News for 2021 & 2022:
- No 2022 WDW Disney Armed Forces Salute So Far
- 2022 Disney Armed Forces Salute Timeline
- What to Expect on the Day Disney Announces the WDW 2022 Disney Armed Forces Salute
- Using Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets in 2021
- Using the Walt Disney World Theme Park Reservation System
Hi there and welcome to the world of Disney Veteran Discount Tickets and Disney Veteran Discounted Rooms.
In this post we’ll be covering just who is eligible and what is available for Walt Disney World and Disneyland Vacations for non-retired US Military Veterans.
Note: For the purpose if this post, Veteran indicates someone who has served in the U.S. Military, for however long, and separated without retiring (regular or medical) and is not 100% service connected permanently disabled (DAVPRM).
We have a VERY DETAILED post which covers every possible status if you don’t fall into the 2 categories below as well as every possible discount.
US Flag Flies High Over Epcot
Who Is Eligible?
There are 2 categories of eligibility for Disney Veteran Discounts:
- Those who fall under the 2018 John McCain Defense Authorization Act (sometimes also called the The Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act of 2018)
- Veterans who are Purple Heart recipients
- Veterans who are former prisoners of war
- All Veterans with service-connected disabilities
- Individuals approved and designated as the Primary Family Caregivers of eligible Veterans under the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers
- All those who served Honorably
- Veterans with a D-214 indicating Honorable Discharge
We will address each category individually below.
First, let’s talk about the big issue.
There are no discounts directly from Disney for those who did not retire from the military.
There are however, great discounts for Disney Vacations available through Military MWR channels!
Those who fall under the 2018 John McCain Defense Authorization Act
Starting in January 2020 those with these statuses became eligible for a variety of military benefits. The one that we will discuss here is access to some MWR functions.
What are these Veterans eligible for?
- Ticket Purchases at Base Ticket Offices
- In person, or long distance from those that ship
- This includes most Disney tickets as well as for other venues (Universal, SeaWorld, etc.) that are sold by individual ticket locations
- Stays at Shades of Green Resort at Walt Disney World
- Room and packages plus use of all facilities (Ticket Office, AAFES Store, Dining, etc.)
Tickets
Ticket discounts are available for Walt Disney World and the Disneyland Resort as well as many other theme park and local entertainment options.
When discussing tickets, it is important to note that there are a few Military Ticket Discounts that are only for certain individuals (military and military retirees). The most notable are the Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets, Universal’s Special Highly Discounted Military Tickets, and SeaWorld’s Waves of Honor Free Entry. These tickets require a current military ID ir retiree ID to use.
All other regular military discounted tickets may be purchased and used by those in this eligibility category. Simply go to your local Base Ticket Office to purchase or find one of the Offices that sell long distance.
To gain base access veterans need to show a Department of Veterans Affairs’ Veterans Health Information Card, or VHIC. Information on how to obtain this card is available on the VA’s Web site.
Important Ticket Links:
- Purchasing Military Tickets Long Distance
- Shades of Green’s Ticket Office
- Shades of Green Room Rates
- Shades of Green’s Disney World Military Ticket Prices (prices within a few dollars on Base)
- Camp Pendleton’s Disneyland Military Ticket Prices (prices within a few dollars at other Bases)
Rooms
Room discounts are only available for Walt Disney World.
Those in these eligibility categories are eligible to stay at The Shades of Green Resort at Walt Disney World year-round.
Shades of Green is an Armed Forces Recreation Center Resort located right on Walt Disney World property.
Military families can stay right in the middle of the magic at a fantastic resort for very reasonable rates!
At Shades of Green you will find all of the amenities that you’d expect at any very nice resort destination: a selection of restaurants, recreational options, self and valet parking, bellhop service, spa, fitness room, two pools, free Wi-Fi, and self-service laundry facilities, plus a military discounted ticket sales office and mini Exchange.
Important Room Links:
- Our Shades of Green Overview Page
- Our detailed Shades of Green Guide Book for those who are unfamiliar
Shades of Green Resort
All of those who served Honorably
This category of Veteran is more restricted. In fact these discounts only apply for the months of January and September and only at Walt Disney World.
What are these Veterans eligible for?
- Ticket Purchases at Shades of Green
- Only for stays at Shades of Green in the months of January and September. You cannot do this if staying elsewhere or other dates
- In person, or long distance
- This includes most Disney tickets as well as for other venues (Universal, SeaWorld, etc.)
