Military Discounts

[GoofieRuthie]

I know that there is the Shades of Green resort, but I was wondering if anyone knows if Disney gives any kind of military discounts on their own resorts. I've looked at the SoG site and I'm not sure if we qualify for it or not. I've really got my heart set on PoP but if we are able to cut some corners cost wise, I really need to. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Just in case anyone knows IF we might qualify......My father was in the Marines and got a medical discharge because he was injured in the war and spent 9 months in Bethesda. He was an E4, he has been deceased for almost 34 years, my Mom gets a VA check and he was a disabled Veteran. . I think that covers everything. Again, TIA.

Oh yeah, My mom will be with us. So, she is the one that will be using her Military ID if we qualify.

[rigs32]

Since 2002, Disney has not offered any military discounts on their own.

In order for your DAD to qualify, he would have to have been completely disabled from the military service, not just injured.

Regardless, for your MOM to qualify, your dad would have had to retire from the military and be traveling with you. That's not the case here, so you don't qualify.

[Deb & Bill]

...Oh yeah, My mom will be with us. So, she is the one that will be using her Military ID if we qualify.

She has a military ID?? Is she active duty or retired? Does she work for the Dept of Defense? Or is this just a VA card?

[brergnat]

From SOG website: (re: eligibility)

# Others associated with the Department of Defense- Former Prisoners of War (POWs) and spouses of current POWs or Service members missing in action. Unremarried surviving spouses of personnel who died while on active duty or while in retired status.
# Former and/or surviving spouses and family members- Unremarried former spouses who were married to military members for at least 20 years while the military member was on active duty to the Armed Forces. Orphans of military members, when not adopted by new parents, under 21 years old (or over if they are incapable of supporting themselves, or 23 years old if they are in full-time study),

So, the keys here are UNREMARRIED spouse. Is your mom remarried? I would assume no since she still is collecting VA payments. I would just call SOG and find out for sure.

However, POP is still cheaper than the lowest SOG rate. But, the rooms are bigger, but it doesn't have Disney transportation, etc. There are pros and cons.

I would just book at POP if that's where you want to stay.

[GoofieRuthie]

She has a military ID?? Is she active duty or retired? Does she work for the Dept of Defense? Or is this just a VA card?


No, she isn't active duty or retired military. I think it is a military ID. It gets her onto base and she is able to use it at the Commisary and PX. Does a VA card do that also? If so, that could be what she has then.



In order for your DAD to qualify, he would have to have been completely disabled from the military service, not just injured.

By completely disabled do you mean unable to walk or talk or the like? He is listed as a Disabled Veteran. He was released from duty because he and friend were hit by a grenade. The friend died and my father had massive head injuries, leaving him with shrapnel in his head and partially blind.

So, the keys here are UNREMARRIED spouse. Is your mom remarried? I would assume no since she still is collecting VA payments. I would just call SOG and find out for sure.

However, POP is still cheaper than the lowest SOG rate. But, the rooms are bigger, but it doesn't have Disney transportation, etc. There are pros and cons.

I would just book at POP if that's where you want to stay.

She is unremarried. I did look at the SoG site and checked reservations. It was about the same price as PoP. We are already booked the week before Christmas at PoP, but I was just wanting to see if there were any discounts. The guidelines for SoG were a little iffy, and she doesn't exactly fall into any of the categories, but I wasn't sure if I wasn't reading it right. I suppose I fall under the orphaned category since he died when my mom was pregnant, however I'm well over 21.

Thanks for the replies so far. We are super excited about this trip with or without a discount. Thank again!!!

[hddanis]

From SOG website: (re: eligibility)


However, POP is still cheaper than the lowest SOG rate. But, the rooms are bigger, but it doesn't have Disney transportation, etc. There are pros and cons.

I would just book at POP if that's where you want to stay.

I just got back from a 10 day stay at SOG and we loved every minute of it.

Actually, it has buses to the TTC, AK, MGM, DTD, BB, TL..and you're able to use any and all of Disney's transportation...and the rooms are WAY bigger..Bigger even than the rooms at the Poly. It's beautiful and worth the extra couple of dollars over the POP (plus there's no sales tax there, so you save more money that way). You can also buy tickets there at a reduced price..Plus the food in the restraunts is really good and WAY cheaper than Disney's.

You also still qualify for Disney's Extra Hours and can have items sent back from the parks to the front desk.

The only things you CAN'T use are the dining plan (although I discovered while I was there that SOG offers something to that effect at the resort) and Magical Express

It sounds like she DOES have an ID card, so she would qualify. Your best bet is to call them. As long as you hold an ID card you qualify..dependent, retired, active duty..the key is the ID.

Hotel Phone Number (407) 824-3400
Reservations Phone Number (888) 593-2242

The buses ran to the TTC every 20 minutes and they were never late or slow while we were there.

[Skyw]

My husband is 40% disabled and is still a helicopter pilot. So disabled is a loose term when it comes to the military. :) If you have a military ID, I believe that you will be covered. However, I agree with the above poster that you should call.

