Military Discounts

[momofmaz]

We are going to WDW in November. We are only going for 2 whole days and there are 4 adults and 1 child 2 years old. So we need 4 adult 2 day park hoppers. We are already using the armed services discount for our rooms (AMAZING DEAL THANK YOU DISNEY!!) but when we did that it took off our tickets automatically. I do not want to do the armed services 4 day park hopper (even though it would save money); with our scedule and ADRs we just will not have time to get all of the tickets activated prior to our frist day being in the park.

Now to my actual question. What is the best way to purchase my park tickets? Do I just buy them online or do I buy them at the hotel when we check in or through the disney store? I asked my TA but they have yet to get back with me.

 

[denneg]

I don't get why the tickets were removed when you did the reservation with the military discount. We have done that plenty of times and always had tickets attached if we weren't going to get military passes. I would call Disney, the CM should be able to attach tickets so you don't have a hassle, they will be right on your key card.

 

[DLgal]

You do realize that you will save SIGNIFICANTLY if you use the Armed Forces Salute Tickets, right? Disney's price on ONE two day adult hopper is $258.80!!! Cost for 4 adults is a total of $1035.20.

One Armed Forces Salute Hopper ticket will cost $169. Total for 4 will be $676. No tax if you buy on base or at Shades of Green.

You don't need to use all 4 days at one time. You can just let the other two days go to waste, OR you can return to WDW at some point before the end of September 2014 to finish using them. They don't expire until the offer expires.

As for activating them, it takes all of 5 minutes, maximum. All you need to do is stop at the Guest Relations window prior to entering the park to do so. Seriously, it's faster than most bathroom breaks. You don't have to activate them the day before you use them. I never do that.

But, to answer your question, the easiest way to buy the tickets is at your resort hotel upon check in. That way, your ticket media can be tied to your room key, for one less thing to carry around.

 

[DLgal]

I don't get why the tickets were removed when you did the reservation with the military discount. We have done that plenty of times and always had tickets attached if we weren't going to get military passes. I would call Disney, the CM should be able to attach tickets so you don't have a hassle, they will be right on your key card.

Probably because the military discount is a ROOM ONLY discount. You can't add park tickets. You CAN add the dining plan, but not tickets. I have two rooms booked using the military discount for next week and then in 2014, and both times was asked if I wanted to add the dining plan or purchase Cirque du Soleil tickets but NOT if I wanted to add park tickets.

 

[momofmaz]

I do realize the savings is significant but I was told by numerous people activation is a complete hassle and eats up a lot of time. I was told each adult has to provide disney information at activation time individually. We have ADRs for 0800 our first day so this scared me. Also, I really liked the idea of the tickets being on our room key; one less thing for me to carry around.

Plus actually going to pick up the tickets would be an act of God for my significant other as we are not located near any bases; 50 minutes to an hour away.

 

[MichelleVW]

I do realize the savings is significant but I was told by numerous people activation is a complete hassle and eats up a lot of time. I was told each adult has to provide disney information at activation time individually. We have ADRs for 0800 our first day so this scared me. Also, I really liked the idea of the tickets being on our room key; one less thing for me to carry around.

Plus actually going to pick up the tickets would be an act of God for my significant other as we are not located near any bases; 50 minutes to an hour away.

It's seriously not a big deal to activate the tickets. Just go the day before and buy the tickets at the gate, yes you have to pay for tax but they are already activated. Each ticket just needs a name, that's pretty much the only information. Takes 10 minutes tops.

 

[momofmaz]

It's seriously not a big deal to activate the tickets. Just go the day before and buy the tickets at the gate, yes you have to pay for tax but they are already activated. Each ticket just needs a name, that's pretty much the only information. Takes 10 minutes tops.

This isn't possible for us. We get in at 745 the night before our first day. If all 4 of us didn't have to be there to activate it I would just let him go and do all of our tickets whlie my son slept but I was clearly told all ticket holders have to be there at activation.

 

[MichelleVW]

This isn't possible for us. We get in at 745 the night before our first day. If all 4 of us didn't have to be there to activate it I would just let him go and do all of our tickets whlie my son slept but I was clearly told all ticket holders have to be there at activation.

I would personally find a way to make it to the base to buy the tickets before hand because the savings is significant. But if you want to pay for the full price tickets either go to the Disney Website and buy your tickets before hand or just buy them when you check in to your resort

 

[MattRyan]

I once went and used the Salute tickets, there were 4 of us. We arrived at Epcot and it took less than 15 minutes to have the tickets activated at guest services.

If 15 minutes is too much of a time waste, the next best thing to do would be to purchase military tickets at your local military base, you get the tickets cheaper with no tax, I purchased a 7 day base ticket for $302.75 even. Unlike the Salute tickets, these are already activated beforehand.

