Military ticket experiences--please post here!

[Cruella 66]

When I bought our tickets at MWR I could only buy the companion tickets, I couldn't get the park hopper or WPM added. We were told we could do that at WDW. We didn't have to pay tax on the base for the tickets, would we have to pay tax for the add ons?

For the above post about the friend who was bought the companion tickets and the service member isn't going and now they can't use them...there is NO WAY the base ticket office will let you return those tickets. If it does, hats off to your friend! I also agree, due to the misunderstanding, I would ask the friend if there is any way he could purchase them from you and eventually use them. Just a thought.. Best wishes though!

 

[JoanneNC]

Helping ya out with a bump because I also don't know if you pay sales tax on the park hopper options.
I don't believe so

 

[appleorchard]

We had no problem adding on the hopper option on the base--must just be an individual office thing??If you add on the hopper at WDW, I bet they'll add tax. Can you do it at SOG? They won't add tax there.

 

[ariel53098]

For those who had a service member by the tickets and then isn't going I think you may be out the money.
I am not really surprised about the ITT mix up. They don't work for Disney and probably just know to sell the service member 5 companion tickets and give the service member his/her free ticket.
Of course, telling you that now isn't helping you.
I do understand the frustration of the military families with those who are trying to use the tickets without the military member or spouse. It actally falls under Fraud, Waste and Abuse and technically the service member can be prosecuted under UCMJ for improper use of his/her benefits. Now, most commands aren't actively prosecuting over Disney tickets but my husband was involved (in the prosecuting side) of some misuse of the commissary and PX. Bottom line, military benefits are for the military. It is rare to see friends included. Usually it's just the families. When people abuse the rules, then all the soldiers and families suffer with stricter guidelines, etc.
It seems like this was a totally innocent situation where your friend thought he could help and the actual rules posted on the Disney site weren't read thoroughly. I agree that they are confusing but the part about traveling with the military person or spouse is quite clear.
I'm sorry but it does seem you are out the $500 unless your friend can buy them off of you and use them himself. I feel badly about that because it doesn't seem you were trying to get one over on Disney or the military.
Rachel

 

[appleorchard]

Very well said, Ariel!

 

[Mrsjvb]

Ariel does make a great point.

WRT the optional add ons: my SWAG is is: adding the park hopper and WFP&M at SoG will probably be tax free. adding at DTD or the park entrances.. will be taxed.

 

[NiniMorris]

Ariel53098...

Have a quick question for you..(we are a military retiree family and I completely agree with your comments on fraud...)

Is the Disney offer technically a military benefit? Disney is offering out of the goodness of their heart (read marketing ploy), and is not officially sanctioned by Congress or military. The ITT office and SOG routinely sell tickets to area attractions at a reduced cost to the service member, but if I remember correctly, this is at the attraction's discretion. Seems something similar to this came up years ago while in Germany, and the SM had to be prosecuted under local law, as it didn't fall under the UCMJ. Just wondering....

But I WHOLHEARTEDLY agree with your comments about misusing your benefits! As a retired family we see our bennies shrinking all the time! (a lot of that is due to fraud and the cost of prosecuting!)


Nini
187 days...but who is counting?

 

[ariel53098]

Ariel53098...
Is the Disney offer technically a military benefit? Disney is offering out of the goodness of their heart (read marketing ploy), and is not officially sanctioned by Congress or military. The ITT office and SOG routinely sell tickets to area attractions at a reduced cost to the service member, but if I remember correctly, this is at the attraction's discretion. Seems something similar to this came up years ago while in Germany, and the SM had to be prosecuted under local law, as it didn't fall under the UCMJ. Just wondering....

You know, I'm not really sure exactly whether it would be under UCMJ or local law on this one. I'm not even close to a military law expert. However, I think they could probably take it from a UCMJ angle if they approached it from the use of the ID to get the benefit and then abusing the benefit. My husband is gone and I mentioned the possible abuse of this particular benefit once when I talked to him (mostly b/c I told him it was his job to get the tickets from ITT since I"m not near or on a base right now). He went off about those abusing this, etc. He's quite passionate about the rules lol
He does a different job (MOS) in the military now so he doesn't have to deal with those who misuse their benefits, etc.
Rachel

 

[buffettgirl]

for the PP who was planning on using the tickets without the military member present:
This is from the original press release (bold is mine) which clearly shows the intent of the program.

“For so many of the men and women who serve in our U.S. military, time together with their
families is cause enough for celebration,” said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and
Resorts. “We are grateful for their service and hope ‘Disney’s Armed Forces Salute’ will allow
our troops to create wonderful, magical memories with their family and friends.”

(bold is mine)
So the intent of the program (which most people understand) is for the military member to have a vacation WITH their family and friends. Not to say "hey buddy, I got a great discount on tickets".

