Military Ticket Clarification

[Acedink]

I read in the thread using the military hopper passes, no days can be added.

My mom recently called to inquire, and was told that once the tickets were issued, we could add a day. My wife and I, along w/ our daughter are traveling to Disney in May w/ my parents. My dad is retired Navy, and bought the military ticket vouchers on base. I know we go to the ticket window to activate the voucher into a ticket, like we did last year.

Has anyone tried to add days? I hope my mom kept the person's name, as "perhaps" proof she was told we could. I guess I do not see why they would not allow it. If you stay a full week, you would have 5 solid days for parks, and when you go to a park, you spend money.

If not, we'll just hang out at the pool I guess.

 

[5Hfan]

No you cannot add any days to the military salute tickets.

 

[bean]

We've been getting these tickets for years and have always been told we couldn't add days. When we use military tickets we usually get water parks and more add ons so we can make it a full week. Ex. 4 park days and 2-3 water park days.

 

[Acedink]

We've been getting these tickets for years and have always been told we couldn't add days. When we use military tickets we usually get water parks and more add ons so we can make it a full week. Ex. 4 park days and 2-3 water park days.

So if we add the water parks and more, it isn't 4 total days of parks/water parks, but 4 parks and then additional water park days?

 

[denneg]

So if we add the water parks and more, it isn't 4 total days of parks/water parks, but 4 parks and then additional water park days?

We were always confused by this too, and had it clarified for us. It is 4 park days plus 4 extra options (day at a water park, DisneyQuest admission, mini golf, etc), so we usually do 4 park days, 2-3 water park days, and a visit to DisneyQuest. So in total, you can do 8 days if you did everything on its own day.

 

[NavyDad]

We were always confused by this too, and had it clarified for us. It is 4 park days plus 4 extra options (day at a water park, DisneyQuest admission, mini golf, etc), so we usually do 4 park days, 2-3 water park days, and a visit to DisneyQuest. So in total, you can do 8 days if you did everything on its own day.

This^

We have done this every year since 2009. It is essentially an 8 day ticket if you spread out your visits. We usually go for 9 days - 8 park days and one resort day. If my memory serves me right I think 2009 was actually a 5 day ticket but I could be wrong. I don't believe Disney limits the number of days you can stay on site with the fantastic discount so you can really stretch the vacation out and get a really great deal.

Every year in the fine print it has said tickets cannot be upgraded. I always wondered too but since the deal is so good didn't want to complain.

 

[Acedink]

I agree it's a great deal. Just stinks that we will pay $99 for an extra day at the magic kingdom, essentially meaning we get no "credit" for using the military tickets. It's just one day that we'll have to hit a park.

Or I guess use the military for two MK days, and then use the non one for somewhere else.

 

[POOHsie]

If the tickets your dad bought are the Military Salute tickets, they cannot be upgraded to add a day. If the Military Salute tickets are park hoppers, they can be upgraded to add "Water Parks and More" at a Disney ticket outlet for 30.89 (including tax). This upgrade can't be done at Shades of Green.

It's unfortunate that the Military Salute ticket is 4 days and no more. Some visits don't completely mesh with this. In your case, to add a Disney one-day ticket would be 94+tax for Epcot, DHS or AK, and 99+tax for MK. Still, when you add your Military Salute ticket cost together with a Disney one-day ticket, it's cheaper by quite a bit compared to buying a Disney MYW five-day-plus-park-hopper ticket. If you evaluate the total ticket cost per person for five days in the parks, you have still saved quite a bit.

 

[NavyDad]

If the tickets your dad bought are the Military Salute tickets, they cannot be upgraded to add a day. If the Military Salute tickets are park hoppers, they can be upgraded to add "Water Parks and More" at a Disney ticket outlet for 30.89 (including tax). This upgrade can't be done at Shades of Green.

It's unfortunate that the Military Salute ticket is 4 days and no more. Some visits don't completely mesh with this. In your case, to add a Disney one-day ticket would be 94+tax for Epcot, DHS or AK, and 99+tax for MK. Still, when you add your Military Salute ticket cost together with a Disney one-day ticket, it's cheaper by quite a bit compared to buying a Disney MYW five-day-plus-park-hopper ticket. If you evaluate the total ticket cost per person for five days in the parks, you have still saved quite a bit.

All really good points!

I do think Shades of Green offers some other kind of discounted ticket in addition to the normal Military Salute. Maybe this could help OP save some money.

 

[POOHsie]

All really good points!

I do think Shades of Green offers some other kind of discounted ticket in addition to the normal Military Salute. Maybe this could help OP save some money.

Shades of Green has a a Stars and Stripes ticket which includes absolutely every Disney ticket option. The lowest level ticket is 2 days and costs $253. Expires 3 days after first use.

They also sell MYW tickets, but like other ticket outlets outside Disney, the 1- and 2-day tickets are actually more than gate price, just for the business math of handling such a minimal ticket. They don't get taxed, still a 1-day base ticket to Epcot, DHS or AK is $97, and the 1-day base MK ticket is $102. 2-day base is $194.

