Hi Brian,
Thanks for bringing your insightful question to planDisney! Most importantly, thank you for your service or affiliation and support of our United States military that makes you eligible for great discounts on your Walt Disney World theme park tickets. I’m happy to help you understand what to expect with the tickets you purchased so that you can have an efficient arrival on your first day of vacation.
There are two types of military tickets, and your next steps will vary depending on which one you’ve purchased. Please see
additional details on these distinctions in another question I answered recently.
Please know that you don’t need physical tickets, but
at least one way to access them (the My Disney Experience App on a phone, Disney MagicMobile Pass on a smart wallet/watch, MagicBand or MagicBand+, or you may pick up a physical plastic key card). In your My Disney Experience App, navigate to Tickets and Passes. On each ticket, it should say “Military Ticket” if Disney Military Salute, or “Magic Your Way” ticket type at the top. Here are the differences, and what you’ll need to do (or not).
If your tickets purchased on base are the
Disney Military Salute special offer, they are 4, 5, or 6-day tickets and you are eligible to purchase by either being an active or retired service member. These tickets have some additional constraints for this exclusive audience and special savings. You must be one of the Guests using a ticket, you may only purchase six per calendar year, and you must activate these in person showing proof of your eligibility (active or retired status) prior to first use. If this is the case, yes – you may complete this step at the
Disney Springs Disney Ticket Center or at any Guest Relations window at the entrance to each theme park. Once activated, your family may enter the four theme parks throughout your vacation without an additional step.
If your tickets purchased on base are Magic Your Way tickets, these are available on base with less of a discount but more flexibility, as they are open to a wider eligibility than Disney Military Salute. These are available in 1 – to 10-day increments, with or without Park Hopper option. These savings are also available to Veterans and civilians in roles supporting our military. Please see
this extensive list from Shades of Green, an Armed Forces Recreation Center (AFRC) on Walt Disney World Resort property which also sells these specific tickets. My husband is a Veteran and a civilian for the U.S. Army, so we typically purchase our theme park tickets at the Pentagon, which may be like your recent purchase if you are not currently active or retired. These types of tickets for sale on base do not require activation upon arrival; you may directly enter the theme park when you begin your vacation without an additional step.
If you haven’t looked into staying at
Shades of Green, I encourage you to check it out as an option. They have the largest standard rooms on property and offer many great amenities and proximity to Magic Kingdom – all for great rates honoring your service and status.
Please let us know if you have any additional questions in planning this special trip next year.
With gratitude,
Amy