Walt Disney World Military Theme Park Tickets are a totally separate ticket option from the Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets, which are also sometimes called Military Promotional Tickets!
Note: Walt Disney World Military Theme Park Tickets have replaced the old Military Magic Your Way Tickets (which I often called the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets).
The Two Types of Disney Military Tickets
The Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets are highly discounted, limited in purchase number, temporary offers that require annual renewal, and have other significant purchase and use restrictions.
The Walt Disney World Military Theme Park Tickets offer less of a discount, are not limited in number or use, have greater purchase eligibility, and are the permanent Military Ticket Discount stretching back to the 1990s or further (through their Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets lineage).
Note Disneyland has not yet switched to the date-based system, they still sell non-date-based tickets.
Why would you use the slightly discounted tickets and not the highly discounted ones? See: What’s the Right Military Discounted Disney Ticket for Me?
What’s New, Why the Change?
In October of 2018, Walt Disney World began selling its general public tickets on a date-based basis. Meaning that guests had to purchase their tickets for a specific vacation start date, and prices varied depending on the start date. The Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets did not convert to this date-based scheme… Until now!
The new Walt Disney World Military Theme Park Tickets are now date-based, meaning that when you purchase them, you need to select the date that you will begin using the ticket(s). Your price will vary based on the start date. They will be more expensive when attendance is projected to be higher, and lower when crowds are low. Disney uses these variable prices on rooms and tickets to attempt to shift crowds to lower attendance periods and even out attendance.
The old Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets were valid for 14 days after the date that you first started using them. The new Walt Disney World Military Theme Park Ticket expirations will vary by the number of days purchased.
- 2-Day Military Theme Park Tickets – Expire 4 days after first use
- 3-Day Military Theme Park Tickets – Expire 5 days after first use
- 4-Day Military Theme Park Tickets – Expire 7 days after first use
- 5-Day Military Theme Park Tickets – Expire 8 days after first use
- 6-Day Military Theme Park Tickets – Expire 9 days after first use
- 7-Day Military Theme Park Tickets – Expire 10 days after first use
- 8-Day Military Theme Park Tickets – Expire 12 days after first use
- 9-Day Military Theme Park Tickets – Expire 13 days after first use
- 10-Day Military Theme Park Tickets – Expire 14 days after first use
For Example, A 3-Day Ticket with a start date of Saturday, September 6th can be used on Saturday, the 4th, through Wednesday the 10th
The reason for the expiration being longer than the number of days on the tickets is to allow you to have non-theme park or down days during your vacation, to visit a Disney Water Park, Disney Springs, or to leave Disney property entirely for another Central Florida destination without losing a day of theme park usage.
For multi-day tickets, you’ll have to select your start date, but for single-day tickets, you will also select the park that you will attend (these prices will also vary by park).
Theme Park Reservations will not be required for these tickets, as you will select your start date when purchasing.
Walt Disney World Military Theme Park Ticket Details
Walt Disney World Military Theme Park Tickets are discounted versions of the same tickets available for purchase by the general public.
Walt Disney World Military Theme Park Tickets come in one to ten-day lengths. The Base Ticket, as it is called, allows entry into one theme park per day for a specified number of days. You may leave and re-enter the same park as many times as you’d like during the same day.
The more days that you purchase, the lower the price per day (when averaged). This is to entice you to stay longer and spend more on other things, like your room, food, and other purchases.
There are both adult (age 10+) and cheaper children’s (ages 3-9) versions of these tickets.
These tickets are not limited in number whatsoever. Only the Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets have a limit of 6 tickets per military member during the salute offer.
These tickets do not need to be activated, they are ready for use. Because of this, they may be given to others (who are not eligible to purchase them) to use. For instance family or friends.
Prices vary depending on the date of your visit.
Walt Disney World Military Theme Park Ticket Eligibility
Those below are eligible to purchase Walt Disney World Military Theme Park Tickets at Base Ticket Offices and other Military Resellers such as Shade of Green and The Orlando ITT.
