Ex-Pow Disappointed

[NiniMorris]

Now you've got me worried...I made the reservation for the 40% off...to the best of my memory...they did not ask if my husband was active duty or not. I was directed to the web page while on a chat with a CM...I did tell him we were retired. The website is the one with the info about the $99 tix.

The tix info definitely say retired is eligible...the room does not specify...

I am on hold with Disney now to verify...if not we will cancel and book SOG...was really looking forward to being able to use the DDP!

Nini

 

[KSG'sDisneyMem]

anniee66, that is so wonderful that 4 of your SIL's co-workers offered to purchase tix for the family. Keep in mind though that the tix have to be activated at the entrance to the parks. A military member must activate them as they will be in the form of some type of voucher and military member, or spouse, must present military ID to activate the tix. However, tix can be purchased at SOG and are in ticket form. They would not pay the tax that way. A small savings but a savings anyway. Good luck!

 

[tiger4me2]

I so wish that rather than feel excluded, veterans would consider that Disney is requiring a current, valid photo ID to verify eligibility--something that is very important. It's nothing personal against folks who served and then separated. If the rules of this program don't work for a family, keep checking other offers like general public codes, Disney Visa, AAA, and so on.

Selfless service to our country is so appreciated.

Yes Disney is requiring photo id but it has to be a military id. If I read your post wrong then I am sorry

When we got our tickets at our Marine Base we had to show our ID's before they would get my DH his free ticket & sell me mine. And told us we had to show our military id at Disney as well. MHO

 

[blissventure]

Yes Disney is requiring photo id but it has to be a military id. If I read your post wrong then I am sorry

When we got our tickets at our Marine Base we had to show our ID's before they would get my DH his free ticket & sell me mine. And told us we had to show our military id at Disney as well. MHO

Thank you for making that clear. I meant photo military ID, and I should have said that specifically.

 

[tiger4me2]

Thank you for making that clear. I meant photo military ID, and I should have said that specifically.

Lol that what I thought you meant but wasn't really sure as some might take it another way !

 

[petchie]

What annoyed me even more than Disney is the VFW!

My husband served 4 years in the Navy from 1978-1981. He wanted to join our local VFW a few years ago. Since there was no war in those years he was not eliglible.

Now, he served. He would have gone to war if there had been one. It was not his fault there was not one. But VFW would not let him in.

And he does not qualify for the military discount on any vacations other than Carnival. (they take the DD214)

 

[Ishy]

It is WDW appreciation for those actively serving in the military. (Presently sacrificing for your country).

If they were to include ALL veterans (my spouse is a vietnam vet) - shades of green would be packed with non-active families.

From what I have learned of Shades of Green and the military discounts, is it is a way for active military to enjoy their precious leave-time with their families at Disney.

I am NOT surpised that they limit it to active military or retired. Retired military is 20+ years of service? Most active military is 4 years tops. Shades of Green is usually booked up.

I do understand your initial confusion but I dont think you should be shocked. You need only to look at the demographics to realize the intentions.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

There are a lot of companies that only offer discounts to active duty, not retirees, not reserves no one else. I think Disney did the best they could and included a lot of categories usually overlooked. I think they wanted to make this as simple as possible for the CM at the gate to understand who did and didn't qualify with a simple ID card check.

 

[monkeybug]

I wanted to offer an alternate perspective. I may be wrong, of course.

Think back to last time Disney offered the military incentive; it was in 2003, I believe. We were post-September 11 and the economy wasn't the greatest. What better way to boost public opinion of Disney than by jumping on the "honor those who serve" bandwagon (NOT a bad thing by any means, but a clever corporate ploy nonetheless). Then think about it from a purely economic standpoint: both in 2003 and in 2009, the economy is experiencing slumps, yet the average active duty military member's military's income is guaranteed and either unchanged or increasing.

At this point, who better to market to than the military? And while you're at it, why not offer a few extra 40% off rooms so they can bring their families, who will then pay full price for their tickets and meals as well? I personally can name off at least eight military families I know who are going to Disney this year, staying onsite, some booking multiple rooms for extended family/friends, and all but one is doing the DDP. Non-military? I know of one family, and they're staying off-site. They may plan 1-2 TS meals, but that's it.

Disney's offer to the military is a great deal, no doubt about it, but the bottom line is that the military offer, to those whose pay isn't affected by the economy, is a win-win both for the military & Disney alike. Disney gets to offer higher-than-expected booking numbers to its shareholders and benefits from a massive free publicity boost as well. I can't even tell you how many email forwards, posts on messages boards, and in-person conversations I've heard about it. When a military discount like this comes out, ITT gets hold of it, it's forwarded to First Sergeants, disseminated through spouses' clubs, included in newsletters, the possibilities are endless, and doesn't cost a penny beyond the initial press release push.

To be honest, it's possible that a lot of the ambiguity with the policy is deliberate, so that Disney could decide whether it was advantageous to offer it to other military groups like the reserves, without suffering in the court of public opinion if they opted against it (i.e., it wasn't profitable).

I love all things Disney, don't get me wrong, but in the end, they're a huge corporation. They're NOT in it for the love of all things Disney; they're just hoping that we are.

Totally agree! We all just got at least a 3.9% pay increase, who better for Disney to market to? Not that I don't appreciate it, because I really, really do!!!

 

[collcass]

Totally agree! We all just got at least a 3.9% pay increase, who better for Disney to market to? Not that I don't appreciate it, because I really, really do!!!

Congrats on the increase. That is great in this economy. DH's union (fire dept) fought for their contract for what seemed like eternity. I so wish it'had been anywhere close to that number

BTW, totally agree with the marketing portion of this campaign. TWDC is a huge for profit corporation!

 

[tiger4me2]

What annoyed me even more than Disney is the VFW!

My husband served 4 years in the Navy from 1978-1981. He wanted to join our local VFW a few years ago. Since there was no war in those years he was not eliglible.

Now, he served. He would have gone to war if there had been one. It was not his fault there was not one. But VFW would not let him in.

And he does not qualify for the military discount on any vacations other than Carnival. (they take the DD214)

Though I understand where you are coming from but VFW is for veterans who fought in wartime only. I am sorry. My husband who served in Viet Nam as well as my brother both retired now would have nothing to do with the VFW due their stance(VFW) to the Viet Nam War (they said it wasn't a war)