Special Info for these Crazy Times:
News for 2021:
- Walt Disney World – One Step Closer to Normal
- Disneyland Resort Reopening Details
- 2022 Disney Armed Forces Salute Timeline
- Using Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets in 2021
Everything is Different at WDW since it Reopened. See Our Trip Reports:
- Planning and Executing Your Walt Disney World Vacation During These Trying Times
- Using the Walt Disney World Theme Park Reservation System
- 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)
Disney World’s FastPass Plus Advance Reservation System causes quite a bit of concern for Military Travelers!
The Problem
With the advent of Disney world’s new FastPass Plus Advance Reservation System it is very important to have your Disney Military Tickets well prior to arrival.
(Updated April 2021)
Where you stay affects how far in advance you can make your FastPass Plus reservations.
- Those staying at Disney Resorts – Make FastPass Plus reservations 60 Days Prior to check in (this includes Shades of Green, the Swan & Dolphin, and the Disney Springs Resorts)
- Those staying at Non-Disney Resorts – FastPass Plus reservations 30 Days Prior to each desired day of fastpasses
In order to make your FastPass reservations, you need to link your theme park tickets to your My Disney Experience (MDE) account. You do this by taking the number off the back of the ticket and entering it into MDE, or by scanning the back or the ticket with your MDE smart phone app.
Note you can do this with Exchange vouchers too, both the cardboard ticket shaped ones (line the pic below) and the full sheets of printer paper.
Without the ticket, you can’t do this and you’ll miss out on getting the most popular experiences like the Star Wars: Millennium Falcon, Anna and Elsa Meet and Greet, or Avatar: Flight of Passage.
This is a big issue for those who do not live reasonably close to a military base!
Waiting until you arrive at Disney World to buy your tickets will keep you from getting FastPasses for some of the experiences that you want!
The Solutions
Shades of Green
Shades of Green’s Ticket Office sells all of their available tickets long distance.
You should allow ample time for the transaction and and shipping to take place. Depending on volume it can take from a few days to 3 weeks!
To purchase your tickets complete their new online form. One of their ticket specialists will then contact you via phone to take your credit card or Star Card information. They will also verify eligibility.
Note: Shades of Green will not sell tickets more than 6 months prior to the date you tell them you are going.
Disney Armed Forces Salute Paper Vouchers
Patrick AFB ITT
Just go to the Patrick AFB ITT Page, then click on “Order By Phone”
Camp Pendleton
The Camp Pendleton ITT can take your order over the phone and then send them to you.
They carry all varieties of Disneyland and Disney World tickets both Armed Forces Salute and Regular Military Discounted Disney tickets plus other locations.
There is a $10.oo fee for them to send your tickets to you via FedEx. You can pay for your tickets and fee with your credit card.
Disney World tickets require a 2 week lead time! This is because they may need to order the specific tickets that you want.
To order your tickets, contact the Camp Pendleton ITT Pacific Plaza at (760) 725-5863. Please note Disney Armed Forces Salute Ticket eligibility is for those who are career retired, as in 20+ years of service or 100% medically retired (DAVPRM).
Their hours of operation are: Mon-Sat: 8:30am-6:30pm (Pacific Time)
Disneyland Military Tickets are available for sale via phone as well.
Please Note: Some bases sell paper exchange vouchers when you purchase Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets. Some bases sell these paper versions, some sell plastic tickets (which Disney still calls Exchange Vouchers). In either case you can link or scan them into MDE.
Make Your FastPasses
Once you have your tickets, go ahead and link them in My Disney Experience and on the 60th day prior to check in or 30 days prior to your first park day you can make your FastPass Plus reservations.
Remember:
- Disney Resort Guests – Make FP+ reservations 60 Days Prior to check in for their whole trip up to 10 days or the number of days on your linked ticket (whichever is less)
- Non-Disney Resort Guests – Make FP+ reservations day-by-day 30 Days Prior to the desired date
MDT Tip: Disney Guests make FastPasses from the last day of your trip first, then each day prior (there will be more availability further out for the most sought after attractions).
Note: You need to also link you Disney Resort reservation in MDE to open up the 60 day availability!
My Disney Experience Linking Issues
If you have issues linking your tickets or the number of days on the ticket does not show up in MDE (this can happen with Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets) simply call the Disney Internet Help Desk at 800-848-6413. They can assist you with getting things right.
Linking Notes:
When linking Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets to children you will sometimes get a message that you’ve linked a ticket for ages 10+ to a child. This is not an issue and affects nothing!
Will this info help you? Have you done this? Let us know in the comment section below!
