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Many people are surprised to find out that Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Tickets need to be activated upon arrival at Walt Disney World or Disneyland.
Just buying them at your Military Base Ticket Office isn’t all that you need to do. These special Disney military tickets will not work at the theme park entrances or at the Walt Disney World Resort’s other venues unless they are activated first.
This is because you need to prove your eligibility in order to activate your tickets once you arrive at Disney.
(Updated 23 December 2020)
When buying Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets at your Base Ticket Office you will be given what Disney calls Exchange Vouchers.
These Vouchers can come in 3 different forms, depending on how your base does it:
- A sheet of 8.5″ x 11″ paper voucher with all of the names and ticket numbers printed on it
- Stiff ticket sized paper/cardboard vouchers (like the green and blue ones pictured below)
- Actual plastic Disney tickets
No matter the kind, these will be exchanged for your actual tickets (if not using Magic Bands at WDW) or just collected (if using Magic Bands) during the activation process.
Disney Armed Forces Salute Exchange Voucher
Linking your tickets or exchange vouchers to the Disneyland app or your Walt Disney World My Disney Experience account and making FastPass Plus reservations is a totally separate process and does not activate your tickets! This can be done prior to activation though.
Note Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets sold at Shades of Green are sold pre-activated and you do not need to follow this activation procedure, they are ready to go at purchase!
Tickets purchased directly from Disney at Walt Disney World Ticket and Guest Relations locations, Disneyland Ticket and Guest Relations locations, and Disneyland Resort Hotels are also ready for use.
Why is there this Activation Process?
Disney allows military resellers (Base ITT/ITR Ticket Offices) to sell these tickets based upon a contract. But, Disney depends on their own ticketing computer system to monitor and control the use of these tickets. This prevents the tickets from being used in an unauthorized manner.
During each individual Armed Forces Salute offer Disney sets exactly how many of the steeply discounted military tickets that each military member is allowed to use. During the 2020 Disney Armed Forces Salute the limit is 6 tickets during the offer period (1 Jan. – 18 Dec. 2020).
When the military member (or spouse) activates these tickets, Disney gathers information on the military member, which they tie to the tickets in their system. This is what tracks the number of tickets that you have activated during the current offer.
Once the tickets have been activated your party does not need to stay together. You can all go to different parks, at different times, on different days, or on any day through the end of the Salute offer.
Activating a ticket also allows that ticket to be used on your phone’s Disneyland Park app, or with your Magic Band (at WDW) as long as both are linked to the same person in your My Disney Experience account and the Disneyland app.
Non-Disney Resort guests (Shades of Green guests) can buy Magic Bands ahead of time from the Disney Store.
The Activation Process
When you activate your Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets you will need to bring your military IDs, or any picture ID for those in your party without military IDs. Young children do not need them.
Everyone that you are activating a ticket for must be present to have their ticket activated.
If the spouse is activating the tickets they must have their dependent ID Card (DD Form 1173) which must show a relationship of either “Spouse” or “Unremarried Widow (which is represented by DB on newer cards)”
If some guests in your party will arrive at a later date, but before you have used up your ticket, you can activate their tickets with them after they arrive, as long as your ticket still has days left on it.
Then what happens next varies depending on whether you are at Walt Disney World or Disneyland
At Walt Disney World
You must take the exchange vouchers obtained from your Base Ticket Office to a WDW Ticket or Guest Relations Window.
Where they will enter some information into their system which the service member or spouse must provide. This is: The service member’s name, birth date, and email.
Disney will take the tickets or exchange vouchers you were given at the time of purchase, they will look at everyone’s ID and then tie his or her name to a specific ticket.
- WDW on property Guests (Using Magic Bands) – Will scan their Magic Band, and be good to go as both the ticket and Magic Band were previously linked to the individual in My Disney Experience. Disney will keep the exchange voucher or ticket.
- WDW off property Guests (Not using Magic Bands) a- Will be provided a new active ticket to use. They should then have everyone sign the back of their ticket so that they won’t be mixed up.
The first time you use the ticket or Magic Band to enter a park or venue, the ticket holder’s fingerprint info will be tied to that ticket. See how this works.
At Disneyland
If you were issued thin cardboard tickets or an sheet of paper as your exchange voucher(s) by your Base Ticket Office you must take the exchange vouchers to a Disneyland Ticket Window.
Where they will enter some information into their system which the service member or spouse must provide. This is: The service member’s name, birth date, and email.
Disney will take the exchange vouchers you were given at the time of purchase, they will look at everyone’s ID and then tie his or her name to a specific ticket.
You may then use the new tickets to enter the parks.
If you were issued ready to use plastic tickets by your Base Ticket Office, or you purchased your tickets at your Disneyland Hotel you may proceed directly to the park entrance.
The first time you use the ticket or Magic Band to enter a park or venue, they will check the member or spouse’s military ID and then each ticket holder’s picture will be tied to that ticket. See how this works.
Why so complicated?
It is for two reasons:
- The intended purpose of these tickets is for the member (or spouse) to spend time in Disney’s parks with family and friends to de-stress. It is not to give the tickets away to other family, adult children, or friends who are not eligible to use them without the member or spouse being present.
- Disney also does this to prevent scalping. Sad but true, but these special 4, 5 and 6 day military salute tickets (3 & 4 day for Disneyland) are about half off the regular ticket prices. That leaves lots of room for profit should someone try to resell them.
Where can you activate your tickets?
Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets can be activated at the following locations:
Walt Disney World Locations:
- All four theme park ticket and Guest Relations windows
- The Transportation and Ticket Center Ticket or Guest Relations windows
- Magic Kingdom Ticket or Guest Relations windows
- Epcot – Main Entrance or International Gateway Ticket or Guest Relations windows
- Hollywood Studios Ticket or Guest Relations windows
- Animal Kingdom Ticket or Guest Relations windows
- Both Water Parks
- Typhoon Lagoon
- Blizzard Beach
- Disney Springs Shopping and Entertainment Area (formerly Downtown Disney)
Note: Not all of these locations are not mentioned on the back of the paper exchange vouchers, but you can activate tickets at all of the above locations!
MDT Tip: You cannot activate tickets purchased on base at Shades of Green or at your Walt Disney World Resort Hotel!
Disneyland Locations:
- The Ticket/Guest Relations booth between Disneyland and California Adventure
- The Downtown Disney Monorail Station with service to Disneyland’s Tomorrowland
Special Purchase Notes for Disneyland:
You may buy your tickets directly from your Disneyland Resort Hotel Front Desk (registered guests), or go the theme park Ticket and Guest Relations locations.
When can you activate your tickets?
If you purchased your tickets/vouchers at a Base Ticket Office you’ll activate your tickets in this manner:
At Disney World:
Your Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets can be activated at any time. You can do it ahead of time (I recommend this) you do not have to do it the same day that you plan to use them. Activating them ahead will not use up a day, only entering a park does this.
I recommend that you activate them the day or evening before you want to use them if possible, this will save time on your first theme park morning.
For instance on your day of arrival, you could take a fun trip to Disney Springs for dinner, some shopping and a movie or show. (Disney Springs Locations with Military Discounts) and while you are there activate your tickets. Or you could take a tour around the monorail hotels, just to look around, or for dinner and or drinks, and hitting the Magic Kingdom entrance for the activation while doing so.
Then the next morning, when you are trying to get into the theme park as quickly as possible, you won’t have to wait in a long line to activate your tickets!
At Disneyland:
You cannot activate your tickets ahead of time, doing so would use up a day of use.
On your first park day:
If you have exchange vouchers you’ll need to go to one of the ticket/Guest Relations booths to exchange them. Then the whole party must go to the same theme park entrance or a quick ID check and final activation and all enter together. You may then split up.
If you have tickets purchased from Disneyland (ahead or at your hotel) simply proceed right to the theme park turnstiles or the Downtown Disney Monorail Station for the quick ID check and final activation.
It’s Easy if you know how
I do get a lot of questions on this. So I hope this clears up any confusion on the subject of Disney Armed Forces Salute ticket activation!
Feel Free to ask Questions in the Comments Section below!
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Our tickets say that they’re etickets and can be taken directly to the turnstiles. Do we still have to activate them?
Hi Jennifer,
Are they Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets or regular mil discounted Disney tickets? Disney World or Disneyland?
Regular mil tickets don’t need to be activated.
Armed Forces Salute tickets have to for WDW, and just learned from a reader on Facebook that at DL you now can go straight to the turnstile w/out activation.
Hi,
For the 2019 Salute to jets. above it says that you can activate the tickets the night before at Disney Springs without using up a day. I called Disney and the cast member said I would have to activate the morning of the first day in the parks. Any insight on this?? Has anyone done the activation. the night prior recently?
Hi Amy,
I’m sorry, but you were given incorrect information by that cast member. You need to keep in mind that the majority of the cast members that you have the ability to communicate with (phone, email, online chat) know almost nothing about their company’s military discounts and their very convoluted rules. Much of what they pass out is incorrect, as in this case.
You can read more about this problem here: https://www.militarydisneytips.com/Tips/Disneys-Call-Center-Very-Often-Wrong-On-Military-Discounts.html. I’ll add this gem to the list.
This problem is one of the primary reasons this site is here, so you can get facts from someone who actually uses these discounts, not a part-time civilian phone bank worker in Memphis who almost never deals with a military caller.
At Walt Disney World you are not required to activate your ticket the first day at the park! (it is different at Disneyland)
Both I and very many others do activate our tickets ahead of time. You can do it at any ticket activation location, but Disney Springs is convenient if you are going to be there to eat. Alternately the Magic Kingdom is convenient to the monorail resorts, while Epcot’s International Gateway is convenient to the Epcot Resorts.
The the facts below go against what the cast member told you.
Hope this helps!
Good Evening Steve,
First, I would like to say thank you. It is awesome you keep us all informed about this special military offer. The question that I have this evening is, I still have my Armed Forces Salute tickets from 1 Oct. 2012 – 28 Sept. 2013. Would it be anyway to use these tickets in September of 2014? My family was unable to attend Disney this year, due to medical reasons. The tickets were never activated. Please let me know if there is any possibility to use the tickets, and not loose the money. Or do I need to contact the Disney ticket office for clarification?
Thank you
Hi there Kenneth,
Well Disney’s policy is that the tickets expire on 28 Sept. and are non-refundable. My only thought is to take them with you and try to get them to apply what you paid towards the new ones, since you never activated them. I imagine you’ll have to go through several layers of management.
Where is Downtown Disney can the tickets be activated? That would save much time the next morning arriving at the park.
Melanie that is a super idea! We do that too sometimes.
You can activate them at the Disney Quest ticket window in the West Side and at the DTD Guest Services counter in the Matketplace between Arribas Brothers and Team Mickey.
We are going with family the first week of July. My husband’s uncle is the military member who purchased these for us. So, we do not have to use one day of our park hopper pass to activate the card correct? We could activate one day and still have four different days to enter parks? (Activate Saturday, and still go Sunday/Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday into the parks for example) And once the activation is completed we do not all have to go to the same park each time, right?
Right on all counts Amanda.
The activation process does not subtract a day from the ticket. You could activate a ticket tomorrow and first start using the park entrances on it next month.
At WDW the party does not have to be with the member, you can go to different parks, even use the tickets on different days. At Disneyland in California the whole party has to enter the park together every single time and they check the member’s ID.
Thanks so much Steve for sharing all of your wonderful info with us! I appreciate it!
Steve –
Quick question…. My brother is in the military and I am planning on taking my 3 nieces to WDW. He wants to purchase the Salute To The Troops tickets for us to use. My concern is that he will not be with us on the trip. I am concerned that he needs to be with us to activate the tickets. Is this true?
Thanks!
You are right to be concerned Karen.
You won’t be able to use the Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets without a military member or spouse there in person to activate them.
The only option would be the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets from his Base Ticket Office.. The prices would be just like these at Shades of Green.
Thanks Steve. You validated my concern. I will go with plan B 🙂
Steve,
I’ve tried searching and couldn’t find the answer to my question so here goes: How does the spouse activate the tickets and what information does he/she need? Thank you
Eric
Hi Eric,
Good question
With their dependent ID Card (DD Form 1173) which must show a relationship of either “Spouse” or “Unremarried Widow.” And they will need to provide the service member’s name, birth date, base where assigned, and an e-mail address (the same info a member must provide).
I’ll add this to the post
Why are fingerprints taken? What is the reason for fingerprinting? Will this be during the activation of the id card? Will the children also have to be fingerprinted?
Hi Sharon,
It is to prevent the transferring of tickets between people. All Disney tickets are non-transferable. It also helps deter ticket theft.
First, it isn’t fingerprinting in the traditional sense. No messy ink and big cards. It is like briefly setting one finger on the face of s iPad.
Disney’s finger scanners scan one fingertip for its fingerprint information but does not store the entire fingerprint image, but only numerical information about certain points.
The data on the scans is kept independent of all of any other system and will be purged 30 days after the ticket expires or when the computer determines that it is fully used up. Disney has been doing this for all tickets since around 2006. Prior to that they used a scanner which measured the length of your first two fingers.
This isn’t done on activation rather each time you enter a park. You will hold your ticket up to a scanner and then set your finger on the scanner. This shows you have a valid ticket and it belongs to you.
Yes, the kids will do this too, they will think it’s fun.
Steve,
Your site has been so helpful! My Mother, who is a (retired) military spouse, has been buying the Salute tickets for several years so that she and my brother and his boys can go to WDW with my husband and I. (We live in FL and have passes.) All this time we did not know that the WP&M option included the ESPN complex, the Oak Trail Golf Course or the mini golf! We also did not know that we could buy the tickets at Shades of Green, which saves a trip to the base in Tampa. Thank you for that info!!
I do have a question about activation. On the “Top Ten Things To Know About Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Military Discount Tickets” page it says that the first use of the ticket must be on the same day of activation. But on this page it says that it does not have to be used on the same day that you activate it. Which one is true? It makes a big difference on how early we have to get to the park before it opens if activation and first use have to be the same day. 🙂
Again, thanks so much. Your bookmarked now!
Jill
Hi Jill,
I’m so glad the site has been helpful to your family!
The additions to the WPF&M are only about a year or two old, so are “recent”additions to the ticket.
And I apologize for the confusion, Disney changed the AFS offer several times after releasing it (at my prompting).
They always seem to come up with goofy new rules that make no sense and then I have to spend a couple months getting them straightened out… This year I’ve offered to QC the offer before they release it, we’ll see.
You can activate them anytime prior to use! The same day is not required.
You mentioned the need to provide an email address to activate the tickets. My husband was formally in the military and I still have a non-expired ID would we just provide a general email address along with the other info?
Thanks
Well Erin,
The Disney Armed Forces Salute is for current and retired members of the military. Those who separate are not eligible. Wasn’t your husband required to turn in your ID when he separated?
If he’s with you they’ll want him to activate the tickets, the spouse can do it if the member can’t go.
Hi, Steve,
This is a great blog–can’t believe I haven’t found it before. Love the idea of activating tickets at Downtown Disney the night before–thanks for that tip!
This is a little off topic, but I was wondering if you can split up the 4 days on the Armed Forces Salute. Or do they have to be four consecutive days? We’ll be there a week and thought about doing two days early in the week and two days late in the week–skipping a couple of days in the middle.
Thanks for your advice!
Hey Lisa,
Thanks! Glad you’ve found us.
You can use the Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets any way you want as long as it is by 28 Sept 2013. My wife’s has 2 days on it right now, we used the first two last Nov.
Steve
That’s great news! Thanks again!!
Hi . This is the exact question I was going to ask. We are purchasing 6 Disney Armed Forces Salute 4day park hopper tickets in May when we go for a day but wanted to use the remaining days throughout the fall (Sept. Oct. Nov.)
That is ok right ??
HI Kanoelani,
Yes that’s right. Check out our Disney Armed Forces Salute page with that detail and many others: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Disney-Armed-Forces-Salute.html
Hi There!
I was wondering if it matters whose email is provided? I dont specifically recall giving an email address when i purchased the tickets, so do I give mine that I likely used when i purchased (if I gave them that one, lol) the tickets or my husbands active duty .mil email address?
Are there any food discounts for military in the park by chance? I noticed that they consider a 10 year old an adult now but mine barely eats a thing unfortunately 🙁
Thank You!
Hi Jessica,
No it doesn’t matter what email you provide, it’s really for promotional purposes, future offers and such.
There are no food discounts in the parks, 🙁 just at non-Disney restaurants at Downtown Disney.
Steve
Thank you Steve!
I tried to search in an effort not to ask a question that has already been answered, so if someone has, please forgive the duplication. I am the members’ spouse. Two years agos when at WDW I purchased the Armed Forces Salute tickets for both my kids, but not one for myself as I was not going to the parks. We are again returning to WDW next month and I want to buy the tickets again just for my kids, I still do not wish to go to the parks. I was wondering if that can still be done without a problem?
On another note, my husband has passed away since the last time I purchased the tickets and I have recently obtained my new ID. I read in another post that the relationship status must be “spouse or “unmarried widow”. When I obtained the new ID my relationship status is listed as “DB”. While still on base I asked what those letters meant and was told the “DB” (Dept. of Defense beneficiary) was now used in place of the “unmarried widow” abbreviation, but meant the same thing. While new to me, I am assuming WDW is aware of the abbreviation and I won’t have any problems with the identification on my ID when purchasing the tickets? Thanks in advance for your help!
Hi Jerry,
Well… With the Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets either the member or spouse is required to purchase and activate a ticket for themselves. The person who let you get tickets for just your kids was being kind as you said you had no interest. That may or may not happen again this year, so be prepared to buy one for yourself too. It will still be less than 2 regular priced tickets for just them.
Here is a quote from a contact of mine who works in WDW tickets.
“If the service member is not available the spouse or unremarried widow may purchase and/or activate up to five Tickets for family and guests…Note that the Dependent ID Card (DD Form 1173) must show a relationship of either “Spouse” or “Unremarried Widow” to be able to activate the tickets. No other relationship can purchase tickets or have previously purchased tickets activated.”
I’ve not heard of the DB code, could you get something in writing from the base which says this had replaced Unremarried Widow in case there is a question?
Thank you for such a quick response. Yes, I agree, if I am required to purchase a ticket for myself we would still be saving substantial money.
I did go to a government website for CAC card eligibility and the “DB” is a valid relationship code, but also lists the unmarried widow code as well. I read on a non-government website that the DB code was introduced some years ago and is often used in the case of widow status when sensitivity is a concern. Because it is an unofficial website, it’s hard to know whether that is accurate information or someone’s interpretation. I will check with the base tomorrow and get clarification as I am indeed an unmarried widow.
Thanks again for all the information and your time in investigating my questions. 🙂 This is a most helpful website!
I wanted to give an update on my trip to the CAC office on Base.
CAC personnel confirmed the “URW” abbreviation had been replaced with the “DB” abbreviation for widows sometime between late 2007 or 2008. I have copied the link to the list of DEERS RAPIDS CAC Support Office FAQ’s that gives the explanation:
https://www.hrc.army.mil/tagd/deers%20rapids%20cac%20support%20office%20frequently%20asked%20questions
The list of FAQ’s are quite lengthy, with the answer for this question near the end, so I copied the actual verbiage for this question:
“Will un-remarried widows still show on their ID Cards as URW?
No, there has been a change. ID cards will no longer reflect the Un-remarried Widow status (URW), but will be noted as Department of Defense Beneficiary (DB) the correct annotation given by RAPIDS is now a Department of Defense Beneficiary (DB). In 2007 the actual change of terms URW to DB was recommended through a change request from the Marines and the Army through the Joint Casualty Board, submitted and voted on by the JUSPAC and submitted to Defense Management Data Center (DMDC) for change due to sensitivity over the term “Un-remarried Widow”. Apparently widows did not like to be reminded of their loss. . DMDC was made aware of the concern around the same time the service Project Officers were made aware by the request from their Casualty Office counterparts. Reason for the change came from widows who happened to be members of the Blue Star organization.”
When Base personnel pulled up my record in the office, the “URW” abbreviation was listed in my actual record, however not in the area that prints on the card. (They even printed a “test” card to further assure me that the “DB” was the correct abbreviation code as listed on my current card.) They seemed surprised that the change was not a more known fact…interesting. I plan to bring the documentation they provided to me when I go. It would be beneficial if this information would be made more public with regard to companies that provide these kinds of offers.
Thanks for the update Jerry!
Please let us know how the process works at Disney, if you have any issues or have to show the paperwork.
Thanks, Steve
Back from our WDW trip and happy to report there were no problems/questions with my ID and the “DB” code. I was not asked to show any other documentation. I did ask to speak with a person in supervision at the guest relations area where I purchased the tickets. The supervisor told me that he had been informed of the “DB” in place of “URW” code change sometime ago. He said he couldn’t be exact on when, but thought it had been at least two or three years ago. He said they are consistently being updated in training meetings regarding info pertinent to the military specials, but the information on the Disney website may not always reflect all those kind of details.
Jerry, thanks so much for checking back!
I made sure as I was coordinating today’s Disney Armed Forces Salute renewal that I passed on th Disney management the change to “DB”, but seems like they were already goo to go.
Glad you had a good trip, Steve
Did they take a scan copy of your military ID?
No they don’t Abraham, certain information from the service member’s ID will be entered into their system (Name, Birth Date, base where assigned and e-mail address).
Hi Steve,
I haven’t seen this questions before. If I purchase six Armed Forces Salute ticket and validate only four (one of which will be the military member), can we validate the remaining two the following week? The military member with one of the original tickets would be there to show ID then as well. Do all tickets that were purchased together have to validated on the same day?
Thanks, Jean
Hi Jean,
You can do that. They don’t all have to be activated at once. You can do multiple activations (within the limit of 6 tickets.
HAve fun
Awesome- thanks for all of your great information!
Steve,
I don’t think you answered this question yet. Maybe you did and I missed it.
I want a military friend to purchase 6 of the Salute Tickets, but he will not be with us. My father in law, who is military, will meet us at Disney.
Can we purchase the tickets from our friend & activate them through my father in law? I don’t want to spend $900 & get down there & realize that our friend had to activate them!
Hi Bryan,
The two transactions are totally separate. When a military member presents tickets to be activated it doesn’t matter where they came from or if they purchased them. They ask for nothing but the tickets and a military ID.
But you have to remember that your father in law must activate one of the 6 tickets for himself.
Hi Steve,
My best friend, who is the Military member was suppose to come on our vacation with us. He is leaving to be deployed at the end of month and because of this he found out he has mandatory drill to attend and other mandatory things to do… He is able to come to activate the tickets but he will not be able to go to the parks. We have 6 tickets purchased. He would heave been one of the 6. If he is there to activate it, does one of the tickets have to go to him or can someone else use the ticket he was going to use so the ticket does not go to waste?
Hi Amy,
Per Disney’s rules one of the tickets must be for him.
At Disney World: Once the tickets are active he won’t need to be with you. But at Disneyland He’d have to enter the parks with you each time.
Steve,
We have a larger family with five children. With my spouse and I, we have a total of seven people going to WDW. My husband and I both have military IDs. Will he be able to purchase 6 tickets with his ID and the can I purchase a single ticket with mine?
Hi Marie,
Are you military too or a dependent?
If you are military you are each eligible for 6 tickets on your own.
But Disney does have a “large family” exception to the 6 ticket rule. A husband and wife who have 5 or more dependent children can get the number of tickets they need for the family. SO this will take care of you if you are not military also.
If you are both military you would each be eligible for 7 using this rule (if the one not using their tickets at the time shows a drivers license for ID).
My husband and I will be traveling to Disney World in Sept with three young adults. We are wanting to get the Kids the military 4 day tickets and my husband and I will be purchasing military annual passes because we will be staying longer than the kids. Do you think there will be a problem since we will not be getting one of the 4 day tickets to activate theirs? Thanks in advance.
Hi Julie,
No problem at all> WDW does allow this as the APs are more expensive. I have a FL Seasonal pass and get the AFS tickets for my wife, who doesn’t go as much…
I thought I had the answer but now I’m not sure. So we are going to wdw and my brother in law is an active member. He will arrive on wed morning and wants to activate his ticket then. The rest of the family will arrive on thurs morning. No military members. Can he get tickets for the group or just him/his wife since they will be there at a different time? Also can be get some with waterparks and park hoppers and some with just park hoppers or do they all need to be the same type?
Hi Bridget,
Getting different types is just fine.
What I recommend on the activation is he try to activate them all when he does his. They may or may not do it, be sure he tells them the rest are coming the next day.
If they won’t activate the rest without you there, there should be no problem doing so once you are there.
My husband and I both have active duty ID cards- but he just separated and is starting in the inactive reserves with no ID card. Both of our active duty (service member and spouse) ID cards are still unexpired since he just separated from Active Duty. What can we do to ensure that we don’t run into any problems using the Military Salute room discount and activating and using our tickets? Will the information be double checked with the Army? Since we don’t have a reserve ID to use we could use the unexpired Active Duty ID’s to present at the hotel at check in and to activate the tickets but I don’t want to get in trouble.
Hi Gina,
A valid ID will suffice for check in and tickets, so you won’t have any problems.
I’m just very confused as to why you still have active ID cards. The day I got off active duty and switched to the Reserves (even though it would be a month before I checked into my new reserve unit) I went be the ID office before leaving base and switched cards.
I noticed you sais that the Military Tickets do NOT work with the Key to the World Card. What about with the MagicBands? We were selected to use these at the end September 2013.
Hi Caleb,
As of right now I do not believe you’ll be able to link your Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets to the bands ahead of time. The issue is if you buy tickets ahead of time on base, these are not usable tickets, they’ll be exchanged once at Disney, so linking those ticket numbers will do you no good. Once you have activated your tickets at Disney you can link them, but that’s kind of late for FP+.
I have specifically queried WDW on this exact situation and they have emphatically said that those who buy their tickets on base will not be excluded form the FP+ and whole next gen upgrades (upon full implementation). But they have provided no specifics yet…
Please. please, please, attempt to contact WDW (407-WDISNEY, your resort front desk, WDW Guest Relations) and ask them how you as a mil member with Disney Armed Forces Salute exchange certificates in hand (or that you intend to buy once on property) can actually use this new technology to pre-plan your vacation and use FP+. And share the whole experience with all of us here.
Thanks Steve
Hi Caleb & Steve!
I called Disney last week because I was upset to find out that even though our hotel is booked (POR) I was only able to use FP+ for one day. The CM was extremely helpful, but told me that once I purchase tickets (we are doing the 4 day hopper) then we will be able to use the FP+. There was no way for us to be “allowed” to use FP for additional days even though we are unable to purchase tickets until we arrive in Disney. We are getting magic bands too, so hopefully they can be put on there. Caleb, you didn’t mention if it was the 4 day hopper on sale or the armed forces salute.
I have the same issue for my vacation too Jessica.
We will be using the magic bands. I have a FL Seasonal Pass and could go to MDE now and reserve FP+ for just e for our whole vacation. But the other three will be using the AFS tickets so I can’t do it for them.
Disney says they are working on a fix…
Hi! I was wondering if we have to use these tickets on 4 consecutive days, or just anytime until they expire? Thank you!
You can use them any time before they expire Kaitlin. You do not have to use them consecutively.
The current Salute ends on 28 Sept 2013. The next Salute starts the day after and runs through 27 Sept 2014. Tickets from the current offer are not valid for the next one.
I have another question for you! My Husband and I will be staying at Shades of Green for 8 days.. Can we buy 4 of these tickets for just the two of us, or are we only allowed one set per person during a certain amount of time? Also, would we be able to buy two of the 4 day park hopper tickets and two of the water parks fun and more tickets? Could they all be activated together or would we have to activate one set and then when we’re done with those activate the other set? I’m trying to figure out the best way to do this! Thank you so much!!
“Also, would we be able to buy two of the 4 day park hopper tickets and two of the water parks fun and more tickets?”