This is definitely not a military benefit - it is a DISNEY benefit. So I doubt that it could be prosecuted through the military for fraud. Disney might be able to come after someone, but I doubt that's likely because I don't think the person was deliberately trying to defraud the company. irregardless, nothing that disney has issued to date has been confusing on the fact that the military member (or spouse) MUST to be present to activate the tickets. Everything has stated that very clearly. Just because the ticket office on base didn't know the rules that doesn't exempt the military member from knowing the rules of a promotion that he was taking part in. The rules have been set by Disney, not the base ticket office. I think this absolutely one of those times where reading the fine print would have avoided a lot of confusion for you.

 

[NiniMorris]

Ariel53098...

Have a quick question for you..(we are a military retiree family and I completely agree with your comments on fraud...)

Is the Disney offer technically a military benefit? Disney is offering out of the goodness of their heart (read marketing ploy), and is not officially sanctioned by Congress or military. The ITT office and SOG routinely sell tickets to area attractions at a reduced cost to the servie member, but if I remember correctly, this is at the attraction's discretion. Seems something similar to this came up years ago while in Germany, and the SM had to be prosecuted under local law, as it didn't fall under the UCMJ. Just wondering....

But I WHOLHEARTEDLY agree with your comments about misusing your benefits! As a retired family we see our bennies shrinking all the time! (a lot of that is due to fraud and the cost of prosecuting!)


Nini
187 days...but who is counting?

 

[NiniMorris]

Ariel53098...

Have a quick question for you..(we are a military retiree family and I completely agree with your comments on fraud...)

Is the Disney offer technically a military benefit? Disney is offering out of the goodness of their heart (read marketing ploy), and is not officially sanctioned by Congress or military. The ITT office and SOG routinely sell tickets to area attractions at a reduced cost to the servie member, but if I remember correctly, this is at the attraction's discretion. Seems something similar to this came up years ago while in Germany, and the SM had to be prosecuted under local law, as it didn't fall under the UCMJ. Just wondering....

But I WHOLHEARTEDLY agree with your comments about misusing your benefits! As a retired family we see our bennies shrinking all the time! (a lot of that is due to fraud and the cost of prosecuting!)


Nini
187 days...but who is counting?

 

[llqool]

I think the notion that the service member should be activating the ticket is crystal clear. And it is certainly implied that the guests will be accompanying the service member at WDW (although this was definitely NOT the policy the last time this type of ticket was offered, back in 2003 -- we purchased tickets for ourselves and my sisters' family while my husband was on R&R from Iraq, and then they were able, after an initial group visit to Disney Quest, to go to Disney without us).

What is completely UNCLEAR is what happens when the service member has two different groups of relatives that he/she is purchasing vouchers for...yes, the service member will be accompanying the guests, but the guests will be there at different times. I can't see how this is cheating the system or trying to misuse a great benefit. And I can't get anyone at Disney to give me a straight answer on this, although there has been some comforting anecdotal evidence that this can be done on here.

I think i will make Guest Relations my first stop, try and get an answer before going to SoG and buying these vouchers.

 

[JoanneNC]

I think the notion that the service member should be activating the ticket is crystal clear. And it is certainly implied that the guests will be accompanying the service member at WDW (although this was definitely NOT the policy the last time this type of ticket was offered, back in 2003 -- we purchased tickets for ourselves and my sisters' family while my husband was on R&R from Iraq, and then they were able, after an initial group visit to Disney Quest, to go to Disney without us).

What is completely UNCLEAR is what happens when the service member has two different groups of relatives that he/she is purchasing vouchers for...yes, the service member will be accompanying the guests, but the guests will be there at different times. I can't see how this is cheating the system or trying to misuse a great benefit. And I can't get anyone at Disney to give me a straight answer on this, although there has been some comforting anecdotal evidence that this can be done on here.

I think i will make Guest Relations my first stop, try and get an answer before going to SoG and buying these vouchers.

It is still the case that once the tickets are activated AT Disney with the SM and/or spouse - they no longer expect or require the companions to be used simultaneously with the SM's tickets

As for your 2nd concern - I am right there with you.
I am going in June with my immediate family and only need 2 of the 5 tickets and then returning with my inlaws and wish to give them 2 of the 4 remaining 3 tickets as DH and I will need to buy our own for a longer trip. They won't be with us in June at the activation. Disney has stated in emails that have been posted on a different thread that their rules are that all parties must be present during that initial activation but real life accounts are showing that they are not enforcing this as I suspect with different flight schedules, etc - they are erring on the military members honor. I suspect their official rules are stated as such to avoid Sgt "john smith" from going to Disney -activating 5 companions and ebaying them from $200 etc.
Is this still happening - yes - but its definitely the rare exeception in compared to the military members that are thoroughly enjoying this promotion with their family and friends

 

[RMAMom]

DH is USN Retired, we are buying 2 of these tickets for our DD's (DH & I have APs)

I understand that I can upgrade to a park hopper for $25. Is it possible to upgrade to a 7 day ticket? I am not interested in WP&M. Do I upgrade at time of purchase or do I need to use a day first?

