Disney Veteran Ticket Discounts and Disney Veteran Room Discounts have always been a complicated subject. This is even more true after 2021 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.
Updated February 2022 for the discontinuation of Shades of Green Stars and Stripes Passes
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 two 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:
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
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 Note: They will only sell tickets 30 out from your vacation dates, but you can tell them any date you want!
- 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 Theme Park Reservations?
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!
- Our Walt Disney World Resort Hotel Overview
- Our Disneyland Resort Hotel Overview
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
- My 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:
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:
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:
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:
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
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.
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.
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.
Check out all of our Topic Overview Pages:
- Military Discount Ticket Overview
- Disneyland Ticket Overview
- Rooms Overview
- Dining Overview
- Transportation Overview
- Technology Overview
- Outside the Parks Overview
- Walt Disney World Overview
- Disneyland Overview
- Universal Overview
- SeaWorld Overview
Veterans Get my Veteran Discounts for Disney Overview email series
Links to my content speciffically for Non-Retired Veterans
- Veteran Discounts for Disney, Universal, and Other Theme Parks
- 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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Hello, is there an updated Photo attachment that shows pictures of eligible IDs that are accepted for verification of discounts?
Hi Tyra,
I only have this one for the Disney Armed Forces Salute, nothing has changed on it. https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discount-id-guide/
We have military salute tickets for the 5 of us. We had our trip scheduled for May 9-16. Since Disney is closed at least until June, we cannot go when we planned. Our issue is that after 11 years serving in our Navy, my son has decided NOT to re-enlist. His last day of being of Naval personnel with an active Navy Identification is May 26. Therefore, we will not be able to use these tickets since Disney is closed until at least June. Can you help or have any suggestions? Everywhere I tried to call is also closed at the present time and I didn’t want to let this go any longer without an answer. Thank you so much for your time and hopefully help.
Hi Tami,
I am still trying to get Disney to realize this is a huge problem. I will post updates.
Steve
Hello, thank you so much for this huge resource. I have read over what I can find regarding eligibility for my current status and I’m still unclear as to if I qualify. My card is 1173 and says exchange and MWR. I am the unremarried surviving spouse of a 100% disabled vet. I see spouses of the veterans listed qualify, but only a couple of surviving spouses and not my situation. How can I be sure either way? I’m trying to afford a trip we had been planning before he passed. We met at WDW during the 25th anniversary so we wanted to go back for the 50th. I would be going solo but even with this help it’s going to be tight ony budget so every bit will help. Thanks for your input.
Hi there Lori,
Thanks so much!
The MWR includes ticket purchases, on Base or from Shades of Green so no problem with Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets. I recommend getting your tickets ahead from Shades of Green: https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/buy-military-discounted-disney-tickets-by-phone/
The Disney Armed Forces Salute room discount will be allowed as well. https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/the-disney-armed-forces-salute-military-ticket-and-room-discounts/
Steve, Thank you so much! You are my new Best Friend! Have a magical day!
My pleasure!
I hope that your trip is magical!!!
Hello! Lots of good information here. However, I do have some questions. I am planning a vacation with my family for May 2021. My current end of obligated time ends March 2021. I am currently being evaluated by the VA for service connected disabilities. Am I understanding correctly that I will not be able to use the Salute to Service tickets? If so, how does the John McCain Defense Authorization Act Veterans affect this? Just looking for information. Thank you for your help!
Hi Michael,
Yes if you are separated and it is service connected but less that 100 percent you do not qualify for the Disney Armed Forces Salute.
If you are 100% it needs to be permanent (DAVPRM), not temporary (DAVTMP).
If you are medically retired with a retired ID you qualify for all discounts.
Barring a 100% DAVPRM or medical retirement, there are several ways to qualify for various discounts all listed in this post with links to more information on each.
Here is the link to the John McCain info: https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/disney-discounts-and-the-john-mccain-defense-authorization-act/
Give that a read and see if you still need more info.
Hope this helps.
Hi Steve!
The universal studios freedom pass says that a maximum of 6 tickets can be bought. Does that mean the veteran can bring 5 guests using the other tickets. It states that the person eligible for the discount must be present when they are activated and that one of the tickets must be used by that same person. I wasn’t sure if you could clarify. Thanks for your help!
Hi Marsha, sure.
Yes the passes can be used by anyone who you would like to be your guest (family or friends).
When you arrive at the ticket office the first day to activate your passes, everyone you want to activate a pass for must be there. They cannot activate the the pass without you! You cannot activate a pass for someone who is not there.
