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Missed birthdays. Holidays with an empty chair at the table. These things happen in military families. So vacations are always extra special and Disney World trips are the best of all. Here’s how to take advantage of Disney World military discounts, including eligibility, ticket pricing and the best military discount you might not know about!
Military Discounts at Disney Will Save You Money
My husband and I are both retired from the United States Air Force. We know all about juggling to make family time happen. Cancelling a trip because of deployments or duty schedules is part of military life. That definitely isn’t fun and just one of the sacrifices the whole family makes when one of their own is serving in the military.
We are so grateful that Walt Disney World in Florida offers so many opportunities to give back to service members who are planning those magical vacations. I hope this info will make your leisure time a little easier on your bank account.
How to Save Money at Disney: A Few Things to Know
Eligibility for Disney Military Discounts
The biggest discounts for military are on park tickets and resort hotel rooms. This is limited to active duty military and retired military with valid military ID.
An eligible service member is defined by Disney as “active or retired U.S. military personnel (including active or retired members of the National Guard, Reservists, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service (PHS), and the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).”
Please note this discount is not available to Department of Defense Civil Service workers and contractors.
Check Out Other Discounts Too
The military discount might not always be the best one. Disney routinely offers discounts and specials to the general public, so make sure you are shopping around.
Valid Military ID Required
We know you don’t leave home without it but you’ll need to show your valid military ID to get the discounts mentioned in this article
Read More: The Best Military Discounts in Orlando Including Universal Resort
1. Disney World Theme Park Tickets – Disney Military Promotional Tickets
Walt Disney World theme park tickets can easily be the most expensive part of a Disney vacation. Disney helps make those ticket purchases sting a little bit less for military members.
For 2021 (through 12/17), eligible service members* may purchase 4 or 5 day promotional tickets. Disney Military Promotional Tickets were formerly Disney Armed Forces Salute. These tickets are deeply discounted Disney tickets. An average 5 day Park Hopper Option ticket runs close to $600 so you’ll be saving almost 50%.
Pricing for Disney Military Promotional Ticket
5-Day tickets:
- With the Park Hopper Option: $315 plus tax
- With the Park Hopper Plus Option: $345 plus tax
4-Day tickets:
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- With the Park Hopper Option: $296 plus tax
- With the Park Hopper Plus Option: $326 plus tax
Park hopping adds the flexibility to visit more than one park in a day. Currently, park hopping can only take place after 2:00 p.m. Read here for the latest info about visiting Walt Disney World.
Park Hopper Plus includes water parks, mini golf, the NBA Experience and events at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
Limitations on purchases apply:
“No more than six (6) Military Promotional Tickets may be purchased and (if applicable) activated by any Eligible Service Member or spouse during the period of December 19, 2020, through December 31, 2021 (e.g., Eligible Service Members or spouses who purchase six (6) Disney Military Promotional Tickets during the period of December 19, 2020 through February 14, 2021 will not be eligible for any other offers of the Disney Military Promotional Tickets in 2021).”
2. Disney Resort Hotels
Disney also offers special savings on resort hotel rooms. The current discounted rates are available for stays at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels for most nights through 12/17 when you book by 12/17/2021.
The following limitations apply:
- Number of rooms allocated may be limited/blackout dates may apply;
- Length of stay requirements may apply;
- May not be combined with other offer or promotion;
- Additional charges may apply if there are more than two adults per room;
- Certain resorts or room categories are excluded.
The discount will vary based on the category of resort selected (Deluxe, Moderate and Value) and the actual property. The typical discount is 30-40% off regular rates.
For the most reliable information, contact the Disney Resort Team at (407)-939-4249. Admission to the parks or special events is not included with a Walt Disney World Resort hotel stay.
3. Memory Maker Military Discount
In my opinion, this is the absolute best Disney military discount. Memory Maker is pre-paying to download all your Photopass photos and videos for one price. This includes posed shots and action shots from the rides. Purchasing pictures individually is a terrible use of your vacation budget. The package price is the best savings and military discounts make this an awesome deal.
Memory Maker is normally $199 ($169 if you purchase in advance) but military members can purchase it for $98 plus tax at any ticket booth. You have to physically go to a ticket booth to get this discount. You cannot do it online or through the My Disney Experience App.
