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.
My Military Sponsor Can No Longer Go To Disney, Can I Use The Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets They Already Purchased?
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 (doctor’s notes, orders, leave cancellations, etc.) should also be on hand.
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 Disney Military Ticket Discount for Walt Disney World and Disneyland, which are only slightly discounted to use without the member being present.
See: Regular Disney Military Ticket Discount for Walt Disney World and Disneyland
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:
- 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
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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!
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).
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.
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.
As far as FastPasses you will have to work with them as the ticket switch is made to keep the FastPasses.
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
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/