Active Duty
- Army
- Navy
- Marines
- Air Force
- Space Force
- Coast Guard
Reserve & National Guard
- Army
- Navy
- Marines
- Air Force
- Space Force
- Coast Guard
- Not State Guards, for example, the Texas State Guard
Retired
- Retired members of the above, with Retired ID
Spouses Dependents
- Spouses of all the above with ID
- Widow and Widower IDs also Qualify
- Non-Spouse Dependents (children)
- Un-remarried former spouses who were married to military members for at least 20 years while the military member was on active duty (with ID)
DoD Civilians
- With ID
McCain Equal Access Act
- Veterans who are Purple Heart recipients
- Veterans who are former prisoners of war
- All Veterans with service-connected disabilities
- Individuals approved and designated as the Primary Family Caregivers of eligible Veterans under the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers
John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act
Others
- Military personnel of foreign nations and their family members when assigned or attached to a U.S. military unit or installation (CAC With Blue Stripe)
Walt Disney World Military Theme Park Ticket Prices
Because these new Walt Disney World Military Theme Park Tickets are date-based, there is no price chart to post as there are for other tickets.
The date-based tickets have their starting price set way in advance when Disney publishes their general public prices, and these military versions will receive a discounted percentage off of that price. However, these prices can fluctuate from the original price based on several factors. If you do a price check for your trip one day, prices might be different for the same dates the next day!
Here are the discount percentages as they stand now:
- 1-Day and 2-Day Tickets – Approximately 10% off of the current published general public price before tax*
- 3-Day to 10-Day Tickets – Approximately 20% off of the current published general public price before tax*
* Base Ticket Offices and Military Resellers do not charge sales tax!
To check prices you can check general public Theme Park Ticket prices on Disney’s site and apply the discount percentage.
For example, the 3-day ticket we used in the example above starting on September 6, 2025, shows a starting price of $127.00 per day (for a 1 Park Per Day Version).
You will then need to select whether you want a 1Park Per Day or one of the ticket add-ons. For this example, I’ll select the Park Hopper Option.
Next, I’ll choose 1 adult ticket.
This gives me a general public price of $442.08 before tax. I’ll subtract 20% (easiest, just multiply 442.08 by .8) to get the Military price of $353.66. This gives me a savings of $88.42 on the ticket and $28.74 in tax for a total of $117.16.
Remember this price may not be the same when you go to check again or buy at a different time.
These tickets will continually increase prices, on a yearly and by-day basis, unlike the old Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets that went up once a year or less often.
You Must Pick a Date
Besides the variable price, this is the huge change for these new tickets!
For 1-day tickets, you must pick the date you will use them and the park you will use them at. This sets your price.
For Multi-Day tickets, you must choose a start date, the date you are allowed to first enter a park, again this sets the price.
But what if your plans change?
In our community, this is always a worry!
First, if you need to change the start date of your tickets, the Base Ticket Office that you purchased them at cannot help you!
You need to contact Disney to change the start date.
If your new start date causes the tickets to be more expensive (it will), as Disney will be using the non-discounted price plus tax. They will charge you the price difference. If the price is lower (unlikely), they will not refund any money.
Why Would You Want These Tickets with a Lesser Discount?
There are several reasons why you might want or need to purchase these tickets.
- A One-Day Disney Trip
- One-Day Military Discounted Disney Tickets are less than the Armed Forces Salute tickets. For two days or more, the Salute tickets are cheaper.
- Longer Disney Trips
- For stays over 7 or 8 days, some types of these Military Discounted Disney Tickets can be cheaper than using back-to-back Armed Forces Salute Tickets.
- Large Parties
- Disney allows only 6 Armed Forces Salute Tickets per military member (with exceptions for larger immediate families). If you have a large party, who are not all your dependents, then you’ll need to buy these to have enough tickets.
- Your allotment of Armed Forces Salute Tickets is used up
- There is a maximum of 6 Armed Forces Salute tickets allowed per military member during each individual Salute Offer’s timeframe. If you’ve used yours up for the specific offer in question, the regular military discount tickets are your next best option.
- You want to go to the Disney parks on days the Armed Forces Salute tickets are Blocked Out.
- There are days on which the AFS tickets are not valid
- You will not have a valid military ID when you go to Disney.
- If I Buy Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets While I’m a Military Member, Can I Use Them After I Separate From the Military?
- My Military Sponsor Can No Longer Go To Disney, Can I Use The Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets They Already Purchased?
- I Don’t Have The Correct ID To Activate Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets
- Can I Give My Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets to Someone Else to Use?
