Special Info for these Crazy Times:
News for 2021:
- 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:
- 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)
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 or FastPasses when they come back), and then we’ll finish up on how to use your tickets.
Let’s jump right in shall we?
(Updated February 2021) We’ve had to add in some hopefully temporary information for how things have changed during this crazy time…
Buying Your Disney Military Tickets
Kinds of Disney Military Tickets
Many people are surprised to discover that there are actually several types of Military Disney tickets. There are actually several types, 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 3 types:
- Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets
- Regular Military Discounted Disney Tickets
- Shades of Green Stars and Stripes Passes (Walt Disney World Only)
Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets – These are special, highly discounted tickets which 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!
Regular Military Discounted Disney Tickets – These are the slightly discounted tickets that have always been offered to the military community by Disney through Base Ticket Offices. No special rules or activation for these, just buy for yourself or others and use
Shades of Green Stars and Stripes Passes – These are special, all-inclusive 2 to 10-day passes offered by Disney World through Shades of Green. These are “Length of Stay” passes available for purchase by members of the military community staying at any resort on Walt Disney World Property.
We have a post to help you decide what type of Military Disney ticket is right for you.
Note During the current operating situation there have been changes to Disney Tickets. And Water Parks are not open. This affects the different tickets in different ways:
- Disney Armed Forces Salute
- Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets
- Shades of Green Stars and Stripes Passes are not being sold at this time.
- Up to 6, 2020 Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets may be purchased 1 January – 18 December 2020.
- Up to an additional 6, 2020 and or 2021 Armed Forces Salute tickets may be purchased 19 December 2020 – 17 December 2021.
See our special pages on the current situation that are linked at the top of this post!
For More Info See:
Regular Military Discounted Disney Tickets
Shades of Green Stars and Stripes Passes
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 all 3 varieties of tickets in person there after arrival, whether you are staying at Shades of Green or not.
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.
Shades of Green – Long Distance: Will ship to you all 3 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.)
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 other 2 varieties are not available from Disney.
Disney World Ticket Locations:
- All Theme Park Entrances
- The Transportation and Ticket Center
- Disney Springs Guest Relations locations
- 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
- Disneyland Resort Hotel Front Desks (for registered guests)
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 cannot use the Star Card to purchase Disney tickets. The Star Card is an Exchange product and only valid at Exchange locations. This does not include the Base Ticket Office.
Disney Gift Cards – Neither Base Ticket Offices or 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 FastPass+, 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 upon where you are going and the tickets that you want.
Disneyland
There is no need to buy your Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets for Disneyland ahead of time. The only reason to do so would be to spread out your costs.
Regular Military Discounted Disneyland tickets can only be purchased from Base Ticket Offices, so you’ll need to buy your tickets prior to your departure.
Walt Disney World
With Disney World’s FastPass+ system allows you to make attraction reservations up to 60 days in advance of your vacation. You will need to have your tickets in hand prior to making your FastPasses so buying them ahead of time is essential, no matter the type.
Note: FastPass+ has been suspended during 2020 and into 2021. But you do need to have your tickets in order to make Theme Park Reservations. Reservations are required in order to enter a Disney park at this time.
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 places (on your phone, your spouse’s phone, your computer, a thumb 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.
Put tickets and ticket receipt on your packing checklist!
For More Info See:
Disney Military Ticket Physical Security
Link Your Tickets
In order to make FastPasses for Walt Disney World, you will need to link your tickets to your My Disney Experience 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 Walt Disney World FastPasses/Theme Park Reservations
With your tickets linked, you mat then make your Theme Park Reservations.
With your tickets linked, you can on the appropriate day make your FastPasses for WDW.
Disney Resort Hotel Guests: 60 days prior to check in. Make FastPasses for your entire stay (up to the number of days on your ticket or 10 days, whichever is less)
Non- Disney Resort Hotel Guests: 30 days prior to the desired date. Make FastPasses day by day 30 days from the desired date (up to the number of days on your ticket).
For More Info See:
All You Need To Know About Disney World FastPass Plus For The Military Traveler
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) you will need them to check in for Disney’s Magical Express.
Remember those ticket photos? Two or more people in your party should have copies on their phone. 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.
For More Info See:
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 the first day of use or at anytime 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 your arrival evening if you will not be going to the parks that day. You could go to Disney Spring 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 form 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.
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
|
Military Disney Tips' Recommended Disney Travel Agent
Ears of Experience Disney Only Travel Agency. Military family owned and operated! They know all the ins and outs of Disney military discounts! |
If I purchase a multi day salute ticket, can I break up the ticket by using some days and then later in year using the remaining days?
