Military ticket questions

[subtchr]

I am seriously about ready to throw in the towel and forget about going to Disney! It is just one misunderstanding after another. I feel so stupid. So, if I just go book a room package today with tickets. Can I cancel everything within 30 days of my trip and still get a 100% refund? The latest cast member told me that tickets are non-refundable once you buy them even from Disney so the only thing I guess I would get a refund on would be for the hotel. The first cast member I asked about that said go ahead and make the reservations now because you get it all back if you cancel before 30 days. So really it would make no difference between if I got the cheaper military tickets or the tickets from Disney, I would lose the cost of them if something came up and we had to cancel. I have only been trying to plan for a few days but it sure has not been fun.

It's a wonderful place to visit; keep trying to learn!

If you book a vacation PACKAGE with Disney -- room and tickets together -- it requires a $200 deposit (per room, if you book more than one room), and the balance is due 30 days before the trip. You can cancel for a full refund of the deposit (and any other payments you have chosen to make) 30 days or more before the trip.

I think the confusion is in the way you are wording your questions, but it's understandable. If you purchase tickets separately, from Disney or a military travel office, they are nonrefundable, that is true. But if you book a package that includes the tickets, you aren't really purchasing the actual tickets, if that makes sense. So either the latest cast member didn't clarify the difference, or he or she misunderstood what you were asking.

It's a lot of information, for sure. Honestly, I wouldn't call again. This sounds skeptical, but phone cast members are frustratingly inconsistent when it comes to some information. I have had great ones, and I have had many where I understood more than they did, especially when it comes to military information.

The Disney website has a lot of information, and they are great at keeping it updated, but sometimes you have to "dig" to find what you need. Keep asking here. The "hive mind" here on Disboards is pretty awesome, and although sometimes you might get a mixed bag for answers, typically any misinformation is quickly corrected.

We have used the military discounts since they started in 2009. We have saved thousands of dollars doing so. With your plan to go to the parks for 8 days (instead of 4 or 5), the ticket discount isn't as significant, and you can always try to modify the resort for any discounts that are released later. So for you, especially with your worry about canceling, it wouldn't hurt to book a vacation package, including tickets, and then keep monitoring everything and modify it later if your plans become firm enough and you can get the discount(s).

 

[pepperderr]

It's a wonderful place to visit; keep trying to learn!

If you book a vacation PACKAGE with Disney -- room and tickets together -- it requires a $200 deposit (per room, if you book more than one room), and the balance is due 30 days before the trip. You can cancel for a full refund of the deposit and any other payments you have chosen to make 30 days or more before the trip.

I think the confusion is in the way you are wording your questions, but it's understandable. If you purchase tickets separately, from Disney or a military travel office, they are nonrefundable, that is true. But if you book a package that includes the tickets, you aren't really purchasing the actual tickets, if that makes sense. So either the latest cast member didn't clarify the difference, or he or she misunderstood what you were asking.

It's a lot of information, for sure. Honestly, I wouldn't call again. This sounds skeptical, but phone cast members are frustratingly inconsistent when it comes to some information. I have had great ones, and I have had many where I understood more than they did, especially when it comes to military information.

The Disney website has a lot of information, and they are great at keeping it updated, but sometimes you have to "dig" to find what you need. Keep asking here. The "hive mind" here on Disboards is pretty awesome, and although sometimes you might get a mixed bag for answers, typically any misinformation is quickly corrected.

We have used the military discounts since they started in 2009. We have saved thousands of dollars doing so. With your plan to go to the parks for 8 days (instead of 4 or 5), the ticket discount isn't as significant, and you can always try to modify the resort for any discounts that are released later. So for you, especially with your worry about canceling, it wouldn't hurt to book a vacation package, including tickets, and then keep monitoring everything and modify it later if your plans become firm enough and you can get the discount(s).

Thanks for being so kind about it. It is making me feel frustrated and stupid. So are you saying that if I didn't care about a military discount, which right now doesn't look like that big of a difference as far as ticket costs, and I went to their website right now and booked a room and ticket package but then I had to cancel everything before 30 days I would get the "ticket" and hotel money refunded? That was what I understood to begin with. I didn't know it was different if you bought a room and then tickets separately. I was thinking maybe I could book a room package now and get the discount later when the new ones for 2022 came out. Am I still able to receive the room discount later if I book a package now or can I only receive the military discount if I do the room and the tickets separately?