 

[ntsammy5]

Is it possible to upgrade to a 7 day ticket?

No upgrades as I understand it.

 

[JoanneNC]

DH is USN Retired, we are buying 2 of these tickets for our DD's (DH & I have APs)

I understand that I can upgrade to a park hopper for $25. Is it possible to upgrade to a 7 day ticket? I am not interested in WP&M. Do I upgrade at time of purchase or do I need to use a day first?

Additional days can not be added to the companion tickets - they can only be upgraded to AP's.
Oh and these tickets will not be bridged to gate costs after 1st use - they will only apply what you paid for them.

 

[Leajess99]

Well that is harsh because if you READ my first post, you would see that he specifically asked and was told that buying them for us would NOT be a problem with him not going. That they were intended for family and FRIENDS so how "I'm taking advantage of an offer I had no right to take part in", I don't understand. I guess your implying we are not friends or just not friends who qualify according to your standards.
With regards to it being very clear, It seems like it was as clear as mud if the ITT base told him he didn't need to be there. That's clear all right!!!
All I know is that I'm holding 4 vouchers that we spent $500 dollars(we added the hopper) on that I cant get a refund on or activate. I'm not trying to take anything away from anyone or take advantage of anything. If I were wanting to do that, I wouldn't have asked the question. I really just don't want to be out the $500. To me, that's alot of money to throw away.
Next time, why don't you just answer the original question with facts and not inject your opinion.
Thanks

It is because the tickets were meant for family and friends to enjoy together WITH the servicemember NOT so you can get a good deal thanks to the servicemember's sacrifices and not spend time with him. The rules for this have been posted from the beginning and it has said since the beginning that the servicemember must be there to activate the tickets.

Seriously, I have to say you are out that money unless you can get Disney to take it back but that is highly doubtful.

 

[Leajess99]

Ariel53098...

Have a quick question for you..(we are a military retiree family and I completely agree with your comments on fraud...)

Is the Disney offer technically a military benefit? Disney is offering out of the goodness of their heart (read marketing ploy), and is not officially sanctioned by Congress or military. The ITT office and SOG routinely sell tickets to area attractions at a reduced cost to the service member, but if I remember correctly, this is at the attraction's discretion. Seems something similar to this came up years ago while in Germany, and the SM had to be prosecuted under local law, as it didn't fall under the UCMJ. Just wondering....

But I WHOLHEARTEDLY agree with your comments about misusing your benefits! As a retired family we see our bennies shrinking all the time! (a lot of that is due to fraud and the cost of prosecuting!)


Nini
187 days...but who is counting?

Just before I got out of the Army I was helping in the ID cards section. One day we had a notice of a "wife" being investigated for fraud. Seems she and the servicemember were divorced and she was still recieving medical treatment several years later. The soldier did not even realize she was still on his deers and receiving the medcial care. So many retirees and widows are losing benefits daily that they were promised a long time ago and it is sad.

 

[Leajess99]

for the PP who was planning on using the tickets without the military member present:
This is from the original press release (bold is mine) which clearly shows the intent of the program.
(bold is mine)
So the intent of the program (which most people understand) is for the military member to have a vacation WITH their family and friends. Not to say "hey buddy, I got a great discount on tickets".

This is definitely not a military benefit - it is a DISNEY benefit. So I doubt that it could be prosecuted through the military for fraud. Disney might be able to come after someone, but I doubt that's likely because I don't think the person was deliberately trying to defraud the company. irregardless, nothing that disney has issued to date has been confusing on the fact that the military member (or spouse) MUST to be present to activate the tickets. Everything has stated that very clearly. Just because the ticket office on base didn't know the rules that doesn't exempt the military member from knowing the rules of a promotion that he was taking part in. The rules have been set by Disney, not the base ticket office. I think this absolutely one of those times where reading the fine print would have avoided a lot of confusion for you.

Yep, as the saying go "Ignorance of the law is no excuse". This is like the booster seat topic. If you drive through our state with a child not in the proper child restarint system you will still be given a ticket. They do not even have to stop you for speeding or anything like that when it comes to a child no properly secured. I was talking to a police officer the other day (going to school for my Justice Admin degree) and he was telling how many people from out of state do not even check the state laws prior to driving through our state and the kids are not properly secured.

 

[fterie4u]

Where at DTD can you activate the tickets? Specifically where in the Marketplace? We are hoping to go to DTD to do this the day we check in. Thank you!