2010 Armed Forces Salute

[UConnJack]

Disregard my previous post, I just called SOG directly and asked, and I am right, my Dad need to be present to utilize SOG and ticket discounts. The stubborn old coot probably still won't believe me (shocking for a retired miliatry man, I know), so I guess I'll have to have him call them himself.

I do have another question though, if we do use the 2010 Salute Tickets during our golf trip next month, do the 4-days need to be consecutive (IOW, do they expire 4-days after first use), or do you have a certain window in which to use the 4 day (like MYW tickets do)?

Thanks!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I cannot answer about SoG.

However, he must be present to purchase and activate the tickets. However, he does not have to have the entire party with him at the ticket window. Also, the tickets may be used any four days from date of activation thorugh September 30, 2010.

 

[mdrob214]

I was wondering if anyone could give me some insight on the eligibility for the 2010 Salute Ticket program and SOG. My Dad is a retired navy E-9 (25 yrs). Obviously, he meets eligibility for the ticket program and SOG but I was curious on if and how the eligibility relates to me and my brother (both over 21 and no longer dependants.)

I know my Dad is eligible for the 2010 Salute Tickets, and can purchase them for us, but based on what I've read about the 2009 program (the 2010 rules are a little vague), the entire party for whom the ticket are being bought needs to be present both during purchase and redemption, correct?

Also, regarding SOG, on its website it indicates that his family is also eligible to stay at SOG, but I assume this is only for dependant family, correct? I also assume that although he can sponsor a stay at SOG for us, he has to be staying there at the same time (IOW, he can't reserve for us and not go himself)? Same question for the 40% military discount for other Disney rooms?

There are basically two trips this year that we are trying to decide whether we can use SOG and/or the Salute Ticket program. The first is a golf trip with my Dad, my brother and I are taking in February. This is a no-brainier since we will all be together and he can buy and use the tickets with us present, and we'll be staying in whatever room he can get (SOG or discounted WDW room) together.

The other is a trip in June that will be just me, DW, and DD. I have tried to talk Mom and Dad into coming too, but they aren't sure they want to take the time off work. My Dad is convinced he can reserve the SOG or discount room for us, and buy the Salute Tickets for us, but I am pretty sure he's wrong as I mentioned above. Who right?

Thanks!

Your dad (or mom, assuming she has a spouse id card) will have to be with you to get a room discount, either at SoG or WDW, using the 40%. If he purchasses and activates the tickets while you are on your golfing trip, then you should have no troubles using those tickets on your second trip, even if he's not there. He can purchase a max. of 6 tickets. HTH

 

[MelanieC]

Thanks for all the helpful advice from everyone on the free dinning and military room discount

I think the best way will be what Mdrob214 suggested and weigh out what would be a better value since we would probably only be staying for the 4 to 6 days allowed by the tickets . I almost think using the free dinning w/ a value stay is a better value and if you go deluxe to use the 40% off room discount , like Mdrob214 suggested

Again thanks so much everyone !

I agree with this - We were staying in a value and the savings for the 4 of us (kids were 12 & 17) was a lot since it was value and considering there were 4 of us all adults.

 

[MelanieC]

Thanks for all the helpful advice from everyone on the free dinning and military room discount

I think the best way will be what Mdrob214 suggested and weigh out what would be a better value since we would probably only be staying for the 4 to 6 days allowed by the tickets . I almost think using the free dinning w/ a value stay is a better value and if you go deluxe to use the 40% off room discount , like Mdrob214 suggested

Again thanks so much everyone !

I agree with this - We were staying in a value and the savings for the 4 of us (kids were 12 & 17) was a lot since it was value and considering there were 4 of us all adults.

 

[mickeydonalgoofyyyy]

Sorry if this has been asked before. My father is a disabled service connected veteran with military id and DAV card. He is 20% disabled from Vietnam. We are confused to whether that makes him eligible for this promotion? Also when we called WDW reservations they said he would purchase tickets at his base. Is that the case or does he purchase them at the park? Thank you!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If he has a Military ID Card (Including DD Form 1173) that either indicates "Retired" or "DAVPRM" (Permanently Disabled Veteran) or "Spouse" or "Unremarried Widow" he is eligible.

 

[dd50]

We went last year in Oct with FD and purchased the military salute tickets. We did have to have 1 day base tickets with our package to get the FD. I then took our 1 day tickets to Guest Relations by Disney Quest and had them remove the tickets and use them as credit towards the salute tickets. I did buy the hopper and WPM options and only had to pay the difference. We stayed in a value so the FD was the cheaper discount for us.

