Military Disney Vacation Planning Guide: Start Here After Christmas

Merry Christmas!

The shopping is done. The presents are opened. The kids are happily buried in new toys.

And historically—based on years of traffic data—this is exactly when military families start planning their next Disney vacation.

If that’s you, you’re in the right place.

This page serves as a starting point: a curated collection of planning links that guide you through the most significant decisions—when to go, which tickets to purchase, where to stay, how to save, and how to avoid the most common (and costly) mistakes.

Planning Basics

A Disney vacation goes smoothly when you plan it in the right order. These posts help you understand what to focus on—and when.

The Military Family’s Walt Disney World Comprehensive Vacation Planning Guide

Military Disney Packing Checklist

Shipping Items to Your Disney Resort

Shipping Items to Shades of Green

Walt Disney World Theme Parks Overview

Disneyland Theme Parks Overview

Theme Park Tickets

Tickets are one of the two biggest expenses of a Disney vacation—and also one of the most misunderstood.

There are two separate military ticket programs, and choosing the wrong one could potentially result in lost flexibility, time, or money.

What’s the Right Military Discounted Disney Ticket for Me?

Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets Explained

WDW’s New Disney Celebrates America Military Salute Ticket

Regular Disney Military Tickets (WDW & Disneyland) (overview)
Walt Disney World Military Theme Park Tickets
Disneyland Regular Military Tickets

How to Activate Military Tickets

Buying Military Tickets Long Distance

Where to Stay

Your resort choice affects your budget, transportation time, room size, and overall vacation experience.

Disney Armed Forces Salute Room Discounts

How Salute Room Discounts Work

You can book yourself, but I strongly recommend using a Disney-specialized military travel agent.

The Mouse Experts – Military Disney Vacation Specialists handle more military reservations than anyone else, and your reservation is managed by an experienced military spouse.

Request a Quote from The Mouse Experts

Choosing the Right Walt Disney World Resort

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

Disneyland Resort Hotels

Shades of Green

Shades of Green is the military-owned resort on Walt Disney World property and remains one of the best values for eligible families.

What is Shades of Green at Disney World, and Who Can Stay There?

Shades of Green Overview

Shades of Green Discounts

10 Best Things About Shades of Green

Shades of Green Transportation: Buses to Parks, TTC Access & Rideshare Tips

Dining

Disney does not offer military discounts on most dining, but there are still ways to save.

Disney Springs Military Discounts

Cake Bake Shop Military Discount

Space 220 Military Discount

Downtown Disney Military Discounts

Disney Dining Overview

11 Reasons Why I Don’t Recommend the Disney Dining Plan

Transportation

Disney Transportation Overview

Disney Skyliner Guide

Uber, Lyft, and Minnie Vans

A Great Place to Start

This page isn’t meant to overwhelm—it’s meant to point you in the right direction.

You’ll find deeper information on each topic throughout the site, but if you work through these links in order, you’ll be well ahead of most first-time planners.

Happy Disney planning—and Merry Christmas!

Steve

• Back to Basics Posts - A great place to start, offering basic topics!
• 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

The Mouse Experts is a travel booking company specializing in Disney vacations. Military family owned and operated! They know all the ins and outs of Disney military discounts!