Disney Veteran Discount and Disney Military Discount Eligibility Guide

Disney Veteran Ticket Discounts and Disney Veteran Room Discounts have always been a complicated subject. This is even more true in 2020 with the new John McCain Defense Authorization Act.

In this post we will lay out just what every eligibility group is eligible for. We will cover every possible status, that is a wide range! From current members to those who served for a period of time and separated without retiring. And we’ll also cover what is required to prove eligibility.

First we will look at the wide range of statuses that are eligible for some or all Disney Military Discounts and then we will go discount by discount to see who is eligible. We will also give a brief overview of each discount and link to much more in depth information. And we’ll do all of this by discount type, e.g. tickets, rooms, etc.

Who is Eligible for Disney Military and Veteran Discounts?

Statuses We’ll Cover in this post with the required ID:

Military:

• Current Military Members* (Active, Guard, and Reserve) – Required ID – CAC
• Those retired from the Military*  (20+ year or medical) (Active, Guard, and Reserve) – Required ID – DD Form 2, 1173 or 1173-1
• Honorably discharged veterans with 100 percent Permanent Service-connected disability (DAVPRM on Mil ID) – Required ID – DD Form 1173 or DD Form 2765
• Involuntarily separated service members under the Transition Assistance Management Program – Required ID – DD Form 2
• Personnel separated under the Voluntary Separation Incentive (VSI) and Special Separation Benefit (SSB) programs for two years after separation – Required ID – DD Form 2
• Public Health Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps. (Current and Retired) – Required ID – DD Form 2, PHS 1866-1 or 1866-3

* Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Space Force

Veterans:

• John McCain Defense Authorization Act Veterans – Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war, those with service-connected disabilities, and Primary Family Caregivers of eligible Veterans under the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers – Required ID – Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC). The VHIC   must display the Veteran’s eligibility status (i.e., PURPLE HEART, FORMER POW, or SERVICE CONNECTED). Primary Family Caregivers eligible solely under this act will receive a letter from the VA Office of Community Care that indicates they are the approved and designated Primary Family Caregiver of an eligible Veteran under the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers
• All Veterans – Required ID –  DD-214 indicating honorable discharge.

Military Supporters:

• Current and retired (APF and NAF) Department of Defense (DoD) and Coast Guard (CG) civilian employees – Required ID – CAC, DOD or CG ID card, Retired ID card, or current Leave and Earnings Statement with photo ID
• Military personnel of foreign nations and their family members when assigned or attached to a U.S. military unit or installation – Required ID – CAC, DD Form 1173, or 2765
• U.S. employees of firms under contract to Department of Defense working in the Pacific Region outside the U.S. on Department of Defense Government orders – Required ID – DD Form 1173, or 2765

Spouses and Family:

• Spouses of Military listed above (with current military ID card) – Required ID – DD Form 2, 1173 or 1173-1
• Un-remarried surviving spouses of personnel who died while on active duty or while in retired status (with current military ID card) – Required ID – DD Form 1173 or 1173-1
• Un-remarried former spouses who were married to military members for at least 20 years while the military member was on active duty (with current military ID card) – Required ID – DD Form 1173
• Family members who have suffered a loss of an Active Duty sponsor regardless of the cause – Required ID – A DD Form 1173 with “AD” in the Sponsor Service/Status field in combination with “DB” (DOD Beneficiary) or CH (Child Beneficiary) in the Relationship field on identification cards is required.

Disney Military Discounted Tickets

There are several different types of Disney Military Discounted Tickets that are available to the military and veteran communities.

Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets

The Disney Armed Forces Salute allows qualified individuals to purchase steeply discounted Disney theme park tickets. The offer is for both Walt Disney World near Orlando, Florida and Disneyland in Anaheim, California.

The Disney Armed Forces Salute is a special temporary offer, which runs for a specified time period.

You can buy tickets directly from Disney’s theme parks or through a Military Reseller (Base Ticket Offices and Shades of Green Resort).

Because of the steep discounts there are a lot of strict rules. The biggest being that these tickets are limited to current and retired military and 100% DAVPRM.

