Military Salute - Sea World, Busch Gardens, etc.

[travelitis]

http://www.seaworld.com/seaworld/fla/ftp_press_releases_articles.aspx?pr_num=82

On another board a poster said they read in the Orlando paper that Disney has said they'll be coming up with something for the military, too.

 

[wahoo776]

Hi,

It was me and I have pasted the article and if you look at the bottom - Mary something says it!

SeaWorld offers military free day at park

By Robert Johnson | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted April 18, 2003


SeaWorld on Thursday began leading a charge by Orlando theme parks to honor the military victors in Iraq by offering them free admission.

Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando said they won't be far behind.


SeaWorld's "Operation Salute" will award free single-day tickets to active-duty military and up to four "direct dependents" beginning on Memorial Day and concluding on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

The offer is also extended to all coalition forces serving with U.S. troops in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"We're excited about honoring those who have endured hardship," said Jim Atchison, SeaWorld's general manager.

The offer is similar to those extended by many tourist attractions to veterans of the 1991 Persian Gulf War and to firefighters and police officers after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

Universal Orlando will also "pay tribute to our troops," spokeswoman Susan Lomax said, but details aren't final yet.

At Disney World, spokeswoman Marilyn Waters said, "You can expect us to announce a special offer for returning U.S. military soon."

Robert Johnson can be reached at rwjohnson@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5664.


Good Luck and I hope ALOT of us get to use these!

 

[travelitis]

I can't wait for Disney and Universal to announce their plans! My husband says that since he sits behind a desk reactivating the reservists and taking care of trivial matters like making sure they get paid, that Disney probably won't include him in the promotion. Last year we didn't get to take advantage of the offer because 9-11 impacted us too much, then our base didn't get word of the extension. I'm crossing my fingers!

 

[wahoo776]

And your husband sitting behind that desk is any less important, How?

He (and you) are still a military family and you are still effected by everything that goes on in the world. When they say soldiers for Operation Iraq Freedom, if you call and talk to people at the parks, they will tell you that if the person is active duty during the time of operation, they are said to be apart of it....

Also, use these for all the times your family has been seperated and NO ONE was offering you anything! My husband has been away for more holidays, special days and JUST days, then I care to count that no one was offering anything to us, beside being quick to ask me, How could my family support a military that was being ran by a Draft Dodger? The Clinton Years or How could my husband support a war for Oil prices? Now (UMM, because if he didn't do this you couldn't stand here and make such a ridiculous statement to my face! Oh if they only knew!)

Sheepishly removing myself from the soap box
"
"

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Seaworld includes reservists, WDW usually only includes them if they are activated at that time. Neverrmind my DH was away at reserves 50% of his time before and during the war training and deploying soldiers PLUS countless hours on the phone and e-mail(this aspect was unpaid I might add). WDW usually does not recognize this . Not sure what Universal does. Perhaps WDW will surprise reservists this time, but we are not holding our breath. DH was active duty during Gulf War but we were stationed overseas and did not know of all the perks troops were getting. Already got SP's that we plan to activate. I am just thankful SOG recognizes him! Can't wait!

 

[frannn]

Just wondering, because I know the Sept 11th one included firemen and policemen, of which DH is both...

 

[eeyore0062]

Likely, since the Iraqi war only impacted the military and their families directly, and 9/11 impacted the police and firemen, they will not be included in this offer. In this case, maybe they will also recognize the reservists, as so many were activated, it would only be fair!

I am looking forward to the increase in attendence at WDW that this will bring. My brother is active military, and I am hoping he and his wife will be able to take advantage of this offer!

 

[mikkiblueeyes]

We live near Norfolk, VA and so in this area I hear of all the specials for the military whether it's a discount somewhere or free admission to museums. I always ask if this includes Retired Military and am told "no, just active duty". Well, my husband served his country for 20yrs and now that he's retired we don't qualify for the "perks". There were no perks when he was active. I have questioned this numerous times but to no avail.

I feel if you are going to support the military with special perks then it should include all military, retired included.

Ok, getting off MY soapbox now, hahahahaha

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

What happened with WDW last time was that reservist were only included IF they were activated at that time. Which meant they would not be able to go to the parks ! They forget that reservists are essential in many aspects while serving as a "drilling" reservists(active, not activated). Seaworld's offer is worded to include active reservists(those that do a monthly weekend or more drill). Yes, I feel your pain mikkiblueeyes ! At least you also qualify for SOG. We get lots of other discounts through various hotel chains too. You may also with a military ID card. ??

 

[travelitis]

Here's the copy and paste if you didn't check out the link.