So you can kind of do both if FD is a better discount than 40% off + dining at full price. It does depend on your resort choice and family size/ages. This year my boys are disney adults. But they still eat like children, so I'm not sure if I'd want to pay 42 per night 2x kids to watch them not finnish 1/3 of the food. I'm debating to wait for FD announcement or may just go with the QS plan so we can do a lot of sharing and pay for a few TS meals out of pocket where I know they'll be happier with the kids menu anyway.


regards

If I am reading this right, you purchased the military tickets at Guest Relations in DTD. Is that correct?

 

[mickeydonalgoofyyyy]

Thank you!!!!

 

[lovegrumpy]

DH is a Active Duty Military member; who is also a Florida Resident. We are planning on purchasing the $99.00 military ticket plus $25.00 to add the water parks and more option offer that Disney is doing. We would like to upgrade this to an anual pass during our visit in August; my question is this; are we eligle to upgrade this ticket to a Florida Resident Annual pass? and to pay the Florida resident price? Or are we limited to only upgrading this ticket to a Seasonal Florida Resident annual pass? Could we upgrade this to a regular Annual pass? Thanks.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

DH is a Active Duty Military member; who is also a Florida Resident. We are planning on purchasing the $99.00 military ticket plus $25.00 to add the water parks and more option offer that Disney is doing. We would like to upgrade this to an anual pass during our visit in August; my question is this; are we eligle to upgrade this ticket to a Florida Resident Annual pass? and to pay the Florida resident price? Or are we limited to only upgrading this ticket to a Seasonal Florida Resident annual pass? Could we upgrade this to a regular Annual pass? Thanks.

Does he have a florida drivers license or military id showing a florida military installation?

You can't do any of the florida resident ones, seasonal or otherwise if you don't have an id. The seasonal pass has blackout dates.

Yes it can be upgraded to a regular annual pass but it's only worth the $99 or $125 you paid for it.

 

[lovegrumpy]

Does he have a florida drivers license or military id showing a florida military installation?

You can't do any of the florida resident ones, seasonal or otherwise if you don't have an id. The seasonal pass has blackout dates.

Yes it can be upgraded to a regular annual pass but it's only worth the $99 or $125 you paid for it.

We both have FL driver license.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

We both have FL driver license.

Then yes you can . Have fun!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Yes, as long as you can show that he is military and stationed in Florida there is no problem to upgrade to any Florida Resident product.

However, If you have the WPF&M option on the ticket, and you use any of those entries, you will only be allowed to upgrade to a Premium Annual Pass.

And since we do not do price bridging from the Military Salute tickets, the only savings you would have would be, if you had done the purchase at SoG, the value of the Sales tax on the portion purchased at SoG. If you are planning to go up to an annual product it would make more economic sense to purchase it directly at SoG and get both a discount and no tax.

 

[lovegrumpy]

So it would be best just to buy a season pass?

 

[Melknor]

Can we purchase these tickets at our resort when we check in, or does it need to be at guest service / park location?

If purchased at guest services, can we then add to our KTTW so we don't need to carry so much stuff around? Perhaps at the resort concierge?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

They cannot be purchased at a Resort and cannot be added to the KTTW.

 

[PrincessAli]

What we did was the first 9 nights using the military discount prior to the start of free dining and then the last 9 nights using free dining without the military discount. Unfortunately you can't use both. The hotel was around $49 (military) a night and turned into around $97 a night for free dining. With 4 of us getting free dining (kids are adults) it worked out great for us. We saved tons on food the second 9 nights of our vacation and was totally worth the extra per night on the room.

We did this last October- using the Military room discount, free dining and our discounted tickets that we purchased at SOG!! At first I was told that it couldn't be done, but the reservationist checked with a supervisor and I was told Absolutely NO problem!! Just have to ask-Ü

 

[dd50]

We did this last October- using the Military room discount, free dining and our discounted tickets that we purchased at SOG!! At first I was told that it couldn't be done, but the reservationist checked with a supervisor and I was told Absolutely NO problem!! Just have to ask-Ü

Where did you stay?

 

[teddygurlkeekee]

Anybody used these tickets yet? I am wondering because my base doesnt have any available tickets for our trip next week, so I am wondering where to purchase them down there? Does it have to be at SoG?