Military $99 5-Day Tickets

[scotiacat]

Hey Shan, we just went through this the other week. Our friend used his "freebie" and purchased 5 others (the max allowed) for his wife and two kids and gave us the other two cards. (we used them for our kids as my wife and I still had time on our cards)

He had all 5 activated at the parks and only used his portion to get in. We received our two tickets from him and went to the parks no problem. They do NOT have to used at the same time, only activated. The tickets were sold at Shades of Green but they cannot activate the cards. That was done at the Magic Kingdom ticket windows. He had to show his Military ID and answer a couple of questions.

The tickets are white with a red/white/blue Mickey icon on them. We've saved them along with all our past tickets (credit card style and even the old paper style), they are cool to collect. The kids love them as well! Thank the serviceman (dad) for us and enjoy your stay.

 

[seabee]

No I wasn't talking about annuals, just using that process as an example because it is the same process as with these discounted tickets.

That's great that the CM did this for your mom, however, I wouldn't count on it working every time. It specifically states in the "rules" ALL people must be present. My ITT person stressed this over and over, as well as the CM I spoke to through Disney. I personally will be having other guests besides our immediate family using these tickets in Oct. and I am not chancing it. We have asked our friends to be present at time of activation. You may not get a CM willing to bend the rules. Besides, when rules are bent that is when benefits are taken away. I like the benefits we receive. I'm not preaching just stating my opinion, and letting others know, it's your choice to chance it and not have everyone there, but just don't complain or get upset if they don't let you activate your tickets.

 

[Shan-man]

Ok, one last call to Mom. I grilled her for details again. As Nic says, your milage may vary but here is what happened in her case. There were MULTIPLE rules broken in the course of these events. First, you are supposed to buy all (up to 5) of your companion tickets at the same time as the serviceman gets his freebie. The parents got theirs one day and came back and got our 2 days later. Secondly, all ticket holders are supposed to be present when the tickets are activated, since the serviceman has to show his military ID and the tickets are personalized for each party member. According to Mom, she didn't have to use her 'super powers' at all to get the ticket activated for us without us present. Not an eyebrow was raised, and there was no hint that there was any rule-breaking going on. Finally, without us present, Mom was able to (on a third day) upgrade our tickets to park hoppers, which entailed the issuance of new tickets, activated in our names and the shredding of the old ones. Again, no 'super powers' employed, no suggestion of impropriety.

I agree with Nic, I wouldn't want to hang the success of our vacation on these things working this way again, but this was our experience this time.

I'm giddy... I'm going to Disney World!
(ok, in 8 months... I'm still giddy!)

 

[devores]

Im glad things worked out for you.

Like you said before, as a word of caution to others reading this, this is not the norm and you definetly lucked out. The only way to ensure your vacation goes the way you want it is to read the rules and follow them. Do not bank on this same thing happening for you.

Again, Im glad things worked out for ya ShanMan. I have a trip in 3 weeks comming up quick.

 

[motofamily]

DO you have to be active military? I have a brother from another mother that is better than a real brother who was in the military. Can we use his ID?

 

[KPH500]

Does anyone know if we're able to add days to these tickets? We'll be purchasing them in June but if you're saying they don't expire until 12/23 I'd like to use them again in November. But in order to do that we'd probably have to add a few days on.

Also, do they have to be purchased at a military base or SoG or can we just purchase them at the ticket window at MK?

Sorry if these questions have already been answered but I've been a bit confused about this promotion for quite some time and am thrilled to death to have found this thread with so many knowledgeable people!

 

[gmflanigan]

DO you have to be active military? I have a brother from another mother that is better than a real brother who was in the military. Can we use his ID?

No--you can be retired. You cann't use his ID it has his picture on it and he has to buy the tickets

 

[seabee]

Does anyone know if we're able to add days to these tickets? We'll be purchasing them in June but if you're saying they don't expire until 12/23 I'd like to use them again in November. But in order to do that we'd probably have to add a few days on.

Also, do they have to be purchased at a military base or SoG or can we just purchase them at the ticket window at MK?

Sorry if these questions have already been answered but I've been a bit confused about this promotion for quite some time and am thrilled to death to have found this thread with so many knowledgeable people!

You can't add days to the tickets. If you were to use 2 or 3 days and then a few months later finish off the 5 you can, but you can't use all 5 and then add on. Also, incase you think of using up the 5 days on the freebie ticket and then using a $99 ticket for a few more days, you can't do that either. I thought of it, and asked. Can't do it.

You can purchase your tickets at the CS window, as long as the military member or person with the ID is there. Just remember, you will pay tax on the tickets, which if you purchase at the base or SOG you won't. Surprisingly there is a big savings by not paying the tax. DH is getting the rules and posting in their entirety for everyone. Be up in a min.