- You want to buy tickets for others to use without you or your spouse
- Children dependents traveling without you or your spouse
- Other family
- Friends
Walt Disney World Military Theme Park Ticket Options
There are Base Tickets and 3 options that you can add to your Base Ticket, these are the Park Hopper Option, the Water Parks and Sports Option, and the Park Hopper Plus Option.
Park Hopper Option: Allows guests to visit multiple parks on the same day. You may enter as many theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney Hollywood Studios, or Animal Kingdom) as many times as you’d like each day for the number of days on the ticket.
Water Parks and Sports Option: The Water Parks and Sports Option allows entry to 1 theme park per day plus a specific number of entries into the following locations:
- Blizzard Beach Water Park
- Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
- NBA Experience
- ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
- Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course
- Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course
- Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course
Park Hopper Plus Option: The Park Hopper Plus Option allows entry to multiple theme parks per day plus a specific number of entries into the following locations:
- Blizzard Beach Water Park
- Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
- NBA Experience
- ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
- Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course
- Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course
- Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course
Water Park and Sports & Plus entries are separate from the Theme Park Days on your ticket.
Think of them as two separate tickets in one. One with the number of theme park days purchased and a second with the same number of Plus entries.
Water Park and Sports & Plus entries equal the number of days on your ticket.
Water Park and Sports & Plus entries can be used on the same or different days as theme park days and can be used multiple times on the same day if you wish.
For example – You could go to a theme park in the morning (using up a theme park day), then after lunch go to Blizzard Beach Water Park (using 1 Plus Entry), and before 4 pm play a round of mini golf at Fantasia Gardens (using a 2nd Plus Entry).
Plus entries are by the day; you may leave and then return the same day.
Where to Buy Walt Disney World Military Theme Park Tickets
Shades of Green’s Ticket Sales Office
It is not possible to purchase these tickets directly through Disney at their ticket windows, online, or by phone.
The MWR system sells Walt Disney World Military Theme Park Tickets through Base Ticket Offices, the Orlando ITT, and Shades of Green.
Some ticket offices maintain a good variety of Walt Disney World Military Theme Park Tickets in stock, while others only keep a few types on hand. Some ticket offices don’t keep any in stock. If you desire tickets that they do not carry, they may be able to order exactly what you want.
Orlando Florida Navy Tickets and Travel Office Interior
Be sure to check on purchasing your tickets at least 2 weeks or more before, when you want to have them in hand, as it may take a week or so to order them if needed.
Shades of Green sells long-distance tickets long distance as do many other Base Ticket Offices.
Additional Ticket Resources
Disney Military Ticket Guides:
Disney Military Tickets – Your Start-to-Finish Guide
What’s the Right Military Discounted Disney Ticket for Me?
11 Differences Between Disney Armed Forces Salute and Disney Regular Military Discounted Tickets
FAQ: Walt Disney World Military Theme Park Tickets
What are Walt Disney World Military Theme Park Tickets?
They are the permanent military discount—slightly discounted versions of the same public WDW tickets. These replaced the old Military Magic Your Way tickets.
How are these different from Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets?
Salute: temporary, deeper discount, limit of six per offer period, member presence and activation required, and blockouts.
Military Theme Park Tickets: ongoing, modest discount, no quantity limit, no activation, no blockouts, and broader eligibility.
Are these tickets date-based? Do I pick a start date?
Yes. They are date-based. You will select a first-use date when buying; for 1-day tickets you will also select a specific park.
Do I need Theme Park Reservations with these?
Per this page, no. Because you choose a start date at purchase, theme park reservations are not required for these tickets.
How long do I have to use my days after first use?
Multi-day usage windows:
2-Day: use within 4 days of first use
3-Day: 5 days
4-Day: 7 days
5-Day: 8 days
6-Day: 9 days
7-Day: 10 days
8-Day: 12 days
9-Day: 13 days
10-Day: 14 days
You can take down days between park days.
What options can I add?
Base (1 park/day), Park Hopper, Water Park and Sports, or Park Hopper Plus (Hopper + the same number of Plus entries).
What exactly are “Plus” entries?
Separate from theme-park days. You receive entries equal to the ticket length to locations such as Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, ESPN Wide World of Sports, Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course, Fantasia Gardens Mini Golf, and Winter Summerland Mini Golf (and previously NBA Experience). You may use multiple Plus entries in the same day and re-enter the same day.
