The MDT Guide to purchasing and using Your Military Disney Tickets
You Are Going To Disney! Great now you’ve got a lot of things to start thinking about.
Theme park tickets are one of the biggest expenses for a Disney vacation. This post is meant to be your end-to-end guide on all things related to Disney’s Military Tickets.
We’ll start on the purchase process, and then cover things that you should be doing once you have the tickets (Like Theme Park Reservations and Lightning Lanes), and then we’ll finish up on how to use your tickets.
Let’s jump right in, shall we?
Buying Your Disney Military Tickets
Kinds of Disney Military Tickets
Many people are surprised to discover that there are actually two types of Military Disney tickets, each with their own rules, prices, and pluses and minuses.
When most think of military tickets for Disney, they think of the Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets, but Disney military tickets actually fall into 2 types:
- Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets
- Disney Military Discount Theme Park Tickets
Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets –Â These are special, highly discounted tickets that are offered for a specific time period and have exclusion dates. These tickets have lots of rules, restrictions, and activation procedures due to their high discount. You should review all the rules on our Disney Armed Forces Salute Page!
Disney Military Discount Theme Park Tickets – These are the slightly discounted tickets that Disney has always offered to the military community through Base Ticket Offices. No special rules or activation for these, just buy for yourself or others, and use.
We have a post to help you decide what type of Military Disney ticket is right for you.
For More Info See:
Disney World Military Discount Theme Park Tickets
Disneyland Military Theme Park Tickets
What’s the difference between Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets and Military Theme Park Tickets?Â
Where, How, and When to Buy Your Disney Military Tickets
Where to Buy Your Disney Military Tickets
You’ll have from 1 to 3 options for buying your Disney tickets, depending on the type you want:
- Base Ticket Offices (including Shades of Green) – In Person
- Base Ticket Offices (including Shades of Green) – Long Distance
- Directly from Disney – In Person
Base Ticket Offices – In Person: Your local Base Ticket Office can sell you Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets and Regular Military Discounted Disney Tickets. They may not stock all or any varieties of these tickets, so make sure you check on their policies ahead of time and plan to make your purchase far enough in advance of when you need the tickets to allow time to order them (typically 2 weeks).
Shades of Green – In Person: The military-only resort at Walt Disney World has a Ticket Office, and you may buy both varieties of tickets in person there after arrival, whether you are staying at Shades of Green or not.
Need Help Planning Your Disney Vacation?
Disney military discounts can save families a lot of money, but figuring out tickets, eligibility, resorts, Lightning Lane strategies, and transportation can quickly become overwhelming.
That’s why Military Disney Tips recommends The Mouse Experts Military Disney Vacation Specialists.
The Mouse Experts is a military-family owned and operated Disney-specializing travel agency that has partnered with Military Disney Tips for over 17 years. Their agents personally use the same military discounts that you do and understand the unique challenges military families face when planning Disney vacations.
- Experienced with Disney military discounts and eligibility rules
- Military-family owned and operated
- Same Disney pricing as booking directly with Disney
- Additional planning assistance available for guests wanting more personalized help
- Can help reduce stress, save time, and avoid common planning mistakes
Over 27,000 Military Disney Tips readers have contacted The Mouse Experts over the years for help planning their Disney vacations.
Base Ticket Offices – Long Distance: For those who do not live near a Ticket Office or whose local office doesn’t sell what they need (usually Disney World vs. Disneyland), there are Ticket Offices that will ship to you for a fee. The caution above regarding allowing them time to order and, in this case, ship to you applies here as well. Lately, some Ticket Offices send the ticket numbers and or bar codes via email after purchase!
Shades of Green – Long Distance: Will ship to you both varieties of Disney tickets, whether you are staying at Shades of Green or not. They also sell and ship special Disney Halloween and Christmas tickets and many other Orlando area tickets, such as Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando, Legoland Florida, etc. They now email your tickets!
Directly from Disney – In Person: You also have the option to wait until you arrive to buy your tickets from Disney. Disney will only sell you the Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets; the Regular Military Tickets are not available from Disney.
Disney World Ticket Locations:
- All Theme Park Entrances
- The Transportation and Ticket Center
- Disney Springs Ticket Central
- Both Water Parks
Note: You will pay State sales tax at Walt Disney World ticket locations!
Disneyland Ticket Locations:
- The Esplanade between the Theme Park Entrances
You cannot buy Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets from your mall Disney Store, or online/via phone from Disney as part of your room reservation.
For More Info See:
Shades of Green’s Ticket Office
Buying Military Tickets Long Distance
How to Buy Your Disney Military Tickets
You can purchase your tickets with cash, credit, and debit cards (of course), but I’m often asked if the Star Card or Disney Gift Cards can be used to purchase your tickets.