Absolutely Richard! You have until the end of the offer to use all days on the Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets. for 2017 that is 19 December.
I can’t seem to find the answer to this question: Can Armed Forces Salute ticket holders enjoy extra Magic Hours?
Hi Holly,
Yes. Extra Magic Hours are not based upon the ticket type, rather on where you are staying: Disney Resorts, Shades of Green, Swan and Dolphin.
Bummer! Thanks.
So just to be sure: Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets can use EMH when staying at the right place.
Are the Mickey’s not so Scary Halloween discounted tickets only for military and family or can you buy them for your sister and her child as well at Shades of Green?
Hi Joseph,
You may purchase for your party, whomever you like.
Hi Steve,
I recently became a Florida resident. I still have two days remaining on my 2017 military salute ticket. I was wondering if I could upgrade it to an annual pass or if I could have only done that prior to the ticket’s first use. Thank you for any insight that you can provide.
Hi Janice,
You can upgrade at any time prior to using the last day (I’ve even done it the day after using up a ticket).
I just upgraded a 5-Day Salute to a FL Silver (the one I recommend) last week after using 2 days.
Thank you Steve! That is awesome news! I appreciate your quick reply!
I forgot to add that it has been more than 14 days since the ticket’s first use. Will they still upgrade to an annual pass, possibly backdating to first day use? Sorry I forgot to add this to my original post. Thank you so much for all of your help!
Hey Janice,
There is no 14 day limit on the Salute tickets, you’ll be all set. Yes the AP will begin on the first day you used the Salute ticket.
Wonderful, thank you so much again! You are always a wealth of information!
Hi Steve,
I apologize in advance if this is covered somewhere but I could not find it. We are only going to be using 3 our of the 4 days from our passes at Disney World. Can we use that last day at Disneyland as long as its before Dec 16th?
No sorry Belinda.
They are 2 totally separate offers (and really separate companies)
Hi, Steve!
I just wanted to thank you for running this site! It’s been very helpful. I got the newsletter, and was able to book yesterday! We were lucky too bc the operator we got knew exactly what we were talking about and remarked, Oh, yes, that just came out today.” Lol
Thanks, again!
Carolina
Awesome Carolina, thanks!
I know there is a limit of six Armed Forces Salute tickets per military member. Is this per visit or for the entire year? i.e. Can I go to Disneyland twice in 2018 and purchase six tickets each time? Thank you.
HI Debbie, it is for the offer, 6 total from 1 Jan – 19 Dec 2017. Then during the next offer another 6 from 1 Jan – 19 Dec 2018 At Disneyland.
The Disneyland and Disney World offers are not connected you can also get 6 total from 1 Jan – 19 Dec 2017. And another 6 from 1 Jan – 19 Dec 2018 there.
Thank you!
Steve can I purchase stars and stripes 2 day ticket if staying 4 nights at shades. staying Sunday through wed and will be visiting park Monday and Wed..
Hi Sal,
At Shades they know how long you are staying there and would sell you at least a 3 day S&S. They are technically supposed to be length of stay. That’s the problem with these tickets, you can’t take a day off.
If you are not staying at Shades they go by what you tell them your length of stay is though.
But in 2017 the 4-Day Disney Armed Forces Salute Hopper Ticket plus the Water Park Fun and More Option is $246 while the 2-day S&S is $254. So the Salute ticket is a cheaper option that you could potentially use through Dec 19th also.
Thanks for all the great information! I have a question about Disneyland. I purchased the Military Salute tickets on base today and I tried scanning them to add them to my Disneyland app so that I could have them stored on there to purchase the Maxpass and be all set for when we get to the park but it’s not linking them on my app. Can I not do this ahead of time? Thank you!
Hi Sally,
Try calling the My Disney Experience Tech Support phone. If they can’t help you perhaps they can point you in the right direction, 800-848-6413, option #3.
This may be a quirk of the military tickets and you might have to have it done there. I know those using Salute tickets have used MaxPass.
What ID do they need to check at the gate at Disney to activate? I’d rather not pack my military ID around with me at Disney, but will have my driver’s license.
They will need your to see your military ID Maygen. Your drivers license doesn’t prove that you are eligible for the Disney Armed Forces Salute.
