Reservists buying Military Tickets

[Camping Disney]

Hi everyone!!

Well, we are leaving pretty soon and was wondering if any other reservists had purchased tix? Did you have any problems? Was your ID enough? Any suggestions?

I have seen the official publications, I would like to know what it is REALLY like. I had friends go when the promo was first announced, they had NO problem. Just wondering what it is like now.

Thanks,
Michele

 

[uncle al]

Were you activated? I'm not sure about that - but it is my understanding that a copy of activation orders would be required. In terms of just regular discounted tickets- and ID is all that is required. You can purchase them at Shades of Green (SOG) office at Contemporary- North Garden Wing. Check out this website for SOG: http://www.armymwr.com/shades/index.html. Give them a call they should be able to give you a definitive answer.

I will also make this suggestion, if you haven't done it already. Make your resort reservations through SOG. They will first attempt to book you at SOG (that is Contemporary-North Garden Wing right now, until new resort is completed). It is always booked - but they will offer you overflow rates at other WDW resorts - you name which type (Value, Moderate or Deluxe). The rates are fantastic compared to regular rates (not as good as SOG rates of course but good none the less). Good luck!

 

[uncle al]

I just clicked on the link and for some reason it didn't take me directly to SOG. So when you get to Army MWR page, do a site search - type in "shades of green" - once the results show up click on "ArmyMWR My Installation Page for Florida" - that will take you to SOG Home Page. Sorry for the trouble.

 

[montessori]

Hi Camping Disney!
You are in the Dis Yearbook!
The Yearbook is on the Community Board and your picture is on page 56.
Have a fantastic Disney vacation!

 

[Alice28]

I am curious to know the answer to the OP as well. I am going in early October with my Mom. DH is an "active" reservist, but has not been activated to go anywhere except for his annual two week training. (which is where he's at right now!) From what I have read on these boards, if I show up with my dependent ID and a copy of his orders for these two weeks, I will be able to buy my $99 tickets. Plus I made a one night reservation at GF with the military salute discount (the rest of time we are staying at the CR via SoG). Anyone recently accomplish this??

 

[uncle al]

From what I have been told - the special $99 dependent tickets arre for only those folks who have been activated. Proof of activation is necessary - Annual Tour does not count. But again, call Shades of Green at 1-888-593-2242. You might also read this little writeup from Disney's website:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wa...reservationsindex?id=MilitaryOfferRoot&bhcp=1

Discounted tickets may be purchased from Shades of Green for the parks and other attractions. Check out their website at the link I posted above or ask them when you call.

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

uncle al's response tracks with what I have been told also.

An "active" reservist or guardsman is one who performs his/her 1 weekend a month and 2 weeks a year.

An "activated" reservist or guardsman is one who has been put on active duty for an extended period of time in support of one of the many operations supporting the war. "Activated" reservists and guardsmen do not necessarily have to deploy either. You can be activated at home station in support of the war effort also.

According to what I have been able to glean from the site and from talking to CMs, the military salute only applies to active duty and activated reservists and guardsmen.

BUT I also agree with uncle al in that you should call SoG. They might have a clearer answer.

Good luck.

 

[Alice28]

Okay, y'all had been sweatin in my boots with your responses so I got on the phone just now and called the military salute phone number Disney listed. I spoke with a CM named Primrose and she clarified with me that it is for reservists who have been activated for any length of time within the time period Disney lists; I said "So his annual two weeks of being on active duty counts, even though he didn't go overseas or anything?" She said, "Yes, you are qualified, just be sure to bring his active duty orders with you."

So, that was the official answer I got!!! Phew!

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

Alice28-

I hope for your sake that CM Primrose is right. But I will let you know after we come back from our trip. DH is active duty, so he gets the free ticket. I am an active Air National Guardsman who has NOT been activated, but I have done my 2 weeks of annual tour in the window. I am going to take copies of my orders to see if I can get the free ticket also. I am not counting on it. The money for my ticket (even at $99 a major steal) has already been budgeted. If I get in free, then that is an extra $100 I have to the parks!

 

[Alice28]

I feel pretty good about the answer I received. I have read of others on this board who are active guardsmen/women who were able to receive the $99 tickets although they were never "activated" to go overseas or help out in another state. I just got off the phone with my DH and told him about this thread and how it had me worried, and my phone call. He said, "The people at the WDW ticket booths are not military personnel...no offense, but they're going to see my active duty orders for the summer, your military ID, and figure you are qualified. They're not going to read through my orders with a fine toothed comb." So, I'm not going to sweat it. I am preparing myself that I may have to buy the Shades of Green priced pass, but I am figuring I will be able to get the $99 passes with my ID and paperwork. The only thing the CM told me that I didn't know was that everyone you are buying the $99 passes for have to be present when you are buying them- no one can be waiting back in the room, etc. It's going to be my mother and I, so the CM said to make sure Mom is there with me when I am purchasing the passes.

 

[jeankeri]

We will be going in December buying passes through the armed forces salute. I did not know that all family had to be present when my DH buys the passes. I was going to send him while my DS6 & DS8 waited by the pool. I had heard that you could only purchase the passes you wanted once. If you bought less than the 5 you could not return the next week to buy the rest. I have found that some CM's are more knowledgeable about this than others. Has anyone actually bought them without the whole party being present?