4. Disney Special Event Parties
In the past, Disney has discounted tickets for special event parties, such as Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
Neither event happened in 2020 – no big surprise about that. Disney has not officially released any information about dates or ticket prices for 2021. Whether they’ll offer discount tickets for military families remains to be seen.
In the past, these tickets have sold out quickly. There will probably be capacity limits on these type of events this year. Make sure you jump on those tickets early – discounted or not – if you want to go. We’ll be crossing our fingers for discounts for military. We’ll update you when we know more.
5. Shades of Green Resort
This deluxe resort calls Disney property home and is exclusively for military service members. Room prices are based on military rate/rank and date of stay.
One of the most popular advantages of staying at Shades of Green is their large rooms that sleep five or more. There are a few options at Walt Disney World Resort hotels for non-suite rooms that sleep five people but they can be hard to book during peak periods.
The resort offers an Exchange where you can purchase sundries, snack items and Disney souvenirs – hello tax-free shopping. On site dining is also available. The Exchange store is similar to a shoppette you’d see on a military base.
Shades of Green also sells discount Disney World tickets as well as tickets to other Orlando area attractions. You can purchase tickets in advance of your visit. Tickets will be mailed to you and can take up to three weeks to process. You can send an email to ticket.info@shadesofgreen.org and they will send you a list of what’s available and the current process for purchasing discount tickets.
Shades of Green Perks
Shades of Green is included in Disney’s Extended Evening Hours. It counts as a Disney resort for the new Genie+ program, enabling guests staying there access to book Lightning Lanes earlier.
Other perks: Shades of Green offers transportation to the theme parks and guests can also pay with their Military Star Card.
6. Disney Springs Discounts
My philosophy with military discounts is simple: If you don’t ask you then you definitely don’t receive. Military discounts are not always posted, so if you don’t see it, ask if there is one. Here are the Disney Springs discounts we know about. If you know of others, please tell us so we can pass along the savings.
Entertainment
- Aerophile (formally Characters in Flight) – This is the big balloon ride in Disney Springs. The regular price is $20 for adults and $15 for kids ages 3-9. The reported discount is $3 off an adult ticket and $2 off a child’s ticket.
- AMC Dine-In Theater – $2.50 off after 4 p.m. One discount per party
Dining at Disney Springs
In addition to the dining in the parks and at the resorts, there are lots of great restaurants at Disney Springs. We recommend reservations for any sit-down restaurant.
- House of Blues – 25% off
- Raglan Road – 10% off
- Cookes of Dublin – 10% off
- Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop – 20% off
- T-Rex Cafe – 10% off
- Rainforest Cafe – 10% off
- The Polite Pig – 15% off
Shopping at Disney Springs
There are not a ton of military discounts for shopping in Disney Springs. You may get a military discount at these Disney Springs stores:
- Basin
- Orlando Harley Davidson
- Curl by Sammy Duval
Read more: What are the best things to do with kids at Disney Springs?
P.S. Don’t forget golfing! Disney has four golf courses and they all offer military discounts. More info here.
du lich nha trang says
Great site. Just looked at the new parking fees for overnight stays. $24 a day if you want to stay at AKL seems ridiculous just to park your car in the FL sun. SoG was $7 to park in a garage the last time I checked. Do you know if that price or a discount will carry over to other resorts if military members stay there instead of SoG?
Kelsey says
Yea…we just came home from a Disney vacation and we went to Shades of Green to get discounted tickets with my fiancé’s military discount since he just recently became a veteran and we weren’t even let onto the property since he’s no longer active duty. BE WARNED: Disney doesn’t give a crap about veterans. SeaWorld is the only one that gave us any sort of discount for his veteran status! Don’t waste your time…
Annet says
My husband is retired military, and we have just reserved our room at Shades Of Green. We plan on going just 2 days to Disney World. What would be the cheapest tickets for us. There are so many options it’s a confusing . And should we buy them in advance and have them mailed to us to start the fast pass?
Mr. J.D Hagen says
retired Air Force. with wife two children and possible one grandson. one maybe two days?
suggestions
barbara says
my husband is an army veteran not disabled. Are there any Disneyworld discounts available to him and family?
paulo andré de barros corrêa says
I am a Brazilian Navy soldier and whenever I go to Orlando I buy my NAVEX tickets at a discount (REGULAR MILITARY DISCOUNT). I wonder if there are any other benefits at Disney World Parks. I saw on this site that there are discounts for example at American military restaurants at Disney Springs. I wonder if there are discounts for foreign military too.