 

[KingBee]

HERE ARE THE RULES BLACK AND WHITE or red
"Disney's Armed Forces Salute" Tickets

Through December 23, 2009, each active or retired member of the U.S. military may obtain one complimentary 5-day "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" ticket with Park Hopper® and Water Park Fun & More options. Activated members of the National Guard or Reservists (with orders showing active status after January 1, 2008) and active or retired members of the United States Coast Guard are also eligible to participate in this offer (details below).

This ticket is valid for five days of admission into the four Walt Disney World® theme parks, plus a total of five visits to a choice of a Disney water park, DisneyQuest® Indoor Interactive Theme Park or certain other attractions. During this offer period, active or retired U.S. military personnel (or their spouses, but not both) may also make a one-time purchase of up to a maximum of five 5-Day "Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets (one theme park per day) for $99 per ticket, plus tax, for family members (including spouse) or friends. Although this ticket for family members and friends does not include either the Park Hopper® or Water Park Fun & More options, this ticket can be upgraded to add either such option, or both, for an additional $25, plus tax, per option. Actual prices may be less. All tickets and options are non-transferable and must be used by December 23, 2009.


"Disney's Armed Forces Salute" tickets can be obtained only at participating U.S. military base ticket offices (including at the Shades of Green Resort at the Walt Disney World® Resort), or at main entrance theme park ticket windows. Tickets are not valid until activated at the main entrance theme park ticket windows. Valid military identification (including, for activated members of the National Guard or Reservists, orders showing active status after January 1, 2008) will be required to be presented by the service member (or dependent spouse with I.D.) for all ticket transactions (including to activate tickets at the main entrance theme park ticket windows). All parties must be present when purchasing or activating tickets at main entrance theme park ticket windows.

Rules

All tickets and options are non-transferable and must be used by 12/23/09.

Complimentary "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" tickets may be obtained only by active or retired US military personnel, including activated members of the National Guard or Reservists (with orders showing active status after January 1, 2008) and active or retired members of the United States Coast Guard. Spouses are not eligible. Dept of Defense (CIA, FBI, Secret Service) and Coalition Forces are excluded.

"Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets for family members and friends may be purchased only by active or retired US military personnel, including activated members of the National Guard or Reservists (with orders showing active status after January 1, 2008) and active or retired members of the United States Coast Guard (or, in each case, their spouses, but not both).

The military personnel (or spouse) will be required to present valid military identification (which, for activated members of the National Guard or Reservists, also includes orders showing active status after January 1, 2008) for all ticket transactions. A valid ID may also be required for admission.

"Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets are limited to five per service member (regardless of place of purchase and whether purchased by service member or spouse) and all five must be purchased at the same time. Accordingly, no service member (or spouse) will be permitted to activate, and/or to redeem exchange certificates for, more than a total of five "Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets for the Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort (regardless of whether activated or exchanged by the service member or spouse).

No Expiration Option cannot be added to these tickets. Complimentary tickets cannot be upgraded in any way. Companion tickets may be upgraded to Premium, Annual or Seasonal Passes. (Seasonal Pass upgrade requires proof of Florida residency.) No other upgrades, such as adding additional days, will be available.

Tickets must be used by the same person on any and all days. "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" complimentary tickets may be used only by the service members to whom they are issued. "Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets may be used only by the friends and family members for whom they are purchased.

This offer may not be combined with any other offer.

Where to Ask Questions

If you have questions about this promotion, I strongly recommend that you callDisney directly and ask them.

 

[Shan-man]

Gosh, I hope it didn't come across like I was trying to dispute the rules. It was because I knew what the rules were that I was so uneasy about this whole deal, but I also wanted to report on how, at least some agents (SoG and Disney GS) are disregarding the rules. Finally, I do feel a little guilty receiving these tickets and using them apart from a trip with Dad... which I think is against the spirit in which the deal is offered. So I hope that none of our servicemen here think I was trying to milk my connections and thwart the system. Dad wanted us to have these, he paid for them himself, even though he won't be here. Though, I guess by getting Mom out of his hair for a few days is a dream vacation in itself! Anyhow, I hope I haven't come across wrong.

 

[bearlyanne]

Oh no....I thought we had a clue and were following the rules....but now I am wondering.

My FIL is qualified and buying us three companion tixs.

Two of the companions -plus my FIL will be activating our passes on Wednesday.

My husband will be joining all of us at Disney on Friday for the weekend. My FIL will obviously be with him to activate his pass , but now I am concerned b/c that FIL's pass is already activated.

Do you think this is an issue.

