Military Salute - Sea World, Busch Gardens, etc.

[strawberryblonde]

Joyfull, how did you find out about a military discount for your cruise? I booked our cruise last June for March 2004 (nearly two years in advance) through DU. I told them I was military and they said no discounts so far. I've checked occasionally on mousesavers and no discounts are listed either. I am OK with the price we are paying and will go on our cruise even if no discounts come my way. A discount would go a long way toward my photo bill though . Thanks for any advice, I would hate to miss out on a discount if we are eligible.

 

[joyfull]

You can go to

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/d...dates/ratesanddatesindex?id=RatesAndDatesRoot

and call the 800 number at the bottom of the page. Ask if they have any discounts. I called every couple of months. Disney didn't have any discounts for july until about three weeks ago. So you might want to just check from time to time.

Any money saved is great.....

p.s. we didn't get an onboard ship credit for 25.00 (first cruiser, credit) because we were getting such a good rate

 

[StephenKay]

Hi Everyone,

Just to say I hope Disney include the Brit and Aussies in the forthcomming promos as I have the bad taste of what happen last time after 9/11 left in my mouth, but before I tell you I shall list some of the American bases I have served on.


NAS Sigonella
NAS Roosevelt Roads
Vicenza Italy (Army)
Andrews (AFB)
Prince Sultan Air Base S.A.
Al Udeid Qatar

and a few others

During 9/11 I stood a a fence looking into the desert shoulder to shoulder with our brothers in arms looking into the Bin Laden family complex across the desert, wondering what came next.

And the nice lady at disney said we were not entitled!!!! go figure


PS Serving member of the RAF.

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

StephenKay-

I am sorry that WDW is short sighted when it comes to our allies. I know these are words only, but in my eyes, you are equal to all of the US soldiers. Anyone who volunteers deserves to be rewarded in as many ways as possible.

Thanks for helping to keep our WORLD safe!

Proud AF member/wife here!

 

[strawberryblonde]

I called and there are none for my dates at this time but I was told to call back and check again later.

I do hope our allies are recognized this time around.

 

[travelitis]

Our allies are being recognized by Sea World and Busch Gardens which kind of adds peer pressure to Disney.

Joyful, In the Orlando Sentinel when Busch announced Operation Salute, representatives from both Disney and Universal said they would be offering something soon. I thought the link for this was posted earlier in the thread, but maybe it's elsewhere.

We're hoping Universal does do something, but it will make our schedule really full if they do, because we are going to Busch Gardens and Sea World.

 

[travelitis]

If you go to the first page of the thread, Wahoo 776 copied and pasted from the Orlando Sentinel. Elsewhere on the boards Wahoo posted the link for the article.

From the Sentinel:

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

I should've C&P'd the next part, but Marilyn Waters, a spokesperson for Disney, said they will also be offering something for the military soon.

 

[TraceyL]

Hope it will extend to coalition forces too Nice to see the SW/BG offer does and if I hadn't already bought our tickets it'd be even better

Thanks for the updates

 

[travelitis]

Just save the tickets you bought for a future trip. You'll HAVE to go back if you're sitting on unused hoppers.

 

[addictedtoWDW]

Disney just announced their salute to the Military. See www.mousesavers.com for details. All of that wishing for pixie dust really worked just in time for my trip in 6 days. Dreams really do come true!!

 

[Longsx3]

Hey I looked at Mousesavers but I did not see any new info. Can you poat what you saw. Thanks!

 

[addictedtoWDW]

here's what's on mousesavers. It's also on the official Disney website.

"On May 12, 2003, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts officials announced a special opportunity to honor America's servicemen and women. "Disney's Armed Forces Salute," now through December 19, 2003, offers active U.S. military personnel a chance to enjoy complimentary, multi-day admission into Disney's U.S. theme parks and discounts for Disney Cruise Line, with additional special offers for family members and friends.
"Our company has a longstanding tradition of supporting our armed forces -- even as far back as World War II -- and today we continue that commitment by honoring these men and women who have served their country," said Jay Rasulo, president of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "We believe this offer will allow our troops to create some wonderful magical memories with their friends and family."

"Disney's Armed Forces Salute" is offered through December 19, 2003, by both Disney vacation kingdoms in the United States -- the Disneyland Resort in California and the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida -- and June 19 through December 18, 2003 by Disney Cruise Line. Active U.S. military personnel, with proper U.S. military identification, are eligible, including active members of the United States Coast Guard and activated members of the National Guard or Reservists.

At the Disneyland Resort in Southern California

During the offer period (May 12 - December 19, 2003), each active member of the U.S. military can receive one complimentary 3-Day "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" Ticket valid for admission to both Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure parks through December 19, 2003. Additionally, active U.S. military personnel may make a one- time purchase of 3-day Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion Tickets during the offer period for up to five family members (including spouse) or friends for a special price of $39 each.

