looking for 2015 and most econmical way for a retired milatry family of 3

[ssatterly]

I know its early but I like llanning ahead. What wohld the most economical way for a retired army family of 3 for at least a week? Not sure what time of year yet either and our daughter would be 15 or 16 depending on when we go. Is there miltary discounts

 

[Cheshire Figment]

1. Go to www.shadesofgreen.org which is the official site for the Military Recreation Hotel on WDW.

2. If you go to the locked sticky Everything About WDW Tickets in this Forum, especially Post #17, you can get a lot of information about the Armed Forces Salute tickets. The only potential problem is this is a year-to-year program which may or may not be renewed. An easy way to get to the sticky is by clicking on the link in my signature. The ticket sticky is your friend!

3. Go to www.militarydisneytips.com which is a good site for information.

 

[NFLDERS]

I know its early but I like llanning ahead. What wohld the most economical way for a retired army family of 3 for at least a week? Not sure what time of year yet either and our daughter would be 15 or 16 depending on when we go. Is there miltary discounts

We have gone on Cruises booked through Vacations to go. Always been best $ value. Last cruise they granted KSF as well did't think could get that rate without Disney Booking, they offer vacations other than cruises as well. They have Military rates.

Also, I understand from these boards that the last weeks in August offer best rates? As kids in USA are in school.

Here in Canada our schools don't start back from summer vacation until first week of Sept.

Vacations to go rates generally go down closer to sail. If where on a ship ie not so important, great rates later on.

 

[bearloch]

yes kids in Fl are in school on Aug 20th this year so around same time next year! as far as best deals you will have to watch again after Oct 1 to see if the military salute is offered again that will be your best ticket deal and hotel deal Shades of Green books up fast, But you can get a military discount at other propertys so you will have to play with your numbers and see whats best also there is usually free dining in the fall that may be a bigger savings then a room discount!
good luck and happy planning!

 

[travelitis]

Check armed forced vacation club. You can get condos for as little as $359 a week, sometimes it's less. Also in Orlando, there's a property called http://www.tropicalpalmsresortfl.com/ that has offered some military discounts in the past. Shades of Green is very nice, but it's not the least expensive way to go.

 

[jperrot1]

Well, it's very hard these days to find a pin code or any discount giving 40% off at the Disney deluxe resorts but..... you have it because you fought for our country, and Disney knows you deserve it. Mousesaver.com posts your savings on their website, along with every other Disney discount known that is out there. But, as the above posters have stated, these military discounts are offered from year to year so you'll have to wait and see if they reissue this discount.

 

[MOpGrad2013]

DH just retired last week and our family has been planning this trip for a long while so I understand your planning.

We weren't too pleased with the shades of green people's customer service and with our family we were still looking at two rooms. EVen with the discount it was out of the budget., but definitely if we had been set on a deluxe Disney resort, it would have worked out.

We really wanted the fridge and microwave, but could only get that if we booked the special suite and then we couldn't book the SOG food package with that because of the kitchenette. At least that was the way it was explained by the two agents we spoke with (maybe someone else had better experience).

Instead, we are renting windsor hills through vacation central florida. The rental is for a week Sat-Sat and then we are adding on the military salute tickets. Given that those tickets might not be available in the future we had begun budgetting by using the Undercover Tickets pricing. Then, if Disney offered a better military ticket (or ITR had it) we had the money set aside.

When I started the budget game, I also planned for the most expensive time of year (Christmas) I would be willing to do, then from there, it went down in cost.

Good luck with your planning.

Thank you for your service to our country!

 

[LovesTimone]

First. Please let me Thank you for your service.!!! and your family's service to our country. God Bless!!!

I suggest a moderate, for price and for comfort. With your daughter being around that age, the pools and theming is more on her level, and more privacy for you. Most have 2 sinks which is important and a curtain that divides the room off. Which is great for getting dressed.

You can hope for Free dining, but I would budget to included dinning plan, this way everything is paid for up front. Also you can upgrade to DDXDP which will give you the option for 2 TS meals, with my 2 DD's at this age, they enjoy the sit down meals, along with the character meals thrown in.

Mid to late January, Early March, Sept are good times to go, the week or so right before thanksgiving, and about the 2 to 3rd week in Dec are good crowd wise.

For military discount, this a year to year thing, so I would not count on it, but if offered that's just more pixie dust.

You are smart planning ahead, You can start saving now, here are a few ways to grab some extra cash to stash, You can ask for Gift cards for birthdays, Christmas, anniversary, really any holiday, I have tucked them in Easter Baskets, ect... - Master Card, Visa, AMex - GAS - Disney's - Fast food, cracker barrel, we save these and boy do they add up fast. I have a friend that use lots of coupons, and what ever she save she buys a Disney GC - Have a couple of garage sales, Does you daughter baby sit? dog walking? this way she has her own money, along with gift cards worked great for our DD's, Plato's closet is a great way for her to make some money too. Save change, decorate the container with Disney stickers, and watch the change add up quick.

Again.... Thank you for your service, My family and I appreciate it !!!

 

[Generica91]

Compared to a lot of other resorts in the area, Shades of Green is not a good deal. The only benefit is the proximity to Polynesian Resort for the monorail and I think they also have magic hours. Also great if you play golf. We stayed there once. The rooms are big but still obviously military run. Same furniture you find at TLF. We like Buena Vista Suites and Caribe Royale. Mini Fridge, Microwave, Breakfast included. Check their websites. They also have military deals. Here is the current Disney Ticket offering for Military.

$156 4-Day Military Promotional Ticket with Park Hopper Option for Members of the U.S. Military

Walt Disney World Resort is saluting U.S. military personnel by offering 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets for just $156 each plus tax. Tickets may be used October 1, 2012 through September 28, 2013. For just $28, plus tax, more, the Water Park Fun & More option may be added.

 

[HeatherC]

GovArm and Getravelop.com are also great for timeshare rentals. We have used them many times and paid about $300 a week including all taxes and fees in beautiful villas with several bedrooms and baths and full kitchens.

Also check out Bonnet Creek Resort...can be onsite...just not Disney property for about $120 a night for two bedroom villa including taxes. Awesome resort.

Hope this helps.

 

[edk35]

I have not read all the replies yet, but we have also stayed off site renting homes that are very affordable. Look on VRBO.com. Also, there is usually a military rate going most of the time for the resorts on site. You could also rent DVC points. As far as park passes, you could get the special military ones that come out on Oct. first each year. They have been 4 days passes the past few years. I wish they would bring back the 5 day one though. Good luck planning.