Thanks.
Kari Jo says
Hello,
We will soon be traveling to Orlando. We have our four day hopper pass tickets. But, I also want to purchase the Memory Maker at the Military Discount Rate. Can I purchase that at the gate or do I need to purchase that in advance? I have heard that the Memory Maker needs to be purchased at least 3 days prior to your visit. Is that true?
Amanda says
as long as we purchase tickets before the end of 2019 as far as you know we are able to use anytime in December including the week and day of Christmas specifically 12/21-28
Renee Virata says
Hi Amanda,
Unfortunately, no. All tickets must be purchased by 12/16/2019 and used by 12/19/2019.
Renee
Odalis says
He Renee,
I’m interesting on getting the right info about this. Hubby is in active duty and he would like to have us taking a short vacation. Mom and the kids. If husband is actually in a mission are we eligible to have the military discounts? Any suggestions?
Renee Virata says
Yes! As long as you, the spouse, has a valid military dependent ID you can take advantage of the military discounts including the Armed Forces Salute tickets, hotel discounts and Memory Maker.
Leann Anderson says
My husband is retired DOD civilian with id. He doesn’t like the parks. Can we buy 7 day tickets for our kids and grandkids and a one day ticket for him, He would go on the first day when the tickets are activated.
Renee Virata, Military SheBuysTravel says
Hi Leann,
I want to make sure I give you the correct information. If your husband is RETIRED MILITARY he (or you) would be able to purchase up to 6 of the Armed Forces Salute tickets which are available as 4 or 5-day tickets. At least one of those tickets would have to be used by him (or you). Those tickets can be activated by him or you as his spouse as long as you had a valid retired dependent ID. If he’s RETIRED DOD he doesn’t qualify for the Armed Forces Salute tickets. In either situation, if he has access to the base ticket office, he would be able to purchase slightly discounted tickets from them. Those tickets wouldn’t need to be activated and you do the exact situation you stated in your comment (7 days for you and 1 day for him).
Hope that helps!
Renee
Natty says
hi renee
I just wondering if you can help me decide. my husband is in military . I am plaining to go to Disney for 5 day for 3 adult and 2 kids . I know that ticket is limited up to 6 tickey. am I be able to buy 5 ticket but 5 day each ??? Should I stay Disney resort or shade resort ?? I am prefer to have dinning plan too . so I don’t really what should I do ?
Renee Virata, Military SheBuysTravel says
Hey Natty!
Yes, you can purchase five of the 5-day Armed Forces Salute tickets. The dining plan is only available to those staying at a Disney Resort, so if that is what you prefer I’d stay on site!
Have a magical trip.
Renee
Trisha says
Hello,
My family is headed to Disney next week and my son decided to go…..he is in the AF reserve. He plans on going with us, so what are his options?
What is the difference between the Armed Forces Salute tickets and regular military discount tickets?
Also, can we purchase these online? If not where can we buy them?
Renee Virata, Military SheBuysTravel says
Hi Trisha!
Reservists are listed as eligible for the Armed Forces Salute tickets, so your son should be able to purchase them.
The difference between the tickets is the the price. Armed Forces Salute tickets are deeply discounted 4 or 5 days tickets. The regular discounted tickets only saves you a few dollars over gate prices. Armed Forces Salute tickets can be purchased at the ticket gates, at Shades of Green Resort on property or through your closest base ticket office, if they have them in stock.
Hope that helps! Have a magical trip.
Angela Snowman says
Hello. I am wondering if you can answer a question for me.
We are planning a trip and will be purchasing the 5 day Park Hopper military ticket. Do I have to visit the parks on consecutive days? Or can I visit any 5 days during our stay?
Thanks for your assistance.
Renee Virata, Military SheBuysTravel says
Hi Angela!
No, the Armed Forces Salute tickets do not have to be use on consecutive days.
Kim says
Can the ticket be purchased at the gate?
Renee Virata, Military SheBuysTravel says
Yes you can, but it will be slightly more expensive due to paying tax and you won’t be able to schedule Fastpass+ selections in advance.
~Renee
margaret martin says
My husband and I are going to Walt Disney world. My son is active military and currently state side but cannot meet up with us on the dates we will be in Orlando. Can he buy us the tickets to get into the park ? we have no military ID – we are just his parents.
I am wondering if we are able to use his military discount, but use the tickets without him being at the park.
