Many people are confused by the Difference Between these two military ticket options for Walt Disney World!
The Military Promotional Tickets, which are historically and traditionally also called the Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets, are a special temporary offer with many restrictions.
The Walt Disney World Military Theme Park Tickets are a new version of what had been called the MIlitary Magic Your Way Tickets or what I called the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets. These are the permanent military discount tickets that go way back to the 1980s.
Oddly, quite a few people don’t even know about the Walt Disney World Military Theme Park Tickets!
In this post, I will lay out the differences for you.
Walt Disney World Military Theme Park Tickets
- Military Theme Park Tickets are the permanent discount that stretches back into the 1980s at least.
- These are slightly discounted versions of the exact same Disney Tickets available to the general public. Discounts are 10 to 20 percent off as well as no sales tax charged.
- They come in 1 – 10 day lengths
- The following ticket options are available: Base (no options), Park Hopper, Water Park and Sports, and Park Hopper Plus.
- These tickets are Date Based, meaning you must select a date of first use when purchasing them.
- Theme park reservations are not required for these tickets.
- Once used for the first time, these Military Theme Park Tickets have the same expiration (4-14 days for multi-day tickets) as the general public versions. The expiration depends on the length of the ticket.
- There are no blockout dates on these tickets.
- The member does not need to have a ticket or be part of the party. They may be purchased and then given to anyone (family or friends) to use without the member.
- No ticket activation is required. They are ready to use.
- There is no limit on the number of these the member, spouse, or child dependents can purchase.
- These tickets can only be purchased from a Base Ticket Office, Disney does not sell these.
- These are typically only the right choice (by price) for longer trips (6+ days) depending on user preferences on options, and single days (or if no more Salute tickets are available).
More Info:
Walt Disney World Military Theme Park Tickets
Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets
- The Disney Armed Forces Salute is a temporary, calendar year offer that is not guaranteed to be renewed. The first of these offers was for just the first half of 2002, and the second in 2009 that started the current string of offers.
- These are highly discounted tickets that come in a limited number of day lengths and options.
- These currently come in 4-day, 5-day, and 6-day lengths at Walt Disney World.
- The following ticket options are available: Park Hopper or Park Hopper Plus.
- These tickets are only valid during the specific offer period and lose all value at the offer end date.
- Salute tickets often have blockout dates. These are dates that the tickets are blocked from use, i.e. they cannot be used. Typically, Spring Break, Â just before Christmas through New Year’s, and sometimes Thanksgiving week.
- The member must have a ticket and be part of the party.
- Activation by the member after arrival is required for Disney to track the limit per member.
- They are limited in number to 6 per eligible member during each offer period.
- These tickets can be purchased on base or from Disney.
More Info:
Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets
Disney Armed Forces Salute FAQ
Disney Armed Forces Salute FAQ Friday Ticket Posts
Disney Armed Forces Salute FAQ Friday All Topics
For more help in deciding on your ideal ticket, see the following:
What’s the Right Military Disney Ticket for Me?
FAQ: The Difference Between Walt Disney World Military Promotional Tickets vs. Military Theme Park Tickets
What’s the quick difference between the two ticket types?
Military Promotional Tickets (often called Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets) are a temporary, limited-duration offer with deep discounts and added rules. Military Theme Park Tickets are the permanent military discount—slightly discounted versions of the same tickets the general public buys.
Which one usually costs less?
Promotional/Armed Forces Salute tickets are typically the most heavily discounted. Military Theme Park Tickets are modestly discounted (generally about 10–20% off) and are tax-free.
How many days can I get with each?
- Military Theme Park Tickets: 1–10 days
- Promotional/Salute: usually 4-, 5-, or 6-day tickets at Walt Disney World
What options can I add?
- Military Theme Park Tickets: Base (one park per day), Park Hopper, Water Park and Sports, or Park Hopper Plus
- Promotional/Salute: Park Hopper or Park Hopper Plus only
Are there blockout dates?
