No ID required for military discount tix entrance?

[wrighter]

Can anyone out there clarify this?

An acquaintance was recently discussing how lucky she was that her brother was able to get her military park tickets for their upcoming WDW trip. Her brother is not going on the trip with them - just purchased these tickets for her at such a great discount.

I kept my thoughts to myself when she informed me of her great luck. But really I was thinking, "Now that's not really very fair. Those tickets are for military personnel - their immediate family and anyone else who might be traveling with them." If this is the case, what would stop military personnel from purchasing those greatly discounted tickets and selling them for profit?

Just curious - I thought for sure someone would have to show ID at the gate. But she assured me this was not the case. Thoughts?

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Can anyone out there clarify this?

An acquaintance was recently discussing how lucky she was that her brother was able to get her military park tickets for their upcoming WDW trip. Her brother is not going on the trip with them - just purchased these tickets for her at such a great discount.

I kept my thoughts to myself when she informed me of her great luck. But really I was thinking, "Now that's not really very fair. Those tickets are for military personnel - their immediate family and anyone else who might be traveling with them." If this is the case, what would stop military personnel from purchasing those greatly discounted tickets and selling them for profit?

Just curious - I thought for sure someone would have to show ID at the gate. But she assured me this was not the case. Thoughts?

From my understanding, he has to be there to activate the tickets at the turnstiles that 1st day. I believe had he purchased the tickets from the SOG in Disney, then no activation is required. But tickets purchased elsewhere require activation by the military member before entering parks. (Being as my DH was military, I speak from experience) Good luck to her! Unless her brother, the military member knows differently, or something has changed, she's going to be in for a surprise when they arrive at the parks.

 

[irishfanx4]

I think she is going to be VERY disappointed!! We just bought our Military tickets/passes and we were told you have to show your Military ID for the service member or service member spouse in order to use them. I agree it is for the service member and family members traveling together to use. NOT to cheat the system! My DH is active duty Army and has earned the right to take advantage of the Military discounts!!

 

[wrighter]

Been doing some research on this one, and the fine print says that the military member or spouse must use one of the tickets. But I did not find anything in print that says he/she must show ID at the gate.

Hmmmmm. Now the question is: Do I say something to her? I would hate to think I'm sending her down there to face uncertainty at the gate. But I did mentioned to her I thought it strange that no ID needed to be shown. Also, she's planning on passing off her almost-4-year old as an "under-three" to save on her ticket as well. Again, I kept my mouth shut! I'm almost curious to see what will happen!

Anyone have experiences to share with regards to the military ticket entrance routine?

 

[irishfanx4]

We were required when we went in 2005 to show our Military id's with our tickets. We leave to go back to SOG and DW in 10 days with our Military passes/tickets. I will update you when I get back if we had to show our id's. Not to be mean but I am hoping your friend gets a very rude shock at the gate and NOT be able to use those tickets!! It is a earned right to be able to take advantage of the discount for Military and their families!! Just saying as the 20 yr wife of an active duty DH!!!

 

[jmkjr72]

right from disney look at point number 4 her brother or his wife will have to be there to activate the tickets

•Disney Military Promotional Tickets may be purchased Oct. 24, 2010 to Sept. 28, 2011 at participating U.S. military sales outlets ONLY by Eligible Service Members (defined below) or their spouses (but not both), for themselves and other family members and friends, as provided herein. These Tickets may not be otherwise transferred, distributed or resold.
•"Eligible Service Members" are active or retired members of the U.S. military, including the National Guard, Reservists and the U.S. Coast Guard.
•The actual prices charged at U.S. military base ticket offices for Disney Military Promotional Tickets may be less than the prices set forth above.
•Participating military sales outlets must require that Eligible Service Members (or their spouses) present valid military identification to purchase Disney Military Promotional Tickets.
•Eligible Service Members (or their spouses) who purchase Disney 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets for admission to the Walt Disney World Resort for themselves and their family members and friends will be required to activate those Tickets at Walt Disney World theme park ticket windows, no later than Oct. 1, 2011, in order for those Tickets to be used. Valid military identification will be required.
•Eligible Service Members (or their spouses) who purchase Disney 3-Day Military Promotional Tickets for admission to the Disneyland Resort for themselves and their family members and friends will be required to show valid military identification, no later than Oct. 1, 2011, in order for those Tickets to be used.
•No more than six (6) Disney Military Promotional Tickets may be purchased and (if applicable) activated by any Eligible Service Member or spouse (regardless of the place of purchase and whether purchased by that person or that person's spouse), and all six (6) must be purchased at the same time. Accordingly, no Eligible Service Member (or spouse) may purchase Disney Military Promotional Tickets at any military sales outlet if that person (or that person's spouse) previously purchased Disney Military Promotional Tickets (whether at that same military sales outlet or at any other military sales outlet or at any other place). In addition, one of the six (6) Tickets purchased must be for use by the Eligible Service Member or his/her spouse.
•Disney 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets for admission to the Walt Disney World Resort will not be valid unless and until activated (no later than Oct. 1, 2011).
•Each Disney Military Promotional Ticket must be used by the same person on any and all days. Disney Military Promotional Tickets may be used ONLY by the Eligible Service Members, spouses, other family members or friends for whom they are purchased. In addition, a valid military ID may be required for admission.
•Disney Military Promotional Tickets (including any options) expire and may not be used after Oct. 1, 2011. In addition, Disney 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets (including any options) for the Walt Disney World Resort may not be used on the following blockout dates: Dec. 27, 2010 through Dec. 31, 2010 and April 17, 2011 through April 23, 2011, at all Walt Disney World Theme Parks and other gated attractions; and July 4, 2011 at Magic Kingdom Park; and Disney 3-Day Military Promotional Tickets for the Disneyland Resort may not be used on the following blockout dates: Dec. 24, 2010 through Jan. 1, 2011, Feb. 18, 2011 through Feb. 21, 2011, April 17, 2011 through April 23, 2011, and July 1, 2011 through July 4, 2011 at the Disneyland Theme Parks.