Disney's My Magic Plus Links
Disney Technology Overview Page
Memory Maker and PhotoPass+ Military Discounts
My Disney Experience MIlitary Ticket LinkingDisney’s New Tech Intro
All You Need To Know About FastPass+ For the Military Traveler
Military FastPass Plus Ticket Options for Disney World
Waiting On Your Walt Disney World FastPass Plus Window To Open (what you'll see in your account)
Magic Bands for Shades of Green Guests
FastPass Plus for Shades of Green Guests
Memory Maker and PhotoPass
Planning a Disney Trip? Want to get the best military discounts that are available? Feeling a little confused? Get Our Email Newsletter
Read about the Temporary Changes to Disney World during their Post-Lockdown Re-Opening
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
- Resorts/Hotel Overview Page
- Dining Overview Page
- Transportation Overview Page
- Technology Overview Page
- Shades of Green, WDW’s Military Only Resort
Disney Guidebooks By MDT
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Just ordered through the coast guard academy in new London and they FedEx them also.
Awesome Jason,
Thanks for the info!
OOhh. good to know. We are CG. so i guess there is no way to show ID when purchasing, but of course we show it when we activate our tickets.
donna
I just went on the New London website. How did you order them from the Coast Guard Academy. I couldn’t find a link.
I’m sure you have to call Cindy. THey may require proof of eligibility first.
In the past we got a “voucher” at a local base then had to get it exchanged for a ticket at the Disneyworld gate by showing military ID. Are you saying now we can actually get the ticket from Pendleton, not just the voucher? This would be great but surprising. We were not able to activate the FP+ with just the voucher last year.
Thanks!
Hi Karen, some bases use the paper voucher and others the plastic tickets, which are still called exchange vouchers by Disney.
I do not know which Pendleton sends, but either can be scanned/linked to your My Disney Experience account. I haven’t heard any issues and only successes since last year.
Hi Steve,
I have had problems with adding the military salute tickets to MDE because the tickets do not have number/letter codes, just a bar code. I solved this problem by using a bar code reader app on my phone. When it reads the bar code it gave me the numbers and letter I needed to link my tickets.
It worked perfectly for my trip in February, but in May when I did it I had issues at the ticket window when I “activated” my tickets. When the person tried to scan it a note popped up on her screen that said they were already linked to an account. They needed to call tech support to ask how to fix it. It didn’t do anything to my fast passes, those were all booked 60 days in advance with no problems.
donna
fyi, this was an “exchange voucher”. If you can get the actual plastic ticket then I think you are good to go.
Hi Donna,
The MDE app has its own scanner built in, but you found a good alternate way!
Thanks for the update!
Steve,
I just got off the phone with Camp Pendleton ITT and was told they will sell the tickets over the phone but will only send me a voucher which has to be turned in at Disneyworld to be activated and given a real ticket with the actual # to link to the MDE. How disheartening this was to find out I’m no further ahead now trying to get a ticket linked to my MDE than when I was told by Shades of Green that I would have to wait upon my arrival to buy my ticket. I’m afraid your Disney tips/blog was very misleading.
Any suggestions??
Hi Linda,
I’ve had many reports of those who linked or scanned their paper vouchers into MDE with no problem whatsoever. I haven’t heard from anyone who couldn’t
See Donna’s comment just above.
Thanks, Steve
I am planning my trip to Disney World at the end of June. Bought the Salute tickets at Ft. Eustis in Virginia. The person told me I could use the bar code on the voucher to link to my Disney account and make my fast pass selections. I wasn’t sure this was correct so I called Disney and they said yes I could link the bar code number and when I activate the tickets the fast pass selections would transfer to my actual ticket. We’ll see what happens at the end of June.
Yep it is correct Mary.
I’m glad to hear this because I called Disney literally this morning and they told me that I couldn’t use my voucher to link to MDE and set up my FastPass+ selections! I was so upset! So I googled and found your info… I think the castmember I talked to must have been misinformed or misunderstood what I was asking. Thanks for the info!
Hi Megan,
Welcome! And you are welcome.
One of the big reasons that I run the site is because Disney Call Center cast members just seem to know nothing about their company’s military discounts…
It is not that they don’t care, the huge majority of what they have to be familiar with and answer questions on are general public info and that in its self is a lot of info. They just don’t deal very often with military info and ofter (I think) go off what they remember (from previous offers) have heard, or think is right. Unfortunately it is very often wrong. You would not believe some of the things I’ve heard.
Hi Steve. Can I purchase the Stars and Stripes tickets over the phone with SOG? We are going in October 2014 and I hate it that I have to take a cab on the first day just to get these tickets.
Hey Heather,
No you can’t. You have to be staying at Shades to pre-pay and pick up your tickets at check in.
But you can get them over the hone from Camp Pendleton: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/buy-military-discounted-disney-tickets-by-phone/
Could we have a relative who lives near a base purchase tickets for us? or will that go towards their 6 ticket?
Hi Jhoanna,
Your relative is military? If so they could buy your tickets at their local base.
As far as Disney is concerned what matters and counts against the military member’s allotment of 6 tickets is the activation process at Disney. If you activate the tickets it does not count against them.
