Military Discounts Help

[Pookie9922]

Can someone help me navigate Military discounts? I am not military so I have zero experience, but I'm doing all the coordinating for a trip my brother and sister-in-law in March 2022 and he's retired military. My sister-in-law has gotten military tickets for disneyland before but didn't know how it would work for Disneyworld. Also we're using a travel agent, so I don't know if that complicates things.

Here are my questions
1) Are there usually discounts for rooms or are they just the occasional ticket discounts (like the one through december of this year)?
2) If there's a room discount, does it only apply to their room or would both rooms count if they're on the same reservation?
3) Should I book the reservation in their name now (even though I'm doing all the coordinating) so it gives us options if things come up?
4) Should I just book rooms and do tickets separately or do a package? is it modifiable after I book if things change?
5) If there isn't a specific military promotional, is it cheaper to get tickets through the base or another route? If we don't get them directly through disney, am I going to have issues hooking them to our reservation for dining or (hopefully!) fastpasses?
6) Would the tickets only be for their family or would it be for the whole party? (their family is 2 adults 1 kid, we are 2 adults, 3 kids and my mother-in-law is coming too)

TIA! My Sister-in-law wasn't much help!

 

[subtchr]

Can someone help me navigate Military discounts? I am not military so I have zero experience, but I'm doing all the coordinating for a trip my brother and sister-in-law in March 2022 and he's retired military. My sister-in-law has gotten military tickets for disneyland before but didn't know how it would work for Disneyworld. Also we're using a travel agent, so I don't know if that complicates things.

Here are my questions
1) Are there usually discounts for rooms or are they just the occasional ticket discounts (like the one through december of this year)?
2) If there's a room discount, does it only apply to their room or would both rooms count if they're on the same reservation?
3) Should I book the reservation in their name now (even though I'm doing all the coordinating) so it gives us options if things come up?
4) Should I just book rooms and do tickets separately or do a package? is it modifiable after I book if things change?
5) If there isn't a specific military promotional, is it cheaper to get tickets through the base or another route? If we don't get them directly through disney, am I going to have issues hooking them to our reservation for dining or (hopefully!) fastpasses?
6) Would the tickets only be for their family or would it be for the whole party? (their family is 2 adults 1 kid, we are 2 adults, 3 kids and my mother-in-law is coming too)

TIA! My Sister-in-law wasn't much help!

1. Yes, there are military discounts at most of the Disney resorts. The discount varies, but now it is typically 25% off value resorts, 30% moderates, 35% deluxe. Your brother or SIL has to call Disney to check for availability for your dates, and to book them. The TA can also help with this.

2. The eligible military member can book up to 3 rooms with the military discount.

3. Yes, but there is no reason not to book it with the military discount now, as long as your dates are covered (up until 12/17/21).

4. You should NOT book a package with tickets. Military ticket savings are huge, and cannot be bundled with a package. However, the past two military discount rooms I have booked, the CM on the phone booked them as a basic package. Room only, but with the payment and cancellation policies of a vacation package. I'm not sure why he did it, but I was fine with it, since I tend to pay off even my room only stays in advance.

5. There is a current ticket offer, through 12/17/21. The military member can get up to 6 total 4- or 5-day park hopper tickets for about half off ($293 and $312, respectively, from Shades of Green). If you need more than 6 tickets, there are other slightly discounted options for the extras you need. These tickets can be purchased at a base ticket office or Shades of Green (they will ship them to the member, even if they are not staying at the resort).

Tickets have nothing to do with dining, and they are the same as any other Disney ticket when it comes to FP/park reservations.

6. See my answer for #5. He can buy 6 tickets at the huge discount, to be used by anyone in your party. He must use one of the tickets. So if the kids are all age 3 or older, you will need 3 extra tickets. Get the kids (if they are age 3-9) Magic Your Way tickets, since they are slightly less than adult ones. (The military tickets are the same price for all ages.)

Here's a link to the resort discounts on the Disney website: MILITARY DISNEY RESORT DISCOUNTS

And the price list for both Salute (Military Promotional) and Magic Your Way tickets from Shades of Green: SHADES OF GREEN DISNEY TICKET PRICE LIST

EDITING TO ADD: I didn’t notice when responding initially that you are looking at March of 2022. The current military discounts expire 12/17/21.

If they are renewed (they have been for many years), it was typically announced in late September, although the wonder that was 2020 threw everything into confusion.

You can book where you might want to stay, but don’t include tickets, and if the discounts are released, you can adjust for that.