 

[SarahWeasley]

Maybe this isn't the correct answer, but I wouldn't worry too much about saying something to her, especially if you did already raise the question about ID and she brushed you off. If the tickets hadn't been bought yet, maybe you'd be more obligated to try to save her from the bad decision. From the sound of it, I expect that even if she knew she might not get away with using the military tickets, she would try it anyway (she doesn't mind breaking the rules about her three-year-old, after all).

 

[wrighter]

Thanks, jmkjr72, for the fine print. At least I know Disney is attempting to reserve these great discounts for the proper people. I guess the big question is: Will the gate agent ensure that these rules are followed? Should I mention this to my acquaintance? Let her take her chances at the gate? I almost want to see what happens, and see what kind of karma this all brings about. But as a "try to do the right thing" kind of person, feel that I should at least tell her to read the fine print. Then she's on her own!

Decisions, decisions.

Perhaps if the discussion comes about organically, I will mention it again. But I don't think I'm going to say, "Hey! Remember how you told me you were going to cheat the system? Well, that ticked me off and I did some homework. You might want to think twice before doing so." That doesn't sound so good, right?

 

[matheke]

Having used these tickets the last two years, I can say without a doubt that I HAD to show my military ID to activate the tickets.

To a PP, I bought them at SoG and that has absolutely nothing to do with with activating or not. You still have to go to a ticket window to activate the tickets.

I would tell your friend to have her brother go back to where he bought, or plans to buy the tickets and ask them if him not going is a problem. That may open his/her eyes.

Dan

 

[ZellyB]

As other posters already told you, the service member or spouse must be present to activate, although we didn't have to show any ID to purchase them over the phone from the ITT office, only give my DH's name and his rank.

If it was my acquaintance I would tell her what I found out. I'd feel kinda crummy if they went all that way only to discover that the tickets couldn't be used. Do they have the money to buy all new tickets at that point? I mean, she's going to have young children with her right? At the least it will start their trip off on a really sour note and much as it might have ticked you off that she's trying to use the tickets in a way she shouldn't, it's really not the fault of her kids. I'd feel terrible thinking I might have stopped a four year old from having that kind of disappointment and didn't do anything about it. If she won't listen to you again then it's on her, but I'd at least share with her the information I uncovered.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If you go to the locked sticky Everything About WDW Tickets in this Forum, especially Post #17, you can get a lot more information. An easy way to get to the sticky is by clicking on the link in my signature.

Last year I had a couple of girls about 18 come to my window to attempt to activate two Armed Forces Salute tickets. One of them did have a dependent ID (DD Form 1173) which indicated she was the daughter of the service member. The rules are very specific that the person who activates the tickets must be the service member or a person whose DD1173 indicates either Spouse or Unremarried Widow.

The girl called her mother, who worked in the Pentagon, and handed me her cell phone to talk to the mother. The upshot was the girls had to buy regular tickets on the spot (or go over to SoG to try to get the silight discount MYW tickets there) and the mother would try to get a refund on the tickets she had purchased for them

This rule is very strictly enforced by everyone in ticketing, and I know that managers will not authorize exceptions.

 

[SKG123]

I know that my Mother can purchase Disney tickets at a small discount and no tax at our local base. Those do not have to be activated at the gate. These are just like your regular paper tickets. Now the 4 day military stars and stripes or salute tickets do need ID's and be activated at a ticket window. I would say that the paper tickets are just like the ones from UT. So maybe theses are the tickets her brother got for her.

