Military Discounts for Walt Disney World, SeaWorld Orlando & Busch Gardens

Military discounts for Walt Disney World, SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens are available for eligible military members and their families. These discounts on tickets and resorts can offer substantial savings on the overall cost of Orlando theme-park travel.

As part of Walt Disney World's "Let the Memories Begin" campaign, Walt Disney World Resort is offering military discounts on theme-park tickets between October 24, 2010 – September 28, 2011.

Update: Disney Parks Blog has announced it will extend its military discounts until September 2012. Detailed information on what this means has yet to be published. This hub will be updated once Disney offers details.

Active and retired U.S. military personnel (including active and retired members of the United States Coast Guard, National Guard and Reservists) or their spouses can purchase up to six tickets for themselves, family members or friends.

Disney Military Promotional Tickets and Prices:

• Disney 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets with Park Hopper Option for $138 each, plus tax.
  
• Disney 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets with Water Parks Fun and More Option for $138 each, plus tax.
• Disney 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets with Park Hopper and Water Parks Fun and More Options for $165 each.

Eligibility: Active and retired U.S. military personnel – which includes active and retired members of the United States Coast Guard, National Guard and Reservists – or their spouses can purchase discounted military tickets.

Blockout Dates: Walt Disney World 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets may not be used between December 27 – 31, 2010 and April 17 – April 23, 2011. Tickets may also not be used at Magic Kingdom on July 4, 2011.

Restrictions:

• At least one of the six tickets purchased on a Disney military discount needs to be used by the eligible service member or spouse. Tickets are non-transferable and can't be resold.
  
• Tickets must be purchased by Sept. 28, 2010 and activated at a Walt Disney World theme park window by Oct. 1, 2011. Tickets may be purchased at participating U.S. military sales outlets.
• A valid military ID is required to purchase tickets and activate tickets, and may need to be shown at the gate in order for admission at Disney's theme park and other attractions.

Where to Buy: Military personnel may buy Walt Disney World military discounts tickets for themselves and up to five family members at participating U.S. military base ticket offices, including Shades of Green, or at Disney’s main entrance theme-park ticket windows.

For More Information: Eligible service members and their spouses may also call 407-939-7830 or participating U.S. military base ticket offices.

Walt Disney World is also offering military discounts of between 30% – 40% off regular room rates at Disney resorts resorts.

• 30% off Value Resorts
• 35% off Moderates (including Fort Wilderness Cabins)
• 40% off Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts

There are a limited amount of rooms available for these special rates. Walt Disney World military discounts are good, if available, until Oct. 1, 2011. To book Walt Disney World hotel rooms with these military discounts, use code EQ5 for 2010 stays or V04 for 2011 stays.

Blockout Dates: November 24 – 26, 2010, December 26 – 31, 2010, April 17 – 20, 2011.

For More Information: Visit Walt Disney World Resort for more information on military discounts and special offers or call 407-939-7830. More information is also available at participating U.S. military base ticket offices.

Note: Eligible guests who choose this option can't receive the Free Disney Dining Plan, as Disney does not allow guest to "double up" on special offers. See this article for more information in the Disney Dining Plan.

Update: Disney Parks Blog has announced it will extend its military discounts until September 2012. Detailed information on what this means has yet to be published. This hub will be updated once Disney offers details.

Although this offer has expired, this information on Walt Disney World military discounts may be useful for travel research.

Walt Disney World offers military discounts for tickets and on-site resorts stays with its Armed Forces Salute, a promotion that runs from Jan. 3 to Aug. 31, 2010 for Disney vacations taken by Sept. 30, 2010.

Disney’s Armed Forces Salute 2010 allows eligible military personnel or their spouses to by Disney World 4-day Military Promotional Base tickets for $99 (excluding tax) each. Individuals can buy tickets for themselves and up to five other family members or friends. These based tickets are non-Park Hoppers – one park per day – and can purchased at participating base ticket offices.

The Military Promotional Base Ticket can be upgraded with Park Hopper or Water Park options. Prices for the Park Hopper and Water Park Fun & More add-ons are $26 (excluding tax), per option, per ticket.

Blockout Dates: March 27, 2010 – April 9, 2010 (all Disney World theme parks and other gated attractions) and July 3 – July 4, 2010 (Magic Kingdom).

Eligibility: Disney’s Armed Forces Salute is open to active and retired U.S. military personnel or their spouses. Eligible military personnel include active and retired members of the U.S. Coast Guard, and active members of the National Guard or Reservists.

