Military ticket experiences--please post here!

[Mickey Fliers]

Directly from disneyworld.com/military

Plus a complimentary 5-day "Disney's Armed Forces
Salute" ticket

Through December 23, 2009, each active or retired member of the U.S. military may obtain one complimentary 5-day "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" ticket with Park Hopper® and Water Park Fun & More options. This ticket is valid for five days of admission into the four Walt Disney World® theme parks, plus a total of five visits to a choice of a Disney water park, DisneyQuest® Indoor Interactive Theme Park or certain other attractions. During this offer period, active or retired U.S. military personnel (or their spouses, but not both) may also make a one-time purchase of up to a maximum of five 5-Day "Disney's Armed Forces Salute Companion" tickets (one theme park per day) for $99 per ticket, plus tax, for family members (including spouse) or friends. Although this ticket for family members and friends does not include either the Park Hopper® or Water Park Fun & More options, this ticket can be upgraded to add either such option, or both, for an additional $25, plus tax, per option. Actual prices may be less. All tickets and options are non-transferable and must be used by December 23, 2009.

Activated members of the National Guard or Reservists (with orders showing active status after January 1, 2008) and active or retired members of the United States Coast Guard are also eligible to participate in this offer.

"Disney's Armed Forces Salute" tickets can be obtained only at participating U.S. military base ticket offices (including at the Shades of Green Resort at the Walt Disney World® Resort), or at main entrance theme park ticket windows. Tickets are not valid until activated at the main entrance theme park ticket windows. Valid military identification (including, for activated members of the National Guard or Reservists, orders showing active status after January 1, 2008) will be required to be presented by the service member (or spouse) for all ticket transactions (including to activate tickets at the main entrance theme park ticket windows). See your military base ticket office or click here for details. All parties must be present when purchasing or activating tickets at main entrance theme park ticket windows.

Visit your local ITT office for details and to book or get your tickets by
December 23, 2009.

The only tix that expire after 14 days are the DisneyLand tix.

 

[becca_n_wa]

I guess we really won't know about the 14 day expiration until someone trys to use unused days on their ticket past the 14 day point and posts here.

My question is this (and I have read through the thread but can't seem to see the answer). I assume "activation" means trading your voucher in for the real ticket. So once you'ved activated it do you have to use it the same day?
Could you activate, use an old ticket or almost expired AP for this trip, then use your activated military ticket for another trip 4 months later?

I agree - I really want to hear from someone who has tried to use the same ticket after 14 days of first swipe.
Since its so early, no one has done this yet and I leave on Tuesday so I still wont really know. I am a planner by nature and the not knowing is killing me...

So many people have asked in person, email, and by calling. The problem comes in when all these people are getting different answers. I asked at the 2 posts we are nearby (Hunter AAF and FT Stewart), and got 2 different answers. I call Disney quiet frequently for other things (I am a TA) and have always gotten the answer that they do expire 14 days after first swipe. And as you see from an email in my previous post, an email response from Disney that says they expire in 14 days. Each time they are FULLy understanding this is the world not the land.

In your case, I think you should be fine. My understanding is they are going off the swipe, not when you trade in the plastic cards for the actual tickets.
But please do not hold me to that to be correct. There seems to be so much confusion and no one seems to know all these answers.

Good luck!

 

[LadyZolt]

My question is this (and I have read through the thread but can't seem to see the answer). I assume "activation" means trading your voucher in for the real ticket. So once you've activated it do you have to use it the same day?
Could you activate, use an old ticket or almost expired AP for this trip, then use your activated military ticket for another trip 4 months later?

You are correct -- "activation" means causing the voucher to become a real ticket to be used in the turnstiles. Someone posted pics and it looks like the "voucher" they got was a plastic card and then it was "activated" at Disney and the same plastic card was then capable of being put in a turnstile to gain entry to a park. So, to answer your question, you can activate it and then not use it that day and instead use it any other time, so long as you use it before December 23rd because that is when it expires. So, I'd say you're good to go and do what you'd like! Have a great time!

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

 

[bgdiznee]

Thanks becca and LadyZolt! I was hoping I could use an old ticket for our March trip and save my military ticket for Oct.

 

[Lolie]

Okay, I've read so many posts that I think I've confused myself!

If I want to make my companion ticket a hopper, is it $124 or $224? $25 to upgrade or $25 per 5 days?

TIA

 

[JoanneNC]

Okay, I've read so many posts that I think I've confused myself!

If I want to make my companion ticket a hopper, is it $124 or $224? $25 to upgrade or $25 per 5 days?

TIA

$124 to add the PH as it's one set price not based on the # of days.
Then it would be another $25 to add the water parks/more option

 

[CSJLJJK7]

Lolie,

$124 plus tax.

Scott

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Okay, I've read so many posts that I think I've confused myself!

If I want to make my companion ticket a hopper, is it $124 or $224? $25 to upgrade or $25 per 5 days?

TIA

The companion ticket is $99.