Some bases keep a list of who has purchased tickets and they might refuse to sell your relatives more during this offer, but they could get them at Disney.
Hi Steve,
I am considering buying annual passes for my family. I saw there was a military rate at Shades of Green. Would I be able to prepurchase them in order to make FP reservations? We have an Oct trip planned, but we have reservations for AofA, not Shades of Green. Advice?? Thanks in advance!
I would think that you could pre-purchase any Disney ticket from Shades. But their pre-purchase window starts 45 days out (for their 30 day FP window) and is only for those staying there.
If your desire is to get the most coveted FP+ items (Frozen meet and greet, etc.) then you’ll be better off getting them through Disney.
Hey Steve, I tried calling the Help Desk number you listed above but it didn’t work. Is there an alternate number? I am a travel agent and I have a number that I can call, but it’s for agents. What other number do you know of that folks can use?
Hi Donna, thanks for the heads up. That number had worked in the past.
Try (407) 939-5277
Hello Steve,
With the recent news that Disney is extending the Armed Forces Salute for 2014-2105 – I called Camp Pendleton ITT to try an get my tickets for a trip that I am scheduled for in early December. I was told that Camp Pendleton does not have the 2014-2015 tickets available yet; however they are hoping to get them in late September 2014.
Since I will be staying on Disney grounds – I have the ability to make fast-pass selections 60 days in advance .. and with the news of tickets not being available until late September, I am a little nervous, given the time it will take to receive them back in the mail.
So I thought I would reach out to you and see if you happened to hear the same thing…take Camp Pendleton will not have tickets available until late September. Thank you in advance!!!
HiTony,
Yes Disney originally said the tickets would not be available until 25 Aug. They have done everything they can do to speed the process. Now it is up to the military contracted ticket distributor and the individual Ticket Offices. One actually said they wont sell the new ones till the old ones are expired even if they have them.
Here is My Ticket update Post with options: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-armed-forces-salute/ticket-update-2014-2015-disney-armed-forces-salute/
Does anyone have an update on whether the paper vouchers will work for FP+ reservations? Are we better off to try to find the “plastic” vouchers?
Yes Megan, the paper vouchers work just fine, see: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/z-popular/linking-disney-military-tickets-and-fastpass-plus-reservations/
We are heading to Disneyland the 29 Sept 2014. The problem we are running into is that the ITTs does not yet have the 2014-2015 Salute tickets. Neither the base near us nor Camp Pendleton know when these will be available (said possibly the week the others expire). Do you have any insight on to when these normally are delivered to the bases? We arrive the day before we are due to go to Disney and would hate to spend half of our first day driving almost an hour away to pick up the tickets. 🙁 Any suggestions would be AWESOME 🙂
Hi Danielle,
You can buy the Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets direct from Disneyland right at the ticket window.
Hi Steve-
So when I contacted Pendleton, they would only sell 6 tickets. We are a family of 8 (one under 3 so we really only need 7 tickets). Your blog has stated that we are allowed the overage for immediate family, but this was the second base I called and they are not willing to sell more than 6. The FP+ reservation complications is frustrating enough. How can we reasonably make FP+ decisions without access to all our tickets? Any suggestions for how to get all 7 tickets?
Hi Kelli,
Yes you are in a tough situation re FP+. But the large family exception is only direct from Disney. Base ticket offices are under contract to only sell 6, though I have heard of some selling more with the caveat that getting them all activated is on you. As they are notpart of this exception, they do not know anything about it.
You are not near a base I take it?
Have a friend who would do the transaction on the last ticket for you?
We are not near a base. We are going to try the idea of reaching out and seeing if a friend can help us by purchasing the ticket for us- since we are liable for the activation at WDW. Thanks again!
Hello,
Has anyone received their 2014-2015 ticket from Pendelton yet? I ordered 2 weeks ago but haven’t heard or received anything. They said 2-3 weeks so I’m not panicking yet, but I’m disappointed that we missed our 60 day and now the 30 day FPP window (today).
Hi Jess,
This was posted on the MDT facebook page today – “Just got may call from Camp Pendleton with my numbers. Ordered 2 weeks ago yesterday! Yippee!”
https://www.facebook.com/MIlitaryDisneyTips/posts/10152732014215407
We used the military tickets last year and received the vouchers…we called Disney and they linked them for us to our MDE…we scheduled our fast passes and had no issues..the only thing we had to do was show them our paper vouchers at the customer service window at the first park we went to and they “activated” them for us with our military ID’s. No issues whatsoever.
Thanks for the ease of use report Angela!
For the 2014-2015 Military discount does this work for honorable discharges? My husband has been out since 1970 and doesn’t have a military ID but does has his DD214 can that be used? Also do these tickets come with fast pass or is that something you have to purchase separately?
Hi Theresa,
Thanks for checking out the site!
There are no discounts available directly from Disney for your situation.