I’m sorry, I meant the 4 day park hopper and the 4 day Park Hopper, plus the Water Park and More Options..
You bet!
Hi Kaitlin,
Yep, you can use them back to back, get both kinds and activate them all at once! Sweet isn’t it?
Have fun!
2 of the 4 days we would be in the park would be 12/30 and 12/31…so I guess it would not be cost effective to buy the AFS tickets if ALL the THEME parks are blacked out those days….Correct ? What are “magic bands “
Right Carol,
If your plans require you to have park days on 30 and 31 Dec. you would have to but a 2-day Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way ticket, which would cost more than the Disney Armed Forces Salute 4-day ticket. Consider the MYW or Stars and Stripes pas for the number of days you need.
http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Tickets/Magic-Your-Way-Tickets.html
http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Tickets/Stars-and-Stripes-Passes.html
Magic bands are a new technology, pare of the Disney Next Gen projects, which take the place of your room key, park ticket, FastPass and FastPass+ ticket, and room charge card. They are in limited beta testing now.
if you go to Magic Kingdom can you get the tickets activated there? Or do you have to go to TTC? Since it was in parenthesis, I wasn’t sure if you MK option was only TTC. Thanks!
Hi Rosie,
You can go direct to the Guest Services window at the MK main entrance!
Thanks, I edited it to make it a little clearer.
Steve
My husband is retired from active military service and we are planning a Disney World trip for our family which includes a son and family who do not have military ID’s. Since this trip is our gift to them, can we purchase a total of six Armed Forces Salute passes for us and this family? The retired service member will be present to activate these tickets.
Yes Mary Ann, you sure can. As long as the member uses a ticket the other 5 can be for anyone they want.
Hi Steve,
My husband and I bought two of the 4 day military salute tickets in December but only used one day. We are getting ready to leave for another Disney vacation and are wanting to buy 6 tickets (two for us, four for other family members). I know in the past you were allowed to buy more tickets throughout the year as long as only 6 were activated at one time. Is this still the policy or will we only be allowed to purchase 4 tickets when we arrive? Thanks so much!
Hi Jessica,
You didn’t mention when your vacation is and right now that matters.
The Disney Armed Forces Salute which is currently ongoing, and under which you bought your 4 tickets ends on 28 Sept 2013.
If your vacation falls within that timeframe, you’ll be allowed 2 more tickets. You’ll have 3 days left on 4 tickets and 4 days on the new 2.
The new offer starts the day after on 29 Sept. You’ll be able to buy 6 then.
The two offers are mutually exclusive and you cannot use one offer’s tickets during the other.
Have fun! Steve
Thanks for this helpful blog, Steve. Once purchased, do you know if you can link the Salute the Military tickets to your reservation on My Disney Experience for planning purposes?
Hi Jennifer,
That is the big issue right now. Tickets you buy on base ate not the actually tickets you’ll use in the parks as they are exchanged during the activation process at Disney.
We know for sure that once active you can link the tickets, which is what people are doing during the current beta test.
Disney has said they are aware of the issue and will work it.
You said that “Tickets you buy on base ate not the actually tickets you’ll use in the parks as they are exchanged during the activation process at Disney.” This has never been the case in the four times I’ve used them. We got plastic cards on base, took them to Guest Services and activated them, signed the backs of them, and used them to enter the parks and to get fastpasses. They won’t work until they are activated, but the cards we got were never exchanged for something else. (In fact, I was able to link the last ones I got to My Disney Experience before going to Disney, and I typed in the number on the back of the cards I had gotten on base months before. It said online that the ticket was a four-day military salute park-hopper, so the actual ticket number is actually on those cards, too, even before it is activated.)
Dorothy,
THat was the process since 2009.
But, over the summer WDW switched over from the paper (or RW&B AFS plastic ticket) to the new RFID green plastic tickets for everyone. Disney briefed me that the RFID tickets would not be sold at Base Ticket Offices, rather they will sell the old paper exchange certificates which will be exchanged for RFID tickets during the activation process on property.
The question on everyone’s mind is will any FP+ reservations made against the exchange certificates survive the activation process.
Hi, Steve — great site! I am planning on another visit in January, so was just reading what you have here. Wonderful info! I just am posting so you know — I used My Disney Experience in August to prepare for my trip in mid-September. It asked me to type in the ticket info, which I did from the Salute tickets I had purchased back in March. It knew immediately that these were military salute four day park hoppers. I was impressed! I got three Fastpass+ rides for each day online. Then I went to Ireland for three weeks and when my husband at home got letters about Magic Bands, I just figured we wouldn’t be able to use them since I didn’t have time to think about that in Ireland. When we got to Art of Animation, though, we had Magic Bands, and they did show the military tickets on them, plus the resort, of course (we didn’t do the meal plan, but the Magic Bands would have had that, too). My concern was that the Magic Bands might be active to get into a park without me having to activate them with my military ID card. However, I didn’t try to enter a park. I went to Guest Services to activate things like I think should be done. And the Cast Member did activate the tickets, and also the Magic Bands, so although they do show the tickets, you still have to activate it (which I was very happy about). The Magic Bands worked like magic, too! I know they are still in the early stages, but we had no problem using them on our trip — and you can wear them while you’re swimming, too! And they had the Fastpass+ things on them, too. Just thought you’d like to know my experience.
-Dorothy
Hi Dorothy,
Thanks for posting your experience.
The tickets are identified in the system as to what type and length, options etc by their ticket number.
I just want to be sure I understand, you said you made FP+ reservations on unactivated tickets and they carried over through the activation process?
What type of tickets die you get on base oht old plastic red white and blue ones or the paper ones they use now?
Hi again, Steve! I didn’t know that they moved to paper vouchers that then are exchanged for RFID green cards. That makes sense! I had the old plastic red, white and blue ones that I got in March of 2013. And yes, you’re correct — I typed in the ticket numbers on the back of those plastic cards, associated one for me and one for my DD, and used My Disney Experience online to select three Fastpass+ things for each day. When I actually got to Disney World and activated the tickets and also the Magic Bands (the CM needed to actually do something to both objects), and the Fastpass+ features I had selected were still there and worked with the Magic Band without any trouble at all. I guess when we go in January, we’ll be doing the new paper voucher thing, so we’ll see if I can then even select any Fastpass+ things as I am not sure how that would work if you don’t have an actual ticket number. I will be reading this blog and seeing what others post. Thanks again!
Thanks Dorothy,
to clarify the paper vouchers are the thin cardboardy tickets like they used to issue at the gates a Magic Your Way Tickets.
Like the one pictured on this post: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-tips/disney-military-ticket-physical-security/
THey do have a number on them and people have linked them, but we need to find out if the FP+ will cary over. This ticket voucher (paper ticket) system is what they have always used for annual passes purchased elsewhere i.e. Shades,
Good to know! Thanks, Steve! 🙂
Any word yet on whether the paper vouchers are working for FP+?
Hi Andrea,
Yes we’ve now had numerous reports from readers that the Disney Armed Forces Salute exchange vouchers (Plastic green tickets) purchased on base can be used for FP+ reservations and they will carry over to the actual tickets upon activation.
I see that you addressed a similar question in June, but I wanted to confirm that it has not changed with the 2013-2014 offer. My father plans to purchase 6 military promotional tickets for a vacation with 9 family members (3 of whom will have regular tickets). Unfortunately all 9 of us will not be together more than 2 days of our overlapping vacations. Can he activate 4 of the military tickets when my brother arrives and the additional 2 when my family arrives days later?
Thanks,
Shanda
Hi Shanda,
He will be able to do this, no problem!
Thank you so much!!! Your website has provided us with information we are not able to find anywhere else. You provide a very valuable service and do it extremely well.
Shanda
Thanks so much Shanda!
Hi, I am a 100% disabled veteran with an ID card. I assume that I am eligible to buy these tickets as well? I do have MWR, commissary and Exchange on my card as well.
Yes Tammy, you sure are!
Steve,
You indicated that a 100% disabled veteran would be able to purchase the Salute to Military tickets, but in your general posting it requires DAVPRM. I have looked at the past Shades of Green pdfs on thesubject where it clearly stated DAVPRM only, but the latest information just identified 100% disabled veterans with ID. Can you confirm that DAVTMP 100% would be eligible? Thanks for the great site and service.
Hi there Chad,
There isn’t any eligibility information on this page so I’m not sure which pages you are referring to. Could you please send me links so I can check them.
But a 100% DAVPRM is required for purchasing Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets.
Any chance to get the temp upgraded to a permanent?
Thanks Steve for the quick response. My comment was to confirm your response to Tammy that she as a 100% disabled Veteran with base privileges would be able to use the Salute. On the eligibility page http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Disney-Armed-Forces-Salute.html#eligibility it states 100% Service Connected Disabled with the DAVPRM code on their military issued ID. When I contacted Disney about the ID requirements they referred me to the Shades of Green. On the Shades of Green website they do not specify DAVPRM as a requirement for 100% disabled Veterans. Disabled Veterans rated less than 100% but are I/U are eligible for a DoD ID card. So are there two seperate eligibility requirements here? One for 100% and the second for less than 100% but I/U with a DoD ID (DAVPRM). Unfortunately I have been DAVTMP for 13 years so I don’t think I couldget the rating made permanenet by the expiration. Thank you so much for your assistance.
Chad
Got ya Chad,
One thing I’ve learned in the years of doing this site, is that most Disney castmambers, especially at the call center, don’t know very much about military discounts. One reason I started the site.
I’m surprised (sort of) that they told you to call Shades, guess it was that castmember’s easy button. Usually what happens is the call center worker does the equivalent of a google search on their network and quote you whatever document pops up, it might be years old, or they go off what they “remember” or were told by someone else.
We are talking about 2 different systems here, the Disney Armed Forces Salute eligibility and Shades of Green eligibility (which they quoted to you). Shades eligibility is different in many significant ways from Disney’s. For the Salute it is indeed a requirement for Disney to activate it, that the ID has DAVPRM.
Other ticket sales at Shades go by their eligibility though.
Hope that is clearer, let me know!
Cheers
Thanks Steve. The SOG website: http://www.shadesofgreen.org/4DAY2011.htm only states 100% Disabled Veterans with a United States Uniformed Services Identification Card (DD 1173), as a requirement for the Salute ticket package. I would hate to buy these tickets and then have an issue getting them activated. It seems like Disney is hands off except for the activation which is to prevent scalping. It would be nice for Disney to come out with specifics on these offers. I appreciate your service to our country and to continue to help spread the word to the military fraternity.
Hello!
I tried to find the answer before asking so I apologize if you’ve already covered it.
My ID expires January 3rd. I’m planning on going January 1st (checking into Shades of Green and activating my tickets that day)…so it shouldn’t be any issue using the tickets past the 3rd as long as I activate them before that, right?
Yep, no problem with the tickets (no ID checks after activation). IDK if Shades will clue in on the expiration being prior to departure (if that is the case).
Thanks! I figured that was the case with the tickets, but didn’t want to assume. I’ll give Shades a call just to double check on the hotel.
Hello,
I purchased tickets for my family to go, but we may not able to go at this time. Could another military family use them?
Hi Gina,
Yes you can give them to anyone who eligible, it is only after they are activated that they become nontransferable.
Hello!
My father purchased the Disney Salute Tickets, we are all going in January and we have the tickets that need to be exchanged when we arrive for the actual tickets. My question is when we go to exchange the tickets can they link them to our magic bands? I am sure you have said this somewhere, but it would help if you could get back to me on this so I am not so confused.. lol.
Thank you so much,
Amanda
Hi Amanda,
No Problem!
So to be sure, you are staying at a Disney resort and they have emailed you that you will be testing Magic Bands?
Do you have a My Disney Experience account? https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/plan/
When you login to MDE, link your resort reservation with your conformation number by clicking on Link Existing Reservations and Tickets.
You can also then link your Salute Tickets and begin making FP+ reservations.
Steve,
What number did folks use on the green tickets they got on base? I tried the number under the barcode, and it is telling me it is not valid. I didn’t get a plastic card, but rather a thin cardboard “exchange certificate”. Anyone else having this problem?
Mine is not a Salute Ticket, but says “Exchange Certificate” on it. Please Help!!
Ok so I answered my own question, and thought I would post to help others, its all about the MOBILE APP!! If you download the mobile app you can SCAN the barcode on your exchange certificate and Voila! Tickets are linked up easy peasy.
Thanks for a great website by the way
Excellent Melissa,
Great tip about the app!!!
Steve,
What a great site! My brother in law is a veteran and also lives in orlando. Can he purchase five tickets for us and then activate them for us without buying a ticket for himself? After he activates are they each in someone’s name? Or do we have to buy him a ticket and not have him use it? Thanks for all your answers in advance!!
Hi Michele,
Thanks so much!
First, Disney’s Armed Forces Salute Tickets have many rules and are very restrictive. This is because of what a great deal they are.
Second, the purpose of the tickets is for the military member to spend time with family or friends in the Disney parks.
So, for your questions, your brother in law must have a ticket for himself, he can then buy 5 more for whoever he wants. He and the whole party must go together to WDW to activate the tickets. You may then use the tickets without him, his will remain valid through 27 Sept 2014. When the tickets are activated each person’s name is associated with the ticket (adults need picture IDs). During the first park entrance each person’s fingerprint is also associated with the ticket. These measures are to prevent scalping and ticket sharing.
Hope this clears it up
p.s. even if you pay for his, you will still be saving a huge amount (the most possible).
Oh, Michele in rereading I noticed you used the term veteran. Did your BIL retire from the military after 20 years of service? That is required. Just serving a couple years and quitting doesn’t count. Veteran is usually the term those who didn’t retire use to refer to themselves.
I have a small question. We are taking the grand kids to Disney in February and buying the military discount tickets. Our son is deployed and meeting us in Orlando to spend the time with the kids at Disney. We are wanting to buy the tickets here at Fort Benning. Does the same serviceman that purchases the tickets in Fort Benning have to be the same serviceman that activates them? We want his friend who is also Army to purchase them here and him activate them when we meet up with him in Orlando. Thanks Ted
Hi Ted,
There is no connection between the purchase on base and the activation at Disney. The only thing that matters is that an eligible person activate them, it doesn’t have to be the person who bought them.
Alternately, your son can buy them at Shades of Green or direct from Disney (plus tax) once he arrives.
Hello. My family and I went to Disney with my brother in November. He’s military and bought salute tickets for us and his family. We used two days on our 4 day ticket and we’re thinking about using the rest in the summer. I thought I read somewhere that we can upgrade the tickets to water park fun and more at the gate. My brother will not be with us this summer. Can we upgrade the tickets without him?
Hi Tiffany,
Yes, I believe you’ll hav no problem doing it without him.
Thank you!
Hi Steve, Great Information.
My question. I purchased 2 Disney Armed Forces Salute 4 Day Park Hopper theme park tickets on December 6, 2013 for my wife and I. I understand we are allowed 6 total. That would leave 4. We are planning returning in March. Will I be able to purchase 2 more for my wife and I again?
Yes you sure will Ron. The limit of 6 tickets is for the entire offer period (through 27 Sept. 2014).
Hi Steve– your site has been an excellent resource!
I have a question regarding the 4-day salute Park Hopper passes. We have a party of four adults, and we are planning to stay 6 nights in September (before the Salute expiration date). We want to be in the parks as many days possible (i.e. more than the 4-day passes would allow). Essentially, we want 6-day passes instead of 4-day passes.
Will we be able to purchase the allowed maximum of six 4-day salute passes (which would give us 24 tickets, so to speak), but split up the passes upon activation so that each member of our party will have 6-day tickets? Or will each member need to purchase a 4-day salute pass PLUS a regular 2-day pass in order to have 6 days of park hopping tickets each?
I hope this question isn’t as confusing to you as it is to me!
Thanks in advance,
Meagan
Hi Meagan,
Good question!
Every Disney ticket, no matter what type is non transferable. So tickets can not be shared, they use fingerprint scans at the point of entry to prevent this. On first use you scan your print and it is associated in the system with the ticket you used for entry. Each following entry the ticket will not work without the same fingerprint.
There are a few options for your situation. They will all take a combination of Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets and Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets (available from many base ticket offices and Shades of Green). I’ll use Shades prices, base’s are w/in a dollar. Here they are from most expensive to the cheapest.
– Buy 6 Disney Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way hoppers – $2106
– Buy 4 Disney Disney Armed Forces Salute hoppers and 4 Military Magic Your Way 2-day hoppers – $1680
– Buy 6 Disney Disney Armed Forces Salute hoppers and 2 Military Magic Your Way 2-day hoppers – $1516
– Buy 4 Disney Disney Armed Forces Salute hoppers and 4 Military Magic Your Way 2-day basic (no hopping those days) – $1436
– Buy 6 Disney Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way basic – $1434
– Buy 6 Disney Disney Armed Forces Salute hoppers and 2 Military Magic Your Way 2-day basic – $1394
The Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets may be used back to back by the same person, while doing so would give you 8 days it is cheaper that combining with a 2 day. Those who might come back should use these, they are good till 27 Sept 2014.
Combos with non hoppers would require a days where you stayed in one park, at least for those with non hoppers.
Here is a link to Shades Prices
Hello Steve,
We are planning a trip for 2 adults this summer. I have recieved my Military Salute voutures and scanned them into my phone using the iPhone App from disney and had them matched to our names. Will these tickets still need to be activated when I arrive?
Hey Scott,
Yes they still will. This is Disney’s chance to verify that you are entitled to use the discount tickets.
My son is active in the military and deployed. Can my grandchild, who is his dependent use her military dependent ID to activate the passes since her dad, my son is unable to go with us?
Hi Marie,
Unfortunately not. The Disney Armed Forces Salute discount tickets are for the member or spouse, children are not eligible.
Do you live near a base and have access to go on it because of her?
You could go by the ticket office and see it they will sell her the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets. More expensive, but still a little off.
Hi I’m the grandparent of twins. My daughter is in Afghanistan and I have the twins (4 yrs.) id cards. Can I use them to get use into the Magic Kingdom park with a military discount?
Hi Sheryle,
There are two different types of military discounted tickets for Disney. There is the Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets and the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets.
Disney Armed Forces Salute is a special program which allows military members to spend time with family and friends in Disney’s parks. Because of it’s purpose and large discount there are many rules, one of which is that the military member or their spouse must be part of the party and have a ticket for themselves. Per Disney’s rules the member must activate the tickets at WDW with the whole party present. The tickets may then be used individually. So this would not work for your situation.
The Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets are slightly discounted tickets sold by Military Base Ticket Offices and Shades of Green. These are not restricted. These are 1-10 day tickets with all the regular options you’d find at a Disney ticket booth. Normally the member buys these, but since you have the kids I assume you were given paperwork to access military bases with them. You could go by the base ticket office to see if they will sell you these using the girl’s IDs.
Here is a link to the price list at Shades of Green (the military hotel at WDW) prices on base would be within a dollar: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Tickets/Magic-Your-Way-Tickets.html
Hi Steve,
I took a trip to Disney World in June of 2013 & took advantage of the Disney Salute’s theme park tickets. They were great.
Can I purchase the Disney Salute Tickets again in May of 2014?
Thank you
Yes Christine, you sure can. The current Disney Armed Forces Salute timeframe is 29 Sept 2013 to 27 Sept 2014. So with your last trip falling in the previous Salute, you are eligible for 6 Salute tickets during this one
Thank you so much!!
Quick question – that I don’t think I’ve seen answered on here before (or at least as best I could tell scanning thru everything…)
We are planning a trip to Disney World next year with my best friend’s sister, who is active duty Air Force. We were originally planning for her to purchase military tickets for all 4 of us but I have a concern. Some of the sites I read state in the policy that half of your party has to qualify for the military discount (ie: in our case she could only get one of us in on the military ticket because none of the rest of us are active duty or retired military) but other sites don’t say anything about this in their policy, they just state that the military member has to be present.
If she were to purchase 4-day passes for us (her plus 3 guests) do you think we would have any problems getting in? I know this is probably a premature question, since it appears that Disney updates their Salute to the Military each September and we’re not planning to go until March 2015, but I’m just trying to think ahead…
Thanks in advance for any info you can offer!
Hey there Johnetta,
That is totally untrue. The military member must activate a ticket for themselves, the other 5 can be used y whoever they like. There is no ratio of qualified to unqualified.
I hope you all have a great time when you do go!
btw, that is a new one, never heard it before.
Well…leave it to me to come up with the strange rumor of the day!! LOL!
Thanks for the quick response and the confirmation. We are definitely looking forward to visiting Mickey again – and taking a friend for their first Disney experience…now if they’ll just hurry up & announce the next military promotion so we can get those tickets purchase for next March!
How many tickets can a service-member actuate at one time?
For example: My husband (active) buys 6 AND his brother (active) buys 3. Can my husband activate ALL 9 at Disneyland?
Also: Why the need at DL for a service member ID at very entrance?? We have a variety of ages going and it seems crazy that my husband would have to be with each person every time they park-hopped or came back from a nap!
Sorry Brooke, 6 is the limit. Each military member (or spouse in their place) is allowed 6 Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets during this offer period (29 Sep 2013-27 Sep 2014).
If your party is you, your husband and your 7 direct dependent children, you qualify for the large family exception But if your party of 9 contains friends or other relitives your limit is 6.
You’ll need to use the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets for the other 3 (preferably kids): http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/regular-disney-military-discount-for-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-tickets/
Actually Disneyland recently stopped this procedure, the member only needs to be with their whole party during ticket activation.
I was able to link my salute tickets to MDE. I just called Disney to ask a question about the activation process and they told me if I successfully linked them to MDE then they should already be on the magic bands and I shouldn’t have to activate when I arrive. Any news on whether this is true or not? Did I just receive some bad info. It would be great if it were true, but I wouldn’t be very happy if I skipped activating the night before at Downtown Disney and ended up having to do it when I get to the park.
Hi Shannon,
I just heard the same thing from another reader this morning. She read it on a Disney message board.
Hi Steve, Thanks for the information. I have a question: My daughter Army 1st LT Holley WImunc is a fallen soldier and I see that “Shades of Green” offers 50% off the hotel room for AFRC Survivors Family Program and was wondering if a discount is also eligible for Disney World theme parks as well under the Surviving Families Program. The second part of my question to you is my “ex” husband is retired military but I still have my ID card which has an expired date as I never renewed it…can I still use my dependent ID card for validation and purchase of WDW military discounts even though its expired. Thanks.
Hi Julie,
Since she isn’t eligible for the Disney Armed Forces Salute, when staying at Shades under this program she would be able to buy the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets and also tickets to the other Orlando area attractions, just not the Armed Forces Salute tickets.
Sorry, but IDs have to be valid to qualify.
Thanks, Steve
Do young kids need id? our teenage kids have identification cards but our young ones do not.
No they don’t esmi 😉
Hi Steve,
This is such an impressive site and full of great information! Thank you for your dedication and for taking the time to patiently answer everyone’s questions!
I’m heading to WDW in a few weeks with 2 family members and 3 friends and we are overlapping days (5 people + me). I wanted to confirm it would be OK for me to purchase 6 tickets with my military ID on a Sat, activate 3 (myself + 2 family members) on that Saturday, and then when the rest of the party arrives on Wed, I could go with them and activate their 3 tickets? In other words, is it OK for me to activate my own ticket one day, and then subsequently activate additional tickets for other people a few days later?
Thank you, Steve!
Hey Brooke,
Thanks so much, I appreciate it!
Yes that should be no problem at all. But you might also ask when doing the first activation, if you can do them all. Sometimes a helpful castmember will allow it.
Hi Steve,
I have questions about Magic bands, FP+, and the Military Salute tickets. I have purchased and received our ticket numbers from SoG and linked them with MDE. We plan to arrive in Florida on 11 July but start our 4 days on the 12th. Is it possible to activate our tickets at Downtown Disney on the 11th and purchase Magic bands to link them to? Also, will our FP+ reservations be linked to the Magic band if we do this?
Thanks.
Hi Sharon,
Yes to all.
You can activate your tickets ahead of time at DTD, we often do. And yes once you buy your bands and link them to each individual, their FP+ reservations will be linked to the band as well.
Have fun!
Thank You!!!
Steve,
In the description of the military salute it says “to be used by themselves, family members (including spouse) or friends.”
How does Disney define the friends portion?
Thanks,
Chris
Hi Chris, they mean essentially anyone you want to accompany you.
You just can’t sell them to strangers… is what they are implying. They are for you to spend time in the parks to de-stress with who you want.
I purchased 3 tickets at the MWR, we are going to Disney on Thursday. I have the Disney Experience app on my phone and was trying to set up fast passes, but does anyone know if I can only set up fast passes once I have the ACTUAL tickets? The app let me scan the barcode that was on the exchange tickets. But I don’t want to mess anything up with our fast passes by trying to schedule events until I know whether or not I am allowed to using the MWR tickets….. please help.
Amanda,
Go ahead and scan the barcode. You can then make your FP+ reservations and when you activate the tickets (and get the real ones) the FP+ will carryover.
Make sure you keep track of who you link each of the tickets you have now to.
Steve,
My husband purchased 4 tickets at TX base for our 17 year old and his 3 cousins. We both work and will not be able to go this time. My husband is retired after 24 years of service. My son has a military ID, will he be able to activate this tickets when he arrives to any park.
Hi Ana,
I’m guessing that the military ID your son has is a dependent ID? Also your husband bought Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets and not Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets? THe Salute tickets are a huge discount, the regular mil tickets just a slight one.
If they are Salute tickets your dependent son will not be able to use them. Only the member or spouse can activate these in person at Disney.
Did your husband tell the person at the ticket office that neither of you were going? These tickets are non refundable, but perhaps he can get them to exchange them for the more expensive regular tickets which your son can use without you.
Steve, I have the older “Green” (DD Form 2) Army Reserve ID card. I am still in the Army Reserves and the ID card is not expired. Am I eligible to use that ID card for the Military Park Hopper Discount? Thank you for your help.
Yes you sure are Brad
Steve, thanks for the great site. So much valuable information! I was hoping you might be able to shed some light on a couple of things. We are planning a trip to WDW early next year and plan for 6 days in the park. My father is retired AF and was planning on buying salute tickets for us (there are 6 of us). I am reserve and was then going to purchase salute tickets to cover the extra 2 days (even though this would give us 2 unused days, it is slightly less expensive than a regular 6 day pass). My question is, would this be frowned upon by Disney? We’d have 2 sets of tickets per person in that case and would likely be activating them at the same time. Could both sets be linked to our magic bands?
Also, I am not currently on orders and my father, technically, does not have an assigned base with retiree status. How does that work when they ask about the base one is assigned to?
Thanks!
Karen
HI there Karen,
Great questions!
You do not need to be on orders as a Reservist to use the discount! Your dad will just say I’m retired if they ask, they may not doe to his retired ID.
You both serve(d) you country so are entitled to your benefit, there is no issue whatsoever with both of you using the discount for your whole party. THis occurs all the time, for example when both spouses are military.
Using the tickets back to beck, even for 6 days is the cheapest route to go!
You shouldn’t have any issue linking 2 tickets per person in MDE.
Have fun
Thanks, Steve! Keep up the great work!
Sorry to hack your post… But what if you’re stationed not on a base (for example… We are on recruiting duty and are not assigned to a base) how does that work then?
No problem Megan!
Rather than type it all out, see this post: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/buy-military-discounted-disney-tickets-by-phone/
Hi –
I have a question about activating the tickets, My Husband is active Guardsman and we will be purchasing tickets for a trip this December with our 2 daughters as well as my Mother. However my Mother will be on a different flight and may not arrive until several hours later, since our flight day is also a park day for us, we’d like to go straight from the airport to the hotel and then to the park until nap time & check in, but as i understand all members must be present at activation, or could we activate 4 of the 5 tickets and regroup later on to activate hers? Thanks so much! – Lisa
Hi Lisa,
Yes you can activate he’s later when you all go to a park later in the day, after her arrival.