 

[lanejudy]

The latest cast member told me that tickets are non-refundable once you buy them even from Disney

WDW tickets are generally non-refundable once bought regardless of the vendor (WDW, SoG, AAA, etc.). With a package, you haven't actually bought the tickets until you make final payment, but you do have them reserved and can make theme park reservations (and FP+ if that returns). The package can be canceled and thus you no longer have tickets reserved. Tickets purchased separately must be paid for in full and can be used based on the expiration dates (which are broader for Salute tickets than normal tickets) OR the value can be applied to future tickets. So it's not like you lose all that money, but it is tied up in tickets.

if I didn't care about a military discount... and I went to their website right now and booked a room and ticket package but then I had to cancel everything before 30 days I would get the "ticket" and hotel money refunded?

That is correct. A "package" includes a WDW resort room plus tickets (and if it returns, plus a dining plan). A package reservation requires only a $200 deposit with the balance due 30 days prior to arrival. All monies paid are fully refundable up until that 30-day point. Back in the winter when it seemed theme park reservations might be hard to come by if not booked far in advance, it was sometimes recommended that people book the package and then later remove the tickets (to buy military tickets) in order to get theme park reservations yet maintain flexibility with cancelling. Theme park reservations don't seem to be a big problem right now, especially for next summer there is time to wait.

Am I still able to receive the room discount later if I book a package now or can I only receive the military discount if I do the room and the tickets separately?

The military room discount is a room-only discount; I don't know if they can/will apply it to a package reservation. However the package can be cancelled and rebooked as a room-only -- though at that point you would need to decide about tickets. Discounts may be limited by resort or even room type, so it's possible you would need to change your reservation anyway to get the discount.

 

[subtchr]

@lanejudy answered a lot of your questions; I'll add a few other notes.

So are you saying that if I didn't care about a military discount, which right now doesn't look like that big of a difference as far as ticket costs, and I went to their website right now and booked a room and ticket package but then I had to cancel everything before 30 days I would get the "ticket" and hotel money refunded? That was what I understood to begin with. I didn't know it was different if you bought a room and then tickets separately.

Correct. But you're not getting separate refunds for ticket and hotel. It's all bundled together in a package. You don't even see the breakdown. You wouldn't have anything paid other than the $200 deposit before 30 days out, unless you choose to make payments along the way. And if you do make any payments, they would be refunded, too.

I was thinking maybe I could book a room package now and get the discount later when the new ones for 2022 came out. Am I still able to receive the room discount later if I book a package now or can I only receive the military discount if I do the room and the tickets separately?

You can definitely do that. For the last two times we have used the military discount, the cast member on the phone has automatically booked it as a "basic package", rather than a room only reservation. Both of those options you are only booking the resort, but the difference is that with the basic package, the deposit is $200, and the balance is due 30 days before checkin. With a true room only booking, the deposit is the cost of one night, and the balance is due on checkin day. You can also cancel as close as 5 days out to get a full refund.

So if you book it now as a full package (room and tickets), it will be easy to call and modify it to a basic package with a military discount, if you decide you want to do that, to buy the tickets separately. You could also add a dining plan to either a full or basic package, if they are available by the time of your trip, and you decide you want to do that.

 

[pepperderr]

Thanks, everyone for explaining it the way you have. I went to bed last night feeling pretty frustrated and wondering what the heck else I think I know that I really don't know or understand. I think I will spend today figuring out what rides we want to go on, how long it might take, and if we want a park hopper ticket.

 

[Robo]

Once you decide everything… Have a great trip!

 

[NavyDad]

Thanks, everyone for explaining it the way you have. I went to bed last night feeling pretty frustrated and wondering what the heck else I think I know that I really don't know or understand. I think I will spend today figuring out what rides we want to go on, how long it might take, and if we want a park hopper ticket.

Unfortunately when you call and speak to Disney CM's they don't always know what they are talking about especially when it comes to military tickets and stuff. They are just customer service sales reps trying book as many vacations as possible. I was active duty for 20+ years and have taken close to 10 trips to WDW using military discounts so I will just tell you what I do to get the best deals.

1. Start with the Military Disney Tips website. Someone already posted the link. Steve runs that site and he is the absolute best. Nobody knows more about going to Disney and getting Military discounts than he does.

2. I almost NEVER book a PACKAGE at WDW. Their sales people are trained to sell packages because that is how Disney makes the most money. 90% of the time we book the ROOM ONLY military discount. In the past we have done the military only package deal that includes a room and meal plan but I generally just do the room only rate. When you do room only you pay a 10% deposit at booking to reserve your room and pay the balance when you are at WDW. This worked best for my deployment schedule.

