Hi there, Alizae! Welcome to planDisney!
It sounds like you're planning a trip to the Disneyland Resort in early October, which is an absolutely awesome time to visit!
Halloween Time will be in full, festive swing, bringing spooky delights and enchanting decorations to both parks. You're in for a real treat!
First and foremost, on behalf of all of us here at planDisney, I'd like to extend our deepest gratitude to your father for his service and sacrifice. His dedication helps keep our world a little bit more magical and secure, and we are truly thankful for all that he, and your family, have given.
You're asking a very important question about military tickets, and I want to be as clear and helpful as possible. While the
Disney Military Promotional Tickets are an incredible way to celebrate our service members, there's a specific activation requirement. For these special tickets, the Eligible Service Member or their spouse must be present at the Disneyland Resort to activate the tickets for first use. This means, unfortunately, that you would be unable to use these tickets to enter the parks if your father is not accompanying your party to California.
I realize this is probably not the news you wanted to hear, Alizae, and I'm truly sorry to deliver it. However, if your father does decide to come to California with your family, he could absolutely bring the tickets to the main entrance gates and activate them all at once with his valid military ID. He doesn't, however, need to be present with your party after the initial activation. Just a friendly note: once his ticket is activated, it will then be assigned to him, and no one else can use it for entry at a later date.
While the Disney Military Promotional Tickets may not work for your October visit without your father present, please don't lose heart! The Disneyland Resort frequently has other special offers available that might help you find great value for your tickets. For example, while the current
Disneyland Anniversary Ticket Offer is an awesome option, it’s only valid for visits through August 14, 2025, so it wouldn't quite help for your October trip. However, I always recommend keeping a close eye on the official
Disneyland special offers page, as new promotions and discounts can pop up that might be perfect for your visit!
And speaking of gratitude for our service members, when you visit Disneyland Park, I highly recommend experiencing the Disneyland Flag Retreat Ceremony. This heartwarming and patriotic tradition takes place daily in Town Square on
Main Street, U.S.A., generally in the late afternoon (often around 4:15 PM, but be sure to check the entertainment schedule in the
Disneyland app for the exact time on your visit date). It's a beautiful moment of reflection and tribute, honoring those who serve. It might be a special way to feel your father's spirit of service within the parks, even if he can't be there in person.
I hope this information helps you continue planning your magical trip, Alizae! Please know that we're always here at planDisney, ready to help with any more questions you might have. Wishing you and your family the most enchanting Disneyland adventure!
Cody