Those Eligible are:

• Current Military Members
• Those retired from the Military
• Honorably discharged veterans with 100 percent Permanent Service-connected disability
• Public Health Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps. (Current and Retired)
• Military personnel of foreign nations and their family members when assigned or attached to a U.S. military unit or installation
• Spouses of Military listed above
• Un-remarried surviving spouses of personnel who died while on active duty or while in retired status
• Un-remarried former spouses who were married to military members for at least 20 years while the military member was on active duty

Applicable to: Walt Disney World and Disneyland

Important Links:

• Disney Armed Forces Salute Full Information
• Disney Armed Forces Salute ID Guide

Regular Military Discounted Disney Park Tickets

Disney’s Regular Military Discounted Tickets are identical to what is available to the general public, but with a slight discount and no sales tax.

You cannot buy these directly from Disney. You must buy them from  Military Resellers. Shades of Green and some other Base Ticket Offices do sell their tickets  long distance for a fee.

Eligibility opens up some on these tickets adding all eligible to stay at Shades of Green and those eligible under the John McCain Defense Act. In the months of January and September all veterans can use them while staying at Shades of Green.

Those Eligible are:

• Current Military Members
• Those retired from the Military
• Honorably discharged veterans with 100 percent Permanent Service-connected disability
• Involuntarily separated service members under the Transition Assistance Management Program
• Personnel separated under the Voluntary Separation Incentive (VSI) and Special Separation Benefit (SSB) programs for two years after separation
• Public Health Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps. (Current and Retired)
• John McCain Defense Authorization Act Veterans – Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war, those with service-connected disabilities, and Primary Family Caregivers of eligible Veterans under the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers
• All Veterans (with honorable DD-214) For stays at Shades of Green only in the months of January and September!
• Current and retired (APF and NAF) Department of Defense (DoD) and Coast Guard (CG) civilian employees
• Military personnel of foreign nations and their family members when assigned or attached to a U.S. military unit or installation
• U.S. employees of firms under contract to Department of Defense working in the Pacific Region outside the U.S. on Department of Defense Government orders at Shades of Green
• Spouses of Military listed above
• Un-remarried surviving spouses of personnel who died while on active duty or while in retired status
• Un-remarried former spouses who were married to military members for at least 20 years while the military member was on active duty
• Family members who have suffered a loss of an Active Duty sponsor regardless of the cause at Shades of Green

Applicable to: Walt Disney World and Disneyland

Important Links:

• Regular Military Discounted Disney Tickets
• Disney Discounts and the John McCain Defense Authorization Act
• Shades of Green Stays for Non-Retired Veterans

Shades of Green Stars and Stripes Passes

These tickets are sold only by Shades of Green only to those staying on Walt Disney World property.

These tickets are available to anyone staying anywhere on Walt Disney World property, you do not have to stay at Shades of Green.

These special tickets are a length of stay pass which include theme park admission for the number of days on the ticket, the ability to park hop, and a limited Plus option (they do not include Mini Golf).

Stars and Stripes Tickets are available in 2-day through 10-day increments. They expire one day after the number of days purchased, so a 5-day ticket would expire 6 days after first use. The number of days on your ticket must match your length of stay.

Stars and Stripes Tickets offer admission for the specified number of days to the Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, as well as an equivalent number of entries into Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, Wide World of Sports Complex.

Eligibility for these is the same as just above, Current and retired military, 100% DAVPRM, all eligible to stay at Shades of Green and those eligible under the John McCain Defense Act. In the months of January and September all veterans can use them while staying at Shades of Green.

Those Eligible are:

• Current Military Members
• Those retired from the Military
• Honorably discharged veterans with 100 percent Permanent Service-connected disability
• Involuntarily separated service members under the Transition Assistance Management Program
• Personnel separated under the Voluntary Separation Incentive (VSI) and Special Separation Benefit (SSB) programs for two years after separation
• Public Health Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps. (Current and Retired)
• John McCain Defense Authorization Act Veterans – Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war, those with service-connected disabilities, and Primary Family Caregivers of eligible Veterans under the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers
• All Veterans (with honorable DD-214) For stays at Shades of Green only in the months of January and September
• Current and retired (APF and NAF) Department of Defense (DoD) and Coast Guard (CG) civilian employees
• Military personnel of foreign nations and their family members when assigned or attached to a U.S. military unit or installation
• U.S. employees of firms under contract to Department of Defense working in the Pacific Region outside the U.S. on Department of Defense Government orders
• Spouses of Military listed above
• Un-remarried surviving spouses of personnel who died while on active duty or while in retired status
• Un-remarried former spouses who were married to military members for at least 20 years while the military member was on active duty
• Family members who have suffered a loss of an Active Duty sponsor regardless of the cause

Applicable to: Walt Disney World Only

Important Links:

• Stars and Stripes Passes
• Disney Discounts and the John McCain Defense Authorization Act
• Shades of Green Stays for Non-Retired Veterans

A Last Note on Tickets

You can buy tickets based upon your eligibility at the following locations:

• Your Base Ticket Office
• Shades of Green Ticket Office
• The Orlando ITT
• New Disney Ticket Center Opens at Disney Springs 
• Direct from the Disney Parks Ticket Windows (plus tax at WDW but not DL)

Want Your Tickets Ahead of time for FastPass Plus?