Question for you– I would like to purchase more than the 6-ticket limit. For the past two years, the way that I have understood the system is that you can only buy up to 6 Armed Forces Salute tickets per sponsor. After that, you can buy tickets on base at a discount, but they are not as good of a discount as the Armed Forces Salute tickets. Am I correct? I just want to verify, because every year, I have to be super picky on how to use those 6 magical passes, and then once I get beyond those 6 passes, I’m sunk and have to pay close to gate prices (which is sooo expensive!) Thank you for clarifying!
Also, for the base tickets (NOT the Armed Forces Salute tickets), do you need a military ID for redeeming those at the gate as well?
-Rachel
Hi Rachel,
Yes you have it right.
There are 2 different kinds of tickets you are talking about, the Disney Armed Forces Salute and the Regular Military Discounted Disney Tickets.
Six is the limit for the 2017 and 2018 Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets.
Besides the Salute tickets you may as many Regular Military Discounted Disney Tickets as you’d like, No limit, no ID check at the gate.
Can you add days to your salute tickets I have two days left and need two more days
HI Michael, check out this podt: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/faq/can-i-add-a-day-to-the-disney-armed-forces-salute-ticket/
Hello,
I just want to make sure, for the regular Military Discounted Disney Tickets, do you have to show a military id at the gate?
Hi Rachel,
No you don’t. they work just like any other non military ticket.
Hello,
I am stationed in Germany and would like to visit Disneyland Paris with my family on 24-25 Dec 2017. Does the “Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets” cover those dates? We are hearing rumors they do because it is Disneyland Paris. Is this true?
Hi Thomas,
The Disney Armed Forces Salute is a stateside offer only!
There is nothing comparable in Paris as far as I know. Check with your local ticket sales office if you are stationed in Europe, or call Ramstine if you aren’t.
Hi Steve,
Thank you for this website and all of the info available! I have a question… we are FL residents and veterans.. my husband is retired Army. Can we get a FL resident discount AND military discount on annual passes?
Thank you!
Trisha
Hi Trisha,
My pleasure!
This is a slightly odd topic…
Because WDW doesn’t give a military discount on APs. But, Florida resellers do offer them with discounts and Shades of Green gets them from one of these resellers. SO you can get them from Shades at a nice discount with no sales tax.
http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Tickets/WDW-Annual-Pass.html
This requires payment in full vs the monthly credit card charge WDW offers FL residents.
One option through Disney, if you want to spread the cost out (without a discount) is to get the 4 or 5 day Salute ticket and then prior to using the last day upgrade to the FL AP of your choice and spread the remainder of the cost out. the AP’s start date would be the first day you used the Salute ticket.
Thank you!
Can I get a discount on my annual pass for this year . It expires in May. And I will be there in May, thank you. [email protected]
Shades of Green sells discounted passes so you could drop by there.
http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Tickets/WDW-Annual-Pass.html
Hello Steve. Thank you for all your time and effort answering everyone’s questions.
Another question for you, do you know the prices for a one day ticket to Disneyland and how much do they cost?
Hi Yvette,
Thank you! Love doing it.
I sure do. Please see: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Tickets/Disneyland-Military-Tickets.html
Hello Steve,
In the past, I know the Disney Armed Forces Salute was limited to 6. When making reservations the other day, the agent told me that the veteran can get up to six, as well as their spouse. I questioned that policy. I was put on hold so he could speak to a supervisor. He came back and said that was correct. Is this true??
Hi Amy,
No, not correct.
Disney’s call center workers including supervisors know almost nothing about their company’s military discounts. They often look at the disney.com website which has extremely limited and confusing information, do a network search and pull up old info, or go off what they think or heard someone else say…
For more on this sad topic see: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Tips/Disneys-Call-Center-Very-Often-Wrong-On-Military-Discounts.html
I’ve just added yours to the list.
Hi Steve,
I’m new to trying to figure this out. My husband is retired Army, so I am looking in to the Armed Forces Salute tickets. Can they only be used by him or can I use them, as his spouse? Can he get one for each of us & anyone else in our party?
We are not going until January 2019. Do you know when they start to publish for next year?
Hi Barbara,
The member can purchase the Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets for whomever they like. See full details here: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Disney-Armed-Forces-Salute.html
As for 2019 please see: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-armed-forces-salute/when-will-disney-renew-the-disney-armed-forces-salute-for-2019/
Thank you, Steve. Sure hope they offer it in January 2019 when we are at Disney for grandson’s wedding. Saving some money would be nice. Ha!!
You bet it would!