- Military Theme Park Tickets: No blockout dates
- Promotional/Salute: Yes, often (commonly Spring Break, the Christmas/New Year period, and sometimes Thanksgiving week)
Do I need to pick a start date or make park reservations?
Military Theme Park Tickets are date-based (you pick a first-use date). Per this page, theme park reservations are not required for these tickets. Promotional/Salute details focus on offer period and blockouts.
When do the tickets expire after first use?
- Military Theme Park Tickets: After first use, they follow the same usage windows as public tickets (4–14 days, depending on length).
- Promotional/Salute: Valid only during the stated offer period and lose all value after the offer end date.
Does the eligible member need to be present?
- Military Theme Park Tickets: The member does not need to have a ticket or be in the party; they may buy and give them to family or friends.
- Promotional/Salute: The member must be in the party.
Is activation required?
- Military Theme Park Tickets: No activation required—ready to use.
- Promotional/Salute: Activation is required after arrival so Disney can track the per-member limit.
Is there a per-member purchase limit?
- Military Theme Park Tickets: No limit on quantity for the member/spouse/child dependents.
- Promotional/Salute: Limited to 6 per eligible member per offer period.
Where can I buy each type?
- Military Theme Park Tickets: Only from a Base Ticket Office (Disney does not sell these).
- Promotional/Salute: Available on base or directly from Disney.
Which is better for short vs. long trips?
Short trips (4–6 days): Salute often wins on price (if your dates avoid blockouts and you’re within the offer window). Longer trips (≈6+ days) or when Salute is unavailable/sold out: Military Theme Park Tickets can be the better fit depending on options and preferences.
Can I add Lightning Lane to these tickets?
Lightning Lane isn’t included with either ticket. At Walt Disney World, purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass day-by-day in the My Disney Experience app.
How-To: Choose the Right Walt Disney World Military Ticket (Quick Guide)
- Check your travel window. If you’re inside an active Armed Forces Salute offer and not traveling on blockout dates, keep Salute on the table.
- Match your trip length. For 4–6 days, Salute often provides the strongest savings. For 6+ days or a single day, compare pricing—Military Theme Park Tickets may make more sense.
- Confirm party rules. Need the member present and within a 6-ticket limit? That’s Salute. Want flexibility to gift tickets or buy more than six? Choose Military Theme Park Tickets.
- Pick your options. If you want Base (no hopper) or Water Park and Sports without Plus, you’ll need Military Theme Park Tickets. If Park Hopper or Park Hopper Plus fits your plans, either product can work (subject to rules).
- Plan purchase & activation. Theme Park Tickets: buy at a Base Ticket Office; no activation needed. Salute: buy on base or from Disney; member activation required on arrival.
- Set your first day & plan Lightning Lane. Theme Park Tickets are date-based (pick a first-use date). At WDW, buy Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass in-app on the day of use.
Questions?
Feel free to ask any questions in the comment section below!
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This MDT Post By: Steve Bell Steve is the Military Disney Tips Founder. He is a retired U.S. Military Member who's been touring the Disney Parks since 1971! He has been writing about Disney for the US Military Community here for 18 years. Steve's mission is to help military families with their Disney vacations in every way possible. See Steve and His Family's Content |
Planning a Disney Trip? Want to get the best military discounts that are available? Feeling a little confused? See Our Great Disney Discount and Planning Info:
- 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 GuideÂ
- Military Disney Tips Disney Packing ChecklistÂ
- 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
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What are your thoughts on eligible service members (for the Salute tickets) buying an annual pass? Has anyone done the math and figured out how many times you would have to go per year for it to make sense?
Hi Dennis,
Thanks for a great question!
I started to type my answer here, but the info just grew and grew. So I created a whole post on the topic.
You can find the post here:
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-armed-forces-salute/disney-armed-forces-salute-tickets-vs-disney-world-annual-pass/
Let me know if you have any questions, either here or on the post!!!
Steve
With Salute tickets, do you need to use them all within that amount days purchased or can you use part of the days and come back to reuse remainder?
You have the whole offer period to use the Salute Tickets Judy