Not near a Military Base?

Get your tickets Via FedEx from Camp Pendleton or Shades of Green’s Ticket Office

Disney Military Discounted Resort Hotel Rooms

Now we’ll move on to the discounts that are available for hotel rooms for your Disney vacation.

Disney Armed Forces Salute Room Discount

The Disney Armed Forces Salute allows qualified individuals to stay in Disney resort rooms at fabulous discount prices. The offer is for both Walt Disney World near Orlando, Florida and Disneyland in Anaheim, California.

The Disney Armed Forces Salute is a special temporary offer, which runs for a specified time period.

Because of the steep discounts there are a lot of strict rules.

You can reserve Disney’s Military Discounted Rooms through our recommended Disney Military Specializing Travel Agent or call Disney yourself. You cannot get these rates online!

• Current Military Members
• Those retired from the Military
• Honorably discharged veterans with 100 percent Permanent Service-connected disability
• Public Health Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps. (Current and Retired)
• Military personnel of foreign nations and their family members when assigned or attached to a U.S. military unit or installation
• Spouses of Military listed above
• Un-remarried surviving spouses of personnel who died while on active duty or while in retired status
• Un-remarried former spouses who were married to military members for at least 20 years while the military member was on active duty

Applicable to: Walt Disney World and Disneyland

Important Links:

• Ears of Experience our Disney Military Specializing Travel Agent – Expert service at no extra cost!

Shades of Green

The Shades of Green Resort 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.

Those Eligible are:

• Current Military Members
• Those retired from the Military
• Honorably discharged veterans with 100 percent Permanent Service-connected disability
• Involuntarily separated service members under the Transition Assistance Management Program
• Personnel separated under the Voluntary Separation Incentive (VSI) and Special Separation Benefit (SSB) programs for two years after separation
• Public Health Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps. (Current and Retired)
• John McCain Defense Authorization Act Veterans – Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war, those with service-connected disabilities, and Primary Family Caregivers of eligible Veterans under the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers
• All Veterans (with honorable DD-214)  only for stays during the months of January and September!
• Current and retired (APF and NAF) Department of Defense (DoD) and Coast Guard (CG) civilian employees
• Military personnel of foreign nations and their family members when assigned or attached to a U.S. military unit or installation
• U.S. employees of firms under contract to Department of Defense working in the Pacific Region outside the U.S. on Department of Defense Government orders
• Spouses of Military listed above
• Un-remarried surviving spouses of personnel who died while on active duty or while in retired status
• Un-remarried former spouses who were married to military members for at least 20 years while the military member was on active duty
• Family members who have suffered a loss of an Active Duty sponsor regardless of the cause

Applicable to: Walt Disney World Only

Important Links:

• Our Main Shades of Green Page for all our detailed info
• Non-Retired Veterans can stay at Shades of Green
• Our Shades of Green Guide Book

Walt Disney World On-Property Non-Disney Hotels

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin

Unfortunately the Swan and Dolphin no longer offer the TROOPS military discount package which started in 2009 and ran through 2016, which included 50% off Food & Beverage and several other amenities.

The Swan and Dolphin do still offer discounts for the military and federal government under their government rate code GO1.

Call (888) 828-8850 and ask for the government rate code.

Those Eligible are:

• Current Military Members
• Those retired from the Military
• Current and retired (APF and NAF) Department of Defense (DoD) and Coast Guard (CG) civilian employees

Applicable to: Walt Disney World Only

Important Links:

• WDW Swan and Dolphin Page

Disney Springs Area Hotels 

The Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels are a collection of third party hotels located along Hotel Plaza Boulevard, which is adjacent to the Disney Springs Entertainment Area. These hotels have been around (under various individual names/hotel chains) since very early in Walt Disney World’s History. When WDW just had three of its own resorts and a campground these hotels provided nearby, cheaper, overflow guest rooms.

The Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels are national chain hotels from brands you’ll recognize. They are not owned or operated by Disney World.

These resorts have their own bus system, which has fewer buses and scheduled runs, which causes longer waits than the Disney World bus system.

The Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels are:

• B Resort & Spa
• Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort Hotel
• Doubletree Suites by Hilton Disney Springs Area
• Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace Disney Springs Area
• Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Disney Springs Area
• Holiday Inn Orlando – Disney Springs Area
• Wyndham Lake Buena Vista

U.S. Military Discount, up to 20% off

Both active and retired U.S. military personnel, including United States Coast Guard and activated members** of the National Guard or Reservists, can enjoy this discount. Restrictions and black out dates may apply.

Those Eligible are:

• Current Military Members
• Those retired from the Military

**Many companies state “activated members” not knowing there is no way to tell a Reserve/Guard member from an active one by looking at their CAC. So disregard the activated part and chalk it up to ignorance of the military and that in many cases non-activated Guard and Reserve do way more of the mission than active duty.

Applicable to: Walt Disney World Only

Important Links:

• Disney Springs Hotels Military Discount Info

Other Orlando Area Hotels

Once you exit Walt Disney World property there are literally hundreds, if not thousands of resorts, hotels, vacation homes, and condos to choose from! You’ll find all the big national chains, smaller chains and those which are only local.

Most national chains offer some sort of Government Rates. A military/Government ID is required upon check in. You do not usually need to be on travel orders to use these rates, but do check! The rates are most often equivalent to the max allowable rate as set by the Joint Travel Regulation and are also usually for the standard or bottom category room.

Those Eligible are:

• Check with the particular chain or hotel

Westgate Resorts

Westgate Resorts have numerous locations within 15-minute drive of Walt Disney World.

Westgate Resorts offers a 10 percent savings for rooms across their entire portfolio of 27 resort destinations for all U.S. military veterans if you book by the end of the year. So check out Westgate’s portfolio of military discount hotels if you’re looking for a deal on your next getaway.

This offer applies to all military ID carrying statuses:

• Current Military Members
• Those retired from the Military
• Involuntarily separated service members under the Transition Assistance Management Program
• Personnel separated under the Voluntary Separation Incentive (VSI) and Special Separation Benefit (SSB) programs for two years after separation
• Honorably discharged veterans with 100 percent Permanent Service-connected disability
• Spouses of Military listed above
• Un-remarried surviving spouses of personnel who died while on active duty or while in retired status
• Un-remarried former spouses who were married to military members for at least 20 years while the military member was on active duty

Important Links:

• Westgate’s Orlando Florida Disney Resorts

Anaheim Area Hotels

Many hotels in the Disneyland area offer great rates and military discounts.

Those Eligible are:

• Check with the particular chain or hotel

Applicable to: Disneyland Only

Important Links:

• Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotels

Disney Cruise Line Military Discounts

The Disney Cruise Line continues to offer Military discounts. Unlike the Disney Armed Forces Salute, discounted Military Disney Cruise Rates are not always offered.

Discounted Military Disney Cruise Rates are usually announced 30-60 days out from each individual sailing.

For most itineraries, the full price fare must be paid no later than 70 days prior to sailing. Disney does not allow you to convert your full fare to a military rate.

So if you’ve already reserved and paid in full at the regular rates and you want to switch to the military rate you’ll need to put the new full military fare on your credit card and then cancel the original reservation and wait for a refund. You would of course need to have enough room on your credit card to do so.

Be aware that since most military rates are offered AFTER the Paid in Full date, if you cancel a Paid in Full cruise you will only get a partial refund, usually 75% or less, depending on the time frame. It still may save you money in the long run, but it’s not as simple as just cancel and rebook.

But even with the penalties you may still save some money overall. But because you will be cancelling your original booking, you will lose everything in the transition, stateroom choice, dining reservations, shore excursion reservations, etc. You will also have to pay for the new booking upfront without the refund yet applied to your credit card for your old booking.

Disney usually sets aside fifty staterooms of all categories for the military rates (except for suites and the lowest categories).

Travel agents like Ears of Experience can assist you with both regular and military rates if announced.