Renee Virata, Military SheBuysTravel says
Hi Margaret!
Unfortunately, you are not able to use his military discount without him being in Orlando with you. Your active duty son has to purchase the tickets and activate them for you at the front gate.
Angi says
I’m wondering about the purchase dates, we are hoping to plan a trip from January 1st-5th but I see tickets can only be purchased during the calendar year. What’s the solution to this? Would we just have to wait and buy at the gate? Does this become a problem for adding fast pass ? Total newbie here!
Renee Virata says
Hi Angi,
Disney usually announces the new Armed Forces Salute in late September of the current year and tickets are available at the parks or Shades of Green within after a short wait. Tickets can take a month or so to arrive at your local ITT office. Once the announcement comes for 2020, I’d contact your local base to see if they know when they’ll be getting tickets in or call Shades of Green Resort as they will mail you tickets.
If you are staying at a Disney World Resort hotel you can book your FastPass+ 60 days in advance or 30 days in advance if staying off property. So, as long as you have tickets by the beginning of November for on property or December for off property, you’ll have no delay in scheduling your FastPass+.
Hope that helps!
Renee
Chris says
Hi! You mentioned Department of Defense Civil Service workers and Contractors. And that these two groups were added in the fall of 2018 on a temporary basis. The deal is available to them at least through the end of 2018.
Is this documented somewhere on Disney’s website or is there something else officially stating this?
Lance says
The price of disney tickets have gotten so ridiculously expensive over the course of the last 15 years, and the military discounts even less attractive. When I was in active dury in 2002/2003/ I could go to any disney park for “FREE” and 50% off of any person in my group up to 6 people, and 50% off any disney hotel.
Another thing that is ridiculous is, is the discounts are only available to Active and retired members. What about all other veterans? Some veterans who served 4 years- Active duty at one point, where is there discount?
Shame on you disney- increase the discounts – and make it available to “ALL VETERANS!”
USMC – Active Duty – 2000-2004
Linda says
We used military discount last Jan 2018 we got 5 day tickets, November 30 thru December 8, 2019 we want to get 6 day park tickets how do we know what the extra day will cost so we can order our tickets from Shades of Green?
Renee Virata, Military SheBuysTravel says
Hi Linda!
Just want to make sure I’m understanding you correctly – You’re looking to purchase 6 day tickets for November 30-December 8, 2019? If this is the case, there are 2 ways to go about this.
1. The deeply discounted Armed Forces Salute tickets are only available as 4 day or 5 day tickets. You can not add days to these tickets. You CAN do the 5 day park hopper plus which includes 5 visits to the 4 major parks (Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot and Animal Kingdom) and 5 visits that can be used for the waterparks, a round of golf at Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Winter Summerland Mini Golf or Fantasia Gardens Mini Golf.
2. You can buy regular military discounted 6 day ticket through Shades of Green. They do not have prices out for 2019, but a Magic Your Way base adult 6 day ticket for 2018 through Shades of Green is $397.25.
Hope that helps!
Scott J says
Great site. Just looked at the new parking fees for overnight stays. $24 a day if you want to stay at AKL seems ridiculous just to park your car in the FL sun. SoG was $7 to park in a garage the last time I checked. Do you know if that price or a discount will carry over to other resorts if military members stay there instead of SoG? Thank you for your service as well. Spouses do not get enough credit for all they do.
Renee Virata, Military SheBuysTravel says
Hey there Scott!
I love Shades of Green Resort! Unfortunately, it isn’t affiliated with directly with Disney, so the ceaper parking fee doesn’t transfer over to Disney Resorts. If staying AKL Kidani there is a parking garage, so no parking in the sun… I know it’s not much, but thought I’d share just in case you didn’t know. Sorry, I don’t have better news for you.
Thank you for your service!
Renee
Louise Spearing says
May I ask if British military can benefit from these offers? Thank you
Renee Virata, Military SheBuysTravel says
Hi Louise,
I’m sorry, but as far as I know these discounts are only for the United States military service members.
Abby says
My husband is a veteran but did not retire from the army. Is his only for active duty or retired veterans or for all veterans?
Renee Virata, Military SheBuysTravel says
Hi Abby!
Thank you to your husband for his service. Unfortunately, The Armed Forces Salute tickets and related discounts are only for active duty and retired service members.