If you have not experienced a trip to Shades of Green by auto, it can be time-consuming to get through the security gate. Then wait to get let in the parking garage. Our experience was the only parking left was on the roof of the garage. Then a sort-of convoluted hike to the ticket office. For the few bucks you would save in this case, I wouldn't waste precious vacation time.

 

[NavyDad]

Shades of Green has a a Stars and Stripes ticket which includes absolutely every Disney ticket option. The lowest level ticket is 2 days and costs $253. Expires 3 days after first use.

They also sell MYW tickets, but like other ticket outlets outside Disney, the 1- and 2-day tickets are actually more than gate price, just for the business math of handling such a minimal ticket. They don't get taxed, still a 1-day base ticket to Epcot, DHS or AK is $97, and the 1-day base MK ticket is $102. 2-day base is $194.

If you have not experienced a trip to Shades of Green by auto, it can be time-consuming to get through the security gate. Then wait to get let in the parking garage. Our experience was the only parking left was on the roof of the garage. Then a sort-of convoluted hike to the ticket office. For the few bucks you would save in this case, I wouldn't waste precious vacation time.

I have heard that about Shades of Green. Glad we have managed to avoid it.

I usually order our tickets from a base ITT and then activate them at DTD our first day in Orlando. DTD can be be time-consuming as well but at least we get some fun out of it

 

[POOHsie]

I have heard that about Shades of Green. Glad we have managed to avoid it.

I usually order our tickets from a base ITT and then activate them at DTD our first day in Orlando. DTD can be be time-consuming as well but at least we get some fun out of it

Hmmmm... Have you been reading about the major construction at DTD? A good chunk of the parking lot is closed for construction of a parking garage. Overflow parking and transportation from across Buena Vista Dr. Disney buses and cars are crawling thru what is left of the lot. Captain Jack's closed. Bunches of new stores being built in Pleasure Island, and a pedestrian bridge across the boat marina. It'll be nice in maybe 2 years. I might take a boat there my next trip, from POR, but that's the only way I'd go near that place.

 

[NavyDad]

Hmmmm... Have you been reading about the major construction at DTD? A good chunk of the parking lot is closed for construction of a parking garage. Overflow parking and transportation from across Buena Vista Dr. Disney buses and cars are crawling thru what is left of the lot. Captain Jack's closed. Bunches of new stores being built in Pleasure Island, and a pedestrian bridge across the boat marina. It'll be nice in maybe 2 years. I might take a boat there my next trip, from POR, but that's the only way I'd go near that place.

Well, due to the Navy moving us farther away from WDW and DS15's busy high school schedule we probably won't be able to return until summer 2016. Hopefully the parking situation is settled by then......

 

[POOHsie]

I'd say Summer 2016 sounds good for DTD progress. Read up about DTD a short while before your next trip. I don't love parking garages bc I think they take up lots of time going in/out. More parking is needed at DTD, however. Let's hope there's no charge for parking in the garage.

 

[denneg]

I agree it's a great deal. Just stinks that we will pay $99 for an extra day at the magic kingdom, essentially meaning we get no "credit" for using the military tickets. It's just one day that we'll have to hit a park.

Or I guess use the military for two MK days, and then use the non one for somewhere else.

You could buy two of the tickets per person, depending on how many are in your family. We have done this, but we only had one child until now, and our little guy is free for a few years now! But you could get another military ticket for the price of a one day admission, and have more options that way.

 

[williamscm3]

Does linking to MDE now eliminate having to activate the military tickets? We bought base tickets at our local MWR last year and I was unaware of the whole activation part of the process. I linked the tickets to our bands and everything went fine at the gate...we never activated them.

 

[POOHsie]

Does linking to MDE now eliminate having to activate the military tickets? We bought base tickets at our local MWR last year and I was unaware of the whole activation part of the process. I linked the tickets to our bands and everything went fine at the gate...we never activated them.

If you bought MYW tickets (the common Disney tickets) at your MWR, they are already activated. Only the Military Salute 4-day tickets need to be activated at a Disney ticketing outlet at the parks. I have not heard about skipping that, as the military member or spouse (or widow) will be asked for military ID, plus the name, address, dob, and phone # for all guests of the military member or spouse using these tickets.

 

[williamscm3]

If you bought MYW tickets (the common Disney tickets) at your MWR, they are already activated. Only the Military Salute 4-day tickets need to be activated at a Disney ticketing outlet at the parks. I have not heard about skipping that, as the military member or spouse (or widow) will be asked for military ID, plus the name, address, dob, and phone # for all guests of the military member or spouse using these tickets.

Ok thank you!

 

[Angelia'sthree]

Just as a thought for some. Sea World offers four free tickets for military families. Maybe one day could be spent at this park as well to help fill up your week.

 

[williamscm3]

Just as a thought for some. Sea World offers four free tickets for military families. Maybe one day could be spent at this park as well to help fill up your week.

Thanks for that info!!