 

[Wendysofftoneverland]

Military discounts for rooms usually come out the last week of September. So in a non-covid year, you wouldn't be able to find out about 2022 military discounts until September 20-something, 2021. They would announce the availability of discounts on the "Special Offers" page, but military room rates can only be booked over the phone rather than online. Disney military salute tickets are a great deal. They have park hopper included and are a significant discount compared to regular tickets, but can only be purchased at Shades of Green or military bases. Shades of Green is another great hotel option for military, if you don't care about Disney theming. It is a nice hotel within walking distance of the Poly. Price is consistent throughout the year based on rank, and each military member can book 2 or 3 rooms (I can't remember if it is 2 or 3...Disney has a similar rule). At Disney, to get the room discount for both rooms, they must be at the same resort. Some people like to book packages instead of "room only" so they can add the dining plan later (this is allowed if you have military salute tickets) but we prefer the flexibility of room only and find the dining plan to be a waste of money for our family. Hope this helps. We wouldn't be able to go to Disney nearly as much without the military discount. I've never used a travel agent though, but I know there are some that specialize in military travel planning.

 

[Pookie9922]

1. Yes, there are military discounts at most of the Disney resorts. The discount varies, but now it is typically 25% off value resorts, 30% moderates, 35% deluxe. Your brother or SIL has to call Disney to check for availability for your dates, and to book them. The TA can also help with this.

2. The eligible military member can book up to 3 rooms with the military discount.

3. Yes, but there is no reason not to book it with the military discount now, as long as your dates are covered (up until 12/17/21).

4. You should NOT book a package with tickets. Military ticket savings are huge, and cannot be bundled with a package. However, the past two military discount rooms I have booked, the CM on the phone booked them as a basic package. Room only, but with the payment and cancellation policies of a vacation package. I'm not sure why he did it, but I was fine with it, since I tend to pay off even my room only stays in advance.

5. There is a current ticket offer, through 12/17/21. The military member can get up to 6 total 4- or 5-day park hopper tickets for about half off ($293 and $312, respectively, from Shades of Green). If you need more than 6 tickets, there are other slightly discounted options for the extras you need. These tickets can be purchased at a base ticket office or Shades of Green (they will ship them to the member, even if they are not staying at the resort).

Tickets have nothing to do with dining, and they are the same as any other Disney ticket when it comes to FP/park reservations.

6. See my answer for #5. He can buy 6 tickets at the huge discount, to be used by anyone in your party. He must use one of the tickets. So if the kids are all age 3 or older, you will need 3 extra tickets. Get the kids (if they are age 3-9) Magic Your Way tickets, since they are slightly less than adult ones. (The military tickets are the same price for all ages.)

Here's a link to the resort discounts on the Disney website: MILITARY DISNEY RESORT DISCOUNTS

And the price list for both Salute (Military Promotional) and Magic Your Way tickets from Shades of Green: SHADES OF GREEN DISNEY TICKET PRICE LIST

EDITING TO ADD: I didn’t notice when responding initially that you are looking at March of 2022. The current military discounts expire 12/17/21.

If they are renewed (they have been for many years), it was typically announced in late September, although the wonder that was 2020 threw everything into confusion.

You can book where you might want to stay, but don’t include tickets, and if the discounts are released, you can adjust for that.

Thank for you all the great information. I think I'm starting to get my head around it!

One extra caveat is that we are little worried brother-in-law family might flake on us. It's a small chance but they're a bit wishy washy sometimes. I'm trying to figure out how to protect our trip if that happens. I'd like as much to be in my name as possible in case that happens. I think once things are all paid up and non-refundable, they'll be locked in. But until then, since it's a long time away, I'm a little nervous. So cancellation policy details are important to me. Also, in response to Wendy's post - We aren't interested in a meal plan unless it's free as a promotion. We were planning on base tickets, but will take park hoppers if it's through the military discounts and makes sense to do so. Last time we went the meal plan deal was offered but only with park hoppers and it ended up being a wash for us so we passed.

With that in mind, should my plan of action be the following...
1) Book the hotel rooms (Beach club is the plan) we want now as room only in my name. If the military rooms become available, book those in brother's name and cancel the first reservation.
2) Wait on tickets for a while in case the salute tickets become available. If they do, get 6 salute tickets and 3 Stars and Stripes (since we are staying on property) - are stars and stripes only park hoppers?? If salute tickets are not going to be an option, get 9 stars and stripes tickets if we want park hoppers or 9 MYW tickets if we don't want park hoppers?

