For the last few years the Disney Company has offered amazing ticket and room discounts for us Military families. I for one really appreciate it when a company like Disney offers these kinds of deep discounts to us.
Disney offers a $138.00 park hopper promotional ticket to Active duty, Retired Military, National Guard and Reservist. For $27 more you can also add the Water Parks, fun and more option. This is an incredible savings. Disney allows you to activate only 6 tickets at a time and the Military member has to be one of the ticket holders. The tickets have to be activated no later than September 30, 2012.
Another great thing about these tickets is Disney doesn’t restrict to only your immediate family using the tickets. You are able to bring extended family and friends along with you just as long as you only activate 6 tickets. You can purchase these tickets at your local base ticket and travel center or they can be purchased at the Shades of Green Resort. You will still need to activate the tickets before the first use and this can be done at any of the ticket windows at any of the parks. The Military member has to be present as do all of the guests that will be activating tickets. Also the Military member will need his or her Military Id.
Once the tickets are activated you are free to use them as you wish. It is a very generous way Disney says thank you to the members of the Military and their families. My family has had years where we spent the majority of it apart, but with the Disney Military promotion we are able to plan a trip that we can afford and spend the much needed time together making memories and forgetting all of those days apart. On top of the amazing ticket promotion Disney also offers up to 40% off its resort hotels to its Military guest. This is an incredible savings.
Usually they base the discount on which level resort you decide to book. In most cases, it is 30% for Value Resorts, 35% for Moderate Resorts, and 40% for Deluxe Resorts. Disney also allows you to add the Dining Plan. This is the only time Disney will allow the Dining Plan to be purchased without a ticket and room package. Disney will not allow you to use the room discount with any other promotion such as free dining.
We always end up going during the free dining promotion and every year I do the math and it never fails……the Military room discount plus promotional tickets and paying for the Dining Plan is always cheaper than getting the Dining plan for free.
With that being said, there is another option and that is staying at the Shades of Green Resort at Walt Disney World. This is a Military owned Resort complete with an AAFES store and the rooms rates are based on Military rank. The resort often has promotions that include meals but the Shades of Green does not participate in the Disney Dining Plan therefore any meals that are included would only be for use at the restaurants at the Shades of Green. It is a very nice resort with some of the largest rooms on Disney property and it is located with beautiful views of a golf course and located parallel to Disney’s Polynesian Resort.
It is a beautiful resort in a great location but the only thing it is lacking to me is Disney feel. It is what I would call a grown up Resort. When I come to Disney I want to wake up surrounded by Disney and go to sleep on bed that is covered in “hidden Mickey’s”, but if you don’t mind not being immersed in Disney then the Shades of Green is a great Resort option.
You have to decide what the best fit for your family is and of course what is best for your budget. Disney has offered a way for the Military and their families to enjoy a Magical Vacation for a great price. If you are eligible please try and take advantage of this great offer before it’s too late.
No matter where you decide to stay or when you decide to visit it will be a magical experience that your family will never forget.
Related articles
- Strategies for Paying for Disney – Military Discounts (couponingtodisney.com)
- Downtown Disney Resort Area Hotels to Award Free One-week Vacations to 2 Military Families (chipandco.com)
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