Once activated, that pass is theirs, they cannot give it to someone else to use.
Hope this clears it up.
Does the. Veteran have to be present at each park the guests go to or just to activate
Just for the activation Patty.
So as a 50% SVC connected vet I’m not qualified for any military discounts at Disney World?
Hi Josh,
As someone who separated, there is at least one category mentioned in this post that you fall into.
There are other qualifying statuses that you might fall into if you read closely.
So does a Purple Heart recipient with 10 years of active special with less than 100% disability qualify for the Veterans Salute packages/pricing or do you have to have 20 years even with a Purple Heart?
Hi Danell,
Those with Purple Hearts qualify for the John McCain Act items. See:
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/disney-discounts-and-the-john-mccain-defense-authorization-act/
This excludes items which require a current or retired Military ID, such as the Disney Armed Forces Salute ticket and room discounts and Universal’s Freedom Pass.
However all other Disney and Universal Military tickets are available as are stays at Shades of Green.
Hi Steve, thanks for all these details! If I’m reading it correctly, my father (30 year retired navy captain) and my mother (spouse to navy retiree AND 5 year veteran with honorable discharge) are each eligible for 6 Armed Forces Salutes tickets. Is that correct? So they can buy a total of 12 highly discounted tickets for our family that is going to Disney? We are all going together with my parents and are all Florida residents. Thank you!
Hi Whitney,
Not quite… For your mom on the service member side, having served but having no other qualifier that you mentioned is only eligible to stay at Shades of Green in Sept and Jan and buy tickets that do not require a valid mil ID to use i.e. Disney Armed Forces Salute and Universal Freedom Pass) with her DD-214 while staying there. There are no other ticket or room discounts for those who just served a period of time. Purple Hearts, Service Connected Disabilities, and POW status add eligibility all the time for tickets that do not require a valid mil ID.
As a spouse she qualifies for all military discounts extended to spouses (Shades of Green, Disney rooms, tickets, etc.).
However the rules for the Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets is that the limit is 6 during the offer period for the member. The spouse has no eligibility of their own, they can only use the Salute tickets in place of the member (and technically only 5 as 1 is supposed to be held in reserve for the member).
So your dad may buy and use 6 Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets for your upcoming trip and he or your mom can buy unlimited Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets or Shades of Green Stars and Stripes Passes.
See:
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/military-discount-theme-park-tickets/regular-military-discounted-magic-your-way-tickets/
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/military-discount-theme-park-tickets/shades-of-greens-stars-and-stripes-tickets/
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/the-disney-armed-forces-salute-military-ticket-and-room-discounts/
Hi! Is brasilian Air Force Military eligible for Euro Disney military discount? If so, how can we buy the tickets?
Hi Virginia,
I’m not sure, I only cover the US parks.
Would I qualify for military discounts? My husband served in Viet Nam in 1969-1970 and was awarded the Bronze star. We were married in 1972 and he passed away in 2005. I have not remarried. My grandchildren love Disney!
Thank you.
Hi Jane,
You would be if you have a military issued dependent ID with Spouse, SP, or DEC_DB on it.
How would I get that Steve?
Hi Jane,
I’d think that you would already have an ID if you were eligible for one. He didn’t have a retired military ID based on a disability did he? If he did, then you’d have one too.
Shades of Green, the military Hotel at WDW has the same eligibility, but states it al littel different:
“Unremarried surviving spouses of personnel who died while on active duty or while in retired status ID is 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 ID is DD Form 1173”
Hello, I would like to know if I am eligible to purchase military discounted theme park tickets. I was an RN with a medical unit in the Air National Guard. I have an ‘indefinite date of expiration’ ID card, I am not disabled and did not have enough credits to retire. I had to separate from the service bc my 20-years of service WWII Veteran father was dying and I had to care for him while still working at my full=time job.. I am now taking care of his wife, my 96 yo mother. IMO everyone who voluntarily served and put their lives at risk for our great Country should be eligible for a Military Salute discounted ticket. I don’t understand why there are so many restrictions. It seems we have earned this rather small reward when viewing what we risked by volunteering. Thank you for your service. .
Hi Dianna,
Thanks, and thanks for yours!
I don’t understand why you have an ID card if you are no longer a member and are not retired, did you not turn it in when you out-processed? Or is it your IRR ID?
All companies decide if and to whom they will offer discounts. To whom sets the size of the pool of people who are eligible and how much it will cost the company. They then factor this into a loss leader equation to see if it is profitable.