There is the this one discount available for non-retired veterans which is from Shades of Green. It is only for the months of January and September. Here is my post with details including what documentation is required: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Shades-of-Green/Non-Retired-Veterans.html
FastPass Plus comes free with all WDW tickets!
My Grandfather is retired military and interested in purchasing tickets for his kids and grandkids. My question is does he have to be present at the gate with his id? He doesn’t want to go into the park.
Hi Heidi,
The Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets require that he go with the party to the park (or Downtown Disney) to activate the tickets. He need not go into the park See: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Disney-Armed-Forces-Salute.html
The Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets can be used without his ever going, but these are much less savings. See: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/regular-disney-military-discount-for-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-tickets/
Does this work for DoD employes? The bases in Hampton Roads have plenty of the military salute ones, but most do not have much for DoD. They told me it was not cost effective??? They did not give me an option to order either
Stephanie,
I don’t think Camp Pendleton will order the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets for WDW, just the Disney Armed Forces Salute.
You can try Patrick AFB ITT.
Hi Steve!
Thanks for all that you do! My husband’s father is a retired Marine, and we have taken he and his wife to Disney World before and used the Armed Forces Salute tickets, so we are familiar with that process. This time, there will be 10 of us that need tickets, so we will be getting the military discounted magic your way tickets for the four kids. In your previous response it appeared that you were saying that Pendleton would not send the MYW tickets? Is this correct?
Also, when you get those tickets, is it a voucher that must be exchanged or is it a true ticket? Also, can additional days be added to those?
Thanks!
Hey Becky,
Yes, as far as I know, the only WDW tickets that Pendleton sells are the Disney Armed Forces Salute, not the regular MYW. You could try Patrick AFB (FL) I’ve heard they ship too.
And when they come the MYW will be the actual tickets.
Big groups are great! Have fun.
Thanks so much, Steve!
And can I add a day if I want when I am actually in Orlando the way I do with my normal tickets?
No, unfortunately you can not add days to the Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets, only upgrade them to passes. But the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets are the same as the ones direct from Disney and can have days added.
Hi Steve!
I just wanted to let you know that I just spoke with the Camp Pendleton ITT and they said that they would send the MYW tickets.
Thanks again, Steve!
Awesome thanks Becky
We are not to far from Ellington Field in Houston, TX, but I cannot find any info that indicates they sell WDW tickets there. I don’t even know what phone number to call. Could you point me in the right direction? If they don’t sell them I will gladly order from Pendleton.
Thanks!
Hi Mary,
I did a bit of searching and couldn’t see if they have one. You could call the bX to ask if they do have a ticket office on base :(281) 484-5892.
Thanks, Steve!
Thanks for the info – just called Camp Pendelton ITT and ordered our Military Salute Tickets for Disneyland. We do not live near a base, so this was a great way to get our tickets before our trip next month.
So glad this was a good option for you Ruth!
Can you provide the number you called at Camp Pendleton?
it’s in this post Brian
We stayed at a Disney World Hotel last year and received a magic band to use as our ticket and hotel key. We are thinking of staying at Shades of Green next year. Will we get a magic band to use there too?
No you sure won’t. Shades is not a Disney resort Cindy.
You can however keep the bands you have to reuse, I reuse my old ones all the time, for your park tickets and FastPass Plus. At Shades you just can’t use them to charge to the room or as your room key.
What is the difference between the Armed Salute tickets and the Stars and Stripes Passes?
Also, if we get our Armed Salute tickets through the pre-purchase program at SOG as described in the article, how can we get magic bands. You mention reusing old ones in another post but what about if we don’t have one to begin with?
Hi Patricia,
The Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets are highly discounted 4-day tickets which can be purchased in hopper, water park fun and more, or both options. They can be pre-purchased by Shades guests.
Read more about them here: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Disney-Armed-Forces-Salute.html
The Stars and Stripes passes are length of stay passes that can only be purchased by those staying on WDW property. they include both options and can be pre-purchased by Shades guests.
Read more about them here: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Tickets/Stars-and-Stripes-Passes.html
When you pre-purchase through Shades they will email you the ticket numbers to link to your My Disney Experience account
You can buy your own Magic Bands through the Disney Store, Here is a shortlink to the Magic Band section of the Disney Store: http://goo.gl/yni2Tb
Hello! My husband is medically separating from the Army and we were hoping to use the Armed Forces Salute tickets during his terminal leave. Is this possible? To be more clear, we will out process our current duty station in September but still be in the Army by technicality for 60 more days using up remaining leave. Our military IDs do not expire until November of 2017, but I just wasn’t sure how in depth the ticket activation process is. Thanks!
Hi Tiffany,
You’ll be all set. All they are looking for a current ID.
Hi Steve! I was just wondering since we need to be able to sync the tickets to our My Disney Experience, does this also mean that we have to also have the tickets in hand and linked to MDE in order to make advanced dining reservations too?
