Hi there, and welcome to planDisney. First and foremost, thank you for your service and your sacrifice. It would truly be an honor to help you plan your upcoming trip to the
Most Magical Place on Earth. Visiting in September 2025 sounds like a great idea because of the cooler temps and lighter crowds, and I’d be happy to walk you through some ways to make the most of your budget during your stay.
Walt Disney World offers a number of special benefits for eligible members of the U.S. military. These include discounted multi-day theme park tickets as well as reduced rates at select Disney Resorts Collection hotels. Another option to consider is
Shades of Green, a beautiful Armed Forces Recreation Center located right on Walt Disney World property. This resort is exclusively for eligible service members and their families and provides easy access to the parks, spacious rooms, and access to discounted attraction tickets right from the lobby ticket office.
As for eligibility for the
2025 U.S. Military Promotional Tickets, these specially priced tickets are available to active and retired members of the U.S. military, including the National Guard, Reservists, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Space Force, and Commissioned Corps members of the Public Health Service and NOAA. Based on current policy and the fine print, a veteran who is not classified as retired from the military, unfortunately, would not qualify for this specific offer, but I urge you to read everything or contact your local military base to get the official answer.
That said, please don’t let that stop you from experiencing the magic. Disney regularly offers a variety of promotions available to all Guests throughout the year. I recommend checking out the
Special Offers, Deals & Discounts page on the Walt Disney World website. One standout is the
3-Day, 3-Park Ticket, which gives you access to EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom at a reduced rate. You’ll also find
seasonal offers for resort stays, especially during the summer and early fall, which might align perfectly with your September visit.
Another way to stretch your budget is by purchasing Disney Gift Cards at retailers like Target, Sam’s Club, or Costco, where they’re sometimes sold at a small discount. These can be used for tickets, dining, and merchandise throughout the resort.
And once you’re on vacation, there are even more ways to save. A Resort Refillable Mug gives you unlimited refills at your Disney Resort hotel for the length of your stay. If you're a popcorn fan like we are, a Refillable Popcorn Bucket is a fun and tasty way to snack throughout the day for just a couple of dollars per refill. Many families also find it helpful to have groceries delivered right to their resort hotel room for breakfast items or snacks.
Don’t forget, you’re welcome to bring your own food and drinks into the parks. My family and I like to bring little snacks like protein bars, crackers, or Goldfish to keep everyone going between meals, or until we’re ready for that Mickey Pretzel or DOLE Whip.
I hope this helps you start your planning! If you have any more questions along the way,
please don’t hesitate to reach back out. I’d be glad to help. Thank you again for your service.
Respectfully,
Brent