Question about Military Discount

[Mommaof3]

I was looking at the discount for the military and called Disney about it. The rooms I wanted were available and I started the reservation process. When the CM was giving me the info about the military person being there at check-in and having Military ID, she mentioned that this person must be active or retired. I stopped her and asked about being a reservist. She stated that the person can be a reservist but must be in an activated state. My son is active now but will be in reserves by the time we check in. On Mousesavers, it states that reservists are eligible. Does anyone know which it is?

Melissa

 

[wagner1225]

I believe I have read its Reserve Retired and you would have to have the correct Military ID, but they supposed to accept Active retired and Reserve retired, so they would have to retired from the reserve's and not just entering..

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Reservists are eligible. My husband is a Reservist (17+ years) and we've used the military discounts/rates a number of times. As long as your son has a military ID (CAC card), that's all they want. If you get the Military Salute tickets, when he activates them at Guest Relations, the CM will ask him what base he's attached to. He can give the one that his Reserve unit reports to. For example, my husband used to be Commander of a Reserve unit in Tallahassee, FL, but the unit was part of a battalion based at Fort Benning, GA. Now he is XO of the battalion and goes to Fort Benning every month. When asked what his base is, we say Fort Benning.

 

[Mrsjvb]

I was looking at the discount for the military and called Disney about it. The rooms I wanted were available and I started the reservation process. When the CM was giving me the info about the military person being there at check-in and having Military ID, she mentioned that this person must be active or retired. I stopped her and asked about being a reservist. She stated that the person can be a reservist but must be in an activated state. My son is active now but will be in reserves by the time we check in. On Mousesavers, it states that reservists are eligible. Does anyone know which it is?

Melissa

Reservists now get the same CAC as AD so that is a valid status for most discounts if he is IRR he will NOT be eligible.. he must be at minimum drilling.

 

[Mommaof3]

Reservists now get the same CAC as AD so that is a valid status for most discounts if he is IRR he will NOT be eligible.. he must be at minimum drilling.

I am soooooo lost. I called Disney again today and was told "he qualifies but he would have to have deployment papers along with his ID because he is reserve". He will not have deployment papers when we go as he is not deployed. (as far as I understand) I don't know what CAC, or AD, or IRR is and I have very little contact with him. He is in California for his MOS. He will come home in Oct and will be in the reserves for the coming years. He will drill once a month and for several weeks in the summer. I felt like the CM today me yes and no. Thanks for the help.
Melissa

 

[Mrsjvb]

CAC: Common Access Card.. his ID/record( all on a microchip)
IRR: Individual Ready reserve.. the non drilling, non active part of a contract
AD: Active Duty

 

[NicoleLarson]

Go to militarydisneytips.com and ask Steve or just look on his page. He is the expert on this.

 

[Mommaof3]

Thanks.......I guess I need to ask him if he is the IRR thing then. This is all new to me and I get lost in all the "letter lingo".
Melissa

 

[Disneyaddictz]

If he is drilling once a month he will most likely be a Selres reserve NOT irr, irr is inactive ready reserve.

 

[Disneyaddictz]

"Eligible Service Members" are active or retired members of the U.S. Military, including the National Guard, Reservists and the U.S. Coast Guard. Spouses of Military Service Members also qualify if they are able to present valid and active U.S. Military IDs in the absence of active Military Personnel.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

I am soooooo lost. I called Disney again today and was told "he qualifies but he would have to have deployment papers along with his ID because he is reserve". He will not have deployment papers when we go as he is not deployed. (as far as I understand) I don't know what CAC, or AD, or IRR is and I have very little contact with him. He is in California for his MOS. He will come home in Oct and will be in the reserves for the coming years. He will drill once a month and for several weeks in the summer. I felt like the CM today me yes and no. Thanks for the help.
Melissa

If he is going to be in the Reserves, actively drilling once per month and doing his Annual Training (AT), he will have the military ID ("CAC") and will qualify.

CMs on the phones don't really know what they're talking about at least 25% of the time. Way back when the first military promotion was announced, reservists were supposed to present orders showing they were on Active status, but that became impossible and was quickly dismissed. Reserve IDs are identical to Active Duty IDs.

 

[wdwrich]

CMs on the phones don't really know what they're talking about at least 25% of the time. Way back when the first military promotion was announced, reservists were supposed to present orders showing they were on Active status, but that became impossible and was quickly dismissed. Reserve IDs are identical to Active Duty IDs.

This! Unfortunately, you cannot trust much of the information you get from CMs on the phone. I recently retired from 26 years of service, most of it as a reservist, and can verify that reservists are eligible for the discounts and for the Salute tickets.

