Hi Ella! Welcome to planDisney.
On behalf of my own military family, and my fellow panelists, I would like to thank you for your service to our country. I'm very grateful for the fantastic military discounts offered at the Walt Disney World Resort, which have made it possible for my family to return again and again. It's my pleasure to help you sort through how the military discount on
Disney Resorts Collection hotels work so you can save money for extra Mickey-shaped treats on your vacation!
Military discounts are usually announced in late summer or early fall for the following year, so there hopefully isn't too long to wait. While a new military discount is not guaranteed, there have been military discounts on
theme park tickets,
resort hotels, and Memory Maker for the past several years. The details do tend to change a little from year to year, so keep an eye on the
Special Offers page and the
Disney Parks Blog for an announcement.
What many people do, including myself, is to make a regular non-discounted room-only resort hotel reservation as a placeholder while waiting for the military discount to drop. That way, you've already paid your deposit and know you have a Disney resort hotel room reserved for your vacation dates. When the discount is announced, you will need to call (407) 939-7830 to ask about rates and availability for your dates. If there's availability under the discount, you can
modify your reservation to the military-discounted rate.
I've never heard of anyone losing their reservation in this process, but what may happen is that there isn't availability at the resort hotel you originally chose. Because the discount is limited, and there is high demand for it, it's good to be flexible about resort hotels. If there's one hotel that is your absolute must, it's possible that you will not be able to stay there under the military discount if there isn't availability. My family often stays at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort (we love it!) because there is usually availability and great rates there for military members.
Sometimes the military discount isn't the best deal for resort hotel rooms, so be sure to check special offers and see if any apply to your dates and plans. You can also modify a reservation to add a special offer (if applicable), so there's really no harm in making a reservation now for next year.
I hope this helps as you make your plans, Ella. If you have any more questions as you make your plans, you're welcome to
ask me a question directly or come back and ask my fellow panelists. I'm sending pixie dust that we get an announcement soon about 2022 military discounts and you are on your way to planning your magical vacation.
Wishing you much magic,
Robyn