3. Buy Armed Forces Salute tickets from your local base MWR/ITT office or directly from SOG. If you buy from your base ITT office you will get vouchers that you have to activate when you get to WDW. If you buy over the phone from SOG they will mail you real tickets. Not a huge difference but I prefer to pre-buy at Shades of Green. Armed Forces Salute tickets are a way better value than any other type of just regular military discounted tickets.

4. If I needed flexibility do to deployment or operational uncertainty I always waited until around 60-90 days to buy my tickets. You may not get exactly every dining reservation you want but that way I'm not spending thousands of dollars 6-12 months in advance that I may lose because of changes in my schedule. You can still have wonderful time at WDW even if you don't plan every ride, meal or attraction 9 months in advance.

 

[Pookie9922]

If we get salute tickets through SOG (mailed to us), they come activated right? Meaning, no further action is needed to enter the park?
If we get MYM tickets through SOG, do they work the same? Come activated and ready to go?
We are traveling with my Brother-in-law who is retired Military. He is not a rope dropper, but my family is. I'm wondering about procedure on that first morning. I appreciate the discount but I also don't want them to slow us down!

 

[subtchr]

2. I almost NEVER book a PACKAGE at WDW. Their sales people are trained to sell packages because that is how Disney makes the most money. 90% of the time we book the ROOM ONLY military discount. In the past we have done the military only package deal that includes a room and meal plan but I generally just do the room only rate. When you do room only you pay a 10% deposit at booking to reserve your room and pay the balance when you are at WDW. This worked best for my deployment schedule.

3. Buy Armed Forces Salute tickets from your local base MWR/ITT office or directly from SOG. If you buy from your base ITT office you will get vouchers that you have to activate when you get to WDW. If you buy over the phone from SOG they will mail you real tickets. Not a huge difference but I prefer to pre-buy at Shades of Green. Armed Forces Salute tickets are a way better value than any other type of just regular military discounted tickets.

4. If I needed flexibility do to deployment or operational uncertainty I always waited until around 60-90 days to buy my tickets. You may not get exactly every dining reservation you want but that way I'm not spending thousands of dollars 6-12 months in advance that I may lose because of changes in my schedule. You can still have wonderful time at WDW even if you don't plan every ride, meal or attraction 9 months in advance.

2. most times now (the past 3 years for us), they book the military resort discount booking as what is called a “basic package”. It’s essentially the same as a room only, but with different deposit and payment rules. But the total cost is exactly the same. We also never get a dining plan, even when it’s available, because we save money without one.

If you do want to do a room only reservation for some reason, the deposit isn’t 10%, it’s the cost of one night. Balance is due upon arrival, as you wrote.

3. Typically, you are correct, the salute tickets are the best deal. However, the OP wants 8-day tickets, so the salute tickets don’t work for them. An 8-day military MYW ticket costs less than any combination of salute tickets. I broke down the prices in a response above.

4. Dining reservations are 60 days out now, although that may change in the future.

If we get salute tickets through SOG (mailed to us), they come activated right? Meaning, no further action is needed to enter the park?
If we get MYM tickets through SOG, do they work the same? Come activated and ready to go?
We are traveling with my Brother-in-law who is retired Military. He is not a rope dropper, but my family is. I'm wondering about procedure on that first morning. I appreciate the discount but I also don't want them to slow us down!

That is correct; salute tickets from SoG come already activated. And MYW tickets from any military travel office do not need activation at all.

 

[pepperderr]

Unfortunately when you call and speak to Disney CM's they don't always know what they are talking about especially when it comes to military tickets and stuff. They are just customer service sales reps trying book as many vacations as possible. I was active duty for 20+ years and have taken close to 10 trips to WDW using military discounts so I will just tell you what I do to get the best deals.

1. Start with the Military Disney Tips website. Someone already posted the link. Steve runs that site and he is the absolute best. Nobody knows more about going to Disney and getting Military discounts than he does.

2. I almost NEVER book a PACKAGE at WDW. Their sales people are trained to sell packages because that is how Disney makes the most money. 90% of the time we book the ROOM ONLY military discount. In the past we have done the military only package deal that includes a room and meal plan but I generally just do the room only rate. When you do room only you pay a 10% deposit at booking to reserve your room and pay the balance when you are at WDW. This worked best for my deployment schedule.

3. Buy Armed Forces Salute tickets from your local base MWR/ITT office or directly from SOG. If you buy from your base ITT office you will get vouchers that you have to activate when you get to WDW. If you buy over the phone from SOG they will mail you real tickets. Not a huge difference but I prefer to pre-buy at Shades of Green. Armed Forces Salute tickets are a way better value than any other type of just regular military discounted tickets.

