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News Disney World Offers $499 All-Year Park Access for Military Families in 2026
- Thread starter wdwmagic
- Start date
Exactly. For example, VA benefits are completely tax free at the federal level, whereas active duty base pay and retired military pay are not. VA medical care is free, whereas it isn't for retired military members.
I don't begrudge that to disabled vets, but it's a significant benefit that doesn't accrue to active duty and retired military because as you noted, different categories get different benefits.
DonniePeverley
Well-Known Member
What about nurses ?
Not a high paid job, but very valuable to society.
What about teachers ?
Not a high paid job, but very valuable to society.
What about teachers ?
Good thing you're not in the military, they'd make you shave your wonderful curly hair.
Your schtick is amusing, but don't be stupid and go down this road.
nickys
Premium Member
Because America and Disney value their Veterans. Something our country could learn from imo.
nickys
Premium Member
They too sometimes get perks as a way of thanking them.
This offer is for Veterans.
This. There are many, many businesses that now offer perks and discounts to nurses, first responders, etc. The fact that Disney wishes to "reward", if you will, veterans with this offer should be commended, not questioned and/or condemned.
Anecdotally, I know for a fact that there are hospitals in my area paying pediatric ICU nurses $60/hr within a year or two of graduating nursing school.
networkpro
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- Yes
Its all about relative numbers in the US population.
2025: 341.8 total population + 51.9 non-citizen
Of which 6-7% are veterans
Of that, 23% have a 100% VA disability rating, based on data from 2023–2025 reports.
Of that veteran number .06% are retired (10% enlisted, 30-40% commissioned) which works out roughly to ~1.5-2.3 million.
Military service retirement doesn't pay well at all compared to the civilian sector. 40-50% of regular yearly pay plus medical coverage (which is better than nothing, but shifts to Medicare at 65 with part B coverage covered by Tricare) depending on your service dates. Typically folks have two careers to fund their retirements: a military one, and then the one afterwards. One is a sure thing, but the other is in the same boat everyone else is. Its just another life game... you play the game, you take your chances at the results with only your knowledge and abilities able to nudge its trajectory in different directions.
2025: 341.8 total population + 51.9 non-citizen
Of which 6-7% are veterans
Of that, 23% have a 100% VA disability rating, based on data from 2023–2025 reports.
Of that veteran number .06% are retired (10% enlisted, 30-40% commissioned) which works out roughly to ~1.5-2.3 million.
Military service retirement doesn't pay well at all compared to the civilian sector. 40-50% of regular yearly pay plus medical coverage (which is better than nothing, but shifts to Medicare at 65 with part B coverage covered by Tricare) depending on your service dates. Typically folks have two careers to fund their retirements: a military one, and then the one afterwards. One is a sure thing, but the other is in the same boat everyone else is. Its just another life game... you play the game, you take your chances at the results with only your knowledge and abilities able to nudge its trajectory in different directions.
Yes, our situation is almost exactly the same as yours.
I have first-hand experience with these passes. Our service member purchased the tickets on base shortly after they went on sale. We each added the tickets to our Disney accounts (including some children on our account) and they showed up as yellow/orange and inactive in the Disney World app. On December 30, all six of us went to the ticket center at Disney Springs to activate the tickets. We explained that some of us wanted to enter the park on January 1 at rope drop, but the service member didn't want to go that early. The Disney employee told us that she would activate the tickets and turn them blue in the app and said that once the ticket is blue, the service member does not need to be present. We entered the park on three separate days without the service member, they joined us later in the day.
Our understanding is that once the ticket is active, it can be used at any time without the service member present. We will go again March and plan to enter the park early without the service member, who will join us later in the day.
twilight mitsuk
Well-Known Member
It's the same with FL resident passes, only needed with the ID to present for the activation
DonniePeverley
Well-Known Member
What perks did Nurses get ? Can you clarify when they got a perk, date?
It's a very low paid job, but invaluable life saying. Many brave nurses i know went through hell during covid.
Where is there rewards?
The whole 'veteran perk' steps into political tones to me.
nickys
Premium Member
In the U.K., Disney have offers through the BlueLight card. I’ve seen offers for DLP packages there. I suggest your friends register and set up alerts for offers from WDTC.
In America there is an equivalent for frontline workers, and Disney have periodic offers through that. I think it’s called ID.me
Yes, yes, this is all fine and very informative and factual. But real information and facts? Come on now. How can you ignore yet another AP vector that will cause millions of high-spending international guests to be forced to book elsewhere because now there will be more AP holders bringing in their home-made PB&J sandwiches, taking up valuable table space from regular guests, stealing prime viewing spots for parades and nighttime shows, and generally not spending any money in the parks???
It's only political because you are making it so .
Those perks have existed for decades, under administrations of both major parties. There's nothing 'political' about them.
FYI, Tricare doesn't cover Medicare Part B for retirees...we have to pay for Part B in order for Tricare for Life to pick up what Medicare doesn't pay. Still a very good deal, but certainly not the "free healthcare for life" that we were promised if we served for 20 years.
And secondarily, military retirement is one of the best deals going around...nowhere else could you work for 20 years then immediately start drawing 40%-50% of your pay...my husband has been drawing military retirement of 50% of final pay for since he was 38 years old...no way you'll find that anywhere else.
I know that current benefits aren't that generous, but they still start immediately, even if you're only 38 years old.
Because Disney’s economists are forecasting softening demand.
ToEarthandback
Well-Known Member
I agree with you, nurses provide a huge service to society , there should be something for them
networkpro
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- Yes
Requirement for TFL: To have TRICARE For Life, you need Medicare Parts A & B; without Part B, you lose TFL.