The Military Star Card – You can use your Star Card to purchase Disney tickets at Walt Disney World’s Shades of Green Ticket Office. You cannot use the Star Card to purchase Disney tickets anywhere else.
Disney Gift Cards – Neither Base Ticket Offices nor Shades of Green accept Disney Gift Cards. These gift cards are only valid at Disney locations.
Note – Waiting until arrival to buy your Walt Disney World tickets using a Disney Gift Card will put you at a big disadvantage for theme park reservations. Instead, buy your tickets via another means prior to your trip and use the gift cards for food, merchandise, or Disney Resort Hotels.
When to Buy Your Disney Military Tickets
There are different guidelines based on where you are going and the tickets that you want.
NOTE: Both Disney World and Disneyland are currently using a Theme Park Reservation System, necessitating purchasing your ticket as far ahead as possible!
You will need to have your tickets in hand prior to making your Theme Park Reservations, so buying them ahead of time is essential, no matter the type.
Disneyland
Disneyland Theme Park Reservation System
All tickets at Disneyland require Theme Park Reservations! Disneyland Military Theme Park Tickets can only be purchased from Base Ticket Offices, so you’ll need to buy your tickets prior to your departure.
Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World Theme Park Reservation System
Only the Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets require Theme Park Reservations at Disney World! The Military Discount Theme Park Tickets do not.
Once You Have Your Disney Military Tickets
Ticket Security
Disney tickets are a big investment, and you need to take the appropriate safeguards to protect that investment.
There are 2 very important things to do as soon as you have your tickets in hand.
First, after buying your tickets, do not discard your receipt! There are bad situations in which you may need it. Keep it in a safe place, perhaps where you keep your important documents.
If you lose or forget your tickets or they are stolen, the receipt may be the only thing that keeps you from having to buy new ones.
Second, take pictures of the back of each of your tickets. Keep the pictures in a couple of places (on your phone, your spouse’s phone, your computer, an external drive, etc.).
If you lose or forget your tickets or they are stolen, these pictures will be the primary way to get new ones.
Then keep your tickets in a safe place, perhaps where you keep your important documents (and ticket receipt).
Don’t lose or forget them
I’ve heard horror stories!
Among them, the family who flew to California to go to Disneyland, only to realize after landing that they’d left their tickets in Hawaii. These could have been replaced with pics! Instead, they had to buy a whole new set of tickets!
Put tickets and ticket receipts on your packing checklist!
For More Info See:
Disney Military Ticket Physical Security
Link Your Tickets
In order to make Theme Park Reservations, you will need to link your tickets to your My Disney Experience account or Disneyland Account.
You should do this in advance of the day you will need to make reservations, just in case there are technical issues with linking them.
For More Info See:
Linking Military Tickets to My Disney Experience
Make Your Theme Park Reservations
With your tickets linked, you may then make your Theme Park Reservations.
Theme Park Reservations are required for all military tickets!
See our Post on making Theme Park Reservations
Packing Your Tickets
Do not pack your tickets (or Magic Bands) in checked baggage or luggage that will be separated from you! Ideally, keep them on you in your wallet, which is where you should have the ticket receipt. Magic Bands go on your wrist (as a badge of honor stating that you are on the way to WDW).Remember those ticket photos? Two or more people in your party should have copies on their phones. If you have no phones with picture capability, print the pictures out.
Here is another sad story. A large multi-family military party arrived in Orlando and made a supply stop at a local store on their way to WDW. While inside, their rental car was broken into and some of the luggage was stolen, including the bags with their tickets. One family was able to get their Base Ticket Office to fax a copy of the receipt and had their tickets replaced; the other family was not so lucky and had to buy new tickets.
Proof of purchase is essential in a bad situation! The ticket number (from the back) is also a huge plus (Pics).
Using Your Disney Military Tickets
Ticket Activation
Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets (with the exception of Salute tickets from Shades of Green) have to be activated in person after arrival at Disney prior to use.
At Disneyland, you will do this the first time you enter a theme park. Your ID will be checked and the ticket activated as it is scanned. You cannot activate tickets ahead of time at Disneyland.
At Walt Disney World, you will need to activate your tickets at a Ticket/Guest Relations Window. You can do this on the first day of use or at any time prior. Many like to do this ahead of time in order to be able to enter the park quickly on their first day.
If you are able, I recommend doing this on your arrival evening if you will not be going to the parks that day. You could go to Disney Springs, have a nice meal, and activate your tickets.
Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets may be activated at:
- All Theme Park Entrances (except the Rainforest Cafe entrance to Animal Kingdom)
- The Transportation and Ticket Center
- Disney Springs Guest Relations locations
- Both Water Parks
Regular Military Discounted Disney Tickets (for Disneyland and Disney World), Shades of Green Stars and Stripes Passes, and WDW Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets purchased from Shades of Green do not require activation. Just head to the park entrance on your first day.
For More Info See:
Disney Armed Forces Salute Ticket Activation Guide
Well, that’s it for our A to Z Ticket Overview. Be sure to check out the links in this post for more info.
If you can’t find what you need after exploring, just leave your question in the comments below.
Disney Military Ticket FAQs
What types of military Disney tickets are available?
There are two main types: the deeply discounted Armed Forces Salute tickets with blackout dates, and the regular Military Discounted Tickets sold through base ticket offices without special activation rules.
Where can I buy Disney military tickets?
You can purchase through your Base Ticket Office (in-person or long distance), at Shades of Green, or in limited cases directly from Disney with a valid military ID.
Do Disney military tickets need to be activated?
Yes, most Armed Forces Salute tickets purchased off-base must be activated in person at Disney. Tickets purchased from Shades of Green or Disney are usually pre-activated.
How do I use military tickets with park reservations?
Link your tickets to your My Disney Experience account (Walt Disney World) or the Disneyland app. Once linked, you can make required theme park reservations and add Lightning Lane if desired.
How to Buy and Use Your Disney Military Tickets (Step by Step)
- Confirm eligibility
Make sure you’re eligible as Active Duty, Retired, National Guard, Reserve, 100% disabled veteran, or NOAA/PHS Commissioned Corps.
Spouses with a valid military ID are also eligible to purchase and use tickets. - Purchase your tickets
Military tickets can be purchased through your local Base Ticket Office (in person or by mail),
at Shades of Green, or sometimes directly at Disney, depending on the ticket type. - Activate your tickets
Tickets bought through base offices usually require activation at Disney upon arrival.
Tickets from Shades of Green or Disney are often pre-activated. - Link tickets to your Disney account
Log in to My Disney Experience (Walt Disney World) or the Disneyland app.
Link each ticket so you can make theme park reservations and add Lightning Lane if desired. - Use securely
Keep your receipt and take a photo of each ticket.
Don’t pack tickets in checked luggage. Have them ready to show at the park entrance.
This article was written by Steve Bell, founder of Military Disney Tips.
Steve is a retired U.S. military member who has been visiting the Disney Parks since 1971 and writing about Disney military discounts and vacations for the military community for over 18 years.
Read Steve’s Full Bio | Follow Military Disney Tips on Facebook
Planning a Disney Vacation?
Military Disney discounts can save families a significant amount of money, but figuring out eligibility, tickets, resorts, transportation, and Lightning Lane strategies can get confusing quickly. These guides are a great place to start.
- Back to Basics Posts – Start here for beginner-friendly Disney planning topics.
- Disney Veteran & Military Discount Eligibility Guide
- Disney Military Tickets – Your Start-to-Finish Guide
- Disney Armed Forces Salute Guide
- Walt Disney World Vacation Planning Guide
- Disney Packing Checklist
More Planning Resources:
Need Help Planning Your Disney Vacation?
Disney military discounts can save families a lot of money, but figuring out tickets, eligibility, resorts, Lightning Lane strategies, and transportation can quickly become overwhelming.
That’s why Military Disney Tips recommends The Mouse Experts Military Disney Vacation Specialists.
The Mouse Experts is a military-family owned and operated Disney-specializing travel agency that has partnered with Military Disney Tips for over 17 years. Their agents personally use the same military discounts that you do and understand the unique challenges military families face when planning Disney vacations.
- Experienced with Disney military discounts and eligibility rules
- Military-family owned and operated
- Same Disney pricing as booking directly with Disney
- Additional planning assistance available for guests wanting more personalized help
- Can help reduce stress, save time, and avoid common planning mistakes
Over 27,000 Military Disney Tips readers have contacted The Mouse Experts over the years for help planning their Disney vacations.
Get Free Disney Military Discount Updates
Stay up to date on Disney and Universal military discounts, ticket changes, resort updates, planning tips, and new guides from Military Disney Tips.
Steve’s free email newsletter helps military families stay informed about the latest Disney and Universal vacation news that matters to the military community.
Hi,
I purchased Disneyland military salute tickets in Feb 2020 just before the pandemic forced cancellation of our plans. I understand that they extended the 2020
Tickets to December 21, 2021 but I am unable to go before they expire.
Can an active duty friend of mine use them?