Hi Andrea,
No Dining is totally separate. Anyone can make dining reservations 180 days prior to the date desired.
If you have a Disney resort reservation however you can make dining reservations for your entire trip (up to 10 days worth) 180 days prior to checkin.
Oh okay. Thank you so much!! Your posts are very helpful and helpse understand everything better.
My daughter is retired military and her and I are planning on taking her daughter to Disney World. Can you tell me if we can order the Discounted Military Disney World tickets over the phone? We live in North Carolina and my granddaughter is 8 months old. My daughter is unable to drive to a base to purchase the tickets and we would like to have them in hand before we head to Disney World. Can you provide a phone number we can call to order our tickets and have them mailed to us?
Hi Terri,
Yes, as the post above says you can do that.
The phone number is also in the post above. I’ve made the info bold text so thet you can see it better.
can you give me the phone number we can call. We live in North Carolina and I could not seem to find that number in the post above. We are going to Disney World in Florida November. I appreciate any info you can give me.
To order your tickets, contact the Camp Pendleton ITT Pacific Plaza at (760) 725-5863.
We are going to Disney World in Florida. We do not live in California, we live in North Carolina. Are you saying that Camp Pendleton, which is in California, is the only base that my daughter can call to order the Disney world tickets? Is there no other base that she can call to order the tickets and have them mailed to her?
Hi Terri,
I’m not sure why it matters. It will be $10 to FedEx them from anywhere.
Camp Pendleton was the first to start FedExing tickets and has always been reliable. That is why I recommend them.
A few other bases may ship, you’d need to call around if you have to have one close to you. I’ve heard that Patrick AFB and the Coast Guard Academy will also ship but do not know that for a fact.
Hi steve we are going to Disney this coming October we will love to get out tickets at the closet base to us we live in SC we been trying to get fort brag to check if the sell the tickets but we had no luck can you tell me were we can get them my husband is a retired army veteran wih a 100% disability
Thank you
Wendy
Hi Wendy,
It’s not necessary to drive to a base any longer. There are ones that will ship tickets to you for a small fee.
See this page for more info: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Tickets/On-Base-Tickets.html
Hello, Steve! Firstly, thank you for all that you do for the military and making Disney trips easy! We just ordered tickets for our December trip from Camp Pendleton, which was so easy-thank you! Two quick questions…
1) The bar code on the back of the vouchers is not scanning onto the MDE app. I called Camp Pendleton and they said to actually use the bottom right number, which I tried to enter manually and that didn’t work either as it is not the correct number of digits. Any idea where the correct number is on the green vouchers? We’d love to link them to MDE.
2) My parents are getting to Disney the day before we do but we are staying a day later. If they activate all four tickets and only use two of the tickets the first day, does that take a day off of the other two tickets (ours) as well (i.e., do they need to just activate theirs on Tuesday when they get down there and then us activate ours on Wednesday?)?
Thank you again!
Hi Spencer,
Thanks so much!!!
First, try the directions in this post:
If that does not work there is a number for the Disney Internet Help Desk in the post, they can hook you up.
Activation doesn’t not use any days off the tickets. Only entering a park does.
You must be present with a photo ID in order for them to activate your ticket for you. So they will do theirs first and then yours later.
Have fun!
My husband and I are planning on getting our tickets through Camp Pendleton and I was wondering since these are still Disney tickets if we can use Disney gift cards to pay for them?
No, sorry, only Disney accepts their own gift cards.
Steve,
Have you heard of anyone having issues getting the Shades of Green ticket office to get back in contact after leaving a message? I called to order 2016 Salute tickets 3 weeks ago, left a message, and someone called back getting my voicemail that same evening telling me what I needed to do by calling back and leaving a detailed message with email address, etc so they can send me ordering information. I did that the next day and never heard back from anyone. No email, no phone call. Our trip is in January and our fast pass window opens up in a week and a half, and our local 2 bases keep telling me they won’t have tickets until January (misinformed I’m sure, but regardless, I can’t get our tickets there because they don’t have them.) I’ve called Shades a second time now leaving the pertinent information because I’m getting nervous that we won’t be able to secure fast passes for the high demand attractions, but still haven’t heard anything. I know Camp Pendleton has an additional wait because they have to order them and then send them. Any tips on how I can get this ball moving?
Thanks for all your help, I’ve utilized this site so much planning this next trip!
Sadly I have heard this all to often. Shades can be very bad at getting back to people.
One time I called during business hours and left message. When I got my return call (they left a voicemail) they said I should call during business hours so they could just answer my call rather that having to call me back…lol
The only other thing I think you can try is to call the front desk and ask them to connect you with a person or ask for the General Manager.
Thank you, I’ll give that a shot on Monday. I’ve called during business hours every time I’ve called and gotten the voicemail every single time…lol
I’m confused. Can the Salute tickets be purchased at a Disneyland ticket counter?