~Renee
jason says
I am retired active duty. My wife is planning a trip to Disney World with our two children, both her parents, and her older sibling. I will not be attending. Can I purchase tickets for all of them? Will they activate tickets for my in-laws? And can she do the activating without me? If so, would she need anything other than my military ID?
Jason says
My wife is planning a trip to Disney with our two kids, both her parents and her sister. I am retired active duty. Can I purchase Armed Forces Salute tickets for all of them and can my wife have the tickets activated without me? What proof would she need besides my military ID?
Renee Virata, Military SheBuysTravel says
Hi Jason!
The qualifying service member or spouse can purchase up to 6 tickets, so it sounds like that would be enough for everyone. Your wife can activate the tickets, but she’d need to have her own dependant military ID.
Hope that helps!
Mary Hardin says
My husband was a veteran, (but not retired) of USMC. He has since passed away. Can I use his DD-214 to purchase tickets? He was honorably discharged in 1983.
Renee Virata, Military SheBuysTravel says
Hi Mary,
Unfortunately, you do not qualify. The discount is only for active duty and retired service members.
Rita A Kowalczyk says
I’m a child of retired member , can I purchase tickets with my ID?
Renee Virata, Military SheBuysTravel says
Hi there Rita,
Unfortunately, no. The only people eligible to purchase and/or activate tickets are the current/retired service member or their spouse.
Sorry! Renee
Jennifer Jenkins says
so does Shades of Green offer any type of dining plan?
Renee Virata says
Hi Jennifer,
From time to time Shades of Green offers a dining plan, but it is limited to their 3 onsite restaurants.
Renee
Taylor says
At Disney can a spouse use military discount while husband is deployed?
Renee Virata, Military SheBuysTravel says
Hi Taylor,
Yes, a spouse can take advantage of the Armed Forces Salute discount as long as they have a valid military id.
Zaionara Machado says
Hi, I bought the 5 day ticket with water park plus and park hopper from the military base and we are going to Disneyworld in August. The lady at the base said that we can use this ticket for 5 days at the major parks and we have extra days on top of those 5 days for water parks. She said the water parks were extra days on top of those 5. Is that information correct? We are staying 7days at the Disney resort and I would love to be able to use the water park separate from the 5 days at the major 4 theme parks. Thank you in advance!
Renee Virata says
Hi!
Yes, that information is correct. You will have 5 separate entries that can be used for mini golf prior to 4 pm, water parks and more. These entries can be used however best fits your travel needs!
Have a wonderful trip.
Renee
Heather McGee says
Can you clear up a debate for us? My FIL is retired Navy. Can he and my MIL each get 6 tickets or can they only get 6 total?
Renee Virata, Military SheBuysTravel says
Hi Heather!
It’s a limit of 6 per service member and when the tickets are purchase they are put under the service members social/DOD number. So since your MIL is under his social/DOD number, so it’s a total of 6 tickets between the two of them. Hope that helps settle the debate!
Christina d says
Now that they’ve realized the MNSSP info. Do you know about mil discounts? Thanks!
Renee Virata, Military SheBuysTravel says
Hi Christina! Yes, there are military discounts available for the 2018 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, but only for select days – August 17, 24, 28 & 31 and September 3, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, & 18. Tickets with the discount are $56.25 plus tax for 10 and older and $51.10 plus tax for ages 3-9. Tickets are only available onsite at Disney World or through Shades of Green Resort.
Hope that helps! ~Renee
PegP says
The ticket prices for the MNSSHP are not the same for every discounted night in 2019. This year, for example, the prices vary from $64 up to $103. And going on the 20th of September is more expensive than going on the 22nd. The last discounted party night is Oct 24th. But the discount is so small, if you want to wait until the 31st, it’s only going to cost you about $2-4 more a ticket (plus tax since Shades of Green doesn’t sell the non-discounted tickets)
Jonathan says
Good job Renee !! From a 20 year retired Air Force veteran .
Renee Virata, Military SheBuysTravel says
Thank you Jonathan. And many thanks for your service. My family greatly appreciates it.
Danielle says
Is there a military discount ticket for a ONE day ticket?
Or for 100% disabled military veteran? TIA
Renee Virata says
Hi Danielle,
One day tickets are not usually discounted too much, but you can check with your local base ticket office. If purchased on base or at Shades of Green Resort you will not have to pay taxes which will save you some.
100% service connected disabled veterans are eligible for the 4 or 5 day Armed Forces Salute tickets.
Renee