Thanks so much, that makes everything easier, and thanks for all the great info you shared here, its been so helpful to me in planning our fist disney vacation.
My pleasure Lisa!
Hi Steve! Thanks for all the great tips! I have a question on the Armed Forces tickets regarding activation. We plan on buying the tickets for my husband (retired service member), myself and my daughter. I will be going to the park for a day prior to them. Can I activate my own ticket when I go and then my husband can activate his and my daughters at a later date?
Thanks!
Sue
Yes you sure can Sue. That won’t be an issue at all!
Hi Steve! Thanks for so much helpful information. I need some help. I waited too long to buy current Military Salute tickets from my ITT office, now they say the only option is to buy at the gate. Can I purchase the Salute tickets now (so I can try to make some fast pass reservations) and activate in a couple of weeks when we get there since everyone in the party won”t be present to activate at the time of purchase? Thanks in advance. This is driving me crazy because I waited so long to purchase
Hi Robyn,
What are your travel dates, before or after 27 Sept?
Oh, I should have been more clear. We’re going to be there Sept 21-26th. I’d like to purchase the Military Salute tickets when I’m there on September 6th do I can start getting Fast Passes, but not all people that are going with me later in the month will be present with me that day to activate. So I was wondering if they’d just let me purchase them on 9/6 and activate them when we all return on 9/21? Thanks again for your help
Yep, absolutely. You can buy them from Shades of Green with no tax or WDW. just explain if you buy them from WDW that you will activate them later and are getting them for FP+.
Then link your tickets to your MDE account to start making your FP+.
Hi Steve, I have an activation question. I believe you said in response to a previous question asked by Lisa that late arriving party members can be activated at a separate time. But my question is, can they be activated the next day, and do they have to be activated at the same location as the military member originally activated their ticket? I know the military member has to be present again, just wasn’t sure about location and dates.. Also, I assume only the military member has to accompany the late arrivers, not the entire party?
Thanks!
Hi Vicki,
You can activate them at any time (any day) they arrive at any location. If you ask, they may even activate them without the people present. While against the rule, some cast members will do it. I recommend bringing a copy of their DL if you want to try this.
Hi Steve,
Once we activate the tickets, do we have to use them in the next 4 consecutive days?
Also, with the water parks fun & more added can we enter those parks on 4 separate days than the days we enter the major theme parks?
Thanks!
Hi Cheri,
You have until the end of the Salute offer to use both the theme park days and WPF&M entrances.
See:
http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Disney-Armed-Forces-Salute.html
http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Disneys-Armed-Forces-Salute-FAQ.html
http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Tickets/Disney-Water-Park-Fun-and-More.html
Hi Steve,
We just received our Military Salute tickets from Camp Pendleton and on the ticket it says to “redeem this Exchange Certificate at one of the following ticket sales locations: Transportation Ticket Center Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom” It does not mention the water parks or Downtown Disney. Are those sites still options? We were planning on going to Blizzard Beach the first day and I wanted to activate the tickets there.
Thanks,
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer,
Yes DTD and the water parks are still available!
Hello was wondering how long do we have to use them after activation. And was wondering if we could get more than 6 tickets activated? We are having a family reunion and my husband which has not seen family for over a year could he get more than 6 military salute tickets for family?
You have till the end of the offer 3 Oct for the offer which starts Sunday. The limit is 6 Kelli, unless both you and your husband are military members or you two have more than 4 dependent children.
See: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Disneys-Armed-Forces-Salute-FAQ.html
Hello,
My father bought my family 4 tickets from the deeply discounted DIsneys Armed Forces Salute Tickets. We plan on going in early December though he will not be with us. Will we be able to activate our tickets if we were to bring a copy of his ID or is there anything else we can do? Any help would be appreciated. HE was not aware of any activation to these tickets when purchased.
Thanks
Hi Arnie,
Unfortunately not, he or his spouse must go with you to activate the tickets. Sorry but the reason these are so cheap is that they are for the member to enjoy time with family and friends in the parks they aren’t supposed to be given away.
There are two possible options:
He could return the tickets to where he purchased them and although they are non refundable he could try to get then to take them back as they didn’t explain the activation process. Instead he would get the slightly discounted Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets (http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/regular-disney-military-discount-for-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-tickets/).
You could take the tickets with you to Disney along with his receipt and ask them to use the value towards regular admission tickets. The might do that if you explain the situation.
By the way, are these tickets for the new offer which just started 28 Sept, or the old offer which ended the 27? The old offer’s tickets are no longer valid.
Steve,
My brother is a service member. We will be taking his teenage son to Disney next year. If his parents buy him a military discounted ticket, will his dependent ID be enough to activate the ticket if the service member and spouse aren’t with us or do we need to consider getting him a normal ticket? The rest of the party will have annual passes.
Thanks
Hi Fran,
Unfortunately non-spouse dependents art not eligible for the Disney Armed Forces Salute. His dad could get him a Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way ticket. These only save 4-8% though.
http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/regular-disney-military-discount-for-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-tickets/
Hey Steve,
Disney is giving me conflicting information about the process of activation of the tickets. Shades of Green says it just like u do. That u activate them at guest relations everyone gets a card or put on magic bands and that it. u do not have to go to the same park…SOG , also pointed out once u get your plastic cards they have no way of knowing it was a military ticket nor could you go to Down Town Disney and activate them unless u just had the water park and more added with the theme park tickets. I called Disney twice. They say that once you buy the ticket from SOG u get a voucher. U take the voucher to Guest Relations to get the tickets (plastic card or on your magic bands). Then the service member and the whole family has to walk through the turnstile (into the park) together. That walking into the park activates them. This makes me nervous.. Have u heard anything like this? Thanks
Amanda M
Hi Amanda,
Don’t worry! Both Shades and I are correct.
I do love Disney cast members, but… The Disney call center, email guest relations, internet chat CMs sadly know almost nothing about their company’s military discounts. I complain to Disney about this constantly. I’ve heard some doosies that they’ve told people.
I don’t know why this is, it really shouldn’t be, but I speculate that:
They really deal with military info VERY infrequently
They are all part timers
There is no training on mil discounts
Their network is very hard to find things on
When they get a mil question they go of what they: think they heard, remember (maybe from 4 years ago), what someone else told them.
Whatever the reason, they are almost always wrong, call 5 times and you’ll get 4 different answers 😉
Hello Steve,
My brother is a service member in Pensacola and we (my family) will be meeting him and his wife and Orlando. If him and his wife already has season passes to WDW does he or his spouse still have to be one of the 6 tickets? They will only be visiting one park one day with us because he has to be back on base the next day. Also is it possible to switch the parkhopper option with the water park option? They both are equal in cost? I appreciate the information here on this site, its really cleared up a lot of questions I’ve had!
Thank you
Hi Eric,
Being passholders, they will noy need their own Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets. They can activate the ones for you with no problem. They will not have to be with you for the entire stay.
There are 3 types of Disney Armed Forces Salute 4-day tickets available, park hoppers or Water Park Fun and More (both the same price, or both together (more expensive.
http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Disney-Armed-Forces-Salute.html
Hi Steve
This website is a godsend! Very informative.! My question is that I want to give my six tickets to my mother and nieces/nephews. My wife and I can only spend the first day with them because I need to be back on base the day after. Can I purchase 1 day tickets for my wife and I and activate the other six tickets for my family?
Thanks for the info!
Nino
Hi Nino, you’ll be able to activate 5 for your family, one must be reserved for your later use.
The 6th will have to be a Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way ticket: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/regular-disney-military-discount-for-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-tickets/
Hello,
Can the military personnel activate only the guess passes or must you go with the military personnel your first day?
Thank you!
Darla, the latest intel from WDW Tickets Dept. is that, the member may activate up to 5 tickers for others without having one themselves. But they must keep one un-purchased ticket in reserve for themselves.
Hi. Steve,
Do you have any information on disabled vets. All I see is information on 100% disabled vets. I am 60%. Does this mean my family is not eligible for any military discounts? We have 5 in our family. Any information or direction would be greatly helpful. Thank you for your time.
Hi Maggie,
There are no discounts available directly from Disney for those less than 100%.
There is the this one discount available for non-retired veterans which is from Shades of Green. It is only for the months of January and September. Here is my post with details including what documentation is required: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Shades-of-Green/Non-Retired-Veterans.html
Hi Steve,
If the Military Armed Forces Salute Disney tickets are activated in November, is it okay that they are not actually used until January?
Thanks!
Vicki
Yes, that is perfectly OK Vicki. You’ll have until 3 October 2015 to use all days on the tickets.
My son-in-law is in the military. He and my daughter are thinking of getting an annual pass. Can they still get the discounted military ticket for me and my son and have it activated even though their not using one since they’d have annual passes?
Yes they sure can Patti.
I am going in February 2015 with my family. I am a member of the IND National Guard with no ITT office close. What are my options to purchase tickets? How far in advance is necessary.
Hi Dave, see: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/buy-military-discounted-disney-tickets-by-phone/
Hi Steve,
Both of my kids are under 10. Is it okay that when I linked the park hopper to my kids, the pass lists for 10+ yrs old? Buying a ‘kid’ park hopper was not an option. This won’t cause any problems will it? I was able to link it to their profiles in my Disney account by just clicking through the warning.
Thanks!
Vicki
Hi Vicki,
There is only on version of the Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets for all ages at the same price, so no problem. This is unlike the Magic Your Way tickets (military and full price) which have the 3-9 and 10+.
Hi! My husband and I were thinking of doing a separate DisneyLand trip from each other due to crazy work schedules… He is active duty I’m just a spouse, but my question is will they allow me to use 6 tickets if I go with my family and then allow him to use 4 tickets when he goes with his family???
Hi Brianna,
No, the limit is 6 per military member.
The spouse has no benefit, they are using the member’s. You can use 3 and 3 or 4 and 2, etc. but no more than 6.
I just got my vouchers fromCamp Pendleton and I linked 3 with no problem, but I cannot link my last ticket because it says the ticket is for 10 and Up and my youngest is 6. My husband insists that when he ordered the tickets from CP they didn’t ask him if there was anyone under 10. Was this an error? Can this voucher still be used by my 6 year old?
Hi Laura,
Did you get Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets? There is only one ticket type for age 3+ no adult or child.
Or were they 1-10 day Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets? these do have adult and child tickets.
Call Disney’s Internet Help Desk at 800-848-6413, they should be able to help.
I have a question I’m in the guard. We wanted to go to Disneyland but the only time we can go is a month after I enter the “reserve” part of my contract. My military ID expires dec 11th and I’m unsure if I get some other form of ID after. Can I still purchase the salute discount tickets and somehow activate them?
Hi Little,
Sorry I’m not sure what you mean.
Are you saying you are on active duty orders or AGR status now and will be returning to DSG status? if so you’ll be eligible to activate Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets.
But if you mean you are switching to an inactive reserve status where you do not participate, then you would not be eligible to activate Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets.
You can buy the very slightly discounted Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets now and use them later. These do not need to be activated.
http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/regular-disney-military-discount-for-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-tickets/
Is it possible to link exchange certificates to MDE before the certificates are activated? We can’t activate the certificates until we arrive in Orlando, which would defeat the purpose of being able to make reservations in advance with the Fastpass. The purchase receipt lists “ticket numbers” but it’s not the correct number of digits so isn’t working. Thanks for the help!
Yes you sure can Lisa, see: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/z-popular/linking-disney-military-tickets-and-fastpass-plus-reservations/ for instructions.
Hi. I recently purchased the 4-day park hopper military exchange certificate from Fort Polk. I’ll be at the parks beginning on the 18th of November until the 21st of November. I linked my exchange certificate to my “My Disney Experience” account and when I view my ticket, it shows Status: expired. Now the date expired says October ?, 2015. Being that we’re still in 2014, is there possibly a glitch, or was I given an invalid exchange certificate? Nothing has been activated. Also, was I only supposed to receive the Exchange Certificate or should I have also gotten actual tickets from Fort Polk?
Thanks, Oriana
Hi Oriana,
All you need right now is the exchange certificate, you get the real ticket when you activate it at the park.
Give Disney’s Internet Help Desk a call at 800-848-6413 regarding the expiration date.
Thank you!
My aunt (military spouse), mom and my family of 4 are going to disney in January. We are flying in from 3 separate locations. My family of 4 arrives very early in the morning while my aunt doesn’t get into orlando until very late. Of course, my kids are going to want to hit the park first thing when we get there. If we link the military bought tickets to our magic bands before we go, will my aunt still need to be with us to provide her military ID that first morning?
Yes she sure will Heather.
The linking in MDE is only for FastPass Plus.
Unfortunately the tickets will not work until she arrives and proves eligibility in person with her ID.
How about WDW’s mini golf or Downtown Disney while you wait?
See this list for more ideas: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Tips/Free-Low-Cost-Ideas.html
My husband and I are planning a trip to disney in June. My sister and her husband will be joining us two days after we arrive to disney and they will be using two of our military tickets, . Is it a problem to activate their tickets two days after we activate ours?
No that won’t be a problem Brittany. THe real issue is trying to activate tickets for someone without them being there.
Hi, Steve.
Here’s my dilemma. Husband called Camp Pendleton and we just received our green exchange certificates. However, there’s a big OH NO! Not only did they forget a number on our home address (thankfully I could pick it up at FED EX) but they misspelled my husbands first name. His CC was charged without incident, but my worry is that when we go to activate they won’t allow it because his name was misspelled.
I’m thinking it should be ok since we will all present our military ID’s to activate at the park, but I just want to be absolutely sure.
Please let me know if he needs to call the Camp Pendleton ITT to get his name and house number on our address corrected.
Thanks a bunch!!
Hi there,
I don’t think it will be an issue Andi. It is an understandable mistake.
Thanks. I thought it would be ok too, but always nice to get reassurance.
And thank you for this website! We always bought our tickets at WDW since my husbands base does not have an ITT office. Your site has really helped with the new FP+. So a BIG THANKS!
Sincerely, Andi
I’m so glad, thank you!
Firstly, thank you very much, Steve, for all the help, advice and time you put into this helpful site! I have purchased our Armed Forces Salute tickets for a trip in Sept. 2015. I have successfully linked our green vouchers to my MDE account. I know I can make Fast Pass Plus reservations in August. Will I have to wait until I get to WDW to link my existing magic band (from last year) to my tickets and reservations? If so, that is no problem.
Thanks.
Michelle
Hi there Michelle,
Thanks so much!
Your bands should still be linked to each person in your MDE account, they don’t go away. I have numerous bands from each visit.
The bands are linked to a person, as is the ticket, so the ticket will automatically be on the band.
In MDE click on “Profile” and then on the next window “Magic Bands and Cards”. You should see your band.
OK…so I can use EITHER the ticket (once activated at the park) OR the magic band, because both are connected to my name and fingerprint? Do I have that correct?
I am gathering I do not need to do anything else with my Magic Band, except make sure that it is “active”. Please correct me if I have this wrong.
Thanks so much, Steve. CW3 Mr. Gregurich and I will have fun as will my guests!
Yes you’ve got it, prefect! 🙂
Upon arrival, you’ll activate the tickets, they can double check then the the bands are all set at that time. Once you’ve done that you can use either the tickets or bands for everything interchangeably.
I have an 8 night reservation onsite at Disney World in August 2015 and wanted to purchase tickets to cover 8 days and we have a total of 3 people in my party, including myself. I’m a military retiree and the local base suggested I could buy up to six 4-day Military Salute tickets, essentially 2 tickets for each person in the party and use the tickets back to back to cover the 8 days for each of us. They say some of their customers have done this. But, I’ve heard conflicting information from Disney CMs that each person can only use one ticket during the current promotion year. I know there were restrictions, like these, in the past. But with base ticket people telling me I can do this, I’m wondering if I do go ahead and buy these as suggested, whether I’ll have an issue getting the second set of tickets activated for the same people so all 3 of us will be covered for 8 days instead of just 4. Hopefully you can tell me something definitive.
Thanks for any help in clearing this up.
Go ahead Joe, you’ll have no issues.
Back to back use of the Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets has always been allowed.
We’ve done it before ourselves.
Hi there..i just was reading this and I was just told today that the 6 tickets I have purchased for 3 of us to use 2 each we are not allowed to do and they won’t activate them. I don’t know what I should do but I had a horrible meltdown and couldn’t stop crying because we don’t have the money to replace these nonrefundable tickets…any ideas?? Please help!
Hi Angela,
I’m sorry you are having problems. Did someone at a Disney park tell you this? or was it the dreaded call center?
Disney has allowed the back to back use of Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets for years. I have myself activated multiple tickets for one person, I will be activating the second for my wife in a month or so.
Unfortunately many Disney cast members are very unfamiliar with their company’s military discounts and go off what they think is right or remember (incorrectly) form the past.
Two courses of action:
1. Go to a different individual at a different window or location, to get someone who knows what they are doing
2. Ask to speak to a: Lead, Supervisor, or Manager, this is the Disney “chain of command”
Thanks, Steve.
Do you have any idea why the Disney ticket reps I’ve talked to say that only one Disney Armed Forces Salute ticket per person can be used each year (they said it’s in their policy regarding these tickets). And what should I do if I run into one of these folks when I try to activate both sets as I’ve described?
I do…
Most cast members deal with military discounts very rarely, or never so are very unfamiliar. And for some reason Disney is unable to train them properly.
Disney is aware of this and I complain to them regularly about it. I just get a shrug…
If you’d like to read more, see: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Tips/Disneys-Call-Center-Very-Often-Wrong-On-Military-Discounts.html
Hi Steve –
We are heading to WDW for my in-law’s 50th anniversary. All families involved are military except one. The non-military family needed 4 tickets, so two military families of 4 each purchased 6 military tickets in order to get the non-military family the discounted tickets (got all of that?).
The non-military family and one military family are arriving in the morning and want to go to the parks. The other military family that purchased two of the tickets for the non-military family won’t be there until that night. Do you know if WDW will allow them to activate all four of the non-military family’s tickets since they are with a military member, or would both military members be required to be there to each activate their 6?
We were also thinking of a possible workaround to be that the military member activates 4 and his spouse activates another 4. I don’t recall our tickets being registered to us when we purchased them on base, so not sure if this is an option.
Thanks for your help.
Hi Susan,
The ticket activation limit unfortunately is 6 per military member (not the spouse, the spouse is in place of the member).
So to activate those 4 tickets, given that the first arriving military family has 4 members, you will need a second military member present as that first family can only activate 6 tickets.
Sorry.
My son has a military id that expires on May 10, 2015. He served 5 years in the Navy, used his GI Bill to attend college. He will commission on May 1 in the Army. He won’t get a new id until he reports in June. All this to say that the vacation is “between” the valid dates on his ids. When we made the hotel reservation, we were told that he would need to show his expired id and new orders to prove he was active for the hotel discount. Can this be done for the tickets as well? Thanks for your help!
Hi there Mark,
You will be just fine for the room discount, but will definitely need a valid ID for the Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets! (different departments).
Is there no military installation within a decent drive where he could get a new ID prior to your trip?
Steve,
Thanks for all the great information…hopefully you might be able to answer a question for me. My and my husband (AD and retired) are going on a Disney Cruise in June while our kids will be staying with my mother in law and going to Disney World. Would I be able to get Armed Forces Salute tickets for the kids and activate them before we pass them off to her? My mother in law is an annual pass holder so don’t need to worry about her having tickets, but I have not been able to find out if the military member has to have a ticket to activate the additional tickets for our kids. I don’t want to have to buy 3 tickets just so the kids can get it if I don’t have to! Thanks!
Hi Tina,
Disney has relaxed on this lately. Now rather than the member needing to buy a ticket, they must keep one in reserve for themselves.
So you should be just fine buying just the 2 for the kids.
Steve – do you know the hours of the Transportation and Ticket Center? I found the monorail hours on the Disney website, but are the TTC hours the same? We will be arriving at our hotel late in the evening but would like to activate our tickets before we go to the park the next morning. Expecting large crowds for Star Wars Weekend so hoping to save some time! Thanks so much for the information.
Pretty sure that it has the same hours as the MK Tanya. You could always take a Disney bus from your hotel to the MK and use a Guest Relations window there.
For the military 4 day thing, can I buy the one 4 day tickets and use all 4 on 1 day? I would like to take me, my wife, and 2 others to come and stay for 1 day. And how would upgrading them to the visiting any theme park work? Would that be an extra $30 per ticket or for all 4 tickets?
Hi Andrew,
No sorry, you’ve got it wrong. Each Disney ticket (military or regular) is for an individual person and is explicitly non-transferable.
A 4-day ticket is for one person to use on 4 different days.
All multi-day tickets can be used at all the theme parks.
If you are convinced you only want one day see the Shades of Green prices: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Tickets/Magic-Your-Way-Tickets.html
You can buy them at Shades, the Orlando ITT, or your base ticket office.
You’ll need 4 each 1-day tickets, with hopper option if you want to visit multiple parks in one day – $138 per adult.
If there is any chance you’s return for another day or more you are better off buying the 4-day Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets for $177 each. You have till 3 October 2015 to use all days.
so much info to consume. Ok. if we buy our tickets thru the base, then order our custom bands thru MDE, when and where do we link the vouchers to the bands? I know the bands will be attached to our MDE account, not sure if the activation people link these for us. Thanks in Advance!!!
Hi Jennifer,
Both the tickets and the bands are linked to an individual. The person is what connects them. There is no action required to link the ticket to the band.
The bands will come from Disney linked to a person already. When you link a ticket to a person, they are then all set.
Steve, I wrote a comment on a previous thread but I thought I’d come here instead. You said we have to show proof of base, what if we are stationed not a base currently (recruiting duty). What can my husband provide as proof?
Hey Megan, they just ask where you are stationed, you can just say the town you are in.
My husband and I are recent annual passholders. Our family is visiting and we will be going to Disney next month. We will be using the last 2 armed forces salute tickets for our family members. Will this be a problem since my husband did not use/reserve any of the 6 for himself ? We will be present during the visit.
Honestly Anica, I think it will just depend on the individual cast member. If you get any pushback ask to speak to a Lead, Supervisor, or Manager. I think you can work it out in your favor.
I have a question about acivating…when you say they gather info to activate is Disney able to get into the military system and see and personal info? I have great concerns where my information is shared. Is disney just looking at a valid i and outting it into their system or using both systems?
Hi Patti,
No need to worry!
First, hundreds of thousands of military members have used this awesome program since it started in 2009 with no ill effects.
Disney does not have access to any military or DoD systems, or to any privacy act data.
Disney merely asks you for your address, phone number and where you are stationed after getting your name off of your valid military ID.
can i activate 3 pasess one day and another three the next day for my sister and his kids ??
Jose, you should be able to do them all at once.
Good Morning Steve! Thank you for all of your helpful information. I am the wife of a retired military officer. My 12 year old daughter and I will be flying in to Anaheim on the 31st of May and will be leaving on the 4th of June. The evening that we are getting into Anaheim, we will unpack our bags at the Hotel and be heading to The Rainforest Cafe in DTD for Dinner (around 6pm). I was wondering WHERE at in DTD are we able to activate our tickets and will they be open that late in the evening? I am alone with child, in a place I have never been, with no car!! (stressed) All of your help is greatly appreciated!! Thank You…Rayette
Hi there Rayette,
Thanks so much!
There isn’t a Guest Relations office at Disneyland’s Downtown Disney that I am aware of.
Fortunately The Disneyland Resort is much smaller than Walt Disney World. Everything is in walking distance.
You’ll walk through Downtown Disney and then go to either of the Disneyland or California Adventure ticketing areas to activate your tickets.
Here is a map on Disneyland.com
:0) Thank You Steve!!….Rayette
All of the information you have given it great. I have a questions regarding these Armed Forces Salute tickets for Disney World. My dad, who is retired Air Force, would like to buy my family of 5 the 4-Day park hopper Armed Forces Salute tickets and not go on the trip with us. I, who am active duty, would also like to purchase tickets so that we have a total of eight days in the park. My question is, is this possible to do with the fact that my father won’t be attending the trip?
Hi Joe,
Under the current rules each military member/retiree is limited to 6 Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets during the offer period. These special tickets are for the use of the member (or spouse) to spend time with family and friends in the Disney parks. They cannot be given to others to use.
So your dad would have to go with you and have a ticket for himself as well.
The important point is that it isn’t the purchase that is tracked (except by some bases which does not matter) it is the activation at the Disney park that is tracked and goes against each member’s total. He could actually buy the tickets for you but you can currently only activate 6 by yourself when you get there.
You did not mention when your vacation timeframe is, but you should stay tuned for info which could impact your situation. The Newsletter is a way to be advised of any news.
Hey Steve,
Thank you so so much for this site! I am a Disney Travel Agent and am learning so much more about the military discounts though you than I did through my training!
I have a tricky question! One of my clients has a sister that is in the military. As a gift she bought her the WDW Salute tickets thinking that she did not have to be present for them to use as she is on base in California and they are going to Disney in September.
Since she will not be there to activate the tickets for my clients, are they out of luck on using the Salute tickets? Or is it possible to have one of her military friends that will be in Orlando activate the tickets for them?
Thanks so much for the great site and information. I am learning so much!
Hey there Alston,
Welcome and thanks!
If she does have military friends in the Orlando area she is in luck.
Hope this helps!
Steve
Similar question – So if the friend is planning on using their salute passes then they cannot activate passes from another military member?
Specifics of my situation – my brother is in the military and as a result gets 6 passes. He was going to use those passes for himself, his wife, and four other family members.
A friend who is in the military was purchasing two tickets for my children (tickets 7 and 8). Would my brother not be able to activate those two tickets since he is planning on using the 6 of his for the rest of our family?
Hi Jeremy,
You didn’t mention when this trip is and that matters. Disney recently extended the current Armed Forces Salute through 20 December and increased the ticket limit to 12 for the 29 September 2014 – 20 Dec 2015 timeframe.
There currently is no offer past that timeframe, but I am expecting a new 2016 calendar year offer. This offer will return to the 6 ticket limit.
Now to your question.
I does not matter who buys the tickets. The only thing which matters for the limit is who activated them.
If you are going prior to 20 Dec he can activate 8 tickets as that is below his limit of 12. That is as long as he hasn’t already used some during the current offer which would push him over his limit.
If you are planning for a 2016 vacation, first there is no salute yet for that time and when it does come out the limit will be 6, so he wouldn’t be able to activate another 2.
Your option at that point would be the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets.
Hey Steve,
That sounds like great news. I appreciate the quick response. We are planning on going at the end of this month, so it sounds like we are in luck.
One more question – my brother also has a civilian job that he is trying to schedule this vacation around. There is the possibility that he won’t be able to make it.
So, is the offer still the same in regards to the spouse being able to activate the full amount? If he is unable to go would my sister-in-law still be able to activate up to 12 (including hers) by herself?
Yes she sure will.
Hi,
I am wondering if we purchased the tickets and planned our trip but it is 10 days after my husbands and my military ID expires – will we still be able to go in?
Thanks
Hi Maria,
Once his ID expires he will no longer be eligible for military discounts.
The Disney Armed Forces Salute both tickets (activation at the park) and rooms require a current ID.
You could buy the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets on base now and use them after, but the savings are minimal on those.
If you want to save, go now… Otherwise it is general public prices.
Hi. I was able to purchase the park hopper salute as a dependent child at the MWR ITT office as an adult child and am now wondering if I won’t be able to use them if I present my ID at Disneyland and they discover if I am an adult child! Do you know how this will work? Thank you!
Hi Sean,
You will not be able to activate the Disney Armed Forces Salute ticket. Only the member or spouse is allowed to do so and they must have one for themselves.
If they won’t be going you’ll have to either go back to the ITT and make them let you exchange the non-refundable Salute ticket towards the Regular Military Discounted tickets which will only save you a little, or ask at Disney if they will allow you to use the ticket towards a full price one, once you are there.
If you do go the Disney route vs ITT be sure to bring your receipt, a letter from your sponsor stating they couldn’t come and a photo copy of their ID.
