Navigating Disney Military Discounts
Eligibility is the Key
Navigating Disney military discounts begins with eligibility and is confusing enough to lose a 1st Lieutenant in the woods.
Eligible service members wishing to stay at Shades of green are Active US Military and DOD Civilians, retired US Military and DOD civilians, all Veterans with service-connected disabilities, former POW’s, Unmarried surviving spouses of eligible services members, foreign nation military assigned or attached to US military and purple heart recipients. Veterans who did not retire are eligible to stay in January and September.
Disney Armed forces salute, to include Disney property resort and tickets are more limited. Those eligible for these tickets are retired US Military Members, Active US Military Members, 100% Service-Connected Disabled, Medal of Honor Recipients, Spouses in place of eligible member, Un-Remarried widows of eligible members, active Foreign Military partners.
Let us start with where we are staying
Disney has two great options for or service members
Shades of Green Resort
Located across the street from the Polynesian, Shades was originally a golf course resort. In the early 90’s the Department of Defense leased, and ultimately purchased, and then expanded the resort. The resort offers an Italian restaurant, Mangino’s, an amazing breakfast buffet, two quick service options and a sports bar, Evergreens, by one of the two pools attached to hotel. The hotel is open available to service members and their family. Each service member can book up to 3 rooms. The rates of the of the rooms is based on the service member rank (i.e., E-4 pays a different rate than O-4). The rooms are large, layout is simple, and pools are great here. Transportation at Shades runs a little different then Disney Resort properties. The Epcot and Magic Kingdom busses will only take you to Transportation center, BUT a short walk across the street puts you at the Polynesian and access to the Monorail and direct busses. The Dinning plan is not offered here, and Magic bands do not work at Shades, but all you still get other Disney property perks, such as extra hours and early Dinning Reservations within the parks.
On-Property Hotels
Disney World Park resorts offer Disney Armed Forces Salute discounts from 30% to 40% depending on the Resort and room. The rooms are limited to an undisclosed amount for each hotel, and when they’re gone, they’re gone! All on-property perks are included with these discounts and early reservations are a must. A frequent practice in navigating Disney military discounts is to reserve a room early and have it converted to a military discount when those discounts open.
Shades of Green prices remain the same through the year and only changes based on Service member rank in a three-category chart. Disney Resort rates are based on discount percentage of regular room rate, so they fluctuate through the year. At times you can be pay less at a value resort with discount than Shades of Green and at times more. I am personally a huge fan of Port Orleans and have found myself close to paying the same to stay there as I would Shades of Green.
Example: Shades of Green 1 October 2020 – 30 September 2021 lists a Category 1 room (E-1 thru E-6) at $139.00 per night. If a full Disney Armed Forces Salute discount of 35% is applied, a room in Port Orleans could be as low as $156 a night. Both resorts charge for parking, $13 at Shades of Green, $20 at Port Orleans but as Disney Resort guest you will not have to pay to park at theme parks.
Now let us discuss park tickets
The next step to navigating Disney military discounts, and probably the biggest of discounts, are the Park tickets. There are three options: Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets, Regular Military Discounted Tickets and Shades of Green Stars and Stripes Passes. Let break them down without making your eyes cross.
Salute to Service Park Tickets
- 4- or 5-day Tickets options are available including Hopper and Genie +
- Up to 6 Walt Disney World Armed Forces Salute Tickets may be purchased and activated between 1 January and 16 December, per eligible member.
- Tickets must be activated prior to first use only and activation must be done by eligible service member at guest services except for Shades of Green.
- Tickets can be purchased at Military Base Ticket office, Shades of Green and can also be ordered by phone from both locations.
- Once you have tickets, they can be linked to My Disney Experience for the purpose of reservations but are not activated until eligible member does so at Disney with proper ID.
Regular Discount Tickets
- They are just that, a regular discounted Magic Your Way tickets that you can purchase for yourself or others as a Service member. The military discount is about four to eight percent off the full price, depending on length and options.
- MWR system sells Magic Your Way Tickets at a slight discount through Base Ticket Offices, the Orlando ITT, and Shades of Green.
- These tickets currently expire 14 days after the date of first use.
- These tickets are not limited to the 6 tickets per military member.
- They do not need to be activated.
Stars and Stripes passes
- Has been Discontinued as of February 2022
Dining, because who doesn’t love the food at Disney
Disney does not offer a Dinning Plan discount, but Disney Springs restaurants have 10% to 25% discounts, any real Veteran knows it can’t hurt to ask.
Some of the restaurants offering discounts:
- House of Blues
- Raglan Road
- Paradiso 37
- T-Rex
- Rainforest café
Summary
Disney offers a ton of Military discounts but, just like the military itself, navigating Disney military discounts is not always easy, that is what I am here for. Discounts do not help a travel advisors bottom line, they help you and regardless we are here to walk you through. We can help you get your tickets, link them, and get an excellent rate on your resort. Thank you for your service and thank you for reading this military discount blog.
Will is a retired New York City Detective who served in the US Army in Korea and Iraq. He spends retirement traveling with his family and sharing his love for it with others. He is a travel advisor specializing in Disney travel destinations, Cruises, Universal Studios, Caribbean, Hawaii, and Mexico.
About the author
Will Hanlon
Will is a retired New York City Detective who served in the US Army in Korea and Iraq. He spends retirement traveling with his family and sharing his love for it with others. He is a travel advisor specializing in Disney travel destinations, Cruises, Universal Studios, Caribbean, Hawaii, and Mexico.
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