much Steve for all the great info about pre-purchased military park tickets. I am an annual pass holder but my husband purchase his hopper pass with his military price. It was purchased January 23,2019 to be used for our March 2019 trip which was cancelled due to COVID. So I was happy to hear that his ticket has been extended to September 2021 since we plan on going in March 21’ I am going in February 21’ And was told to check back for my military room discount I wasn’t even able to get my annual pass 10% room discount. So here we go. You would think Disney would want as many guest visiting as possible. Just makes me wonder about their strategy. Again thank you for the information.
Hi there Roz,
Disney does not seem to be thinking past 25 Dec. yet. No discounts past that date. They are so caught up in this fear mongering and “political SCIENCE” that they are letting it outweigh profits and longterm brand image.
At some point (perhaps after 3 Nov.) they will get over it and start looking to the future and start discounting 2021.
I served 9 years in the Army Reserves. Am I eligible for any rooms or discounts at WDW?
Hi Mike,
See:
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/disney-military-discounts-for-veterans-who-did-not-retire-from-the-military/
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/disney-veteran-discount-and-disney-military-discount-eligibility-guide/
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/disney-discounts-and-the-john-mccain-defense-authorization-act/
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/shades-of-green/shades-of-green-stays-for-non-retired-veterans/
Hey Steve,
We’ve been following your blog closely in anticipation of a late January room discount, We’ve downgraded from a deluxe to a moderate for some extra savings, but are still trying to save as much as possible considering all that is currently lacking in the Disney Parks. We booked for end of January 2021 after having to cancel our September 2020 trip. We’re going for 8 days, 2 in each park although we are hoping that park hopping will return as we have purchased park hopper tickets, I am not optimistic in this regard as they would have no way of controlling the “25%” park capacity that Iger is claiming that they are currently going by. I am praying for the regular fast pass to return at the very least to alleviate some of the ridiculous wait times people are currently experiencing. I am hoping to salvage some sort of decent vacation, as we haven’t taken one since 2016. I kind of have this take on things right now, sure I was one of the million that were beyond upset about having to cancel a vacation, but then came the layoffs. I decided that if our family sucks it up and tries to make the best of a not so ideal situation these people just may be able to get back to work sooner, rather than later. That’s just my 2 cents, I want to thank you for keeping our Disney military community informed and up to date on the latest information, and I look forward to all future posts.
Hi Dody,
Thanks for your comment. You hit on so many great points.
I’m sure there will be late Jan discounts, general public and probably military. They just haven’t published them yet. They are only out to 25 Dec.
I am a retired Marine. We have seven children and have been told I can only get six tickets (We need 9) with the discount. I have called the base and Disney and they said they make no exceptions for large families. We plan to go the 22nd – 29 August 2021. Any suggestions?
Hi Larry,
Please see this post for info on this: https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/faq/i-need-more-than-6-disney-armed-forces-salute-tickets-what-can-i-do/
My personal experience with this (we have 5 dependent children-need 7 tickets) is the base ticket offices WILL NOT sell more than 6 tickets. However, we’ve never had an issue going to the ticket booths and activating that 7th ticket. In the past, needing tickets entered for fastpasses, and now needing them for park reservations, our way around that is to purchase 6 tickets either from shades of green or on base, and the extra 1 at the other location (either on base or from shades of green.) Any tickets not purchased from shades of green need to be activated at the ticket booth but that is where we explained that the 7th ticket was for our 5th dependent child and they’ve never given us a problem. Everyone needs to be with you to activate, and you may want to bring a printout of your DEERS list just to show that they are your dependents but we’ve never had to do that even though I bring it every time JUST IN CASE. Hope that helps!
Hi there Rachelle,
Great tip on the DEERS printout!!!
Hi, we also have – large family and need 8 total salute tickets. We purchased our limited 6 at our base a week before our last minute trip last month. I linked the passes and made park reservations online. We drove down and ate at Disney springs the night before and went to the guest ticket office there. (This is the second trip that I have followed this procedure.) I was able to purchase the additional two tickets at the salute price and the cast member activated all 8 passes and added the park reservations to the we needed. They are always so helpful. You can activate them anytime and I always prefer to try to get to Disney springs the night before instead of dealing with it at guest services outside the park the morning of. Especially now with the required park reservations.