-My question on #2 is, if they bail on us and we don't have the tickets as part of a package with our room, can we convert our room to a ticket package or will we pay more to just buy separate tickets.
-If we have the room in brother's name, they have to be there at check in, right? (ie, we can't get there before them - they're coming from Michigan, us from CA)
-If the tickets are military discount tickets of any sort - do we all have to check in at the same time the first day in the park? Is there a procedure at check in we have to do (we are rope droppers, not positive about them getting up early enough to do so)

TIA!

(Edited because it decided to post before I was done)

 

[subtchr]

Thank for you all the great information. I think I'm starting to get my head around it!

One extra caveat is that we are little worried brother-in-law family might flake on us. It's a small chance but they're a bit wishy washy sometimes. I'm trying to figure out how to protect our trip if that happens. I think once things are all paid up and non-refundable, they'll be locked in. But until then, since it's a long time away, I'm a little nervous.

With that in mind, should my plan of action be the following...
1) Book the hotel rooms we want now as room only.

OK, I am confused. Who is the brother-in-law? I thought you said the military person is your brother?

If the military person does not come on the trip, it does not matter what you have booked and paid for. You will not be able to use a military room discount or military tickets without the eligible person with you.

 

[Pookie9922]

OK, I am confused. Who is the brother-in-law? I thought you said the military person is your brother?

If the military person does not come on the trip, it does not matter what you have booked and paid for. You will not be able to use a military room discount or military tickets without the eligible person with you.

Sorry, my reply posted before I was done. the edited one is up now.

Hubby's brother, so my brother-in-law, is retired military.

If they bail on us, is it possible to transfer the reservation us or convert it to non-military prices?

 

[only hope]

The first time miliary tickets are used, someone with a military id must be present. After first entry it doesn’t matter. Spouses with military id can be the entry person. So if not everyone wants to go in at the same time, that’s fine, but the second group of people will need a person with military id to accompany them into the park for first entry.

 

[subtchr]

Thank for you all the great information. I think I'm starting to get my head around it!

One extra caveat is that we are little worried brother-in-law family might flake on us. It's a small chance but they're a bit wishy washy sometimes. I'm trying to figure out how to protect our trip if that happens. I'd like as much to be in my name as possible in case that happens. I think once things are all paid up and non-refundable, they'll be locked in. But until then, since it's a long time away, I'm a little nervous. So cancellation policy details are important to me. Also, in response to Wendy's post - We aren't interested in a meal plan unless it's free as a promotion. We were planning on base tickets, but will take park hoppers if it's through the military discounts and makes sense to do so. Last time we went the meal plan deal was offered but only with park hoppers and it ended up being a wash for us so we passed.

With that in mind, should my plan of action be the following...
1) Book the hotel rooms (Beach club is the plan) we want now as room only in my name. If the military rooms become available, book those in brother's name and cancel the first reservation.
2) Wait on tickets for a while in case the salute tickets become available. If they do, get 6 salute tickets and 3 Stars and Stripes (since we are staying on property) - are stars and stripes only park hoppers?? If salute tickets are not going to be an option, get 9 stars and stripes tickets if we want park hoppers or 9 MYW tickets if we don't want park hoppers?

-My question on #2 is, if they bail on us and we don't have the tickets as part of a package with our room, can we convert our room to a ticket package or will we pay more to just buy separate tickets.
-If we have the room in brother's name, they have to be there at check in, right? (ie, we can't get there before them - they're coming from Michigan, us from CA)
-If the tickets are military discount tickets of any sort - do we all have to check in at the same time the first day in the park? Is there a procedure at check in we have to do (we are rope droppers, not positive about them getting up early enough to do so)

TIA!

(Edited because it decided to post before I was done)

1. Even for military discount resort bookings, your room will still be in your name, but the military member or spouse has to book it. So if the discount becomes available, you shouldn't have to cancel anything. If the discount is available for your resort and dates, the military family can call and have the existing bookings (up to 3 rooms total) modified to reflect the discount.

Note that we have been using military Disney resort discounts since they started in 2009. For many years, availability was plentiful, and it was a straight 30/35/40% off the three respective resort levels. In the past few years, it has been "up to" those percentages, but typically 5% less than each, and with much more restricted availability. So keep an eye on these forums to know when the new program is announced, and call immediately. You may have to be flexible about the resort or room type to get a discount.