Hi Anthony,
Yes, any person eligible to activate them can use them.
Hi! Do you know if the military member must be with the entire party all 4 days? This is for Disneyland. Iʻve heard the ID member only needs to be with the group on day 1. But Iʻve also heard that they all need to be together the entire days to be let into the parks. Can you clarify? Thank you!
Sorry I see you have answered this question. But is it first entry on day 1 only? or first entry EVERYDAY we go? Thank you!
Hi Jon,
The member only need to have the whole party present for the initial activation at the turnstiles at Disneyland. Members of the party can then split up on that day and all others.
Hello Steve,
My husband and I already have annual passes. We have friends coming with us on our next vacation to WDW, are we able to buy them discounted tickets if we already have our passes??
Hi Colleen,
Yes you sure are. You can purchase and activate the highly discounted Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets for them. I’m a passholder and do it myself for family.
And you can always but the slightly discounted Regular Disney Military Ticket Discount for Walt Disney World and Disneyland for them to use with or without you with no activation or limits
Hi Steve,
Thanks for all the info.
I am a retired military member and just wanted a one day ticket to Epcot or Disney World. I didn’t see anywhere a discount for just a one-dater. Is there one?
Thanks,
Erik
Hi there Erik,
There sure is. It’s not a lot off but check out the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets. They are $119 base and $190 hopper. These are not use date based like the general public tickets, so your savings varies by the day.
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/military-discount-theme-park-tickets/regular-military-discounted-magic-your-way-tickets/
I purchased disney tickets from the marine corps base near me in San Diego with a military star card. The Navy MWR offices did not accept it though.
Thanks for the Intel Lindsey!
Thank you for this comprehensive guide on Disney Military Tickets! It’s so helpful to have all the information in one place, especially with the updates for 2024 and 2025. I appreciate the tips on planning and maximizing our visit. Can’t wait to start our magical adventure!
Hi! Questions on the Disney Military Salute tickets and the Shades of Green long distance purchase.
1). If my husband (he is the spouse) buys tickets for our family, can I (military retiree) activate them at WDW without him being there?
2) second scenario – if we buy the salute tickets through the Shades of Green long distance process, can 2 of our party use them to enter the park a few days before my husband and I arrive? Or do we need to be in the area?
Thanks in advance?
Hi Eve,
Good questions.
First, the Salute TIckets sold by Shades of Green are sold pre-activated, they do not require activation on arrival. If you purchase from any other base’s long distance program, you would have to activate them after arrival. And yes you can activate Salute tickets purchased by anyone else, up to your limit of 6. The limit and linking to the member is on the activation, not the purchase.
However, your husband can technically only purchase 5 Salute Tickets as one must be reserved for you. I know said the limit is not on the purchase, but Shades will try to enforce this. Is the issue that you can’t take a call at an unknown time days after submitting the form to pay for them? (I just bought one Salute Ticket and it took 6 days for a call back). If you need 6 tickets, then fill out the form as yourself and put his number, then when they call he can explain and give your info (it’s all basic). If you need 5 or less then he can just do it.
Now for your guests, by the Salute Ticket rules, they cannot use them without you, and if you want to stick to the rukes they should not, as the intent of these highly discounted tickets is for you to spend time with family and friends in the parks, not to let others use them without you. However, by selling pre-activated tickets, Shades of Green has created a problem for themselves and Disney in that there is nothing preventing your guests from using them without you. Shades of Green tries to discourage this by saying thsat there is an ID check for their pre-activated Salute Tickets prior to use. There is not!
Technically, the slightly discounted Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets should be used by guests without you, as there is no activation or ID check and they can be given to anyone to use without you.
I Hope this helps!
Thank you very much for the information!
Is it possible to buy 4 salute tickets now and wait to buy 2 more later in 2025? Also, can I buy 2 salute tickets for the same person to use throughout the year?
Hi Eve,
My pleassure, I love doing this!
Yes to both, you can make more than one purchase of Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets up to the limit of 6 per member and one individual may use more that one Salute Ticket per offer.
Perfect, thanks so much!
Thank you for this detailed guide! I appreciate all the tips and insights on navigating the military ticket process for Disney. It’s great to have such comprehensive information all in one place. Looking forward to planning our trip!
Thank you for this comprehensive guide! I’m so excited to plan our trip to Disney in 2025 using the military ticket discounts. The tips on when to purchase and how to navigate the parks are incredibly helpful. Can’t wait to make magical memories with my family!
Thanks for this comprehensive guide! I really appreciate the detailed steps for buying and activating the tickets. It’s helpful to have all the tips in one place, especially for first-time buyers like me. Can’t wait to plan our trip to Disney!