Thank you Steve & thank you for replying so quickly– I wasn’t entirely sure why I was able to purchase one in my name even though I was a child of the sponser — after the fact lol. I guess I will take it back and buy the more expensive version. =( At least I’ll save on tax and will get it out of the way already lol. But…. Does Disneyland counter staff/check-in people really check whether or not I’m a child or not? All it says is ‘relationship: CH’ on my ID. It might not be worth the risk but I am wondering lol
You bet!
All I can say is that they are supposed to be looking for SP in the relationship block. As to whether each cast member dose every time… IDK
I have a question regarding buying additional tickets when the military member already has one.
Scenario: My dad (the military member) purchased 4 military salute tickets (himself, his wife, myself and my sister) last November. He & his wife used 2 days and my sister and I used all 4 of our days. Can he buy 2 more for my sister and I and activate those without having to buy another for himself – since he still has active days on his ticket?
TIA!
Yep he sure can Meagan!
Hi Steve,
I have a similar situation. I have 2 days left on my ticket and I’d like to purchase 2 more tickets for my brother and nephew. Since I’ve already done the activation process (for my Wife, Mom neices, etc…) do I need to activate any new tickets purchased? I’d like buy and send the tickets, then meet them later on in the week on their last 2 days.
Thank you!
Hi Nino,
You can activate tickets for more guests, but you have to be there with them to do so. They can not use the tickets until you activate them, so you’d need to meet them at the beginning for their trip.
I had purchased tickets but only ended up using 2 of them. Can I take my last two and use one for me and one for someone else without any extra charge?
Yes latrina, by 20 Dec 2015.
Hello Steve! First of all, thank you so much for all of your amazing info! I have a question about the activating process. I know that we all have to go and get our military salute tickets activated at Guest Relations. We only bought the park hopper salute tickets and would like to add on the water parks and more option when we activate them. We decided to leave early and do the water parks before we start the rest of our trip. Will this be possible? Can we accomplish all of this at the Downtown Disney Guest Relations? So excited! Only 3 days 🙂
Hey Natalie, thanks!
Yes, absolutely possible! It will be $30 plus tax to add the WPF&M option to your Salute Hopper tickets at DTD.
Have a great time!
Steve,
My wife and I have season passes, can we purchase tickets for my brother and sister-in-law and activate without buying any for ourselves?
Absolutely Bob,
I have a FL Seasonal too and get the Salute tickets for family and friends all the time.
Thank you so much for this site and explaining the process so clearly.
My pleasure Cristabel
Hi, Steve! My husband and I (and our 3 kids) are so excited to have booked airline tickets, our car rental and WDW hotel reservations for the last week of August!!! We have everything set, EXCEPT for our park tickets! My dad (retired Navy) said he could purchase a WDW 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets through a participating military sales outlet, here, in San Diego, but here’s my question— do I really have fly to him to Florida with us to activate our tickets??? (LOL!) Is there any other way???? Can a Florida friend of mine, who is currently in the Navy, activate the tickets that my dad bought? OR this may seem like an even sillier question, but I live right next to Disneyland—is it possible to activate the Disney World tickets there? It just seems like a great deal, but I don’t feel comfortable with my dad spending all that money! I appreciate any and all the info you give me! Thanks in advance!
Hi Arianna,
Several good questions.
First, WDW tickets cannot be activated at DL. They are actually separate companies and offers.
An eligible person must activate the Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets in person with their guests. The reason for this is that the intended purpose of this fantastic offer is for military members to spend time with family and friends in Disney’s parks, not to give (or sell) these highly discounted tickets to those who are not eligible. There are the slightly discounted Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets for that purpose.
The person who buys the Salute tickets does not have to be the person who activates them.
But whether your dad goes with you or your friend meets you, they must have their own ticket as well as yours, as you will be their guests. They cannot just activate tickets for you.
If your friend activates the tickets, the number of tickets activated will be deducted from their allotment for this offer period, so they must be OK with that.
Hope this clears things up.
Hi Steve.
Just wanted to clarify because I am in a similar situation as Arianna. My father is retired Army, but still working for the Department of the Army in Arizona. He can obtain the tickets for us, but I am no longer in the Army myself. My military ID expired a while ago. Does my father have to be present to activate the tickets? Or can I activate? I know you’ve probably already answered this question a million times, but my wife and I are wanting to research if this is possible before purchasing the retail price of the tickets. Yes, I understand that Disney wants family to spend time with each other, but my father offered as well to purchase the tickets for us.
Just need to know if my father really necessarily need to be there to have the tickets activated? Or can I do so and show that I WAS a prior service member just to show proof that I was in the service.
Thank you and many blessings!
Regards,
Jason
Hi Jason, no problem.
Unfortunately it is absolutely necessary for your father to be there to activate the Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets and have one himself. Only current and retired members are eligible to do so.
The next best option for you is the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets, these only offer 4-8% savings based on length and options, but he can buy these ready to use tickets and send them to you to use without him.
See: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/regular-disney-military-discount-for-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-tickets/
FYI Shades of Green prices (bases similar): http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Tickets/Magic-Your-Way-Tickets.html
Steve;
Can I buy a ticket (not activate it) using my Military ID then have my son activate the ticket using his Active Duty Military ID card? He will be joining us for part of our vacation and we’d like to have the ticket for him to activate as soon as he arrives.
Thanks!
Absolutely Cathy!
Steve – My cousin is a military spouse of an active duty service member. She is planning to buy my family of 5 salute hopper tickets. She can only spend 1 day with us so she is planning to purchase a 1 day military discount ticket. Will she be able to activate our 5 salute hopper tickets when we meet in Florida since she is only getting a 1 day pass?
Thanks,
Not per Disney’s rules Robby,
She is required to have a Salute ticket or annual pass to activate Salute tickets for others.
Give her the extra $77 for her to get a Salute ticket. Still a huge savings when averaged into what you are saving.
I was going to ask this same question. My dad is a retired Marine Corps officer and we are meeting for the second time in Orlando. My parents don’t want to spend more than one day with us at Disney since we already did it a few years ago. I was going to have them by the one day tickets. Guess that plan is out.
The 4-day Salute ticket is not too much more than a 1-day. They cost less that a 2-day Caryn.
Good morning Steve. I have used my 1st set of 4 Salute tickets and am looking to purchase 4 more to get me through December 2015. I will buy my tickets at NAS Jacksonville and I was going to drive down to Downtown Disney and activate them for myself and my family so I can do Fast Pass, etc… for October, November. Here is my confusion and question. Can I (the service member) activate the tickets for my family without them being present. The Disney website says “Disney 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets for admission to the Walt Disney World Resort are not valid until activated by the Eligible Service Member (or their spouse) at the Walt Disney World theme park ticket windows. It says nothing about everyone in the party being present to activate. I am reading your replies and it says everyone must be present at the time the tickets are activated.
Please put me on the right path. I would hate to drive from Jacksonville to Disney to activate and be told “NO” everyone must be here to activate.
Any feedback is greatly appreciated and I love your website!!
No problem Brian!
Everyone must be present for the activation process, sadly to prevent scalping…
But you do not need to activate the tickets to make your FastPass Plus reservations!
See: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/my-magic-plus/linking-disney-military-tickets-and-fastpass-plus-reservations/
Thanks Steve, I appreciate the info.
What about one person using 2 Military Salute tickets? I’m pretty sure this can be done, so I’m wondering if the service member can activate 2 MS tickets for me at the same time? Thanks!
Yes absolutely Rachael.
As long as they do the same for themselves.
Ok Steve
I have another question on the ‘back to back’my family and I are going for 8 days, so I am purchasing 2 tickets for each of us. How will this affect the Fast pass reservations, and do I activate all the tickets at once, or do I need to activate the second tickets halfway through our trip? Thanks in advance.
Hi Julie, Just like 2 tickets per person. That will allow you 8 days worth of FP+ per person.
Then on arrival you can activate 2 per person. There is a chance the cast member might be unfamiliar and say you can only activate one, in that case just ask to speak to a Lead, Supervisor, or Manager.
Worst cast you’ll have to activate the second batch later.
Hi! I’m buying myself and family the salute pass but i can only go for a day. Can they still use their remaining 2 days without me? Thanks!!!
Yes they sure can Carla
Hi,
So if my dad purchases the salute ticket for me and I plan to go a weekend before we go as a whole family. Am I able to activate the ticket with my military ID? My dad’s name would be on it, so I am a dependent and have my own military ID.
Thank you.
Sorry, no Hannah.
Non-sopuse dependents are not eligible for the Disney Armed Forces Salute and can not activate the Salute tickets.
You can however use a Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way ticket without him.
See: Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets
So do I purchase the salute tickets at our local mwr office or do I go to Disney? Also need to find out the cost for Disneyland would that be mwr as well?
Please see: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Disney-Armed-Forces-Salute.html Shawn
We purchased the 4 day magic your way tickets with water park fun & more option. Once the tickets are activated how long do we have to use them before they expire?
Tickets from the current Disney Armed Forces Salute expire on 20 December 2015 Katie.
Hi, should we buy Disneyland tickets in advance for the discount, or can we the same discount (Military Salute Discount, 3-day hopper) at Disneyland? Will we save any time by purchasing in advance if we have to activate at the park anyway?
Hi Moramay,
It is the same price at Disneyland that it is on base (usually), some bases might discount a dollar or two.
Hi there,
My dad is in the British military does he quality for this ?
Thanks
Hi Kimberley,
Thanks for checking out the site!
The only 2 discounts for non-US military are: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/shades-of-green/non-us-military-members-eligible-to-stay-at-shades-of-green/ & http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Disney-Armed-Forces-Salute.html
But both are for those serving with US forces and require a US issued ID like the one at the bottom left of this page: http://www.cac.mil/common-access-card/
Hi Steve,
My boyfriend and I have already used one day of our 3 day park hopper military tickets a couple months ago. We bought ours last year and our offer expires October 3. We would hate to have them go to waste but my boyfriend has been shipped off to a station overseas. Can we have someone else use his ticket if his has already been activated? I guess what I’m asking is after activation are id’s required?
Thank you!
Hi Samantha,
All Disney tickets (whether military or otherwise) are non transferable, so the initial user is the only person allowed to use the ticket on followup visits.
Disneyland uses pictures taken with an iPad of multi-day ticket holders to enforce this.
bt the way the offer has been extended and your tickets are now valid through 20 December 2015. See this post
Hi Steve,
Our friend is in military & we plan on going to WDW together in October. The problem is, we’ll arrive in Orlando on different days. He’ll be there starting Oct 17, & our own family will be there on Oct 18. Can he activate his ticket first on Oct 17, ENTER THE PARK THAT DAY, and then activate ours the next day on Oct 18? Or do we have to activate all the tickets on the same day?
Hi Anita,
Yes he will be able to do that for you, The issue is that each person must be there when their ticket is activated by the member,
Hi Steve,
I’m reading through all your info (THANK YOU, by the way!) and have a question. Before the December 20 ticket extension we were allowed to buy 6 tickets. (meant for immediate family members) Now we can buy 12, but do they have to be used by immediate family? Does this count cousins??
Thank you!
Hi Monica,
There has never been an immediate family member restriction on the Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets. Your 6 or 12 tickets currently can be used by anyone you’d like as long as the member or spouse uses one.
The only time that immediate family members come into play is for those who need more than the limit for their immediate family.
Thank you so much. I do remember reading that (as I was wondering how we could bring our 5 kids). I just assumed that’s how it was for anyone buying tickets.
We are planning a trip to Disney and my boyfriend planned on purchasing the Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets for us and our children. Is he able to get this ticket for me even though we are not married. And what about the children?
Yes Denise,
The tickets besides his own can be used for whoever he chooses.
Can a military member who is also an annual pass holder purchase and activate promotional tickets for friends without having to buy one for themselves?
Yes absolutely Chris,
I do that all the time with my FL Seasonal Pass
Thank you!
Do you know if this is also true for current cast members who are also military salute-eligible? Or would we need to buy him a salute ticket in order to take advantage of tickets for ourselves? My father-in-law is retired military who currently works at WDW.
Also, he said he would get us in for a day or two with his gate pass (he is saving some for other family members, which is why we’re hoping to do part salute/part gate pass). Will there be any conflict with the system thinking we’re using our salute ticket on days where he walks us into the park with his pass? I’d hate for my MagicBand use for a purchase or PhotoPass to cause us an issue with the number of tickets we have.
Fingers crossed for a 2016 announcement soon! Thanks for the GREAT SITE!
Hi Mike,
I’ve been out of the cast member game since 1988.
Anything I had to say on this would be a guess and probably wrong. 🙂
The best thing to do is have him ask Tickets if he can buy you the Salute tickets without buying his own. My guess is yes. But he should get it from the horses mouth.
BTW I sure do miss the Main Gate Pass…
Thanks!
I bought the Armed forces salute tickets 4 day hopper they say they expire on Dec 20 we will be not be going to WDW until the 17th of Dec when I will activate them and start using but one day we planned to go to Universal (Dec 20) and then back to WDW on the 21st will I still be able to use my last day of my 4 day hopper or will I have to purchase another ticket.
No Mignon, the tickets will only work through the 20th. So do Universal on the 21st.
Hi Steve,
Ok so my family of three is going to disney world and also my brother family of three to and i am purchasing their tickets for them with the walt disney armed force salute ticket. Now my questions is my family is planning to go earlier than them by 2 days and so can i go ahead and activate all 6 tickets and only go ahead a use 3 of them first and then when they arrive the just scan their fingerprint on their card and go in?
Hi Jenny,
They will not allow you to activate their tickets without them being present, so you’ll do theirs later.
Hello. Since the DLAND tickets can be brought directly to the entrance, are they activated by the Military member at the entrance, or does DLAND not require activation? Thank you for the helpful info!
Hi, when purchasing from Disney (DL or WDW) the activation is done at the time of purchase.
Hello Steve,
I had a similar question to his. I think his question was regarding where this post says at DL the tickets can be taken right to the entrance. So does that mean the activation process is literally done at the turnstiles?
Thx for any clarification!
Hi Val, thanks so much!
No, it is at the ticket windows, which at at the entrance to each park.
My family is going to Disney world in a few weeks. My husband daughter and I have 8am reservations at crystal palace. My grandmother will be driving down from Jacksonville that day to spend the week with us and the rest of our family. Is there any way we can activate our tickets with a copy of her Id so they don’t have to wait another hour for the park to open?
Per Disney’s rules she has to be present with a photo ID to activate her ticket.
But you could try with a copy of her license.
Thank you! We haven’t been able to get a larger reservation for all 9 of us. She is 82!!
Can you clarify the activation process?
Specifically, My friend (active marine) was going to purchase 2 tickets on sunday evening for my wife and I. We were going to meet up with him that sunday evening to activate it, and enter the park on monday. The salesclerk at the Disneyland Booth said that we would have to enter the park to activate it – which would be kind of a waste since we wouldn’t get there until sunday evening. Just wanted to know if you knew that is the way it works at Disneyland. Sounds like you can activate without entering the park at Disneyworld.
Hi Eucen ,
No, that is totally incorrect. The Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets are activated at the time of purchase at the ticket booth. You could come back a month later for the first day’s use.
Since you did’t mention it, you know your friend must have his own ticket in order to activate yours right?
What if the tickets are already purchased from a base, and just the activation needs to be done? Can they be activated at the ticket booth, enabling all the family members to go their separate routes when entering the parks?
Thanks for all your help Steve! I’m going to DL next week and want to make sure my vouchers can be activated the night before we enter the park, so all the family members don’t need to be together the morning of entrance.
Yes, absolutely!
Hope you have fun.
We purchased 4 tickets at SOG last month for a future visit and planned to go get them activated to save time on our future trip. Instead of getting a voucher like we had in past trips, we got actual tickets. We were told that as of May, we no longer had to go through the activation process. . I questioned him about this but he was adamant it was no longer required. Have you heard anything about this change?
Genie, That is correct for Shades of Green only. They just recently started this.
Hi Steve,
We’re a military family that purchased the Salute 4-day Hopper Pass but only had time in 2014-2015 to use it three days. We were planning our next visit to Orlando this month, only discover the passes expired October 3rd…nine days ago. Is there any way we can request an extension to use the remaining day on the Hopper Pass? Can you direct us to the office email address?
Thanks, Winton
Hi Winton,
You are in luck… You seem to have missed the 2014-2015 Extension Announcement.
Your tickets, no matter what is printed on them are valid through 20 December 2015.
See this
Hello
I am trying to clarify the activation for the tickets. We are arriving in Disney on Dec 13 but we are flying standby. The ticket agent at our base told us today that the tickets HAVE to be activated by Dec 14. We are now questioning if we want to take a risk of buying 6 tickets and not getting to Florida on the 13th due to any weather related issues. Therefore we wouldn’t be able to activate the tickets by the 14th. Do you know if this date is correct or not? I see in a previous post someone is planning on activating theirs on Dec 17th.
Thank you for your help!
Hi Jasmine,
They were wrong…
Dec 17 is the deadline for activating the 4-day Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets. Disney won’t activate the ticket if it can’t be used up by the 20 Dec End date. (17, 18, 19, & 20)
Hi, Do you think it is worth going to the park the night before to validate our tickets? We are a large group staying in a condo outside of Disney. Is it worth paying parking for multiple cars just to validate? Our first day will be in the Animal Kingdom on Mon. Nov. 2nd. Thanks, Dawn
Hi Dawn,
It just depends on what the lines at the ticket booths/guest relations are in the morning. The actual activation won’t take more than 15 minutes or so.
You could do it at Disney Springs (Downtown Disney) the night before and grab dinner.
My husband and I will be flying to WDW. We will be meeting up with the rest of the family once we get there. We have already purchased the park tickets for everyone (16 total), 12 of which will need to be activated. We are bringing the tickets with us (via carryon). What happens if our plane is delayed or cancelled. Will our family be in Florida and not be able to go to Disney if we are not able to get there timely. That would be a huge disappointment if grandkids would not be able to go to Disney after waiting so long to go. I hope and pray it doesn’t happen but you know how the airlines are.
Hi Debbie,
The non Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets are usable without activation as you said. These could be FedExed to them ahead of time. But the Salute tickets require a member or spouse to activate them. Are there others in the party that could do this who are sure to be there?
Hi Steve,
My husband and I want to go to Disney in November. He was in the military until last year, and is not retired but has an individual ready reserve ID. I still have my original ID that states me as an active duty spouse. My father is retired military and says he will buy the tickets for us. Would I be able to activate the cards at the gate for my husband and I since my dependent ID says active duty?
Hi Precious,
Technically you would be able to activate the tickets or buy them there yourself.
But your father is really the only one eligible and he should buy and activate the tickets as well as accompany you with his own ticket.
Thanks!
Hello,
My family, my brother’s family, and my in-laws are going to WDW in Sept 2016. We need 10 tickets total. My husband and I are eligible to purchase salute tickets and my mom is as well (unremarried widow). However, she will not be coming on the trip with us. If we buy 6 tickets, can my mom purchase the other 4 we need even if she won’t be there?
Thanks,
Michelle
Hi Michelle,
No, these special tickets are for the member (or spouse in their place) to use with family and friends, not to give away.
The limit is not on buying tickets it is on the activation process. She must go and have a ticket herself.
The next best option is the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets for the kids (3-9) as they are cheaper.
See: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/regular-disney-military-discount-for-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-tickets/
And: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Tickets/Magic-Your-Way-Tickets.html
What about the Stars and Stripes passes available through SOG? Do you know if the eligible military member can purchase those tickets for others to use?
Yes you can buy those from Shades for others as far as I know. They do require proof of staying on property though. Because of that I don’t know if they’ll sell them ahead of time.
Quick Question. I purchased the tickets at my MWR recently, but since that time have completed my contract in the military. As such, I still have my military ID but it has since expired. Am I just out of luck with utilizing my tickets?
Unfortunately you are no longer eligible Kelly. A valid Id is required to activate the Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets.
I am in a similar situation. I have purchased tickets and made reservations for a trip in February right after I finished my time in the service. I still have my active duty ID card but it will have expired a week before I get to Disney. Will I be out of luck? Do the people doing the activation specifically check the expiration dates of the ID cards??
You’ll be out of luck Papa Joe.
The absolutely look for expirations. Why wouldn’t they?
You’ll need to ask Disney to use the value you paid for the salute tickets towards full price tickets.
Just to be sure you have the special 4-day Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets and not some variety of Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets, right?
Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets, these can be used without an ID.
Can you change your dates to prior to the CAC expiring?
Hello Steve!
I do not see this question answered. If I purchase DL tickets and we decide to go to DW instead, can I activate the DL tickets at DW?
Hi Olga,
No, sorry you cannot. They are 2 totally separate offers.
Hello, I’m 17 and my mother in the military planned on buying me and my cousin the 4-day hopper pass on Dec. 14th. If i was to present my military ID at WDW without my mom, would it work? Also, the 4 days would go through out a whole year, correct?
Hi Carson,
Non-spouse dependents are not eligible for the Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets on their own. The member or spouse must accompany them.
You’ll need the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets, see http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/regular-disney-military-discount-for-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-tickets/
If my Dad buys my Family 5 of the 4day pass hoppers to use back to back for 8 days and then 1 of the 4 days for himself. Will this work when activating them since he doesn’t want to stay 8 days. It would be my Wife and I with our 4 year old daughter for 2016. Or will he have to buy 2 for himself and then only 4 for my family? Then purchase the other tickets through the regular military discount to add on the remaining days.
Thanks for your help and time,
Brad
Hi Brad,
He’ll have to have an active ticket (all days not used) when he activates your second set.
FYI an 8-day child’s hopper is cheaper than 2 Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets, see: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Tickets/Magic-Your-Way-Tickets.html & http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/regular-disney-military-discount-for-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-tickets/
Hello,
What if both married members are active duty. Are we able to get 12 tickets, vice 6?
Hi Debbie,
Absolutely, you are each entitled to your 6.
See: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/two-military-members-in-a-family-and-disneys-military-salute/
Hi Steve,
My family is arriving in WDW in June with my dad who is retired military. We plan on purchasing all the tickets at SOG as we are staying there. Did I read correctly that we don’t have to activate them separately if purchase at SOG? We plan on purchasing 6 Armed Force Salute and two Stars and Stripes.
Hi Alicia,
Yes that’s correct. The Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets now sold at Shades of Green are pre-activated.
Yay!! What a time saver. Thanks for the info
Hi! I bought my tickets online through Shades of Green, does this mean my tickets are pre-activated? or is that only if you buy the tickets in person at Shades of Green? Thanks!
Hi Amanda ,
They will be the green hard plastic pre-activated tickets with a character on the front.
Hi, my husband and I purchased the 3 day hopper pass through his military base. He just found out he is getting medically released from the military, which was unexpected. Are we still able to use our tickets even though he will be getting out before we have a chance to go to Disneyland?? He bought the tickets while being active but by the time he has the time to go to Disneyland he will have already been released. Thank you in advance for your time!
Hi Chelsy,
This is a question that I get from time to time (quite a few lately).
Unfortunately the Disney Armed Forces Salute is only for current or retired members.
You need a current CAC or military ID in order to activate the tickets upon arrival.
Disney will look for a CAC or ID as depicted on this page.
I highly recommend rescheduling to prior to his separation!
If that is not possible, then Disney should let you use the tickets purchase value towards full price tickets. A polite escalation up the management chain might be required.
I am so excited to see that AFS tickets purchased at SOG do not need to be activated anymore! But…we have family coming with us and will also have to buy some of the regular discounted tickets-do those need to be activated?
Hi Liz,
No, the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets do not need to be activated. They are ready to use.
Thanks! Now we started looking at the Stars and Stripes tickets for our family-can’t believe how little the price difference is and they could gain 2 extra park-water park days. Do those need to be activated? Thanks so much for your help!
Hi Liz,
No, there is no activation process for the Stars and Stripes. That is solely for the Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets.
Hello,
I know this is mentioned in FAQ, but I just wanted to make sure because I’m getting different answers from Disney. My husband is Active Duty and we bought 6 salute tickets. (4 for my family and 2 for my dad and his wife). The 4 of us will go Sunday and my dad won’t go till Tuesday. Can we activate all 6 without 2 people there or just activate 4 on Sunday and 2 on Tuesday?
Thanks for clarifying!!
Hi Stacey,
That doesn’t surprise me.
You cannot activate tickets for people who are not there. So once the 2 get there on Tuesday you’ll activate theirs. This will work as you’ll still have days left on the member’s (or spouse’s) ticket (whoever is doing the activating).
Steve,
I’ve been searching for an answer for quite some time and have come up empty handed, but I figure if anyone knows it will be you!
My husband and I took an adult only trip and used 3 days of the military salute 4 day tickets purchased at Shades of Green for each of us. We are now contemplating a family trip toward the end of the year (including the kids). We have 5 kids and always have to go to the ticket window at the park to get an additional ticket for the 5th child since she is the 7th immediate family member.. For this next trip, I’m thinking my husband and I can use our remaining day and purchase additional regular discounted tickets for the other 2 or 3 days we plan for this next trip and purchase 5 military salute tickets at our local base ticket office for the kids since we didn’t purchase the other 2 there, thereby limiting the total number we can purchase there. Since you are the wise military Disney guru, do you see any problems in this plan? I’m assuming since my husband and I will still have a day left on our tickets that we can activate the additional 5 before that day is used up, but do you foresee any issues with the additional ticket being activated? We’ve only activated 7 tickets once before and that was all at once. Also one of our kids is a dependent full time college student now, if that makes a difference. Can you please give me some direction of what the best way to go about this would be? I’d hate to get there with 5 more salute tickets and find out that it wouldn’t be allowed for whatever reason. I hope this long rambling question has made sense. Thanks for any help you can give me!
Hey Rachelle,
You absolutely should be able to do what you propose.
The oldest still has a dependent ID I assume.
The only obstacle would be a less than knowledgable cast member. In that case just politely escalate to management, explaining you are a “large family” still have an active ticket for the member and just need to activate tickets for all of your dependent children. Plus you are going to spend more on additional tickets for you two.
Steve,
I am hoping you can clarify some things for me. Our base allows the Civil Service Civilians to purchase these tickets. They say anyone can activate them. I have seen different answers on websites. Just want to clarify before I get stuck with 5 tickets I cannot use!
Hi Lindsey.
There are two totally separate and different Disney tickets sold by base ticket offices.
The Disney Armed Forces Salute – for military only! Highly discounted. Any base worker who allows a DoD civilian to buy these should find work elsewhere. You will not be able to activate these and use them at Disney with out a current military ID or retired military ID (or spouses). see: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Disney-Armed-Forces-Salute.html
The Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets – can be bought and used by civilians. there is no activation they are ready to use, but these save you only 4-8%. see: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/regular-disney-military-discount-for-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-tickets/ These are what you’ll need.
Hi there,
My parents and I are planning on going to Disney World in May. My parents live right by disney world and my dad, who is retired military, can get the tickets at Shades of Green. Now, I live in Ohio and my question is, do I need to be present when he purchases the tickets or will I have to activate my ticket when I get there in May?
Hi Elisabeth,
Shades now sells their Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets pre activated, so you’ll be all set.
Last September I bought one for my wife while I was at shades by myself and in October we went right to the park and went in.
I know that we can’t use them to enter a park on a blockout day but can they be activated on a blockout day? The 1st 2 days of our trip are the last 2 days of the spring break blockout days so we’ll just be enjoying our resort, Disney Springs, and Seaworld. Do we need to wait until April 2nd to activate the park tix or can we activate beforehand?
Hey Amanda,
Great question. Yes you can activate them on a date that is blocked out as that process is separate than actually using it to go in a park.
Hey there!