ST. LOUIS (April 17, 2003) – Anheuser-Busch today announced it will give a free single day admission to its SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Sesame Place parks to active duty military, active reservists, U.S. Coast Guard, National Guardsmen and as many as four of their direct dependents, beginning the Friday of Memorial Day weekend and concluding Veterans Day, Nov. 11. The offer also has been extended to all coalition forces serving with U.S. troops in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Thanks for the support of my desk sailor. What he does is of importance in times of war and peace. If he didn't push that pencil, the soldiers wouldn't get paid, etc.

It would be nice if these parks would run some specials for vets, especially those who served in Vietnam.

 

[addictedtoWDW]

Has anyone heard anything else about this? We have a trip planned 5/19-5/23 and although DD and myself have been several times it will be her father's first trip and he is active duty Airforce. I doubt it will apply to us since the dates of our trip are so close, but I was just curious. I guess I'm just hoping for a little pixie dust.

 

[wahoo776]

Hi,

I have been looking around and if anyone remembers for the 2001/2002 deal that Disney offered they made the official announcement around Veterans Day/Walt Disneys Birthday. They tend to do things in Grandious style. Go figure! I would be looking for them coming up at the end of May/Memorial Day time frame. But I will keep hoping for you!

Good Luck,
Hoping for the Pixie Dust!

 

[addictedtoWDW]

That's kind of what I figured too, but thanks for the good thoughts. You never know with that magic stuff---- it's so unpredictable.

 

[travelitis]

Last time the dates of the promotion were Jan 1- Apr. 30, so there was no tie-in of a military type holiday with the announcement.

http://disney.go.com/disneyhand/relief/salute.html

 

[wahoo776]

The dates for the Promotion where from Jan to April 2002, but if you read the whole page you linked to, they made the announcement at a media event on Walt Disney's 100th Birthday, which is what I said in my earlier post. The tie in was what a supporter of the military Walt Disney was.

 

[travelitis]

Yes, you did mention Walt's b-day, but as it was Veteran's Day/Walt's b-day, I thought Veteran's Day was the more likely military tie-in. I'm thinking that since Busch Gardens and Sea World are running the promo from the fri. before Memorial Day to Veteran's Day, that it's likely Disney and Universal will follow suit. Even if they wait until very close to Memorial Day to announce it, we'll be able to use it. If they don't run something by the 26th, we'll get our kids' passes at SOG.

There's an e-mail rumor mill running through the Navy at least that Disney will offer each qualifying person a 1 day pass to each park. Disney fielded a ton of complaints about how they handled the last promotion, and one of the supervisors (Karen something) called me and offered profuse apologies about the extension information not getting to us in time. She told me there had been many complaints, and that Disney would keep that in mind when they ran their next promo. My input was that we would've preferred them offering a half-off discount rather than free tickets if that meant the promotion could've run longer, thereby allowing more families to participate. The more you were impacted by 9-11 the more worthless their promotion was. My husband couldn't even get leave until after the end date, and there were so many out of the country. I'm really glad that Busch is including those military from other countries who fought with us, unlike the promo Disney offered last time.

 

[wahoo776]

I certainly hope your Navy email Rumor is the correct one.
I see a Yard Sale in my future for lodging purposes and
WDW here I come!
I suppose I should take the kids!
and my husband, UGH More mouths to feed!

Good Luck, I see the dates for your next trip are coming soon,
Here's hoping for a sprinkling of Pixie Dust!!!

 

[eeyore0062]

Many of our military men and women are still over in Iraq and Afganistan, and may not be back until the fall. I would prefer if the offer started during August and ran through the 2nd week of Dec. Not only would that give more of the military a chance to take advantage of it, but would also give them the opportunity to take advantage of the value season, as well as the less crowded times in the parks.

 

[travelitis]

We have people already returning, and I think Disney learned from the last promotion that for those stationed overseas there should be some provision made. I'd be surprised if they didn't offer an extension for those who could prove they were overseas the entire time. I'd rather have a promotion that coincided with the other parks and with school vacation. For my family, August - Dec. means we'd have to take the kids out of school. The bottom line is that they can't please everyone.

 

[Longsx3]

My Dh is active duty and we were already planning a trip to WDW in June before we move to Germany, after making many PS reservations and getting very standard answers about a Military promotion. I finally spoke with a helpful CM on saturday while making a Fantasmic Ressie..He stated that there is something definitely coming, I responded by asking if we would be able to take advantage of this during our visit he said yes..just to be patient, I asked how patient and he mumbled something that sounded like the 12th of May. Rather than asking him to repeat what he said I was just happy knowing some sort of promotion is coming. As far as resorts I have been told that rates will start at $49 for the Value resorts.