Where to Buy: Military personnel may buy Disney's Armed Forces Salute tickets for themselves and up to five family members at participating U.S. military base ticket offices, including Shades of Green, or at Disney’s main entrance theme-park ticket windows.

Although this offer has expired, this information on Disney military discounts may be useful for travel research.

During Disney’s Armed Forces Salute 2010 period, military guests can also save up to 40% on select rooms at Disney resorts. Rooms must booked in advance, and before Aug. 31, 2010 for hotel stays between Jan. 3, 2010 – Sept. 30, 2010, excluding blockout dates of March 28 – April 10, 2010 and July 1 – July 5, 2010. Savings are based on non-discounted room rates.

Note: Active and retired military members, members of other uniformed services, and their families are eligible to stay at Shades of Green, the Armed Forces Recreation Center (AFRC) located on Disney World property. Shades of Green is comparable to a Disney World Deluxe resort. Rates are based on rank, and can offer a substantial savings over Disney resorts.

For More Information: Military personnel may learn more about Disney’s Armed Forces Salute, the 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets, or Walt Disney World resort room reservations by calling 407-939-7830 or by contacting participating U.S. military base ticket offices (including Shades of Green).

Disney World’s Stars and Stripes Pass provides military discounts on Magic Your Way (MYW) tickets, the theme-park admission media used by Disney guests staying on-site at Walt Disney World resorts.

The Stars and Stripes Pass provides admission for active military personnel and up to five family members to the four major theme parks, water parks, DisneyQuest, and EPSN Wide World of Sports Complex. As with Disney’s standard MYW Tickets, the Stars and Stripes Pass may be purchased for admission between two and ten days. Passes are Park Hoppers. Tickets are non-refundable and can’t be exchanged.

The Stars and Stripes Pass is valid for military guests staying at an official Disney World resort or at Shades of Green, the military resort on Disney World property. The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, and the Downtown Disney hotels, are not official Disney World properties.

Eligibility: Disney World’s MYW Stars and Stripes Pass is open to active military personnel, including active U.S. Coast Guard and activated National Guard members or Reservists.

For More Information: Military members should contact their local ITO or visit the Shades of Green website or call the resort at 888-593-2242.

Military members and other eligible individuals who choose not to stay on-site at Walt Disney World may also purchase discounted Disney tickets at a variety of locations. In addition to the Shades of Green resort on Disney Property and the Navy Exchange in Orlando, individuals may buy discounted tickets through their local MWR offices and through mail order.

Eligibility: Active and retired military personnel, DOD personnel, and some civil service employees, as well as these guests’ dependents, may purchase General Disney World military discount tickets.

For More Information & Where to Buy:

• Military members may obtain discounted Disney World tickets at participating Military bases.
• They are also available at Orlando’s Navy Exchange, near International Airport. Contact the Exchange at 407-855-0116 or 407-851-4396.
• Retired, Active, Reservists, National Guard and DoD Personnel can order discount tickets by calling either Commander, Navy Region Southwest 619-767-6000 or Air Force Central Ticket Program at 210-652-2855.

Annheuser-Busch offers one complimentary, single-day admission to various parks with Here’s to the Heroes 2010, its military offer to active duty and reserve members. The offer is valid for one member and up to three direct dependents for one single-day, single-park visit per year. Additional tickets may be purchased at a discount. The offer is valid through Dec. 31, 2010.

Eligible Florida parks include Sea World Orlando, Busch Gardens, and Adventure Island. It is not valid for Discovery Cove or Aquatica. (The offer is also valid for other areas: SeaWorld San Diego, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Water Country U.S.A., and Sesame Place).

Dependents may take advantage of the offer without the attendance of the eligible service member, although minors must be accompanied by an adult and guests ages 10 and older must present valid ID.

Eligibility: Here’s to the Heroes 2010 is offered to active duty and reserve military personnel, including members of the Coast Guard, Natural Guard, and foreign military personnel serving with U.S. units.

For More Information & Where to Buy: Service members must register online with Annheuser-Busch’s Here’s to the Heroes 2010 salute to be eligible. Once registered, military personnel print out the online form and bring it – along with valid ID – to a park’s Guest Relations. Dependents will also need to show ID.

For more information on planning a Walt Disney World see the following resources:

• Best Disney Travel Guide Books
• Best Websites for Discount Airfare and Airline Travel Tips
• Tips for Surviving Your Walt Disney World Vacation