Can military member and spouse purchase 6 tickets each at different MWRs? Will the different MWRs know that military member has already bought 6 tickets? And can each of us activate the tickets at Disneyland? (My husband activates the 6 and I activate the other 6 tickets). These tickets are for extended family.
Hi Fae,
Sorry, no you can’t. The limit for the 2018 Disney Armed Forces Salute Offer is 6 tickets per military member. The spouse has no allotment and can only use the tickets in place of the member.
You could actually each buy 6 at different MWRs, but you would only be able to activate the 6 allowed upon arrival at Disneyland. Then you’d have to try to get them to let you use the purchase price of the other 6 towards full price tickets.
For tickets beyond 6 you will need consider the use of the Regular Military Discounted Disney Tickets. See: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/regular-disney-military-discount-for-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-tickets/
Thank you Steve! That was truly helpful. I appreciate it!
Hi Steve, my husband is retired national guard. I am going to WDW w my kids, not him. Can I order tickets online then show his dd214 at the gate for all 4 of us? And just my identification? Thanks
Hi Nancy,
I’m confused. You said he’s retired Guard, but then talk about a DD-214 versus his and your military Retired IDs.
If he’s retired from the Guard both of you will have military IDs which qualify you both for all Disney discounts. If you have an ID, yes you can purchase Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets at the gate, but will miss out on making FastPasses ahead of time if you wait.
If however he only served for a period and got out (with a DD-214) then retired from a civilian job, you’re not eligible for discounts from Disney. 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
Steve,
What ID is needed to receive the regular military discount tickets (not Armed Forces Salute)? Will a veteran ID card work for these tickets? I read that you are unable to receive the Armed Forces Salute tickets.
Thank you for your help!
Hi Rebecca,
I first have to ask what you mean by veteran ID card. Do you mean a retired military ID (issued by the military) or something else, like a VA card or a State issued card?
Hi, We are staring to plan our trip to DisneyLand for next year and I dont even know where to get started. Its soo overwheleming for me. Any advice to where to begin? Thank you so much! Sara
Hi Sara,
There are 2 “easy buttons.” You could buy my book Disneyland for military families which walk logically through the info, use my recommended travel agent who will help you through the process, or both 😉 Note the 2019 version is not out yet, so the 2019 Salute ticket prices are not in it yet but are on the site.
If you want to slug it out yourself all the military info you need is here on the site. Just go to the category or Disneyland overview pages in the menus (top of all pages) and start reading all the linked info.
“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.”
Do we know if this is still the same for 2019? I’m traveling with 6 people across the US, with two families arriving different dates, and the military member is arriving two days after the non-military. We planned on purchasing the Salute from Shades of Green in advance.
Hi Sarah,
Disney’s policy has not changed in the 10 years the Salutes have been running (for non-activated tickets that is).
No reports that Shades has changed their policy. Still selling activated tickets. It’s how their system is set up I believe.
Hope this helps!
My dad is retired military and trying to purchase tickets from his local base. We have purchased from them in the past but this year the pricing list they gave us doesn’t match Disney prices. They are saying the 5 day is $285.25 and the 5 day plus is $300.75 did the price change? Should we wait to get them from Shades of Green?
Hi Monique,
The Disney World 2019 Armed Forces Salute Prices are:
Four-Day Park Hopper Tickets for $241.00
Four-Day Park Hopper Plus Tickets for $291.00
Five-Day Park Hopper Tickets for $257.00
Five-Day Park Hopper Plus Tickets for $307.00
Some bases do charge a “service” fee. Usually a couple bucks. But those prices look whacked. That’s $28.25 extra on the Hopper and $6.25 less on the Hopper Plus…
I’d ask them to confirm their prices (ask a different person) or buy from Shades. You don’;t need to wait, they will ship for a $10 fee, see: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/shades-of-green/pre-order-disney-theme-park-tickets-at-shades-of-green/
my husband is a vet and was going to purchase me a 5 day pass with hopper for a girls weekend but everything we find says he has to be present to activate the ticket what do we need to do?
Hi Carolyn,
I first have to establish you and your husband’s eligibility. Vet or Veteran is a generic civilian term for anyone who served no matter for how long. It has no bearing on military discounts.
Besides those currently serving, retired military (which I hope your husband is) either a 20+ year retiree, medically retired drawing full benefits, or non-retired 100% DAVPRM members are also eligible.
Spouses of eligible members are allowed to buy and activate the Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets. A valid military spouse ID is required.
see http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Disney-Armed-Forces-Salute.html for full info.
My dad is retired army, can he buy tickets for his grandkids? Or does he have to be there when we go?