To make the companion ticket into a hopper add a $25 fee (total $124)

To add WPF&M (Five Entries) add a $25 fee (total $124)

To add both hopping and WPF&M add two $25 fees for total of $149.

The ticket cannot be made into No Expire and additional days can not be added. No other modifications, other than those shown above, can be made.

And the ticket can be upgraded to an AP but the pricing is not bridged so there is no savings to get the companion tickets first.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Chesire - Just to be clear....

Have you heard ANYTHING that would indicate that the WDW passes expire within 14 days? I was told by a SOG employee and WDW CM (as DHS) that they DO NOT. Someone has recently been posting some conflicting info.

Thanks!

 

[becca_n_wa]

Chesire - Just to be clear....

Have you heard ANYTHING that would indicate that the WDW passes expire within 14 days? I was told by a SOG employee and WDW CM (as DHS) that they DO NOT. Someone has recently been posting some conflicting info.

Thanks!

I am one of those persons who has posted my concern by what I personally have been told. Not trying to put a damper on anyone's vacation or trying to be the bad person here and dispute what others are saying. Its just that we are getting different responses to the same question.

I Honestly hope they DO NOT expire as there is no way our family will use all of our entries on our trip (we leave tomorrow! )

I guess the best thing for me to do is to stop posting and just wait and see what happens. The breakdown is that we are getting different info and as of now, no one seems to know which ticket CMs are correct. Its just a wait and see situation. For all our sakes, I hope I have been getting incorrect info! I am keeping my fingers crossed

As far as ANYTHING to indicate that they expire, I can only tell you what they have told me on phone calls but I can repost one of the emails I received.

Here is the email:

Re: Walt Disney World Resort General Information Questions
Sunday, March 1, 2009 4:45 AM
From: "Walt Disney World Guest Mail" <guest.mail@wdw.disneyonline.com>Add sender to ContactsTo: "Becca" <>Dear Rebecca,

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World Resort.

Disney's Special Military Salute Ticket Offer is offered through your
Base ITT offices, at the Shades of Green Resort on Walt Disney
World Resort, and at our Vacation Planning Booths (Theme Park ticket
windows). A free 5 day MYW ticket for our Military guest and 5 day MYW
$99 companion tickets (up to 5).

Service Member - Free 5 Day Armed Forces Salute Park Hopper with Water
Park Fun & More ticket

Companion Tickets:
$99 - 5 Day Armed Forces Salute Base Ticket
$124 - 5 Day Armed Forces Salute PH Ticket
$124 - 5 Day Armed Forces Salute WPFM Ticket
$149 - 5 Day Armed Forces Salute PH / WPFM Ticket

Tickets expire December 23, 2009 (no blockout dates)

Tickets are available for purchase at Participating Military Base ITT
Offices, or at WDW Theme Park Front Gates. Military Personnel must
present valid United States Military identification.

Active and Retired U.S. Military, including members of the U.S. Coast
Guard and activated members of the National Guard or Reservists.

Military Personnel must present valid United States Military
identification (active or retired). Activated members of the National
Guard or Reservists must present active duty orders in addition to valid
Military ID.
In order to be eligible for this program, the military member must have
been active for any length of time between January 1, 2008 and the end
of this offer (December 23, 2009)

Further information is available on disneyworld.com/military

All admissions expire 14 days from first day of use.

Have a wonderful visit!

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact
us.

Please include your full name, E-Mail address, and reservation number if
applicable on all correspondence.

Nancy Carpenter
WDW Online Communications

PLEASE NOTE: All information is subject to change without notice and
should be confirmed just prior to your visit.

 

[appleorchard]

I am one of those persons who has posted my concern by what I personally have been told. Not trying to put a damper on anyone's vacation or trying to be the bad person here and dispute what others are saying. Its just that we are getting different responses to the same question.

i don't think at all that you're trying to put a damper on anyone's vacay! You're just passing on info you were given, just like the rest of us, and trying to make sense of it. I'm just hoping someone comes back soon and posts what happened when they used the tickets more than 14 days apart, but I guess it will be awhile before anyone is to that point.

 

[earthfaries]

I was told last week by various people in the SOG office and again over the phone that the 14 day expire does not apply to the military tickets...
BUT knowing and experiencing first hand being told things by employees, phone companies, etc. in the past ~ DON'T COUNT ON IT!
It's very likely they are all just wrong and don't know!
We need someone who's activated their tickets to look at the expire date and let us know here on this thread.
Although they told us they don't expire until Dec., even once activated, I honestly don't believe it

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Here is the back of one of my activated passes. I did erase my son's name.

This doesn't say anything about having to be used within 14 days. Let's hope not, because we have only used 1 day and plan on using the remaining 4 in Nov. We were told by the CM at SOG and DHS (when we activated them) that we would absolutely be able to use them until 12/23.