 

[sha_lyn]

Wow where were all of you posters a few weeks ago?
I voiced concern that activated meant just that and I was attacked. I was even accused of being afraid that that people I considered to be the "Wrong" people might get the discount. "They" claimed that WDW was just confussed as to there being a difference between active and activated. Personally I think they make sure that any written policy is gone over with a fine tooth comb by those educated in the legal terms. IMHO the policy writer(s) certainly new what terms they were using, however it is the CRO and Park CM's who don't understand the difference.

I feel the situation is as Alice28 DH said in the following quote:

The people at the WDW ticket booths are not military personnel...no offense, but they're going to see my active duty orders for the summer, your military ID, and figure you are qualified. They're not going to read through my orders with a fine toothed comb."

Someone even posted that their base rec dept was handing out info that stated that one must have been activated and that being only an active reservist did not qualify them.

 

[ToriLammy]

Originally posted by Alice28
The only thing the CM told me that I didn't know was that everyone you are buying the $99 passes for have to be present when you are buying them- no one can be waiting back in the room, etc. It's going to be my mother and I, so the CM said to make sure Mom is there with me when I am purchasing the passes.

Well, DH & I just purchased our passes on Jun 24th and the only people present were DH and I. (He got a free one for himself) We bought passes for me, our son, our daughter, our niece and my MIL who was not arriving until Jun 28th. On Jun 28th I went with SIL who purchased tickets for herself and 2 sons both of whom were not present. What you really need is the full name and birthdate (including year) of each person you are buying tickets for.

Another thing, since my BIL is currently deployed in Iraq the CM told my SIL that when he comes back he can come and get his free ticket although they would not be able to buy any more.

Hope this helps.

 

[Alice28]

Woa.....didn't know this was quite the touchy topic..

I imagine that Disney is requesting that all members of your party be present so to discourage buying all the tickets you can at the discounted price, and then turning around and selling them to a stranger for a higher price. Maybe she told me that cause their hope is to have the "family and friends" using the tickets to be there to sign some paper or their tickets so they may not be transferred.

Obviously, from reading this thread, that different CM's do and say different things. All I know is what CM Primrose told me, and what previous posters have posted on different threads; that as long as one is currently serving in the military, and has been on active duty for any length of time during the dates Disney set forth, that said military person is qualified to buy the discounted ticket.

SeaWorld certainly worded their policy much more clearly! Of which I appreciate! We decided to lengthen our trip by a day to take advantage of SeaWorld's offer- I'm excited to see Shamu!

 

[ToriLammy]

Originally posted by Alice28
Woa.....didn't know this was quite the touchy topic..

I imagine that Disney is requesting that all members of your party be present so to discourage buying all the tickets you can at the discounted price, and then turning around and selling them to a stranger for a higher price. Maybe she told me that cause their hope is to have the "family and friends" using the tickets to be there to sign some paper or their tickets so they may not be transferred.

!

Alice

All I did was tell you how it worked when we purchased our tickets on Jun 24th - the CM at the window types in the names of each person you are buying a ticket for, the ticket is then printed with thier name and birthdate on it. While you were told on the phone it was necessary to have all members present, that was not the case when we purchased our tickets. There is no paperwork to sign, everything is computerized. The first time we used our tickets they asked for an ID card and checked the name against the name printed on the ticket (although they didn't ask for IDs for my two nephews who are 5 and 9). Adults had to do the finger scan thing, kids did not. Disney tickets did not have to signed.

Now Universal/IOA did require all members be present and you had to sign the ticket at the purchase window in front of the person selling the ticket. Each time you used the ticket at Universal/IOA you had to show an ID card to enter the park.

 

[Alice28]

Uh, Tori, I wasn't doubting what you said, nor was I trying to argue with you in any way...I use these boards to think aloud so to say and try and figure out why Disney does what they do. I'm sorry if I offended you in any way---I just was trying to think why the CM might have said that to me..that's all. Sorry!

 

[safetymom]

Since there are different opinions to be safe I would call and ask at Guest Relations again.

 

[Olaf]

The problem with calling Guest Relations is that you're going to get a different story depending on who you talk to. I spoke with them last night and was informed that DH was the only person who need to be present. I would just be prepared with the names/birthdates of everyone who will be needing a ticket and see if that works.

 

[jeankeri]

ToriLammy- Thanks for the info! Which ticket window did you go to (park or TTC)? It's good to know what they're actually doing at the windows- I had to be connected to three CM's on the phone before I could get an answer! By the way- what is the finger scan thing?

 

[ToriLammy]

Originally posted by jeankeri
ToriLammy- Thanks for the info! Which ticket window did you go to (park or TTC)? It's good to know what they're actually doing at the windows- I had to be connected to three CM's on the phone before I could get an answer! By the way- what is the finger scan thing?

We purchased our tickets at the Magic Kingdom ticket window. The finger scan thing is a little box at each enterance with two pegs in it, you place your 2nd and 3rd finger on either side of the peg and slightly squeeze. When the lights all go on it clears you to enter the park. Once a CM told us the secret was squeezing slightly we never had a problem.