Military personnel...questions!

[HRHPrincessAriel]

Dad is a retired Army Lt. Col.

There is a strong chance that my patents will be meeting me at the airport in Nov and taking my kiddo for the weekend while I have a girls trip.

The last time they fully used the military discounts was in 1995. My mom got the park hoppers this Jan fir a trip she took with my sister but they stayed off site.

Where have you found the better room discounts? Shades of Green(where we stayed in '95) or using the WDW military discount. They'd probably stay at a moderate resort if they did a Disney property.

 

[zurgandfriend]

I'm a retired Army Col. also, full bird but i digress. I'm sorry I don't know what the discounts Vs SOG are any more. I would recommend calling and asking. I was Infantry what was your Dad?

 

[Michael Shiels]

I am a GS civilian employee for the Army and I can offer a bit of advice for saving money on tickets. Call your local MWR Ticket center and get a price guide to all the admissions tickets for the parks. The savings will not be gigantic, but it does add up. Depending on the specials going on with the WDW resorts, you very well may be able to get a discount comparible to the Military discount. I agree with zurgandfriend and recommend calling. Good Luck!

 

[HRHPrincessAriel]

I'm a retired Army Col. also, full bird but i digress. I'm sorry I don't know what the discounts Vs SOG are any more. I would recommend calling and asking. I was Infantry what was your Dad?

I asked and am waiting for response!


Thanks!

 

[HRHPrincessAriel]

I'm trying to google but I'm finding last years info...my mom still has days left on her Armed Forces Salute Ticket from Jan. Any ideas on when the days expire on there?

 

[GoofyMac]

I have found that the Military discounts that are available through Walt Disney World are excellent. The military tickets that are offered to Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard, and retired service members are a great deal for a 4 day trip.

They are $169 park hopper tickets. You can purchase up to 6 of them and they are good for a year. Disney Offers excellent discounts on the resort hotels. Those discounts are not listed on the website and require you to call in. Buy them at Guest services window at the park, at the Shades of Green just after you arrive, or from your local military Tickets and Tours office at your nearest Military base.

You will be able to get a Moderate Resort for the same price as rooms at the Shades of Green. You can get a one bedroom Villa at a few of the Disney Vacation Club resorts at nearly half price depending upon availability. Value resorts will be the least discounted but still worth the price especially if you are booking a family Suite at the All Star Music or Art of Animation Resorts. Great rooms excellent value for military families when paired with the Military discount.

The only thing that is not discounted is the Meal Plan. We absolutely Love the Meal plan. If you use it properly you can save a bunch on your food bill plus you wont have to worry about the item cost on the menus.

Tip with the dining plan. Don't get sodas and waters for your snacks. Grab a soda and or a bottle of water from your resorts quick service area and carry that with you to the parks. Use that snack for a Dole Whip, Churro, Pretzel or my favorite, a Mickey Ice Cream Bar.

Disney has made it very affordable to go on vacation for Military Members. We vacation at Walt Disney World at least 2 times per year. We are annual pass holders and use our Military tickets primarily for friends and family while we are at the parks. Technically the service member that is eligible to purchase the tickets must be using them as well but I have found that Disney is happy as long as an eligible military member is with the party.

If you have any more questions please feel free to ask. We utilize our military discounts extensively at Walt Disney World with the exception of the military tickets because we visit so often the annual pass is much more beneficial to us financially.

If you talk to an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner / Disney Travel Agent they will be able to guide you through the process, answer any questions, and best of all do all the leg work for you with the exception of purchasing your military passes because the eligible military member must do that in person. We use a Disney Travel agent for all of our trips. She has literally been awesome. If you would like to know who we use please feel free to ask and I'll pm you her information. I believe WDWMagic might be affiliated with a Disney Travel agency as well.

I Hope this helps,

GoofyMac

 

[HRHPrincessAriel]

Thanks!!! It helps a lot!

 

[DVCOwner]

Because your dad is a retired colonel, you may find it cheaper to use the military discount at the Disney resorts vs. Shades of Green. Shades of Green bases it pricing on rank, so he will be paying top dollar there. When I need tickets when on Walt Disney World, I buy them at Shades of Green because you do not pay as much taxes. Also the "gift shop" does not charge sales tax so there is some savings there. Shades of Green also has a small "Class 6 Store" and you can get wine, beer and sprites by the bottle there at a reasonable price.