My Military Sponsor Can No Longer Go To Disney, Can I Use The Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets They Already Purchased?

Special Info:

This post is part of our Frequently Asked Question Series in the Disney Armed Forces Salute Ticket FAQ section.

The Disney’s Armed Forces Salute offers huge savings on theme park tickets and resort rooms to those Service Members who are eligible to participate.

No I’m so sorry that is not possible. The member or their spouse must be part of the party.

These highly discounted tickets are only for the member (or spouse) to use with friends and family, not for letting those who are not eligible use them without the member.

The only recourse as the Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets are non-refundable, is to get Disney let you use the purchase price towards full price tickets or reschedule the trip until you can go with the military member.

If you are going without the member I recommend bringing: the tickets, the original purchase receipt and a letter from them explaining why they cannot attend and that they want you to be able to use the Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets towards full price ones, and any documentation to back up their letter (doctors notes etc.).

Just in case you should be prepared to cover the full price yourself if Disney does not allow you to use the tickets towards full price ones. This isn’t very likely!

If however you know the member won’t be going before purchasing tickets, have them buy you the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets, which are only slightly discounted to use without the member being present.

See Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets

Planning a Disney Trip? Want to get the best military discounts that are available? Feeling a little confused? Get Our Email Newsletter See Our Great Disney Discount and Planning Info:

Learn about the Disney Armed Forces Salute the best military discount that there is for Disney. See our Topic Overview Pages:

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!

Comments

Meghan says

24 October 2019 at 12:23

when does my military spouse actually have to be with me to use these tickets? Is it the first time I enter the park? Or every time I go to the parks? Or just when I have them activated? Thanks!

- Steve says
  
  24 October 2019 at 17:48
  
  Hi Meghan,
  
  Well, your spouse doesn’t really have to be with you at all, a spouses can activate tickets on their own.
  
  But, for someone other than a spouse (kids, relatives, friends) they would have to be with you for the activation process (and for first entry only at Disneyland not WDW).
  
Irene says

21 November 2019 at 13:45

Steve,
Does Disney have a policy of allowing you to pay the difference between the AFS ticket and a regular ticket IF the sponsor is suddenly unable to come? Or is it determined on a case by case basis? Can it be done there at the gate in person, or does it need to be planned in advance? Is this something we could do at Shades of Green if we do not purchase the AFS from Shades of Green? My dad would like to sponsor my family at WDW, but he is an older gentleman, and I worry about his health and ability to attend a trip that is planned several months in the future. It would be nice to know one way or another if we would be able to just pay the difference in price at the gate, and whether we would be able to keep all the pre-bookings made with the AFS voucher.

- Steve says
  
  23 November 2019 at 08:15
  
  Hi Irene,
  
  I’ve heard numerous times of Disney allowing those in your situation to do this.
  
  You need to do it directly through Disney, not Shades of Green.
  
  Just explain the situation and they’ll allow you to pay the difference at the ticket window.
  
  I’d bring a note from him explaining that he bought the tickets for you all to use, but didn’t feel well enough to travel at the time of the trip.
  
  - Steve says
    
    23 November 2019 at 08:17
    
    As far as FastPasses you will have to work with them as the ticket switch is made to keep the FastPasses.
    
Anne Marie Chua says

10 December 2019 at 15:38

Hi Steve,

My mother in law is a spouse of retired navy but she lives in North Carolina. I just want to ask if she can avail military discounts in Disney world for her family here in Florida. How is that going to work?

Thank you,
Anne

- Steve says
  
  10 December 2019 at 18:41
  
  Hi Anne Marie,
  
  She would not be able to let you use her Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets. She’s required to be part of the party for those.
  
  She could buy you the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets, which are only slightly discounted to use without her.
  
  See http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/regular-disney-military-discount-for-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-tickets/