In Disney’s the Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets have to be sold through Base Ticket Offices and that requires a contract with DoD MWR. The DOD sets the eligibility, based I’m sure on the size of the number of people Disney want’s to offer the discount to. Offering it to everyone who ever served is a Huge pool of people vs current and retired military.
So, as this post and all the other linked veteran posts relate, your DD-214 gives you access to Shades of Green stays in Jan and Sept, as well as non-special military ticket purchases (there are 2 special ones – Disney’s Salute and Universal’s Freedom Pass) while staying there. Other eligibilities that you might have grant further discounts under the McCain Bill.
You mother as a retiree’s wife should have her spouse ID which grants her full benefits.
If you’d care for some further avice we could carry on via email, just use my contact page (see the menu).
Hello – We bought the 4 day park hopper military tickets. The tickets expire at the end of the year. I have heard a lot of mixed responses about credits with the tickets. If something happens and we can’t go this year, can we use the amount we paid for the tickets towards new tickets in 2023? We really need to know, and have researched so many sites. No one has an answer. Thanks
Hi Ann,
Sorry, the Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets are valid only within their individual offer period and lose all value after expiration at the end of the offer.
Once and only once since Salutes began in 2009 was there any official exception to this and it was caused by the 2020 shutdown and the debacle that followed.
Any other Disney ticket retains value after expiration, but the Salutes do not.
Having said that, you could plead with guest relations and possibly get a one-time exception, but you can’t count on it.
This is very helpful. Thank you for clarifying the rules on the tickets.
My fiancé is an Army veteran. His military ID is expired but he does have his Florida license with the veteran status on it as well as his DD214. Would those be sufficient to obtain tickets?
Hi Angela,
There are discounts that he could be eligible for including some types of tickets (depends on is specifics).
Please see my posts for non-retired veterans:
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/veteran-discounts-for-disney-universal-and-other-theme-parks/
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/disney-veteran-discount-and-disney-military-discount-eligibility-guide/
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/disney-military-discounts-for-veterans-who-did-not-retire-from-the-military/
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/disney-discounts-and-the-john-mccain-defense-authorization-act/
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/shades-of-green/shades-of-green-stays-for-non-retired-veterans/
My father-in-law is retired from the Air Force but already has a Disney annual pass. If we go with him can he buy and activate the Armed Forces Salute tickets? It says one tickets needs to be for the military person but he will already have an annual pass. Thank you!
Hi Debra,
Yes he can. APs are the exception to this rule.
I have an AP and have always used the Salute tickets for others.
My husband who was 100 disabled veteran died. Do widows qualify for any discounts I have not re-married.
Hi Nancy,
Do you have a military spouse ID?
yes.
Then you would be qualified for all Disney Military Discounts!
Hello!
First, I’d like to say thank you so much for providing so much information on your site. I’m a bit overwhelmed so I really appreciate the run down you provide!
Second, my partner is a veteran with a rating of 90% for his service connected disabilities, however, he was approved for TDIU benefits. Would that count as being 100% disabled?
Hi Ashley,
Thank you!
This topic has become more complicated since the implementation of the new ID cards.
In the past if you were 100% permanent disabled, you had DAVPRM on your retired ID and this is what Disney looked for for eligibility. Those who were 100% temporary (DAVTMP) were not eligible as well as those less than 100%.
I’m told the new ID cards just say “100% Disabled American Veteran” for all disabled military and I’m not sure how Disney is handling this.
I will attempt to reach out to them to see if I can find out. Note, they have become more and more non communicative re military discounts over the recent few years.
Hi Ashley,
I posed the question about TDIU status to Disney Media Relations and Public Relations over 5 weeks ago and have not even had an acknowledgment of my question let alone an answer. I did receive a call the other day from someone in guest relations who stated she had no answer and could not contact Media Relations, Public Relations, Ticketing, or anyone who might have an answer. She was just asking me if I’d heard back…
At this point I do not expect Disney to step up and help in this situation or answer me.
I recommend that you contact senior leadership at various levels of the company (see the link).
If you hear back I would appreciate being copied!!!!
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/how-to-contact-disney-and-disney-officials/
Hello, I found an answer from Disney that pertains to New Generation USID.
“The rollout of the Next Generation Uniformed Services ID Card should not impact your ability as a 100% Disabled Veteran to purchase and use Military Promotional Theme Park Tickets. Because these tickets are purchased on base, they will verify your eligibility at the MWR or other on-site ticketing office. Then, when you activate the tickets at a Walt Disney World Resort Guest Relations window, you will show your valid and active military ID. I checked with a Cast Member, who confirmed that their verification process is just checking that you have a military ID and that it is you in person.”
