Hi April,
Thanks for finding your way back to planDisney with this wonderful question and thank you especially for connecting with me! My husband is also a United States Department of Defense (U.S. DoD) Civilian, so we often take advantage of these special offers on theme park tickets. I’m honored to share the important details with you for planning your next trip to the Walt Disney World Resort.
The military savings most often referred to is the
Disney Military Salute ticket offer. Eligibility for these tickets is limited to active and retired U.S. Military personnel and their spouses, and tickets must be
purchased at a U.S. Military Base. These are sold in 4, 5, and 6-day increments and the total number of tickets purchased is limited to six each year. These Military Salute tickets must also then be activated in person upon arrival at the Walt Disney World Resort to verify eligibility. While a wonderful savings for these special families, it is limited in nature.
U.S. DoD Civilians, like yourself, can take advantage of a different offer on theme park tickets for special savings to honor your service and affiliation. Shades of Green, an Armed Forces Recreation Center (AFRC) located on Walt Disney World Resort property, offers
discounted Magic Your Way tickets for sale on their website as an official Disney outlet. You may
purchase them through the Shades of Green website, and tickets will arrive to you in the mail and already activated so you can head straight into the theme park upon arrival with those activated tickets. While
eligibility is still limited, this offer expands beyond active and retired personnel to include Veterans and DoD Civilians. You’ll find many options for this ticket purchase, including the exact number of theme park days needed. The purchasing process and using the tickets on site is quite seamless.
While you do not have to be staying at the
Shades of Green resort to purchase these tickets, I encourage you to look into the
wonderful accommodations and pricing for your trip. My family loves the location and amenities of this resort, which has the largest standard guest rooms on property!
Did you know that
U.S. DoD Civilians also qualify for the special savings of a Military Rate on Disney Cruise Line? The specific cruises offered for Military Rates change often, so keep an eye on the Disney Cruise Line website to see if you may wish to plan a land and sea vacation.
I hope this brings some clarity to the special savings you can enjoy as part of the extended military service community, April. The Walt Disney Company continues to honor military families, Veterans, and the larger defense community as it has done throughout its 100-year history with special savings, Americana attractions, and beautiful tributes or traditions in the theme parks and resorts.
Please let me know if you have additional questions as you investigate these special offers. Thank you for your continued career in service and in support of our larger DoD community.
Wishing you a magical vacation,
Amy