Disneyland Resort Hotels are offering room rates for active military personnel at a 40 percent savings per night, based on the non-discounted price of the same room. This offer is available most nights through December 19, 2003 and the number of rooms available at this savings is limited.

For general information regarding "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" at the Disneyland Resort, or to make reservations, military personnel may call (714) 956-6424. Information is also available at www.disneyland.com/military.

At the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida

Each active member of the U.S. military may obtain one complimentary 5-day "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" ticket during the offer period (May 12 - December 19, 2003), valid for admission into the four Walt Disney World theme parks, two Disney water parks, Pleasure Island and more, through December 19, 2003. During the offer period, active military personnel may make a one-time purchase of this same ticket for $99, plus tax, for up to five family members (including spouse) or friends.

Select Walt Disney World Resort Hotels also are offering room rates for active military personnel at a 40 percent savings per night, based on the non- discounted price of the same room. This offer is available most nights through December 19, and the number of rooms available at this savings is limited.

For more information on "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" at the Walt Disney World Resort, or to make reservations, military personnel may call (407) 939-7424. Information is also available at www.disneyworld.com/military.

Aboard Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line is also extending special rates to active military personnel on most of its vacations between June 19 and December 18, 2003.

On select sailings from June 19 - August 24, 2003, "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" rates start at $379 for a three-night cruise, $429 for a four-night cruise and $799 for a seven-night cruise. On select sailings from August 28 - December 18, 2003, rates start at $349 for a three-night cruise, $399 for a four-night cruise and $599 for a seven-night cruise. All rates are valid for standard inside staterooms. The number of staterooms available at these special rates is limited.

For more information or to book a Disney Cruise Line vacation, military personnel can call Disney Cruise Line at (888) 325-2500."

 

[TraceyL]

for US military - for coalition forces

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

Yippee!

Our family was still going regardless, but this makes a nice budget saver!

 

[StephenKay]

I am appaulled and shocked that Disney are not extending the "thanks" to the coalition forces.

All the other theme parks are recognising the coalition, but apparently this doesn't count with Disney.

My husband is just back from Qatar where he was an active serviceman serving with the US forces

I'm mad !!!

Mary Kay
wife of

 

[TraceyL]

Originally posted by StephenKay
I am appaulled and shocked that Disney are not extending the "thanks" to the coalition forces.
I'm mad !!!

Mary Kay
wife of

Ditto - DH has been gone since early January & is still not home

Is there a contact email where we can convey our disappointment ?

 

[StephenKay]

At least you know how mad I am feeling !!!!

This isn't about the money, we have already bought our 10 Day World passes, so wouldn't be taking up the offer anyway, it's just the principle of the thing. My husband risked his life in the Gulf too just the same as the US troops.

I have just phoned guest services and am emailing them to complain.

Please feel free to complain too:-

email: wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

Mary Kay
wife of

 

[wdwtink]

I was wondering if any one has heard what universal will be doing? Thanks, I am new

 

[travelitis]

That's too bad they didn't include coalition forces. At least Sea World and Busch Gardens are including them. We'll see which way Universal goes, but I hope they do include coalition.

Now for the controversial:
I'm very thankful for our allies, and would LOVE to see Disney include them, but shouldn't their own countries be the most responsible for honoring them rather than Disney? I know it's upsetting to many that Disney is saluting only U.S. military, and I don't want to start a big arguement here, but this military action wasn't just a U.S. crusade. This war was not a favor other countries did for the U.S., nor did they come to our rescue. Iraq hadn't come into compliance, and that put the whole world at risk. Would my active-duty military family be offered freebies and travel discounts anywhere in the coalition countries? I'm certainly not aware of any, nor would I expect any. I do hope coalition forces are honored in their own countries for protecting them, but they were protecting their own countries too, not just the U.S. I'm not sure why coalition countries don't owe our military some show of appreciation, yet Disney and other U.S. attractions owe coalition forces a salute. It really should be going both ways. Why was the military action joint, but the appreciation one-way? Disney offering coalition forces the same discount would be a gracious gesture of goodwill I would applaud, but none of these parks owe any of us, including U.S. military, anything. Can't we just be glad that some parks are offering free admission to everyone and that there are any such promotions? Disney got bombarded with complaints that the other promotion was too short, and I told a mgr. there that I'd prefer they'd offer a discount rather than a total freebie for the families so they could run it longer. That's exactly what they're doing.

 

[TraceyL]

I'm certainly not going to debate the whys & wherefores of the war on here so we'll have to agree to disagree on this one.

We're lucky that in our countries we are allowed to have our own opinions and are free to state them.