On the Shades of Green website there is a calendar under reservation. If it is Red on any of the dates that you want, you can get an overflow rate at one of the Disney Hotels. I have done this a few time. It is usually about 40% off the rack rate. But since they built a larger hotel, it is harder to get. You can also save on tickets there too. You can stay at a WDW hotel and buy your tickets at Shades of Green. The prices are also on this site.This is what I do. I price up the trip with the military discounts and then with the Disney plans. Sometimes the Disney plans are cheaper. Especially in the low seasons. Or it may only be a few dollar difference.

I hope this made sense...

[Tinkerbelle32]

RIGS32- I'm afraid you are wrong in your post. We received the military discount for our room only stay at POR last January. We've have actually received the military discount twice since 2004.

[GoofieRuthie]

Wow, thanks for the recent replies. They make me feel a little more positive. I will try calling SoG and see what they tell me. I didn't think we would come close to qualifying until I was talking to my Mom and Aunt last night. My Aunt has a medical discharge from the guard and served out of the Army, but I don't think she qualifies either (She is also going with us). That's when my Mom mentioned her being a widow of a Marine and her ID card.

We have 2 rooms at PoP and going through Dreams Unlimited. I think I'll also email my TA and ask her, but she is on vacation herself right now.

Thanks again everyone!!!!! :thumbsup2

[Deb & Bill]

Sounds like your father may have been 100% disabled and might qualify for Shades of Green.

[rigs32]

RIGS32- I'm afraid you are wrong in your post. We received the military discount for our room only stay at POR last January. We've have actually received the military discount twice since 2004.

But was that a SOG overflow rate or a Disney offered rate? We had a discount at POR, too, but it was a SOG overflow rate when the resort was closed and they were using CR garden wing rooms.

I though the last DISNEY offered military discounts were post-9/11. We did both WDW and DL in 2003 because DH got free park tickets and I got them 50% off.

[Tinkerbelle32]

RIGS32- No, it was not an overflow rate. I've booked those many times as well. But, to book an overflow rate one must book through SOG. You cannot book an overflow rate through Disney. This was a military rate through CRO themselves. If I recall correctly the last military rate went through mid Jan. 2006.

[BabyFu18]

How do you find out about military rates through disney? I've called CRO multiple times within the last few years and all I'm ever told is Disney offers no military discounts, discounts are offered through SOG and the Swan/Dolphin offer military/gov. discounts on rooms.

The last time Disney offered military discounts was before SOG was open, that's the info I've gotten everytime I've asked CRO about military discounts for rooms, packages, or tickets (always told to go through SOG).

As for SOG overflow rates, the rate I was quoted for PC as an overflow rate was all of $5 cheaper than standard disney PC rates. So that's not much of an overflow rate, and the overflow wasn't much better for moderates and delux resorts.

[Tinkerbelle32]

There are only a certain amount of rooms that will be offered at a lower overflow rate. For example, this summer I could have had the All Star Sports for $82 a night instead of the going rack rate of $100 or so. Now, if those rooms are gone at the lower rate they can still book you a room but the discount will not be as significant. Hope this helps. I've always heard about Disney giving a military rate through our base. For our last Jan. trip I called and was told that there was not a military rate being offered. I called right back and spoke to someone else and asked them. They said yes there was, and we booked our room. It is very far and few in between that they offer these discounts.

[BubMunkeyBles]

I'm getting married at Shades of Green next May, but we're staying at Pop Century in December. It's cheaper than the E-6 rates we would pay, so you may as well stay where you want. I have heard Shades of Green is gorgeous, we're checking it out this July (but staying at Old Key West). I think its sad that Disney does so little for military families... One thing that other amusement parks are much better at.

Oh yeah. My FI always checks with the travel agent on base.. I know we got a deal on our Disneyland Paris rooms...

[JennyMominRI]

Since 2002, Disney has not offered any military discounts on their own.

In order for your DAD to qualify, he would have to have been completely disabled from the military service, not just injured.

Regardless, for your MOM to qualify, your dad would have had to retire from the military and be traveling with you. That's not the case here, so you don't qualify.

Actually they have... We got a 40% military discount on our Poly/BC stay in Aug of 2005... There were also some major room discounts earlier this year.

These were not overflow rates

Here was the last offer which was posted here


Military Disney Room Only Discount
This is a Walt Disney World "room only" discount is for active Military Personnel. Length of stay 1-14 nights.
01/08/07 - 3/7/07, the booking code is BJT
Book by 3/7/07
You will be required to show proof of military duty upon check in to receive any discounted rates. Get a No Obligation Quote


2005 offer

Military August-October 2005 Room-Only Discount Code

Active duty military can ask for the following codes and get special discounted rates at select Walt Disney World resorts for check-ins 8/1/05-10/4/05:

Code EXJ for 30% off rack rates on a stay of 1-6 nights
Code EXK for 40% off rack rates on a stay of 7 or more nights

[BabyFu18]

Wow I wish I could have gotten in on some of those military discounts! Hopefully they'll be more good military rates in 08, does anyone know if they offer those kinds of discounts to retired military aswell as active?