You might have answered this above, but I just want to clarify. My family and I went to Disney World in January with the 4 Day Military Salute tickets. Unfortunately, my son got sick, and we only ended up spending 2 of the 4 days in the parks. We have planned to go back to Disney in March – will the 2 days left on the tickets still be good? I was told at the park that the hopper passes expire after 14 days and wanted to see if the Military Salute tickets shared these same rules regarding expiration.
Thanks so much!
Hi Meg,
The Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets do not expire till the end of the offer in this case 19 December 2016. So your days left absolutely are still good.
The confusion is that all Magic Your Way tickets, including the slightly military discounted ones (not the highly discounted Salute tickets) do expire 14 days after first use.
If we purchase the tickets at the base, what is the proce5 on getting magic bands?
Hi Jennifer,
It depends entirely on where you are staying. Disney Resort guests are shipped their Magic Bands for free. Non-Disney Resort guests can buy theirs from the Disney Store if they’d like to use them.
Please see our Disney tech overview page: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/My-Magic-Plus/My-Magic-Plus.html
I’m not sure if it’s different because it’s now 2016, or if it varies by where you bought tickets but We just bought ours at Davis-Monthan AFB and we were told we could take the paper tickets straight to the gate. On the tickets it also says to take them to the turnstiles, no need to stand in Will Call or Ticket Booth lines. I stumbled upon this article and was worried I’d have to stand in long lines the morning we were going to be in the parks so I went ahead and called Guest Relations to find out if they did or did not need to be activated. The woman I spoke with told me to just take the paper tickets straight to the gate, A regular ticket would be issued upon entry. A big “Thank You” to Disney! These specially priced tickets are the only way we are able to afford this vacation. I can’t tell you how excited we are to take our kids.
Hi Sylvia,
There is no way to issue tickets at the turnstiles/gate. You’ll need to exchange the paper vouchers for a real plastic ticket at a ticket or guest relations window. I recommend you do it the evening you arrive rather than in the busiest time of the day (opening). The exchange process takes ID verification and entering your info into their computer system.
1. No computers at the turnstiles.
2. You would be holding the line up for 5-10 minuted that it takes to exchange the vouchers.
Bad info all around both from MWR and Disney. See: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Tips/Disneys-Call-Center-Very-Often-Wrong-On-Military-Discounts.html
The tickets themselves even state to take them straight to turnstiles not the ticket booth??? This is our first time using the military discounted tickets. I guess we’ll just go early, any info on when the guest relations booth opens? We won’t be able to go the day before as we will arrive around 10pm the night prior to using our tickets.
There is one by each park entrance Sylvia.
Let us know how it goes!
Sylvia, Disney just got back to me and said there has been no change to the activation procedure!
HI,
you mentioned that the tickets sold at shades of green are pre- activated. I come in a whole day before my family and i was going to buy them before my family got there. but since they come pre activated does that mean i cant buy them until everyone is present and accounted for? thanks.
No Kirby,
You’ll be able to buy them all on arrival.
I bought one for my wife without her being present.
Hi, I am a DOD civilian and went to my base’s ITT to get Disney tickets. They sold me the Salute tickets. I thought this was wrong and asked and they said they sold me the correct ones. I looked up eligibility and I don’t fall under any of the requirements. I do have a CAC card but it says civilian on it. Did they sell me the wrong tickets?
Hi Lenny,
They sure did!
You’ll need to take them back, but be prepared for an argument as they are non-refundable. Add in the fact the person there thinks that you can use them and you might have a fight on your hands. Threaten legal action if required.
You need to purchase the much less discounted Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets.
See: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/regular-disney-military-discount-for-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-tickets/
I was afraid of that. Well, wish me luck, and thank you for the info.
Update: At first, ITT was trying to make it my fault I was sold the tickets. They said that since I linked them they have to find out if Disney would them a refund on the tickets. I told them the problem was not me linking them, the problem is that I was sold the wrong tickets even after I asked for verification that they were the correct ones before I paid for them. After giving me the run around for 2 days, they decided that the clerk who sold me the tickets was in error and refunded my money. Thank goodness I decided to triple check the tickets, and your site really helped. Thank you!
Awesome Lenny, so glad it worked out in the end!
We are a family of 6,so we will use all of our tickets. We have friends that are going with us. Their family member can purchase tickets for them. Would we be able to activate for them or do they need the military member that purchased the tickets for them>
The limit in on activations Maria, not purchases.
Each eligible member (or spouse in their place) can only activate 6 Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets.
You will need Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets for the other.
See: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/regular-disney-military-discount-for-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-tickets/
I have 7 kids (4 of mine, 3 from my wife previous marriage. ages 8,10,11,12,14,15, what is required to get the extra tickets above the 6 per year to cover our larger family.
Hey G-Man,
Just their dependent IDs
So to activate the tickets, you just tell them the military member name, birthday and an email that the number of tickets get deducted from and show an active/retired ID?
Yes you provide a valid ID and answer a few questions.
Do you have to use them 3 continuous days in a row? Or can you go to the park for Monday- Tuesday, sight see Wednesday, and return to the park on Thursday?
Hi Patti,
No you do not, please see the Disney Armed Forces Salute main page for that info and all the other rules and info: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Disney-Armed-Forces-Salute.html
Is it valid for foreign military as well??
Please see: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Military-Discounts/Discount-Finder/Foreign-Military-Member-Discounts.html
Well, we dont have have discount in Hopi Hari as well, haha
tks a lot for your reply.
Best Regards.
If you activate your tickets while having dinner at Disney Springs as suggested above, does this count as one days ticket use?
Hi Courtney, no it does not. Only entering a park does.
We bout the four day salute for 4 adults and 1 child, does this count as 5 tickets or 20 tickets?
Just 5 Krys
My 15 year daughter is going on road trip with another family. Can she use a 3 day pass that I purchase for her as long as she has her dependent ID to activate it? Hope so or she wont be going.
Hi Greg,
No unfortunately non-spouse dependents are not eligible for the Disney Armed Forces Salute on their own. You can however buy her an Regular Military Discounted Disney ticket.
See: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/regular-disney-military-discount-for-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-tickets/
Hi Steve – thanks so much for taking the time to put all this information together. I’m hoping to clarify something. My dad who is the retiree purchased 6 Armed Forces Salute tickets and we hoped to use them in the following manner – 1-ticket for my dad(he will only do 4 days); 1-ticket for daughter’s boyfriend(again 4 days); and 2-tickets each for my daughter & her husband(total of 8 days). Is this possible? In an earlier comment I thought I read that my dad would have to activate 2 tickets for himself if he was doing this for others, but Disney’s website does not say that, it just says that one of the 6 tickets has to be for the member.
Thanks
HI there LeiLani,
Thanks so much!
Yes, this should be doable! If there is any pushback he should say that he will be taking days off in the middle of the vacation and that he’ll be accompanying your daughter and hubby on some days of the first visit and then again later in the trip on the second ticket.
Worst case he would have to make 2 different activation stops, one for the first 4 tickets and then again while his ticket is still active to do the last two. Hope that makes sense.
Thanks so much Steve.
If we need to make 2 different activation stops that’s not a big deal, just wanted to make sure he could activate only one ticket for himself and 2 each for my daughter and son-in-law. He likes to play golf on his off days and if he wants extra days he is going to upgrade to an annual pass.
Thanks again.
Yep, as long as his is still active during the second stop you will be all set.
Thank you for all your research and info. I am planning on buying 2 military armed forces salute tickets for Disneyland for my daughters.
They have a dependent ID which is good until Apr 21, 2016. I will go with them to activate in June when we visit the park. I will have my retired ID with me.
Do you think it will be a problem for activation since they will be over 23 and their ID will no longer be current? They will have their drivers license for ID purposed but not a current military dependent ID.
Appreciate any wisdom before I buy my tickets
Thank You
Hi Ellen,
You can use your extra tickets for whoever you like, they do not need dependent IDs, just a photo ID.
But you must also activate a ticket for yourself, whether you use it to enter the parks or not.
I screwed up and didn’t activate my 4 day park hopper before it expired!
I had an immediate family member pass away 3 years in a row and we could never make it to Disney. Am I out of luck?
Hi Joe,
The Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets are only valid for use within the offer period that they are for.
There is a very, very slight chance that you could take it in person and plead your case in person. They might allow you to use the value towards current tickets. But Do Not Count On This!
Bring any substantiating documentation that you have.
Thank you Steve!!
Thanks so much for all the info you provide, it is so helpful. Our Marine will arrive at WDW a day later than us. If he purchases the Salute tickets from Shades of Green and has them mailed and then sends ours to us, would we be able to visit a park before he arrives since the tickets are pre-activated? Or does he have to be with us for the first use?
You should be able to use them Tricia.
The tickets purchased from Shades of Green and mailed… are those pre activated? Or still need to be activated at the gate upon arrival?
Those come activated Sam.
Hi Steve,
My apologies if this has been answered already. I’ll be traveling to WDW this summer with a party of 6, and we have the 4-day Mil Tickets. Four of us arrive in the morning, the other two in the evening. Since I’m the military member, can I get the first four tickets activated during the day when we arrive and then go with the late arrivals to activate their tickets, either late evening if Guest Services is still open or first thing the next morning? Yes you say above that all tickets have to be activated together, but I’m wondering if that is just so the military person is with the group for all activations?
And along the same note, how late are the different Guest Services areas open each day? Inline with park hours?
Hey Sean,
Yes, absolutely you can activate the first 4 and then 2 more later.
I did mention this in the post, but there is a lot to assimilate and you must have missed it.
“If some guests in your party will arrive at a later date, but before you have used up your ticket, you can activate theirs with them after they arrive.”
Hi,
I’m having some anxiety about whether our tickets can be activated. My husband is on the Reserves. I have an active dependent ID. We purchased 6 salute tickets from the ITT at our local base. My husband won’t be using one of the 6 tickets because he will only be on our trip for a couple days. He plans to buy a ticket using. The regular military discount. On the info we received it says eligible members or their spouse has to use a ticket. So that would be me, and I can activate them. My concern is that my dependent ID is red, which isn’t listed as a color for spouses on your website. My husband called the ITT office months ago and they said I can activate without him. I’m just worried that they won’t let me since my husband is I. The Reserves and not “active duty.” He is active in the Reserves (as opposed to inactive…I forget what it’s called but the inactive ones don’t drill and only do their 2 weeks a year or deployments if needed).
Hi Jamie,
I’m not sure why you have a red ID, spouses are supposed to be tan. My wife’s reserve spouse ID was tan. The red is the old color for the reserve member before we had CACs. I think you should check with your husband’s personnel office on that.
Reserve members and spouses are allowed to activate Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets (Reserve the majority of my career).
But having said that I don’t think you’ll have trouble activating the tickets as it says spouse on it correct?
Hi Steve,
Thanks for your response. I got my ID back in 2013, and the back says DD form 1173-1. I googled military ID cards since I wasn’t sure, and the .mil website shows the red DD1173-1 for reserve spouses. I think the tan is for active duty spouses, at least now it is. It does say spouse under relationship on my ID.
The only real reason I’m stressing is because of trouble Disney gave me. They said we weren’t eligible for a Disney resort discount because my husband is not active duty and is only in the Reserves. Even though the details of their discount say active or retired members of the military, they said rules for the Reservists are different and that they have to be “activated.” I tried telling them that my husband is active Reserve. He drills every weekend and has his 2 weeks. I was told by several people on the phone and email we were eligible, and several others said we weren’t. It has been the most frustrating experience ever.
I wonder of the ID card colors changed around the time I got mine? And maybe Disney doesn’t have that info updated? Here is where I looked up my ID: http://www.cac.mil/uniformed-services-id-card/
I’ll talk to my husband about contact the department regarding IDs too to see if they know. Sorry for the long response.
Hey Jamie,
Don’t worry at all! They must have changed the reserve spouse IDs…
As far as what you were told by the Disney Call Center, please know that most of the people who work there know almost nothing about the military discounts that their company offers. Sad but true, see this post to see why: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Tips/Disneys-Call-Center-Very-Often-Wrong-On-Military-Discounts.html
Thanks so much for that link! It was very helpful and has put me at ease, especially regarding Reserve eligibility. 🙂
You bet, it’s my pleasure. That’s why I run the site, to get the correct info out to our community.
Hi Steve,
I just wanted to update you and let you know I had no issues activating the salute ticket vouchers using my Reserve “red” spouse ID. The girl didn’t even ask for the IDs of any of of the people using the other tickets (although I did already have their first name written on each voucher). We had a wonderful time.
Awesome Jamie!
Glad all went smooth.
Steve,
If I buy the armed forces salutes tickets ahead and have them sent FedEx from Shades of Green are the tickets already active or do I have to activate them a try Disney World?
Yes according to Shades of Green, that is how they do it now.
Thanks Steve. It will be nice to buy them ahead and have themy active once we get to the park. One more question, if they are active do I still need to show a military ID or just show up at the park? Thanks for all the helpfulness information you provide. It is truly appreciated.
You’ll prove your eligibility to Shades before they send them, so then you’ll just go to the park on arrival.
We are planing a family trip with 10, to Disneyworld on June. What tickets would be available to our family (husband retired marines), who will be going with us? Just trying to figure out the cost of tickets for our grown children, spouses, and grandkids, than you
Hi there Rita,
Did you see this post? http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/whats-the-right-military-discounted-disney-ticket-for-me/
Check it out and than tag back here if you need anything else.
Hi! Thanks for all of the great info. I’m having major anxiety about our upcoming trip. My husband and I each purchased six tickets on base. From what I am reading, it sounds like we should only have been allowed to purchase six tickets total, not six each. The tickets are non-refundable on base. Am I going to be out $1000+ for the extra six tickets? Or will Disney let me use them? Thanks!
Hi Ash,
Yes, you should not have been allowed to buy them. If they have no way to track purchases at your ticket office (I don’t know of any that do) you should have been advised of the 6 ticket limit per member during the current offer prior to purchase.
No Disney will not allow you to use more than 6 unless you have a large immediate family (you two plus more than 4 dependent children). See: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/faq/i-need-more-than-6-disney-armed-forces-salute-tickets-what-can-i-do/
Disney will usually allow you to use the purchase price of Salute tickets that you are unable to use towards full price tickets.
If you would rather have your money back, insist your ticket office refund the money of the tickets they sold you that you are unable to use. Elevate politely to supervision and eventually threaten legal action if needed..
Unless you are both military… I’m assuming that you are a spouse.
Each member is allowed 6.
If our military sponsor pre-purchases us 3 of the salute tickets from Shades of Green and only a one day military discount ticket for himself (also from SOG), since he will not be able to join us for the whole time. If those tickets are bought in advance and sent to us FedEx are the Salute tickets active, ready to go into the park tickets? The military sponsor can not join us until the middle of our trip, and I do not want to be stuck waiting on him to get there to activate our tickets. Plus we are not staying at Shades of Green, so will that make a difference to the tickets being activated?
Yes Rochelle,
What you are planning will work. No difference staying with Shades or not.
It is always best to confirm that the tickets will come activated when you order as Shades changes policies from time to time.
My dad is retired military and lives just steps away from Shades of Green resort. He is also an annual passholder to Disney World. He has offered to go to the resort and pre-purchase 5 armed forces salute tickets for myself and my family for use later this summer. I have read that the Shades of Green tickets are now pre-activated and no longer require him to be present with us at the gates to activate them. I called Shades of Green and was told that he is more than able to come in and purchase these pre-activated tickets and that we will be able to use the fast pass reservations 30 days before our visit with them too. BUT….they mentioned that due to their contract with Disney, they still need the service member present on the 1st day of use at the parks. Why would my dad still need to come if the ticket is already activated? Has anyone else had an issue like this recently?
Hi Carol, he doesn’t. If the ticket is active, it is active. WDW dos no ID check upon first use (while DLR does)(as of this month).
Hello
Once I activate a 3 day hopper pass for Disneyland, does it follow the same rules as regular hopper passes? As in, do we have to use all days within 13 days of initial use? Or could I use one day June, one in July, and another in October?
Hi Carly, it is the latter. You have till 16 Dec 2016 to use all the days.
Thanks!
So if we plan to visit Memorial Day weekend, is our best bet to just get the tickets at Disney? We don’t have a ticket office here.
Hi Carly,
If you wait to jet your tickets till arrival you will miss out on making your FastPass Plus reservations ahead of time.
You can buy them via phone. See: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/buy-military-discounted-disney-tickets-by-phone/
Hi Steve!
So we have 3 people going to Disney World for 8 days. We purchased 6 4-day salute passes, so each person will be assigned 2 of them. I have the passes linked accordingly on My Disney Experience to our magic bands that I purchased separately. When we activate all 6 on our arrival day, how will the system know which passes to use when we enter the park? For example, if we enter Magic Kingdom on day 1, and then go to Animal Kingdom later that day, how do I make sure that the system won’t deduct 1 day from one pass we each have, and then deduct another day from the other pass? I probably didn’t word that well. I just want to ensure that each person having two active passes linked to their account will work. I would like to avoid activating the second set of passes 4 days into our trip.
I also have secondary accounts for each of us, which I put other passes for future trips (non military salute tickets). My thought was to link pass 1 (military salute) to our primary accounts, and link pass 2 (military salute) to our secondary accounts. Then, once we have used the 4 days from pass 1, transfer that passes from the secondary account over to our primary accounts and then begin to use them. Would that be possible if they are all activated on arrival day? Do the passes need to be properly linked to the account in MDE before we activate them?
If you find this post confusing, welcome to my brain :/
Thank you!!
Hey there Jessica,
You’re spending too much time worrying and planning for no reason. 🙂
First the system would never charge you two days of admission on the same day, even at two or more parks per day. It knows there is a ticket in use that day. All the parks are on the same system.
You can have 2 or more tickets linked per person on your MDE account.
The last ticket linked is the first ticket used (until depleted) unless you take action in person at guest relations on a daily basis prior to entering to designate what ticket you want used that day. This is only needed if you have different types of tickets linked i.e. Hopper and Non-Hopper and you want to Park Hop only on certain non-consecutive days. Since yours are identical tickets it does not matter which is used first.
Transferring passes between accounts (different people in the system’s mind) will be a pain which should require you to call tech support to get the ticket unlinked before you can then link it to another account, losing any FastPasses in the process (I believe) as the FastPasses belong to that “other person”.
The Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets do not need to be active to link them to MDE and also do not have to be linked to activate them. Two totally separate non-connected things.
So just link 2 Salute tickets per person on your primary MDE account, make your FastPasses, activate all the tickets on arrival, and then enjoy!
Hope this helps!
I am unsure how many tickets I have bought this season, and the MWR office does not keep track. Is there a way to get a hold of Disney to find out how many tickets I can still purchase?
Thank you,
Hi Eric,
Unfortunately I have not heard of anyone successfully finding out the number of Salute tickets used so far Long Distance from Disney.
The best strategy I can think of is to buy one for making your WDW FastPasses, then on arrival see how many you can activate and buy them. The remainder could be full price tickets, or Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets from Shades of green.
Once all linked in MDE copy the original ticket’s FastPasses to the others.
Hello
Can tickets be transferred between family members? I’m going for a couple days with my daughter in April and then we are going back as a family (including my mother n law) in sept/oct. can I transfer the remaining 2 tickets from our April trip to my mother n law in sept/oct (she won’t be going to the parks as much as we will be).
All Disney tickets are explicitly non-transferable Lauri. They have measures in place to prevent this.
The Disney Armed Forces Salute ticket is still cheaper than an Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way 2-day ticket.
We are traveling separately and my mil (with military ID) will be in late. My 4 year old needs to go to bed. I’ll have AP but him and her will have salute tickets. Can she activate a child’s ticket at Disney springs if he isn’t there? He is only 4. Or would they refuse? Trying to avoid wasting park time in the morning doing it
Hi Melissa,
Technically everyone must be there,but it is worth a try. Just have her explain the situation and since it is a child they will probably do it. Elevate politely if needed.
We had an issue similar to this 2 weeks ago but it was an adult who was arriving later in the evening. I already had the tickets all linked to the individuals on My Disney Experiece account and my dad(military ID) and I (AP) were the only ones who entered the building and went to the desk. We had 6 tickets – including one for an adult who was not there yet. They activated all 6 tickets and the only information they took was my dad’s. As Steve states, technically everyone should be there but I agree it is worth a try. Also, just in case you don’t know, Guest Relations at DS has moved to the new town center area.
Thanks for the intel LeiLani!
Our installation did not have the park hopper plus fun passes – they told us we could upgrade when we activated the tickets. Is this true? Can you upgrade them at Disney Dprings?
Yes, absolutely true Steffanie, for both questions.
My question is…we are active duty family of 6 who maintain Florida residency. We intend on taking advantage of this offer in October for the Halloween / Christmas change over. I wanted to buy the tickets now to get them paid for, but activate when we get there. Then I wanted to use that money to pay towards the difference for an annual resident pass. Would the annual pass start then the day of the first park visit? The initial day of salute ticket activation?
Hi D’Arcy,
Yes when converting a Disney Armed Forces Salute ticket to a Pass the Pass is supposed to start on the first day of the Salute ticket use. It did not in my case when I first switched to a FL Seasonal Pass years ago, I’d first used the Salute ticket several months before and the CM mistakenly started my SP the day I upgraded. Cross your fingers…
Also something to be aware of, I’ve heard that military with FL residency have had issues getting a FL Pass when using credit cards with an out of state billing address. Perhaps use cash???
For WDW…Does the eligible military member have to be one of the ticket holders, or can that person buy tickets for everyone in the party (4), be present to activate the tickets for the party, and then just disappear? Just so happens the military member lives near Orlando and can purchase the tickets and also be present for activation, but can’t go to the parks with the others at that time. Thanks Steve.
Hi there John,
Disney’s intended purpose for these highly discounted tickets is for the member to spend time with family and friends in the parks. That’s why the member must have their own ticket as well. Pass holders are excluded from this requirement if you happen to be one.
Once you activate the 5 tickets with your party you no longer need to accompany them and can use your ticket on the dates/times of your choosing through 18 December 2016.
Thanks, Steve. We’ll find a way…maybe he can just activate all the tickets and use his at a later date.
Hello Sir,
I am DoD Army contractor with CAC ID. In the past I bought amusement park tickets
from the travel office depending on what Army installation base I was working at.
I have not been to Shades of Green, are these discounts applicable to Dept of Defense (ARMY) CAC holder workers?
Hi Ali,
Contractors are not allowed to use the services of the base ticket office, though some employees might mistakenly sell to you. They are also not eligible for Shades of Green.
See: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Shades-of-Green/Shades-of-Green-Eligibility.html
Hi, if i sent my family 5 tickets in the mail but they were lost en route, could i go to my ITT and have them cancel the barcodes on those tickets and give me 5 new ones?
Hi Chandler,
You could try, do you have your receipt?
I have the bank statement showing the amount i paid for them.
They should have a record as well, give them a call!
Good Morning!
When using the Military Salute tickets, what do they look for on the ID once you get to the gate/turnstile? Do they just verify the name on the card matches a name on one of the tickets or do they look at ALL in information on the card? Thank you in advance.
Hi Crystal,
At Disneyland they just do a quick check that you have a military ID. I do not recall them comparing anything.
Hi Steve,
We have purchased 6 Salute to Arms tickets thru the base ticket office to use at the end of Sept thru my father’s military privileges. We have recently found out that due to medical reasons he may not be able to travel with us. My mother will not be able to go if he can’t come. Is there any documentation we can provide (such as a notarized copy of his id, and dr note) that would replace him being there for activation? Or do you know of another process we need to go thru?
Thanks, Nicole
Hi Nicloe,
No I’m so sorry that is not possible.
These highly discounted tickets are only for the member 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 your parents.
If you are going without them I recommend bringing: the tickets, the original purchase receipt, a photocopy of his ID, a letter from him explaining why he cannot attend and that he wants you to use the tickets towards the full price ones, and any documentation to back up his 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.
I think I understand this all, but just want someone who knows all this to confirm I am thinking correctly.
We arrive on Sunday and all go together to Disney Springs to activate our tickets (all 6 of us, incl my MIL who is the military person).
On Monday, we do NOT have to all enter the park together, despite this being the first use of the tickets. If one person drops off the rest and then goes to park the car (likely at afternoon park, so might be time consuming) and isn’t fast enough to re-join the group prior to them entering the park, there will be no issues for that last person when they enter alone – is this correct? My son really wants to do the Jedi training, so I’m trying to figure out how to get someone through with him ASAP that morning.
Thank you!
Hi Stacy,
Yes that is correct at Walt Disney World. the only ID check is during the activation going on 8 years now.
At Disneyland a year or so ago they started doing an ID check during the first entrance.
I bought 6 tickets end of last year, but I am getting medically retired 9 days before my planned trip will this effect my activation of tickets?
Hi Kelly,
Sorry, I’m confused. You bought Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets in 2015 and did not use them? If so they have already expired. They were only valid through 21 Dec 2015.
Or do you have the more expansive Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets?
I’m sorry it was recently, while on active duty, which I still am.. But the date I’m using them for is few days after my terminal leave starts
Got ya.
While you are on terminal leave you are still a current military member, until you return to outprocess and turn in your CAC.
As long as you have a current ID you are all set.
If you are out processing prior to leave, you will not be able to use the tickets.
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 to prior to surrendering your CAC.
If you can’t go earlier I recommend bringing: the tickets, the original purchase receipt, a photocopy of your old ID, a letter explaining why you couldn’t go before getting out, and any documentation to this back up (denied leave slips, supervisor’s letter 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.
Hi Steve!
We are planning a trip to WDW soon with my military brother and his wife. We are going to purchase the 4-day Salute Tickets as he will be with us to activate. As I understand it, after initial activation, he does not have to be present for us to use the remaining days following. My husband and I are looking to upgrade our tickets to annual passes, am I right that we would do the following=
$749 (annual pass price) – $394 (regular 4 day park hopper) = $355
$196 (salute price) + $355 (regular price difference) = $551 for annual pass
Thank you so much for any help you can provide, we are trying to make plans and not get into any Disney trouble! 🙂
Hi Lindsay,
Awesome!
Close, my math is a little easer and the way Disney does it.
AP $797.69 (tax is added to the $749) minus Salute ticket $196 = $601.69. The regular price doesn’t enter the equation.
Hiya Steve!
I have 2IDs one is the tan TA-180 that I got the day i took terminal leave and the DAVPRM card I received later. Stop gap, did I hurt me here because I was not told by the ticketing office on post that I needed to bring either military ID to activate. LUCKILY, i have my ta180 card on hand. My spouse has a driver’s license.
En route and anxious.
what do i do?
Oooh no,
You’ll need that 100% disabled DAVPRM ID!
The other isn’t valid for activating the Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets, which I assume you have vs the slightly discounted Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets.
Since you do not have a valid ID Disney can/will refuse to let you use the tickets.
Polite escalation up through their management chain will be required.
Best case they allow you to use the tickets.
Worst case they allow you to use the tickets towards full price tickets.
Well. That is quite the screw up.The mwr office didnt say anything.
I’m guessing the good people at the turnstiles are going to just see the military ID and activate it so they can move on to the other 10000 people in line.
These tickets dont even say activation. Just go to turnstiles and they have a barcode.
Sorry, but you do not activate Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets at the turnstile. Yo have to go to Guest Services or a Ticket window to activate them.
Please report back on the outcome!!!
It says on your site here Disneyland cant check in a day prior, head to turnstiles.
Oh I’m sorry, you never stared what park you were going to, so I assumed Walt Disney World.
Please report back on what happened with the tickets, thanks.
Mine were activated at the turnstiles when I went in March. I even called ahead to make sure I didn’t need to go to a booth or guest services and they told me to go straight to the turnstiles. I went an hour or 2 after opening though so it definitely wasn’t busy and I didn’t hold up a line lol. The whole thing took maybe 2 minutes.
Hi Sylvia,
Thanks for the on scene report!
This is a very interesting site. We are planning to take our children and grandchildren to Disneyland in 2017. Sadly we cannot all go together so we are splitting up the trip by taking one family one month and another family the other. Assuming the Armed Forces Salute tickets are renewed, can we purchase two sets of 6 tickets? The military member, my husband, will be accompanying both groups.
