Hi there, Kirsty! Welcome to planDisney. You and your family are in for some magical memory-making next spring! Mickey, Minnie, and all their friends will be ready to greet you and your Mouseketeers with warm hugs and high-fives as soon as you step onto Main Street, U.S.A.! It's going to be hard to keep your grin from stretching ear to ear!
You must be so proud of your husband. What an incredible accomplishment! A trip to the Happiest Place on Earth is a great way to celebrate. While the
Disneyland Resort does honor
military service, it currently only extends to active and retired U.S. military personnel and their spouses. I'm so sorry I don't have better news for you on this one!
Since you have quite a bit of time ahead of your planned trip, I would recommend keeping in touch with your local travel agent for any specials or promotions that may pop up for next spring. They will be the first to know of any offers that become available.
In the meantime, you can start to explore (and daydream about!) where you might want to stay! If you are thinking about a
Disneyland Resort Hotel, you may want to consider a vacation package that includes both hotel accommodation and theme park tickets and a few magical extras, of course! You currently have three hotels to choose from - the Disneyland Hotel, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, and Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel.
My personal favorite is the Disneyland Hotel with its nostalgic theming to the early days of the parks. There are some incredible photos of Walt in the lobby illustrating the planning process, and you can't beat the headboards in each room that light up with fireworks and sing "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes"! I may have left mine on all night - it was just SO magical! The Disneyland Hotel is also home to the famous Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar and its next-door neighbor Tangaroa Terrace Tropical Bar & Grill. Sometimes I have to pinch myself knowing that I can order a DOLE Whip® just steps from my hotel room! In the mornings, I like to Mobile Order coffee and a breakfast snack from The Coffee House and time it just right so that it's ready as soon as I'm about to leave for the parks. There's nothing better than having a hot (or cold!) coffee waiting for you for your stroll over to the Esplanade!
Kirsty, I know this wasn't the information you were hoping for, but I hope it was helpful in your planning! When you are in the parks, be sure to pick up a complimentary "I'm Celebrating" button for your husband! These are available at most retail locations or City Hall just to the left as you pass under the Disneyland Railroad. He will receive a mountain of good wishes from Cast Members and Guests, and you never know what kind of pixie dust may follow! If you have any more questions, come back to see us here at
planDisney. We are always here for you!
Never stop dreaming,
Tara