military pass question......help!!!

[goofymom/pop]

My father wants to purchase us passes at the military base as a gift. Does he have to be along for us to use them? Does anyone have any experience with this? Help...I dont want him to waste his money on the passes there if we wont be able to get into the park with them.


cindy

 

[Local_Girl]

Cindy,

I'm not sure how much help this will be...we are retired military and purchased our park hoppers at the Shades of Green office at WDW. Each hopper does say "military" on the back of the ticket. That said, we were never asked to show a military I.D. (though we were prepared to) at any entrance gate to the 4 major parks (we didn't go to a water park). I have *heard* however, that a military member may purchase tickets for non-military guests but that he/she should accompany the guests to the parks...hopefully someone can give you a more definitive answer.

 

[lookingforward]

I have bought passes for relatives but have always been with them when we used them. I know that this is okay. I also know that I have never been asked to see military I.D. when entering the parks. I don't think it will matter if you are with him BUT I would call the ticket office at the Shades and double check.

 

[goofymom/pop]

Dad can order tickets here in Cleveland through the Naval base downtown. He is retired Reserves and is able to get a nice price. I just dont know if I am safe to not have him along. He isnt coming along on the trip.

Hopefully someone else can help us with this. Anybody?


Cindy

 

[srwright66]

My ex father-in-law buys them for us every year as Christmas presents. He does not go with us. They were given as gifts. We have never been questioned or asked for id.

 

[Cmbar]

Hi My husband works at the Naval Hospital in Bethesda, MD but is not a member of the military. He is a contract worker and has asked several times if he is able to buy the military tickets at the base. They repeatedly say it is available for all those who work on the base and their families. He has even bought for our families and has always been upfront saying that he is not going on the trip. He has purchased them on several occassions and we and our family members have used the tickets without any problem. I also know of many military families that have bought their families tickets and not been with them. I don't know the official rules but I can say that I do not think that you will have a problem. Now if you are staying at Shades of green or something like that then I think you have to show military ID. Hope this helps! I panicked the first time we went through with the military passes and have come to feel comfortable about them, especially since we have specifically asked about this at the MWR center at the base. Have fun! We are going on our military passes in three weeks!!!!!!!

P.S. Previously when I asked this question a few years ago I got a few upset people who felt that we were cheating the system, but I honestly do not feel that way. Your father worked for the military and these passes are for him and his family for life! But you might get a few responses to the negative.

Hope you have a great trip. My only sadness about using these passes is that a number of my husbands friends at the base have been shipped off for the tension in the Middle east. I do feel a bit guilty about enjoying Disney while these brave people are off defending our country.

 

[goofymom/pop]

Thats what I was hoping to hear. I dont feel I am cheating either. My Dad spent over 20 years in the Reserves and never once has he used his military benefits for us as a family. So I guess its time. My Mom and Him are hoping to head to SofG sometime soon, as they have never been to Disney.

I too feel for the families whose loved ones are keeping us all safe. God Bless them all as they wait for their safe return to the US.

 

[Pat_Elliott]

I'm not sure if the rules governing SOG passes and those bought on a Military base are the same, but we've been told specifically at SOG that my wife need not be with me for me to use passes bought there (she's government issue, I'm a lousy civilian). We asked because at least one day during our trip, we split up for a day. For a few years, they didn't even ask for her ID when purchasing, but since 911, for some reason, they require it.

As far as "cheating," I think that's far from the truth. I think if a government member bought the things by the bushel and handed them out to distant friends as Xmas presents, it would be a little shady, but as for giving them to family, I think these are benefits for military personnel and their families. I guess it's open to interpretation, but that's mine.

Pat