 

[denneg]

Now you can buy the tickets at the regular ticket booths, we did it at the Transportation Center last time. Depending on where your ADR is for breakfast, would it be possible for you to arrive a little early and get the tickets at a booth? We were able to do it quickly, no hassle at all, and it would really save you some money.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

To sell (or activate) Armed Forces Salute tickets all is needed is the service member's (or spouse's) ID and the name, date of birth, address, and telephone number of all people in the party. And as long as the address and phone number is the same, that data carries forward from one to another. It should take less than ten minutes for the entire party.

This can be done at any Park ticket or Guest Relations window. And each park (including TTC) has at least one of each open at least 30 minutes prior to any Guest being allowed in the Park. This takes into consideration both morning EMH as well as pre-opening dining reservations.

And this can be done also the evening before at one of the DTD GR offices. I note the OP Is staying at the Beach Club; this can also be done at the Epcot International Gateway windows.

 

[matheke]

This isn't possible for us. We get in at 745 the night before our first day. If all 4 of us didn't have to be there to activate it I would just let him go and do all of our tickets whlie my son slept but I was clearly told all ticket holders have to be there at activation.

I've looked over what you posted on your pretrip planning. I think you have plenty of time to buy your AF Salute tickets, activate them, and then enter the MK for an 8:20 ADR. Even if you are a few minutes late they can still seat you.

If you go the other way and buy regular PH tickets you are essentially paying $400 to eat breakfast at the Crystal Palace, and trust me it is not worth it.

 

[Dee77]

You are going this November, has Disney extended the Military Ticket offer? I was under the impression that this September is when it ended.

 

[dimndgal1]

Can you get to DTD your first night? We activated ours there at Guest Relations in about 15 min... you could do tix and then grab a treat at Ghiradelli next door!

You are going this November, has Disney extended the Military Ticket offer? I was under the impression that this September is when it ended.

There is a new offer that runs Sept 13 - Aug 14 that is similar to previous years

 

[Mrsjvb]

You are going this November, has Disney extended the Military Ticket offer? I was under the impression that this September is when it ended.

yup. the new price is a bit higher but it is essentially the same conditions as the current one.

 

[denneg]

[QUOTE="Cheshire Figment;49159741"
And this can be done also the evening before at one of the DTD GR offices. I note the OP Is staying at the Beach Club; this can also be done at the Epcot International Gateway windows.[/QUOTE]

If I were you, this is what I would do. It's an easy walk from the Bach Club, and if your husband is able to do it alone, you could get settled in the room. Of course, you always have the option of doing it in the morning at the MK, as long as you arrived a few. I uses early you would be fine! Hope you get it worked out!

 

[mattsdragon]

I do realize the savings is significant but I was told by numerous people activation is a complete hassle and eats up a lot of time. I was told each adult has to provide disney information at activation time individually. We have ADRs for 0800 our first day so this scared me. Also, I really liked the idea of the tickets being on our room key; one less thing for me to carry around.

Plus actually going to pick up the tickets would be an act of God for my significant other as we are not located near any bases; 50 minutes to an hour away.

Absolute rubbish. It is a give minute process. And for that savings, who cares.


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[polyfor4]

Agree that the process to activate is pretty painless! We usually do run into a line to buy tickets at SOG so we do make the 50 minute drive to the base to buy tickets. After a 10 hour drive standing in line at SOG isn't our cup of tea. We use to activate at the gate but with SWW and getting into HS early we now activate the night before at DD. We head over to guest services and then eat at wolf gang. The prices have gone up since we've been buying the military tickets but of course so has everything else. We use to buy 10 day tickets like it was nothing and now those are knocking on the door of $500. Don't quote me but you use to be able to use the ticket multiple times within the year of the promotion- we used half of our ticket in February 2012 and then used the rest that May. A much better savings if you foresee two trips. If nothing else purchasing the tickets from the base will save you the tax- anything less than a 4 day ticket is ridiculous expensive so any savings helps!

 

[Angel Ariel]

There is a new offer that runs Sept 13 - Aug 14 that is similar to previous years

I believe the dates on the 2013-14 offer are September 29, 2013- September 27th, 2014

Link

ETA: OP - with an 8:20am ADR, and with how early the ticket windows open (most likely by 7:30am), you should have plenty of time to purchase or activate AFS tickets before your ADR.

 

[dimndgal1]

I believe the dates on the 2013-14 offer are September 29, 2013- September 27th, 2014

Link

ETA: OP - with an 8:20am ADR, and with how early the ticket windows open (most likely by 7:30am), you should have plenty of time to purchase or activate AFS tickets before your ADR.

You are right! The place I was looking just changed the dates to '2014' without actually updating the whole thing.