Hi Katherine,
Thanks so much for reaching out. I really appreciate when folks do this!
You did not mention where this info you quoted came from. I assume one of the Guest Relations communication methods (phone, email, chat).
I do have a couple comments on this.
First the people who work in these rolls have received no training on their company’s military discounts. (See this)
Second their reply contains a basic misunderstanding of the discount so the rest of what they say is suspect. Actually, these tickets can be purchased directly from Disney at the ticket and GR windows. Not just on base.
The cast member they checked with is also misinformed, Disney cast members working at the window have a guide sheet to look at to verify eligibility, they are no just looking for a military ID, they are looking for an eligible military ID.
Having said all that I do feel that you would have no issue as this is the right thing for Disney to do, and the new ID’s have been out for a while now and they should be up to speed at the ticket windows. But if you can print a copy of the email (if that is where you received this) you should take it with you.
It just irks me when cast members pass off their best guess as fact.
I know the first day when the tickets are activated, the eligible service member or their spouse must be there to activate the tickets (plus the entire group), but is that a one-time thing for the trip? What we are trying to determine is if our group can choose to split up the second day? Will it be a problem if the college-age youth go to one park but the service member and spouse go to a different one on the second day?
Hi Kat,
Yes, it’s a one time thing. Once activated the Salute tickets are just like any other ticket. Others can use them at different parks and even on totally different days from you.
Thanks!!
Hi,
I found this site after purchasing my Disneyland California tickets through a base ticket office.
I am a DoD civillian but my base allowed me to purchase the 3-day armed forces salute tickets. I have since redeemed those on my Disney account and scheduled a park reservation.
Based on your site it looks like I shouldn’t have been able to purchase them and my ticket office may have misunderstood how to apply the John McCain act here.
Do you think I will still be allowed in the parks? Does a park reservation constitute “activation?”
Thanks
Hi Adam,
So, as you’ve discovered you really are not eligible for the Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets, they should have sold you the Regular Military Discounted Disneyland Tickets (which offer much less savings).
One option is to see if your ticket office will let you exchange them plus more cash for the Regular Military Discounted Disneyland Tickets. Then link the new tickets and delete the old ones in the app (or call and have Disney delete them).
Linking them in the Disneyland app does not constitute activation. At Disneyland activation takes place at the turnstile. When the cast member scans your ticket or QR code on your app that first time they will get a notice to check your ID.
Now, Disney does not have the best training and there are way more turnstile workers than ticket sales workers (who are the ones that check IDs at Disney World). My point being, that when you flash your civ CAC they might not notice that it isn’t a mil one and you will be good to go.
If not, you’ll need to work with Guest Relations on a solution. The best being, that since you paid for them that they show you some pixie dust and let you use them. The worse solution would be letting you use the value towards full price tickets.
Some tips: https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/faq/my-military-sponsor-can-no-longer-go-to-disney-can-i-use-the-disney-armed-forces-salute-tickets-they-already-purchased/
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/linking-disney-military-tickets-and-theme-park-reservations/
Hello, I wanted to reach out so that you can update your information.
We had a trip booked for September 2023 at Shades. My husband served 8 years with the army and has a DD214. We have previously stayed at Shades 3 times prior to him separating from service.
Yesterday when I called Shades regarding the halloween party and through a post being pulled from a shades Facebook page I was told that we are not allowed to buy tickets from Shades ticket office until 30 days prior to our trip. They would make an exception for the halloween party but not the park tickets. They claimed this is due to cancellations. My husband is deeply upset about the policy since he served his country, they offer the stay and Disney now requires park reservations. They told me “you should be fine”. How is the right? I wanted to let you know because I have followed you since 2012. I am emailing Disney about Shades Policy as well. Their policy could be modified to always add tax to a purchase with a hold of credit card if you cancel and not rebook at shades. We are extremely disheartened with this dangling carrot. It quit shameful.
Hi there Jeninfer,
I do mention Shades of Green’s ridiculous 30 day rule elsewhere, though I guess it is not on this page so I’ll add it.
Keep in mind, you can just tell them any date you want!!! (within the next 30 days). Or just use Patrick or the Orlando ITT, see: https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/buy-military-discounted-disney-tickets-by-phone/
Oh and thanks so much for being such a long time reader!!!