4. If I needed flexibility do to deployment or operational uncertainty I always waited until around 60-90 days to buy my tickets. You may not get exactly every dining reservation you want but that way I'm not spending thousands of dollars 6-12 months in advance that I may lose because of changes in my schedule. You can still have wonderful time at WDW even if you don't plan every ride, meal or attraction 9 months in advance.

Thanks. Do the Salute tickets or military tickets ever sell out?

 

[subtchr]

Thanks. Do the Salute tickets or military tickets ever sell out?

No.

If the travel office you use is temporarily out of them, they can order more, or you can always call another office.

 

[disjest8]

Several people have provided similar information. My suggestions align very closely with those from NavyDad, with a few add ons.

Tickets: The Disney Military Salute Tickets are absolutely worth it!! Don't confuse Military Salute w/any other type of ticket.
A couple items of note regarding the Salute ticket.
1. Disney has historically announced the upcoming year's Military Salute Ticket options in late September. Wait to see what they announce.
2. Even though the Salute ticket may be a 4 day ticket, if you purchase the Park Hopper Plus option, you get 4 more Plus days to use at the Disney water parks, mini golf courses and several other venues. You basically get 8 days worth of visits, but only 4 days at the main parks.
3. As soon as you purchase your Military Salute tickets at your local military ITT facility, you can add them to your MyDisneyExperience app for all members of your party and book park reservations according to standard guidelines.

Room: Editing, as I just read you had a horrible experience at SoG
Book room only now and wait until Disney makes an announcement on the 2022 Military Salute
A couple of notes regarding room.
1. As soon as Disney announces the military rates for 2022, see if you can get the military rate added to your existing reservation. You will have to call Disney.
2. Once you have your resort reservation made, make sure it shows up in your MyDisneyExperience app.

Feel free to DM me with specific questions or if you want details on specific experiences. I know it can sound overwhelming, but it's so worth it when you figure it out.

 

[TexanInTheMidwest]

Room: Editing, as I just read you had a horrible experience at SoG
Book room only now and wait until Disney makes an announcement on the 2022 Military Salute
A couple of notes regarding room.
1. As soon as Disney announces the military rates for 2022, see if you can get the military rate added to your existing reservation. You will have to call Disney.
2. Once you have your resort reservation made, make sure it shows up in your MyDisneyExperience app.

Feel free to DM me with specific questions or if you want details on specific experiences. I know it can sound overwhelming, but it's so worth it when you figure it out.

ALSO on this: YES!

Book the rooms you want even without a discount if you can manage the one night charge to hold the room.

AND when they announce the military discounts, even if they don't have it on your first call, keep calling and trying. We did a big family trip in Jan 2020 with rooms I booked in Jan 2019 - and it was late into December before I finally got a military discounts on all the rooms (we had 4 rooms and you can get a military discount on 3 rooms)

 

[ZeeWP]

Sorry to Hijack but to clarify:

1) I book a vacation with a hotel and tickets now to make park reservations. When and if the Salute tickets are announced, I can cancel the package and use the Salute tickets with my park reservations. What order should I do this in so I don't lose park reservations?

2) Does the above strategy work with Military hotel discounts too? Is late September when these prices are announced or become available?

 

[Robo]

1a) I book a vacation with a hotel and tickets now to make park reservations. When and if the Salute tickets are announced, I can cancel the package and use the Salute tickets with my park reservations. 1b) What order should I do this in so I don't lose park reservations?

2a) Does the above strategy work with Military hotel discounts too?
2b) Is late September when these prices are announced or become available?

1a) Yes,
1b) When making a change, arrange and make the booking that you WANT, then cancel the booking that you DON'T want.
2a) I don't understand the distinction. If you decide you want ANY kind of (allowed) change in an existing reservation, you would book the change you want ( NEW reservation,) then cancel the OLD reservation.
2b) Could be. (Covid can change everything.)
Military info is best checked on the Military Disney Tips site. Click below:
http://www.militarydisneytips.com

 

[ZeeWP]

1a) Yes,
1b) When making a change, arrange and make the booking that you WANT, then cancel the booking that you DON'T want.
2a) I don't understand the distinction. If you decide you want ANY kind of (allowed) change in an existing reservation, you would book the change you want ( NEW reservation,) then cancel the OLD reservation.
2b) Could be. (Covid can change everything.)
Military info is best checked on the Military Disney Tips site. Click below:
http://www.militarydisneytips.com

Thanks! That makes the process clearer. Appreciate it.