 

[suemom2kay]

It seems your acquaintance (I notice you DON'T use the word friend) likes to get something for nothing. You expressed your opinion and she thinks she's fine to get away with breaking the rules. So, I would let her face the consequences. What a poor example she is setting for her child(ren). Teaching them to lie about being in the Military to get a discount and teaching her child to lie about her age to get her in for free.

Cheshire Figment, do CM's make it a habit to ask almost 4 year olds their age when parents are trying to pass them off as 2 year olds? Most 3 year olds are very proud of their age and won't lie about it.

It always surprises me when people spend all that money to go to WDW and then try to cheat the system on ticket prices to get in. I wish WDW was a LOT cheaper, but I understand the prices they charge and am willing to work all year to pay for my vacation. That is how much I love the Mouse.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Cheshire Figment, do CM's make it a habit to ask almost 4 year olds their age when parents are trying to pass them off as 2 year olds? Most 3 year olds are very proud of their age and won't lie about it.

Often we will look at the child and may ask the child.

A little over a year ago I had someone back a covered stroller through my gate. I asked to see the child. When the man tried to tell me the boy was under three, he very clearly said "No I'm not, I'm Five!" The man agreed that he had not told the truth.

I asked to see his ticket; it was a seven day hopper. I told him that the rest of his family could stay right where they were, and he could go out and buy a seven day child hopper, to match what the rest of the family had.

He said that they only had two more days on the trip and did not need a seven day ticket for him. I gave him the choice to buy the ticket and come back through my gate or to talk to Security about fraud.

He went and (unhappily) bought the ticket.

 

[ZellyB]

It seems your acquaintance (I notice you DON'T use the word friend) likes to get something for nothing. You expressed your opinion and she thinks she's fine to get away with breaking the rules. So, I would let her face the consequences. What a poor example she is setting for her child(ren). Teaching them to lie about being in the Military to get a discount and teaching her child to lie about her age to get her in for free.

I'm not sure everything you are saying here is quite correct. I think the OP did say the woman was planning to be deceptive about the age of her child which is clearly wrong. But, I reread the post and it doesn't appear the woman is aware that she must have a military member present nor that she intends to lie about it. The OP says she wondered about it, but kept her thoughts to herself. So, it would seem possible that the acquaintance isn't aware that she's not entitled to use the tickets. Now, she may fully understand that and be intending to try to take advantage, but if she really thinks it's allowed to use a discount from her brother, then your judgment of her may be a bit harsh given the scarcity of information about the situation.

 

[suemom2kay]

I'm not sure everything you are saying here is quite correct. I think the OP did say the woman was planning to be deceptive about the age of her child which is clearly wrong. But, I reread the post and it doesn't appear the woman is aware that she must have a military member present nor that she intends to lie about it. The OP says she wondered about it, but kept her thoughts to herself. So, it would seem possible that the acquaintance isn't aware that she's not entitled to use the tickets. Now, she may fully understand that and be intending to try to take advantage, but if she really thinks it's allowed to use a discount from her brother, then your judgment of her may be a bit harsh given the scarcity of information about the situation.

You're absolutely correct. I re-read the post and she doesn't say that the woman thinks what she is doing is wrong. But the bragging about lying about a kid that is almost 4 is really disgusting and a horrible example for her child(ren).

 

[River Country]

I spoke directly to SOG and you need ID in order to buy a Promotional 4 day ticket. There are however, other discounts available to retired or discharged military personel, such as my day. He served in the USAF and we are still ablt to get a Veteran's discount on room an dining just not the promotional 4 day ticket.

 

[bearlyanne]

We use the military tickets every year.

The first year, my FIL bought the tixs on base. He still had to show his military ID when we arrived at Disney to activate them.

Last year, we bought them onsite. He also had to show his id an d his drivers license.

 

[Suellen]

Really? Trying to pass a five year old off as under 3??? That is absurd! I know some 4 year olds that could pass as under 3... but I know NO 5 year olds.

Not that anyone over 3 should be passed of as under... just saying there is a point where it isn't even remotely feasible.

We have however been questioned about our kids when they WERE under 3 and it was handled awful. I felt like I was stealing by bringing my under 3 kid in for free.

And just another side note on the under three issue.... you can't ALWAYS trust a kid when you ask them how old they are. My almost 4 year old is all over the board when you ask her how old she is... anywhere from 2-8. Just depends on the day!

To OP: I would tell her to check the fine print and that you think her brother has to be there to show ID. Sounds like she honestly doesn't know that.

 

[sharona]

I would not comment further and just let it play itself out. You can't control other people trying to cheat the system (if she's even aware that this is cheating). You gave her a heads up that she might have problems using the tickets and if she has a half a brain she'll look into it before she gets there.

I know the other is a hot button for many people - the lying about the child's age - but I honestly think that what goes around comes around and people should worry more about themselves and less about what everyone else is doing/getting away with.