2. Stars and Stripes are the equivalent of Park Hopper Plus, for the length of stay at a Disney resort or Shades of Green. Salute tickets are Park Hopper or Park Hopper Plus. MYW can be base tickets, park hopper, or park hopper plus, your choice. Yes, it's good to wait a while to buy tickets to see if the new program is announced, and if the military family is coming.

But if you buy tickets, and then they decide not to come, you're out of luck when it comes to tickets. You can't use the salute tickets without the military member present, even if they are already purchased and linked. Most ITT offices sell exchange certificates for the tickets. Those can be linked to MDE to book parks (and fastpasses, if they return), but they must be activated upon arrival by the military member showing eligible ID. If you buy the tickets from Shades of Green (and possibly even some ITT offices, as of this year), they are activated tickets, and you can go directly into a park. But Disney reserves the right to ask for eligible ID at any time. And whether that happens or not, the military member signs an affidavit that by purchasing the tickets, they understand the terms and conditions, including having to purchase and use one of the tickets themselves.

If they bail on you before purchasing tickets, you could convert your non-discounted room to a package and include tickets, but it would be the same total price to purchase tickets separately. There is not a discount to include tickets with a package, unless there is a specific applicable promotion, like the current one offering two extra days.

Online checkin is strongly encouraged at Disney, so there would not be a problem with you arriving at different times. At some point, the front desk may ask the brother to come down to show ID. We have stayed with a military discount many times, and have only been asked for ID a few of those times.

See my comments above about whether they need to be there when you first enter a park. It depends on where he gets the tickets and what type they are.

Hope that helps!

 

[Pookie9922]

1. Even for military discount resort bookings, your room will still be in your name, but the military member or spouse has to book it. So if the discount becomes available, you shouldn't have to cancel anything. If the discount is available for your resort and dates, the military family can call and have the existing bookings (up to 3 rooms total) modified to reflect the discount.

Note that we have been using military Disney resort discounts since they started in 2009. For many years, availability was plentiful, and it was a straight 30/35/40% off the three respective resort levels. In the past few years, it has been "up to" those percentages, but typically 5% less than each, and with much more restricted availability. So keep an eye on these forums to know when the new program is announced, and call immediately. You may have to be flexible about the resort or room type to get a discount.

2. Stars and Stripes are the equivalent of Park Hopper Plus, for the length of stay at a Disney resort or Shades of Green. Salute tickets are Park Hopper or Park Hopper Plus. MYW can be base tickets, park hopper, or park hopper plus, your choice. Yes, it's good to wait a while to buy tickets to see if the new program is announced, and if the military family is coming.

But if you buy tickets, and then they decide not to come, you're out of luck when it comes to tickets. You can't use the salute tickets without the military member present, even if they are already purchased and linked. Most ITT offices sell exchange certificates for the tickets. Those can be linked to MDE to book parks (and fastpasses, if they return), but they must be activated upon arrival by the military member showing eligible ID. If you buy the tickets from Shades of Green (and possibly even some ITT offices, as of this year), they are activated tickets, and you can go directly into a park. But Disney reserves the right to ask for eligible ID at any time. And whether that happens or not, the military member signs an affidavit that by purchasing the tickets, they understand the terms and conditions, including having to purchase and use one of the tickets themselves.

If they bail on you before purchasing tickets, you could convert your non-discounted room to a package and include tickets, but it would be the same total price to purchase tickets separately. There is not a discount to include tickets with a package, unless there is a specific applicable promotion, like the current one offering two extra days.

Online checkin is strongly encouraged at Disney, so there would not be a problem with you arriving at different times. At some point, the front desk may ask the brother to come down to show ID. We have stayed with a military discount many times, and have only been asked for ID a few of those times.

See my comments above about whether they need to be there when you first enter a park. It depends on where he gets the tickets and what type they are.

Hope that helps!

Thank you! This was exactly the breakdown of info I needed!

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Military ID is required when checking into hotel and not every retired military ID is eligible for discount. There are sites that show exact IDs that are eligible. If not presented at checkin the rate will revert to rack rate.

 

[subtchr]

Military ID is required when checking into hotel and not every retired military ID is eligible for discount. There are sites that show exact IDs that are eligible. If not presented at checkin the rate will revert to rack rate.

Every military retiree or spouse is eligible for the discount. What do you mean?

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Every military retiree or spouse is eligible for the discount. What do you mean?

Those are IDs that qualify for discount at Disney.

 

[subtchr]

Those are IDs that qualify for discount at Disney.

Right.

Retired military is one of the acceptable IDs.

Retirees are eligible.