From discounted tickets, rooms, and cruises to a special military resort and flag ceremony, Disney has a variety of ways to make sure those who serve or have served in the U.S. military know how much they are appreciated.
Here are some of the benefits that military service members can take advantage of when visiting a Disney theme park.
1. Ticket Discounts
Ticket discounts can change based on what promotions Disney is offering at the time. The discount often ranges Those eligible for this promotion include active and retired members of the U.S. Military, including the National Guard, Reservists, the U.S. Coast Guard, the PHS, NOAA. It also includes spouses of Military service members.
Walt Disney World Military Ticket Discounts
Currently at Walt Disney World, you can choose between a Disney 4-Day Military Promotional Ticket or a 5-Day Military Promotional Ticket. The Park Hopper Option is included, so you can come and go as you please at all four theme parks each day of your ticket! If you’re looking for a little extra magic, add the Park Hopper Plus Option for $50 more, plus tax.
The prices will vary based on the number of days and if the Park Hopper Plus option is added.
Purchase 5-Day Military Promotional Tickets now through December 15, 2019 and 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets now through December 16, 2019. You can also purchase the Memory Maker product for a special price of $98 through December 19, 2019.
To see the current promotion offerings at Disney World, click here!
Disneyland Resort Military Ticket Discounts
Disneyland Resort is currently saluting U.S. military personnel by offering Military Promotional 3- and 4-Day Park Hopper Tickets. You can visit both theme parks each day of your ticket. The Disney PhotoPass Collection product is also available for a discounted rate.
To see the promotions at Disneyland, click here!
These discounts cannot usually be combined with other discounts, they may have blackout dates, and they’re limited to six tickets.
2. Hotel Discounts
Military service members can also receive discounts on Disney hotels. These discounts can range in both price and location. And, of course, they are always subject to change.
Discounts typically range from 30 percent to 40 percent off average room rates. They will usually include Value, Moderate, and Deluxe Resorts at Walt Disney World. In California, military service members can usually book at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, Disneyland Hotel, and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
Minimum length of stay requirements may also apply. Separate theme-park tickets will need to be purchased. The number of rooms that can be reserved may be restricted as well.
Click here to check out the Disneyland discounts.
View the Disney World discounts here.
3. Cruise Line Discounts
There are often select dates to choose from when booking a discounted Disney Cruise Line experience. Disney will only release a few military discounted rooms per trip. Also, only one stateroom is available per military service member, per sailing. Discounts are typically announced 30-60 days out. So be on the lookout if you are interested in sailing the seas with Disney.
Check out all the details on military discounts on Disney Cruise Line here!
4. Restaurant and Merchandise Discounts
Select non-Disney locations may offer a small dining discount. These would likely include locations at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World and Downtown Disney district at Disneyland.
You are also able to add a Disney Dining Plan to your room reservations. This will be at a standard non-discounted rate (read more about the Military Discount for a Disney Dining Plan here).
5. Shades of Green
Shades of Green is an Armed-Forces Recreation Center Resort on Disney property. Here, military service members can stay for a discounted rate. The resort also sells discounted tickets to not only Disney, but to Universal Studios and Sea World as well.
Shades of Green does have a few differences than when staying at a Disney resort. These include having to pay for parking when visiting the theme parks, and transportation to the park is a little more difficult, especially when visiting Magic Kingdom. The bus will take you to the Transportation and Ticket Center, instead of to the main entrance of the Magic Kingdom.
Read more about Shades of Green here!
6. Flag Retreat
The flag retreat takes place on Main Street, U.S.A. at Walt Disney World and Disneyland every day. This ceremony is meant to honor those who defend our country. At Walt Disney World a cast member will select a veteran at random to participate in the ceremony. The selected veteran usually receives a few special keepsakes. The ceremony typically takes place at 5PM and will be conducted by Disney World Security.
The times can vary for flag retreat at Disneyland, but it is usually held around 4:30PM. The Color Guard opens the ceremony with a salute to present veterans.
Make sure to take advantage of all of these military discounts! And if you know of any other ways that Disney honors the members of our military, please let us know in the comments below!
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We have watched the flag retreat ceremony on many occasions. Always humbling and reminds you of your gratitude to our military. It appears that the honored vet is given the flag to keep. Can anyone confirm this to be true? I’ve never served in the military, but if I had, you can bet I would be first in line to acquire a flag that has flown over WDW. I’m actually a bit surprised Disney hasn’t started selling flags with that distinction, considering how profit centered they have become in the last several years.
Hi Eddie, as far as we know the Veteran of the Day is given a certificate indicating that he or she took part in the event. They are also given a special Flag Retreat pin and asked not to trade it or sell it, but keep it as a remembrance of the ceremony. The Veteran of the Day may select (free of charge) one of the photos taken by the Disney photographer and may purchase others. The Veteran of the Day does NOT get to keep the flag.
Don’t bet on Disney giving Veterans a discount !! I’m a Veteran & was told I could get a discount on admission. ( medical discharge ) When I asked for the discount I was told I couldn’t get it because I wasn’t RETIRED from the military. Disney likes to pay themselves on the back for stuff they don’t do !!!!
I’ve never visited at a time that coincides with Gay Days, but it would be wonderful to see a gay or lesbian veteran be selected for the flag retreat honor. Of course, this could happen any time of year, not just during Gay Days, but it would certainly be an especially nice touch on those days that are designed to acknowledge and celebrate gay pride. National pride + rainbow pride = extra-magical moments.
A veteran is a veteran. No need to go picking a “special” veteran …. any Veteran will do.
How do they know how to pick a female veteran? My wife had to go to town hall and ask to do this