Absolutely Shelly, the big emphasis on pre-purchasing Disney tickets is for Disney World, where you need your ticket numbers inland 30-60 days ahead of time for the FastPass Plus system.
The only reason to pre-purchase Disneyland tickets would be to spread out the cost.
Hi Steve,
I have a question/ concern that has been brought up several times in the past few weeks.
First, when you order tickets by phone with Orlando ITT, Camp Pendleton and the like, do they ask you to send in a copy of your military ID? Or no, because since those tickets don’t come activated, they verify at the gate with the activation process?
And secondly, now that the tickets purchased thru SOG come activated, SOG is asking people to send in a copy of the military ID in order to verify their military status to send the activated tickets. But isn’t it illegal for military members to copy their ID and mail/fax/email it in to businesses?
I don’t want to advise people to do this if it is against any laws/ OPSEC. And while I think it is so convenient that the tickets now come activated from SOG, how do they then prevent these tickets from being passed on to someone else that is not eligible and using the tickets? Since you no longer have to stop at a ticket window/ Guest Relations to show proper ID?
Thanks!
Hi Kim,
Thanks for your thoughtful comments.
Pendleton, I know does not ask for proof, they simply advise individuals that the Salute tickets are unusable without proper ID.
As far as Shades of Green, they are not a business, they are part of the US Army. Is sending them a copy of your ID really an OPSEC issue? But it is very true that selling pre-activated tickets does open up the ability to scalp them.
Whether copying an ID is illegal, I couldn’t say. I’ve experienced hotels in other countries copying IDs vs passports as they do for civilians.
You raise some very good questions. It is a tough situation, without advance tickets you risk missing out on those highly coveted FastPasses and risk having to wait 3-5 hours in line to meet Elsa and Anna.
Hi!
Is this only for Disneyworld? We are planning a trip to Disneyland this summer, and I want to make sure we get the salute rate. IS it necessary to pre order for Disneyland or can we get this rate at the gate?
Hi Amber,
You can get this rate at the gate or DLR Resort Hotels.
Without FastPass Plus (the WDW has) there is no need to pre-purchase.
I am a veteran I can’t believe that you do not have a program for discount tickets for veterans what are we the forgotten ones .
Hi Louie,
Well first I do not offer ANY discounts, I am a retired military member who provides information on this website, i.e. if you don’t receive retired pay or have base access (ID), you don’t qualify.
Second the DoD sets the eligibility for the Disney Armed Forces Salute, and they use the same criteria as who gets regular military benefits.
However there is the this one discount available for non-retired veterans which is from Shades of Green. It is only for the months of January and September. Here is my post with details including what documentation is required: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Shades-of-Green/Non-Retired-Veterans.html
Camp Pendelton is not the closest. It’s 66mi. Los Angeles AFB with an ITT office is 35mi from Disneyland
And right next to LAX for that matter.
Thank you Ashley.
just received my pre-ordered 5 day hopper pass from shades of green ticket office, are these the tickets people are saying are already active or will i need to activate them since they were not bought on site of shades of green?
Hi Deanna,
Yes, Shades has been selling their Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets pre activated for about two years now. But it is always possible that they change something. Did they not tell you during your purchase process?
It was done via fax, they called to confirm info on order form and I received ticket like 5 days later. It is am actual ticket with the ticket type printed on back of ticket and does not say voucher anywhere on it.
Sounds like you are good to go then Deanna.
Thanks!
I’m so confused by this whole process. My husband was in the navy for 5 years and got released. Does he not qualify for discounted tickets? I’ve called Camp Pendleton and a couple bases but, no one has gotten back to me. If he is eligible, I just want a link or phone number to call and get this sorted out. I’m going crazy.
Hey Steve,
Thank you so much for this information. We’re planning a wdw trip for February 2018. Can I order / receive 2018 tickets (if renewed by wdw) from camp pendleton before my 60 day FP window opens? Or will they not have them available that far in advance? Thank you!
Hi Trista,
Yes you should be able to order them by your Dec Dates from Pendleton. Shades of Green will definitely have them by then!
Ok great, thanks again, Steve!
Hey Steve–have you heard if the 2018 tickets are available for purchase via phone anywhere yet? I tried twice to order from Pendleton ITT (where I ordered from in 2016 for our trip). The first time I called was in October and they stated the tickets would be available in early November. I just called again today and was told they might not have the tickets until late January. Obviously creates a problem for anyone with trip plans in the beginning of 2018.
Hi Jacki,
I haven’t had any feedback from the field. This is a huge issue for those trying to plan.
I’ve brought it to Disney’s attention in the past and been told it is a distribution issue caused by MWR and the third party(s) they hire to transport tickets from Disney. There are also the issues of various people in the mWR chain determining when they will allow distribution/sales. Some offices won’t sell the new tickets till the old offer is over (to avoid confusion on all parties parts).
Thanks for your response! Trying Shades instead!