Hi there Debi,
We of course do not know any details of a potential 2017 Disney Armed Forces Salute, but I have no reason to think the rules would be any different than any of the others so far.
In each of the previous ones, the member is allowed a certain number of tickets during the offer period. This has always been 6 for 12 month long offers (there were 2 instances in the past where a 12 month offer already in progress was extended).
So any tickets that you would need above the limit (which is for the offer period, not by trip) would need to be Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets. See: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/regular-disney-military-discount-for-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-tickets/
Thanks!
Am divorced and looking to take buy 6 tickets for myself and family for next month. Can my ex-wife who has a dependent ID card be able to do the same?
Hi Jim,
A little confused, I’m assuming you are a current or retired military member…
The Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets are solely your benefit. A current spouse can use your benefit in place of you. Ex-spouses are not eligible.
If here ID says spouse she could technically activate the tickets but not id you have already used 6 and if you haven’t she would reduce the number left available to you.
How does Disney World active the 4 day salute ticket? They are taking finger prints now, are they also scanning CAC IDs? If so what is guarantee my data will be secure? The Disney World ticket representatives are not very forth coming with that information.
Thank you!
Hey Steve,
The activation process is just what is outlined above.
WDW has used fingerprint scanning for many years for all tickets upon entry to ensure the user is the person the ticket belongs to.
There is no scan of the CAC, only minimal info gathered verbally to enforce the ticket limit.
For more see: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/My-Magic-Plus/Privacy-and-Identity-Concerns-for-Military-Families-at-Disney.html
I am a new widow and my new ID card does not have spouse or unremarried widow on it. Mine says DB where it use to say spouse. Would I still be able to use the tickets? Thank you for any insight that you can provide
Hi Janice,
DB has now replaced unremarried widow, so you are all set.
Thanks, I’ve updated the post.
Thank you so much for your quick response! I hope you are enjoying WPAFB. Heading that way this week to run in the AF 5K and 1/2 marathon!
You bet. Much cooler summers here! But Winter is coming…
Enjoying being near out daughter!
HI Steve,
My husband and I are taking our family to WDW. We will use all 6 of our tickets. I was wanting to invite my brothers kids (he is active duty.) Would I be able to activate my brothers tickets with my dependent ID (I guess as his spouse) to use for his children? Or are they directly linked to him and his wife?
Thanks,
Susan
Hi Susan,
The ticket limit of 6 during the offer is for the member, the spouse may only activate those 6 in place of the member. The large family exception to the 6 ticket limit will not apply as they are not your kids. Your ID lists your husband on the front as the sponsor timing you to his limit.
You could try taking the his kids with you to a different window to activate your 3 tickets, but you could find yourself in a situation where you have the 2 tickets that you will not be able to use or have to use towards full price tickets.
The correct solution is to buy Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets for them. These offer much less savings, but can be used without a sponsor and do not require activation.
Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets
Shades of Green prices (base ticket offices similar)
Large Family Exception
Hello!
I just had a quick question. We are buying tickets as a surprise for our son and daughter (22, 20) and their partners. I know I must be there to activate them, but do I have to have a ticket myself? We’re planning on getting them all 3 day passes (4 total). I was planning on going down on a one day flight just to activate them, but would I need to spend at least one day in the park? I’m 100% disabled, so even one day in the park is hard on me.
Thanks!
Hi Donald,
That is awesome!
Yes you do have to have a ticket of your own, as the intended purpose of these special tickets is not to give them away, rather to use them with family and friends.
You will have to go with them to the park entrance to activate all 5 tickets but you do not have to enter or if you do enter, to stay with them.
I have read through all the comments and I am so thankful that you have done this. I just want to ask a side question. I am an non remarried widow who has been able to use 2 of the Salute passes in FL. I live in CA My question is this– My sister is joining me in NOV for a Run disney race. I will be with her all the time at Disneyland. Can I purchase a Salute pass for her use, and of course I would be present at activation and I use my Signature Plus annual Pass? ( I have been a passholder at DL for 19 years)
I believe the exception to having to activate a ticket for the military person is if the military person has an annual pass. Is this a correct interpretation at Disneyland?
THanks so much
Yes Laura, you absolutely can do that at WDW and DLR!
I have a question about the activation of the tickets. We will all be present, so that’s not an issue. My only concern is whether the paper tickets we received on base will be exchanged for a sturdier plastic ticket. I am worried with getting the tickets out constantly for fast pass use if they will hold up for a week if they don’t exchange them for plastic tickets. Thank you so much for all the useful information!
Hi Kathleen,
Yes they absolutely will be exchanged for hard credit card like tickets.
Hi, I’m unsure of whether or not we need to activate our tickets. My dad, retired military, purchased all of us 10-day Magic Your Way Park Hopper tickets from Andrew’s. He received them about 2 weeks later and they are the hard plastic green tickets with characters on them. We linked them in MDE to each family member. I read in another post that these tickets “may not” need to be activated. How do we determined if they need to be activated or if they are ready to use once we arrive? Thanks!
Hi Laura,
The 10-day ticketss do not need to be activated. Just the special 4-day Disney Armed Forces Salute ones do.
Hi I just need some clarification before I buy the tickets… I (the service member) will be buying 6 3-day park hopper tickets for me, my parents and my siblings. What I understand is that I have to be there for the activation of the tickets and the first entry into Disneyland. I will not be able to be with them for the other 2 visits. Will they have any problems getting into the park without me on their other two visits?
Hi Maelene,
They will have no problems, you do not need to accompany them.
I just want to know if anybody has actually been to Disney this year with Shades of Green tickets. They still say they come pre-activated but are acting weird answering my questions. She told me the military member must be present at park entry, as at any time a military ID may be requested. Is this true. Did anybody have trouble entering the park at first use with their tickets ordered from Shades of Green or on subsequent days? Any input would be appreciated.
Thank you!
Hi Crystal,
Once activated there is no ID check or requirement for the member to stay with their party. This has always been and still is the case.
I haven’t heard from anyone who had issues, just the opposite in fact.
Great thank you! I am not sure why Shades of Green told me that. Thanks for your website and your quick response!
Hi Crystal, We have used Shades of Green Salute tickets twice this year. Both times we arrived earlier than our Marine and had no problems entering the parks. Hope that helps.
That’s exactly what I needed to know. Thank you, Trish!
Hi Steve, awesome site, can we use the monorail or ferry from shades of green over to one of the ticket offices prior to our tickets being activated? Thanks for all the great info!
Hi Joe,
Absolutely, everyone is free to use the monorail. No tickets required.
When my son was in the army he surprised us by purchasing six 4 day park hopper discount tickets in August for himself, his mom, dad, and three sisters to use with him when we go in Nov-Dec. He was discharged before we used the tickets. The base where he purchased them said we could use them if we did it before they expire. Can we still redeem them?
Hi Michael,
Well first you must understand that there are 2 very different kinds of Disney Military tickets! There are Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets and then the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets. You need to determine which these are.
The Disney Armed Forces Salute are a special limited offer and cannot be used by someone without the proper ID, which he does not have now that he has left the Army. The 4-day Salute tickets cost $196 (a couple dollars more or less at some bases). See: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Disney-Armed-Forces-Salute.html
The Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets come in 1-10 day increments and can be used without an ID after purchase. The 4-day hopper of these cost $386.50 for adults (10+) and $367.00 for kids (3-9) (a couple dollars more or less at some bases) see: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/regular-disney-military-discount-for-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-tickets/
I suspect that he has the Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets and has been put in a bad position by an unknowledgeable sales clerk at his former base. See this post on what to do: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-armed-forces-salute/i-dont-have-the-correct-id-to-activate-disney-armed-forces-salute-tickets/
Hi, we’re going to Disneyland in January and are getting the 4 day salute tickets. We were planning to go to dinner at Goofy’s kitchen the night we check in and take the time to activate our tickets at the ticket booth then so we can go right to the gate at opening on our first park day the following morning. Will we actually use a day from our tickets if we activate them that evening and don’t enter the parks? That is what it seems to be saying above. The lines have always been long when activating previous tickets, so we’d obviously prefer to activate ahead of time, but not if it will cause us to essentially lose a day of park admission. Are there quicker ways of activating the tickets when we arrive at the parks?
Hi Liz,
I have had reports from Disneyland guests that they were told by cast members that activating the ticket at Disneyland will use a day of the ticket.
If you are staying at one of the 3 Disneyland Hotels you can use the back entrance to California Adventure in the rear of the Grand Californian Hotel which has short lines. A current room key is required as proof. Or use the Monorail Station in Downtown Disney to go straight to Tomorrowland.
Is this order of the ticket process correct? I’m a list kind of girl…
1. Reserve at Shades (in our case)
2. Order tickets from Shades, who will then activate them before they are sent to us.
3. Purchase magic bands locally
4. Once tickets arrive, create My Disney Experience account and register names to bands, etc.
5. Make FP reservations (30 days out)
6. Upon arrival, all we will need is ticket and magic band to get through the gate- no checking in/approval needed.
Also- Is there a special ticket a 2 year old will need? Do I need to get her a magic band, etc?
Thank you!!!
Hi there Mary,
You’ve got all the right items to do.
Number 4 is actually 3 separate steps: Create account, link tickets, link bands. All can be done at different times or all at once.
So number 1 through the first part of number 4 (creating your account) can be done in any order. One does not depend on the others.
But once you have created a My Disney Experience account and have your tickets in hand you can link the tickets to the people in your party. Any time after that you can link magic bands to each individual.
Then as you said 30 days from each desired FastPass+ day you’ll make your FastPasses for that day.
Yes, Shades sells pre-activated Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets, so you should be all set upon arrival. It is always wise to query Shades that the tickets will come activated during the purchase process to be sure they have not changed their policy.
Children under 3 do not require a ticket and so no Magic Band also.
I want to send my kids this week with my sister. They don’t have military ids because they are under 10. I bought them military park hoppers. I bought the tickets at shades of green. Therefore the tickets don’t need to be activated? Is this correct? I can just send them and they will be good to go and can get into disney?
Hi Sandra,
Yes, Shades sells pre-activated Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets, so they should be all set. A call to Shades to confirm no change to this can’t hurt.
They never mentioned it at all during the purchase/delivery process? (figures…)
So if I read this correctly, you can activate the tickets at any park ticket counter. However, if activated at Magic Kingdom, it needs to be at guest relations?
Hi Stephanie,
Sorry, that was a mistake… Any ticket window at all the parks (including MK) or any Guest Relations window.
And thanks, I’ve fixed it above
Hey Steve. Sorry if you’ve already answered this question. I am a former reservist with an old expired laminated red (pink?) ID card. I’m planning on taking my family in June. Do I qualify for the 2017 Military Discount offer? If I do, is it difficult to get on a base to buy the tickets? I understand if I don’t qualify, I don’t want to take advantage of any offers not intended for me. Thank you for your helpful tips.
Hey Andrew,
So non-retired I’m hearing. then there are no discounts available directly from Disney for your situation (which would be the Disney Armed Forces Salute).
There is the this one discount available for non-retired veterans which is from Shades of Green. It is only for the months of January and September. Here is my post with details including what documentation is required: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Shades-of-Green/Non-Retired-Veterans.html
Won’t help for June, but perhaps future reference…
Thank you for the reply! I’ll check out the link.
Hello – If my husband (retired military w/ID – I also have my dependent ID) goes to Shades of Green to buy the 4 or 5 day Military Salutes 2017 ticket for him, myself & my two nieces who will be joining us a few days later – can he just go in to Shades of Green and buy the four tickets & give our nieces their tickets later – or – do we all need to go to Shades of Green together with him to purchase them? I know they already are activated when you purchase them from Shades of Green – just didn’t know if anyone had any problem buying the tickets there without everyone being present. Thank you!
Hi Claudia,
Yes he can just go there by himself, or with you in tow and buy all the tickets. I’ve purchased for my wife and kids when they were not there
Thank you. I’m so glad I found this site – you have the BEST info on here!!
Thanks so much! Love doing this.
I bought the military tickets but my id will expire before I can use them, does this mean I can’t activate them once my id expires??
Hi Louise,
Unfortunately that is correct. A valid ID is required. Please see this post for ideas for your situation: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-armed-forces-salute/i-dont-have-the-correct-id-to-activate-disney-armed-forces-salute-tickets/
Hi, If my dad is buying the salute tickets on base with his retired military ID, but not traveling to disneyland with us, can my brother activate the tickets with his active duty military ID, if he is also going to disneyland and has bought his own military salute tickets that he purchased in his name??
Hi Christine,
Your brother can activate up to a maximum of 6 tickets that either he or your dad bought. The 6 ticket limit is on the activation (use) not the purchase.
If you need more than 6, those above the limit would need to be Regular Military Discounted Disney Tickets. Ideally the kids should use these as kids versions of these are cheaper.
I’d like to use my military discount for some friends of mine that are traveling to Florida, however, I will not be going with them but I do live in California. Is it possible for me to buy discounted Disney World tickets on base here in California, then take them to DisneyLAND and have them activated so that when they get to DisneyWORLD, they’ll be good to go?
I just read that Shades of Green tickets come pre-activated and they will take orders over the phone?
“Shades of Green will now FedEx tickets at any time to both guests and non-guests. Just call: (407) 824-1403. $10 Fee.”
Is this an option?
An option, but not really right… Your friends have not earned this discount, only military members have.
Hi Steve,
No sorry that is not possible.
The intended purpose of these highly discounted tickets is for you to spend time with your friends in Disney’s parks, not to give them away or sell them. That is the reason for the strict rules.
You could accompany your friends to Disneyland though, or buy them the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets which can be used without you at Walt Disney World.
See: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/regular-disney-military-discount-for-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-tickets/
My brother is purchasing my family family 5 Armed Forces Salute tickets through the online order form at Shades of Green. We are having them shipped to us so we can go ahead and link them to our new Magic bands and get our Fastpasses on them. He is based in Port Canaveral, right outside of Orlando and has an annual pass because he goes a lot with his own family. The lady at SOG told me that the armed forces member needs to be one of the people purchasing an Armed Forces Salute ticket….but he is already an annual passholder….do does he need to buy a ticket too!?
Hi Tiffany ,
No absolutely not!
If he has an AP he does not need to buy his own Salute ticket.
I am a passholder and have never bought a Salute ticket when activating the tickets for family and friends. Besides Shades tickets are pre-activated.
Can the tickets be activated on separate days? My husband, 2 kids, and I are getting to disney 2 days prior to my parents who we are planning on purchasing Armed Forces tickets for. We were planning on going to the parks one day prior to their arrival. Would we be able to activate our 4 tickets when we arrive and then activate their tickets the next day when they arrive?
Yes Amber, absolutely.
As long as your ticket is still valid, you can activate tickets for those who join you later.
I want to purchase a ticket at Shades of Green for my daughter. I’ll make the purchase in October, and she’ll be going in early December. Is there anything I need to do, or will her ticket be ready to go in December?
Hi mckryan,
A ticket purchased from the Shades of Green Ticket Office will be ready to go when purchased. But please be aware that buying one for your daughter to use without you is against the Salute Offer rules. The intended purpose of these highly discounted tickets is for the member to spend time with family and friends in Disney’s parks, not to give them away to (or buy them for) those who are not eligible.
The appropriate ticket to buy for your daughter to use without you would be a Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Ticket. See: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/regular-disney-military-discount-for-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-tickets/
Thanks for the info! You won’t have to twist my arm to join her on a trip!
Hello my brother bought the salute tickets he is the one in military and his daughter lost her ticket she is only 11yrs old and used it last night. Her ticket is linked to mydisney experience. What do we do?
Hi Sandra,
Go by any Guest Relations location to get a replacement. It is good that it is linked to MDE!
Hi Steve,
My husband will be retiring this year and we plan to take our kids to Disney. If we purchase the tickets while he is active duty, can we use them after he retires? Or is it best to just purchase after he retires? I’m just not sure if his ID number will change and if the tickets would still be valid. I’d like to get them ahead just so we have them. Thanks for your help.
Susan
Hi there Susan,
You can certainly get them ahead of time. The ID number is not any part of the process. When you go after the retirement Disney will just look at his retiree ID to verify eligibility and you’ll be all set.
We purchased our Salute tickets for our family through SOG and received them in the mail this weekend. We bought the 4-day passes. We may end up having extra days to spend in Orlando, and my kids have asked if we can go to the Disney waterparks if we are able to stay an extra couple of days. Is there a way we can add on the water park option to our tickets at a later time if we decide to extend our vacation?
Absolutely, just go by a Disney ticket booth and add the water park option for the price difference plus tax.
See: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Disney-Armed-Forces-Salute.html
Hello Steve! We will be at DW for 8 days and will be buying salute tickets for 3 people. We are planning to purchase three of the 4 day Salute park hopper and three of the 4 day Salute park hopper w water park to use back to back. My question is how do I add these to MDE? Do I need to activate the one w the water park first if we are doing that in the first 4 days or does it matter? Or can this even be done?? Thank you so much for your help!!
Forgot to mark the notify me box 🙂
No worries.
Hi Krista,
The way MDE works is that the last ticket linked will be the first one used at the theme parks. So I’d link the ones with the water park last. You can then activate that one on arrival and start using it. Activate the second later less they let you do them all at once.
Ok thank you! So there’s no issue w linking them both in order to make fastpasses at 60days?
You bet, no there sure isn’t.
HI there, upon reading this great info I called to confirm that I could activate a day early at Disney springs. The guy on the phone told me, NO, you absolutely must go to one of the 4 parks. He ALSO said the day you activate you MUST go into the park and use a day. I told him that everything I read online said the opposite. He put me on hold forever, came back and confirmed his information. Please, is he wrong??? I’m hoping so!!
Hi Renee,
First please read: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Tips/Disneys-Call-Center-Very-Often-Wrong-On-Military-Discounts.html
Calling Disney to ask a question about their military discounts is about as effective as calling Best Buy to ask about Disney’s military discounts.
The guy and whoever he talked to while you were on hold are totally clueless. Everything he told you is wrong.
You can indeed activate your Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets ahead of time at Disney Springs or any other Disney World ticket or guest relations location. I have done so many times over the years and tens of thousands of other military members have also over the last 8 years. You absolutely do not have to go into the park to use a day the same day you activate your tickets at Walt Disney World.
Thank you so much! I was hoping you would say that. …..40 minutes of my life 🙂 oh well, thanks again!
You bet!
Going to Disneyland this Summer, I’m retired and on the east coast and the bases around here only have Disney World tickets.
The article states you can get them from the Disneyland hotels. Don’t want to get there and NO tickets so is this correct?
Hi Daniel,
Yes it is correct that the Disneyland Hotels sell Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets to their registered guests (that’s why I posted it). You may also buy them at the Disneyland ticket booths, or if you want them ahead of time you can buy them long distance form Camp Pendleton ITT.
See: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/buy-military-discounted-disney-tickets-by-phone/
Thanks for all your helpful information, this site is great! So, if I purchase my 6 tickets directly from SOG, does the military member and/or spouse still need to be there when the first ticket is activated at the park? I am asking because I am actually going to Disney a twice over the summer and once in the Fall so I was debating buying myself an annual pass instead (I am the military spouse) and using my tickets for my kids and my sister and my husband (the service member). The first trip would be just me and my sister though in June, so would she be able to use her ticket if I buy them now at shades of green even though none of the other 5 tickets would be being used until August?
Just to clarify, I (the military spouse) would be with her when she uses her ticket, but I would be using an AP not a military ticket, if that makes sense what I am trying to say 🙂
Yes that is allowable. For years I had a Florida Seasonal Pass and those accompanying me would use my Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets.
Hi Heather,
Thanks so much!
I’m not sure I totally understand the question, so I’ll just ramble…
Tickets from Shades are pre activated (unless they change things, always query them), ready to use just like any other ticket.
As a passholder you do not need to have a salute ticket to allow others to accompany you with Salute tickets.
Here is where I’m fuzzy, you are going with your sister, so whether you have a pass or Salute ticket is not an issue. Just go right to the entry and go in.
In the Fall (assuming there are 4 of you) the same will happen, take the 4 tickets or your pass and three tickets right to the entry and go on in.
Did I hit the mark or am I totally off base as to what you needed?
Just let me know!
Yes, the is what I am basically asking, because I have always read that the military member and/or spouse has to be there when the first ticket is used, and I WILL be, but I wouldn’t be using a salute ticket I would be using an AP, so I wanted to make sure the salute ticket I buy for my sister from SOG she will be able to use. I am buying them ahead of time and will be lining it to MDE so it should be ready to go for her, right?
Absolutely!
Can you tell me, if I buy a 4-day salute ticket and later decide I want to do the 5-day can I add that extra day? I know I can’t add anything over the 5-day but I didn’t know if I bought the smaller of the two options if I could upgrade my ticket to a 5-day. Thanks!
Hi Heather,
That is a great question that I do not have an answer to. I’ve gotten it a couple times so let me reach out to Disney and see if I can get an answer. Unfortunately they have not been cooperative with answers over the last year.
But my initial thought on an answer would be no, that isn’t possible.
I’ll post if I hear back.
Hi Steve. First of all, thanks for all the great information you provide! It has been very helpful. I’m hoping you can help me with the following scenario.
My wife, son, and I will be traveling to Disney World for eight days this summer. If I understand correctly, we can purchase six four-day Military Salute tickets and use them back-to-back. Can we actually activate all of them at the same time, or do we need to activate and use one set before we actually activate the second set?
Now suppose my son wants to take a buddy who can secure a ticket from another military member, but that military member will not be traveling with us. Can that military member purchase a Military Salute ticket from Shades of Green for my son’s friend? I realize that I can only activate my family’s six tickets, but since Shades of Green tickets come pre-activated, do you see any issues?
Many thanks!
Hi Kevin,
Thanks so much!
You should be able to activate them all at once. Depends on the cast member you are working with. If not just get the second set when it is convenient.
And I see no issues with the friend’s ticket. His sponsor should (always) verify the ticket will come activated as a change in policy is possible.
I have a family of six so we bought the limit 6 tickets for our family my daughter friend her dad is retired is coming with us her mom will purchase a ticket for her can she use the ticket with her own id or does her parent need to be there
Hi ILANit,
To use a Disney Armed Forces Salute ticket your daughter’s friend must have someone who is eligible (one of her parents, or another military member or spouse other than you or your spouse) accompany her with a ticket of their own.
She may use the slightly discounted Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets by herself. See: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/regular-disney-military-discount-for-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-tickets/
Hi Steve, thank you SO much for all the great info. I think you have answered this in the questions above but I still want to clarify.
My husband and I are going to Disney World in October. He is stationed at the Pentagon and can buy tickets there. Can we attach them to our My Disney Experience before we go to the parks? So we can get fast passes 60 days before the trip?
Sorry if this was clear in the post but I just wanted to make sure since I didn’t know this info previous trips and we always had to wait till the day of to get our fast passes and would not get very good ones.
Thanks again!
Hey Belinda, no problem.
You absolutely can, see: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/my-magic-plus/linking-disney-military-tickets-and-fastpass-plus-reservations/
If tickets are not “activated” until arrival, does this mean you can’t make Fast Pass reservations ahead of time?
Hi Deborah,
No it doesn’t FastPass+ and the activation process are 2 different things and do not exclude each other.
To see how to link see: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/my-magic-plus/linking-disney-military-tickets-and-fastpass-plus-reservations/
We’ve always activated our tickets on the morning of our first park day but this year we’d like to avoid that and activate them the evening before at Disney Springs like you recommend. My question is will Disney Springs Guest Relations be open as long as the posted Disney Spring hours?
I’ll be in orlando earlier than everyone else who is flying in. I’m taking my kids and going to do it to kill some time waiting for the rest of our party. But their flights don’t even land until 6 so we’ll be getting theirs activated around 9pm at the earliest. Will this be a problem if Disney SPrings posts that it’s open until midnight? I just worry that guest relations closes up shop before the rest of the joint, you know?
Thanks in advance!
Hi there Crystal,
Yes they sure will be open to take care of guests. Great choice, it makes getting to the magic so much faster in the morning!
Do SOG preactivated salute tickets (the ones you can have mailed in advance) still require the military person to be present and show id upon 1st entry to the park?
Hi Kristin,
No. the only ID check at Walt Disney World is during the activation process, not during first use.
Disneyland however checks the ID both times.
Thanks for all the great info btw! This site has been sooo helpful. Another question then… SOG told my dad Disney World would do random ID checks for the “ready to go” tickets. Any insight on that?
Asking because we (my husband and I) were wanting to go a little earlier and spread out our days more since we have younger kiddos. It would be easier on our family. What that means though is we would not enter on the first day with my dad (the one eligible to get the tickets). They are not able to come earlier with us and because we are using a timeshare we can’t extend the stay past the dates, only before the dates we originally planned. We will be with them for the remainder of the trip. It would just be the first few days, if we did that. We’re having trouble determining if we’d have a hard time getting in.
Thanks Kristin,
I have not heard that before. The tickets once active act like any other ticket and the entry location is physically separated from where you activate them so how would they know where the ticket was activated, Shades or a ticket window. Plus the member is not required to accompany their guests at any time. Using the ticket without them is perfectly alright (except they are really supposed to be there (just not with you)).
Shades may be saying that to prevent uses outside the rules, which I’m sorry to say yours kind of is. Disney’s intent is that the member accompanies the party on the vacation and the regular Salute ticket activation process enforces this. Shades offering tickets pre-activated like this creates a gray area (and also opens up scalping possibilities).
I don’t believe you’ll have any problem.
A little rambley, but trying to lay it all out…
Got it. Thank you!
Different question. I am purchasing an AP, as I will be moving. My ex-husband is retired and my son has a military ID. My son in law was just discharged in 2016. We are planning a family vacation. I am a DOD Civilian employee working for the Army. Is there any way my son can purchase the tickets? I have a DOD ID and he has a Dependent ID? AND NO DAD WILL NOT Be JOINING US!!! LOL
Thank you!
Hi Lori,
Got it. Thanks, you provided all the required details, many don’t.
So in your case your son will be the “eligible” person in your party.
Non-spouse dependents, like your son are not eligible for the Disney Armed Forces Salute ticket or room discounts.
However he is eligible to buy the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets (these are only slightly discounted) at base ticket offices or Shades of Green. He can also stay at Shades.
See:
http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/regular-disney-military-discount-for-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-tickets/
http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Shades-of-Green.html
Hi Steve,
Thanks for all the great info.
I’m not sure if this was answered or not but does Disneyland ask for 2 forms of ID from the military personnel or just their military ID?
The reason I ask is because we leave next week and I’m in the middle of a name change and will have my military ID with my old last name while my driver’s license will have my new name.
Thanks,
Hi Frances,
Just the military ID is needed, so no issues! Any single photo ID for the other adults in your party.
Hi Steve,
My brother is a Purple Heart Marine and considered 100% disabled. He was honorably discharged due to his injuries while serving overseas at 26 years old(10 years ago). He wants to go to Disney World this fall and plans on buying the Armed Forces Salute tickets on base here in Pennsylvania for himself and 5 other family members(including me, yeah!)
Before doing so, I want to make sure the activation process will be a smooth transaction … what documents and/or identification will he need to provide Disney’s Guest Relations booth? I would hate to travel all the way to FL without the proper documents and be told he couldn’t activate them. Thanks so much!!
Let me rephrase the first line … he “IS” 100% percent Service Connected Disabled.
Hi there Christina,
Awesome! He will need to have his military issued ID card with DAVPRM on it (usually in the rank box). You can see what it looks like on this page: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Disney-World-Military-Discount-ID-Guide.html
Nothing else is needed or will be accepted.
Have fun.