 

[vtwep]

Hi All,

I've been reading the various threads on this and the emails, etc. I think I now understand it, but just want to make sure, and ask a couple questions:

a) My dad is retired Air Force, but was NOT active since 1/1/08. So, I believe he is ineligible - correct?

b) My BIL is a "regular" guardsman - ie. not full time. He has not been called to active duty since 1/1/08. I believe he is ineligible, correct?

c) My brother is full-time guard. I think this makes him eligible.

d) if c is true, my brother is eligibile for 1 free 5-day ticket with park hopper and the other extras. He is also eligible to obtain 5 companion tickets with park hopper for $124 each ($99 + 25). This would be a total of 6 tickets.

e) Assuming I have all this right - my brother can pick up the 6 tickets at a base ticket office ahead of time, but then activate the tickets at one of the main ticket windows in WDW with ALL 6 people present.

f) Do tickets need to be picked up in advance? Or can he just go to a ticket window and let him know he wants the 6 tickets through the plan (again - with all 6 present)?

g) can these tickets be added to the room keys?

h) if we already have packages with tickets, can those tickets be canceled (ie - refunded) and do the process above instead?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Lolie]

Here's my opionion:

Hi All,

I've been reading the various threads on this and the emails, etc. I think I now understand it, but just want to make sure, and ask a couple questions:

a) My dad is retired Air Force, but was NOT active since 1/1/08. So, I believe he is ineligible - correct? YES

b) My BIL is a "regular" guardsman - ie. not full time. He has not been called to active duty since 1/1/08. I believe he is ineligible, correct? YES

c) My brother is full-time guard. I think this makes him eligible. Check whether he can show is Active Duty ID or if he has to bring his orders to prove he has been active duty in 2008 or 2009

d) if c is true, my brother is eligibile for 1 free 5-day ticket with park hopper and the other extras. He is also eligible to obtain 5 companion tickets with park hopper for $124 each ($99 + 25). This would be a total of 6 tickets. YES

e) Assuming I have all this right - my brother can pick up the 6 tickets at a base ticket office ahead of time, but then activate the tickets at one of the main ticket windows in WDW with ALL 6 people present. YES

f) Do tickets need to be picked up in advance? Or can he just go to a ticket window and let him know he wants the 6 tickets through the plan (again - with all 6 present)? He can buy them and activate them at the main entrance and pay tax, or he can buy them at a base or SOG and activate them at the main entrance and not pay tax. I think that's what you're asking...?

g) can these tickets be added to the room keys? ?? Probably not...

h) if we already have packages with tickets, can those tickets be canceled (ie - refunded) and do the process above instead? ?? Probably...

Thanks in advance!

 

[vtwep]

Thanks! Yes - for (f) I think that was what I was asking. The "downside" to not buying ahead of time is paying tax. Good to know!

Appreciate the reply!!

 

[Order66]

Hi All,

I've been reading the various threads on this and the emails, etc. I think I now understand it, but just want to make sure, and ask a couple questions:

a) My dad is retired Air Force, but was NOT active since 1/1/08. So, I believe he is ineligible - correct?

Your dad is retired with 20+ and has his blue retiree or pink (reserve retiree under 60) ID then yes, he is eligible. Discharged vets with a DD214 only are not.

b) My BIL is a "regular" guardsman - ie. not full time. He has not been called to active duty since 1/1/08. I believe he is ineligible, correct?

He has a valid current CAC he is eligible. Lots of folks here are reserves and/or reserve dependents and we have all had various validation we are included.

c) My brother is full-time guard. I think this makes him eligible.

d) if c is true, my brother is eligibile for 1 free 5-day ticket with park hopper and the other extras. He is also eligible to obtain 5 companion tickets with park hopper for $124 each ($99 + 25). This would be a total of 6 tickets.

e) Assuming I have all this right - my brother can pick up the 6 tickets at a base ticket office ahead of time, but then activate the tickets at one of the main ticket windows in WDW with ALL 6 people present.

c-e all correct with different folks experiencing differences in needing all parties present.

f) Do tickets need to be picked up in advance? Or can he just go to a ticket window and let him know he wants the 6 tickets through the plan (again - with all 6 present)?

No, but unless you go to SOG on property you will be charged sales tax. Save the $ buy them in advance.

g) can these tickets be added to the room keys?

do not know this answer, sorry.

h) if we already have packages with tickets, can those tickets be canceled (ie - refunded) and do the process above instead?

If you are on a package I am pretty sure that requires tickets and everyone will have to have atleast a 1 day base ticket. But that ticket can be used as credit towards the military special tickets. If you are past 45 days they may charge a penalty for reducing your package. If so you may want to just keep those tickets for a good excuse to visit again. They will not expire if they are not swiped at a gate. If you are using the military room discount you can add dining (basic or QS) to your room only without ticket purchases if that is the reason you have a package.

Thanks in advance!

HTH regards

 

[southie722]

If your dad is retired Air Force and has a valid military id still then he is eligible for this offer.

 

[vtwep]

Thanks for the replies!! This is all helpful.

 

[monkeybug]

As far as the package goes, Disney is offering 40% off rooms and allowing the purchase of the dining plan with out the purchase of tickets. We made room reservations and purchased the dining plan for my MIL, we have a total of 4 reservation numbers, all with 40% off, the dining plan and no purchase of tickets.