 

[seabee]

Shan I don't think you were milking the system, you just got lucky. I just wanted people to make sure they understood the way it is suppose to work, and probably does most times. That way when they go to purchase/activate and can't without all people, or whatever they try, they don't get upset with a CM, etc. Because it is spelled right out in the guidelines. I just hate to see these little benefits or special offers be taken away because people(general use of "people") find ways to buck the system or get around it. I too am using these tickets in a way that they were probably not "meant" for. I'm sure these tickets are being offered so that military families may be able to afford a trip to "get away" with their families. I am using our tickets for friends as we will have annuals and not need the tickets so why not help someone out with their trip since we will be there together. Which is perfectly "legal", I'm just making sure that I do everything else by the book. Just the way I am I guess. I have read a few other threads about these tickets and just shake my head when I read some posts on how people have tried to work the system to benefit themselves better, then complain because it didn't work out. You really wouldn't believe some things people have tried, people who aren't eligible trying to get the tickets, etc. Then getting mad at the CM or coming on here(and other forums) and complaining when they weren't able to get tickets, when they should have never had the tickets anyway. HELLO, follow the rules, you won't have a problem. Ok, getting off my soap box now. Hope everyone has a fun trip and all ticket transactions go smoothly.

 

[seabee]

Oh no....I thought we had a clue and were following the rules....but now I am wondering.

My FIL is qualified and buying us three companion tixs.

Two of the companions -plus my FIL will be activating our passes on Wednesday.

My husband will be joining all of us at Disney on Friday for the weekend. My FIL will obviously be with him to activate his pass , but now I am concerned b/c that FIL's pass is already activated.

Do you think this is an issue.

I think your husband will be fine. Especially if your FIL is there with him. To be sure give Disney a call, but from what I have read from others you should be fine.

 

[bearlyanne]

Thank you so much Seabee. I hope you are right. I don't want to start the trip off on the wrong foot especially since I am traveling with my inlaws alone for the first few days!

 

[KPH500]

Thanks for posting the rules but I do have one more question that I don't think was answered there.

When we go in June it will be DH (activated Army reservist), DS12, and myself. Which means we'll only be purchasing two companion tickets.

When just DH and I go back in November do you think we'd be able to purchase two more companion tickets? Or, can we buy them all in June and use the extra two in November?

Not trying to 'cheat' the system here, just want to be sure I understand.

I was thrilled to read that they can be upgraded to APs though!

 

[devores]

This goes back to the "Follow the rules and you wont be dissapointed" thing.

ALL of the tickets must be purchased at one time. The servicemember gets one shot, if you only buy 2 companion tickets today, thats it, no more tickets can be purchased.

As for the using the 2 extra tickets another time, this is also against the rules. One ticket per person, no more. It will be caught when you try to activate the extra tickets and you will end up loosing $200 and wasted a trip to WDW.

 

[devores]

Thanks for posting the rules but I do have one more question that I don't think was answered there.

When we go in June it will be DH (activated Army reservist), DS12, and myself. Which means we'll only be purchasing two companion tickets.

When just DH and I go back in November do you think we'd be able to purchase two more companion tickets? Or, can we buy them all in June and use the extra two in November?

Not trying to 'cheat' the system here, just want to be sure I understand.

I was thrilled to read that they can be upgraded to APs though!

You do know how this works, correct?

You get a credit of the purchase price of the ticket (ie $99) and that goes towards the AP. So you are not saving any money by doing this. You will pay the same amount as you would with out upgrading the companion tickets.

BTW, you cannot upgrade the FREE ticket the servicemember gets.

 

[KPH500]

Yes, I understand how upgrading passes works.

Why would the $124 (assuming companion passes are upgraded to hoppers) not be applied towards the purchase price of the APs?

edited to add that I also understand that the FREE pass cannot be upgraded.

 

[seabee]

Exactly right. My 2 girls and I are buying annuals because we will be returning to the world with in a year so cost wise it's smarter. However, it is still cheaper for us to have DH use his freebie and then purchase his ticket later for the later trip. BUUUUTT, we were thinking of doing more then 5 days in the park this Oct. so we were thinking he might be able to use one of the $99tickets just for a couple of days and it would still be cheaper then buying a 2 day pass, etc. Well-You can't. Just as Devores said, 1 ticket per person. So we will be using the freebie for 5 days and purchasing a 2 day pass to fill in the week. I can't be too greedy, they are giving us one for free. But it never hurts to ask. By putting your names into the system they will be able to tell that you have used tickets already. That would put a real damper on the trip if you got there and found you really didn't have tickets and you just spent $200 on something you can't use.

 

[seabee]

Yes, I understand how upgrading passes works.

Why would the $124 (assuming companion passes are upgraded to hoppers) not be applied towards the purchase price of the APs?

edited to add that I also understand that the FREE pass cannot be upgraded.

It would be. I think devores was just assuming that you were paying $99.