 

[Mommaof3]

I was able to sorta talk to him last night. Phone reception is not good and we were disconnected twice. But he confirmed he had a CAC. He was impressed that I knew it! (Thanks!) He also confirmed that he was active reserve and not IRR. Guess I should have know those things, but I just had to survive Boot Camp first, then combat training, and then MOS. One thing at a time for me! I am trying to have a little vacation planned for when he comes home!
Thanks again and for assuring me that it would work and that the CM's were just a little confused. And let me say this....this year has been my first real experience with military families on a personal level. I have received the warmest welcome, hand holding, explaining, etc. The Military Family is wonderful. Thanks to all for your help, your service, and your sacrifices. It just cannot be said enough!
Melissa

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

I was able to sorta talk to him last night. Phone reception is not good and we were disconnected twice. But he confirmed he had a CAC. He was impressed that I knew it! (Thanks!) He also confirmed that he was active reserve and not IRR. Guess I should have know those things, but I just had to survive Boot Camp first, then combat training, and then MOS. One thing at a time for me! I am trying to have a little vacation planned for when he comes home!
Thanks again and for assuring me that it would work and that the CM's were just a little confused. And let me say this....this year has been my first real experience with military families on a personal level. I have received the warmest welcome, hand holding, explaining, etc. The Military Family is wonderful. Thanks to all for your help, your service, and your sacrifices. It just cannot be said enough!
Melissa

I'm so very glad you got the confirmation you needed. I hope you all enjoy your trip!

 

[kcount]

I have been in the military (Army) for 19 years now. I have been "Active Duty" and "Reserves".

All that you need to qualify for the Military Discount is a valid ID card, otherwise known as a CAC Card, or "Common Access Card". Anyone that is currently "Active", meaning currently serving in the Active Components or Regular Army, Reserve Components or Enlisted Reserves, and the National Guard qualify for the Military Discounts. All that you need to show them is an ID card that is not expired.

A lot of Cast Members, and normal everyday people, confuse the term "Active" as meaning Active Components. There are other options for someone to transfer out of the military into an IRR group, or "Inactive Ready Reserves". These members are still on the military's "books", under their current contract no matter how many years remain on their enlistment, and can be called up if needed. They do not actively serve (whether it is one weekend a month and several weeks a year or every day). They simply do not show up to any trainings or events unless mobilized for a deployment, for the most part.

This is why ALL military ID cards no longer distinguish between the Regular troops, the Reserve troops, and the National Guard. As long as they are "actively serving" their military obligation contracts, they are an active member of the military.

I hope this clears it up. This might explain why the Cast Member was referencing the deployment orders, or mobilization orders, because a member of the IRR will get issued those orders to deploy, thus bringing them from Inactive to Active.

So for the sake of explaining to a Cast Member or non military member all of these differences, my recommendation is to say yes when asked if active, give the unit's general location, and smile and say thank you for the extra discount.

My background is 18 months in Iraq, 14 months in the Horn of Africa, 6 months at Arabic linguist school, 6 months training deploying troops upon my return from Iraq, being US Army and attached to British (UK) units and US Marines alike....just a melting pot of unique missions.

I hope that I have helped clear up things for you.

Have a Magical time!!!!!

 

[wdwrich]

I have been in the military (Army) for 19 years now. I have been "Active Duty" and "Reserves".

All that you need to qualify for the Military Discount is a valid ID card, otherwise known as a CAC Card, or "Common Access Card". Anyone that is currently "Active", meaning currently serving in the Active Components or Regular Army, Reserve Components or Enlisted Reserves, and the National Guard qualify for the Military Discounts. All that you need to show them is an ID card that is not expired.

A lot of Cast Members, and normal everyday people, confuse the term "Active" as meaning Active Components. There are other options for someone to transfer out of the military into an IRR group, or "Inactive Ready Reserves". These members are still on the military's "books", under their current contract no matter how many years remain on their enlistment, and can be called up if needed. They do not actively serve (whether it is one weekend a month and several weeks a year or every day). They simply do not show up to any trainings or events unless mobilized for a deployment, for the most part.

This is why ALL military ID cards no longer distinguish between the Regular troops, the Reserve troops, and the National Guard. As long as they are "actively serving" their military obligation contracts, they are an active member of the military.

I hope this clears it up. This might explain why the Cast Member was referencing the deployment orders, or mobilization orders, because a member of the IRR will get issued those orders to deploy, thus bringing them from Inactive to Active.

So for the sake of explaining to a Cast Member or non military member all of these differences, my recommendation is to say yes when asked if active, give the unit's general location, and smile and say thank you for the extra discount.

My background is 18 months in Iraq, 14 months in the Horn of Africa, 6 months at Arabic linguist school, 6 months training deploying troops upon my return from Iraq, being US Army and attached to British (UK) units and US Marines alike....just a melting pot of unique missions.

I hope that I have helped clear up things for you.

Have a Magical time!!!!!

Also want to add that retired military also qualify for the discounts and salute tickets even though our ID cards are not CAC cards.

 

[kcount]

Also want to add that retired military also qualify for the discounts and salute tickets even though our ID cards are not CAC cards.

Indeed! Thanks, my apologies for leaving that part out. I shall have my retired ID card in about 14 months!

 

[wdwrich]

Indeed! Thanks, my apologies for leaving that part out. I shall have my retired ID card in about 14 months!

Good for you! I got mine last year after 26.5 years of service!