- Stays at Shades of Green Resort at Walt Disney World
- Room and packages plus use of all facilities (Ticket Office, AAFES Store, Dining, etc.)
Shades of Green Tickets
When discussing tickets, it is important to note that there are a few Military Ticket Discounts that are only for certain individuals (military and military retirees). The most notable are the Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets, Universal’s Special Highly Discounted Military Tickets, and SeaWorld’s Waves of Honor Free Entry. These tickets require a current military ID ir retiree ID to use.
All other regular military discounted tickets may be purchased and used by those in this eligibility category from the Shades of Green Ticket Office.
You must be a guest or have a reservation at Shades of Green during the months of January and September to buy tickets from their ticket office in person or long distance.
Important Ticket Links:
- Purchasing Military Tickets Long Distance
- Shades of Green’s Ticket Office
- Shades of Green’s Disney World Military Ticket Prices (prices within a few dollars on Base)
Shades of Green Rooms
Those who didn’t retire are eligible to stay at The Shades of Green Resort only in January and September with their DD-214.
Shades of Green is an Armed Forces Recreation Center Resort located right on Walt Disney World property.
Military families can stay right in the middle of the magic at a fantastic resort for very reasonable rates!
At Shades of Green you will find all of the amenities that you’d expect at any very nice resort destination: a selection of restaurants, recreational options, self and valet parking, bellhop service, spa, fitness room, two pools, free Wi-Fi, and self-service laundry facilities, plus a military discounted ticket sales office and mini Exchange.
Important Room Links:
- Our Shades of Green Overview Page
- Shades of Green Room Rates
- Our detailed Shades of Green Guide Book for those who are unfamiliar
A Special Note for those in this category, while you have the ability to use all of Shades of Green’s facilities during your stay, unfortunately a current Military ID (or the VA ID card mentioned above) are required in order to purchase alcohol or tobacco from the AAFES Store. You may purchase everything else though.
Additional Reading
Our Other Info for Non-Retired Veterans
- Disney Military Discounts for Veterans Who Did Not Retire from the Military
- Disney Veteran Discount and Disney Military Discount Eligibility Guide
- Disney Discounts and the John McCain Defense Authorization Act
- Shades of Green Stays for Non-Retired Veterans
Shades of Green Mill Pond Pool
Wrapping It Up
Well that’s it for our Veteran’s Disney Discount Post.
Let us know your own experiences with these discounts or feel free to ask questions in the comments section a little ways below!
Planning a Disney Trip? Want to get the best military discounts that are available? Feeling a little confused?
See Our Great Disney Discount and Planning Info:
- Disney Veteran & Military Discount Eligibility Guide
- The Military Family’s Walt Disney World Comprehensive Vacation Planning and Preparation Guide
- Military Disney Tips Disney Packing Checklist
- Disney Military Tickets – Your Start to Finish Guide
- 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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why aren’t veterans with a service connected (Disability) eligible for the Salute to the Military?
we served but couldn’t serve 20 years do to our Disability?
Hi David,
Unfortunately the Disney Armed Forces Salute is an offer made by a private company. As such they may decide who they want to extend discounts to. When these Salute offers started back in 2009 Disney coordinated with the DoD on who was eligible for MWR services, and it was those with military ID cards.
Each offer involves a signed contract between the DoD and Disney. The 2020 contract was signed back in Sept 2019.
It may be that in 2021 when there is a new contract the offer may be extended to those eligible for the Veteran Equal Access Act.
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/disney-veteran-discount-and-disney-military-discount-eligibility-guide/
Hello! I have my NGB Form 22 Report of Separation and Proof of Service from serving in the Army National Guard. Is this considered acceptable for proof of “veterans who did not retire”? Or only the DD Form 214?
Hi Amanda,
I’m not really familiar with the Form 22. I’m trying to think back and I think a reader maybe mentioned it to me many years ago. Is it for someone who never did any active duty 90 consecutive days or more?
What about your basic and tech school? You don’t have a 214 from that?
Shades of Green does not list a 22 as one of the documents they will accept.
See this link: va.gov/records/get-military-service-records/
NGB Form 22 documents your M-day status (i.e. drilling). I do have DD 214 for basic, tech school and deployment. Obviously it is a bit lighter than those that served 100% active duty, whereas the Form 22 has a bit more information on length of service, etc. I am going to try and book Shades of Green for Jan 2021, so I will bring both and report back my findings. Thanks for your help!
Awesome, thanks Amanda.
All you’ll need is the DD-214. Even one for 90 days qualifies. Let me know what they think of the22.
Thanks