I have a pressing question. My father purchased our military Disney tickets, but is not accompanying us on the trip. I am however going with a military spouse/friend who is a annual pass holder. Is she permitted to activate our tickets at the gate the day we attend the park? She was not the original purchaser of the tickets and will not be purchasing her own ticket again since she is a AP holder? She will be attending with us. We are not breaking any rules? Right…?
You will be all set Tiffany. The person who purchases and activates need not be the same person. As an AP holder your friend need not have their own salute ticket. As long as she has not activated any tickets during this offer period she can activate up to 5 salute tickets.
Hello!
This info is all so helpful- I too spent time on the phone getting wrong information! So I just want to check. We are a large family traveling to Disney World from all different states with 2 military members. We all get in at slightly different times, but are planning on going to the park the first day we all arrive.
Each military member (Dad and brother) was planning on buying 6 Salute tickets. Would you recommend we go through SOG based on our different arrival times? If so- we call and they process the purchase of “pre-activates” tickets through FedEx (for a fee)?? If we buy through the bases, I’m worried about us coordinating activation.
Curious to get your thoughts and recommendations- thanks!
Hi Stephanie,
Thanks so much! I’m glad to have helped.
Yes if two groups of 6 can’t gather for two different activations, the best thing would be to pay the 10 bucks shipping each to get tickets from Shades. So much easier.
You could do multiple activations as each group arrives, but that will just take up more of your time.
We purchased shades of green tickets for my family (husband military) and my brother (non military). I fed exed there tickets to them. We are staying at same hotel..art of animation, but not going to same parks the first 2 days…my mistake, long story. My question is, can he get in with his family without my husband those first 2 days. I read about activating them the night before at like Disney Springs, but that is not an option for us.
We had them fed exed from shades of green so i guess they are already activated?
Im pretty sure Kristin above actually had the same question as me.
Hi Jessica, Yes they should have no problem. Without you or your husband there. Shades should have advised you that your tickets were were activated, but they don’t do that for some reason…
My kids grandparents gave them disney tickets for a gift. The grandmother past away and grandpa cant make it. What can he done about this situation we dont have a military id grandmother and grandpa did. Could he get his money back
Hi Tamara,
You are in a tough situation. The member of spouse must go and have a ticket of their own to bring guests. These tickets are not to be given or sold to those who are not eligible such as yourselves.
The Salute tickets are non-refundable. If dad can’t go see this post http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/faq/my-military-sponsor-can-no-longer-go-to-disney-can-i-use-the-disney-armed-forces-salute-tickets-they-already-purchased/ on how to proceed with using the value of the tickets you have towards full price ones.
Hi Steve! Im in a panic. I purchased my 5 salute tickets from the base. I imputed them into My Disney Experience to be able to do Fast Pass+. We leave next week for our vacation and I realized I can not find the tickets anywhere! What can I do??
Oh My Gosh,
Do you have the receipt? On the plus side you have the tickets linked to each person.
Your only recourse is to explain what happened at a guest relations window and see if they will activate the tickets based upon the ticket linked in MDE without having the physical ticket (hopefully with the receipt). Be persistent if you are first told no, politely escalate to management.
I’d be really interested to hear the outcome after you get back!
We bought tickets from Shades of Green but they were mailed to us. Do these come activated or are the tickets only activated if you buy them at the Shades of Green resort?
Hi Christie,
It baffles me as to why Shades is not clear to their customers whether the tickets require activation or not! Awful customer service.
As far as I know they should be active (unless Shades has changed their policy). I really recommend contacting them and ask for clarification and complain that they should be clear when mailing them.
I plan on contacting them first thing tomorrow. They literally sent us the email and then called 48 hours later for payment. I did not even know about ticket activation until reading through this site for tips (which are so helpful, by the way). This is a first trip for us, so I will be sure to update when I find out!
Awesome, thanks Christie!
They are gate ready, be prepared to show military ID upon first entrance.
Thank you!
Hi Steve,
I just wanted to verify that I am reading this correctly about buying pre-activated tickets from Shades of Green. My husband is retired Airforce and we are going in November. So we can order online from Shades of Green and they are pre-activated? So we will be good when we arrive to go straight to the parks? And I can link them to our magic bands before hand as well? We have always bought them at our local ITT office and then activated them onsite but this trip we’ll be getting in later than normal and won’t be able to activate tickets until we hit the first park. So if I am reading it correctly, then getting them from Shades of Green would be better and would avoid this? Just double checking. Thanks for all you do.
Valerie
Hey Valerie,
Thank you!
Yes as of this week Shades is still shipping activated tickets. Although they have poor customer service and do not tell you this or explain it, they just fedex the tickets with no explanation.
During your purchase process I would ask them to verify they are activated (I had another reader have to check after the purchase this week), maybe they will get the hint to let people know what they are buying.
A military friend bought 6 of the Salute passes for Disney World and activated them all earlier this summer, when they used 3 out of the 6 passes. The three remaining passes were activated when the military member visited the park, but not used, as the three intended guests could not attend the trip at the last minute. Are the 3 activated passes able to be used without the military member present (I realize this is not the intended purpose of the pass, but due to unforseen circumstances, the three passes need to be used seoarately)?
Hi there Kate,
Yes the tickets can be used without the member present since they are already activated, of course with the caveat that you put in parentheses, the member or spouse “should” be part of the party .
I emailed shades of green to confirm the tickets they fed ex are activated and received this reply, ”
We do active the tickets here but the service member or spouse will need to be present on the first day the tickets are used.”
So is there still an id check to verify? Is there a way for me to tell, upon receipt, if the tickets are activated?
Hi C,
There is no way to tell. You have to take them at their word.
There is no ID check for activated tickets, they work just like any other ticket. Those Shades sends are no different than a ticket your just showed your ID to activate when buying from Disney. Shades is saying that to cover their buts.
For anyone going to Disneyland , just got back June 19-28th. Got my tickets at Paradise Pier Hotel, went to the gate and has long has I was there the 1st time no problem. They snap a picture on there new little device and that was it.
Thanks Daniel,
C was asking about WDW, which has very different procedures for the Disney Armed Forces Salute.
Great to know that the DLR Hotels are still selling tickets! Were you a guest of the hotel, or did you just walk in?
Ok so I have maybe a complicated question. I want to buy tickets, but to get the pre active ones do I have to buy them directly from Shades of Green over the phone or can I go to my local military post here in Kentucky and get the same ones?
Also can anyone confirm that they have bought tickets over the phone and when they got to Disney World the tickets were activated and that you don’t need your ID anymore?
Hi Al,
You cannot buy activated tickets anywhere other than Shades of Green (in person or long distance) or a on site Disney location, so not at your base.
I’ve had numerous reader reports of Shades activated tickets working just fine.
My ex-husband (active military, lives in Iowa) wants to buy tickets for our daughter and her friends to go to Disneyland. She has a dependent ID. Will she be able to get into the park?
Hi Lindsay,
She will not be eligible to use the Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets, only the member or their spouse can activate the Salute tickets in person at a Disney theme park.
She can however use the slightly discounted Regular Military Discounted Disney Tickets without the member being there. See: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/regular-disney-military-discount-for-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-tickets/
We were going to buy our Disneyland Military Salute tickets at the gate the day before we were planning to enter the parks so we could go right to the turnstiles the next day. Will that mean we will lose a day on our pass if we do that?
Hi Shai,
Thanks for the question. I realize I wasn’t as clear as I could have been and have edited the post. You can buy your tickets ahead of time and then on your first park day proceed directly to the turnstiles for the activation.
Yes , i’ve read most of the comments here and my situation is a tad abnormal so if possible to shed some light on it would help.
My father(retired) is wanting to purchase shades of green pre-activated tickets for himself and his grand kids to attend with their parents, however he is wanting them to attend a day or two ahead of him due to him not being able to walk as much but wants them to not worry about him for the first couple days and enjoy it their way and not slow them down to his pace.. Will there be a problem with the pre activated tickets if he is not present the first day or two. Will they be alright to attend the park with the tickets without him the first two days. Will it be better to attend the first day to get them in the gate and then take a break the second day or do visits have to be consecutive.
I understand the purpose is to spend with the user however he wants them to get most of their energy out before he joins and has to slow them down.
Hi Bryan,
You’ve done your homework!
They should not have any trouble using the tickets they way you propose. I’ve never experienced a pre-activated ticket working any differently than one I purchased from Disney directly with my ID. Just take it to the tapstile and enter.
Hey,
So I’ve been to Disney several times but this time we are going with my brother in law and sister in law, my sister in law is in the reserves and my brother in law is disabled from the army. We will be traveling with my parents in law (2), my brother in law and sister in law and their 3 kids (5), then my husband and I and our 2, but oknly one needs a ticket. My question is can both my sister and law and brother in law each get 6 tickets for all of us or can they just get the 6? Im trying to make sure that we’re all covered and that we don’t have any problems when we get there since I’m the resident expert, ha! Thanks so much for your help!
Jen
Hey,
So, to clarify my brother in law is medically separated, honorably discharged.
Thanks!
Hi Jen
So to be clear, your BIL is medically separated, not medically retired and drawing retirement pay and in possession of a retired military ID?
I’m assuming that is the case.
If so, your SIL is eligible for 6 Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets, he however is not eligible without a military ID.
For a big party like yours adults should use the Salute tickets to realize the most savings (that covers all the adults right?). Kids 3-9 yrs (and other adults) will need to use the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets. These are only slightly discounted. See: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/regular-disney-military-discount-for-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-tickets/
For parties with more than 6 adults it would be up to the party whether they pooled the cost of Salute and Regular Military tickets or let those that needed the biggest discount use the Salute tickets.
Hello!
I am wondering if you ever heard anymore about changing your “already purchased” 4 day hopper salute to the 5 day hopper salute?
Here is my situation:
I purchased (3) 4 day park hopper salute tickets from ITT on base. Turns out we want to go 5 days instead. I called ITT and was told that we could change our ticket at the gate and pay the difference in costs. I then called Disney to confirm and was put on hold for quite some time while they figured it out. I was told that I can come to guest relations to change my 4 day park hopper salute to a 5 day park hopper salute and the difference in costs. I hope this information is correct and am just wondering if you have found anything out about this situation? I hope to get some solid information before adding another night to my hotel reservation!
Thank you!
Hi Morgan,
Yes what you’ve been told is correct. I also reached out to Disney through official channels a while back when I received a few questions similar to yours, and they replied that you can upgrade the 4-Day Salute tickets to 5-day versions for the price difference.
I am an ex spouse of a retired naval reserve Master Chief Gunners Mate. I qualified for all the benefits, medical, commisary, etc because of the length of marriage while he was serving I have my own military I.D. Card allowing me to use Military discounts when available. I recently purchased Disney World tickets at Ft. Knox in KY. Will there be a problem activating them once we get to Florida?
Hi Becky,
That depends on what type of “Disney World tickets” you purchased.
There are 2 kinds the Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets and the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets (see the links for prices to determine what you have if you don’t know):
Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets – Slightly discounted tickets that come in 1 to 10 day lengths. You can use these with your ID. These tickets are only about 4 to 8 percent off: (prices)
If you have these you are fine.
Disney Armed Forces Salute – Special, highly discounted, limited amount tickets that only come in 4 and 5 day versions. These tickets are 50 percent off. They are non refundable and you cannot use these. The ticket office should not have sold them to you.
If you have these you are not OK.
The Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets are one thing that doesn’t transfer in a divorce. There is no provision for that, they are the benefit of the member (or their current spouse in their place, if there is one) per the company that offers the discount (Disney).
Your using this limited ticket benefit would use up the member’s tickets allotment.
An ID card must say spouse in order to qualify to activate the tickets. (IDK what IDs say in your situation)
Having said all this, you have two options, try to return the Salute tickets or roll the dice.
Return: As I said the Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets are non-refundable, but you might try to get them to let you use them towards the regular military tickets at Ft. Knox. Trying to return non-refundable tickets is always a “challenge” and since they don’t know what they are doing there, they may just tell you that you are fine and refuse to help.
Using them: If you choose to try to use them or the ticket office will not take them back, you might get lucky and the Disney cast member activating your tickets after arrival might not look too closely at your ID. But if you are turned down you will then have to try to get them to allow you to use the tickets towards full price ones.
See this post on doing that.
If we buy salute tickets and activate them before the last day 12/21, do we lose the remaining days, or can we still use them for the 4-day length?
Hi Chrissy,
The 2017 Disney Armed Forces Salute ends on 19 December 2017. The 2017 Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets are valid only during the offer period and lose all value at midnight the 19th.
If you are going from 20 December on you will need to use the Regular Military Discounted DIsney Tickets.
Hi Steve!
Getting a bit of conflicting info, so trying to verify.
Heading to Disneyland next week with AFS tickets (Mom is retired military), will we be able to convert these to AP’s.
If so, can we activate & upgrade at the ticket booth? Or will we need to activate by entering a park, then going back to ticket booth to upgrade.
Two different phone calls took place, 1 CM said OK to update, the other said AFS tickets not eligible to be upgraded to AP’s.
Any insight you can provide will be appreciated!
Thank you
Hi Nikki,
First you can upgrade Salute tickets to APs (for the last 9 years).
Second if your intent is to use towards APs then just go to a ticket booth and exchange them. That should be all that is needed. No need to enter first.
Hi Steve – Thanks for all the great information on this site, it is SO helpful! Had a question – can Military Salute WDW tickets be activated at a WDW resort front desk? I know I have upgraded park tickets (regular park tickets) at a resort front desk before, so I didn’t know if this was considered a Disney ticket window/guest services. Thanks!
Hi Erin,
Thanks!!!
Unfortunately no. The WDW resorts do not deal with Military tickets.
My granddaughter is the sole sponsor (her dad died active duty and her mother remarried) she was allowed to buy the Military Salute tickets on base but can she be the one to active them? she is 12 yr old and has a military dependent ID. I usually go with them but they are planning to go this summer and I can’t make it. I am an retired spouse the activated the tickets once their with them.
Hi MayLing,
I’m sorry, no. Non-spouse dependents are not eligible for the Disney Armed Forces Salute. Only the member or spouse in their place is eligible.
SHe is eligible to buy and use the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets, is that what they actually sold her and not the Salute tickets?
See: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/regular-disney-military-discount-for-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-tickets/
Hi Steve, the base sold her the 4 day park hopper salute tickets last time and I activated it when we got there. He mom remarried a civilian and only my granddaughter has a military ID that has AD on it. She has to be the one showing it at the commissary and PX when they go to the base
Yes, your grand daughter has privileges on base, but the Disney Armed Forces Salute is totally different.
Only the member or spouse can buy or use them. In the past (or this time) they should not have soled then to her, but you were able to activate them with your spouse ID.
Since you are not going these tickets cannot be used. She needs to try to exchange them at the base for the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way tickets..
Please email me and we can talk more offline steve (at) militarydisneytips.com
My parents have military ID and also have annual passes. My (adult) brother is coming to Florida to visit and we would like to get the Salute ticket for him. The parents will be with us to visit the parks. Can they purchase a Salute ticket for only him? Some things I have read say the military member must also purchase and activate a ticket. They don’t need a ticket since they already have annual passes. Thanks.
Hi Sue,
Pass holders are the exception to that rule they do not need to buy a Salute ticket. The member or spouse may purchase and activate up to 5 tickets for others. One ticket must remain in reserve for the member though.
Shades of Green is telling me I need to physically pick up my tickets from them. But if I preordered from them (so they’re already activated) and have linked my ticket numbers to our magic bands can I just go straight to the park day one and save a trip to the hotel before I’m ready to check in later in the day?
And if we want to split up day one so in-laws can take the older kids to AK while I take my younger daughter to MK before we join back up on day two is that ok? Or do I have to be with them when they enter a park as the sponsor?
You can do that, no need to enter the first time with them.
Yes John that’s correct
I bought my military salute tickets and linked them to my MDE not knowing I had to mark which ticket was linked to which person. will that be a problem? Also each linked ticket on my MDE says 10 or older and I have two kids that are three and four, Just want to make sure that wont be a problem either. Thank you.
Hi Robert,
No problems. You can go into MDE and get the ticket numbers you assigned to each person. Go t: My Magic Bands and Cards and you should be able to see the ticket numbers for everyone. The age display in MDE has been an issue with MDE for every Salute offer since this new tech came out, but will in no way effect ticket use.
I tried looking it up in magic bands and cards but it didn’t show anything. It’s just says it’s an exchange certificate on my ticket and passes as well. Will it be a problem when I got to activate them in a couple of weeks?
No, you’ll just have to ask the ticket sales person to determine which is which for you.
Have fun!
I bought 2018 military salute tickets the other day. It says on the back of the voucher that it is “5 day park hopper mil salute18 exchange must be activated first-exp 12/19/18”. When I put the voucher number into my Disney experience for fast pass selection, the ticket shows up as “05 day military promotional MYW ticket w/park hopper-certificate”. Has anyone else had this happen? Will we need a receipt with us to show that salute tickets were bought and not magic your way? Just trying to be prepared to prevent any issues when we exchange the vouchers in Jan. Thank you for any assistance, Steve!
Hi Janice,
MDE historically has displayed “odd” looking tittles when linking Salute tickets. No need to worry, activation and use will be seamless.
Hello Steve, My husband, who was a veteran of 24 years, recently passed away. In a few years if the Salute tickets are still available, I would like to take my grandchildren back to Disneyland. That is the last family vacation we took before he passed. I have a valid ID card which states that he is deceased. Will I be able to purchase these tickets and have them activated? Thanks, Debi
Hi Debi,
Yes absolutely, as long as Disney is offering a Disney Armed Forces Salute at that time you’ll be eligible.
If they aren’t Shades of Green and the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets will always be available.
See:
http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Shades-of-Green.html
http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/regular-disney-military-discount-for-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-tickets/
Thanks so much! Debi
Hey Steve,
This site is so awesome!! Thank you for all the amazing info. I apologize in advance if you have already answered this. I’m AD, purchased 3-Day Salute tickets for Disneyland for myself and my sister back in July. We went one day and want to go back over the thanksgiving holiday. My siblings were all responsible and kept their tickets in a secure place, I PCS’ed from Texas to Washington and naturally lost mine. Because the tickets were activated, does Disney keep this info on file? Will I be able to go to guest relations and get a replacement or do I need to purchase a new ticket? Thank you!
Hi Caitlynn,
Thanks!
There is a chance you could. Disney doesn’t keep info for that reason, but might be able to use it. Normally they require you to provide the ticket number to get a replacement. You didn’t take a pic of the back did you?
Let me know how it goes for future reference please.
I was in luck!! They were able to scan my sisters ticket and see all the tickets I bought in sequence. A manager had to come out and authorize it, but they were able to print me a replacement. If I didn’t have one of my sisters with her ticket with me I would have needed a picture of the ticket with the barcode number.
Awesome Caitlynn,
Great News. Thanks for reporting back!
Hi Steve, thanks for all of the info. I apologize if you’ve already answered this – we are going to WDW with a military friend. Her husband is also in the military but will be unable to join us. Our female military friend has her dependent ID card as well as her own military ID. Will she be able to activate 6 tickets with her own ID and 6 tickets as a military member’s spouse?
Hi Richard,
That is a slightly different scenario. But yes this is allowed.
Both she and her husband are eligible as military members to activate 6 of their own Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets during each Salute offer period. She as the spouse is eligible to use his 6 in his place.
Now having said this you may run into cast members who don’t get or understand this. Some don’t even get 2 military members in a family each getting their allotment when both are there…
Doing 2 separate transactions (with different cast members) would be the smoothest. Do her as the spouse first, then when you need the rest of the tickets (I’m assuming a long stay vs lots of people) get the rest as her being the member.
If you need to get them all at once, just do it. If she gets push back, just politely escalate to management. Should then be no problem, but if you run into a knucklehead get hers and go to a different window to get his.
Hope this is clear, Steve
Hi Steve,
Wow – thank you for all the info and especially for the good news! I apologize for further complicating matters, but is it possible to get all 12 tickets in advance? We’d like to get fast passes for certain attractions 30 days before our trip. Your help is certainly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
You bet! and Yes absolutely.
They can each walk into their Base Ticket office and buy 6. Or if not near a Base they can each get them long distance, see: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/buy-military-discounted-disney-tickets-by-phone/
I am active duty and stationed in Germany. Our college student daughter is going to WDW and staying in AKL with our DVC points with a couple friends. Can I buy her military discount length of stay park tickets that she can pick up at Shades of Green or at the resort front desk?
Hi Greg,
Two options.
You (or she) can buy them from Shades long distance and have them mailed to her address.
Being in college she still has her dependent ID correct? She can go there any buy them herself. The only tickets she is not eligible for are the Disney Armed Forces Salute, which I assume you know as you asked about Shades Stars and Stripes Passes. If she does this though she will not be able to make advance FastPasses without tickets 60 days out.
Forgot this link: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/buy-military-discounted-disney-tickets-by-phone/
I would like to thank you SO MUCH for this blog and this very useful information!!! I had so many questions regarding activating our tickets once we got to SOG on our next trip home. This really cleared a lot of those questions up!!! Again, thank you for taking the time out to help out another “junkie”
Hey there Susan,
It’s my pleasure, I love doing this!
Glad to have helped, Steve
Hi, my question is the following. My husband is active duty and getting our family the 6 Salute Tickets. Can I as his wife (spouse) also get 6 Salute Ttickets, asking because I am bring my sister and her family. And we are trying to help them because they have 3 children and its just so expensive, We are all staying on Shades of Green. Can you help me with this question?
Hi Cindy,
No, sorry. The 6 ticket benefit is for the member. The spouse can only use the tickets in place of the member, not in addition to.
The alternate with less savings would be the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets, see: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/regular-disney-military-discount-for-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-tickets/
You could pool the price of all the tickets with them (reducing your savings).
I cannot seem to find the answer to this question. Is it better to purchase the Armed Forces Salute tickets ahead of time and then get them activated at WDW or just purchase them at the WDW ticket office since they have to be activated by them anyway?
The next question I have, – I am using my Disney Rewards earned from my Disney Visa Card. Can the A F Salute tickets be purchased with the award points?
Thanks
Hi Elaine,
You’ll need tour tickets in order to make FastPasses ahead of time! 30 or 60 days prior depending on where you will be staying.
http://www.militarydisneytips.com/My-Magic-Plus/Disney-World-Disneyland-Technology.html
My son is active military. His wife purchased Salute tickets at Shades of Green a couple of months ago for herself, my son, and 2 others (family members). We linked them to MDE and made fast passes. I just want to confirm that the tickets are already activated by purchasing them at Shades of Green….and double check to see if we all need to enter the same park on day 1 with the active military member or can we all go to different parks the first day?
Thanks!
Kelly
Hi Kelly,
Shades should have advised him that the tickets were already active. They didn’t? I’ve heard in the past from others that they weren’t told, but others who were.
Unless they have made a change to their sales system they are active and due to that can be used separately from the member.
They probably did notify her that they were activated. I just have read a lot recently and sometimes the wording doesn’t specify if the service member needs to be there on the first day.
What would prevent the service member from buying from Shades of Green with the activated tickets, and then if they got out of service, since they are already activated, couldn’t they still use them for that year (until expiration of course). Obviously they couldn’t do that afterwards but the military active ID is only needed to purchase the tickets correct?
Not trying to beat the system here, but was reading about what if they buy tickets and then leave active service what happens posts made me think this.
Thanks again.
Hi Kelly,
What you’ve heard about the member being present is what Shades tells their long distance customers in order to try to keep them to the actual rules…They should not be selling activated tickets, but can’t or won’t sell long-distance ones non-activated as they sell them activated in person.
The active tickets behave just like any other ready to use ticket.
My fathe-in-law is retired military. My mother-in-law bought our salute discounted tickets about 6 months ago. The tickets all have her name on them (they used to have our individual names on them). Unfortunately she is unable to go to the park with us due to caring for an ailing family member. My father in law will still be traveling with us and obviously has his military ID. Will we be able to enter the parks with his ID even though her name is on the tickets? We do have our original receipt if that makes a diffrence. THanks.
Hi Rachel,
Some ticket offices feel they need to write a name on the tickets, they do not!
And if they had done it correctly they would have written the name of each person in the party on one ticket. This is just so you do not confuse who’s is who’s during the activation process (only if you are linking tickets to people in My Disney Experience ahead of time to make fastpasses.
Your FIL will be able to activate the tickets no problem (it is his eligibility after all, not your MIL’s).
Sorry – I’m confused about the pre-activated Shades of Green tickets. When we went in 2013, my fiather in law bought us the military salute tickets. If I remember correctly we all had to be present at guest services to activate the tickets. With them now being pre-activated, do we not have to show ID for the other adults in our party? How do the tickets get linked to each individual – just through our magic bands? Will he be linked to a ticket when he purchases them? In my mind, I can see him mixing up who’s ticket is who’s and then me linking the wrong tickets to the wrong person…showing up at the tapstiles and having a huge mess of the wrong tickets linked to the wrong magic bands. (you might think this is over-thinking but he once installed new exterior doorknobs and threw away the wrong keys!!!).
Thanks for your help!
Hi Delores,
That was before Shades change to selling activated tickets. Now if you buy your tickets From Shades you do not need to do that process.
You link the tickets in your My Disney Experience account. See: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/z-popular/linking-disney-military-tickets-and-fastpass-plus-reservations/
Hi! I am a spouse to an active duty military member, I purchased two tickets at an air force base that include my name on the ticket. The two of us are unable to go, but the rest of our family is. My question is, can my brother in law who is active duty use our two tickets even though my name is on these tickets and we will not be present? I have read quite a few things and I heard that it is allowed since he is active duty. We just want to make sure that when he gets to the park there are no problems and he will be able to use the tickets that say my name on it. Thanks!
Hi Abbi,
You did not expressly say they were Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets (there are other mil discounted kinds) so I will assume they are as this post is about the Salute tickets.
Some Base Ticket Ticket Offices will write the names on the back of the tickets thinking they Have To (they don’t). All this does is allow you to keep track of who’s is Who’s from the time you link them in My Disney Experience until you activate them, it does not assign them to a person!
You also didn’t mention if you had already linked them to you and your husband in My Disney Experience. If you did not, it’s easy, cross off the names, add theirs, and give them the tickets. They will have no problem using them as he is active. The tickets are actually (officially) assigned to a person by Disney during the activation process).
If you did link them to yourselves to you’ll need to get Disney to unlink them, call Disney Internet Help Desk at 800-848-6413, option #3, then follow the above paragraph.
We have purchased 4 MIL Salute Tickets, and I have linked them in My Disney Experience App and made FP’s. But I didn’t mark each ticket with the corresponding person. When we go to activate the tickets will it matter if they get mixed up? Is there a way to tell which ticket I assigned to which person? Thanks so much for all your help!
HI April,
If you go to the Magic Bands and cards page on MDE, below the magic bands for each person, you should see the “cards” you can match the ticket number to the card number.
Also, if you are staying with Disney, you’ll use magic bands vs getting exchange tickets and it won’t matter. The keeping track of who’s is who’s really only matters for non-Disney guests. I’ll add that to the post as this is newer info. Thanks.
My husband is retired military. We are also Disney annual passholders, so we don’t need tickets but we are taking two of our kids who do need them.
If I buy 2 military salute tickets from SOG for just the kids, will we have a problem?
I am thinking about buying three military salute passes, just in case one of us also has to activate them but waiting until it is close to my annual pass renewal time to actually use it to get the value applied.
Have you had any experience with a similar situation?
Hi Amy,
You’ll have no problem at all. I’m a passholder too. I have never in all my years had an issue. Just went in Nov. and activated 2 tickets for my daughter and SIL. My wife’s I did last June.
I always just start the transaction with, “Hi, I’m a passholder and want to activate military Salute tickets for my guests.” Never a question at all.
Your website is an outstanding help and service e to so many people; Thank You! Two questions that are minute, but possibly problematic for me.