Are there blockout dates on these?
No. There are no blockouts on WDW Military Theme Park Tickets.
Do these require activation or the member to be present?
No activation is required and the member does not need to be in the party. You may purchase and give these tickets to family or friends.
Is there a purchase limit?
No. There is no quantity limit for the eligible purchaser/spouse/dependent children (contrast with the Salute limit of six).
Who is eligible to buy these?
As listed on the page: Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard, Retired, spouses and dependents (including widow/widower IDs), certain un-remarried former spouses (20/20/20), DoD civilians with ID, qualifying veterans and caregivers under the McCain Equal Access Act, and certain foreign military assigned to U.S. units (CAC with Blue Stripe).
Where can I buy them? Can I buy from Disney directly?
Not from Disney. Purchase via Base Ticket Offices (MWR/ITT), Shades of Green, or the Orlando ITT. Many offices can order if not in stock; Shades of Green and some bases sell long-distance.
How does pricing work?
They follow Disney’s public date-based pricing, then apply an approximate discount: ~10% off (1–2 day) or ~20% off (3–10 day) before tax. Base/Reseller sales are tax-free, increasing effective savings.
What if my plans change and I need to move my start date?
You must contact Disney to change the start date (the base cannot). If the new date is more expensive, you will pay the difference; if lower, Disney typically does not refund the difference.
When would I choose these over Salute tickets?
1-day trips; longer stays (~7–10 days) where these price better than multiple Salute tickets; large parties beyond Salute’s six-ticket cap (exceptions aside); Salute blockout dates; no valid military ID at travel time; or when you want to gift tickets without the member present.
How-To: Buy & Use WDW Military Theme Park Tickets
- Decide ticket length & options. Choose 1–10 days and add Base, Hopper, Water Park & Sports, or Hopper Plus to match your plans.
- Price your dates. Check Disney’s public date-based price, then apply ~10% (1–2 day) or ~20% (3–10 day) to estimate your military price. Remember: Base/Shades/Orlando ITT are tax-free.
- Buy from an authorized reseller. Purchase at a Base Ticket Office, Shades of Green, or Orlando ITT. If out of stock, ask them to order. Allow ~2+ weeks before you want tickets in hand. (Shades and many bases sell long-distance.)
- Select (or confirm) your start date. These tickets are date-based; for 1-day tickets you’ll also pick your park.
- Link to My Disney Experience. Add tickets to MDE for planning. Theme park reservations are not required for these tickets.
- Use days within your window. Follow the 4–14 day post-first-use windows (by length). Use Plus entries strategically to stretch non-park days.
- Need to change the start date? Contact Disney (not the base). Be prepared to pay any price difference; refunds are not issued for cheaper dates.
- Shades of Green Ticket Office
- Use Your Military Star Card at Shades of Green
- Buy Long Distance Tickets from Shades of Green
- Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets
- Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets
- Disney World Military Florida Resident Tickets and Annual Passes
- Disney World Military Annual Passes
- What's the difference between the Water Parks and Sports Option & Park Hopper Plus Option
- Walt Disney World Military Non-Theme Park Tickets
- Universal Orlando Resort Military Tickets and Passes
- SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Military Discount Tickets
- Military Discounted Tickets for Other Orlando Area Attractions
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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 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!
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2027 Disney Armed Forces Salute
I’m totally confused by your monthly newsletter. I’ve always ordered my park tickets through Shades of Green and I’m getting ready to order for my Disneyworld vacation this fall. Will I still be able to get them through Shades of Green? I find the discount is substantial to what I would have to pay if they were included in my resort reservation. Can you give me some clarification on how I can purchase discounted tickets through Shades of Green. Thank you for your help and I look forward to hearing from you.
Hi Linda,
Yes you can still buy Disney Military Tickets through Shades of Green or any other Military Ticket Office.
Since you mention a Substantial discount, you are Taalking aboiut the Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets not the Military Theme Park Tickets. You can still buy the Salute Tickets just like you are used to, that is buy them and use them at any time during the offer period.
Did you kmnoe there were two kinds of military tickets?
The change is to what is now called the the Military Theme Park Tickets. When you go to buy these you will have to pick a start date for these tickets. That would be the first day you intend to use them, either your arrival day if you plan to go to parks that day, or on a later date. And that is when you must use them.