Another quick thought to consider. The options that Disney has offered the past two years have been so great for our family. As frustrating as it has been to navigate without quick information coming from Disney straight out to our military community, I’m still so thankful for the flexibility the salute tickets offer. Adding the 5and 6 day ticket over the last few years has been a game changer for us. And the fact that they don’t have to be used consecutively is such a help. We went for 3 days last month and will go for the remaining 3 days early next year. That is so helpful with my husbands very sporadic training and TDY schedules that would really wreck advance travel plans so we typically have to throw together what we can at a moments notice. Also the fact that they aren’t refunding the “park hopper” portion to me is not really a value point. The salute tickets are so deeply discounted the daily fee for the a regular hopper add on is more than what the salute tickets are valued at daily. It’s a bonus to me that they offer it bundled with such a low price. I always make a point to tell every cast member that helps us purchase and activate the tickets, memory maker, or room reservations how much the military community appreciates and use the discounts they offer. We have been to WDW many times over the years that we would not have been able to go if it were not for the discounted tickets.
The magical atmosphere was still there last month on our visit. We were in the parks on the day of the 28,000 layoff announcement and I spoke with so many fast members and they were still making the best magic for guests despite all the fear and worry about jobs and their co cast members that they knew were probably not coming back. This situation is truly heartbreaking all around and I want to encourage everyone who goes to the parks or speaks to cast members on the phone to encourage them and be thankful for the work they are doing right now.
Thank you Steve for all the work you do and please know, you are the first place I turn when I’m looking for Disney info!!!
Hi there Jenn,
Thanks you so much for your kind words!
Your trip report is much appreciated, especially about the additional tickets. This has always been a worry point for those in your situation without any written guidance from Disney.
I’m at WDW right now and the crowds have swelled. It looks just like an average attendance day now.
These certainly are tough times.
Enjoy your next trip!!!
The discount WDW resorts are offering right now, for stays this spring are almost or as good as the Military Salute discount. We were able to reserve Coronado, Preferred King for 6nights, @$1520. I believe we got a 35% discount. Just check the resorts available and the dates right on your My Disney Experience app for this offer.
Hello Steve,
I was just wondering, if Disney does start to allow park hopping in 2021 again, and They open both water parks back up, can I use one of the 6 days from my current salute ticket as a day in the water park or do I have to add on the water park option to my ticket to be able to go to the water park.
Hi khristen,
You’d need to add the water park option. The days on the hopper ticket are just for theme parks.
Doing the upgrade is cheaper than buying a single day water park ticket!
I see it says military salute tickets must be purchased by the 18th of December. Does that mean if we hopefully want to go in early September 2021 (still waiting to see if a room discount is offered so we aren’t even booked yet), we have to buy our military salute tickets by the 18th of December or we cannot purchase salute tickets in the first 9 months of 2021? I don’t want to buy non-refundable tickets before I have a room secured, Incase they don’t offer the room discount.. I’m so confused, if we will be forced into buying our park tickets early (and possibly having to take a loss on them) then we probably won’t be going because everything is still so up in the air.
Hi Mary,
Yes, sadly that is Disney’s policy right now.
I have reached out to Disney to point out just this problem. We’ll see if they change their tune.
I will post if and when I hear anything!!!
Is there any update on the 2021 Room Discount?
Yes Dana, please see our newest post.
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-armed-forces-salute/2021-disney-armed-forces-salute-information-rooms-tickets-memory-maker/
As of 12/3/20, Disney has announced the military room rates beginning January 1st on their website. You can get 25% off for value resorts and as much as 40% off for the deluxe resorts.
Thanks Becky,
See our post: https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/military-discount-on-disney-memory-maker-photopass/
Hi, Steve… good news. WDW has extended the purchase date for the Military Promotional discount tickets until 14 Feb 2021 (still must use by 26 Sep 21).
Hotel discounts still apply (if rooms are available) until 17 Dec 21.
Regards, and keep up the good work!
Thanks for checking in Larry.
We covered this the day it came out: https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-armed-forces-salute/2021-disney-armed-forces-salute-information-rooms-tickets-memory-maker/