[BubMunkeyBles]

I'm pretty sure retired military qualify... check their website. www.shadesofgreen.org It explains who qualifies better than I could.

[JennyMominRI]

I'm pretty sure retired military qualify... check their website. www.shadesofgreen.org It explains who qualifies better than I could.

Retired Military does qualify...I stayed at the CR when SOG was being reahbbed at the Retired rate

[SuperTink]

So if you wanted to try a military discount at a resort other than SOG, would you just call the CRO or what? :confused3

[JennyMominRI]

So if you wanted to try a military discount at a resort other than SOG, would you just call the CRO or what? :confused3

There aren't any right now and CRO doesn't know about them half the time anyway... They always get posted here when they come out.. sometimes even mousesavers doesn't know about them,

[Tinkerbelle32]

Your best bet is to check with your tickets and tours office on base.

[BabyFu18]

The MWR/Travel agency on base around here don't know anything about military discounts at Disney or Disney in general. When I went out trying to get Disney info they quoted me rates that were higher than the rates I got from Disney.com, so I don't really trust the military travel offices now. I know some offices are probably great and really helpful, that's just the experience I had so now I try to keep a lookout for discounts myself and such.

[Tinkerbelle32]

I can also say that McConnell AFB is really good at passing news, discounts, along when they receive such offers. It trickles down from the head office and then through the appropriate chain of command. Just have your hubby keep an ear open for things, e-mails, etc. Good Luck. I have to go finish packing. We leave in a few hours! :banana: :banana:

[tcp0421]

There aren't any right now and CRO doesn't know about them half the time anyway... They always get posted here when they come out.. sometimes even mousesavers doesn't know about them,

I am not sure if this was answered, but is there any military discounts for this Sept? If there is would I be able to get it even though we have the fre dining?

[NJtoATL]

Are military discounts offered to people who served but have been honorably discharged? I would love to stay at the Shades of Green or stay on site with a military discount.

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Are military discounts offered to people who served but have been honorably discharged? I would love to stay at the Shades of Green or stay on site with a military discount.

No, you need to have an id card to qualify. DOD employees qualify as well. You can read the requirements at www.shadesofgreen.org. The site is not working at the moment though.:confused:

Those that qualify can book rooms at SOG or if they are full, you may be offered "overflow" rates to Disney resorts. These used to be good rates (like AP or FL resident), but they are not that good anymore and often not even available. This can be done by calling SOG or on the website. You may be offered rack rate, in that case it is better to just book through Disney(CRO).

Occasionally Disney will offer a military special and these have to be booked through Disney (CRO). I don't know of any going on at this time.

You can buy tickets at SOG whether you stay there or not, as long as you are eligible. They are a little less and no tax, so it is worth the effort. Some Bases/Posts offer reduced price tickets too, prices can vary from place to place.

[suevee]

To the OP - If your mom has an military ID and can use the commisary, PX, she should be able to use SoG. But even more important, she may be eligible for Tri-Care medical. The prescription coverage alone is great. She probably should contact the nearest military base. Usually they can tell her exactly what she qualifies for. Your Dad's Social Sec # will be in their data base with all the benefits she qualifies for.

[GoofieRuthie]

To the OP - If your mom has an military ID and can use the commisary, PX, she should be able to use SoG. But even more important, she may be eligible for Tri-Care medical. The prescription coverage alone is great. She probably should contact the nearest military base. Usually they can tell her exactly what she qualifies for. Your Dad's Social Sec # will be in their data base with all the benefits she qualifies for.

I know that she has tried for Tri-Care and got several different answers. She had a meeting with someone, but I can't remember what the outcome of it was. My InLaws have it and rave about it. That's how my mom found out that she may be eligible. Thanks for the suggestion though.

My travel agent is back from vacation now, I am going to email her about the military discounts too. TIA!!!

[jmb912]

But was that a SOG overflow rate or a Disney offered rate? We had a discount at POR, too, but it was a SOG overflow rate when the resort was closed and they were using CR garden wing rooms.

I though the last DISNEY offered military discounts were post-9/11. We did both WDW and DL in 2003 because DH got free park tickets and I got them 50% off.

We were very grateful to get those discounts also in 2002 and 2003!! My husband is out of the military now, but I wish Disney would continue that for soldiers still serving!

[suevee]

Check out this website for tricare. Sometimes individuals get it wrong.

http://www.tricare.mil/Factsheets/viewfactsheet.cfm?id=126

[Navysailor_disneyfan]

The MWR/Travel agency on base around here don't know anything about military discounts at Disney or Disney in general. When I went out trying to get Disney info they quoted me rates that were higher than the rates I got from Disney.com, so I don't really trust the military travel offices now. I know some offices are probably great and really helpful, that's just the experience I had so now I try to keep a lookout for discounts myself and such.

Yes same thing here!! MWR quoted me $1500 more then everyone else. So far i found AAA the best saving $200-$300 but other TA are running around $100-$200 cheaper then CRS. DONT USE MWR THEY ARE NOT THERE TO SAVE YOU MONEY!!!!