Hi Amanda,
The Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets require him to go, the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets do not.
Read the linked specific pages on these discounts for full details.
I’ve updated this post to make that a little clearer, thanks.
Hello,
I’m the retired military member. Can I buy 3 of the 5-day hopper military salute tickets for WDW 2019, use 3 days in April, then buy the other 3 tickets for other family to use for a later time (July) and meet up with them to activate those tickets then? Or do I have to purchase all 6 tickets at the same time and register at the same time with all parties in attendance? Hope this makes sense.
Thanks,
Mak
Hi Mak,
Yes you can absolutely do just what you outlined! No issues or requirement to do them all at once. You just have to have an active (not used up) ticket of your own to activate the later set.
Hello,
I am the retired military member. Planned a family trip for Oct 2020 bought the Salute tickets via Shades of Green already (6). Two members of the family are no longer able to go in Oct but will be going in March. My question is will they be able to use the Salute tickets I had bought for them for use in Oct (before I even use mine) or will they need to buy new tickets ?
Thanks,
Wendy
Hi there Wendy,
Technically Disney’s rules say you have to be with your party.
However Shades of Green sells their tickets pre-activated. Shades has placed themselves in a very bad position, by selling activated tickets both in person and long distance. This allows people to either give or sell the tickets to those who are not eligible, or even to scalp them.
They have for quite a while told long distance sales that there “could be an ID check on first use.” The’ve just started telling people this in person I’ve been told. However, at WDW an activated ticket is an activated ticket. There is no difference between a ticket you buy and activate at a Disney ticket window and one from Shades. You just walk up to the tapstyle and use it. No ID check.
There is no second ID check that I am aware of, have ever experienced, or heard of.
Having said all this, this is how it always has always worked at Disneyland, you have to show ID at both purchase and 1st entry. It is possible they have brought this to WDW, but I’m skeptical.
SO long story short they can use the Salute tickets purchased at Shades without you.
Hi! I just want to confirm that I can buy the Salute tickets IN PERSON at Disneyland! A friend of mine told me that the Camp Pendleton base ticket office stated you cannot, because Disneyland doesn’t have the knowledge/capacity of verifying eligibility/IDs.
I’ve seen on various sites (including this one!), stating you can buy them in person at Disney’s ticket booth, but on Disney’s website it doesn’t mention anything about being able to buy Salute tickets at Disneyland. That being said, if you can, does in need to specifically the guest services booth? Or can I purchase from any ticket booth?
Hoping to get peace of mind. Thank you so much
Hi there Raquel,
You can indeed buy your Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets at any Disneyland ticket or Guest Services window (same for Walt Disney World). I’ve done it multiple times.
They have handy dandy ID guides should they have a question about what is an ordinary transaction for them.
You can also buy them at your Disneyland hotel front desk if staying in one.
This is for the Salute tickets! The Regular Military Discounted Disneyland Tickets must be purchased at a military reseller, like Pendleton, but it has nothing to do with IDs, rather how they but the tickets and their contract with Disney.
http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/regular-disney-military-discount-for-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-tickets/
can a spouse buy Armed Forces Salute tickets t even if the military member is not going to disneyworld too
Yes absolutely theresa
http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Disney-Armed-Forces-Salute.html
Hi Steve,
Thanks for all the great information you always provide!
We’ve been buying Salute tickets for years, but we’ve always used the full days we’ve purchased on one trip. I know I can add days to an unused Salute Ticket (in January, I had 4-day hoppers and added a 5th day at Shades of Green where they were purchased, easy peasy!)
Can I do the same thing with partially used Salute tickets? We’re going to WDW in May with 4-day Salute tickets, but can only stay 3 days, so we’ll have 1 day left on the hopper. If we get back down later this year, can I add on 2 more days to convert it into a 6-day Salute ticket?
Thank you!
Leigh
Hi there Leigh,
Thank you!
Yes, absolutely, you can upgrade an unfinished Salute ticket to the longer versions. So in your case up to the 5 or 6-day for the price difference.
That’s excellent news. Thank you so much, Steve!!
Hi!
My husband is a retired veteran, I was wondering if we could purchase discounted military tickets for our friends that are going to Disney land but we are not going.
Thanks
Hi Adriana,
You or he may purchase the Regular Military Discounted Disneyland Tickets for them. These are only slightly discounted, not a huge discount like the Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets which would require you to go.
See http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/regular-disney-military-discount-for-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-tickets/
There is a link to prices in the post.