1. Can I buy the Armed Forces Salute in DEC 2018 for use starting JAN 1, 2019?
2. I am buying for my son and 2 grandsons and will be going to go to the park with them to activate. However, I do not wish to enter the park myself. Am I required to buy a ticket for myself and enter the park for the boys to use their Military Salute passes? Thank you!
Hi Gerald,
Thanks!
Yes you can purchase the 2019 Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets now.
You will need to buy and activate one for yourself.
You didn’t say where you were going, so:
At Disney World, You do not need to enter with them. Once activated these tickets act like any other.
At Disneyland you will need to enter the first time as that is how the tickets are activated with an ID check. You can then exit if you want to.
My ITT department on base said that the 2019 Military Salute tickets can be used anytime during 2019. If i purchased a 5 day Military Salute Park Hopper Pass, I could go to Disney World and use my Military Salute tickets for 2 days this month and then go back a different month before the end of this year and use the remaining 3 days. Is this correct or do I have to use all 5 days consecutively?
Thank you in advance!
Hi Michelle,
They were very close to the truth. The Salute ends on 19 Dec so you cannot use them after that. But any other day is fine non-consecutively, see this post for full info:
http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/faq/do-i-have-to-use-my-disney-armed-forces-salute-tickets-all-at-once/
Hi Steve,
We are at WDW right now and I just wanted to say thanks again for the very prompt and ACCURATE info you put out. Sometimes even the ITT or even Disney folks slip up, but you keed the record straight! Outstanding job!!!
Thanks so much Gerald!
That’s the whole reason for the site. So nice to hear back from the field that it is being helpful! Have a wonderful trip!
Steve
This is a very stupid policy! Disney expects military families to “de-stress” at their parks yet require a three year old to sit in line for over an hour waiting to activate tickets. That does not equate to “de-stressing” in my book! Dumbest policy ever!
Hi, I am a military spouse and am planning on buying tickets at the ITT on Camp Pendleton for the 5 day park hopper to Disneyworld. I haven’t used the military tickets at Disneyworld before and am wondering if I’m reading your article correctly. If I buy these tickets I can’t just walk up to the entrance turnstiles and show a cast member my ticket and dependent ID like at Disneyland? I have to go to a ticket or guest relations window? Thank you writing this article and continuing to answer questions!
Hi there Summer,
Yes it is totally different at WDW.
The ticket you buy at Camp Pendleton is not a ready for use, though it can be linked to your MDE account and used for advance FastPasses. You must go to a ticket or guest relations window as described in the post above to activate your ticket for use.
If you take your ticket direct to a tapstyle you’ll be sent back to a window as it will not work.
Funny, my first time using them at Disneyland, it was me that was surprised by the “different” procedure there…
Thank you for the quick response! So when you say in the article Epcot’s main entrance is that different than the turnstiles?
Hi Summer,
You are welcome!
Epcot has 2 entrances: the main (front) entrance (bus arrival and parking are here) and the International Gateway, which is a walking entrance that enters at the World showcase from the Epcot resort area.
At the main entrance they have both ticket and guest relations windows, you have to pass these to get to the tapstyles (the antique turnstyles were removed years ago with the switch to magic bands).
I am a military spouse and have a Disneyland Annual Pass, can I still buy a salute ticket for Disneyland and activate it for my daughter without me having to buy myself a ticket since I already have a pass?
Hi Laura,
Passholders like you and me do not need to purchase a Salute ticket for ourselves.
http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/faq/i-am-a-disney-passholder-do-i-need-to-buy-a-disney-armed-forces-salute-ticket-for-myself-too/
http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Disney-Armed-Forces-Salute.html
Hi,
If I buy my salute tickets from Shades of Green, can those be linked to the ‘My Disney Experience’ app like the ones from base? Is there any disadvantage of purchase by through Shades of Green? Thank you!
They are identical Susan, except they are already activated, getting rid of that extra step after arrival. MDE works just the same.
The only disadvantage is the $10 FedEx fee to ship them.
Oh, and they can be hard to get a hold of at times… But if you are not in a time crunch no problem.
Great. Thanks for your quick and helpful reply!
I am buying tickets for myself and family coming down from ohio. If i grt to Orlando early, can i exchange my vouchers at Disney Springs, if i have all their names and birthdays ? Or do they have to be there and show their i d’s then ?
Thank you !
Hi Penney,
Each person having a ticket activated must be present at the time of activation and adults must present a picture ID.
If you are going to have enough time to go to a park by yourself, then you could activate your ticket. Then once they arrive you’d have to activate theirs.’
If you won’t have time to go to a park, then you’ll just have to wait for them. No sense waiting in line twice.
Hello Steve! Thank you for this great post. I would like to get your expertise on my situation: I will arrive on a Friday at about 6 PM or so to MCO. I need to get from the airport to Shades of Green to do check in and then I need to activate my tickers and buy the military Memory Maker in order to have it active for my 8:40 PM character dinner appt at the Contemporary Resort. Is this possible? I am considering activating my tickets in order to have them ready for the next day and purchasing the Memory Maker at the military price at Disney’s Transportation & Ticket Center, which is close to Shades of Green. That would be probably at 6 or 7 PM. Does that sound like a plan? If I access the Disney’s Transportation & Ticket Center, will that count as a 1 day use of my ticket? So, essentially, I’m thinking on taking an Uber from MCO to Shades of Green, checking in, then heading to the Disney’s Transportation & Ticket Center, activating my tickets and getting the Memory Maker, and then heading to the Contemporary Resort for my 8:40 appt. I wanted to get your feedback and suggestions on this plan as I’m not familiar with the area at all. Thank you.
Hi Jorge,
You’re welcome. Thanks to you too.
Here are my thoughts:
First you said you are going to activate tickets, so I assume you are planning to buy them on Base. Did you know tickets purchased long distance from Shades of Green come pre-activated? This costs 10 bucks for shipping, but will save you some time. You can do both transactions at the same time, but if you are in a time crunch it is best to have less to accomplish.
In either case once I’d check in and stash my stuff in the room, I’d head to the Bell Hop station at the Shades entryway and see if I could quickly have one of the bellhops drive me to property’s edge with the Shady Shuttle then walk the rest of the way. If it was going to be more than a 5 or 10 minute wait, I’d just start walking. The destination being the Polynesian Village Resort, where I’d catch the monorail to the Magic Kingdom.
At the Magic Kingdom entrance you can activate your tickets if needed and buy your Memory Maker. Then hop back on the Resort Monorail Line for the quick trip to the Contemp.
The TTC is an option, but all transpo involved could take longer. A possible up to 20 min wait for the Shades bus, then the longer monorail ride.
Only entering a theme park deducts a day from your ticket. Activating it at the TTC or anywhere else does not.
Here are some links regarding all I’ve mentioned:
http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/shades-of-green/pre-order-disney-theme-park-tickets-at-shades-of-green/
http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/shades-of-green/catch-the-shady-shuttle-at-shades-of-green/
http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Shades-of-Green/Polynesian-walk.html
http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Shades-of-Green/Shades-of-Green-Transport.html
Hope this helps, have fun!
Hello again Steve,
Thank you for that detailed response! I wish I had known about the tickets before as I purchased mine from my local base’s IT office, so I just got a voucher. Anyhow, your response provided the much needed clarification I was looking for, so I will follow it to the dot. Thanks again.
My pleasure!
Hi Steve,
I’ve read A LOT of questions/ comments trying to find a recent answer to my debacle, but couldn’t find anything since 2017, so I’m hoping you don’t mind if this is duplicative… As an active mil spouse, I bought 4 salute tickets for use later this year. Unfortunately, I now find myself in the midst of a divorce. If the divorce is final before our trip, but I still have an unexpired ID, will I be able to activate the tix? Are they scanning IDs or just looking at them for the name, status, DoD ID? I’m getting conflicting info on the scanning. I’ve been told as long as I still have my ID I’m fine. I’ve also been told if I’m no longer in DEERS I won’t be able to get in, even with an ID.
We are also staying on property. Is the verification process the same for tickets and the resorts?
I get that this is out of scope of “allowed” if the timing works out that way. Just wondering if I’m at risk of not being able to get me and my kiddos in when we get down there.
Thanks so much!
Hi Sarah,
So sorry about it all.
And thanks for making the out of scope comment so I didn’t have to.
So to the ticket procedure, there is no scanning or connection to DEERS or any other database. The Disney cast member will look at the ID and should verify that it is an eligible one, the key things in your case being that it is not expired and has spouse in the relationship box. [Question because I’m unsure, would you not have to exchange your ID for one with something else in that box?]
If the cast member thinks the ID is OK they will then type some identifying info off of it into their ticket system to 1. check that there are enough of the 6 ticket limit left for the ones you want to activate and 2. to record the use of those tickets if they can be used. [using these tickets will prevent the ex from doing so if he desires to use his benefit.]
So it comes down to this, is the ID at that time eligible, or will the cast member notice if it isn’t?
If they won’t let you use them the only solution at that point is to request they use the purchase prices towards full price tickets, which they will do.
As for the Disney World Resorts, they ask for a photo ID at check in. Disneyland is a different story they ask for a military ID.
Hope this helps.
That is immensely helpful, thank you!! Yes, I’ve heard I will eventually need to exchange for something different to be able to access base amenities for my kids. Hoping the timing works out in our favor though. But, at least we can use them towards full price tickets if needed. Thanks, again!
Hi steve, so here is the deal. We have family vacation for Disney world and we are short of tickets by two because we are 8 people. Is there any chance that I been the spouse can buy tickets separate from my husband that is the one in the military?
Hi Ailyne,
The 6 ticket limit is per eligible member. The spouse buys only in place of the member, not in addition to, using the member’s tickets.
Having said that, Disney has the large family exception to this rule for immediate families. So if it is you, the husband and your 6 dependent kiddos you can get the 8 you need, but if it is someone outside your family (your parents, in-laws, aunt, uncle, friend, kid’s friend, etc. you can’t)
If it is your family see: http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/faq/i-need-more-than-6-disney-armed-forces-salute-tickets-what-can-i-do/
If not the additional 2 tickets will need to be Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets, see http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/regular-disney-military-discount-for-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-tickets/
We are going in May and November. If we buy a 5 day in may but only use 3 days at the park can we use the other 2 days in nov or is it like reg tickets that expire after so many days after first use?
Hi Jen,
the Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets do not expire until the end of the offer, 19 December. So you can use them on both trips.
Hi Steve, my husband and I are leaving for DW in two days, my husband misplaced his ID and will not have time to get it replaced before we leave. In previous posts you mentioned spouses can only use their ID’s to activate tickets if the husband is not present. Will they let me use my Spouse ID to activate the tickets with my husband being present with me, even though he does not have his ID?
Hi Louisa,
Yes, you’ll be fine. you just handle the transaction. Present your ID and the tickets. When asked for IDs your hubby will just offer his DL. Everything will go smooth without even mentioning your relationship. If for some reason it comes up just explain the situation.
Are Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets to WDW bought online through Shades of Green activated upon purchase? Finding conflicting answers online.
Hi Kathy,
Unless Shades has totally changed the way they sell tickets online recently, yes they are.
I’ve had several questions identical to yours recently. Would you mind replying and sharing where online you found conflicting info? Thanks, Steve
Hello, Steve,
Your website is extremely helpful. Thank you for putting in the effort to keep it updated!
Do you know if it possible to be denied tickets when exchanging the vouchers due to capacity constraints? The opening of Star Wars World in Florida was announced shortly after we bought the vouchers and I am slightly concerned about that. Especially since they are nonrefundable.
Thank you!
Hi Alvin,
Thanks very much!
That has never happened in the past. The most similar situation would be the opening of Pandora – The World of Avatar at Animal Kingdom, where there were crowd control measures in place initially due to huge crowds.
I would definitely not worry about it.
They have announced crowd control measures for Hollywood Studios which will be used to control access to Galaxy’s Edge. Not honoring a ticket voucher that would not only allow you to access the remainder of the Studios, but the other 3 parks, which could have reduced attendance (and perhaps the water parks if you bought the Plus option) would be outside of what I know about Disney’s thought processes.
Are you staying with Disney or elsewhere?
The vast majority of Disney’s theme park guests come from off property. Park attendance from on property is very constant. Large increases in attendance come from off property. If you are driving expect VERY bad traffic on World Drive, possibly even onto Route 192 on the first few days.
Hi Steve,
I’m getting conflicting information on the ability of DoD contractors to purchase discounted tickets. I understand it was a test program in 2018, but am being told by travel agents and such that we are able to since we have DoD CAC. Is this the case? I’d hate to get to Disney and then run into issues.
Thanks!
Hi Paul,
I am unaware of this being continued into 2019. I have heard rumors through readers such as yourself, but nothing official from Disney.
Some may slip through the cracks due to cast member unfamiliarity with CACs, but they have a picture guide right at every ticket booth.
I see from 2013 you noted that in California the whole party must stay together every time they use the ticket, so unlike Disneyworld, different members of our party could not split up and go different days. Do you know if that is still the case in 2019?
Hi Courtney,
No this ended several years ago, the party just needs to be together for the first entrance. THey can split up immediately after.
Hi Steve, thanks again for all your help! I am wondering if there is any possibility that the staff at our WDW resort, Art of Animation, could activate our salute tickets. I read somewhere that someone (I don’t remember who) had theirs activated at their resort, by the front dest staff, but that isn’t listed in your list of places to activate. In 2014 and 15 we used salute tickets and got them activated at Disney Springs the night before use, but this time we’ll be arriving in the middle of a day and need to activate them in time for an evening at MK. I’m assuming the best option is to head over to MK early and use their ticket or guest relations counter, is that correct?
Hi there again Jane,
The resorts are not one of the locations That Disney says you can activate Salute tickets at. I think once, many years ago I vaguely recall someone saying they did it, but can’t verify that as a fact.
It might be possible that it is possible for them to do it, but they are not allowed as they are not in the ticket dept. IDK?
The surest course of action would be to go to the MK Guest Relations windows, to the right of the entrance (or the tiny shack just towards the water from those windows (if open). The line is usually not too bad in the afternoon.
If you happen to try at the resort, please report back either way.
Hello! We are planning our trip to Disneyland in Nov 2019. I am the active duty service member. On my ticket my name is misspelled instead of “Erika” it spells “Erica” but my last name is spelled correctly. Will this be a problem? Will I have to purchase a new ticket? I’m worried about it so any information will be helpful.
Hi Erika,
No problem at all. Your name doesn’t even need to be on there (thought it is a good idea for telling who’s is who’s) Some Base Ticket Offices feel they need to write it for you.
Hi Steve! I think I understand but just need clarification. My husband (who’s in the military) and my son will be arriving the day after me. My daughter and I are headed down a day earlier. I can only activate my daughter and my ticket…is that correct? And I need to give my husband the paper exchange ticket for him and my son so he can activate and link to magic bands the next day, right? We are meeting them at Hollywood Studios but my daughter and I will already be in the park before they arrive. One more question…I do have the exchange tickets linked to our Disney experience app so we were able to do our fast passes. Do I need to give my husband and son specific tickets…I assume the ones they are linked to??? Thank you for your help!!
Hi there Dawn,
Yes on all counts. You’ve got it right. You’ll activate the tickets for the 2 of you. Your husband and son will need their individual tickets (linked to them) to activate on their arrival.
If you entered a park with one of their tickets, you couldn’t use your fastpasses. The system would think they were in the park, not you and they don’t have the fastpasses that you do (prior to their arrival I imagine).
Question: I see that one of your tips for when you need more than 6 tickets is to get another military member to purchase them for you. Well, we have 8 people needing tickets. My son in law who is going with us is in the Navy. Can we get his brother( Air Force) to buy us 2 more tickets even if his brother is not going with us? Will my son in law be able to exchange all 8 tickets or would his brother need to be there as well? Thanks for your help. Just looking to save like $600.
Hi Jennifer,
The member being able to use more than 6 tickets is only for one very specific situation.
Unfortunately it sounds like your party does not qualify for the “large family” exception which allows the eligible member to activate more than 6 Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets. This is the only exception to the rule. This exception only applies to an immediate military family, in this case your Navy son in-law (who I assume is the only eligible person in the party), his wife (if he has one) and his dependent children (5 or more that bring the total above 6, if he has any or that many). The exception does not apply to his parents, in-laws, siblings, other relations, or friends in the party that bring the total above 6.
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/faq/i-need-more-than-6-disney-armed-forces-salute-tickets-what-can-i-do/
So the solution for your party is the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets, 2 of these slightly discounted tickets should be purchased for any kids in the party if there are any as they are cheaper than adults. There is no limit on these.
see http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/regular-disney-military-discount-for-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-tickets/
I will be going to disneyworld 2 separate times and was planning on buying the tickets I need for Aug now and the others later for when I need them in Dec. I will be buying 6 total tickets between the 2. Is it ok to buy tickets 2 separate times? Or do I have to buy all 6 at once?
Hi Andrea,
Two or more purchases are allowed.
See: https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/faq/is-there-a-limit-on-how-many-times-i-can-purchase-disney-armed-forces-salute-tickets/
Can I activate tickets for my family without purchasing a ticket for myself?
No you sure can’t Amanda.
The member or spouse must have a ticket of their own.
Hi,
We purchased our tickets months ago, took pictures, and linked to MDE. We recently moved and I can’t locate the original vouchers. I am still hopeful that I will find them, but will the photos be sufficient to activate?
Hi Michael,
Great job! Yes you’ll be able to activate them with your pics.
Hi! I need some help. I have “Military Magic Your Way” park hopper tickets and we are headed Disney this coming weekend. My bf was recently discharged (honorable discharged) from the army and they take your CAC. we are waiting to get a retiree ID and are worried we won’t have it on time. We have all documents such as DD214 and an honorable discharge certificate. Will he need a veterans id to activate the tickets? We can go to an office and get one sooner but it’s really far and we don’t want tickets if we don’t have to. Please let me know if there is anyway we can show a different proof! Thanks so much.
Hi Izzy,
You are sure you have the slightly discounted Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets and not the special way cheaper Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets?
http://www.militarydisneytips.com/Disney-Armed-Forces-Salute.html
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/Tickets/Magic-Your-Way-Tickets.html
The Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets do not require activation or an ID.
The Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets do. And the rules are strictly enforced, you will need a current ID to activate these.
Hi! I am not sure which ones I have. They say they need to be activated so I assume it’s the Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets, however I am unsure. If they are those ones would a copy of his CAC work? I know a DD214 is not sufficient but I feel like there must be another option. Thanks sooo much btw this page is really helpful.
if they are the magic your way, how would I know? they are green and say magic your way and that they need to be activated. I’m sorry for all the questions we are going in a few days so I am trying to figure this out. thanks!
Here are the prices of the military magic your way tickets (within a couple dollars)
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/Tickets/Magic-Your-Way-Tickets.html
This would be a plastic ticket and would not mention activation.
Izzy,
If they say they have to be activated they would be Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets.
Do the tickets look like this Salute ticket voucher?
Here are the 2019 Disney Armed Forces Salute prices. is this roughly what you paid (within a few dollars) not double this?
Four-Day Park Hopper Tickets for $241.00
Four-Day Park Hopper Plus Tickets for $291.00
Five-Day Park Hopper Tickets for $257.00
Five-Day Park Hopper Plus Tickets for $307.00
So the Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets absolutely require a current, valid military ID. Nothing else will suffice.
Another thing that concerns me, is that in your initial question you used a mix of terms. You used both discharged (not retired) and then used retiree ID, and then veteran ID. Did your BF serve 20 or more years and retire? Or is he medically retiring with less than 20 but with full retiree benefits?
If so he is eligible for the Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets and just needs the ID to prove it.
Or did he serve less that 20 years and has just been discharged and is (perhaps) entering the Individual Ready Reserve (keep your uniforms, we might call you if it gets really, really bad)?
If this is so he is not eligible.
Hi Izzy, I see your 2 new comments, but going to bed.
I will answer in depth in the morning, but homework for you.
Check the 2 links I sent you this morning and compare the prices to what you paid, that will tell you which you have. The prices are quite different
Let me know.
I’m just wondering if anyone else has had the same experience regarding the need to get a pass for the service member. We live in Orlando so we’re annual passholders. When family visits I pick up vouchers at the NEX near the airport. Most years I get one for myself then convert to an annual pass. But last year, 2018, both the NEX ticket office and Disney Springs guest services said the service member didn’t need a pass. For 2019 I see the policy is explicitly stated and I thought it was the same last year. Is this requirement typically overlooked?
Hi Ron,
Passholders have never needed a Salute ticket to buy Salute tickets for others. I’m a passholder and have always just bought what I need for others.
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/faq/i-am-a-disney-passholder-do-i-need-to-buy-a-disney-armed-forces-salute-ticket-for-myself-too/
I hate to ask something that i’m sure you’ve answered but there are so many here – My husband is retired and we are planning a trip in February 2020. We will be bringing our 2 adult daughters, a son in law and 2 grandchildren. Am I correct in understanding that our adult guests will only need a picture id (not military) in order to activate the salute vouchers?
Hi there Marcy,
Yes that’s correct. Any picture ID for your civilian guests.
Can I use the 2019 Arm Forces Salute passes during the week of December 25th 2019 – The restrictions said limit 6 ticket form 1 Jan to 19 December
Hi Mike,
No, the offer ends at midnight on 19 Dec. The Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets are not valid after that.
You’ll need to use the Regular Military Discounted Disney Tickets if you are set on going that week.
http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/regular-disney-military-discount-for-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-tickets/
We are pre-purchasing tickets through SOG and having them mailed to our home. Do we still need to have them activated or can we go directly to the turnstiles with them?
No you won’t Jay. Shades Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets are pre-activated.
I’m a little confused on the ones you can buy at WDW. My stepfather gets us the tickets on base in my hometown and in the past i know we’ve been at the window with him to get them activate with our ID’s.. But This year, he’s only staying one day with my sister and my nursing finals have pushed back so i can’t fly in till the day after he leaves. So can he just buy my tickets at the guest relations and link it to my magicband (we’re staying on property) since it says we don’t have to go through the activation process if we buy directly from guest relations? or do i still need to be with him for them to sell him another pass for me?
Hi Jessica,
A Disney Armed Forces Salute ticket that he buys for you locally at his base requires the both of you to be there at the same time at Disney to activate it.
To purchase a Disney Armed Forces Salute ticket for you at Disney requires the both of you to be there at the same time as it is activated during the purchase process.
These both require him to present his military ID and you to present your photo ID to Disney together.
You see the point of these highly discounted tickets is for him to spend time with you in the parks, not for him to give you the Salute ticket to use without him.
The correct solution would be for him to buy you a Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Ticket rather than a Disney Armed Forces Salute ticket. These are only slightly discounted, but do not require activation and can be used without the member being present to activate it.
http://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/disney-military-discounts/regular-disney-military-discount-for-walt-disney-world-and-disneyland-tickets/
Having said that, Shades of Green sells their Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets pre-activated long distance.
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/shades-of-green/pre-order-disney-theme-park-tickets-at-shades-of-green/
Its our first time using the Disneyworld military salute tickets and the disney My experience app.
We have our exchange cards and I wanted to link them so we were ready to organise fastpass 60days in advance but it says error… what am i doing wrong or can i not use this feature until they are activated at Disneyworld guest services?
Hi Susie,
You can definitely link your Disney Armed Forces Salute tickets prior to activation.
Are you typing the numbers in on your computer or scanning them with your phone?
Have you looked at: https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/my-magic-plus/linking-disney-military-tickets-and-fastpass-plus-reservations/ The tech support number is in this post if the directions don’t work.
I may have a unique (possible) situation. My father-in-law is retired military and bought tickets for everyone in our upcoming trip, including himself. My mother-in-law’s father is in bad health and of course if he passes when our trip comes around I expect them to go to Maryland instead of Florida. If that’s the case the military member who bought our tickets won’t be there to activate them. If this scenario happens will be just super out of luck?
Hi Braden,
I have a post on this subject, please see:
https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/faq/my-military-sponsor-can-no-longer-go-to-disney-can-i-use-the-disney-armed-forces-salute-tickets-they-already-purchased/
Steve,
I just read on the PDF from ITT Camp Pendleton that Walt Disney World Salute tickets expire 14 days from the first use. Is this a mistake. I have used my ticket last year in April and November. Ordering another one for use in April– will it expire before the Dec 18th 2020 date?
Thanks
Hi Laura,
I just opened their most recent pdf that’s on the site now. Looking at page 9, wow what a jumbled mess!
They took all the rules from both kinds of tickets that they sell and jammed them all at the front of the WDW section. Don’t even get me started on the number of times they use a single asterixis for footnotes…
The 14-day rule applies to the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets 1 – 10 day slightly discounted tickets, not the Disney Armed Forces Salute 3 – 6 day highly discounted tickets.
Steve,
I just read on the PDF from ITT Camp Pendleton that Walt Disney World Salute tickets expire 14 days from the first use. Is this a mistake. I have used my ticket last year in April and November. Ordering another one for use in April– will it expire before the Dec 18th 2020 date?
Thanks
Hi Laura,
I just opened their most recent pdf that’s on the site now. Looking at page 9, wow what a jumbled mess!
They took all the rules from both kinds of tickets that they sell and jammed them all at the front of the WDW section. Don’t even get me started on the number of times they use a single asterixis for footnotes…
The 14-day rule applies to the Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets 1 – 10 day slightly discounted tickets, not the Disney Armed Forces Salute 3 – 6 day highly discounted tickets.
My family and I of 6 were traveling to Disney in April 2020 for vacation, i have 6 Walt Disney World Exchange Certificates. With all recent events going on we have decided in precaution to cancel our trip along with other reservations. Was going in April for spring break with kids. How can I redeem these passes? Purchase at Coast Guard Academy in New London CT. Please advise??????
Hi Robert,
Check this post: https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/special/disneys-us-parks-to-close/
See what the Disney official told me.
Question regarding activation: We’re traveling to WDW with friends. I’ll buy military passes for my family, our friends father is retired USAF and can buy salute tix for them. Can I use my ID to validate their tickets?
Hi Jake,
Are you eligible for the Disney Armed Forces Salute? You didn’t quite say.
If so you can only activate 6 tickets during the 2020 Salute offer period. Activation is what is tracked not purchase.
By the Disney Armed Forces Salute rules, your friend’s father needs to go with them to enable him to extend the discount to them. Giving to or buying tickets for those who are not eligible isn’t allowed.
Solutions:
– If you have less than 6 in your family, use those you don’t need for them and then use Regular Military Discounted Magic Your Way Tickets for the rest.
– Shaded of Green sells Salute Tickets pre-activated.
Hi! I was wondering how the having to activate my tickets work now with all the changes. Can I still link them when I buy them at home? Or do they have to be activated at Disney first? If that is the case, then is it better to order them from shades of green? Thank you for your help
Hi Tina,
No changes to the linking and activation process. You can still link those you bought locally and make your Park Reservations with them. You will then activate them on arrival.
Buying long distance from Shades skips the activation process time.
My son has 6 4 day park hopper Salute 14 exchanges. There is no expiration date on them. He is still in the Army (18 years) and is making a trip to Florida. Are these of any value as they were never activated?
Hi Linda,
I’m going to have to ask you a question back. Is that what they say on the back “Salute 14 exchange”? As in 2014? Is that when he purchased them in 2013/2014?
The 2014 Disney Armed Forces Salute ran from 29 September 2013 through 27 September 2014.
All Salute ticket expire at the end of the individual offer period and lose all value on that date.
He could ask and they might give him something off, but that is doubtful.
Thanks for the quick response. Yes they were purchased when he returned from a deployment but then he went off to flight school, more deployments, new bases and now 6 years later he remembers he has them. He thought they would still be good as there was no expiration date on the vouchers.
If we purchase Armed Forces Salute tickets via email from Shades of Green and have them mailed to our home, are the tickets mailed active and ready to be used? Can we go directly to the park gates and use them? Or do we need to still stop and provide military id prior to use?
Hi Laura,
All tickets from Shades of Green are ready for use. Just go straight to the park of your choice and enter.