Hi Steve,
If I order regular 6 day MYW tickets from SOG can I order before my 60 days from arrival (staying at Shades). I would like to get them earlier JUST in case the rumors are true and Disney decides to extend the 60 day booking window to outside resorts and includes SOG!
Yes absolutely Jodi,
You can purchase at any time ahead from Shades.
Just contacted Shades of Green. I am staying at another Disney resort. Shades of Green told me via email that unless I am staying at Shades of Green, I cannot purchase my discounted tickets from them – I qualify to stay at the hotel, but I am not staying there. Just wanted to add that because the website says to call or email if you are staying off property and they can email them to you, not the case, or at least not the rude person that I was emailing with.
Hi Joy,
Try back. Shades of Green has been selling to non-guests in person for ever and long distance since they started that service. Perhaps you caught someone on a (very) bad day…
Thanks for all the great tips! I have a question that I’m hoping you can help me with. We have a trip planned for extended family (party of 12). I ordered and received tickets from Shades Of Green. Here’s the issue. Six of the tickets are military salute type, and the other 6 are regular military discount tickets. It’s my understanding that the military salute tickets require activation upon arrival, but I can’t tell which is which! All 12 tickets are plastic cards and there is no identifying information regarding which are salute tickets. I was planning to add the ticket numbers in my disney experience but am concerned that I will assign the military member a regular miltary discount ticket instead of a salute ticket. Do you know if it matters?
Hi there Michele,
Wow, that’s very poor form on Shades’ part!
It does matter. The member, by the rules has to use one of the Salute tickets. Once you link a ticket MDE will tell you which kind it is, but there is no way to tell ahead of time.
But if you link one of the regular ones to the member they can reassign it if it hasn’t been used yet. They have to be the one logged in to do this.
So do this:
Pick one and link it.
Then go to the members’s “Plans and Tickets” page of MDE (hover over the My Disney Experience Menu, click on My Plans) scroll down to My Plans, Reservations, and Tickets
Just below those words the daily itinerary will be showing, but you can click on Tickets and Memory Maker
You should then see the member’s ticket and what kind it is. Salute tickets sometimes show some odd text or the previous year (usually just early in the offer period) don’t worry about that. All you are looking for is “military” in it. If it displays as a regular Magic Your Way, then it is the wrong one.
You should see a reassign button and you should be able to switch it to someone else in the party. Then go through the whole thing again.
If it won’t reassign you’ll need call the the tech support number (Disney Internet Help Desk at 800-848-6413, option #3)
The next issue is that ideally you’d have the people you wanted using the Salute tickets, so only they have to go for the activation not everyone, and this might require a bunch of reassigning.
I’d give Shades a piece of my mind… They should have separated them in 2 labeled envelopes in the package.
I’d appreciate feedback on how the linking goes.
Steve
Hi there,
First of all thanks for all the info. Unfortunately for you I remain a little confused. If I call SOG and order two of the allotted six Armed Forces Salute tickets and have them sent to me will they be activated or not? It sounds like AFS require activation but the normally discounted military tickets do not when purchased from SOG.
Hi Julie,
Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets from Shades come pre-activated.Sorry for the confusion!
The Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets never require activation.
Hi Steve,
I called SOG but they told me that even after purchasing activated AFS tickets we will still need to show our military ID at the Disney entrance gates. Do you have any background information on this? I don’t really see the point of buying the tickets via SOG if this is the case.
Thanks for your help!
Hi Julie,
They tell this white lie to try to prevent you from scalping the tickets or giving them to those who are not eligible and going without you.
There is no ID check at the tapstyles!
Never happened to me or anyone I’ve communicated with. Once the tickets are active they behave just like any other general public ticket during use.
They really should not be selling activated tickets long distance!
They sell them activated in person and apparently can’t figure out how to not sell them activated long distance.
Hi Steve,
I’m trying to purchase 2020 salute tickets using the email for the shades of green ticket office as I currently do not live close to a base. Generally how long does it take them to respond?
Thank you,
Hi Maria,
It often takes a day or two to get a response. Has it been longer?
FYI, they may not have them just yet. I haven’t heard. They will have them by 1 Nov.
It’s been 3 days. Do you think if I plan on arriving Jan 1st I should get them in time? I’ve done the process before and it only took about a week in total.
You could always call and ask that they answer your email. But the ticket office rarely answers the phone, you have to leave a voicemail. Early in the day seems to be the best time to get a person. Or ask one of the other numbers for help.
Main Phone (407) 824-3400
Attraction Ticket Hotline (407) 824-1403
Guest Services (407) 824-2437
I have looked so much I have confused myself. You have great information and I should have marked it. We are regular discharged and have a dd214. I see we can stay at Shades of Green for January and December.
We are not planning on going until January 2021, so I think I cannot buy tickets yet. When would we be able to buy them.
Hi there Kim,
I know, it’s a lot to take in…
Once you make your reservation you should be able to pre-purchase tickets for your stay.
