Question re: Salute Tickets

[5Hfan]

I wondered about this too... That's why I confirmed with several sources that the ones I recieved were already activated. Seemed odd to me that all the sudden we didn't have to activate them. Especially when I know many base ITT offices are still offering vouchers.

Just seems a very strange change in policy after how strict they've been about it for years!

 

[larryz]

Just seems a very strange change in policy after how strict they've been about it for years!

2016 program is limited to 6 tix... SoG only sells Salute to ID holders ...

Maybe they figured it's enough control from the on-site military ticket vendor...?
(of course, the same controls apply to base ITT sales... so it's a SWAG...)

 

[5Hfan]

But it's been a 6 ticket limit and only sold to id holders on base/SOG the past many years already...so why the need for activation in person before and not now? Just seems an odd about face (pun intended).

The explanation for the in person validation/6th ticket requirement has been to prevent the tickets from being resold. So what stops that now?

 

['ohanaof5]

I was at Shades of Green yesterday, if you purchase the salute tickets at SOG they are already activated. If you purchase them at any other ITT/military base they MUST be activated with the military ID.

There are still discounts available other than the 4 day salute tickets that do not need activation but possibly need to be exchanged for a hard ticket.

 

[sharonabe]

Wow! This is NOT good. I could understand not needing to activate the Salute tickets from SoG IF you are standing there in person buying them with your family/friends behind you. But mailing six activated tickets to qualified participants is so not a good idea. As a PP said, I hear the death bell ringing on this discounted ticket. It won't take long for people to figure out this loop hole and begin misusing what is a very much appreciated perk to many of us.

 

[margot31]

Wow! This is NOT good. I could understand not needing to activate the Salute tickets from SoG IF you are standing there in person buying them with your family/friends behind you. But mailing six activated tickets to qualified participants is so not a good idea. As a PP said, I hear the death bell ringing on this discounted ticket. It won't take long for people to figure out this loop hole and begin misusing what is a very much appreciated perk to many of us.

I would hope that at least for active duty when they call to get these passes they would run the ID number through to say yes this person can use these tickets.

 

[MrsSchmitty12]

This is interesting. We were there last month and had to activate our tickets purchased on base. We are going back in January and have tickets arriving from SOG today. We'll see if they're already activated. It never occurred to me to ask because this has been the policy for so long. I will say that in order to purchase the tickets from SOG DH had to complete and return a form along with a copy of his military ID to verify his eligibility.

It could be similar to other amusement parks in that they can/will ask to see ID at the gate. This was the case at Busch Gardens. So I wouldn't advise anyone to just show up without a service member and assume they'll be able to use the tickets.

 

[5Hfan]

I would hope that at least for active duty when they call to get these passes they would run the ID number through to say yes this person can use these tickets.

yes SOG is verifying eligibility to buy them, but now Disney is supposedly not verifying eligibility to use them (the so called activation process). Thus eligible buyers can now resell the six tickets to anyone. The hassle of having to activate them in person and service member use one made that an unattractive option for all but a very small local population.

 

[MattsPrincess]

*based on my own personal experience, and not super recent*

I went once with the military SALUTE special ticket, ex was asked to show his military ID at the gate and we both had to sign our tickets right there.

Went twice with discount tickets we bought on base (re: not the salute tickets) and were not asked to show ID at the gate, the paper voucher was just swiped and we were handed regular tickets.

 

[PSULion]

It could be similar to other amusement parks in that they can/will ask to see ID at the gate. This was the case at Busch Gardens. So I wouldn't advise anyone to just show up without a service member and assume they'll be able to use the tickets.

We are prepared for this possibility, and will all be entering the first park together anyway. But.... If they wanted to have us provide ID, why wouldn't they just stick to the vouchers and activation process already in place? It's going to slow down the process at the tapstiles if they're asking for military IDs there.

It doesn't make any sense to me. Especially when bases are still offering only the vouchers. Shades of Green did not ask us anything about who was using the tickets, or say anything about which one had to be used by the military member. Last year when activating we had to have names and birthdays for each person using a ticket.

 

[Mrsjvb]

We are lucky enough to have a family member who is helping to pay for our WDW trip. She is retired military and wants to buy the Salute Tickets. A couple questions:
1. She is not coming on the trip - is it possible that she can purchase the tickets with her discount and give them to her family (us)? I'm not clear if we activate these tickets online or in person at WDW. no. the salute to heroes tickets MUST be activated in person by the servicemmembr or spouse only.
2. If the above does work, we would really like 6 days of tickets. Is it possible that we buy 2 extra days of tickets at regular price? moot point but she can purchase the regular tickets on base. no taxes and there will be a small discount.

the StH are highly regulated. but the regular military discount tickets are just like regular tickets and can be purchased for up to 10 days and with park hopper and WFP&M options. these have no other other restrictions and can be used by anyone.

 

[PSULion]

the StH are highly regulated. but the regular military discount tickets are just like regular tickets and can be purchased for up to 10 days and with park hopper and WFP&M options. these have no other other restrictions and can be used by anyone.

Your answer to the first question is what we're discussing... I currently have fully activated SALUTE tickets that I recieved in the mail from Shades of Green. Neither my husband or I activated them in person, yet they are gate ready.

 

[5Hfan]

Bump to see if there is any new info on this...

 

[FreesiaE]

Glad to see this thread---Please help with this question: My brother is oversees and is unsure if he will be able to come on vacation with us until 30 days out. He would need to buy our tickets from SOG the day before we officially attend a Disney park. There would be 7 in our party. So, we'd buy 6 of the deeply discounted park hoppers and then 1 additional regular discount ticket. I have an 8AM Akershus reservation for our first day. Disney "chat" basically said do not book anything before 9AM as no one is at the ticket booths to process military tickets. However, I am now seeing that we can go straight through turnstiles with our SOG tickets--true? Seems weird that people are coming ot the park to eat but no one would be there at the front.....
Thank you so much!

 

['ohanaof5]

Glad to see this thread---Please help with this question: My brother is oversees and is unsure if he will be able to come on vacation with us until 30 days out. He would need to buy our tickets from SOG the day before we officially attend a Disney park. There would be 7 in our party. So, we'd buy 6 of the deeply discounted park hoppers and then 1 additional regular discount ticket. I have an 8AM Akershus reservation for our first day. Disney "chat" basically said do not book anything before 9AM as no one is at the ticket booths to process military tickets. However, I am now seeing that we can go straight through turnstiles with our SOG tickets--true? Seems weird that people are coming ot the park to eat but no one would be there at the front.....
Thank you so much!

Correct, you can go straight through the turnstiles with tickets purchased at SOG. Disney might not have the ticket counters opened but guest services (far right of Epcot entrance) would be open that early if you did have issues or needed assistance.