Those Eligible are:

• Current Military Members
• Those retired from the Military
• Spouses of Military listed above
• Un-remarried surviving spouses of personnel who died while on active duty or while in retired status
• Un-remarried former spouses who were married to military members for at least 20 years while the military member was on active duty

Applicable to: Disneyland Only

Important Links:

• Disney Cruise Line Military Discount Page

Other Disney Military Discounts

This section covers all the other discounts which you could use during your Disney Vacation.

Disney Springs and Downtown Disney Military Discounts

Many non-Disney owned businesses located at Walt Disney World’s Disney Springs and Disneyland’s Downtown Disney shopping districts offer military discounts of 10% to 25% off.

Applicable to: Walt Disney World and Disneyland

Important Links:

See our full lists of locations

• Disney Springs Military Discounts
• Downtown Disney Military Discounts

Transportation and Mobility

Military Disney Tips has teamed with several providers in the Orlando Florida Area to obtain Military Discounts on Transportation and Mobility Services.

Airport and Orlando Area Transportation

Military Disney Tips has negotiated a Military Discount with Orlando Shuttle Service.

This special offer is exclusive to MDT Readers, you’ll get $15 off the basic round trip pricing of private transportation to ANY Orlando hotel or resort when you book at Orlando Shuttle Service. Just enter the promo code MDT15.

Just select the number in your party and pickup and drop off locations and compare all of the available prices from numerous Orlando Shuttle and Limo companies.

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Orlando Area Stroller Rentals

Walt Disney World rents strollers, but only in the theme parks and only for use in the parks!

If you’ll be needing one for your whole vacation you will need to rent from an independent company. You will find that these companies are comparatively cheaper than Disney.

The stroller rental company that Military Disney Tips recommends is Amusement Park Rentals.

They serve all hotels in the Central Florida Attraction Area. So you can use this service at any Walt Disney World resort!

They proudly offer a 10% military discount. You can reserve on their website using the 10MILITARY discount code.

Simple Stroller Rental also offers a 10% Military Discount.

Just click this link, and during checkout, use the coupon code “THANKS” to receive the discount.

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Orlando Area Scooter Rentals

Walt Disney World rents scooters/ECVs, but only in the theme parks and only for use in the parks!

The scooter rental company that Military Disney Tips recommends is Amusement Park Rentals.

They serve all hotels in the Central Florida Attraction Area. So you can use this service at any Walt Disney World resort!

They proudly offer a 10% military discount. You can reserve on their website using the 10MILITARY discount code.

Those Eligible are for all Transpo/Mobility discounts are:

• Current Military Members
• Those retired from the Military
• Honorably discharged veterans with 100 percent Permanent Service-connected disability
• Involuntarily separated service members under the Transition Assistance Management Program
• Personnel separated under the Voluntary Separation Incentive (VSI) and Special Separation Benefit (SSB) programs for two years after separation
• Public Health Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps. (Current and Retired)
• John McCain Defense Authorization Act Veterans – Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war, those with service-connected disabilities, and Primary Family Caregivers of eligible Veterans under the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers
• All Veterans
• Current and retired (APF and NAF) Department of Defense (DoD) and Coast Guard (CG) civilian employees
• Military personnel of foreign nations and their family members when assigned or attached to a U.S. military unit or installation
• U.S. employees of firms under contract to Department of Defense working in the Pacific Region outside the U.S. on Department of Defense Government orders
• Spouses of Military listed above
• Un-remarried surviving spouses of personnel who died while on active duty or while in retired status
• Un-remarried former spouses who were married to military members for at least 20 years while the military member was on active duty
• Family members who have suffered a loss of an Active Duty sponsor regardless of the cause

Applicable to: Walt Disney World Only

Wrapping Up Veteran Disney Discounts

Well that’s it for our list of discounts for the military veteran community to use on their Disneyland and Walt Disney World Vacations.

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

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Planning a Disney Trip? Want to get the best military discounts that are available? Feeling a little confused? See our:

• Disney Veteran Discount and Disney 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

Learn about the Disney Armed Forces Salute the best military discount that there is for Disney. For where to stay see our Resorts/Hotel Overview Page. Disney doesn’t discount dining for the military, but there are a few places on property that do, see the Dining Overview Page to learn where plus more dining info. You can also learn about Transportation Options. Be sure to check out our Technology Overview to learn about Magic Bands and My Disney Experience to see how they work with military tickets. Walt Disney World visitors might be interested in staying at Shades of Green, WDW’s Military Only Resort.

See: Top 8 Reasons to Use An Authorized Disney Vacation Planner