You’ll want to start that process more than 75 days prior, so you’ll be sure that you’ll have your tickets (or ticket numbers) in time to make 60-day FastPasses.
In a bit of dilemma and not sure what to do. Between 4 military members we purchased 24 salute disneyworld tickets. 3 of the members are no longer able to go on the trip. Will I be able to activate all those tickets on my military ID?
Hi Lance,
Whew sounds like it…
I need more information though first.
Where did each of you buy your tickets?
Are these 2020 or 2021 tickets?
So 3 eligible members, and their parties I assume, can’t go but you still need to use their tickets?
Are their spouses still going?
How many people are actually going?
Dates? How long? Number of park days desired?
You have taken a major headache out of trying to purchase these tickets for my family that is a mix of active duty both Army & Navy, grandchild, one non-military affiliated grown child, pending deployments and what to do about that, and every other crazy thing this military life can throw at us,
Thank you!
Thank you MO!
It’s my pleasure. I just love doing it.
It’s the combo of my 2 loves.
HI Steve,
I have a bit of a dilemma, I purchased 3 military tickets back in January of this year but my oldest daughter wasn’t able to go on that trip with us. We’re planning on going again in April and she will be joining us. My base does not sell the tickets anymore so I purchase them at Shades of Green. I made the park reservations for the 3 of us that already have tickets but how I’m not able to purchase hers until i get there i couldn’t make the reservation for her and now the park is at capacity. Does Disney make any exception because of the fact we can’t purchase until we’re there?
Hi Katherine,
I’m not sure that I quite understand the situation.
I understand that you have 3 tickets and need a 4th.
But you didn’t say why you can’t purchase it from Shades of Green now. Are you too close to departure for them to process and ship the ticket?
I guess that is a moot point as you said your park choice on at least one day is already full. I just looked at the theme park reservation calendar and assume you are going sometime from the 1st to the 10th. There are many days in there that Epcot is the only park open and the MK is only available on the 10th.
So here is what I know. Disney has said there are no exceptions to the park attendance limits.
But it never hurts to ask for some Disney Magic with Guest Relations after you purchase the ticket. Explain the situation, stress the military ticket angle and having had to wait. Politely escalate to as many levels of supervision to hopefully get a positive response. Mention that not everyone who made a reservation can possibly be in the park at the same time, so what’s 1 more person? This might succeed or might not (sorry no way to know).
If it doesn’t work, she might have to make a park reservation for and open park (Epcot mostly) and hope that the park of your choice each day is open for park hopping at 2 pm (unless they change the hopping time time or the park is full, this is the number to check: (407) 560-5000). She will have to enter the park where she has the reservation before she can hop to another.
She could meet you at 2 if you are already in the park or you could all go about the same time after having done something else in the morning like Disney Springs, enjoying your resort or exploring another. See: https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/walt-disney-world/top-11-free-or-low-cost-disney-world-activities/
Sorry, I couldn’t offer sure positive answers!
Hi Steve,
Thank you for your response , as always you’re wonderful help.
I will definitely be using some of your tips and hope for some pixie dust !
-Kathy
Hi! Last year I purchased 5 armed forces salute tickets from Shades of Green. I will be using 2 of the tickets in June but three of my family members are unable to go. Would there be an issue if I gave three of the tickets to another active duty military family who would use the tickets at a different time? Also, the tickets I received from Shades of Green are plastic. Do I need to stop by guest relations first or do I go directly to the park entrance and scan my ticket. Thank you
Hi Monique,
You can give those tickets to other eligible members to use, as long as they have not already used their allowed 6 of the 2020 tickets.
Shades of Green tickets do not need to go through the activation process. Just go right to the park entry.
Hello Steve,
We are a blended family of 11. we have two military members who will be purchasing Salute tickets for the family in advance. However, 2 of the 11 will not be traveling with us in August, but rather on their own a few weeks later due to scheduling conflicts.
How will that affect us once we get to the parks in August?
Will the 4 additional tickets not be valid unless that second military person is not with us?
Does the whole family have to travel together to make sure all 11 tickets are active?
Hi Diana,
I assume the second eligible person is one of the two who can’t go with everyone else. (comments based on this)
First, I must say that Disney’s intended use of the Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets is for the member (or spouse) to spend time in the parks with their guests.
Getting that out of the way, tickets purchased through Shades of Green come pre-activated, no need for the member to go with their whole party on arrival and activate them.
So, those other tickets purchased by the person not there could be used, though it goes against the spirit of the discount.
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/buy-military-discounted-disney-tickets-by-phone/
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/military-discount-theme-park-tickets/regular-military-discounted-magic-your-way-tickets/
Hope this helps!
Thanks. I don’t want to get anyone in trouble,
We are trying to move plans around to go together, but the closest we can get dates together still involves 9 of us beginning the trip 3 days in advance of the rest.
Check out the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets I linked to!